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NEW EXPEDITION FOR DR. LEICHHARDT'S PARTY. Baeon ton Mtjelleb asks that proposal for new expedition for Dr. Leichhardt's party be brought before Intercolonial Conference. To the Hon. Geaham Beeet, M.L.A., Chief Secretary of Victoria. Sie, — Melbourne, 12th December, 1880. The Intercolonial Conference affording an opportunity to discuss questions and to devise measures in which all the Australian Colonies unitedly are concerned, I venture to beg of you, as Premier of this colony, that you will be pleased to submit for the consideration of the Conference whether a new effort ought to be made to clear up the fate of Dr. Leichhardt's party. The comparatively recent intelligence obtained of a supposed member of the Leichhardt Expedition having died only three years ago on the Mulligan River, and, furthermore, traditions among the aborigines of Northwestern Australia that a survivor of that ill-starred party was still living among the tribes of an eastern branch of the Victoria River, hold out some hope that by a methodical search along these water-courses, and by frequent interrogations of the native tribes of the vicinity, at last the actual fate of the lost small band of geographic pioneers could be ascertained, that possibly even some one of them might be rescued, and perhaps documents of the expedition be discovered, while most certainly a vast extent of new country would become mapped. It is far from me to ask for large means to accomplish this nationally Australian object; a few hundred pounds from each of the four most populated colonies, with a small subsidy from the two others, would suffice to send out an efficient party for following up the new traces of the lost explorers, especially as the tried services of Mr. Ernest Giles as leader of a search party could be rendered available at the present time, and as the Hon. Sir Thomas Elder would be almost sure to lend for so noble a purpose a limited number of dromedaries (otherwise purchasable). Leichhardt has high claims on the universal gratitude of Australia; he traversed through the territory of Queensland on exploring lines of fully 1,500 miles, the whole of this extent of country taken up from his maps, and now all along occupied by flourishing settlements, from which annually large revenues are derived. He advanced through South Australian dominions already in his first expedition to the extent of 750 miles length, and is supposed to have perished in the northern portion of the South Australian territory; the greater part of the country explored by him there is now also occupied along his track by pastoral settlers, near convenient harbours (as on his Queensland lines) for commerce, and throughout well-watered and fertile regions. He was sent out by New South Wales, of which Victoria was then an integral portion. The modest expenditure now solicited in the cause of humanity, and simultaneously also for the further advancement of geography, would be sure to bear results of practical importance to rural pursuits and trade, and therewith also to the further enrichment of these colonies. I need not remind you, honored Sir, that Mr. Giles had, as gold medallist of the Royal Geographic Society of London, this year for his only colleague the distinguished commander of the " Vega," who, with Baron Nordenskiold, accomplished the eastern arctic passage, for which was striven several hundred years in vain. It is also unnecessary to call to your recollection that the efforts of obtaining tidings of Sir John Franklin's party have culminated this year in an heroic search in the polar regions, not merely through the summer season, but incessantly through a whole arctic winter, an event of bravery also unparalleled and unexampled in the world's history before. Ships like the " Erebus " and " Terror " may founder and leave no vestiges, but no land party, such as Leiehhardt's, can go out of existence without leaving remnants behind for a very long series of years; thus to clear up the fate of Leichhardt's party is merely a matter of skill, perseverance, and monetary means, and, through the chance of now using dromedaries, the search will neither be impeded by deserts nor seasons of drought. I therefore humbly trust that the distinguished statesmen who represent in the present Melbourne Conference all the Australian Colonies will grant the funds sufficient to keep a small party for one year in the field on this high-minded errand, especially as now the eyes of the whole world are more particularly directed to Australia through the International Exhibition. Besides, while fulfilling our duties to a martyr of Australian geography, justice would be done to a leading living explorer, in utilizing his talents and experiences, while still available, by which means unfailingly new additions will be made to the geography of our continent, in which all the Australian Colonies are interested, and from which they will all derive in time large, substantial, and continuous benefit. I have, &c, Feed, ton Muellee.

To the Hon. G-eaham Bebby, M.L.A., Premier of Victoria, &c. Melbourne, 11th January, 1881. I deem it but right, honored Sir, to mention, after the enlightened interest which you evince in the question of Leichhardt's fate, that the telegraphic intelligence just received concerning the identification of Classen's remains does only account, as yet, for the end of one of a party of eight, while rumours are afloat that another survivor still exists at the source of the Eiver Victoria (much nearer to Western Australia). I hope, therefore, that your kind intention to bring this subject before the Intercolonial Conference, in Sydney, will not be hindered by the telegram just published, especially as the new search will have an important geographic bearing also. Allow me yet to remark that, in the event of the other colonies responding to your call of taking joint action in this new enterprise, it would simplify and expedite the arrangements very much if the funds were made available in one place; and, as I have followed up since fully thirty years all investigations regarding Leichhardt's party, the several Australian Governments might have sufficient faith and confidence in me for intrusting to me the final agreement with Mr. Griles, and for effecting the disbursements under such arrangements as the Conference may deem fit. I have this day received a letter from Mr. Giles, expressing his eagerness to conduct this new search expedition, and I am sure he is not led in this by monetary considerations. An early organization of the party is desirable, for the full benefit of the approaching cool season. Eegardf ully yours, _^^^_^^^^^^____ Feed, ton Muelleb.