THE VITAL STATISTICS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8543, 25 March 1908, Page 4

THE VITAL STATISTICS.

The latest return by the RegistrarGeneral concerns a by no means cheerful subject. It deals principally with the mortality rate of the Dominion during 1907, and compares the general health of the people with that of the previous year. It shows that there were 3095 deaths to be recorded in 1907 as against 2480 in 1906, an increase of 615. Wellington continues to hold its position as the healthiest city in New Zealand. The death rates per thousand of the population during 1907 in the principal cities and surrounding boroughs were as follows: —Auckland, 1906, 9.90; 1907, 11.43. Wellington, 9.19 and 11.28. Christchurch, 11.25 and 14.37. Dunedin, 11.35 and 12.02. Dunedin's atmosphere appears to be the best for infants, or else tho juvenile Dune dilutes must be more sturdy than their comrades in arms elsewhere, for the mortality among them last year was 24.65 per 100 births, as against 32.83 in Auckland, 32.71 in Christchurch, and 35.98 in Wellington. Christchurch led in the birth-rate during 1907, improving its position to the extent of 228, while in the other centres there was a drop. Auckland and Wellington were above the average for the Dominion, which was 27.30 per thousand of the mean population. The total number of births registered as occurring in the four chief centres and suburbs in 1907 was 7018, as against 6512 for the previous year. The birth-rates for last year were:— Auckland City 29.63, and six suburban boroughs 27.46; Wellington City 27.53, and three suburban boroughs 27.34; Christchurch City 30.47, and one suburban borough 30.48; Dunedin City 25.69, and six suburban boroughs 25.36. These figures compare very favourably with those of other countries and cities. London, with a death-rate of 15 per 1000, Dublin 22, Berlin 15, and Paris 17, are typical Old World cities, and a moment's reflection will show that so far as the conditions for longevity go New Zealanders live in a favoured land.