OAMARU.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3351, 4 January 1879, Page 3

OAMARU.

[special.] Jan. 3. Mr Henderson, the waterworks contractor, having thrown up his contract, a special meeting of the Municipal Council was held to-night to consider the question of proceeding with the work. The Engineer submitted for the consideration of the Council several recommendations as to completing the work, partly by tender and partly by day labour, and recommending the Council to appoint a certain staff as suggested. The recommendations were, with slight amendment, adopted, and it is now understood that the work will be resumed with all possible despatch. The prompt action of the Council is to be commended, because there are a large number of men thrown out of employment by the stoppage, and thereby suddenly deprived of the means of subsistence. Four cases of temporary insanity, caused by excessive drinking, have been before the Resident Magistrate during the past week. The vital statistics for the past month are — Births, 37 j marriages, 8 ; deaths, 4. Corresponding month in 1877 — Births, 36 j marriages, 6 j deaths, 3. The totals for the year are— Births, 406 ; marriages, 94 • deaths, 92. For 1877 the numbers were — Births, 416 j marriages, 64; deaths, 90.