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PARKINSON.

Wales to form an adminiBtration, and became Premier for the second time. Being defeated in the Legis- lative Assembly in August, he ad- vised his Excellency to dissolve Parliament. His advice was ac- cepted on the condition that supply should be granted to cover the period of the general election. The ministry declined being parties to any condition whatever, and retired from office. Their successors ob- tained a dissolution, and were de- feated on the meeting of the new Parliament. On their defeat Mr. Parkes was again (in December, 1877) requested to form a govern- ment. On this occasion, however, he returned his commission after a few days, finding that he could not construct a ministry which, in his judgment, would have sufficient strength to conduct affairs efficiently and satisfactorily. In Dec, 1878, Sir Henry Parkes took ofKce as Premier for the third time, and is still in office, his present ministry having been of longer duration than any other Australian Government. During his present tenure of office he has passed a new education law, the "Public Instruction Act of 1880," which repeals the Act of 1866, and extends its provisions more completely on a non-sectarian basis, creating a class of High Schools as well as Primary Schools, and placing the Education Depart- ment under a responsible minister. In Dec, 1881, Sir Henry Parkes left New South Wales, under medical advice, on a short visit to America and Europe. On this occasion he was entertained at a banquet by the two Houses of Parlia- ment, and also at a second banquet by the citizens of Sydney. In Eng- land Sir Henry Parkes received a marked welcome from all classes, and was honoured by the largest ban- quet ever given in connection with tne Australasian Colonieff, with the Duke of Edinburgh in the chair. In June, 1877, her Majesty con- ferred upon him the rank of Knight

Commander of SS. Michael and George, and in 1882, King Humbert conferred upon him the dignity of Knight Commander of the Crown of Italy, in recognition of his ser- vices to a large number of the Italian emigrants who went out to New Ireland, and who arrived ulti- mately in Sydney in a state of great distress. A volume of " Speeches on various Occasions connected with the Public Affairs of New South Wales, 1848-74, by Henry Parkes, with an Introduction by David Bhdr," was published at Melbourne in 1876.

PABKINSON, Joseph Cha.ki.B6, bom in London in 1832, commenced active life in Somerset House (In- land Be venue Department), in 1865, after the Civil Service Commission had been established by order in Council. He published in 1859, " Under Government," the first complete guide to the various de- partments of the Civil Service, This work, which ran through many editions, was followed in 1860 by a handbook of " Government Examinations." In 1864 Mr. Par- kinson's abilities as a joumaliBt were recognized by the Daily News, which employed him to report on the demeanour of the mob as- sembled to witness the execution of the five pirates of the Flowery Land (Feb. 23, 1864). His descrip- tion produced an effect similar to that of Charles Dickens's in the Times on the execution of the Man- nings, and waji read to the House of Commons on the day of its pub- lication. Mr. Parkinson for the next ten years was one of the steadiest and most esteemed con- tributors to the Daily News, mainly on the abolition of public execu- tions, poor-law reform, and the preservation of conmions. In con- junction with the Duke of West- minster, the Archbishop of York, the late Dr. Anstie and others, Mr. Parkinson worked by pen. and speech to promote that reform in work- house infirmaries which culmiiiat^