was much gratified, he said, at the warm reception which he
had received, and little expected that his humble services would have
been acknowledged in such a public way by such an assemblage as he saw
around him. He had been rather hurriedly called upon as he was unaware
that the meeting was to be held that evening until his arrival from
Geelong an hour or so ago. (Hear, hear.) "My friend and brother
explorer," continued Mr. Landsborough, "has just come in from a glorious
trip from South Australia, by Carpentaria and by Port Denison. I consider
his mode of exploring with livestock consisting of camels, cattle, sheep,
and horses, nearly the best. To make it complete he only wanted some
aborigines as trackers. This I am sure he felt on one occasion when Mr.
Kirby and his sheep were lost for three days. Mr. McKinlay deserves the
greatest credit for being the first to take sheep across the continent.
The camels will yet be found of the greatest value; for it is probable
that other explorers will not find water at such convenient distances as
we have done, and as they can go nearly three times as far as horses
without water they will be of the greatest value for searching ahead for
water, and when water is once found it is very easy to take the party on,
as it is generally found at distances sufficiently near to be reached by
a party like that which Mr. McKinlay and I had. By Burke, Walker,
McKinlay, and myself six of the Carpentaria rivers have been traced.
These rivers chiefly water country of a character which, although dry, is
the kind that I like best for pastoral purposes. And now that my friend
McKinlay has taken sheep across the continent I hope flocks and herds
will soon follow, so that the fine pastures of Carpentaria, instead of
lying waste, will soon become profitable not only to Australia but to the
whole world." (Applause.) In conclusion Mr. Landsborough intimated that
he intended to publish the rest of the information which he had to
communicate in the form of a pamphlet. On resuming his seat he was again
warmly applauded.

Mr. Bourne, the only member of Mr. Landsborough's exploration party now
remaining in Melbourne, was introduced to the meeting, who likewise
honoured him with a round of cheers. He acknowledged the compliment in a
few pertinent remarks. He would rather, he said, perform another journey
through the continent of Australia than make a speech in public, and he
did not seem to be singular in that