July 13.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1107

The death-rates for June show a great increase on the rates that obtained during the month of May. During the
latter month the mortality was exceptionally low, even for the time of the year, but not so in June, as will be seen from
the subjoined figures, which show the rates for last month compared with those of the same month in the previous year,
as well as with those of May last :—

The highest death-rate for June, as compared with May, is found at Auckland, Christchurch follows, then Dunedin,
and lastly Wellington. The highest rate of increase was at Christchurch, and the next at Auckland. It will be found that
for every class of disease there were more deaths in June at the four boroughs, considered collectively, than in May; the
increase is mostly in miasmatic diseases and diseases of the respiratory system.

Specific Febrile and Zymotic Diseases.—The total number of deaths rose from 19 in May to 54 in June. Most of this
mortality is found at Auckland and Dunedin. At Auckland the deaths were 26 in number, of which 25 were from measles
(23 children). At Dunedin the deaths numbered 20, of which 15 were of children under 5 years from measles.
Diphtheria caused 1 death at Dunedin. The mortality at Wellington and Christchurch was much less than at Auckland
and Dunedin. Whooping-cough caused 1 death at Wellington and 1 at Christchurch; diphtheria the same, while at the
latter city 1 death was attributable to measles and 1 to influenza.

Constitutional Diseases.—The number of deaths rose from 13 in May to 23 in June: 8 out of the number for June
were from phthisis and 7 from cancer.

Local Diseases.—The deaths for June (60) were nearly double the number for May (35). Diseases of the nervous
system increased from 6 in the former to 16 in the latter month, 9 of which were from apoplexy. A still greater increase
occurred in deaths from diseases of the respiratory system, which rose from 8 in May to 23 in June, including 19 fatal
cases of bronchitis, pneumonia, and congestion of lungs, with 3 cases of croup. The mortality was greatest at Auckland
(11 deaths), and next highest at Wellington (8 deaths).

Violent Deaths.—Three out of 7 were accidental, including the death of a builder from fracture of the spine, 1 of a
labourer from a wounded toe, resulting in tetanus, and the death of another builder, who suffered amputation of the leg
after an accident. Of 4 suicides, 1 was that of an insurance agent, who poisoned himself; another of a girl, who
destroyed herself by eating lucifer-matches during temporary insanity; still another female killed herself with arsenic
while suffering from mental depression; and the fourth case was that of a man taking his life by strangulation.

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.

• Towns
• Six Principal Specific Febrile or Zymotic Diseases:
  • Measles
  • Scarlet Fever
  • Typhoid and other Fever
  • Diphtheria
  • Whooping-cough
  • Diarrheal Diseases
• Principal Lung-diseases:
  • Bronchitis
  • Pleurisy
  • Pneumonia
  • Congestion of Lungs

Registrar-General’s Office,
Wellington, 8th July, 1893.

E. J. Von DADELSZEN,
Registrar-General.

Provisional Meteorological Return for June, 1893.

• Mean Temperature in shade for month
• Average same month previous years
• Maximum Temperature in shade, and date
• Minimum Temperature in shade, and date
• Maximum Solar Radiation, and date
• Minimum Terrestrial Radiation, and date
• Mean Humidity (Saturation = 100)
• Average same month previous years
• Total Rainfall, in inches
• Average same month previous years
• Number of Days of Rain
• Average same month previous years

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.

JAMES HECTOR,
Director,

Meteorological Office, Wellington, July, 1893.