Jan. 17.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 165

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 and Dunedin, but raises it at Christchurch.

Death-rates per 1,000 of Population.

Auckland City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·79
and six suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. .. 0·76
Wellington City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·75
and three suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. 0·75
Christchurch City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·78
and one suburban borough .. .. .. .. .. 0·80
Dunedin City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·78
and six suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. .. 0·77

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

Compared with December, 1905, the results are,—

1905. 1906. Auckland and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·96 0·76
            Wellington and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. 0·80 0·75
            Christchurch and suburb .. .. .. .. .. 0·71 0·80
            Dunedin and suburbs .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·85 0·77

Specific Febrile and Zymotic Diseases.—Fifteen deaths were registered as occurring from this class of disease at the four chief centres, with their suburbs, during December, 1906. Influenza caused 6 deaths, and was fatal at each town—1 death at Auckland, 1 at Wellington, 2 at Christchurch, and 2 at Dunedin. Whooping-cough shows 1 death at Dunedin, and diphtheria 2—1 at Wellington and 1 at Dunedin. From typhoid fever there were 3 deaths—2 at Auckland, and 1 at Wellington. Diarrhoea was fatal at Auckland only, there being 1 death registered under this head. The remaining two deaths were from specific disease.

Constitutional Diseases.—These deaths form 20 per cent. of the total mortality at the four chief centres, and numbered 36 altogether, of which 19 resulted from cancer, and 8 from phthisis. Other tubercular diseases caused 7 deaths more, and there were 2 deaths from diabetes.

Local Diseases.—The total of deaths from the four chief towns was 84, or 46 per cent. of the whole mortality. Diseases of the nervous system caused 14 deaths; of the circulatory, 21; of the respiratory (pneumonia, bronchitis, &c.), 19; and of the digestive, 15. Besides these there were 2 deaths from diseases of the lymphatic system, 8 of the urinary (4 Bright’s) and 5 of the reproductive systems.

Violent Deaths.—Eleven deaths were accidental and 2 suicidal. Two of these were caused by fall of stone or earth, and another by accident in a quarry. Accidents with railway-engine, tramcar, and motor show 3 deaths, and drowning 3 more. Suffocation and birth accident (1 death each) complete the total of accidental deaths. The two suicides were by drowning and hanging.