THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
311

Comparison with the previous Month. At the Towns of Auckland, Nelson, and Hokitika, the death-rates for February were
slightly higher than for January; at the other boroughs the rates were lower. The variation in the rates for the two months is
most noticeable at Wellington, the proportion of deaths per 1,000 of population having fallen from 2.43 in January to 1.35 in
February. The subjoined table shows the mortality for the two months at each town from six principal Zymotic diseases of the
Miasmatic order, and also the deaths from certain inflammatory diseases of the lungs. These causes of death have been
distinguished from the others of the classes to which they belong, as being the most important special diseases which give rise to
sudden increases in the death-rates of towns, and the prevalence of which is closely connected with sanitary condition and
climatic influence of the season on health.

From the above it will be seen that Whooping Cough was less fatal in February than in January at Wellington, but that at
Nelson it caused 1 more death than in the previous month. One death from it was registered at Christchurch last month. The
mortality from Dysentery and Diarrhœa was the same for the two months, and not exceptionally high for the season of the year.
Taken as a whole the mortality in these boroughs from Zymotic diseases during February is low, and it is satisfactory to
notice that no deaths occurred from fever of any kind. From all classes of disease there were fewer deaths than in January.

The accidental deaths in February numbered 3. A man fractured his skull by falling from his cart, a life was lost by
operation performed for tumor, and a death occurred from traumatic pneumonitis, the result of injuries inflicted by bullocks.
There was one case of suicide by hanging. In January there were 4 accidental deaths, but no suicide.

Comparison with the previous Year. In February, 1877, there were 120 deaths registered in the boroughs, and Scarlatina,
Diphtheria, Croup, Typhoid Ferer, and Remittent Fever appeared amongst the causes of death, besides an equal number of
deaths from Dysentery and Diarrhœa to that for last month. There were no deaths however from Whooping Cough in
February, 1877. Phthisis was fatal in 12 cases in February, 1877, against 5 cases in February last. Deaths from local diseases
were far more numerous in February, 1877, than in February, 1878, the numbers being respectively 40 and 22. At Christchurch
the total number of deaths from all causes was 23 in February, 1877, against 14 in February, 1878; and at Dunedin 23, against
13 last month.

Registrar-General's Office,
Wellington, 13th March, 1878.

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

PROVISIONAL METEOROLOGICAL RETURN FOR FEBRUARY, 1878.

| | AUCKLAND. | WELLINGTON. | NELSON. | CHRIST-
CHURCH. | HOKITIKA. | DUNEDIN. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Temperature in Shade | 63.8 | 60.4 | 60.1 | 57.4 | 59.0 | 55.5 |
| Average for same month previous years | 68.6 | 62.9 | 64.4 | 61.6 | 60.3 | 59.2 |
| Maximum Temperature in Shade, and date | 76.6 on 28th | 76.0 on 5th | 80.0 on 12th | 86.2 on 25th | 71.1 on 1st | 87.0 on 25th |
| | | | | and 3rd | | |
| Minimum Temperature in Shade, and date | 51.2 on 28th | 45.0 on 8th | 43.0 on 7th | 38.8 on 22nd | 40.9 on 7th | 41.0 on 16th |
| Maximum Temperature in Sun, and date | 146.1 on 5th | 141.0 on 3rd | ... | 147.0 on 25th | 147.0 on 5th | 123.0 on 5th |
| Minimum Temperature on Grass, and date | 33.0 on 27th | 39.0 on 7th | 27.9 on 7th | 37.0 on 3rd | 35.0 on 14th |
| | | and 8th | | | |
| Mean Humidity (Saturation=100) | 78 | 78 | 66 | 73 | 85 | 70 |
| Average for same month previous years | 74 | 71 | 74 | 76 | 85 | 72 |
| Total Rainfall in inches | 1.705 | 5.080 | 2.360 | 0.620 | 5.430 | 1.704 |
| Average for same month previous years | 4.124 | 3.698 | 5.981 | 2.072 | 7.670 | 2.409 |
| Number of Days on which Rain fell | 13 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 7 |
| Average for same month previous years | 11 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 11 | 13 |

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.

March, 1878.

J. HECTOR, Inspector.