Talk of the Week.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 318, 16 March 1878, Page 13

Talk of the Week.

Sir George Grey is still on his political stumping tour, which, however, is now drawing to a conclusion, and after “ doing” Christchurch, he is expected back in Wellington in a few days’ time. A new addition to the Ministry, in the person of Mr. Stout, as Attorney-General, has been notified during the week. Sir George , seems to have been very well received everywhere on his trip to the Middle Island ; indeed his fluent style of speaking is exactly calculated to attract the “ masses,” especially those Avho do not reflect that vague, empty promises, are easily made and broken. Mr. G. E. Barton is expected to address his constituents here in a few days, the learned gentleman having returned from his trip from the South. The Rev. Dr. Gerva.se Smith, the representative of the British Wesleyan Methodist Conference, is now in Wellington. He is a very eloquent preacher, and the services conducted by him ha\ r e been very largely attended. A tea and public meeting Avas given to him on Wednesday evening, at which a large number of persons of all denominations attended. The distinguished visitor was introduced by the Rev. Mr. Reid, who delivered a very able address on the occasion. Prom the statements made, the large and energetic body which comprises the Wesleyans here appears to be in a flourishing condition, and the result of Dr. Smith’s visit, Avhen laid before the authorities at Home, cannot fail than be gratifying to them. A Ladies’ Benevolent Society, and a Young Men’s Christian Association, are about to be started in Wellington. Both these institutions are calculated to do a great deal of good if they a,re properly managed as to details. They are deserving of all the patronage and support which can be bestowed upon them by the public. The Autumn Show of the Wellington Horticultural Society was held at the Odd Pellows’ Hall on Thursday, and was a very successful affair, some of exhibits being most creditable; and the same remark applies to the Show of a similar kind which took place at the Hutt a few days previously. Prom Marton also very favorable reports have reached us of the success of the • Horticultural ShoAV there. These gatherings are calculated to be productive of much benefit, as they promote a healthy and friendly rivalry amongst the producers of flowers, fruit, and vegetables, and tend to bring town and country settlers into closer relationship than might otherwise be the case. At the next Spring Exhibitions throughout the country evidences of still greater progress in the direction indicated may be confidently looked for. As is usually the case, there is plenty of amusement in Wellington ; indeed the “ show business ” has been rather overdone lately. When the population, large and increasing though it be, is taken into consideration, there certainly does seem rather a plethora of theatres in our midst ; nevertheless good houses continue to be drawn. At the Theatre Royal the Salsbury Troubadours, and at the OddPellows’ Hall Mr. Stephen Massett’s drawingroom entertainment, are very well attended. At the Princess Theatre in Tory-street a novelty is to be introduced on Mod day, viz., a “ Singing Bee,” which will no doubt have its attractions for many persons. It is said on apparently good authority that the railway line Avill be open as far as Featherston in the course of four months, and when once the fertile valley of the Wairarapa is thus brought into direct communication with Wellington a great stimulus will be given to the settlement and trade of the district. In our last issue Ave referred to the expected opening of the railway throughout from Poxton to Wanganui in April. As regards war news there is little to add to that received last week. Austria appears to be anxious that the terms of peace intended by Russia should be made known to a European Congress. That the peace will be a lasting one, and that it Avill be many years before there is another outburst is devoutly to be hoped. At the same time, the situation continues to be critical, and that England is aware of it is evident by the preparations she is making for war ; not with a view of provoking it, but in order to lie prepared for it should it be forced upon her. An effort is being made in Wellington to establish a Reform Association, but it has met with very limited success. Three meetings have been called of those favorable to the establishmentjjof such an association. At the first two meetings only about three or four persons attended, but on the third meeting, held on Thursday evening, about twenty per-

