(Pbk EttoTßic Tbleokavh — Copyright.) (Per Press Association.) (Received 11 a.m., Deo. 4th.) THE LOCUST PLAGUE. Sydney, Deo. 4. Tho plague of locusts is advancing at Albany m a column 12 miles wide and ten miles long. The pest ia travelling at the rate of eleven miles m 24 hours. CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIP. The Cyclists' Union of Now South Wales are unable to send representatives to the New Zealand Championship meeting. THE TARAWERA. Melbourne, Deo. 4. Sailed—Tarawera for the Bluff. GENERAL BOOTH'S SCHEME. The Premier states that the Govern ment will strenuously oppose an influx of criminals and paupers into Victoria under General Booth's emigration scheme. THE CABLE RATES. The Chamber nf Commerce, m reply to Mr J. G. Duffy, Postoiaster-General, state that joining m the proposed reduc tion of the cable tariff by tho Eastern Ex tension Company's lino will not prejudice the colony m taking advantage of the Pacific route if this is found advisable. WANT OF CONFIDENCE. Adelaide, Dec. 4. Sir J. W. Downer, m moving a want of confidence motion, accused the Govern ment of vacillation and inconsistency. The motion was defeated by 28 to 23. THE FEDERAL COUNCIL. The Federal Council meet at Hob art ' on January 20ch. (Received 8 p.m., Dec. 4th.) SILVER SHARES. Sydney, Dec. 4. The following are tho current quota tions for tho principal silver-mining shares :— Broken Hill Proprietary, £13 6a ; British Broken Hill, £3 2s Gd ; Cen tral, £7 2s Gd ; North, £1 63 ; South, £5 16a ; Block 10, £14 12a ; Junction, £3 93 3d. THE SEE OF NEWCASTLE. Brisbane, Deo. 4. The Right Rev. G. H. Stanton, Bishop of Northern Queensland, ha 3 accepted the Bishopric of Newcastle. GOLD RETURNS. The Mount Morgan gold mine' B monthly crushing; from G4OO tons of stone produced 19,50000z.
