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7
The several columns of the appended table of mortality
referring to the ages at death, disclose the same unsatisfactory
feature as do most statistical returns of a similar
kind published throughout the country, viz.:- a large death
rate amongst infants and children of all classes. The
table just referred to shows that in this District, during
the past year, as many as 667 died before reaching the first
year of their existence; further, that there succumbed to
disease and accident 369 children between 1 and 5 years,
and 75 between 5 and 10 years of age, making a total of no
less than 1,111, which is considerably more than one half
of the total mortality at all ages. In most of the Subdistricts
a larger number than usual of deaths of aged
people appear to have been registered.
The deaths from all causes amongst persons of advanced
life were 312 between 60 and 80 years, and 99 at 80 and
upwards, two persons having reached the great age
of 98. In the last report the deaths of persons at 80 and
upwards were shown to have been 56 only, which is 43
less than the number recorded in the table of the present
report.
Under the four headings marking the social positions of
the deceased persons, the relative numbers of deaths
amongst the working classes, to those amongst the other
three classes collectively, will be found to be 1,279 of the
former to 889 of the latter. The proportion in the previous
year was 1,184 to 753. There was therefore a much nearer
approach to an equality of numbers in the past than in the
previous year, a circumstance so far satisfactory as indicating
an improved sanitary condition of the localities
inhabited by the poor and by those engaged in industrial
pursuits.
SANITATION.
Drainage.—It is satisfactory to notice the great progress
which is being made in the construction of sewers throughout
the entire District. A length of new sewers, amounting,
within the past year alone to no less than 50,139 feet