THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 639

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
May, 1877.

CLASSES.
CAUSES OF DEATH.
I. Zymotic Diseases
II. Constitutional Diseases
III. Local Diseases
IV. Developmental Diseases
V. Violent Deaths
Unspecified
Total

CLASS I.-ZYMOTIC DISEASES.
ORDER 1.-Miasmatic Diseases.--Scarlatina, 14; Diphtheria, 1; Sloughing Sore Throat, 1; Croup, 1; Whooping Cough, 3;
Typhoid Fever, 1; Simple Continued Fever, 1; Erysipelas, 1; Dysentery, 2; Diarrhea, 2.
ORDER 4.-Parasitic Diseases.-Worms, 1.

CLASS II. CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES.
ORDER 1.-Diathetic Diseases.-Cancer, 4; Gangrene of Lungs, 1; Mortification 1.
ORDER 2.-Tubercular Diseases.-Phthisis, 7; Tubercular Leprosy, 1.

CLASS III. LOCAL DISEASES.
ORDER 1.-Diseases of Nervous System.-Cerebritis, 1; Meningitis, 1; Apoplexy, 4; Paralysis, 2; Melancholia, 1; Convulsions, 3.
ORDER 2.-Diseases of Organs of Circulation.-Pericarditis, 1; Aneurism, 1; Heart Disease, &c., 11.
ORDER 3.-Diseases of Respiratory Organs.-Laryngitis, 1; Bronchitis, 7; Pleurisy, 1; Pneumonia, 3; Asthma, 1; Lung
Disease, 1.
ORDER 4.-Diseases of Digestive Organs.-Enteritis, 1; Ileus, 1.; Disease of Liver, 1.
ORDER 5.-Diseases of Urinary Organs.-Bright's Disease, 1; Kidney Disease, 2.

CLASS IV. DEVELOPMENTAL DISEASES.
ORDER 1.-Developmental Diseases of Children.-Premature Birth, 3; Teething, 2; Abscess, 1.
ORDER 2.-Developmental Diseases of Adults.-Old Age, 2.
ORDER 4.-Diseases of Nutrition.-Atrophy and Debility, 3.

CLASS V.-VIOLENT DEATHS.
ORDER 1.-Accidental.-Run Over, 1; Fractured Skull, 1; Burnt, 1.
ORDER 4.-Suicide.-Gunshot Wound, 1; Hanging, 2.

Zymotic Diseases. The number of deaths from Zymotic diseases in May was 28, 14 of which occurred at Dunedin.
Scarlatina was again the most fatal complaint, causing 14 deaths; 10 at Dunedin, and 4 at Hokitika. In April there were
9 deaths from Scarlatina, 4 at Dunedin, and 5 at Hokitika. This disease has been prevalent in Hokitika since the beginning of
the year, and deaths from it have been registered at Dunedin every month since, and including May, of 1876.

Diseases of the Respiratory System. The total number of deaths for the month is 14 against 7 for April last.

Violent Deaths.-Of 6 Violent Deaths, 3 were accidental, and 3 suicidal. Two of the cases of suicide were at Wellington.

Comparison with May, 1876. The deaths for May last show a small decrease (7) when compared with the deaths in the
boroughs during May, 1876, on the whole, but an increase as regards mortality from Zymotic diseases. The deaths from
Developmental diseases and Debility in Children are much fewer for last month; the figures are as follows:-May, 1877-
Premature Birth, Teething, Debility, &c., 9 deaths. May, 1876-From similar causes, 24 deaths.

The Weather. The month of May was exceptionally wet. The number of days on which rain fell at Auckland, Wellington,
Nelson, and Christchurch was far above the average for the same month in previous years. The rainfall in inches amounted to
an average for the colony of 10-681 inches against an average for May in previous years of only 5-096 inches. At Hokitika,
22-100 inches of rain fell, and at Nelson 15-210 inches. At Auckland 23 days, and at Wellington 20 days of the month were
wet.

Registrar-General's Office,
Wellington, 11th June, 1877.

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

PROVISIONAL METEOROLOGICAL REPORT FOR MAY, 1877.

| | AUCKLAND. | WELLINGTON. | NELSON. | CHRIST-
CHURCH. | HOKITIKA. | DUNEDIN. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Temperature in Shade | 56.0 | 50.9 | 49.4 | 45.4 | 48.1 | 44.0 |
| Ditto for same month previous years | 57.3 | 53.0 | 51.3 | 47.8 | 50.0 | 47.2 |
| Maximum Temperature in Shade, and date | 65.6 on 3rd | 62.5 on 14th | 62.0 on 27th | 63.8 on 26th | 61.5 on 3rd | 58.0 on 20th |
| Minimum Temperature in Shade, and date | 38.4 on 16th | 35.0 on 18th | 32.0 on 12th | 23.8 on 12th | 31.4 on 7th | 33.0 on 17th |
| Maximum Temperature in Sun, and date | 109.0 on 9th | 110.0 on 12th | 110.0 on 20th | 109.0 on 3rd | 109.0 on 3rd | 83.0 on 2nd |
| Minimum Temperature on Grass, and date | 31.5 on 16th | 29.0 on 18th | ... | 14.6 on 12th | 20.0 on 16th | 27.0 on 17th |
| Mean Humidity (Saturation=100) | 81 | 82 | 82 | 80 | 86 | 83 |
| Ditto for same month previous years | 82 | 76 | 79 | 84 | 87 | 78 |
| Total Rainfall in inches | 6.630 | 9.580 | 15.210 | 3.480 | 22.100 | 7.088 |
| Number of Days on which Rain fell | 23 | 20 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 15 |
| Ditto for same month previous years | 18 | 14 | 8 | 10 | 16 | 15 |

NOTE.-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.

June, 1877.

JAMES HECTOR, Inspector.