86 Transactions.—Miscellaneous. 
is a fearful loss of life that might be prevented by proper sanitary 
measures. In 1878, the annual death-rate per 1,000 on the population of 
68 of the largest English towns, due to the above cause, was 8°6, while in 
the rest of the country it was 2:9. In 1875, the corresponding death-rate 
of seven New Zealand towns, referred to below, was 8:68, while in the 
country districts it was 8°17. - 
In Wellington, there would be a saving of 32 lives each year if the 
mortality was lowered to 28:1 per 1,000—the average of English towns in 
1 
But the most startling fact is, the difference between the proportionate 
healthiness of the town and country districts in New Zealand compared 
with that of England. 
In England, in 1878, the death-rate of 180 largest towns was 29:1 per 
1,000, and in the rest of the country 18:4, giving a proportion of 1:27 deaths 
in the large towns to 1 in the country. Now, in seven of the largest New 
Zealand towns the average death-rate was 25:91, and in the rest of the 
country it was 19:81, or 1:95 deaths in the towns to 1 in the country. 
If the New Zealand towns were as healthy, relatively, to the country 
districts as the English ones are, then their death-rate would be only 16:9, 
and the saving of life would be as follows :— 
Number of Lives that would be saved in 
One Year. 
: Proportion of 
Estimated Death 
1875. ean 3 If the Death Rate | Tf the Towns were 
: er 1,000 of : rt tel 
Population. Populati on, | was e game as in d o Healthy to th » 
English Towns. compared to England. 
Auckland ix 13,084 35°77 166 247 
Thames ` 8,259 18:16 iv 10:5 
Wellington 10,956 26°01 32 100 
elso 5,8 27°39 26 1 
Christchurch 10,611 20°44 18 144 
din.. 19,153 22-24 102 
Hokitika.. 21:38 15:5 
25:91 802 680-0 
In Wellington, I may remark in conclusion, the present mode of con- 
struction of sewers is highly objectionable, inasmuch as they are of wood, 
and cannot be prevented contaminating the subsoil; neither are they so 
durable as pipes, and are therefore more costly in the long run, They have 
flat inverts, and so present the least scouring power, and are liable to be 
infested with vermin. I exhibit a diagram shewing the increase in depth of 
the same quantity of water in three figures—square, circular, and egg- 
shaped sewers, all having the same arca. 
