FEB. 22.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 315

DEATHS OF CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS.

The proportions of deaths of children under five years to every 100 of deaths of persons at all ages is next shown. In the year 1893, out of every 100 deaths at Christchurch, 40 were of children under five years, the same at Auckland, while at Wellington and Dunedin the proportions were 36 and 30 respectively. If the mean of five years be taken the deaths of children are found to be highest at Auckland.

DEATHS OF CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS TO EVERY 100 DEATHS.

SPECIFIC FEBRILE OR ZYMOTIC DISEASES.

The total number of deaths at the four towns from these diseases in 1893 was 256, against 214 in 1892. The mortality from the principal complaints, the prevalence of which is closely connected with sanitary condition and climatic influence on health, was as under for 1893 and 1892:—

It will be found from the above that the mortality from measles (119 deaths) in 1893 was the greatest cause of the increased number of deaths in the class for that year, as there were no deaths from this disease at the chief towns in 1892; but there were also small increases of deaths from diphtheria (1), whooping-cough (5), and scarlatina (1). As against these must be mentioned the decrease in deaths in 1893 from diarrhœal diseases (55), from typhoid and other fever (16), and influenza (18).

Measles.—In 1893 this disease was very fatal. Of 119 deaths at all four towns, 41 were at Auckland, 35 at Wellington, 19 at Christchurch, and 24 at Dunedin.

Influenza.—Out of 16 deaths from this cause, 1 was at Auckland, 3 at Wellington, 5 at Christchurch, and 7 at Dunedin.

Typhoid Fever.—Of 24 deaths from typhoid fever, 6 were at Auckland, 12 at Wellington, 4 at Christchurch, and 2 at Dunedin.

Diarrhœal Diseases.—Of 51 deaths from diarrhœal diseases, 19 were at Auckland, 17 at Wellington, 7 at Christchurch, and 8 at Dunedin. It will be seen from the above table that the decrease in 1893 has been general in the four towns.

PARASITIC DISEASES.

The total number of deaths was 6, including 2 from hydatids.

CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES.

There were 269 deaths from these causes in 1893, against 276 in 1892. Nearly one-half the deaths (126) that occurred in 1893 were from phthisis, against 119 in 1892. Deaths from other tubercular diseases, including tabes mesenterica, tubercular peritonitis, and tubercular meningitis, numbered 48. Diabetes caused 9 deaths. From cancer there were 76 deaths, an increase of 10 on the number for the previous year.

LOCAL DISEASES.

The increase of deaths in this class is considerable, the numbers being 608 for 1893, and 533 for 1892. It is necessary to refer to the various orders that compose the class in considering these.

Diseases of the Respiratory System.—The deaths were most numerous in this order, and may be shortly summarised as under:—

The increase on the whole order in 1893 is 35 deaths. Diseases of the respiratory organs would seem to have been less fatal in Auckland in 1893 than in 1892, the mortality falling from 54 deaths to 41. At Wellington the deaths increased from 27 to 55; at Christchurch, from 17 to 32; and at Dunedin, from 34 to 39.

Diseases of the Nervous System.—The deaths were 159, an increase on the number in 1892 of 35. From apoplexy there were 46 deaths, an increase of 22; 29 from convulsions, an increase of 6; 25 from meningitis, an increase of 7. Fifteen deaths were attributed to insanity.

Diseases of the Circulatory System.—These gave a total of 99 deaths, or 3 fewer than in 1892. Out of the number (99) for last year, 70 were attributed to valvular disease or fatty degeneration of the heart, 11 were from syncope, and 11 from aneurism.

Diseases of the Digestive System.—The total for 1893 is 104 deaths, the same number as in 1892; 17 of these were caused by dentition, 16 were from enteritis, 13 from gastritis, 11 from peritonitis, 16 from cirrhosis, hepatitis, jaundice, and gall-stones, and 9 from other diseases of the liver.

Diseases of the Urinary System.—The deaths were 52, a large increase on the number for the year 1892, which was 37. Bright's disease was the most fatal cause. The deaths from this complaint in the four towns show considerable increase in the last four years, thus: 1890, 8 deaths; 1891, 16 deaths; 1892, 21 deaths; and 1893, 20 deaths. From cystitis and diseased prostate the deaths were 15, against 8 in the previous year.

VIOLENT DEATHS.

There were 67 of these, against 68 in 1892. Of those last year, 46 were accidental, a decrease of 11. Ten persons were accidentally drowned, 8 killed by fractures, 5 burnt or scalded, 4 poisoned, 3 run over by tram-car or railway-train, 2 killed by falls, and 2 died from tetanus consequent on wounds; there was also 1 death from entanglement in machinery, and 11 deaths from other accidental causes.

One homicidal death took place, caused by shooting.

Of 20 suicides, 7 deaths were by poison, 6 by hanging, 3 by shooting, 2 by cutting throat, 1 by drowning, and 1 by jumping out of window. The number of suicides at the chief towns in 1893 was twice as great as in 1892, and 11 more than 1891, when the total was only 9 deaths.

E. J. von DADELSZEN,

Registrar-General.

Registrar-General's Office, Wellington, 21st February, 1894.