THE VITAL STATISTICS FOR JULY, 1881.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 43, 19 August 1881, Page 2

THE VITAL STATISTICS FOR JULY, 1881.

The Registrar-General's report on the vital statistics of New Zealand for the month of July, 1881, shows the following results for the four cities : — Births — Dunedin, 89 ; Wellington, 69; Christchnrch, 42; Auckland, 3*>. Deaths— Wellington, 29; Christchurch, 24; Auckland, 23; Dunedin, 21. The death-rate per lUOO of population was heaviest in Christchurch— l.sß ; Weslington being second with 1.41 ; Auckland third with 1.38 ; and Duiiedin fourth with 0.86. Among the small towns. Nelson had the lowest death-rate — 0.15, and Hokitika the highest — 2 31. The Registrar adds the following remarks, which apply only to the above four cities :— " Ihe births were 236 in July, against 239 iv June, a decrease of 3. The deaths in July were 97, against 94 in Juno, an increase of 3. Zymotic diseases caused 20 deaths, or 20"62 per cent, of the total deaths in July, against 23 deaths, or 2447 per cent, in June. There was 1 death from measles in July, against 11 in June ; this death occurred at Christohurch. Two deaths from scarlet fever occurred at Auckland ; also 3 deaths from typhoid fever at Christchurch, and lat Auckland. From constitutional diseases there were 17 deaths in July. Of these, 9 were from phthisis and 2 from cancer. Local daeases caused 44 deaths in July, against 40 in June. Of these, diseases of the nervous system caused 18 deaths in July, against 7in June ; and diseases of the respiratory organs, 14 deaths in July, against 18 in June."

In accordance with the resolution of the Harbour Board, Mr. Levin, M.H.R., will move in the House this afternoon for a return showing the endowments of land, or grants in money, made to the various Harbour Boards in the colony, and specifying which of such endowments and grants were made by Provincial Governments and which by j the General Government ; and the estimated value of the endowments of land at the time they were made and at the present time. Mr. George is to move this afternoon for a copy of the notice which the Colonial Secretary stated had been sent round in February last, to the effect that the Government would not refund the 10 per cent, reduction to those Civil Servants whose services had been dispensed with. Mr. Turnbull is to ask the Premier this afternoon whether steps have been taken to discover tho cause and amount of the deficiency stated by the late Minister for Public Works, during Jast session, to exist in the Railway Stores Department? Sir George Grey is evidently not daunted by the rejection of the Law Practitioners Bill in the Upper Hou3e. This afternoon he is to move for leave to introduce a Bill "to enable certain duly-appointed persons to act in the practice of the law in behalf of any party to Civil or Criminal Proceedings." The Hon. Mr. Waterhouse is to move in the Upper House thi3 afternoon, "JThat it be referred to the Standing Orders Committee to report whether or not the Hon. Captain Bailiie, by accepting a forage allowance as a commanding officer of volunteers, is disqualified from sitting and voting as a member of the Council." The Legislative Council, it appears, is to have something to say on the Taranaki Harbour question. This afternoon, the Hon. Air. Miller will move, " That, in view of the various conflicting opinions recently given by competent persons as to the relative merits of tho different ports on the v\ es fc Coast of tho North Inland, this Council is of opinion that a Commissijn should be appointed by tho Government to inquire into tbe whoie subject, and recommend a port at which the greatest amount of accommodation can b9 procured at the least cost." A ghastly Parliamentary paper is to be called for to*day by Mr. Pyke, who will move for a return showing the number of persons who have been drowned in the New Zealand rivers since the last return of such casualties was laid before this House, and inclusive of previous returns.

