Nov. 12.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 2411

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 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·97
" and five suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. 0·90
Wellington City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·93
" and two suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. 0·89
Christchurch City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1·07
" and one suburban borough .. .. .. .. 1·11
Dunedin City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1·71
" and eight suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. 1·54

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

Compared with October, 1902, the results are,—

1902. 1903. Auckland and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. 1·37 0·90
            Wellington and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. 1·40 0·89
            Christchurch and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. 0·78 1·11
            Dunedin and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. 0·82 1·54

Specific Febrile or Zymotic Diseases.—The mortality in this class was light at the four centres with their suburbs during October. The total of deaths was 15. Scarlet fever caused 1 death, at Wellington. Influenza is observed as fatal at Auckland (2 deaths), Wellington (1 death), and Dunedin (2 deaths). Diphtheria contributed 1 death at Auckland, and another at Dunedin; and typhoid fever 1 at Christchurch. The mortality from diarrhoeal diseases was limited to 2 deaths, both at Auckland. Besides the above 11 deaths, the causes of which belong to the miasmatic and diarrhoeal orders, there were 2 septic (erysipelas and septicaemia), and 2 others.

Constitutional Diseases.—The deaths numbered 53 at the chief towns, or 22·56 per cent. of the total mortality. Cancer caused 24 deaths, and phthisis, with other tubercular diseases, 20 deaths.

Local Diseases.—There were 125 deaths in this class, being 53·19 per cent. of the whole from all causes. Thirty-one deaths were due to diseases of the nervous system, including 13 from apoplexy and 7 meningitis. Diseases of the circulatory system caused 22 deaths (heart-disease, &c.), and of the respiratory system 29 deaths (bronchitis, pneumonia, &c.). From diseases of the digestive system there were 25 deaths; of the lymphatic, 3; urinary, 7; reproductive, 4; integumentary, 3; and of the organs of locomotion, 1.

Violent Deaths.—There were only 4 deaths from these causes at the chief boroughs during October, of which 3 were accidental and 1 a suicide. One accidental death was by poison, 1 from drowning, and 1 by choking. The suicide was a case of phosphoric poisoning.