Infant Mortality.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 95, 26 April 1886, Page 2

Infant Mortality.

The vital statistics of the Repistrar-General for last month are just to hand (" New Zealand Gazette," No. 23, page 404), and continue to disclose a rate of mortality amongst children under five years of age from diarrhoea in this city which it is impossible to note without both regret and alarm. During the month of March, the total number of deaths from this cause amongst children under five years of age in Dunedin, Christchurch, and Wellington, with a total population of 65,270, was 15 ; whilst in Auckland, with a total population of 29,031, and where, if the same rate had obtained as that which existed in the other cities of the colony, the total number should not have exceeded seven, we have do less a number of children than 29 carried off by diarrhoea and cholera infantum. If the local Board of Health has neither f nnds at its disposal nor the command of experts capable of finding out tho cause or causes of this disease being rampant amongst us, we would suggest that some forcible representations should be made to the Government to undertake'the inquiry. Wo are not of the number of those who are ready to " apply to the Govornment" on the most trifling occasions, but the conservation of the health of the people is a matter of vital importance to the welfare of the colony, end the extraordinary prevalence of diarr-ho-a in this city, and the ravages it is making among the infant population, are so serious that a searching and effectiveinquiry should, we think, be no longer delayed, and could best, doubtless, be undertaken by the Government. The result of the Commissions of Inquiry held in England at the time of the ravages of the cholera established beyond the possibility of question that to impurities in the water supply might safely be attributed a very large majority of the cases of disease, and the operation of impure water upon the human economy is so well known, and bo specific in the direction of the very disease under which we at present suffer, that it is quite possible that careful inquiry would bring to light some unknown and unsuspected source of c«mtamination of our water supply. 'We know of at least one eminent medical authority in uur midst who has up to the present time made no public sign on the subject, but who attributes the prevalence of both diarrhoea and typhoid to impure water. Although wo have great faith in the purity of the supply from the Western Springs, confidence should not beget a wont of caution. Whatever the

cause of this frightful mortality, it is the duty of the authorities to seek it out. Again we call upon the Council, therefore, to be up and doing. The apathy which has up to the present time been displayedby those in authority is scarcely less surprising than it is reprehensible. Surely the everincreasing and melancholy train of funerals which daily wend their dismal way to the cemetery, and which bear children in such numbers to their last resting place, cannot bo for ever looked upon with indifference.

The polling for tho election of City South Licensing Committee takes place to-morrow, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., at the polling booth for the district, the Catholic Institute, Wellington • street. The contest has narrowed itself down to two questions, namely, whether the Temperance or the "Moderate" Bench would be most likely to administer the Licensing Act and ten o'clock closing fairly ; and secondly whethdr a license should be granted to the Rob Roy Hotel, Thia latter is the real issue upon which the election will be decided, and it is well that tho question should havo been put thus plainly before the residents in the district. The Licensing Act is clearly intended to apply the principle of Local Option to the regulation of the liquor trade, and, therefore, the settlement of this question is pioperbly left for the ratepayers to decide. Nothing can be added to what has already been said ;of the circumstances attending tne erection of this house; the subject has been fully canvassed, and the facts are now pretty generally understood by the electors ; it is tor them to-morrow to return their verdict. All the publio offices and courts wore closed to-day in honour of the Easter holiday. No business waa transacted on the Stock Exchange. Messrs J. and D. Archibald wish us to state that they were not present at the meeting to form a jockey club at New Lynn, and havo no connection with the proposed Club In order to givo people an opportunity of replying to correspondonco receivod by the Ruapohu's mail to be dolivorod to-morrow, the mails for London by tho Mariposa will not close until four o'clock to-morrow (Friday) afternoon. There is nothing fresh to report in connection with tho bootmaker's strike, both factories and union office being closed en account of the holiday. Last issue of the "New Zealand Illustrated News " contains among other illustrations a line engraving of tho fish-pond in Auckland Domain, from a photograph by E. Pulman. The ordinary meeting of tho Hospital and Charitable Aid Board Executive Committee was not held this afternoon, on account of tho holiday. Whilst Mr Bailey's new steam launch was out for a cruise on Good Friday, Mr Holroyd, tho engineer, had ono of his hands caught in the machinery, and received such severe injury in consequence that several of his fingers have boen amputated. Yesterday afternoon Miss Jorvois and the Hon. Mr Waldegrave paid a visit to tho Sailors' Rest, and the lady expressed herself as being highly pleased at tho success of tho institution. The gontleman delivered addresses both at tho afternoon and evening services. We understand that Mr J. B. Russell and family, who are now in Sydney, wore unable to obtain berths in tbe Mariposa, but aro expected to arrive in Auckland by the Wairarapa on Tuesday (to-morrow) noxt. Tho Mariposa is crowdod with colonists on their way to England for tho Indian and Colonial Exhibition. A woman named Kato Taylor, wellknown to the police, was found to day on a doorstep in Chancery-street in a destitute and apparently dying condition. Somo of her neighbours proceeded to tho Female Prison Gato Brigade Home, with the object of getting Miss Davy to take tho poor croature in.

Notwithstanding tho Easter holidays, Mr King, tho census enumerator, and his staff of assistants, woro busily employed to-day working up the returns. It is such a heavy task that Mr King does not expect to complete the returns under four or five weeks.

Tho oloction of all school committees takes place to-morrow evening. The times and places cf meeting are announced in our advertising columns. It is desiraolo that all householders should attend in ordor that tho committees elected may be fairly representative of their respective districts.

