AUSTRALIA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12648, 7 January 1904, Page 3

AUSTRALIA.

NEW SOUTH WALES PAR- I

LIAMENT.

(Received January 7. 1.17 a.m.) SYDNEY, Wednesday. Parliament will open on the 19th instant to deal with the result of the referendum on the question of reducing the number of members

THE COOGEE INQUIRY. MELBOURNE, Wednesday.

At the Coogee disaster inquiry the captain of the Fortunato Figari stated that the chief officer of the Coogee was amongst those who jumped aboard the Italian ship, and he assisted to gpt the boats out to go to the assistance of the Coogee Witness considered the Coogee was travelling too fast and did not sound her Whistle.

Owen, a seaman on watch on the bridge of the Coogee, testified to hearing the foghorn on the ship. He called out, and the whistle was blown.

The captain called ont, “Stop the ship!” The collision occurred almost the same instant. Witness saw the first mate attending to the boats. The only other time the whistle, was blown was half - an - hour before the collision.

BARQUE WRECKED. ADELAIDE, Wednesday. The barque Ethel, which went ashore near Cape Spencer, is believed to bo a total wreck. One of the crew, a youth named Henersen, who was drowned, volunteered to take a line ashore. After a brave struggle he almost reached land, but died from exhaustion while being hauled aboard the vessel again.

RISE IN FREIGHTS.

MEL BOU RN E, Wednesday.

Oversea freights arc advancing. Offers of 255. have been owners asking 27». The increase is partly due to the rise in the price of wheat.

SHIPPING.

SYDNEY, Wednesday. Sailed, 2 p.m. —Mokoia, s.s., for Auckland.

MELBOURNE, Wednesday. Sailed —Manuka, s.s,, for New Zealand.