COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2766, 22 March 1910, Page 5

COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS.

A TIMELY WARNING FROM THE OLD COUNTRY.

United Press Association —Copyright LONDON. March 20.

The “Times,” commenting on the necessity of replacing forests throughout the Empire, strongly blames Australia for disregarding the conservation of timber, the wanton sacrifice of which will inevitably bring retribution. - VITAL STATISTICS. SYDNEY, March 21. The preliminary report on the vital statistics of New South Wales for 1909 shows tile population at the end of last year was 1,645,444, an increase of 40,535. Marriages numbered 13,048, or 8.03 per 1000, the highest record for 22 years. Births were 43,769, or 26.94 per *1000; deaths 9.75 per 1000, the lowest rate on record, and 9 per cent, below the mean record for the past 10 years.

MISCHIEVOUS BOYS CAUSE TRAIN ACCIDENT. In connection with tbe recent derailment of a train at Mount Victoria, some boys have confessed to having placed stones on the line. A NASTY QUAKE. MELBOURNE, March 21. A severe earth tremor has been experienced at Warragul. Pottery was thrown from the shelves. The quake lasted for several seconds. NORMAL STEAMER FREIGHTS RESTORED. (Received. March 21, 9.30 p.m) SYDNEY, March. 21. The inter-State steamship companies, from to-day, will return to the normal pre-strike freights. THE JAPANESE AT SYDNEY. (Received March 21, 10.10 p.m.) Lord Dudley entertained the Japanese admiral and officers at dinner. Large parties of the sailors were entertained at social functions. There have been crowds of visitors to the Japanese warships.