WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2792, 25 January 1878, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

Thursday.

At tbe sitting of tbe Wesleyan Conference to-day lay representatives from all parts of the colony were associated in the conference with ministers. Tbe statistical returns showed a considerable increase in all departments of the church. The following statistics were presented by the secretary : — Ministers, 63 ; churches, 161; preaching places, 175; Sunday school teachers, 1306; scholars, 11,724; attendants on ministry, 20,882; local preachers, 228; class leaders, 180. There were twelve requests for new ministers. Tbe ministers of other churches in Wellington dined with members of the conference, and fraternal congratulations were expressed. This day. Cable communication between Singapore and Batavia has been interrupted since yesterday morning. According to tbe report of Mr Ames, Gity Valuer, not yet published, there are 4490 rateable properties in the city, being an increase of 354 over last year. 3334 of these are dwellings. The number of dwellings in the city last year was 2913, or an increase of 421. There are 298 stores, breweries, offices and other mercantile premises, against 237 last year. Government buildings, churches, schools, poli.ee barracks, hospital, asylum, gaol, and college are nob ipcluded in the last category. He estimates the population at twenty thousand, or six persons to eacb house, winch he considers not a high

This day.

average, as ho frequently found as many as three families occupying cottages of four and five rooms, in consequence of high rents. By adding the occupants of public institutions, such as gaol and hospital about SCD, and crews of ships in harbor, the valuer brings the population to twenty-one thousand.

Mr Travers goes home. He will be be absent eight months. It is understood that Mr Pearoe, former member, will be a candidate for the vacant seat.