Mr. Pyke ia tired of the session. On Thursday next he is going to move, "That this House, baying sat for eleven weeks, is of opinion that it is desirable Parliament should be prorogued." The insertion of tho following new clause in the Representation Bill is to be moved by Mr. >heehan in committee :—": — " >-very man of the age of twenty-one years and upwards, having a leasehold estate in possession, situate within any electoral district constituted under this Act, of the clear annual value of ten pounds, held upon a leaae which at the time of registration shall have not less than three years to run, or, having a leasehold bo situate or of such value as aforesaid of which he has been in possession for three years or upwards at the time of such registration, shall be entitled to be registered under the.Kegistration of Electors Act, 1879, and to vote at the election of members of the House of Representatives ; and this clause shall be read as part of the Qualification of Eleotora Act, 1877." The Colonial Treasurer yesterday drew the attention of the House to the fact that his remarks at the close of the no-confidence debate had been omitted from Hansard. Ho had not, he said, seen the proof, and was not aware, till his attention was drawn to a paragraph in a local paper, of the omiEsion. He wished ti e Speaker to inform him what steps he ought to take in the matter. The Speaker said alajor Atkinson should communicate with the Reporting Debates Committee. Mr. Hamlin yesterday asked the Colonial Secretary if he would be prepared to send Mr. Skey, the Government Analyst, to Auckland to analyse the manures ordinarily used by agriculturists. 'Ihia was in effect a desire that Mahomet should go to the mountain, but Mr. Dick rather thought that in the present case it wight be more cenvenient for the mountain to come to Mahomet, for he told the questioner in tones of gentle irony that it was customary for persons to send manures to tho analyst, and not for the analyst to go to the manures. Mr. Bunny yesterday asked the Government—' ' Why they did not accept any of the tenders sent in, in response to an advertisement, for the water supply at the Wocdside station on the Wellington and Masterton railway ; also, if it is ttue that great delay and inconvenience have been occasioned by the want of such water-supply ?" The Premier said he had refused the tenders bee iuse he thought the work would involve excessive expenditure. Ho had allowed the matter to stand over in order to see if the work could not be done at a smaller cost. The Colonial Treasurer yesterday stated in the House that a bill was now prepared for the pnrpose of assimilating penny postage and receipt stamps. The following civil cases were decided at the Resident Magistaate's Court yesterday : Judgment summons— Veitch and Allan y. W. Tobin, £1 Us 2d, defendant to pay in two equal monthly instalments, in default 7 days' imprisonment. Judgements for plaintiffs, with costs — J. Ryan v. — Cole man, £3 10s ; G, Besley v. H. V. Barclay, .£6l 8a 3i ; T. Eae v. J. King, £2 3s lid ; H. Innis v. W. Tobin, £2 8s ; J. Hammond v. — M'Keever, 18s Gd. In the case of W. Wylie v. J. Glover, a c'aim of .£lO 8s 9d, the plaintiff was nonsuited. In the Legislative Council yesterday, Mr. Waterhousa asked what the Government would do with reference to making decamping husbands support their wive 3 and families P He said the question was a n*ost pressing one. The number of husbands who ran away to other colonies was very large. In Wellington alone there were 28 deserted wives with 71 children. The Attorney-General said the colonies could not legislate for the extradition of such deserters. A bill on thfl snbjoct was now before the Imperial Parliament, though it was doubtful if it would be passed this year. A large number of persons advanced in yeava passed away last month. This was no doubt due in some measure to the exceptionally inclement weather. Thirteen deaths occurred of persons aged over 65 years. One nonagenarian, a female aged 90, died at Dunedin. Three octogenarians died, viz., a male of 84 at Wellington, a male of 81 at Dunedin, and a female of 81 at Auckland. Five septuagenarians died, namely, a female of 78 at Dunedin, a male of 77 at Christchurch, one of 76 at Auckland, one of 74 at Dunedin, and one of 73 at Christchurch. The half-yearly meeting of the Wellington Working Men's Club was held last evening, Mr G. T. Richardson presiding 1 . Tho statement of assets and liabilities showed the former to exceed the latter by .£132 8s lOd, as follows : — Assets — Subscriptions outstanding, estimated as good, £27 ss ; balance at Bank, general account, £3 8s 7d ; balance at Bank, billiards account, £l 17s 9d ; general stock as now valued, .£502 33 6d ; bar utensils and kitchen utensils, 18s 6d ; total, .£554 13s 4d. Liabilities — Amount of debts outstanding, .£373 4s ; bills payable, .£49 6d ; total, .