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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4352, 2 March 1875, Page 2

The births in Wellington registered in February were' 49, the smallest number in any month since August. The deaths numbered 27, fewer,by 6 than in January, but above the average‘of former months. Of the deaths 10 were of males, comprising 7 infanta under one year,:l under two years, and 2 adults; 17 of the deaths were of females; of whom,7 were under one year, 6 over one and not exceeding two years, 1 of seven years, and 8 adults, the ages of two of whom where sixty-seven and seventyfive respectively. Zymotic diseases caused 14 deaths,' viz., measles, 2; croup, 1; typhoid fever; 1; puerperal fever, 1; dysentery, 1; and diarrhoea,' B—all of the lost named being of children from six weeks to twenty-three months old. Jjocal diseases caused,4 deaths; developmental diseases, 8 (including 3 from teething and 2 from old age), there was also one death from accident.

The .following is Sir George Grey’s reply, to the requisition lately presented to him ‘fTo .the gentlemen, .electors of Auckland City West, signing the requisition.-—Gentlemen,—l think that every man should do all in his power to serve the country in which he lives, and should strive to promote the welfare and, happiness of its people if they deem it [in .his power to do so, and, that: to gain this object he should be prepared to make any personal sacrifice. j If, therefore, you think my services are likely to be advantageous'to your Interests, and those of New Zealand, I shall be prepared to undertake, the, duties,you’desire' to,impose on mo.—G. Gbey. Kawau, February 24, 1875.” ; ’We observe that the education rate for 1874-5 is now' due, and the collector will-be In ' attendance every Monday, 1 Tuesday,’ and Wednesday, at the office of the Board, Bran-don-street, from TO to 4, for the purpose of receiving the same.

Mr. B. J. Duncan's sale of land, advertised for yesterday, did not come off,' all the parcels of land being withdrawn till the 25th instant.

The Council of the‘:New Zealand University ( formally opened the business of the annual session yesterday. No business of interest was introduced.

“ We are glad to learn,” remarks the Wairarapa Standard of the 27th instant, “ that Mr. Olapoott, the travelling sub-commissioner of the Government Life Insurance Department, has been very successful in obtaining policies in this district.".

The Poverty Bay Herald of the 19th ultimo mentions that an elephant fish ( Gallorhynchus Antarcticus), somewhat uncommon throughout New 'Zealand waters, and certainly a rarity in this portion of the island, has made its appearance at the Big Biver. The New Zealand £team Shipping Company have disposed of their collier Anne and Jane to Mr. Levin and Captain Williams, for the sum of '.£950. She will be used as a storeship in this harbor, and a large portion ’of the Osseo’s cargo of kerosene has been transhipped into her.

Dr. ' Monteith, assistant - surgeon at the Hospital, favors us with the following return of patients in the Provincial Hospital during and ending the month of February : Admitted: Males, 10; females, 6. .Discharged: Males,; 13. Left in Hospital : Males, 26 ; females, 10. Total in Hospital, 36. The ; election of City Auditors took place yesterday. Three gentlemen had been nominated—Messrs. T. K. Macdonald, J. W. Stevenson, and Samuel Carroll —all of whom went to the poll. There was but little excitement evinced by the ratepayers, there appearing to be no doubt as to who would be the successful candidates. Messrs. Macdonald and Stevenson were re-elected. The following are the number of votes polled at the three polling places :

Te Are. lambton. TUorndon. Total T. K. Macdonald 91 .. 88 .. 20 .. 208 J. W. Stevenson 83 .. 79 .. 28 .. 190 S. Carroll 31 .. 28 . . 17 .. 7fi Messrs. Bethune and Hunter’s sale of wool took place at their old premises, the Exchange, yesterday afternoon, at 2 o’clock.- There was a large attendance, most of the leading exporters being present, and the bidding was very spirited. Previous to commencing the sale the auctioneer announced that he had only 230 bales to offer, as a parcel of 70 bales had not arrived as e> pected. The first lot put up consisted of 62 bales merino wool, said to be washed, but evidently not well got up. After some slow bidding, Is. per lb, was obtained. The next three lots formed a portion of the same clip; 16 bales greasy brought 9Jd; 4 bales pieces, 7Jd.; and 6 bales locks, sd. A nice even clip of greasy wool, light and clean merino, was next offered, and after some spirited bidding, the lot, consisting of 36 bales, was knocked down at HJd. per lb. 32 bales of long wool, washed, was then put up and sold at Is. 4Jd., and a parcel of the same description, consisting of 35 bales, followed, for which; Is. 41(1. was obtained. Several small lots were then offered, and sold at prices varying from Is. to 9Jd.

