In New South Wales. 69 



period of ten years — five years before the census and five years 

 after it, the average annual number of deaths being estimated 

 from the records during the same period. This method is not 

 altogether so satisfactory as the former, but the per-centages so 

 obtained differ so little from those given in table A as to leave 

 little doubt as to the general accuracy of the results there re- 

 corded. I have also performed the calculations sejDarately for 

 for male and female lives, and I find a greater uniformity and 

 consistency amongst the results than I had expected in taking 

 averages from such small numbers. 



Table A shews that the rates of mortality during infancy and 

 early childhood are much smaller here than in England. Of 

 infants born in New South Wales, about 10| per cent, die during 

 the first year — in England nearly 15 per cent. Of those who 

 attain the age of 1 year in New South "Wales 4 8-10 per cent, 

 die before attaining the age of 2 years — in England 6 3-10 per 

 cent. The rates of mortality in New South Wales continue to 

 be less than in England, but in a diminishing ratio, up to ages 

 between 30 and 35, when the rates become nearly equal. Of 

 10,000 persons living between the ages of 20 and 25, 67 die 

 annually in New South Wales, and 89 in England. Of the same 

 number between the ages of 30 and 35, 101 die annually in New 

 South Wales, and 107 in England. Above the age of 35 the 

 mortality in New South Wales increases rapidly in comparison 

 with England. Of 10,000 persons living between 50 and 55, 240 

 die annually in New South Wales, and 195 in England. Of the 

 same number living between the ages of 70 and 75, the annual 

 number of deaths are in New South Wales, 1511, in England, 1165. 

 Above the age of 80, the numbers are 2573 in New South Wales 

 and 1705 in England. 



The comparatively low rates of mortality in New South Wales 

 during infancy, childhood, and youth are due, no doubt in a great 

 measure, if not entirely, to the general well-being of the people. 

 A great number of infants and children die annually in England 

 through the poverty and miserable condition of their parents, from 

 the insufficiency of suitable food and the want of proper clothing 

 and shelter ; and in many cases where these causes do not prove 

 immediately fatal, diseases are contracted which lead to premature 

 death. There is no doubt, moreover, that the practice of sending 

 children to work in the factories and the fields before their con- 

 stitutions have become sufficiently developed to bear the con- 

 finement or the fatigue, has contributed largely towards increasing 

 the number of deaths at early ages in England. 



Whether the lower rates of mortality amongst children and 

 young people here are due entirely to their more favoured con- 

 dition, or partly to climate or other circumstances, we have no 

 data for determining with certainty. It is possible that this warm 



