t valuable country is the Plains of Promise, and
second to them the plains on the Gregory River.

Of the country I have seen on the last expedition which had not been
previously explored I consider the most valuable, on which I am sure
sheep will thrive, are the plains on the west bank of the Leichhardt
River, and those plains on the Flinders River. Of the Leichhardt River
country I can but speak of a small portion, as I only followed it up for
about eight miles from where the tide came to a fine basaltic ford, where
the water was fresh. Of the Flinders River country the best I saw on the
lower part of the river is situated between 18 degrees 26 minutes
latitude and 19 degrees 20 minutes latitude; and of the upper part of the
river the best is the last 100 miles I saw.

I have the honour to be, sir,

Your obedient servant,

W. LANDSBOROUGH,

Commander of the Victorian and Queensland Expedition.

The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, Queensland.

...

ROYAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA.

An ordinary meeting of this society was held on the 18th August and was
numerously attended. His Excellency Sir Henry Barkly (president) occupied
the chair.

PRESENTATION TO JOHN KING.

The first business was the presentation to John King the explorer of the
gold watch awarded him by the Royal Geographical Society.

The Secretary (at the request of His Excellency the President) read the
following extract from a private letter from Sir Roderick Murchison, the
president of the Royal Geographical Society, dated May 20 1862:

I told you in my last that I thought it probable we should grant one of
our gold medals to the family of Burke; and I am happy to announce to you
that at the last meeting of council the award was made as I anticipated,
on my own proposition, strengthened as it was by your favourable opinion.

We also give to the good and intrepid King a gold watch, with an
inscription.

The Duke of Newcastle has promised to attend and receive these donations
on the 26th.

P.S. (June 23): the watch sent to King cost much more than the gold
medal; and I hope the good soldier will like it.

...

The Secretary next read the following despatch from his Grace the Duke of
Newcastle to Governor Sir Henry Barkly:

Downing Street, May 26 1862.

Sir,

I have to acquaint you that this morning I attended the annual meeting of
the Royal Geographical Society, and that, at the request of the
president, Lord Ashburton, I undertook t