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18
pace with the increase of population, the number solemnized
in 1863 being even less than in 1860; though it is somewhat
singular that the excess of births over deaths has
been much greater during the year under review than it
has been in any year since the commencement of the Health
Officer's Duties.
statistics of mortality.
The natural increase of the population, as shown by the
excess of births over deaths, since the census of 1861,
would alone be very considerable. What the increase by
immigration may have amounted to in the same interval,
it is scarcely possible to estimate with accuracy; but
assuming it to have been only one half as great as the
natural increase, it would now bring up the number of
inhabitants to about 21,780, and would consequently (the
deaths having been 355) give a rate mortality of, as near as
may be, 16 in every 1000 living; an estimate, if it errs at
all, certainly does not err on the side of exaggeration.
Although the deaths in the past year were 12 more than
in 1862, they were 35 less than in 1861, and 94 less than
in 1860.
The following approved and perspicuous Table will at
once shew the number of deaths under each class of disease,
and will furnish other reliable and valuable information
touching the sex, age, and social position of the deceased
persons.