AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9168, 17 August 1908, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegrap b copyright.

THE FEDERAL CAPITAL. MELBOURNE, August 15. The Federal Premier (Hon. A. Deakin) states that the Federal capital site will be practically the first question to be dealt with during the coming session of the Federal Parliament. It will be followed by the Government's defence scheme. A Bill will also be introduced to establish a Bureau of Agriculture. BATHTJRST-SYDNEY ROAD RACE. Received August 15, 7.45 p.m. SYDNEY, August 15. The Bathurst-Sydney Road Race was won by Turner (New South Wales), R. Paterson (Victoria) being second and Ilislop third. The weathnr was fine and the roads in good condition, but the riders had to contend against a strong head wind all the way. Two hundred assembled at Bathurst when ihe first man left at 7 o'clock in the morning, and ten thousand witnessed the finish at Ashfield. Ni'i-i y-eight started. Turner, who hail 48min start covered the distance (133& miles) , in Bhrs 4min. Patterson, with -I2min .-tart, taking Bhr 14min 53-ee. and Hislop, with 52min start, taking Bhr 24min 41sec. Larcombe, the scratch man, who finished ninth, put up the fastest time, viz , 7hr G3min 40sec, and Keefe,, of Ta-mania, with 20min start, the second fastest tune, viz., 7hr 57min. Summers, the New Zaalander, finished in the ruck.

COMMONWEALTH VITAL STATISTICS. Received August 17, 1.5 a.m. SYDNEY, August 16. The Commonwealth vital statistics for the Ust year shuw that J 10,347 births were registered the highest ever attained. The illegitimate rate is equivalent to 6.15 per cent, of the total —tlightly lower than the previous three years. The marriage rate was the highest for twenty years. Tne deaths numbered 45,305, equivalent to 10.90 per thousand. • The death|of children under the age of one year is equal to 81.06 per thousand births. 'i he deaths include 23 centenarians (IL, male and 10 female).