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16
Marriages.
There were 222 marriages, as compared with 295 the previous
year. The decrease is surprising in view of the comparative
prosperity and undisturbed trade conditions. It is highly probable,
as has been already stated, that a scarcity of house accommodation
may account for some at least of the discrepancy.
The rates for 1911, 1912 and 1913 per 1,000 population are
15, 9, 6.4, that is to say the number married in 1913 is only half
that of 1911 in proportion to the number of marriageable people.
Of the 222, 188 were solemnized in the Church of England.
Births.
There were 1,009 births registered in the district, and 14 were
returned as of mothers ordinarily resident in the district and
registered elsewhere, the total number being 1,023. Of these 26
were illegitimate (the number of males and females being equal).
The percentage equals 2.5 of the total number of births, the figure
for the previous year being 3.12. This in view of the decrease of
the marriage rate indicates an improvement in the moral tone of
the town.
The relative number of the sexes was 505 males and 518
females, the reverse of what is usually the case, and the rate per
1,000 of the population works out to 30.4. The relation of
this figure with previous years is given in the table, page 15. If
the rate per 1,000 women 15 to 45 years of age is considered, it
is seen to be the lowest on record.