June 18.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1417

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 Population.

• Auckland City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1·05
  and five suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·90
  Wellington City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·87
  and two suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·86
  Christchurch City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·90
  and one suburban borough .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·85
  Dunedin City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1·07
  and eight suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·92

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

Compared with May, 1902, the results are,—

Auckland and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1902 1903
Wellington and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·94 0·90
Christchurch and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·87 0·86
Dunedin and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·87 0·85
0·90 0·92

Specific Febrile or Zymotic Diseases.—The mortality at the four chief towns, with suburbs, for May was not heavy in this class, numbering 17 deaths altogether. Scarlatina caused 5 deaths—2 at Christchurch and 3 at Dunedin. Measles is observed at Christchurch, where there were 3 deaths from this cause. At Auckland 1 death occurred from whooping-cough, and at Christchurch 1 from typhoid fever. Diarrhoea and dysentery caused 5 deaths—2 at Auckland, 2 at Christchurch, and 1 at Wellington. The remaining 2 deaths were from pyaemia and puerperal fever, belonging to the septic order.

Constitutional Diseases.—The deaths were 43, including 16 from cancer and 23 from tubercular complaints. Two deaths from rheumatism, and 1 (each) from purpura and anaemia, complete the mortality.

Local Diseases.—These deaths numbered 91, or 48·92 per cent. of the total for the month. Twenty-one deaths resulted from diseases of the nervous system, including apoplexy, paralysis, convulsions, &c. There were 19 deaths from diseases of the circulatory system—heart-disease, &c. From diseases of the respiratory system (bronchitis, pneumonia, &c.), 22 deaths were registered, and 19 of the digestive system. The rest consisted of 5 deaths from urinary disease, 1 from disease of the lymphatic and 4 of the reproductive systems.

Violence.—There were 9 violent deaths during May at the four chief centres of population, of which 8 were accidental and 1 suicidal. Two deaths resulted from fall, 1 from fracture, 1 burns, 1 drowning, 2 birth accident, and 1 through misadventure with chloroform. The suicide was effected by shooting.

D.