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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4936, 17 January 1877, Page 2

The position of affairs in Europe now looks more threatening than ever. The Powers of Europe have submitted their ultimatum to Turkey, and if by to-morrow their terms are not accepted then the Envoys leave Constantinople' on 'Friday;and Russia is at liberty to carry out her avowed policy of enforcing reform. The proposals of the European delegate", as telegraphed a'few days .agoj are as follows :—" The division of Bulgaria into two provinces ; the union of Bosnia' and. Herzegovina ; the nomination of three'.' Christian Governors, subject to" '6f 'European Powers; the appointment 1 of a mixed international to be protectedby corps of foreign gerisdarmes, to supervise'the carrying into effect of the proposed reforms,' the revision of the Servian frontier, and the enlargement of MonteHegrb." Should war ensue there will be a fearfully bitter struggle. All the national hatreds; and fanatical passion's which have smouldered since the Crimea will be fanned into activity, and the Turk fighting for existence • will not < be less ferocious than as the oppressor of the Servian. ■■ •■•

We learn that the of Assistant Law Officer to the Government has been' offered. to and accepted by Mr. Edward Stafford, of the well-known firm of Moorhouse and Stafford, solicitors, of thiß city., Mr. Stafford was for several years Examiner of Titles, under the Land Transfer Act, for the province of Wellington, and we believe discharged the duties of that office to the entire; satisfaction,'of the Government. Indeed, this may be inferred .from the' fact that some! fifteen months; ago he entered into partnership' with Mr. Moorhouse,, M.H.K., who. had been; the head of the department and brought t,he Act; into practical operation' throughout the colony. We are somewhat surprised that Mr. Stafford should prefer the at present ill-paid office now offered him to the emoluments of such a large and lucrative business as that in which he is a now a partner, but have little doubt that ho will soon attain professional distinction in the path he has chosen, and that without the ceaseless labor, care, and anxiety which make the life of a practising solicitor

in a'large business one little' to be envied. His legal acumen and knowledge of the commercial wants of the:, community and the defects in : <he workihg of bur laws, which, coupled with a kindly genial disposition, have made him deservedly popular with all classes of the community, will render his services invaluable to tlie colony, arid we heartily congratulate the Government on having so practically recognised and given effect to the generally expressed desire that a profeseional man of experience and ability should receive the appointment. If any proof were required to show the unhealthy condition of the city, it is to be found in the fact that during the last sixteen days of January 32 deaths have been registered as occurring in Wellington, of which 23 have been children under the age of 12 years. The following table shows extraordinary and ordinary, causes : Ages. Adults Children. 20—Phthisis Diarrhoea .. -.12 60—Strangulated hernia Diphtheria .. ..2 35—Heart disease Pulmonary .. ■■ i 14^-Accident . Typhoid fever .. .. 1 27—Consumption Dysentery .. ..2 OS—Effusion on the brain. Dtntition .. .. 1 55—Premature old age Convulsions .. .. 1 45—Accident Inanition .. .. 1 30—Cholera „ , ~ Total .. .. 2S Thus we have had more deaths in Wellington during the past fortnight than usually occur during a whole month.