Monday, 27 August 1860. page 2.

STARTING OF THE EXPLORATION EXPEDITION.

Yesterday will be a memorable day in the annals of Australian history. The 20th of August, 1860, will long be remembered as the day upon which the largest and best appointed expedition yet organised in the Australian colonies started from Melbourne for the purpose of exploring the vast unknown interior of the Australian continent. Perhaps no similar expedition has ever excited greater interest than the one which has just gone forth; the difficulty at first experienced in obtaining the necessary funds, the munificent donation of £1,000 front an unknown person, and the first employment of the " ships of the desert" in the undertaking, all have combined to add additional interest to the event.

The expedition has now started, and time-alone will show in what manner the attempt further to explore that territory into which as yet no white man has penetrated will eventuate. One o'clock was the time appointed, but long before that thousands of persons were wending their way to the Royal Park. The road was crowded with vehicles of every description, and. all classes of society hastened to take a farewell of those pioneers of civilization and progress, some of whom perchance may never return to reap the reward of their labors, or live to see the result of their enterprise.

The Royal Park presented a very gay and animated appearance, horsemen and equipages of every description were dashing about hither and-thither. Some 15,000 persons were scattered about, conversing; in groups upon the all-engrossing subject, or thronging the stable doors endeavoring to catch a glimpses of the camels. Artists, with sketch-book and pencil in hand, were anxiously looking around for some quiet and favorable spot from whence they might take an outline of the scene, to be filled in afterwards at their leisure, whilst the leaders of the party were hurrying to and fro hastening on the arrangements for the departure, and seeing that everything: was in order, and occasionally the picturesque red shirts and elevated broad brimmed hats of the men themselves were seen emerging from the stables, as the wearers either expelled the curious crowd, who again and again intruded into the forbidden, enclosure, or as he went in search for some of the equipments of his desert steed.

During the earlier portion of the day the immense crowd of persons which surrounded the stables materially interfered with the preparations that were going forward, and it was not until the arrival of a body of police under the orders of Inspectors Brangan and Weldon that the men were enabled to press forward their arrangements with anything like comfort or despatch. Generally speaking the party appear to be excellently equipped for their arduous undertaking. The boots for the men, and the greater part of the harness and saddlery for the horses and camels, have all been manufactured at Pentridge, under the strictest supervision. Shoes have also been provided for the camels, to protect their feet when travelling over rough and stoney ground.

The whole of the stores, &c., with the exception of some ten tons of gram, which will be forwarded via the Murray, and which will be delivered to the party at the junction of the Murray and the Darling, the expedition take with them, in six American waggons, three the property of the party and three hired ones. These waggons will proceed as far as Swan Hill, when the loading will be transferred to the backs of the camels.

Preparations hare been made for every emergency; cots for the conveyance of the sick, which can be slung on either side of a camel, have been provided, and a good supply of medicines have been provided for both man and beast; and included amongst the list of medical comforts may be mentioned seven hundredweight of Bencraft's colonial oatmeal. Mr Burke has also taken with him everything necessary for making signals in case any of the party should become separated in the bush, or if from any other cause such should be necessary. He has a large Chinese gong, two Union Jacks, and an ample supply of rockets and blue lights. The tents which the party take with them are in every way fitted for the purpose for which they are intended, being made of the best American drill, and lined throughout with green baize

We are sorry we cannot speak so favorably regarding the waggons ; the pole of one of them broke in attempting to start it, and we have since been informed that two of them broke down between the Park and Essendon, and will be unable to proceed until they are repaired.

It was intended at first to take only five drays, and to place three hundred weight of gram on each camel at starting, but Mr. Landells objected to that arrangement, stating that it would be necessary to husband the strength of the animals as much as possible for the journey between Swan Hill and Cooper's Creek, when they will have to do the whole of the work. Mr Landell's representations were listened to, another dray was engaged, and the camels allowed a further respite. Mr. Landells states it will be absolutely necessary for the party to remain some considerable time at Cooper's Creek, in order to refresh the camels, since by the time they arrive there their energies will be wholly exhausted. Eighty camels he says would not be too many for the purposes of the expedition.

We have previously recorded our opinion of the horses that accompany the party, viz., that they are wholly unfit for their work; and a more minute inspection of the team only confirms that judgment; added to which, when they were yesterday called upon to start, they showed the greatest aversion to the collar, some of them indeed proving themselves "rank jibs." One consolation, however, as regards this matter is, that there is but little doubt that as Mr Burke proceeds up the country he will be able to exchange these worthless animals for a better description of cattle.

Four camels have been left behind - two females with young, one male, and Mr Landell's "Pet," a young thing, but very well bred, and which promises to be a very valuable animal. The start was to have taken place at 1 o'clock, but from the interruptions and delays caused by the immense crowds who were present, and from other causes, the preparations were not completed until about half-past 3 o'clock. At that time all the camels were out of the stables and saddled, the drays were loaded, and all was ready. The Mayor then mounting one of the drays bid the party good bye, and all success, and called for cheers for Mr. Burke, Mr. Landells, and the members of the party. The call having been most enthusiastically responded to, Mr Burke replied in a brief sentence expressive of his determination, to do all that lay in his power to conduct the expedition to a successful termination. The party then started amidst the loud and repeated cheers of those present.