Sept. 28.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 2343

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.

Death-rates per 1,000 of Population.

Auckland City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·99
.. and five suburban boroughs.. .. .. .. .. .. 0·80
Wellington City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1·21
.. and two suburban boroughs.. .. .. .. .. .. 1·18
Christchurch City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1·27
.. and one suburban borough .. .. .. .. .. .. 1·27
Dunedin City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1·12
.. and six suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. .. .. 1·00

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

Compared with August, 1904, the results are,—

1904. 1905. Auckland and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·89 0·80
            Wellington and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·93 1·18
            Christchurch and suburb .. .. .. .. .. .. 1·06 1·27
            Dunedin and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·88 1·00

Specific Febrile or Zymotic Diseases.—The deaths in this class during August at the four chief towns and suburbs numbered 10. Scarlet fever was fatal at Wellington (1 death). Influenza contributed 3 deaths—2 at Wellington and 1 at Christchurch. Whooping-cough is observed at Dunedin (1 death). Diphtheria caused 1 death at Wellington, and typhoid fever 1 at Auckland. There remain 2 deaths of children from hereditary specific disease, and 1 death from puerperal peritonitis.

Constitutional Diseases.—The deaths at the four centres for last month numbered 50, or 21 per cent. of the total number from all causes. Cancer shows 21 deaths; phthisis and other tubercular diseases, 20; and diabetes, 6 deaths.

Developmental Diseases.—Twenty-four deaths from senile decay, 11 from premature birth, with 2 others, make a total of 37 deaths, or 15½ per cent. of total mortality.

Local Diseases.—These numbered 120 at the four cities and suburbs, being 50 per cent. of the total. There were 30 deaths from diseases of the nervous system, 25 of the circulatory, 27 of the respiratory (bronchitis, pneumonia, &c.), 22 of the digestive, 1 of the lymphatic, and 15 of the reproductive systems. The last number includes 5 from Bright’s disease and 4 from diseased prostate.

Violent Deaths.—Of 11 deaths in August at the chief towns, 8 were accidental, and 3 suicidal. There were 4 persons accidentally drowned, 1 died from fall, another from fracture of skull, and 1 from burns. An infant also died from pressure on umbilical cord. The suicides were effected by shooting, phosphorous poisoning, and hanging.