QUADRUPLETS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 57, 8 March 1935, Page 8

QUADRUPLETS.

BABIES DOING WELL. EXCITEMENT IN DUNEDIN. PREVIOUS CASE IN WAJKATO. (By Telegraph.—Own. Correspondent.) DUNEDIN, this day. Although it ' was originally claimed that the quadruplets born to Mr. and Mrs. George Johnson, of Cttvisham, were the first in New Zealand, four babies were born in the Dominion in 1919, all being males. This was at Ngaruawahia, but the name of the family and whether the children are still living is not known here.

Multiple births are most common in Ireland, Russia and Spain, according to world figures. The chance of twins being born is. one in every 89 births, triplets one in 7000 and quadruplets one in 757,000. The Dionne quintuplets are, of course, well known, and one case of sextuplete has been reported in Italy. Mother Most Cheerful. The quadruplets were transferred this morning to the Karrtftne Hospital, where they are expected to remain for several months.

Among several messages of congratulation which have been received by the parents is one from the Prime Minister.

Subscriptions and gifts are being sent in, und tlie finance committee of the City Council lias decided to recommend a grant of £100 to the parents. The mother of the newly-born quadruplets is most cheerful. The babies are progressing satisfactorily, and the doctors entertain the higliest hopes for their survival. They were christened yesterday, the names chosen being Bruce, Mary, Kathleen and Vera. For'a week before birth Mrs. Johnson received special attention from Dr. J. B. Dawaon, professor of obstetrics, at Otago University. Dr. Dawson said yesterday that the babies were all well formed and normal in every way. Jt is understood that there were several pairs of twins in the family of Mrs. Johnson's mother, but Dr. Dawson said he did not think that hereditary influence had played any part in thi,, case. He looked on such occurrence as being an abnormality for which there could be no real accounting. Professor Dawson was assisted by Dr. A. G. Gumming, and to Sisters Clifford and Trevena lie pays tribute for the unfailing care they have given to the case. Married Over Ten Years. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been married for slightly over ten years. They are aged 34 and '.V,i respectively. Mrs, Johnson is a New Zealander, her parents living at Falrfleld, near Duncdin. Mr. Johnson was born in Kent, England, where his parents still reside in a small village named Hameastry. There was an air of suppressed exfitment about the start' of the Dunedin Hospital when a reporter visited it on Wednesday night. Two porters on duty were eagerly discussing the event, while across the hull a couple of nurses, in whispered tones, speculated on the fame which such circumstance had thrust upon the hospital. Perhaps .the coolest person of all was tlie father, although obviously he was a proud and happy man. "What, does it feel like to be the father of quadruplets?" he was asked. "To tell you tlie truth." he said, "I can scarcely realise it vet."

Fie had just commenced the conversation when the telephone in the porter's office close by rang loudly. The porter's head appeared from the window to say: '"Your wife progressing favourably. Mr. Johnson." Then Dr. Dawson arrived, followed .1 minute later by the matron, both of whom congratulated the father. The doctor, indeed, seemed every whit as pleased and proud as the father himself. The matron had probably forgotten the: hour was approaching midnight in her enthusiasm over the event. Advice by Air Mail. "I sent an ail" mail letter to toll my old father and mother of what was .-oing to happen," .Mr. .Johnson said, "but it only went yesterday, eo I suppose they will read about it in the newspapers first."

Then the telephone rang ajrain, and once more a head appeared from the ollice. "Oh, Mr. Johnson," said the porter, ''your wife wants to see you." And, beaming all over his face" the father hurried oil' in the direction of the ward.

WAIRATO QUADRUPLETS.

BORN SIXTEEN YEARS AGO. (lly Telegraph,— Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, this day. It is now definitely established that the first quadruplets in New Zealand were, born in 191!) at Ngaruawahia to the wife of a butter factory employee, who now resides in Auckland.

Dr. D. D. Martin attended the mother, who was then 33-years of age and had previously lmd three children. Xone of the quadruplet children survived the first year, although all were healthy at birth.