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39
Ages at Death.—The deaths under 1 year of age were
335 out of a total of 893 deaths, or 37 per cent., being
very much the same as for 3 years past, with the exception
of last year, when it was 34 per cent. It must,
however, be mentioned that the law has lately been
made more stringent on the subject of death-certificates,
and great numbers of newly-born children, which may
have survived but a few hours, or even minutes, are now
registered, which were formerly interred as still-born
children, mainly with the object of saving the interment
fees. In this way the number certified as having died
from " Premature Birth, Low Vitality, &c.," increased
from 32 in 1875 to 66 in 1876.
Between 1 and 5 years 202 deaths were registered,
being 25 less than the previous year. Altogether under 5
years of age 537 deaths were registered, or 54 per cent, of
the total mortality, the percentage being 60 for the last
two years, and this, despite the increased registration of
deaths of newly-born infants; so that there seems to be
some reason to hope that the appalling mortality amongst
very young children, so frequently adverted to in former
reports, is at last showing symptoms of diminution.
Nine persons have died above 80 years of age in the
Sub-district during the year.

which varies but slightly from the averages of former years.