MELBOURNE.

Evening Post, Issue 145, 26 July 1865, Page 2

MELBOURNE.

The Cockneys of Melbourne have latterly been amusing themselves with a most inhuman kind of sport, for which they ought to be punished under the statute for the prevention of cruelty to animals. The columns of our contemporary have been used to let it be known that an unfortunate stag is kept in Melbourne, and on Saturday afternoons is carted away some miles, and is then let loose and followed by all the clerks, shopkeepers, horsemen, stable boys, and others who have a horse or can borrow one. A hunt took place about a month ago, when the quarry was secured unhurt. Having recovered, the cruelty was repeated last Saturday. But the would be sportsmen were most righteously hoaxed. They could not find the stag* and after having scoured the country in vain, they lost the lost the hounds in the ranges, and had to return home crestfallen. Has any one the courage to suppress this brutal sport? Are there not kangaroos enough without torturing a

noble and harmless animal ? For shame' gentlemen; you had better be at your desks and counters. — Melbourne Leader. The Leichhardt Expedition has taken its departure. The zeal of Dr. Mueller on behalf of his fellow-countryman and brother explorer cannot be too highly praised. Through his persistent energy the project has been realised, at least to the extent of equipping the expedition. For the Doctor's sake we would rejoice if the object were attained ; but alas, we fear there is no hope of recovering any of the lost ones alive. It is eighteen years since they set out, nine of them in number, and if any survived they would certainly have been heard of in the settlements far north before now. However, it is not less a duty to ascertain their fate. It would be shameful if hereafter there arose even a suspicion that Leichbardt or any of his companions was living at a recent period. The party is led by Mr. M*lntyre, the explorer, who discovered the supposed traces of Leichhardt and Dr. Murray, who went out with Howitt, to bring in the remains of Burke and Wills. There are eight men besides the leaders. The camels are once more bound for the desert, on a cruise if we may so speak of two years. Even if unsuccessful in its primary object, the party will, at any rate, be able to add considerably to our knowledge of the interior. — Ibid.