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THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

REGISTRAR-GENERAL'S REPORT on the Vital Statistics of the Boroughs of Auckland, Thames,
Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Hokitika, for the Month of February, 1874.

DEATHS IN THE BOROUGHS REGISTERED IN FEBRUARY, 1874.

| BOROUGHS. | TOTAL
BIRTHS. | Males. | Females. | Total
Deaths. | Percentage
of Deaths
to Births. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Under 1-Year. | 1 & under 5 Years. | 5 Years and over. | Under 1-Year. | 1 & under 5 Years. | 5 Years and over. | | |
| Auckland | 107 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 17.75 |
| Thames | 20 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 70.00 |
| Wellington | 35 | 11 | 2 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 41 | 117.14 |
| Nelson | 12 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 75.00 |
| Christchurch | 38 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 23 | 60.53 |
| Dunedin | 69 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 29 | 42.03 |
| Hokitika | 11 | 3 | ... | 1 | ... | ... | 5 | 45.45 |
| Total | 292 | 38 | 5 | 46 | 25 | 9 | 17 | 140 | 47.95 |

N.B.—The Auckland Hospital is without the boundary of the borough.

Of the total Deaths, the Males contributed 89, Females 51; 77 deaths, or 55 per cent., were of children under 5 years. Of
these, 63 deaths, or 45 per cent., were of children under 1 year—the infantile mortality being somewhat less than it was in
January. One person of 76 years of age died at Nelson from old age.

The birth rate has varied very much from that of last month. Auckland has shown an increase of 69 births, or 28 per cent.,
Wellington a decrease of 42 births, or 54.5 per cent., and Christchurch, a decrease of 14 births, or 26.9 per cent., on the January
returns.

The neglect of prompt registration in Dunedin makes the monthly returns of deaths registered as having occurred there
very unreliable. The deaths so registered in January were 23, but out of that number 20 occurred in November and December.
The deaths registered in February as having occurred in Dunedin were 29; but out of that number 17 died in January, so
that the number of deaths in February already registered is only 12. This number will, however, no doubt be increased by
registrations in March. As the registration in the other boroughs appears to be more promptly effected, the returns may be
looked upon as practically correct. There will always be cases where the death may take place at the end of one month and be
registered in the beginning of the month following. The deaths (for the other boroughs) registered in February but occurring in
January were as follows:—Christchurch, 3; Wellington, 3; Thames, 3; Hokitika, 1; Auckland, 1.

The death rate during February was lower in Auckland and Christchurch than it was in January, while in Wellington it
shows a marked increase; and this increase must be added to on account of a mistake in the returns that escaped notice,
in including 5 deaths that occurred in the country among the deaths for the borough. Deducting those 5 from the
January deaths, the actual number for Wellington for January should have been 28. The deaths occurring in the borough and
registered in February amounted to 41, an increase of 13, or 46.4 per cent., on the January deaths. Of the increased number,
2 were of children under 5 years, and 11 of persons over 5 years of age.

THE following Table shows the Causes of the Deaths of Persons of both sexes under 5 years of age and 5 years and upwards, and
the proportions per cent. of Deaths from each cause in the Boroughs named, and that were registered, during the month of
February, 1874.

| CLASSES. | CAUSES OF DEATH. | TOTAL. | PROPORTIONS
PER CENT. |
|---|---|---|---|
| I. | Zymotic Diseases | 66 | 47.14 |
| II. | Constitutional Diseases | 16 | 11.43 |
| III. | Local Diseases | 34 | 24.29 |
| IV. | Developmental Diseases | 15 | 10.71 |
| V. | Violent Deaths | 9 | 6.43 |
| | | 140 | 100.00 |

CLASS I.—ZYMOTIC DISEASES.

ORDER 1.—Miasmatic Diseases.—Diphtheria, 3; Croup, 1; Enteric or Typhoid Fever, 4; Puerperal Fever, 1; Dysentery, 4;
Diarrhea, 52; Cholera, 1.

CLASS II.—CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES.

ORDER 1.—Diathetic Diseases.—Cancer, 1.
ORDER 2.—Tubercular Diseases.—Tabes Mesenterica, 1; Phthisis, 14.

CLASS III.—LOCAL DISEASES.

ORDER 1.—Diseases of the Nervous System.—Cephalitis, 2; Apoplexy, 4; Paralysis, 1; Convulsions, 2; Brain Disease, 4.
ORDER 2.—Diseases of the Organs of Circulation.—Heart Disease, 4.
ORDER 3.—Diseases of the Respiratory Organs.—Edema glottidis, 1; Bronchitis, 2.
ORDER 4.—Diseases of the Digestive Organs.—Enteritis, &c., 5; Peritonitis, 2; Hepatitis, 2; Jaundice, 1; Liver Disease, 2.
ORDER 5.—Diseases of the Urinary Organs.—Nephritis, 1; Extravasation of Urine, 1.

CLASS IV.—DEVELOPMENTAL DISEASES.

ORDER 1.—Developmental Diseases of Children.—Premature Birth, 2; Teething, 2.
ORDER 3.—Developmental Diseases of Old People.—Old Age, 1.
ORDER 4.—Diseases of Nutrition.—Atrophy and Debility, 10.

CLASS V.—VIOLENT DISEASES OR DEATHS.

ORDER 1.—Accident or Negligence.—Fracture of Skull, 1; From a Fall of Earth, 1; Burns and Scalds, 4; Drowned, 2; Not
specified, 1.

Dr. Hector has furnished me with the following Provisional Meteorological Report, and has arranged so as to have a similar
Table ready in time to accompany my monthly Report.

Registrar-General's Office,
Wellington, 9th March, 1874.

WM. R. E. BROWN,
Registrar-General.