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20
The past year has been characterised by two circumstances which are regarded as unquestionable
proofs of the prosperity and sound sanitary state of a district; an increase of
births, and a very large decrease of deaths, the diminution of deaths, cannot be accounted for by
the idea entertained by some persons, that a favourable state of health, immediately after a
severe epidemic, is to be explained by the disease having removed by death a large number of
weakly and aged persons; inasmuch as during the year 1866, the deaths by epidemic
cholera amounted to twenty-one, which must be considered a small number, compared with
population. We must, therefore, look to other causes for the improved health of the Parish,
and give a fair portion of credit to the sanitary measures which have been in operation for a
series of years.
We shall not be far from correct in calculating the population of this Parish at twentyeight
thousand five hundred, and in forming this estimate, we must consider that a moving
population, consisting of Seamen, and persons casually employed, amounting to about two
thousand, must be added to the fixed population of twenty-six thousand five hundred. The
births registered during the year amounted to 1007, 527 Males and 480 Females ; being an
increase of thirty-nine over the former year, and 477 over deaths.
The usual quarterly and annual tables are annexed, and will show that from March 25th,
1867, to June 24th, 139 deaths were registered ; from June 24th, to September 29th, 135;
from September 19th, to December 25th, 138 ; from December 25th, 1867, to March 25th,
1868, 118. Total 530.
Coroner's Inquests were held on the bodies of fifty persons, and twenty-three of that
number were non-residents in the parish.
Twenty-six deaths were occasioned by Drowning.
The death of the oldest person registered was that of a female aged eighty-seven years.
It is my purpose in future to consider the year to commence on April 1, and terminate
on March 31, of the following year; according to this calculation eighteen births, seven Males
and eleven Females, and eight deaths must be added to the above number.
Deaths arising from five of the most common epidemic diseases were 21 less than in the
previous year; by three of the chief diseases of the lungs, 45 less, and as no death was
caused by Cholera, 22 lives are gained from that source; the total, 88 in number, nearly approaches
the very large diminution of deaths amounting to nearly 100, which has taken
place during the past year.
A very important means of benefiting public health is to be derived from improving
the habitations of the poor, and preventing too many persons from occupying houses or rooms.
The comparative rate of mortality, during the last three years, will be seen by the following
statement:—
No. of
deaths.
Corrected
mortality.
Deathrate.
From March 25, 1865, to March 24, 1866
581
537
20-14
do. 1866 do. 1867
621
600
2M2
do. 1867 do. 1868
530
507
17-14