sons attended, and a committee was appointed to draw up a series of resolutions, embodying the principles of the association. A New Zealand Gazette, issued on Thursday, contains a notification of importance to immigrants entitled to land under the Act of 1875. Those so entitled in all other respects, but who have omitted to obtain, their certificates, or to do any other thing required by the Act, can now get their land, an Order in Council having been issued, empowering the Governor, on receiving proof that the persons referred to had a bona fide intention to comply with the Act, to grant them all the privileges and benefits which they Avould have had, but the omissions stated. The meteorological returns for the month of February have been published. In Wellington the mean temperature in the shade Avas 60‘4 ; Auckland, 63'8 ; Nelson, 60T ; Christchurch, 57’4 ; Hokitika, 59 ; Dunedin, 55'5. Wellington has had more than its fair share of moisture. There Avere ten days on which rain fell, the amount of inches being 5.080. There Avere thirteen rainy days in Auckland for 1705 inches. Hokitika received 5‘430 inches in ten days, Avhilst in Dunedin there fell, in days, 1704 inches. February Avas a particularly dry month in Christchurch. The rainfall was 0‘620 inches. In Wellington the temperature Avas lower and the rainfall higher for February than the average for the same month during previous years. We again take the opportunity of reminding those persons who are qualified to vote at Parliamentary elections, but have not yet placed their names on the register, that they must do so before the end of the present month, or they Avill be excluded from exercising the franchise —Avhich ought to be considered a valuable privilege—for the next twelve months. Before that time it is probable that there will be a dissolution of Parliament and a general election, when there are few who would not like to have the opportunity of recording their votes. After being so frequently reminded that the time for registration this year closes at the end of this month, people will have nobody to find fault Avith but themselves if they are left out in the cold on this occasion. The franchise here is placed loav enough for almost every male adult to qualify as an elector if he chooses. Registration forms can be had gratis at this office. The Registrar-General’s report on the vital statistics of the principal toAvns in the colony for the month of February was published in a Gazette issued yesterday. We are glad to notice that the health of Wellington shows a marked improvement on the previous month, the mortality for February being 1.35 per 1000, as against 2.43 for January. There Avere 25 deaths registered in Wellington during the month of February, and of this number only five deaths were of persons above five of age, and no less than 15 deaths Avere of infants under twelve months. In connection Avith this it must be noted that more births were registered in Wellington in February than in any other toAvn in the colony. This, of course, has considerable bearing on the figures given as to the mortality of infants. The population of Wellington is set doAvn by the Registrar-General at 18,538, whereas there is good reason to believe that the population of the city is considerably over tAventy thousand. HoAvever, taking the lesser number as a basis of calculation, the death-rate for February cannot be considered as high. The following table will show the mortality, &c., in the principal towns of the colony during last month:—

From the above it will be seen that Nelson heads the black-list. There was only one death in that toAvn of a person over five years of age. Of the deaths in Wellington 3 were from whooping-cough, against 13 for January.

A feAv days ago the very satisfactory intelligence was received that a treaty of peace had been signed between the Russians and Turks, and that the Uzar and the Sultan had exchanged congratulations on the event. Nothing, however, reached us as to the conditions of the treaty until Friday, when a telegram Avas received Avhich, although very meagre, gives some outline as to the leading features of this important document, which it appears has not yet been published in full. It is favorable to England, the conditions which menaced her interests, we are told, having been AvithdraAvn. Bulgaria is to be placed under the rule of aPrince chosen by the Assembly of Nobles, who is not to be a member of any leading reigning family, and Russian troops are to occupy the country for tAVO years. Such are the items of the treaty Avhich reached us last night, and, as far as they go, they seem reasonable enough. The treaty has been taken to St. Petersburg for .ratification, and Avhen that is accomplished full details, Ave presume, Avill be made public. Every one will rejoice that there is an end —for the present at all eA 7 ents—of the terrible strife and bloodshed Avhich has for many months rendered wretched and desolate some of the finest portions of the old world. That England has so far steered clear of being involved in the strife, is most gratifying, and that she is now endeaA’oring to preserve peace by taking steps to be prepared for Avar also shbAVs sound statesmanship. It will also be borne in mind that a commission has been appointed to take steps for the defence of British colonial ports. Upon the whole, this latest neAvs from the recent seat of war is by far the most satisfactory that has been received since the commencement of hostilities.

Boroughs. Estimated population Feb. 1S77. Total Births. Total Deaths. Proportion of Deaths to the 1000 of Population. Auckland >13,269 51 19 1-43 Thames 4,460 23 3 •67 Wellington IS,538 77 25 1-35 Nelson .. - 5,659 IS 12 2-12 Christchurch .. 13,513 48 14 1-04 Dunedin 25,512 72 13 •51 Hokitika 2,738 6 3 1T0 Total .. — 295 89 —