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19
The average number of births for the last ten
years is 933, whilst the average number of deaths
is 760, so that the average annual excess of birth
is 173. If these persons have remained in the
parish, then the population has increased by 1730.
From the fact that the births have increased more
largely during the last quinquennial, than the first
quinquennial period, it would appear that the population
has actually increased. Thus, we find the
average births of the five first years was 923,
whilst of the second five it was 942. This conclusion
must not, however, be arrived at too hastily,
as there are other circumstances which increase
the births in a community, as higher wages and
improved sanitary arrangements. Thus, the average
deaths of the first quinquennial period was 800, and
the increase of births during that period over the
deaths was only 123, whilst the average deaths of
the second quinquennial period was only 716, consequently
the average annual increase of births over
deaths was 226. This clearly shews the necessity,
in parishes like our own, of preventing overcrowding,
for if, on the one hand, we save life and cause it to
accumulate, we shall, on the other hand, be inviting
those diseases which carry off life in over-populated
districts.
In my last Report I gave a list of the kitchens
which were emptied of their inhabitants in 1857-8,
and during the past year several others have been
added to the list. In this manner a certain number