lx Appendix. 



were that, although there were uo doubt many oases in the supposed central 

 desert, yet it might be at first very difficult to get from one to the other. 

 Experience was required to undertake a task of such magni- 

 tude as the exploration of Central Australia, and the prelimi- 

 nary expedition seemed likely to confer that experience. In 

 order to avail themselves of Mr. Babbage's expedition to the west of Lake 

 Torrens, they had limited themselves to a mere reduced exploration at first. 

 Again, any valuable country opened to the north of this colony must be of 

 material importance. Another reason for limiting the exploration was that 

 it would take the party through different tribes to those through which Mr. 

 Gregory had passed, and thus existed a better chance of throwing some 

 light on the fate of the unfortunate Leichhardt. This plan could not be car- 

 ried out with the limited means at the disposal of the Iastitute, and in 

 asking for Government assistance he had no doubt they would meet with the 

 support of the people of this colony. It would give him pleasure to relate 

 the progress of Mr. Gregory's exploration, in which he had been engaged ; 

 but as this was not immediately in connection with the topic in hand, 

 he would do so after the meeting had terminated, if called on. 



Dr. Macadam thought that the great exploration of Australia, 

 from east to west should be preceded by an exploration of the land 

 from the Darling to the junction of the Victoria and Thompson rivers. 

 There were difficulties which had to be overcome by investigation 

 before they involved the lives of so many of their fellow-creatures 

 in this gigantic work. The preliminary expedition would give them the 

 range of an unexplored country, extending 450 miles in length by 200 in 

 breadth, and from which brief excursions could be taken towards the in- 

 terior when they establishe d a depot where provisions c-juld be conveyed to 

 them. The leader of the party could thus try his men, for they need not 

 be absent more than five months. At the end of that time they might be 

 in possession of the results of Mr. Gregory's and Mr. Babbage's expeditions, 

 and an important plan of action could be devised for the great scheme. 



The resolution was then put and carried. 



Mr. Hodgson, M.L.C., moved the third resolution — 



" That this meeting recognises the duty of the colonists of Victoria to 

 co-operate with the Philosophical Institute in carrying out the scheme of 

 exploration proposed." 



He was sure that this must meet with their hearty concurrence ; and as so 

 much had already been said, he would simply move the resolution he had 

 proposed. 



Dr. Eades seconded the resolution. From what he had heard, it seemed 

 that the preliminary expedition was the most reasonable plan of action. It 

 was too great a responsibility for them' to risk the lives of their fellow - 

 creatures in so tremendous an attempt as that to explore the Australian Con- 

 tinent from east to west, especially as there was reason to believe that the 

 country was of an extremely difficult and dangerous nature in some parts. 



Mr. Hough supported the resolution. The scheme they were asking the ■ 

 meeting to endorse was now so fully recognised to be the best and safest, 

 that he need not say much on that head. The question was, would they 

 wait any longer before they followed in that course of progress which was 

 now so universally developing itself. There was a great destiny before this 

 country, and it was time that they endeavored to regard their material and 

 political interests, which could be done effectually by these efforts. He did 

 not think that there was much to regret in the recession of the black races, 

 for it seemed to be an inevitable natural law ; and even the native races in 

 New Zealand had remarked and admitted it. He did not think that they 

 should not do all they cnuld to conserve the native races, but it seemed to 

 him that the lands of the colony were destined to be occupied by the Anglo- 

 Saxon race, and it was foreign to the object of their meeting to consider how 



