H.—3l

The mortality from tubercular diseases for 1904 is 10.86 per cent, of the total deaths at the four cities and their suburbs from all causes. Deaths from cancer rose at the chief towns from 179 in 1903 to 184 in 1904. The latter number is 7.72 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 : — 1900. 1901. 1902. 1903. 1904. Auckland and suburbs... ... 32 32 44 37 45 Wellington „ ... ... 36 38 37 47 44 Christchurch „ ... ... 32 41 25 33 38 Dunedin „ ... ... 45 43 59 62 57 145 154 165 179 184 Diabetes shows 24 deaths in 1904, against 25 in 1903. Developmental Diseases (at Four Chief Centres). There were 234 deaths in this class, of which 100 were from premature births, 119 from old age, and 15 from other causes. Local Diseases (at Four Chief Centres). Deaths in this class were 44 less than in 1903, the figures being 1,223, against 1,267. Diseases of the nervous system were the most fatal of this class, amounting to 273; this number includes 102 deaths from apoplexy, 33 from convulsions, and 47 from paralysis, including hemiplegia and paraplegia. Diseases of the circulatory system show 272 deaths from heart-disease and other allied complaints. Diseases of the respiratory system show 268 deaths for 1904, against 275 in the former year. Bronchitis, pneumonia, congestion of the lungs, pleurisy, and allied diseases form this group. Under the head of " Diseases of the Digestive System " there were 255 deaths at the four centres, including 100 from enteritis; peritonitis, 11; gastritis, 14; cirrhosis of liver, 20; jaundice and liver-disease, 12; and dentition, 12. From appendicitis 16 deaths are particularly noted. Diseases of the urinary system caused 102 deaths. The remaining deaths were: 2of disease of organs of special sense, 8 of the lymphatic and 37 of the reproductive systems, 3 of the organs of locomotion, and 3 of the integumentary system. Violent Deaths (at Four Chief Centres). There were 124 violent deaths, 95 of which were classed as accidental. Nine of these latter were caused by fractures, and 17 by falls. In 6 cases deaths resulted from the deceased being run over by either a cart, tram, train, &c. Six deaths were from burns or scalds, 17 by drowning, Bby suffocation, 3by poisoning, 9by injuries to spine, hip, &c.; besides 5 from accident at birth, and 15 others. Two deaths were classified as murder. Of 27 suicides, 10 were by shooting, 7 by cutting throat, 4 by poison, 4 by hanging, 1 by drowning, and 1 by strangling. Vital Statistics op Austealasian Capitals, 1903. The vital statistics of the chief cities, with their suburbs, of Australasia show that the deathrate in Wellington (N.Z.) for 1903 was lower than that of any other of the principal towns for the same year.

XII

Estimated Mean Population. Bit ;hs. Deaths. Capital Cities (including Suburbs). Total Number. Rate per 1,000 of Population. Excess of Births over Deaths. Total Number. Bate per 1,000 of Population. Melbourne Sydney ... Adelaide Brisbane* Perth ... Hobart ... Wellington 502,060 509,770 166,895 123,639 45,200 34,789 53,082 12,012 12,749 3,788 3,190 1,666 947 1,520 23-93 2501 22-70 25-80 3686 27-22 28-63 7,217 5,913 2,114 1,610 805 581 580 14-37 11-60 12-67 1302 17-81 16-70 10-93 4,795 6,836 1,674 1,580 861 366 940 •Ten lile n udii