shall continue in full force and virtue; and you the said Commissioners may, from time to time, and at every place or places, proceed in the execution thereof, and of every matter or thing therein contained, although the inquiry be not regularly continued from time to time by adjournment:  and lastly, that you do report, as occasion may require, for the information of our Governor of our said Colony, under your hands and seals, all matters and things elicited by you during the inquiry under this Commission.

Seal of the colony of Victoria.

Witness our trusty and well-beloved sir Henry Barkly, Knight Commander of the Most Noble Order of the Bath, Captain-General, and Governor-in-Chief of our Colony of Victoria, and Vice-Admiral of the same, at Melbourne, this twelfth day of November, One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, and in the twenty-fifth year of our Reign.

Henry Barkly.

By His Excellency’s command,

(Signed) R. Heales.

. . .

APPENDIX C.

To his excellency sir Henry Barkly, Knight commander of the most honourable order of the Bath, captain-general and Governor-in-chief of the colony of Victoria, and vice-Admiral of the same, etc., Etc.

May it please your excellency:—­

In conformity with the terms of Her Majesty’s commission, we have made inquiry into the circumstances connected with the sufferings and death of Robert O’Hara Burke and William John Wills, the Victorian explorers.

We have endeavoured to ascertain the true causes of this lamentable result of the expedition, and have investigated the circumstances under which the depot at Cooper’s Creek was abandoned by Mr. William Brahe.  We have sought to determine upon whom rests the grave responsibility of there not having been a sufficient supply of provisions and clothing secured for the recruiting of the explorers on their return, and for their support until they could reach the settlements; and we have generally inquired into the organization and conduct of the expedition.

Our investigations have been confined to the above matters, the Government having already taken into consideration the claims on the colony of the surviving members of the expedition, etc.

We have examined all persons willing to give evidence who professed, or whom we supposed to possess, knowledge upon the various subjects of our inquiries:  and we now, after mature consideration, submit to your Excellency the following Report:—­

The expedition, having been provided and equipped in the most ample and liberal manner, and having reached Menindie, on the Darling, without experiencing any difficulties, was most injudiciously divided at that point by Mr. Burke.