party under the lamented Burke and Wills.

...

It would only, he remarked, be a just compliment to the neighbouring
colonies to adopt this resolution most heartily. (Hear, hear.) Whilst the
meeting recognised these gallant men--Landsborough and McKinlay--men of
heroism and enterprise, men who were an honour to their race and the
colonies which they represented, they ought also to recognise in them a
manifestation on the part of the neighbouring colonies of a hearty
sympathy in a matter concerning the general welfare of Australia.
(Applause.) While doing honour to the men themselves they ought to
express their gratefulness to the Governments and the people who chose
them for the work which they had performed. Those Governments were
willing in a moment to aid the expedition which the Government of
Victoria had sent forth and, as the result proved, they had put the right
men in the right place. (Applause.) The explorers however must be
regarded as the representatives of the sentiment and the feeling of the
colonists who had sent them forth. In sending them forth those colonies
were not influenced by any ideas of the acquisition of territory; and,
whatever advantages they might have gained, their primary object was to
endeavour to rescue Burke and to assist the expedition of which those
unfortunate explorers were the leaders. While admiring the heroism of
Messrs. Landsborough and McKinlay, let them add their tribute of
admiration to the colonies which had sent them forth to do the work which
they were so admirably fitted to do. (Applause.)

Mr. Gillbee heartily seconded the resolution, assured that in so doing he
was but expressing the sentiments of everyone present. (Applause.)