£422 4s t>d. The report and balance-sheet were adopted, and the following officers for the ensuing half-year were elected :— Trustee, Mr Andrew Young ; President, Mr. J. H. Kimbell; Vice-Presi-dent, Mr. W. Warcup; Treasurer, Mr. S. E. Taylor ; Auditors, Messrs. R. E. Warmington and G. Besley ; Committee, Messrs. J. Parsons, T. Miles, E. Ri dor, O. FFarman, P. Firth, F. Rowlands, and J. T. Bovis. On the motion of Mr, Weaton the following resolution was carri d: — " Tho treasurer, vicepresident, and the three committeemen who attend the least number of meetings during the past half-year, or, failing that, are elected by the lowest number of votes, shall retire the first half-year, and the remaining four committeemen the next half-year, together with the president, all of whom are eligible for re-electian." The proceedings then terminated. In addition to the civil action reported elsewhere, two other cases ara on the list for hearing at tho present sitting of the District Court in Wellington, viz. — P.Hutson vS. Brown, claim of .£133 17a Gd, balance on account of contract, and M'Donald v. Turnbull, a claim of .£llO 2s 9d, the cost of defending an act ; on in connection with which it is alleged the defendant gave an indemnity. The latter action will be heard at an adjourned sitting of the Court on Wednesday next, a jury havin? been applied for. Last evening's concert at the Athenaeum — the first of a series in aid of a new organ for St. Peter's Church, and also the first given under the direction of Mr. Hautrie West, organist of that church — passed off with remarkable success. The excellent choir sang several beautiful part-songs (unaccompanied) by Mendelssohn, Hatton, and Pinsuti with admirable precision and expression, showing that they had been well and carefully drilled. A very efficient little band, the best got together for several months past, contributed two overtures by Rossini and Balfe, and a sparkling waltz by Herman, with brilliant effect. Mrs. Greenwood's exquisite voice and charming Binging elicited the accustomed vociferous applause and determined encores, although her choice of songs was not so happy as usual. Messrs. Piimmer and Widdop sang their songs tastefully and well, the latter in Gounod's " Nazareth " was accompanied by full orchestra and male chorus ; both gentlemen received cordial encores, a similar compliment being paid to several of the choruses and instrumental pieces. Mr. West conducted most ably, and also played first violin very effectively in the orchestral waltz, " Souvenir de Gand." Mias Cherritt presided skilfully at the pianoforte. The concert concluded with Bishop's " Chough and Crow," for solo, chorus, and orchestra, capitally performed, and the National Anthem — given apropos of nothing particular, it neither being the Queen's Birthday, nor her Majesty's Representative being present — an antiquated practice long discontinued here as at Home. There was a large attendance, in spito of the miserable weather, and the audience was a most enthusiastic one The plain and fancy dress ball held at the Arcade last night, under the auspices of the Naval Brigade Band, was— probably owing to the unfavourable weather — not so great a success in . a financial sense as might have been expected. The number of dancers present was not bo large a3 to render dancing unpleasant, bnt the deficiency wa3 to some extent atoned for by the crowded attendance of onlookers in the gallery, for whom the progress of tbe ball seemed to possess a considerable degree of interest. Among the "fancy dresses" which excited the largest share of curiosity wa3 one containing an impressionof yesterday's Evening Post. The ball passed off with much Bpirit, and was greatly enjoyed. The members of the Wesleyan Mutual Im- I provement Society held their ordinary weekly meeting last evening. The President (Rev. W. Kirk) occupied the chair. An essay on " Instinct and Reason " wa3 read by Mr. C. O. Rosenberg, and created a good deal of discussion. "Lyon'a Tourists" attracted a very fair audience at the Academy of Music last evening, and the entertainment appeared to afford great satisfaction. The programme was the same as that submitted on the opening night. " Conrad and Lizette" created as much merriment as ever, Miss Amy Horton's songs were again warmly applauded, and tbe clever skating feats of the Wjburd Brothers evoked much admiration. The Star of Wellington Lodge held its weekly session last evening in N0.9 room, Athensum, when a further addition was made to the roll of membership. A discussion took place respecting the proposed visit of Bro. J. Malinß, G. W.C.T., of England, and it was decided that subscriptions of Is and upwards should be received from members to defray expenses. It was Btated that the matter was taken up warmly by the lodges in this part of the jurisdiction, and it is thought that if all contribute a little, Bufficiei-t pecuniary aid will be obtained

A private telegram from Sydney states that Mr. W. H. Reynolds has bonght tho sole right to play " La Fille dv TambourMajor " in New Zealand, and intends visiting thi3 colony with a company for that purpose at the end of September. The conference between the committees appointed by the City Conncil and the Harbour Board, relative to the proposed graving dock for Wellington, will be held at the Conncil Chambers on Monday afternoon next, at 4 p m. Owing to the late hour at which the House ro3e this morning, there will be no sitting this afternoon. Ihe House will resume at 7 30 thi3 evening, the first order of the day being the consideration of the New Plymouth Harbour Committee's report, on which a warm debate is expected. Only two "violent" deaths (».e., resulting from other than natural causes) are recorded as having occurred in New Zealand last month, both accidental, one from " bums," and the other from " suffocation" — an infant having been overlain by its mother. An exceedingly trivial caae was heard at the Resident Magistrate's Conrt this morning. It was a charge against an articled seaman belonging to the barque Algoa Bay —a young man named Henry Ferr.