AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10764, 12 May 1911, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

[By Electric Telegraph—Copyp.ic.ht.] .(Per Press Association.) •RAINS IN NEW SOUTII WALES. Received May 12. at 0.15 a.m. Sydney. May 11. The protracted dry spell has broken, good rains falling in the country. DEARTH OF PIJKSBYTERIAXS. . Sydney. May 12. •The Presbyterians '-'iinplain of a great dearth of candidal, <.s for the Ministry nild ,also of the actual shortage of ministers at tlie present time. It is said that there are twenty-three Presbyterian charges ill the State not filled. GOVERNMENT MAKES ITS OWN BRICKS. Received May 12. at 0.15 a.m. : ; Sydney. May 12. The first 5(1. UOO Government-made bricks are a great success. The Department will shortly have working five Kilns, each capable oi turning out 34.000 bricks daily. There i.s no present intention of selling to the public unless they are unable to obtain them from private manufacturers at a reasonable price. '> ' THE SINFUL LIFE. Received May 12. at i" a.m. Sydney, May 12. iAij.advocate'of the simple life appeared in George street attired in a bathing costume and was lined 5s for offensive behavior. ENCOURAGING INDUSTRY. ' : Sydney, Ma.v 12. . The Government lias let a contract, for" 20,000 tons of locally-made steel rails. THE PRESBYTERIAN CENSUS. .. v Sydney, May 15^ ..The Presbyterian Missions Committee estimate that they have a population, in the Commonwealth of 80,000. • ' VICTORIAN POLICE FORCE; Melbourne,'" May 12; "". There are no candidates ' for, the police force. Members.urge the adoption "of the all-round pensions scheme which was repealed in 1902. THE REFERENDA. •'? SydneyJ May 12.. ~~Tho voting on.the referenda.in, New Sou£h. Wales was 41 per centum, the lowest; in Victoria.s9 per centuin, the liigKest.. . STRANDED STEAMER REPAIRED. • ~ * Sydney, May 12. • Repairs to the Eastern, recently stranded off the Queensland coast, have been completed, at n cost of £BO,OOO.

BETTER PAY FOR TELEGRAPHISTS.. f .« ■ Melbourne, May 12_. ' The Pederal Government is adopting avsbfieirie of classification for tele.grajJElists costing an increase of £50,000 annually. ,

TORPEDO DESTROYERS FOR AUSTRALIA. ~. ' . " Melbourne, May 12. ha\'e been made by the AdnJiralty to secure 54 special ratings for tbijedp: destroyers.