AUSTRALIAN.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13845, 5 March 1909, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN.

Pivss Associal ion-Bv Telegraph-Copyright NEW ZEALAND'S DRINK BILL. SYDNEY, March 4. .

The "Telegraph," in commenting on New 'Zealand's drink bill, says that doubtless the figures would have been bigger still had there been no temperance wave, but it was to foe expected that the agitation for reform would have brought them below what they' actually are. Received 11.58 p.m., March 4th. DECLINE IN CUSTOMS. The Customs revenue at Broken Hill for February showed a decrease of £05,000 on the January receipts. OBITUARY. MELBOURNE, March 4. A private cable message announces the death at "Vladivostoek. of Max Hirseh, who was well known in Victorian ; . public life; and was correspondent'of the British Board-of Trade in Victoria. . He was on a, tour of the world at the time of his death. METHODIST PRESIDENT, f BRISBANE, 1 March 4. , The. <Rev. Warham has been elected president of the Methodist Conference. DUFFY MURDER CASE. The jury disagreed at the trial of ■the aboriginal Billy, charged, with the murder of Miss Duffy. Prisoner. was remanded til] nejet sessions. The Crown entered a: nolle prosequi in the ease.against-3lrs Wilson,' .'. ATTEMPTED MURDER.

• 'Whilst "at;'work at the Queensland National Bank, ForestvHill, last>night, the. manager. (Mr McCalluni), and .accountant (Mr .Stevens), ;were; Fshot at Ithroiigh the'- '[Window. Neither was •hit.v The police-have arrested a young man, ah ex-employee of the hank, on suspicion. . POSTAL-ESTIMATES. MELBOURNE; March 4. " The Postal; estimates for the coming year make largely increased provision for remedying the- present disorganised state of the postal, and telegraphic services. : ' ■": ' ' ' •■■'■'".'•' • ■ • THE LADY MILDRED. At the enquiry. into the wreck of the Lady. 'the captain attributed the loss to. the had steering, quality of the steamer, ahdl the want of signals at Wilson's Promontory. '; ;'