AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

West Coast Times, 20 June 1912, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AN OLD CONVICT SHIP,

The old Australian convict .ship Success Inis boon purchased by an American syndicate for exhibition pur-

poses (says the ‘British Australasian’) an 1 was to have started on her journey from Kurland some weeks ago; but the first crow engaged refused, when they discovered the notorious history of the old vessel, to have anything to do with her. By a promise of enhanced pay a second crew lias been engaged. The Success was built at Moulmcin, Burma!!, in 1790, and was equipped as an armed merchantman. She then gained an evil notoriety as an “ ocean hell” in carrying convicts to Australian settlements. Her voyage to America is an adventurous one, as- she is the oldest ship in the world carrying sail. By way of contrasty she is now equipped with wireless telegraphy. The* Marconi company are co-operating with the owners, and all liners aro asked to keep a sharp look-out for her.

01L FOR TEE AUSTRALIAN NAVY,

A leading item of expense in the Naval Department is the purchase of oil for the torpedo-boat destroyers, and largo amounts aro paid for the supplies (says the 1 Argus.’) The Naval Board are keenly interested in a search which they have instructed their officers to make for Australian sources of supply. 'Recently the destroyer Parramatta, while at Newcastle, took on hoard a shipment of shale oil for testing. It is the intention of the Federal Government to have the district in Paupa where oil is supposed to ho obtainable thoroughly tested, and if the reports are favourable the field will ho rapidly developed, in order that fuel may he supplied to the fleet unit. The latest indication of the. Naval Board’s activity in the search for. oil is that their, officers are now in the Mount Gambicr district of South Australia, examining the country where it was reported that petroleum had been ’discovered.

THE MAWSON EXPEDITION. Some idea of the interest which is taken in the Mawson expedition by the public of Australia was evidenced during the recent visit of the Aurora to Sydney. A lecture on ‘The Work of the Mawson Expedition ’ was given b'y Professor David in the Lyceum Theatre and the admission tickets showed that 2,300 people were present. His Excellency Lord Chelmsford, presided, and among those in the audience were Sir Elhott and Lady Lewis. Over four thousand people inspected the Aurora when lying at Circular Quay, Sydney. When it became known that the Aurora had been, badly damaged by contact with the rocks at Masquarrie Island, tho New South Wales Government undertook to place the vessel in proper repair, which involved an expenditure of nearly £BOO. The coal-' owners generously provided 367 tons of coal, part being donated and the remainder charged at the nominal price of 3s per ton. Sugar was provided free, as was also the oil required for the engine-room, and representing a value of nearly £IOO. Tinned meats to the amount of 6001b net weight were donated, and when some anti-fouling composition was required to coat the ship’s bottom it was forthcoming without; charge. The Admiralty also supplied a large quantity, of gear.