AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4770, 22 January 1887, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Death from Thirst.

A sad case of death from thirst and exposure to heat took place at Portland, Victoria, on Jan. 15. Miss Heddick left Kentbruck for Rridge water, some 15 miles distant. She was on horseback and had a child two years old in front of her. She got off the horse, which broke away. While pursuing it she lost her way, and wandered all day with the child in her arms until assistance came at seven p.m. Tlio child, named Arthur Charles Morrice, and whoso mother resides in New Zealand, died in Miss Heddick's arms from convulsions. Terrible Destitution. A shocking case of distress at Collie, 70 miles north from Dubbo, came before the Police Court. A father, mother, and seven children named McPherson were brought up for protection. The ages of the children ranged from eighteen years down to four years. It is feared that the father and mother are insane. The eldeat daughter, aged 18, carried an illegitimate child in her arms, and presented a most pitiable sight, being almost destitute of covering. The children appeared dazed at the surroundings, and were crying bitterly from fright. The whole wore remanded for eight days for protection and medical attention. Extraordinary Fatality. The family of Mrs Ryan, hotelkeeper, of Kyambra, suffered from diphtheria during the past few days, and four children died. Mrs Ityan, being exhausted, sent for her sister in Melbourne, but the latter had scarcely arrived more than an hour when she had an attack of sunstroke, and died in two or three minutes. Thus five in one family died within a few days of each other. Lightning- Deaths. Excessive heat is reported from all parts of Victoria. In one or two places heavy thunderstorms occurred. At Avoca there was a terriffic storm, accompanied by thunder and lightning. The town was flooded, and fences, crops, and trees were washed away. A little girl was killed by lightning at Homebush. At Creswick, during a thunderstorm, a man who had taken refuge undor a tree was struk dead by lightning. A girl was alao killed by lightning at Maryborough. Enormous Heat. The weather throughout Australia for the last four or five days has been abnormally hot, the temperature in the shado running from 100 to 110, and even 115, while in the aun it has ranged from 150 to 160.