THE VITAL STATISTICS FOR 1878

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 65, 10 April 1879, Page 2

THE VITAL STATISTICS FOR 1878

Mr W. R. E. Browne, Registrar-General, has compiled and issued his annual report upon the Vital Statistics of the principal Boroughs in New Zealand. We purpose in this article laying before our readers,* summary of the report. So far as births are concerned, Wellington heads the list. The subjoined table will afford the available information regarding tho number aad proportion of births and

At Wellington, the deaths under 1 year were far greater than au any other place, the number being 124, whilst Dunedin is next with 87, and Christchurch returns 79. In the return of deaths of those 5 years and over, Duuedin takes first place with 203, whilst Wellington follows with 137. and Christchurch returns 1 15. It will be seen from the table above, that the deathrate was lowest at the Thames during the year, Hokitika having the second place of honor ; whilst Nelson stands as the most unhealthy place, and Christchurch next. During the year 1878, tho greatest number of deaths occurred from " Local Diseases," being 490, or 39*77 per cent of the whole. The " Zymotic Diseases," — fevers, diphtheria, &o — caused 275 deaths. The following facts will be interesting under this head : — There were no deaths from smallpox, measles, quinsy, influenza, (catarrh), ({landers, privation of dint, or delirium tremens. There were only niue deaths from scarlet fever — five at Christchurch, and four at Dunediu ; whilst diphtheria sent five to the tomb — two at Aucklund, and three at Wellington. 42 died of whooping-cough, and <53 of typhoid fever, 6 of the latter at Wellington, and 6 at Dunediu. 10 died from dysentery, of whom 8 are returned from Wellington ; whilst 101 were killed by diai-rho»a, — Wellington heading the list with 3(5, then Christchurch with 21, Auckland 19, Nelson 10, and Dunedin 5. There were 3 deaths irom rheumatism. The total number of violent deaths in the seven large Boroughs during the year was 68. Of these, 58 were tho result of accident or negligence, as follow* : — Fractures, &c, 24 : gunshot wounds, 3 ; burns and scalds, 6 ; poisoned, 3 ; drowning, 9 ; suffocation, 8 ; other causes, 5. Under suicide 10 are returned, as follows — Gunshot wound 1, cut or stab 3, drowning 2, hanging 4. There wore no suicide-, by poisoning. There has been a gradual decrease in tho birth rate during tho past three years, although for last year it was 4313 per 1000, being a large increase upon tho birthrate in England and Wales. The deaths show a decided decrease in 1878. The Thames appears to have been, in proportion, most fatal to children under oi c year, as the deaths amounted to 16.13 of the births, Nel« son following with 14*3. |

IF ■ .8" "° - § i I Is It"! v) -^ s a g w a h g Auckland 13,758 536 206 H'97 Thames 5,121 186 55 10-13 Wellington 18,953 964 295 1556 Nelaou 6,604 259 110 16-65 Chi-istchroh 13,425 008 218 16.23 Dunedin 22,525 962 310 13*76 Hokitika 3,->O2 107 3S 11*86 'Pnfnlfl ftSSOI X.R9A 1 9.39.