SIR GEORGE GREY AT CHRISTCHURCH. [BY TELEGRAPH, PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1231, 20 May 1880, Page 3

SIR GEORGE GREY AT CHRISTCHURCH. [BY TELEGRAPH, PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Ciirt&tciiukch, Tuesday evening. This evening Sir George Grey addressed a public meeting of the electors of (Jln-ist-church in the Oddfel'ows' Hall, which was crowded to excess. The gallery, which was set apart for ladies was well filled. On Sir George appearing on the platform he was greeted with tremendous cheering. The chair was taken "by Dr. Turnbull, who briefly introduced Sir George Grey, who was again enthusiastically cheered. The speech was similar in character to those generally delivered by Sir George. At its conclusion a resolution, proposed by Mi*. Andrews, M.H.E , expressing regret at the circumstances which had deprived them of the services of Sir George Grey, their thanks for his address, their renewed confidence, and that they still regarded him as their representative, was carried unanimously amidst loud applause. Sir George Grey having returned thanks a vote of thanks to the chairman, and a brief speech by Mr. Montgomery, member for-Akaroa, terminated the proceedings.

A N"ew Disease. — Some excitement has been caused in Calcutta during the last two months l>y the appearance of a supposed new disease, attended with large mortality. Medical men differ as to its nature. The prevailing opinion appears to be that it is identical with the disease known in Madras and Ceylon as "Beriberi. " Its main features are thus specified by the municipal health officer :— Swelling of the limbs, fever, occasional bowel complaints, in many cases burning and pain in the affected limbs, shortness of breathing, great emaciation in fatal cases. Death by this disease is generally sudden. The disease seems first to have appeared in the suburbs of Calcutta in the rains of 1877, but it has not attracted much attention until this year. Dr M'Leod, health officer, to whose report to the municipality we owe these particulars, is unable to pronounce a positive opinion as to its causes, or whether it is infectious. The most remarkable circumstances in its history are its gradual spread from the southern paits of the town towards the north, its pronounced localisation, and its seizure of -whole families. It has hithorto affected only natives, Eurasians, and Armenians, not a single European case having been reported; and this, too, although the disease prevails chiefly in the European qaarter of the town. It is said to be now dying out, but may probably break out again in the rainy season. Admibal Philips ■Westphah, aged 98, who fought at Copenhagen under Nelson iv 1801, is dead.