The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-05 00:00:00

HEALTH OF LONDON.

(From the .Registrar-General's Report.)
The deaths registered in London in the week that ended
on Saturday were 1,284, showing a slight increase on the
number in the previous week, which was 1,229. If the
deaths from epidemic cholera in the 39th week of 1854 are
excluded, it will be found that the average number of deaths
in corresponding weeks of tea years, 1854-63, was 1,138,
and if this result be corrected for increase of population, it
becomes 1,252. Therefore the deaths registered last week
exceeded the estimated number by 32.

Zymotic diseases were fatal in 404 cases, the corrected
average being 438. The most fatal disease in this class is
scarlatina, which caused 95 deaths, being an increase of 23
on the number in the previous week. Seven deaths from
this disease occurred in the sub-district of St. Paul, Dept-
ford, 4 in that of Lambeth Church first, 4 in that of Mile-
end Old-town eastern, 4 in that of Haggerstone East, and 4
in that of South Hackney. Ten children died from diph-
theria. Typhus caused 70 deaths. Smallpox was fatal to 11
persons, 2 of whom were adults. The mortality from
diarrheol is decreasing under the influence of lower tempe-
rature ; last week 65 persons died from this disease. Three
children died from cholera.

Phthisis was fatal in 151 cases, 76persona died from bron-
chitis, 57 from pneumonia, and 26 from other-diseases of the
respiratory organs. '
One hundred and thirty-four persons died from diseases
of the brain and nervous system, 46 from diseases of the
heart. Seven deaths were caused from delirium tremens,
and 4 by carbuncle.
Forty-three deaths were caused by accidents. Seven per-
sons were killed by vehicles in the streets, 8 infants were
suffocated, 5 children were burnt, and 7 persons drowned.
Eight persons committed suicide. A carman, aged 53, died
from taking an overdose of Epsom salts.

Four nonagenarians and one centenarian died during the
week ; the latter, who was formerly a carman, died in St.
Pancras Workhouse at the age (as stated) of 100 years.
Last week the births of 1,062 boys and 931 girls, in all
2,032 children, were registered in London. In the 10 cor-
responding weeks of the years 1854-63 the average number
(corrected) was 1,900.

At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height
of the barometer in the week was 30.078 in. The barome,

trical reading was 30.24 in. on Monday, and decreased to
29.94 in. on Thursday. The mean temperature of the air in
the week was 54.5 deg., which is 0.2 deg, above the average
of the same week in 43 years (as determined by Mr Glashier).
The highest day temperature was 68.8 deg. on Sunday,
The lowest night temperature was 42.0 deg. on Thursday.
The entire range of temperature in the week was, therefore,
26.8 deg. The mean of the highest temperatures of the
water of the Thames was 61.5 deg; that of the lowest was
59.2 deg. The difference between the mean dew-point
temperature and air temperature was 6.0 deg. The mean
degree of humidity of the air was 80, complete saturation
being represented by 100. The direction of the wind was
variable.
The births registered in Dublin during the week ending
the Ist of October were 161, and the deaths were 100, in a
population of 254,808 (in 1861), spread over an area of 3,808
statute acres.

The Wreck of the Brig Arthur M'Kenzie.

The following is the report of Mr R. 0. Stewart, resident
magistrate, principal officer of Customs at Port Waikato,
who was assisted by Mr D. Simpson, marine surveyor, and
Mr G. R. Breton, superintendent of water transport, and
formerly a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, as nautical asses-
sors, to inquire into the cause of the wreck of the brig
Arthur Maenzie, at the mouth of the 'Waikato River on
the Ist June, IS6I :
To the Honourable the Commissioners of Customs for
the Coleny of New Zealand.

We, the undersigned, having met and carefully inquired
inta the circumstances attending the loss of the brig Arthur
11I'Iienzie, have the honour to report as follows :—ln our
opinion the loss of the vessel may be attributed to the fol-
lowing circumstances :-1, That the beacons of the port as
at present erected are not of sufficient dimensions to ensure
their being seen from the offing. 2. So the fact that, at the
time of the brig rupning in, the schooner Daring happened
to be ashore on the South Bank, with all sail set, and her
head pointing towards the harbour, in such a position as to
lead to the impression that she was a vessel entering the
port. Such appears to have been the opinion of the Master
of.the Arthur M`Kenzie. 3. To the want of judgment on
the part of the Master of the brig in using Drury's chart of
1867 in preference to Boulton's of 1863, both of which
charts were on board at the time of the wreck, and to the
apparent want of attention in neglecting to keep the proper
bearings on after making one of the beacons, and further to
a want of discretion on his part in taking the bar (to which
he was a total st ranger) with the last of the ebb tide, no
sufficient reason having been shown for his anxiety to get
into port. We respectfully recommend the Colonial Govern.
went forthwith to carry into effect the suggestions of Capt.
Fisher and Mr Todd relative to the buoys, <5.7.c., for showing
the channel and anchorage, as fully detailed in the evidence.
From the evidence of Mr Marshall, it would appear that
the bar is liable to shift, but for the last 27 years (since
1837) the change has been so trifling that, if the outer of
the large beacons now in course of preparation were erected
on a slide such alterations might at all times be indicated.
We have the honour to annex hereto the depositions taken
before us yesterday, and to recommend the valuable infor.
matien therein contained regarding this port to the atten
tion of the proper authorities.
Dated at Port Waikato this 9th day of Tune,
in the year 1864.

R. 0. STEWART.
DANIEL SimrsoN-,
G. R. BRETON'.

A WHALE IN ROTUESAY BAY.—A few days ago
a whale, estimated at some 40 or 50 feet in length,
was discovered disporting itself in Rothesay Bay.
During its gambols it approached within 150 yards of the
shorn at Huntly Place ; but, finding itself getting into
shallow water, rose to the surface through a shoal of her-
rings, or some other kind of fish, over which were hovering
an immense flock of gulls. These latter were so terrified
by the presence of such an unwelcome visitor, that they
instantly dispersed, screaming in all directions. The whale
gave one of his peculiar snoring blasts, then a tremendous
plunge, turning the sea all around into foam, and quickly
made off into deep water. It rose to the surface afterwards
several times, on each occasion baring about 20 feet of its
murky back: