VITAL STATISTICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2548, 8 July 1909, Page 2

VITAL STATISTICS.

LAST YEAR’S RETURNS. The rotums of the vital statistics for the year ending June 30th, compiled by the Registrar-General, have been supplied by the local Registrar (Mr. H. E. Bull), having been received by bum from Wellington yesterday. A comparison of the tables shows that borne holds a very favorable position, both as regards’the large number of marriages and births, while the comparatively small death rate is an eloquent testimony to the excellence of the climate. The figures of Gisborne and her closest rival, Napier, show that in Gisborne there were 80 more births and 51 deaths less, while in the Hawke’s Bay town there were 30 more marriages solemnised. Taking twelve of the principal towns of the Dominion outside the four -centres, Gisborne is fourth on the list as regards births, seventh in the matter of deaths, and fifth in marriages; while Auckland headsl the list for the Dominion with the largest number of births and marriages; it has also the unenviable record of the largest number of deaths, being 417 ahead of the next on the list, Christchurch. Of the other towns, Invercargill takes the lead in births, marriages, and deaths. In birtlis, it is closely followed by Wanganui; Palmerston North, and Gisborne, in that order. In deaths, Napier, Wanganui, and Palmerston North are next on the list; while in marriages, the sequence, runs, Napier, Wanganui, and Palmerston North. The illegitimate births show a slight increase, tho figures of some of. the towns being as follows:—Wanganui 34, Palmerston North 32, Napier 29, Gisborne 20, New Plymouth 17, and Invercargill 16. Of the Gisborne total, 18 were registered during the last six months of the year, probably as a result of the Infant Life Protection Act. There was a total of 1105 illegitimate births in the Dominion. There were 284 cases of twins in tho Dominion, the- figures in this respect for Gisborne, being 7; while there was a case of triplets in both the Marlborough and Canterbury districts. ' There were 6 births, 2 deaths, and 3 marriages in the Chatham Islands, and the totals for the Dominion were: Births 25,940, deaths 9043, and marriages 8609. . Appended is -a' table showing the figures for the principal towns of the Dominion: Births. Deaths. Mar. Auckland ... 2843 1268 1279 Wellington ... 2117 ioS 13/0 Christchurch ... 2226 851 jOl Dunedin 1592 S2l 664 G : sborne •••_. 483 132 146 Napier 403 183 1/6 Invercargill ••• 652 252 223 Wanganui ... 532 167 175 Palmerston N. ... 518 160 149 Timaru ' 425 158 110 New Plymouth ... -348 123 101 Hastings ••• 309 66 100 Masterton ... 307 9o 9o Ashburton 305 120 S 9 x-elson 293 ' 100 110 Oam aru 261 105 93