-r— of having disobeyed the lawful commands of David Forrest, the chief mate of that yes-el. That officer stated that about one o'clock yesterday afternoon ha ordered Ferrer to put on the after-hatch, whioh the latter refused to do. The story given by tho delendant was to the effect that the mate merely sang out " Pat on the after-hatch," and as this was a feat which required, at least, four "hands" to perform, and as, moreover, no one came forward to lend any assistance, he failed to sac how he could do it single-handed In answer to the Justices of the Peace, who occupied the Bench, tho mate admitted that the work described was as much as four men could accomplish, and added that an hour afterwards the defendant " turned to along with the rest." This was the decision of the Bench : — We dismiss you (the defendant) this time, but if you come up again you may be dealt with severely. " A Thorndon Resident" writes to us :—: — " I send you a circular which was brought me yesterday by one of my chddren attending the Thorndon School. I was very much surprised at receiving this, especially after reading the decision tho IJoard came to at their last meeting, and I would ask tho favour of your reprinting the amendment carried at that meeting, for the information of the Thorndon School Committee and the residents of Thorndon. I would also ask you to pass yoar opinion if this plan could be called ' entirely voluntary.' " The amendment referred to by our correspondent was carried at the last meeting of the Education Board, on the motion of Mr. Beetham, and was as follows :—": — " That the Board cannot authorise such a conrso of action, but they can Bee no reason to interfere if the system of contribution proposed is entirely voluntary." Seeing that the committee, in their circular, use the word " regulation," in reference to the resolution under which the demand for the contribution is made, and, also, that the issue of such a document cannot fail to exercise considerable " moral pressure" on parents, we do not think the system can be called " entirely voluntary." In any case, the circular, in onr opinion, is wholly objectionable and indefensible, and we think the most sensible thing the oommittee can do ia to withdraw it at once. From the official meteorological report for July, 1881, it appears that tho mean shade temperature of the air was above the average at tho three statsons given. The excess being o'2 degrees at Auckland ; o*s at Wellington, and no less than 2'l at Dunedin. The highest temperatures wew Auckland 66, Wellington 60, Dunedin 62; the lowest, Auckland 35, Wellington 35, Dunodin 33. Tho rainfall was much below the average at Auckland and Dunedin, but in Wellington was enormously in excess of the average, being 11.25 inches as against an average of 6.22. Rain fell on 22 days at Auckland, 18 at Wellington, and 14 at Dunediu. At the Athenaeum Hall, at half-past seven o'clock this evening, a meeting will be held for the purpose of discussing " tho present administration of affairs of tho Government Insurance Scheme." Policy-holders and others interested in the Government Insurance Department are invited to attend. Mr. A. Sample is selling Kaiapoi tweed snit3, direct from the mill, at £'2, 155. Messrs. Graves and Fleming, drapers, announce another cheap sale, commencing to-morrow, when they will offer greater bargains than ever. We are requested to call attention to the fact that the windows of Te Aro House wi 1 be lighted up this evening to exhibit somo extraordinary bargains aa remains of the great surplus stock Bale. At the Nag's Head yards to-morrow, Messrs. Laery and Campbell will sell by auction the cart entire " Rantin Robin." Two cart fillies, bred by Mr. Baird, of Ohariu, will be offered at the same time, together with numerous other entrees, so that tha sale ought to prove attractive to dealers in this class of stock. They .will also hold their usual market sale. Messrs. Dwan & Co. will sell to-morrow, groceries, chinaware, furniture, &c. Messrs Croskery, Ha=?ell & Co. will sell to-morrow, produce, poultry, &c. Messrs. William MLean & Co. will sell to-morrow, cigars, soap, tea, jewellery, coats, carptta, &c.

On the last day of the year 1880, the ship Berwickshire left Greenock for Wellington, but after being a month at sea had to return to port owing to the damage caused to ship and cargo by the shifting of the large pipes for the Wainui-o-mata water supply. Among the cargo were several packages containing Scotch Winceys shipped to the order of James Smith, Te Abo House, and as a considerable portion of these were damaged, it is intended to offer them on Saturday at such prices as will render an early visit that day to Te Aro House exceedingly advantageous to all purchasers. — [Advt.] The new waltz, " Flirtation," has had an enormous run throughout England and America. In New Zealand over 1000 copies have been sold. A third edition has just been published, and copies may be obtained at Mr. D. Reichardt's Masio Warehouse, Wellington. — [ADyr.]