1990 THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. [No. 88

In the first table are given the deaths and death-rates for each of the four cities, for the suburban boroughs severally, and for each city with its suburban towns. As regards Auckland and Christchurch, the whole of the area usually recognised as suburban has not yet been brought under municipal government, and the vital statistics do not deal with such portions as still remain in road districts. But the omission is not very important, for there are in either case quite enough suburbs included within borough boundaries to give a fair idea of the death-rate of Greater Auckland and Greater Christchurch. As further boroughs are formed the vital statistics will be made to include them.

The inclusion of the suburban boroughs tends to lower the rate at each of the four centres.

Death-rates per 1,000 of Mean Population.

Auckland City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·84
" and five suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. .. 0·76
Wellington City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1·15
" and three suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. .. 1·12
Christchurch City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1·22
" and four suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. .. 0·88
Dunedin City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1·19
" and eight suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. .. 0·97

Including the suburbs, the rate at Wellington is the highest, and at Auckland the lowest.

Compared with September, 1898, the results are,—

Specific Febrile or Zymotic Diseases.—The deaths at the four chief centres and suburbs during September from this class of disease numbered 14, of which 9 occurred at Wellington. Seven of these 9 deaths at Wellington were from whooping-cough and 2 from diphtheria. The last-named disease was also found at Auckland (1 death) and at Christchurch (also 1 death). Influenza and diarrhœa are noticed as fatal at Christchurch, and typhoid fever at Dunedin—1 death in each case.

Constitutional Diseases.—As usual, the proportion of the total mortality at the chief centres from constitutional diseases was high, being 21·23 per cent., in September. The number of deaths was 38 at the four towns, comprising 15 from phthisis, with 1 from tuberculosis, 2 from tubercular meningitis, and 1 from tubercular disease of the bowels. From cancer there were 13 deaths, and 1 one from diabetes mellitus.

Local Diseases.—The mortality in this class was 50·28 per cent. of the whole for the month, the number of deaths being 90. Sixteen were caused by diseases of the nervous system, including 6 of children by convulsions; 1 death was from ear-disease (organs of special sense), 20 from diseases of the circulatory system, 22 of the respiratory, 16 of the digestive, 9 of the urinary (6 Bright’s disease), and 6 of the reproductive systems.

Violent Deaths.—These numbered 17: 10 accidental, 2 homicidal, and 5 suicidal. A carter was crushed to death by a dray passing over him at Auckland; an adult male died at Wellington of paralysis, the result of falling downstairs; a child of 5 years died at Auckland of traumatic tetanus. There were 3 deaths from accidental drowning, and 3 of children overlain, and an infant died at birth. A labourer met his death by violence at the hands of another person, and a child was found dead with marks of violence. A young man of 20 years committed suicide by shooting himself at Dunedin; a salesman killed himself by cutting his throat, and a bootmaker by hanging himself, at Auckland; and 2 women poisoned themselves at Christchurch.