RATS TO BE DESTROYED. Tbe Secretary of the Lyttelton Harbour Board hat received the following telegram fflom the Cokmial Secretary's Department: — 'The Secretary, Lyttelton Harbour Board, vbrbtehureb. Before allowing any vessel from any port or place outside New Zealand to tie at any wharf or discharge any cargo, ■aoh vessels and their cargo must be effec toaHy fumigated, so as to destroy disease germs and'also to destroy rats; bodies of all dead rate to be burnt. These precau tions are, in addition to those already sug gested, in order to prevent introduction of bubonic plague.—(Signed), Hugh Pollen." The Secretary of the Harbour Board has tent the following reply: — "Hon. Colonial Secretary, Wellington. In reply to yours of yesterday, I assume that the Health Officer will be instructed to see that vessels are properly fumigated before coming alongside the wharves. Our har bottr_Mter has been instructed to co-operate in grrintr effect to your telegram.—(Signed), C Hood-Williams, Secretary.''

CABLE NEWS.
AUSTRALIA.
United Preis Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright. A CYCLONE. (Received April 13th, 10.30 a-m.) SYDNEY, April 13. A cyclone wrecked the township of Mul laley, the majority of the buildings being unroofed or blown down. A man named McCronin-was killed. (Received April 14th, 12.20 a.m.) THE WEATHER IN AUSTRALIA. The weather is beautifully fine for the holidays. OPENING HOTELS ON SUNDAYS. MELBOURNE, April 13. The Licensed Victuallers asked the Pre mier to amend the licensing law to permit limited openinf on Sundays. The Premier said there was no chance of dealing with the matter next session. He preferred not to express any opinion on tbe subject. It is understood the Licensed Victuallers will make this a test question at next election.
THE COMMONWEALTH BILL.
