MAY 16.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1585

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, Christchurch, and Dunedin, but raises it at Wellington.

Death-rates per 1,000 of Population.

Auckland City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·99
and six suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. 0·78
Wellington City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0·95
and three suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. 0·96
Christchurch City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1·15
and one suburban borough .. .. .. .. 1·10
Dunedin City .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1·12
and six suburban boroughs .. .. .. .. 1·02

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

Compared with April, 1906, the results are,—

1906. 1907. Auckland and suburbs .. .. .. .. 0·64 0·78
            Wellington and suburbs .. .. .. .. 0·68 0·96
            Christchurch and suburb .. .. .. .. 0·91 1·10
            Dunedin and suburbs .. .. .. .. 0·68 1·02

Specific Febrile or Zymotic Diseases.—The deaths at the four centres numbered 25 in April, 7 being at Christchurch. Diarrhoeal diseases caused 13 of these—4 at Auckland, 4 at Wellington, 1 at Christchurch, and 4 at Dunedin. (See also as to 27 deaths from enteritis and gastritis further on.) Whooping-cough was fatal at Christchurch, 5 deaths, and Wellington, 1 death. Diphtheria shows 3 deaths—1 at Auckland, 1 at Wellington, and 1 at Christchurch. There was 1 death from scarlet fever at Dunedin. The above, with 1 death (of a child) from specific disease and 1 from erysipelas, complete the total.

Constitutional Diseases.—The deaths at the four boroughs, with suburbs, for April numbered 42, or 17 per cent. of the whole mortality. Cancer caused 23 deaths, phthisis 10, and other tubercular diseases 6.

Local Diseases.—The deaths numbered 115, or 48 per cent. of the total. Twenty-six resulted from nervous diseases (including 13 apoplexy), 25 from diseases of the circulatory system (heart-disease, &c.), and 16 from diseases of the respiratory system (bronchitis, pneumonia, and congestion of lungs). Diseases of the digestive system caused 38 deaths, of which enteritis contributed 25. This complaint (with gastritis) was fatal at each town—4 at Auckland, 9 at Wellington, 6 at Christchurch, and 8 at Dunedin.

Violent Deaths.—Twelve were accidental, 2 suicidal. Of the former, 3 resulted from falls (1 from horse, 1 from cart), 1 was caused by the breaking of an emery-wheel, 2 by electric car, 1 by railway-truck, 1 by burns, 2 by drowning, 1 by suffocation, and 1 by misadventure with chloroform. The suicides were by shooting and cutting throat.

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