Dec. 13.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3167

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 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·95
and six suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. .. 0·78
Wellington City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·77
and three suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. 0·75
Christchurch City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·98
and one suburban borough .. .. .. .. .. 1·00
Dunedin City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1·33
and six suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. .. 1·32

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

Compared with November, 1905, the results are,—

1905. 1906. Auckland and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·63 0·78
            Wellington and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·81 0·75
            Christchurch and suburb .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·83 1·00
            Dunedin and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. 1·12 1·32

Specific Febrile and Zymotic Diseases.—Of the 22 deaths belonging to this class at the four centres during November, 1 was caused by scarlet fever (at Auckland); influenza was fatal in 13 cases—7 at Auckland, 3 at Wellington, 1 at Christchurch, and 2 at Dunedin; whooping-cough caused 6 deaths, all at Dunedin; diphtheria, 1 death, at Christchurch; and diarrhoea, 1 death, at Auckland.

Constitutional Diseases.—There were 45 deaths under this head at the four centres. Rheumatism caused 1 death, at Dunedin. Cancer accounted for 18 deaths—4 at Auckland, 4 at Wellington, 6 at Christchurch, and 4 at Dunedin. There were 19 deaths from phthisis—7 at Christchurch, and 4 at each of the other centres. The remaining 7 deaths in this class were caused by—tuberculosis, 1; anaemia, 1; and diabetes, 5.

Developmental Diseases.—These caused 28 deaths—premature birth, 12; cleft palate, 1; and old age, 15.

Local Diseases.—122 deaths resulted from diseases of this class. Diseases of the nervous system contributed 20 deaths, and diseases of the circulatory system 32 (including 19 from heart-disease). Diseases of the respiratory system caused 42 deaths, 15 of which were from bronchitis, and 23 from pneumonia. Of the deaths from pneumonia, 4 occurred at Auckland, 5 at Wellington, and 14 at Dunedin. There were 16 deaths from diseases of the digestive system, 8 from diseases of the urinary system (including 4 from Bright’s disease), and 4 from diseases of the reproductive system.

Violence.—There were 6 deaths under this class at the four centres during November. A cabman was killed at Christchurch by his cab colliding with an electric tramcar. At Wellington a carter caught hold of an electric wire and was electrocuted. Four persons committed suicide—1 by cutting his throat and 1 by hanging himself (both at Wellington) and 2 by taking poison (1 at Christchurch and 1 at Dunedin).