A large nnd appreciative audienf*o at tho Opora House signalised tho bonefit to Mr Harry Carroll (lato of Emerson's Minstrols), and testified to tho popularity which the "double voiced vocalist" has co readily achieved. His einging was loudly ap plaudod, and encored again and again. Tho programme, as a whole, was very entertaining, and was greatly enjoyed.

During yesterday an extensive soarch was made by tho water-police, Captain Farquhar, Mr Pulford, and others for tho bodies of Mr Stewart and Master Pulford, who wore drowned on Good Friday. Tho harbour was dragged, and the beach searched for miles, but without success. The bodies have probably been carried somo distanco by the current, it having been ebb tide at the time of tbo accident.

Mr R. F. Lofller, a Gorman professional gentleman &t present residing at tho Victoria Hotel, Auckland, has just taken out letters patent for a fluid preservative for butter. Ho claims that aftor butter has been washed in his preparation, it will keep sweet and fresh for three months afterwards, although exposod to tho air, and that, if hermetically sealed, it will keep for an indefinitely long period. Dairymen will doubtless give the preparation an early trial.

A resident of Gore Road named Browin had a somewhat unpleasant experience about midnight on Saturday. Hearing a noise in an adjacent room, ho got up and found a man who is said to be an ex-police officer sitting on tho side of the bed in bis children's room. Ho sont for tho police, but in the meantime tbe intruder, who muttered occasional threats of possible dire consequences, took|his departure. Brewin's tjack door had not been locked, and hence the intrusion.

An alarm of fire was rung out by the Freeman's Bay bell on Saturday night about 11 o'clock. The sky was illuminated as if a large conflagration waa in progress. It turned out, however, to be the chimney of a houso at the corner of Dock and Victoria streets, occupied by a man named Poole. The fire was extinguished without any damage to the houee.

Yesterday special services in connection with the Sunday-school anniversary were held in Pitt-street Wesleyan Church. In tho forenoon Rev. A. Roid preached, whilo the afternoon address to children was delivered by Rev. H. Dewsbury. Rev. C. H. Garland preached in the evening, thore boing at that, as at tho other diets of worship, a largo congregation Tho collections amounted to about £30 Tho anniversary soiree is fixed for Wednesday evening next.

The Rev. Mr McFarlane, of New Guinea, addressed a united missionary meeting of the combined Congregational Sundayschools of Auckland yesterday afternoon in Beresford-street Church. Tho following schools wero represented: — Beresfordstreet, Newton, Mount Eden, and Parnoll. On the platform were tho following rev. fentlemen :—Messrs Robertson, Williams, dams, Closs, and Walker (of Liverpool). The address was very interesting, and also amusing, moro particularly when the speaker described in a graphic manner tho mode of cooking a pudding fully 200 foet long, as practised by tho Papuans. He concluded his address with an earnest appeal for all to come forward and help them by their sympathy and money. A collection,amounting to £5 18s 2d, was made on behalf of tbe lands of the London Mission Society.

Former members of the Ponsonby Social Union, who desire to join again for the ensuing season, are requestocF by advertisement to inform the Secretary not later than to-morrow, in order that a fresh ballot may be mado by the Committeo prior to the invitation dance, which takes place next week. Nominations of intending new members should also be sent in at once.

Residents in Grafton will bo pleased to know that the City Council have directed the Waterworks Engineer to prepare plans and specifications for an additional reservoir on the next plateau of Mount Eden (26ft. above the ridge of the highest house), with a capacity] of 500,000 gallons, and at an estimated cost ot £1,845. Crs. Crowther and Atkin wished- tho matter deferred, believing that it would be better to utilise the crater of Mount Eden as a reservoir. The Mayor remarked that if the crater were to bo utilised, it would have to bo greatly filled^ up in order that the higher levels of the city should be provided with a gravitation water supply. Besides, the cost had b-jeu estimated at £9,000, and as the covering in of this reservoir would be an absolute necessity, that would involvo the expenditure of somo £4,000 or £6,000 additional.

The people of Auckland and a much wider circle in the North Island will rejoice to learn that tbe Very Key. Father Walter McDonald, one of the oldest and most popular servants of tho Church of Rome in the colony, has received a fresh mark of distinction from the head of the Church. At the evening service in St. Patrick's Cathedral last night, Bishop Luck stated that when at Rome two years ago ho had reported to His Holiness Popo Leo XIII. what good work had been dono by the Very" Rev. Father Walter McDonald as administrator of tho cathedral and in other respects, and had asked that His Holiness should confer some special favour upon him. It was only the other day he had received the diploma appointing the Very Rev, Father Walter McDonald ono of His Holiness' chamberlains, with the title of Monsignor. While congratulating Monsignor McDonald on the well-earned distinction, we regret to learn that he is to be transferred to another sphere of labour. Other changes in contemplation were announced by Bishop Luck as follows : —Rev. Father Lenihan has been transferred to the charge of Ponsonby. Rev. Father Tuckwoll is about tc leave tho colony, and Rev. Fathers Keloe and Costello have been appointed to the Cathedral.

A few days ago we recorded the removal of a wealthy settler, Mr Molesworthy, and party, who proceeded from Nelson to Whangarei by the ss. Glenelg. The change was made on account of Mrs Molesworthy's health, and we now learn that the invalid died on Saturday morning last.

At the Police Court today, before Superintendent Thomson, two prisoners were fined for drunkenness. William Small, charged with stealing two blankets, value 30s, the property of Alice Gallagher, was remanded till Friday next, at the request of Sergeant Pratt. The sereeant said the blankets, which were stolen from a brothel, had been found in the possession of the prisoner.

All gas accounts must be paid by Tuesday, 27th, to save discount