AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 25, 23 February 1909, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

SUSPECTS ARRESTED. Received 22, 11.50 p.m. 'Sydney, February 22. two men have been arrested in Sydney on suspicion of being concerned in the shooting of Constable Hyde at Adelaide on January 2.

LIVE STOCK STATISTICS. Received 22, 11.50 p.m. Sydney, February 22. liio number of horses in New South Y\ ales at the end of last year was 472,534, a decrease of 931; cattle 2,414,825, increase 80,023; sheep, 41,531,000, decrease 1,248,000. The increase in cattle is attributed to the development of closer settlement, and the decrease in sheep principally to the result of drought. •SHALE AND CEMENT DISCOVERY. Sydjicy, February 22. A aluable deposits of shale and cement have been discovered in the Murwillumbah district.

GOOD RAINS IN NEW SOUTH WALES. Sydney, February 22. .Splendid nionsoonal rains have' fallen m the north-eastern ir.ul southern districts. A good season is assured.

SMALLPOX. Perth, February 22. Ibe small jiox patient on board the steamer Pnroo has succumbed. ])e. ceased was a coloured member of the crew. CYCLONE AT BRISBANE. J Brisbane, February 22. A cyclone unroofed a number of'houses at Ihargloinindali and Cimnainulla and! did other extensive damage. I A man named Knowles was struck dead by lightning. VITAL STATISTICS.

.Sydney, Felirucr-- 'l. i lio population of the Stnte «l • ,1 of lust your was ],00,3,<);)2 uu i ■■■■. «f :iI,KOB, whereof 20,438 was due tu an i'xcpss of l.iiths over deaths. This raeess is the hi R hcst on record. Hip births immhered 42,543 ( n record), nn. I nYnths 10,08.-,, whieh, with the exet'ptmii of the year 111(111, was the lowest on record. J The marria-es totalled 12,1113. eoual to ,14 per tliousand of population and he l.,jjl ie ,t. for 2:1 years. Tile total is '»•<• l»'r eent. above the average for I "e la>l live years. There are 2]."> males in the State to every 100 female*.