The New Zealnad Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY). WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1879.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5822, 26 November 1879, Page 2

The New Zealnad Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY). WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1879.

Some six months ago we wrote drawing attention to tho high rate of mortality which had prevailed in Wellington city during the first three months of the present year. Those who have paid any attention to the monthly vital statistics furnished by the Registrar-General, and republished in the journals throughout the colony, will have noticed that the excessive rate of mortality which we then deplored has not been maintained. We have prepared the following table, which shows the vital statistics for the first nine months of the year 1879, in the cities of Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin :

The above table shows that during the six winter months ending September 30, Wellington compares very favorably for

healthiness with either of the other two towns of which similar statistics are given. But, during the first quarter, the mortality both of adults and of infants was greatly in excess of the normal rate. A reference to the published statistics will show that in Wellington there is a greater natural increase of population than in either Christchurch or Dunedin. There were 721 birth.-, in Wellington during the nine months, against 711 in Dunedin, and 405 in Christchurch. But in Dunedin there were only 104 deaths of infants, against 13!) in Wellington, consequently the actual increase of population here would be less than in Dunedin. In Christchurch the infant mortality is even higher than in Wellington ; as there wore no less than 104 deaths of infants, as against 495 births in the term under consideration.

It is well-known that in colonial towns, where the rate of mortality is largely influenced by the influx of a picked class of young and healthy immigrants, the rate of infantine mortality forms a far more reliable index of the sanitary condition of a city than the rate of general mortality. Judged by this standard, during the nine months under consideration Dunedin would be the healthiest town ; the apparent per centage of deaths of infants in proportion to births being 14'6 per cent., in Wellington 19'2 per cent., and in Christchurch 2DO per cent. The actual percentage is somewhat lower, because, though the whole number of deaths are given, the total number of infants under a year old is not shown in the official returns. In Melbourne the annual rate of infantine mortality in 1876 was 16 - 2 per cent., and in 1877 it was 16 - 9 per cent.; and in London, from 1870 to 1874, it was 16'1 per cent.; in Wellington in 1877 it was 14 - 9 per cent., in 1878 it was 12-8 per cent. The statistics of the current year show that Wellington is certainly unhealthy during three months of the year. Whether the bad water or the bad drainage is most to blame, it is difficult to say. They are no doubt both active factors in producing tho dire result. October was not a sickly month this year, and we believe that the recent heavy rains will tend to keep down the rate of mortality to a low average for some weeks to come. The sewers have been flushed and cleaned out, and the water in the reservoir has received asubstantial addition of clean water from the heavens which will help to dilute the impure liquid which, under the name of water, is provided to the ratepayers by the authorities. Dr. Hector’s analyses in May last showed how little real claim it has to the title.

Wellington winds and the climate generally combine to render this city at least as healthy upon the whole as either Christchurch or Dunedin. The extra healthiness of the winter compensates for the extra unhealthiness of the summer. A glance at the first quarter’s statistics will show, however, that the population is liable to be scourged by severe epidemic sickness at any time. Given a continuance of three or four months’ hot dry weather, and we venture to predict that the mortality of last summer would be nothing as compared with the sickness and mortality which we might reasonably expect. It is devoutly to be hoped that the clerk of the weather will not call upon us to submit to so severe a sanitary test. Attention has been drawn to the subject, simply with a view of reminding the public that from a sanitary point of view the position of Wellington is very far from satisfactory. It is to be hoped that no efforts will be spared to push on the drainage and the waterworks schemes without any unnecessary delay. The vital statistics show that in this case delays are especially dangerous.

From Jan. 1st, 1 j|d 5 C - gS'g g 1S79, to March 31st. Ins P P, P ft B P 19,467 243 84 1C4 8*42 Christchurch .. 14,ISC 156 50 97 c-ss Dunedin 23,261 204 23 S9 8*83 Totals 603 171 350 - From Mar. 31st to June 30th. 19.457 221 27 91 4T.7 Christchurch .. 14,186 156 15 65 Dunedin •23.261 230 35 107 -ir.o Totals 607 77 2G3 - From Juno 30 th to Aug. 31st. Wellington .. 19,467 257 28 75 8*85 14,186 183 75 . 5'2S Duuedin .. 23/261 277 41 121 6-20 Totals 717 100 271 —