H.—3l

XV

Developmental Diseases (at Four Chief Centres). There were 283 deaths in this class, of which 110 were from premature births, 157 from old age, and 16 from other causes. Local Diseases (at Four Chief Centres). Deaths in this class were 52 more than in 1904, the figures being 1,275, against 1,223. Diseases of the circulatory system were the most fatal of this class, amounting to 302. Diseases of the nervous system show 283 deaths—lo2 from apoplexy. Diseases of the respiratory system show 279 deaths for 1905, against 272 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 251 deaths at the four centres, including 94 from enteritis ; peritonitis, 14 ; gastritis, 19 ; cirrhosis of liver, 14 ; jaundice and liverdisease, 21 ; and dentition, 9. From appendicitis 15 deaths are particularly noted. Diseases of the urinary system caused 109 deaths. The remaining deaths were : 4 disease of organs of special sense, 10 of the lymphatic, 31 of the reproductive systems, 2 of the organs of locomotion, and 4 of the integumentary system. Violent Deaths (at Four Chief Centres). There were 139 violent deaths, 109 of which were classed as accidental. Seven of these latter were caused by fractures, and 19 by falls. In 11 cases deaths resulted from the deceased being run over by a cart, tram, train, &c. Nine deaths were from burns or scalds, 16 by drowning, 6by suffocation, 3 by poisoning, 9 by injuries to head, spine, hip, &c. ; besides 9 from accident at birth, and 20 others. One death was classified as homicide. Of 28 suicides, 7 were by shooting, 2by cutting throat, 7 by poison, 7 by hanging, 3 by drowning, 1 by suffocation (gas), and 1 by jumping from a house. Vital Statistics of Australasian Capitals, 1904. The vital statistics of the chief cities, with their suburbs, of Australasia, show that the death-rate in Wellington (N.Z.) for 1904 was lower than that of any other of the principal towns for the same year.

* Ten mile radius. AVERAGE AGE AT DEATH, AND EXPECTATION OF LIFE. The average age at death of persons of either sex, in each of the ten years 1896-1905, was as follows : — Males. Females. Males. Females. 1896 ... 36-80 years 32-41 years. 1901 ... ... 41-64 years 37-68 years. 1897 . 38-80 „ 34-77 „ 1902 41-07 „ 34-88 „ 1898 39-29 „ 3569 „ 1903 ... ... 39-56 „ 35-43 „ 1899 ... 37-73 „ 33-54 „ 1904 ... ... 41-47 „ 38-44 „ 1900 40-31 „ 36-14 „ 1905 . ... 43-03 ~ 39-13 „ The average expectation of life at each year of age has been compiled from a table given in a paper on the rates of mortality in New Zealand which was published by Mr. George Leslie. This is the best and most up-to-date information procurable, but it is not guaranteed by the authorities of the Government Life Insurance Department. The table shows, on comparison with New South Wales figures (Coghlan's) that at birth the expectation of life to the male infant in New Zealand is considerably greater than in that State, the figures being 54-44 years (N.Z.), against 49-60 (N.S.W.), and for females 57-26 and 52-90. At 21 years of age the expectation in New Zealand for males is 43-77 years, against 41-35 (N.S.W.), and for females 45-59, against 4362. At age 45 the comparison is, for males, 25-23 years (N.Z.), 23-27 (N.S.W.); females, 27-46 years (N.Z.), against 25-34 (N.S.W.). At the age oi 70, the limit of a normal life, the figures for New Zealand are—males 9-48 years, females 10"23, against 8-64 tor both sexes in New South Wales. Throughout the comparison is in favour of this country.

Capital Cities (including Suburbs). Estimated Mean Population. ] Total Number. Bit JOB. Rate per 1,000 of Population. Deaths. Rate per 1,000 of Population. Excess of Births over Deaths. Total Number. Melbourne Sydney ... Adelaide... Brisbane* Perth Hobart ... Wellington '" I 504,960 514,800 169,397 125,068 48,400 34,888 55,618 11,886 13,215 4,016 3,301 1,780 999 1,479 23-54 25-67 23-71 26-40 36-78 28-64 26-59 6,558 5,675 2,022 1,433 823 555 580 12-99 11-02 11-94 11-46 1700 1591 10-43 5,328 7,540 1,994 1,868 957 444 899