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36
Ages at Death.—As in previous years the mortality
in children was very large. Under 5 years, 443 were
registered (of these 23 lived 2 hours; 35, 4 days and
under); from 5 years to 20, 73 were returned; from
20 to 40, 101, the majority being from Phthisis; 40 to
60, 144; and above 60, 241—the eldest being a male, 91.
Inquests.—During the year 23 Inquests were held on
the bodies of 18 males and 5 females, being a decrease
on the previous year of 15. Six other cases of sudden
death were sumbitted to the Coronor, who did not deem
an inquiry necessary. The verdicts on those held were as
follows:—
From Natural Causes 10
„ Accidental Causes 6
Found Dead 2
Suicide 5
Of the accidental causes, 4 were on infants suffocated
under the bed-clothes, and 1 fell into a tub of pigs' wash
and was so suffocated. Of the found dead, one was in
the river, and one in a garden. The suicides were
respectively:—
Male, by Hanging.
„ „ Shooting himself in the mouth.
,, „ Cutting his throat.
„ „ Throwing himself from a window.
,, ,, Placing himself on a railway.
Each of these latter cases were of unsound mind.
The suicides are three in excess of last year. Whilst
those of infants suffocated in bed with their parents, but
4 as compared with 9.