AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10008, 20 December 1895, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Press Association. -Electric Telegraph.—Copyrigbtw RETIREMENT OF SIR HENRY I'ARKES. Sydney, December 19. Sir H, Parkes has announced his intention to finally retire from political lifo. A movement, started by Mr. McMillan and supported by tlio Government and a majoritj of the members of the Legislative) Assembly, is on foot for voting tho veteran a monetary grant, in recognition of his long political services to tlio colony. Mr. Lyne, leader of the Opposition, mentioned the matter in tho House, and asked if the Government intended to deal with It. He said he had information that Sir Henry I'arkes was not in very good circumstances, and lie would liko to Foe him, at his great age, after his splendid services to the colony, freo frouj want. The Premier replied that the subject was under tho favourable consideration of tho Government; but it needed most careful deliberation, and most likely something would bo done parly noxb session. II wa?, ho thought, improper to take a sudden step so near to the clo?o of tlio present session. Rumour places tho amoan'o to be voted at £10,000. THE VANCOUVER MAIL SERVICE. SrnxKY, Decomber 19. In the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Cook moved that a subsidy of £10,000 per annum bo granted for three years for the continuation of the Vancouver mail service by the Huddart-Parker Company. He said the company had already shown its fitness to live. Sinco its inauguration tho Government had subsidised the company to the extent of £25,000, while the company had spont no less than £160,000 in the port of Sydney. Besides this the Government had received about £2000 a-year in the shape of postage, so that the actual amount paid yearly would not exceed £8000. This only represented the bare trading profit of tho company. The motion was adopted.

THIRST AND DEATH. Perth, Deccomber 19. Between fever and thirst the goldfieldj are paining anything but an enviable notoriety. Many camps are ravaged by typhoid. A party of miners who had sold fchoir claim at Dundas lor £5000 started to walk to Coolgardio. They {,'ot a? far as a 1 place called Sandy Creek, 55 miles from Coolgardie, and discovered that the water there had given out. Two, named McNalty and O'Connor, went in search of water. Their clothes and swags were afterwards found thrown about, and it is supposed the unfortunate men becamo delirious, wandered away, and perished miserably. A RASCALLY CREW. Melbourne, December 19. Somo sensational evidence was given tO« day, when five of the crew of the English ship Ileiperides were sentenced to three months each for stealing cargo. Schultz, who turned Queen's evidence, stated that the accused had plotted to lay the blam( on the captain's son, and gavo details oi another plot by three of tho prisoners to blow up tho ship after sho arrived at Melbourne. One is allege 1 to have said that, together with another man, he tot fire to the ship Habitant, which was burned here some time ago. TELEGRAPHIC FAILURE. Sydney, Decembor 19. Tho new duplicate telegraph between Perth and tho gold fields has proved a complete failure owing to the manner in which the wires were erected. It was found that the insulating brackets would not bear the strain, and have brokon down in several places, The congestion of business which has increased enormously of late, is daily becoming more intense. A YOUTHFUL BRIDEGROOM. Sydney, December 19. Kate Hayes and Robert Henderson liavf boon committed for trial on a charge ol making a false declaration in connection with their marriage. Tho lad, who is only 17 years of ago, was in receipts of 5s per week as a saddler's apprentice. The motive of the girl in inducing him to marry her was apparently the fact that his father was wolltodoand had settled £50,000 worth of property on tho son and two daughters. The juvenile benedict ex pressed tho opinion that 53 weekly was sufficient to live well on. The brido, who is 21 years of age, paid the expenses of the honeymoon. Adey, the best man, who displayed an inordinate desire to hasten tho marriage, wa3 also committed for trial.