1202
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 34

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 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·79 0·65
and six suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Wellington City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1·07 1·02
and three suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Christchurch City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2·13 2·09
and one suburban borough .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Dunedin City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·98 0·96
and six suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

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

Compared with February, 1906, the results are,—

1906. 1907. Auckland and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·71 0·65
            Wellington and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·90 1·02
            Christchurch and suburb .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·86 2·09
            Dunedin and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·63 0·96

Specific Febrile and Zymotic Diseases.—There were 49 deaths in this class at the four centres, with their suburbs, in February. Of these, 39 were caused by diarrhoeal diseases. These were heavy at Christchurch—24 deaths, against 7 at Wellington, 6 at Dunedin, and 2 at Auckland. Christchurch, moreover, shows 6 deaths from whooping-cough out of 8 in the miasmatic order at the four centres; the remaining 2 deaths belonging to the class were caused by specific disease. The large mortality at Christchurch from the above causes, with that from gastro-enteritis, referred to under “Local Diseases,” accounts for the death-rate of the month at that town being the highest of the four—2·09 per thousand of population.

Constitutional Diseases.—Of 45 deaths at the chief cities and suburbs, 19 resulted from cancer, 15 from phthisis, and 7 from other tubercular diseases; the remaining deaths included 3 from diabetes and 1 from purpura.

Local Diseases.—Out of a total mortality in this class amounting to 135 deaths, 24 were from diseases of the nervous system, 25 of the circulatory, and 17 of the respiratory. But the highest mortality was from diseases of the digestive system, of which gastro-enteritis, with gastritis, caused 40—17 at Christchurch, 11 at Auckland, 6 at Wellington, and 6 at Dunedin. Here the mortality was serious (see also remarks above as to diarrhoeal diseases). Appendicitis shows 4 deaths. Eleven deaths from diseases of the lymphatic and urinary systems complete the total.

Violent Deaths.—Eight were accidental, including 3 from fall of earth, 1 by fracture caused by fall, and 1 by falling from a ladder. One death resulted from accident with tram, 1 from drowning, and another from the fall of a bale of wool. There was 1 case of manslaughter by shooting, and 2 suicides (1 shooting, 1 drowning).