25

H.—3l

Constitutional Diseases (at Four Chief Centres). The deaths at the four towns numbered 582 in 1907. The first in importance of these diseases, and of all causes of death, is tubercle. The figures for 1906 and 1907 show 232 and 289 deaths for each year respectively. Phthisis and other Tubercular Diseases, , 1906. , , 1907. , Other Other Phthisis. Tubercular Phthisis. Tubercular Diseases. Diseases. Auckland and suburbs ... ... 40 12 46 20 Wellington „ ... ... 49 11 45 24 Christchurch „ ... ... 28 14 52 25 Dunedin „ ... ... 59 19 49 28 176 56 192 97 The mortality from tubercular diseases for 1907 is 93 per cent, of the total deaths at the four boroughs and their suburbs from all causes. Deaths from cancer rose at the chief towns from 217 in 1906 to 235 in 1907. The latter number is 759 per cent, of deaths for the year from all causes. The number of deaths from cancer at the four chief towns and their suburbs for each of the last five years was as under : — 1903. 1904. 1905. 1906. 1907. Auckland and suburbs... ... 37 45 35 49 50 Wellington „ ... ... 47 44 47 53 50 Christchurch „ ... ... 33 38 49 60 76 Dunedin „ ... ... 62 57 60 55 59 Totals ... ... 179 184 191 217 235 Diabetes shows 27 deaths in 1907, against 36 in 1906. Developmental Diseases (at Four Chief Centres). There were 330 deaths in this class, of which 127 were from premature birth, 183 from old age, and 20 from other causes. Local Diseases (at Four Chief Centres.) Deaths in this class were 245 more than in 1906, the figures being 1,542, against 1,297. Diseases of the circulatory system were the most fatal of this class, amounting to 384, being heartdisease, &c. Diseases of the nervous system show 300 deaths—ll7 from apoplexy. Diseases of the respiratory system show 369 deaths for 1907, against 297 in the former year. Bronchitis, pneumonia, congestion of the lungs, pleurisy, and allied diseases form this group, and the increased number for 1907 is very considerable. Under the head of "Diseases of the Digestive System" there were 330 deaths at the four centres, including 166 from enteritis; peritonitis, 10; gastritis, 16; cirrhosis of liver, 14; jaundice and liver-disease, 20; and dentition, 5. From appendicitis 28 deaths are particularly noted. Diseases of urinary system caused 111 deaths—sl from Bright's disease. The remaining deaths were: 1 disease of organs of special sense, 11 of the lymphatic, 26 of the reproductive systems, 5 of the organs of locomotion, and 5 of the integumentary system. Violent Deaths (at Four Chief Centres). There were 127 violent deaths, 95 of which were classed as accidental. Eight of these latter were caused by fractures, and 17 by falls. In 4 cases deaths resulted from the deceased being run over by a train, 3 by being struck by tram-car, 3 crushed by dray, truck, &c, 2 while getting off tram-car in motion, 3by an accident at the Auckland Dock. Nine deaths were from burns or scalds, 16 by drowning, 12 by suffocation, 1 by poisoning; besides 4 from accident at birth, and 13 others. Four deaths were classified as homicide. Of 28 suicides, 8 were by shooting, 2 by cutting throat, 8 by poison, 4 by hanging, 4 by drowning, and 2 others. VITAL STATISTICS OP THE AUSTRALASIAN CAPITALS, 1907. The vital statistics of the the two chief cities, with their suburbs, of Australasia show that the death-rate in Wellington (N.Z.) for 1907 was lower than that of either of these principal towns for the same year.

4—H. 31.

Bir ;hs. Dei tths. Capital Cities (including Suburbs). Estimated Mean Population. Excess of Births over Deaths. Total Number. Rate per 1,000 of Population. Total Number. Rate per 1,000 of Population. Melbourne 532,200 12,860 24-16 6,823 12-82 6,037 iydney ... 544,700 14,334 26-32 6,238 11-45 8,096 Vellington 69,241 1,893 27-34 781 11-28 1,112