AUSTRALIAN.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13836, 23 February 1909, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN.

Press Associ&tdon-By Telegrapli-Cnpvrigjt VITAL STATISTICS. ; i( 7 " SYDNEY, Feb. 22. The population of the State at the . end of last year was 1,605,Q32y «n increase of 31,808, whereof 26,458 was due to the excess of birtlis over deaths, This excess is the highest on record. The births numbered 42,543, a Record, and the deaths 16,085, which, with the exception of the year 1906, is the lowest on record. The marriages numbered 12,015, equal to 7.94 per 1000 of the popiilation. This is the highest for 23 years, and 3 per cent, above the average of the last five years. There are 115 males in the State to every 100 females. The number of horses at the end of last year, was 472..534, a decrease of 931; cattle, 2,444,825, an increase of sheep, 41,531,000, a decrease of 1,248,000. The increase in cattb is attributed to the development of closer settlement, and the decrease in sheep is principally the result, of tho drought. WELCOME RAINS. Splendid monsoonal rains have fallen in the' north-eastern and southern districts', and a good seaso?i is assured. VALUABLE MINERALS. A valuable deposit of shale and cement has been discovered in the Murwillumbah district. A -PROSPEROUS STATE. The Treasurer claims that the now loan is satisfactory. The State has to pay about £3 14s 3d in interest. Mr Waddell says that New South Wales? credit is nearly at the top of the tree. .Only Britain and Franco are able to borrow to' better advantage. ARRESTED ON SUSPICION. Two men have been arrested in Sydney on suspicion of being concerned in the shooting of Constable Hyde at Adelaide on January 2nd. SMALLPOX. PERTH, Feb. 22. The smallpox patient on board the steamer Paroo was a coloured member of the crew. He has succumbed.