AUSTRALIAN CABLE

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3551, 25 April 1901, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN CABLE

United' Press Association—Per Ekatrio Telegraph—Copyright. Received 10 a.m., April 24th. MELBOURNE'S POPULATION. . MELBOURNE, April 24. Th# census returns show the population of Melbourne and suburbs to be 493,956, an increase of since the 1891 census. By natural increase at the rate of 154 per cent, per 1000 the census should have shown an increase of 70,000 during the decade; so that instead of an apparent increase there has been a large decrease. In 1891 there were about 5000 more males than females, while at present there are over 7000 more females than males. Received 9.11 a.m., April 24th. QUEEN VICTORIA MEMORIAL FUND. SYDNEY, April 24. At a meeting of the committee of the Queen Victoria Memorial, which takes the shape of additions to the Prince Alfred Hospital, three donations of £IOOO each, and one of £SOO, were announced. ARRIVAL FROM THE SOLOMONS. The Marist Mission schooner Eclipse arrived from the Solomons, in charge of Father Rouillac and six black boys. Despite bad weather, and it being his first attempt at navigation, Father Rouillac managed to cover 1700 miles in sixteen days. Received 12.55 a.m., April 25th. SHIPPING. Sailed—Abergeldie, for Oamaru, and Elingamite. A NEW ZEALAND CASE. The case of Henry Johnston, of the Kauri Timber Company, will be dealt with to-morrow. COSTLY RAT CATCHING. It has been decided, owing to the expense, to a great extent to discontinue the destruction of rats in the city. During the twelve months the plague scare existed £15,000 was expended in the destruction of rats. PERSONAL. PERTH, April 24. Lady Lawley and her two children have arrived. THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS. There are 152 candidates at the General Election for 50 seats im the State Parliament. It is predicted that the Government will be defeated. THE MURDER OF MISSIONARIES. BRISBANE, April 24. By permission of the Minister, the Federal defence steamer leaves for Thursday Island to-morrow with twelve armed troopers for the scene of the supposed murder of missionaries.