Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/414

---

brought about, after so raucli labour and difficulties so very discouraging, your merit lias been very great, and jourl conduct such as in m}^ oi)inion deserves great reward/' Thus gladdened at the close of his career by testtmouj from England the successful Governor received hearty expressions of goodwill fi^om ail iii the colony. Deputations Maited upon him. Major Johnston represented the military. The Judge- Advocate headed the civil officern. John Macarthnr represented the free inhabitants. Mutual , compliments and friendly feelings were expressed. King reciprocated their '*kind good wishes, and what isl equall}^ dear to me, your sentiments of my conduct in the| situation [ have had the honoiu^ to hold in these settle- ments. For the support and assistance he had received from the different classes of His Majestj^^s subjects he was truly grateful, and *' although he had obtained leave to resign his office, at no period of his future existence would an earnest desh-e and solicitude be wanting to do his utmost in forwarding the interests of this remote part of His Majesty's dominions, and the prosperity of the in- habitants." He promulgated his ** approbation of the general good conduct" of the New South Wales Corps, audi of the Sydney and Parramatta Loyal Associations. He' published as a final Order '* the entire apiirobation by His Majesty of his * government of the colony/ ** and announced that '* all existing General Orders, pLoclamations, and local regulations were to remain in full force and effect," unless formally altered. As he passed to the wharf military honours were paid to him by the New South Wales Corps and the Sydney Loyal Association, ** which were repeated on Governor Bligh's repassing the line after taking leave of Governor King at the wharf." A few words may be devoted to the remnant of King'ai life. Like other governors, he was m after years accused ' of having prostituted his position by conferring gi*ants of i land too largely on himself. In the record he left of the! state of the colony at the time of Hunter's supersession hel declai'ed his intention to abstain from commercial, orj farming, or other pursuits for gain. He adhered to hial resolve, but he allotted grants to each of four children.^ The largest grant was of 660 acres to his eldest sonJ