THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 359

CLASS IV.-DEVELOPMENTAL DISEASES.
ORDER 1.-Developmental Diseases of Children.-Premature Birth, 4; Spina Bifida, 1; Cleft Palate, 1.
ORDER 2.-Developmental Diseases of Adults. Childbirth, 2.
ORDER 3.-Developmental Diseases of Old People.-Old Age, 2.
ORDER 4.-Diseases of Nutrition. Atrophy and Debility, 5.

CLASS V.-VIOLENT DEATHS.
ORDER 1.-Accident or Negligence.-Killed by fall of Earth, 1; Accidental, from Burning, 1.
VIOLENT, but not defined as to Order.-Found drowned, 1.
NOT DEFINED.-1.

A comparison for the months of March and April shows a very decided decrease of mortality. The number of deaths for
each borough is less than in March, but the difference is greatest in Christchurch and Dunedin. The proportion of deaths to
the 1,000 of population fell from 3.11 to 1.21 in the first-named town, and from 2.92 to 1.17 in the latter; or if the hospital
deaths excluded were included as in former reports, the death rates would have respectively fallen from 3.11 to 1.67 in Christ-
church, and from 2.92 to 1.58 in Dunedin. In Auckland the proportion of deaths was 1 per cent. less than in March. The
general decrease is accounted for by the decline of Zymotic disease, the deaths from which were much reduced in number.
Diarrhœa and Dysentery, of which there were 49 cases in March, were fatal to only 18 persons in April.
The cases of Typhoid fever were about equal for the two months, as although fewer appear in the analysis for April, several
cases of country people dying in hospital were rejected, as shown below.
Constitutional diseases fell from 25 to 14 in number. 6 cases of deaths in hospital from Phthisis were, however, rejected
in April. Diseases of the Respiratory system showed a slight increase, taking all deaths in hospitals into account.
An alteration of system has been made for the first time, by which of the deaths at hospitals those of persons who had
been residents in the boroughs only have been included for April, instead of all hospital deaths as previously. Although this
prevents an exactly accurate comparison for the two months, it does not affect the conclusion to be drawn from the result-i.e.,
the large decrease of deaths from the Miasmatic order of Zymotic disease, there being 37 less cases.
Subjoined is a statement of the numbers rejected in April, which would according to the old plan have been included :-

Auckland, 2 deaths-Aneurism, Phthisis.
Thames, 2 deaths-Hernia, Kidney Disease.
Wellington, 3 deaths-Phthisis, Effusion on Brain, Abscess.
Nelson, 1 death-Phthisis.
Christchurch, 5 deaths--3 Typhoid Fever, 1 Diarrhœa, 1 Heart Disease.
Dunedin, 8 deaths-1 Typhoid Fever, 3 Phthisis, 1 Brain Disease, 1 Heart Disease, 1 Liver Disease, 1 Puerperal
Fever.

The comparisons for succeeding months will, of course, be more exactly correct.
The death rate compares still more favourably with that for April, 1875, in which month there were 170 deaths, comprising
80 from Zymotic disease, of which 73 were Miasmatic. Deducting of these 24 cases of Measles, there still remain 49 cases of
Scarlatina, Cholera, Fever of different kinds, Dysentery, Diarrhœa, &c., against only 36 in April of this year, including in the
latter month all such deaths in hospitals.
There were only 3 violent deaths last month. The causes are not such as to call for special remark.
Out of 7 deaths of old people, Wellington contributed the highest number, taking the place usually occupied by Auckland,
where deaths of people of advanced age have hitherto been numerous.

Registrar-General's Office,
Wellington, 17th May, 1876.

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

PROVISIONAL METEOROLOGICAL REPORT FOR APRIL, 1876.

| | | AUCKLAND. | WELLINGTON. | NELSON. | CHRIST-
CHURCH. | HOKITIKA. | DUNEDIN. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Temperature in Shade | ... | 62.8 | 57.1 | 57.5 | 54.2 | 55.1 | 52.4 |
| Ditto for same month previous years | ... | 61.7 | 57.0 | 57.0 | 53.5 | 54.2 | 51.9 |
| Highest Temperature in Shade | ... | 79.1 on 5th | 72.8 on 20th | 76.0 on 20th | 72.0 on 9th | 65.9 on 3rd | 66.0 on 22nd |
| Lowest Temperature in Shade | ... | 45.0 on 11th | 42.5 on 12th | 38.0 on 18th | 36.5 on 25th | 33.3 on 11th | 38.0 on 29th |
| Highest Temperature in Sun | ... | 135.2 on 7th | 134.0 on 9th | ... | 123.0 on 13th | ... | 121.0 on 18th |
| Lowest Temperature on Grass | ... | 38.4 on 12th | 31.0 on 12th | 24.0 on 13th | 22.2 on 29th | 26.0 on 11th | 33.0 on 10th |
| Average Moisture of Air (Saturation=100) | ... | 77 | 79 | 81 | 86 | 87 | 77 |
| Ditto for same month previous years | ... | 72 | 74 | 74 | 79 | 86 | 75 |
| Rainfall in inches | ... | 3.375 | 6.670 | 16.070 | 5.130 | 18.140 | 5.129 |
| Ditto for same month previous years | ... | 3.337 | 3.716 | 3.728 | 2.276 | 7.968 | 2.342 |
| Number of Days on which Rain fell | ... | 22 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 17 | 19 |
| Ditto for same month previous years | ... | 14 | 13 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 14 |

• From 1 to 17 only.
  Nors. This Table is prepared from unchecked averages, transmitted by telegraph in anticipation of the full Returns, and must not be entirely
  relied on for compiling Meteorological Statistics.
  May, 1876.

W. B. D. MANTELL.