Mar. 28.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 791

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

Death-rates per 1,000 of Population.

Auckland City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·83
" and five suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. .. 0·68
Wellington City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·88
" and three suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. .. 0·88
Christchurch City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1·04
" and four suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. .. 0·93
Dunedin City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·62
" and eight suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. .. 0·72

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

Compared with February, 1900, the results are,—

1900. 1901. Auckland and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·84 0·68
            Wellington and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·61 0·88
            Christchurch and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·99 0·93
            Dunedin and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·76 0·72

Specific Febrile or Zymotic Diseases.—Of 16 deaths in February from diseases of this class at the four centres with their suburbs, 7 were at Auckland, 5 at Wellington, 2 at Christchurch, and 2 at Dunedin. Diarrhoeal diseases caused 6 deaths at Auckland, 3 at Wellington, and 1 at Christchurch, making 10 altogether. Diphtheria was fatal at Wellington and Dunedin—1 death at each town. From typhoid fever there was 1 death at Dunedin and another at Auckland.

Parasitic Diseases.—A death from hydatids was observed at Wellington.

Constitutional Diseases.—Besides 14 deaths from cancer, with 14 more from phthisis and other tubercular diseases, the mortality in this class shows 2 deaths from diabetes, 1 from rheumatic fever, 1 from anæmia, and one from rheumatoid arthritis.

Local Diseases.—The deaths at the four centres were 74 in February, or 46 per cent. of the total for the month. 19 were caused by diseases of the nervous system, including 9 from apoplexy. Diseases of the circulatory system caused 14 deaths, and those of the respiratory organs the same number. From diseases of the digestive system the mortality was 21; of the urinary system, 3; of the reproductive, 1; of the organs of locomotion also 1 death; and there was, besides, 1 death from diseases of the integuments.

Violent Deaths.—Of a total of 9 deaths, 5 were accidental, 1 homicidal, and 3 suicides. A shipwright died at Auckland from the effects of a fall; a fireman was run over by a fire-engine at Christchurch; a mariner and a youth were drowned in Auckland Harbour, also a child at Dunedin. A verdict of manslaughter was given in the case of a child killed at Auckland. At Dunedin an adult male committed suicide by shooting, and a gardener by hanging himself. The third case of suicide was that of a woman who poisoned herself at Sydenham, near Christchurch.