. The Rev. Charles Clark’s lecture upon Dickens,' embracing selections - : not touched upon in the former lecture upon the works of the same author, was unqualifiedly successful, whether regarded as to the merit of the lec'ture itself, or as to the satisfaction it imparted to the audience, to whom, by the way, more than passing reference must be made. The fact that every seat on the plan was taken during the day gave intimation that the reserved seats would be crowded, but Mr. Smythe, " thoindefatigable manager, could never; have been placed so much at his wits’ end; to provide • accommodation ior . the pressing throng of applicants who sought seats anywhere, and at any price. As a last extremity, about a hundred people were accommodated on. the stage,, so that Mr, Clark literally amongst his" audience, as well as to them. The lecture, -as might. be inferred, was of a piece with the former lectures upon Dickens, The recitals were “The Deformed Boy’s Blowers,’’’ “ The Sassage Machine,’’ “ Sam Weller’s ■. Valentine,”., “. The Death of Stephen Blackpool,” “ Mr. Guppy’s Proposals,” and “The Boots at-the Holly-tree Inn”—the whole forming a phantasmagoria of word pictures bf ' a most interesting Mr.; Clark’s exhaustless, hum 0r,., his power of pathos, and his impassioned 1 eloquence, each interwoven with thepther,in skilful treatment, made the leotute what Mr.'Clark alone could make; it, a presentment of the mind' of an ardent student’whohad drank "deeply of the .thoughts of- an. author he ( loved. None but such person' could ’haVe sustained' the interest of his, audience a lengthened period, and‘that the‘lecture '^ave :: Complete satisfaction,, was,- evidenced , the. hearty ; applause which' - 'greeted'many portions of the lecture. The lecture for this evening.will be upon|‘The Tower of London”—Mr. - 'Clark’s grandest .effort. ~.. . . . f BA (case, which in this city is fortunately almost as unfrequfent ras' unwelcome,: was brought before the Resident Magistrate yesterday • morning. I,' - Thrde; women,, f apparently! new arrivals, with a like number of children, the youngest of whom was. but; a : feW months old,;Waited upon Mr. Crawford shortly after the 'Court had- opened. - The spokeswoman of the party stated that the thre’e children then before his Worship had been . deserted by their .mother, and that their father, a' Mr. Bramley, had subsequently made- an 'arrangement with 'her, by which she was to receive £1 per week for the care of the two elder children.' He, however, following the example of the maternal parent, had likewise disappeared,'and; left the : children on her hands. A second woman then stated that she had agreed to take care of the infant for Bs. a week, but the "infant’s father had hot fulfilled the monetary part of the agreement, and she had not seen'him for'some .time. | She wished to know what his Worship could! do in the matterf ';The: tKitd dome’s turn then came, and she astonished all by the tale she unfolded,’avowing that ’when in Eng-' land she had known Bramley, who had there .deserted his wife and three children. She was positive the father of the children then in Court was the same man.LHis" Worship 'informed the' trio that the police would be instructed to make inquiries for the parents of the children.

An amusing incident in connection with the last Superintendenoy election has cropped up in the Taurixnga 'RM. Court, in the suit of Mr. Norris against Mr. Hugh Hart Lusk, for election expenses, as ' reported " in another column. The case was lately before the 11. M. Court in Auckland, but has been concluded at Tauranga, with a judgment in full with coats against the late candidate for “ the very moderate amount charged for various expenses incidental to the election.” The amusing part is the principle in electioneering which the candidate preferred, namely, “ love.” Said he in his letter —" Of course, if a scrutineer must be paid, pay him ; but * it would be better for one to take the office for love.’ ” There is a naivete iii the expression of this preference that is refreshing, especially when, shone on by the light of subsequent events, and the difficulties encountered in obtaining coin in lieu of “ love.” • J .

The Wairarapa News has the following : “ Through the courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Bannister we have..been .shown a sample of what Masterton cabinet-makers can accomplish in the-furnishing line. , The articles in .question are two large sideboards for the new diningroom lat the Club.. The timber used in their construction is Rimif (red pine), which has been highly polished, and looks splendid. The carving and scroll work on each of the backboards is exceedingly tasteful and reflects great credit on the workman. It is not the first time iwp .have been shown furniture .made at the shop'of Mr. Hahs Svendson, which was pronounced by competent judges to be firstclass workmanship, but the new cheffoniera at the Club are beyond compare.”

Infant Life. —A marked, improvement in the statistics relating to Mortality amongst Infants, would take /place if Mrs Johnson's American Soothing Syrup were used universally. It is perfectly free from any narcotic, and is used externally only. None genuine without tho name of “ Barclay & Sons, Farrlngdon. street," is on the stamp. Sold by all Chemists, at 2aOd, a bottle. Agents Vixnbll & Co., Auckland.