Commission of Enquiry

Report of the commissioners appointed to enquire into and report upon the circumstances connected with the sufferings and death of Robert O'Hara Burke and William John Wills, the Victorian explorers. John Ferres, Government Printer, Melbourne, 1862.

Parliamentary papers, No 97, 1861-2.
The enquiry into the deaths of Burke and Wills was held in Melbourne in November and December 1861.
Five commissioners interviewed thirteen people connected to the expedition.
Their report and findings was published at the end of January 1862.

Contents

Minutes of Evidence:

Appendices:

Download the Commission of Enquiry:

Evidence Listed by Witness:

Commissioners

Commissioners appointed by Chief Secretary, Richard Heales.
1	Sir Thomas Simson Pratt, KCB. Commander of British forces in Australia. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A050505b.htm	(1797-1879)

2	Sir Francis Murphy MP, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A050362b.htm	(1808-1891)

3	Matthew Hervey MLC, Acting President of the Legislative Council.	(1820-1874)

4	James Forester Sullivan MP, Commissioner of Trade & Customs. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A060235b.htm	(1817-1876)

5	Evelyn Pitfield Shirley Sturt Esq, http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A060232b.htm	(1816-1885)

Secretary
	Robert Ross Haverfield http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A040408b.htm	(1819-1889)

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