H.—3l

XX

Developmental Diseases (at Four Chief Centres). There were 285 deaths in this class, of which 125 were from premature births, 151 from old age, and 9 from other causes. Local Diseases (at Four Chief Centres). Deaths in this class were 22 more than in 1905, the figures being 1,297 against 1,275. Diseases of the circulatory system were the most fatal of this class, amounting to 334, being heartdiseases, &c. Diseases of the nervous system show 235 deaths—B2 from apoplexy. Diseases of the respiratory system show 297 deaths for 1906, against 279 for 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 263 deaths at the four centres, including 99 from enteritis ; peritonitis, 23 ; gastritis, 21 ; cirrhosis of liver, 14 ; jaundice and liver-disease, 15 ; and dentition, 5. From appendicitis 20 deaths are particularly noted. Diseases of the urinary system caused 115 deaths—6s from Bright's disease. The remaining deaths were : 1 disease of organs of special sense, 9 of the lymphatic, 33 of the reproductive systems, 7 of the organs of locomotion, and 3 of the integumentary system. Violent Deaths (at Four Chief Centres). There were 134 violent deaths, 109 of which were classed as accidental. Twelve of these latter were caused by fractures, and 17 by falls. In 12 cases deaths resulted from the deceased being run over by a cart, tram, train, &c. Twelve deaths were from burns or scalds, 16 by drowning, 13 by suffocation, "4 by poisoning ; besides 5 from accident at birth, and 18 others. Two deaths were classified as homicide. Of 23 suicides, 8 were by shooting, 6by cutting throat, 4 by poison, 4 by hanging, and 1 by drowning. Vital Statistics of Australasian Cafitals, 1906. The vital statistics of the chief cities, with their suburbs, of Australasia, show that the deathrate in Wellington (N.Z.) for 1906 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 1897-1906, was as follows : — Males. Females. Males. Females. 1897 ... 38-80 years 34-77 years. 1902 ... ... 41-07 years 34-88 years. 1898 ... 39-29" „ 35-69 „ 1903 ... ... 39-56 „ 35-43 „ 1899 .. 37-73 „ 33-54 „ 1904 ... ... 41-47 „ 38-44 „ 1900 40-31 „ 3614 „ 1905 ... 43-03 „ 39-13 ~ 1901 ... ... 41-64 „ 37-68 „ 1906 ... ... 43-39 ~ 39-35 „ 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. (ieorge 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 55-44 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 of 70, the limit of normal life, the figures for New Zealand are—males 9-48 years, females 10-23, against 8-64 for both sexes in New South Wales Throughout the comparison is in favour of this country.

Biiths. Deaths. Estimated Excess of Capital Cities (including Suburb-). Mean Population. I I Total Number. Rate per 1,000 of Population. Total Number. Rate per 1,000 of Population. Births over Deaths. Melbourne Sydney ... Adelaide... Brisbane" Perth Hobart ... Wellington 521,000 534,200 174,438 131,102 53,300 34,920 64,302 12,373 13,984 3,815 3,211 2,011 1,097 1,759 23-75 26-18 21-87 24-49 37-73 31-41 27-26 7,083 5,703 2,078 1,311 892 604 591 13-60 10-68 11-91 10-00 16-74 17-29 9-19 5,290 8>281 1,737 1,900 1,119 493 1,162