Nov. 15.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 2103

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 Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin, but raises it at Christchurch.

Death-rates per 1,000 of Population.

Auckland City .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·94
" and five suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. 0·90
Wellington City .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·95
" and three suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. 0·92
Christchurch City .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·65
" and four suburban boroughs.. .. .. .. 0·77
Dunedin City .. .. .. .. .. .. 1·06
" and eight suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. 1·04

Including the suburbs, the rate at Dunedin is the highest, and at Christchurch the lowest. Compared with October, 1899, the results are,—

October, 1899. October, 1900.
Auckland and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·81 0·90
Wellington and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·95 0·92
Christchurch and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·72 0·77
Dunedin and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·95 1·04

Specific Febrile and Zymotic Diseases.—There were 11 deaths in this class at the four centres and suburbs during October, against 3 in the previous month. Of the deaths in October, 1 was from influenza at Auckland, 1 from whooping-cough at Christchurch, and 2 from diphtheria—1 at Wellington and 1 at Dunedin. Diarrhoea was fatal at Auckland, where there was, however, only 1 death from this cause; and at Dunedin, where 2 deaths are noticed. In the next order of this class, 2 deaths of children from congenital specific disease occurred—at Auckland and Wellington. In the septic order the mortality comprises 1 death from puerperal infection, and 1 from hospital gangrene.

Constitutional Diseases.—The total for the four centres and surroundings was 44 deaths, being in the proportion of 25 per cent. of the total mortality from all causes for the month. Phthisis accounts for 17, general tuberculosis caused 1, and tubercular meningitis 6 deaths. Cancer contributed 15 deaths.

Local Diseases.—87 deaths, or 50 per cent. of the whole, were from causes classified under this head. Nervous diseases caused 32 of the number, including apoplexy, paralysis, convulsions, &c. From diseases of the circulatory system there were 13; of the respiratory, the same; and of the digestive system, 17 deaths. Besides these, there was 1 death from disease of the lymphatic, 11 of the urinary, and 2 of the reproductive systems.

Violent Deaths.—These numbered 13, including 10 accidental, 1 homicidal, and 2 suicidal. A porter died at Dunedin from cerebral concussion; a fireman was killed by falling from a locomotive engine, and a guard from a railway-train: at Christchurch a child was run over by a train, a boy by a railway-truck, and a gatekeeper also was killed by a train: thus, 5 deaths occurred in the month of October through railway accidents. At Auckland, a labourer, aged forty-seven years, died of strain of heart and chest from lifting; at Wellington, a man was accidentally drowned; at Christchurch, a child was choked by a piece of carrot; and an infant at Wellington lost its life through being overlain. The case of homicide was that of a man stabbed by his wife at Dunedin. Of suicides, a groom poisoned himself by strychnine at Dunedin, and a storekeeper hanged himself at Wellington while temporarily insane.

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