AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3574, 12 September 1922, Page 26

AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

OOMM ON WEALTH POPULATION. Official statistics show that the population of the Commonwealth at the end of 1921 totalled 5,510,229, as compared with 4,573,868 at the end of 1911. The births during 1921 numbered 136,198, or 24.95 per thousand. The deaths numbered 5076, or 9.91 per thousand. The death rate wa 3 lower than in any other country with the exception of New Zealand. Heart disease accounted for 9.6 per cent, of the deaths, cancer for 8.8, and tuberculosis for 6.8 per cent. The deaths included 23 centenarians, the oldest being 104. There were 1465 cases of multiple births, including a dozen triplets. The marriage statistics show that the ages of the brides ranged from 12 to 83. One bridegroom had reached 93 before "he made the venture. SUNDAY GAMES. The City Council Parks Committee discussed the question of Sunday sport, and decided to recommend that cricket arid lawn tennis be permitted, but that football be excluded from all parks under tho control of the council; also, that competition matches between tennis or cricket clubs be banned. TEACHERS’ CRITICISM. In consequence of the executive of the Teachers’ Federation criticising'a proposal in respect to high school fees, Mr Bruntell (Minister of Education) communicated with the federation, saying that it was discourteous to hina and unworthy of the traditions of the Public Servilce. The federation lengthily debated the letter, and passed a resolution of endorsement of the executive’s criticism. STEAMER FARES INCREASED. The Oceanic Company’s fares will be increased after next Wednesday from £69 to £67 first class, and from £4O to £46 15s second, and from £27 to £2B 10s third. GENERAL ITEMS. Mr Hughes states that the Federal elections will take place early—probably on November 25 or December 2. In the South Australian Assembly a Bill was passed increasing the salary of the Chief Justice from £2OOO to £2500, and of the puisne judges from £I7OO to £2OOO. Signor Balboni, an operatic singer, was found on a footbpath in St. Kilda with his throat cut. Ho was removed to a hospital, and is in a serious condition. Mr Hughes announced to a meeting of his constituents at Bendigo that he would be unable again to offer himself as a candidate for Bendigo. Mr -Brigg, Sydney city surveyor, has resigned voluntarily after 32 years' service. The Lord Mayor announced that the proposed inquiry into the surveyor’s department would not be held. The collier Queen Bee, which traded between Sydney and Newcastle for 15 years, suddenly foundered off Broken Bay oil the 2nd inst. All hands were saved. A party of footballers while -practising at Maitland, New South Wales, sought shelter in the" dressing room from the storm. A flash of lightning struck the shed and killed Peter Goppack (married, with three children) and Gordon HadfieUl. The hearing of fhe wool tops case iias finished after extending over 48 days. Mr Justice Isaacs will give hi? decision in due course on the facts and 'refer tho questions of law to the Full High Court. Shearing is proceeding steadily in New South Wales. Over 500 sheds, representing 8,000,000 sheep, are working under award rates. Sheds representing 7,000,000 sheep have not yet started work. In the Federal House of Representatives Mr Mahoney moved in Committee of Supply that a vote be reduced by £1 as a protest against the Government’s action in disposing of the wooden ships for £IO,OOO without inviting tenders. The amendment was lost by 29 votes to 15. Henry Lawson was given a State funeral. It was largely attended, those present including the Prime Minister and represen- ■ tatives of the Federal and State Parliaments. The interment took place at Waverley in the grave where the poet Kendall was originally buried. Mr George Pritchard, secretary of the Australian Sugar Producers’ Association, giving evidence before the Federal sugar inquiry, favoured the imposition of a duty of 14s per ton, in orde'r effectively to protect the sugar industry. He said it was impossible for Queensland growers to sell to jam-makers at a price which would enable the latter to compete favourably with the overseas markets.