There were 16 deaths of persons of 65 years and upwards: 3 males of 75 and 67 (2), and 3 females of 95, 79, and 65, died at Auckland; a male of 70 and 3 females of 86, 77, and 70 at Wellington; 2 males of 87 and 68, and 2 females of 76 and 73, at Christchurch; a male of 76 and a female of 74 at Dunedin.

The classification of diseases given herewith differs from that hitherto adopted in this and the neighbouring colonies, but it is similar to that now used by the Registrar-General for England and Ireland, which follows the lines laid down by the Royal College of Physicians of London in their revised nomenclature and classification.

The rearrangement of diseases among the various classes having the same names as those hitherto used and in new classes renders any comparison between the totals of classes under the two systems valueless, but as the names of the diseases are given there will be little difficulty in making comparisons in respect of any particular disease.

Diarrhoea, owing no doubt to the increased temperature, has proved more fatal in Auckland, 13 out of the 15 deaths from that cause having occurred there. Of these, 11 were of children under 5 years of age.

The deaths from phthisis amounted to 16 in January, against 8 in December. Diseases of the respiratory organs were also more fatal in January, the numbers having been 14 in January, against 8 in December.

The subjoined table shows the mortality for the last two months at each of these four boroughs from six principal specific febrile or zymotic diseases, 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.

SIX PRINCIPAL SPECIFIC FEBRILE OR ZYMOTIC DISEASES.

Towns.

Measles.

Scarlet Fever.

Typhoid and other Fever.

Diphtheria.

Whooping Cough.

Dysentery and Diarrhoea.

Jan. Dec. Jan. Dec. Jan. Dec. Jan. Dec. Jan. Dec. Jan. Dec.

Auckland .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 .. .. 13 7 1 1 .. 1 1 .. ..

Wellington .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 2 .. 1 .. 3 .. .. 6 .. .. ..

Christchurch .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 .. 3 2 1 .. 2 2 .. .. .. .. 1 ..

Dunedin .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 .. 1 1 .. .. .. 1 .. .. ..

Totals .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 5 4 16 8 4 7 .. .. 8 1 1 ..

PRINCIPAL LUNG DISEASES.

Bronchitis.

Pleurisy.

Pneumonia.

Congestion of Lungs.

Jan. Dec. Jan. Dec. Jan. Dec. Jan. Dec.

Registrar-General's Office,

Wellington, 16th February, 1885.

WM. R. E. BROWN,

Registrar-General.

PROVISIONAL METEOROLOGICAL RETURN FOR JANUARY, 1885.

AUCKLAND.

WELLINGTON.

DUNEDIN.

Mean Temperature in shade for month .. 64·4 60·3 55·5

Average same month previous years .. 67·8 62·9 57·5

Maximum Temperature in shade, and date 77·0 on 20th 72·3 on 18th 74·0 on 24th

Minimum Temperature in shade, and date 50·0 on 14th 46·0 on 13th 42·0 on 13th

Maximum Temperature in sun, and date 143·0 on 7th and 147·0 on 18th 147·0 on 4th 20th

Minimum Temperature on grass, and date 42·0 on 20th 40·0 on 14th 36·0 on 17th

Mean Humidity (Saturation=100) .. 65 78 76

Average same month previous years .. 72 70 73

Total Rainfall in inches .. .. 1·910 1·852 2·848

Average same month previous years .. 2·661 3·186 3·852

Number of Days of Rain .. .. 9 13 21

Average same month previous years .. 10 9 14

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.

Meteorological Office, Wellington, 16th February, 1885.

JAMES HECTOR.

Land Transfer Act Notice.

NOTICE is hereby given that the several parcels of land hereinafter described will be brought under the provisions of "The Land Transfer Act, 1870," unless caveat be lodged forbidding the same in each case within one calendar month next after date of Gazette containing this notice.

Section 27, Block LXXIX., Town of Oamaru.-HENRY CROMWELL TEWSLEY and WILLIAM HENRY CHURTON, Applicants. Occupied by Agnes McPherson. No. 3577.

Part Section 2 of 57, Block IV., Oamaru District.-ALEXANDRINE LESLIE, Applicant. Occupied by Applicant. No. 3578.

Allotments 1, 2, 23, 24, Township of Calderville.-THOMAS ALLAN, Applicant. Occupied by Mary Orton. No. 3579.

Diagrams may be inspected at this office.

Dated this 16th day of February, 1885, at the Lands Registry Office, Dunedin.

H. TURTON,

District Land Registrar.

Mining Notices.

STATEMENT of the Affairs of the Phoenix Water-race Company (Registered), for the year ending the 18th November, 1884, in accordance with section 135 of "The Mining Companies Act, 1872."

Name of company: The Phoenix Water-race Company (Registered).

When formed, and date of registration: 12th October, 1867.

Where business is conducted, and name of Legal Manager: Jonas Harrop.

Nominal capital: £1,500.

Number of shares into which capital is divided: 1,000.

Number of shares taken: 1,000.

Amount of calls made: One call of £1 10s. each share.

Total amount of subscribed capital paid up: £1,500.

Number of shareholders at time of registration of company: 34.

Amount of cash in hand: £203 7s. 11d.

Whether in operation or not: In operation.

Total amount of dividends declared: £4,750 6s.

Number of shares unallotted: Nil.

JONAS HARROP,

Manager.

Lawrence, 11th February, 1885.