WALKER'S EXPEDITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 180, 13 June 1862, Page 5

WALKER'S EXPEDITION.

The journey of Walker and his party from Rockhampton to the Gulf of Carpentaria is certainly one of the most successful in the history of .Australian exploration. While Burke and Wills have achieved a triumph at the cost of their lives in crossing and recrossing that portion of the continent lying between. Cooper's Creek and the northern coast, Walker and his associates have, in an unpretentious manner, and without,disaster of -any kind, accomplished a task of scarcely less difficulty, and which, we believe, will be productive of results equally important. The disappointment caused by the first intelligence that Walker had failed in his attempt to fiiilow up Burkes trail, will be allayed by the consideration that another course has been struck, through which he has demonstrated the existence of a large area of good country, capable of depasturing stock. Moreover, Walker is fully persuaded that he has found a clue to the mystery enshrouding the fate of Leichardt. Report says that he is extremely desirous of following up the information he has acquired; but this of course he cannot do until he has received his discharge from the Exploration Committee of Victoria. Should he be in a position to show that his supposition had some substantial foundation, the Parliament of Queensland ought not to be dilatory iv furnishing the necessary means for the equipment of an expedition to enable him to do his best for the public service. The fate of Leichardt, and the information the discovery of his journals might afford, are matters of common interest to the colonies collectively, and it may not be desirable to urge upon the youngest colony of the group the expenditure of large sums ofhioney in the work of exploration, with a view simply of contributing to their general stock of geographical knowledge and to the advancement of science; at the same time, the present occasion appears to afford an opportunity to Queensland of doing all this, without incurring a special outlay for the purpose. The sum of £1500 would be sufficient for the equipment of an eiJ'ective expedition, under the leader- j ship of an experienced bushman; and it is unquestionably the duty of the Government of tnis colony to ascertain, and make available to the public, those portions of the waste lands that are best suited for occupation, rather than allow themselves to be forestalled by a private expedition sent out to further the ends of speculators in new country.

. On Thursday evening, two of Walker's party, Messrs. M'Alister and Moore, arrived in llockhampton, bearing dispatches for the Exploration Committee of Victoria. They left Walker on the 3rd instant twenty five miles this side of Port Denison. He is coming slowly on with the remainder of his party and eight horses, and may be expected here in the course of a few days. We have been unable to glean any additional particulars worthy of uotiee, as these gentlemen do not feel themselves at liberty to give any information touched upon in the despatches committed to their care. — llockhampton Bulletin, 17th May.