[2] Gilfillan used his sketches from his time in Whanganui to complete the painting of the interior of Putiki Pah, ‘Maori Koreoro or Native Council’, which was hung in the New Zealand Court at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851.

[2] In 1852-1853 Gilfillan visited the Victorian gold-diggings and produced a number of sketches which then appeared in the Illustrated London News of 26 February along with excerpts from his journal.

This time his subject was ‘The Landing of Captain Cook at Botany Bay’ and according to ‘The Age’ Gilfillan had gone to a lot of trouble to obtain authentic portraits of all the principal actors.

[7] By June 1857 the work was nearing completion and the following description appeared in the ‘Adelaide Times’; The great navigator is, of course, the principal figure in the composition, while grouped around him are Mr Banks, Dr Solander, and several officers Captain Cook has just made the usual proclamation, and has lifted his hat above his head.

A seaman is elevating the white ensign of St. George above the group of officers; another has unfurled the Union Jack on the top of a cliff; the marines are firing a salute, while the motley-looking ships' band behind them, and on the right of the picture, are playing the National Anthem.