In New South Wales. 73 



reasons which render it probable that in future years the rates of 

 mortality amongst old people will not be found so excessive. The 

 existing high rates are, perhaps, in some measure due to the 

 habits and character of the class of which a large portion of the 

 older inhabitants of the colony is composed. 



In the Census Book for 1856, the total number only of those 

 living above the age of 60 is given, without any classification as to 

 age. I have been obliged, therefore, to distribute the total 

 amongst the particular classes by estimation founded upon the 

 more particular statements in the Census Book for 1861. This 

 renders the results exhibited in my tables for ages above 60 less 

 trustworthy than those corresponding to the preceding ages ; but 

 a comparison Avith the results obtained, as I have explained, from 

 the census of 1861 alone, and which therefore are not affected by 

 this possible source of error, shows that there can scarcely be 

 any material inaccuracy — certainly none of sufficient magnitude 

 to affect the truth of the general conclusions at which I have 

 arrived. 



Table C gives the expectation of life at several ages for New 

 South "Wales and for England, Sweden, and Belgium. As far as 

 the age of 60 I have no doubt that the results are near the truth 

 — quite enough for the purpose of general comparison with the 

 corresponding numbers for other countries. I do not feel so 

 much confidence in the results for ages above 60, but they are, I 

 think, worth recording as first approximations. 



I intend on some future occasion to lay before the society 

 tables showing the rates of mortality in Sydney and the suburbs. 

 The number of deaths per thousand of the population living, 

 indicates a much greater mortality in the metropolitan than in 

 the country districts ; but it will probably be found that this 

 is due, in some measure, to difference of proportion in the num- 

 bers of those living at particular ages, and not entirely to the 

 superior healthiness of the country districts. 



I wish that I could undertake to furnish some answer to the 

 interesting question, whether the rate of mortality amongst the 

 native born population is greater or less than amongst those 

 born elsewhere — to foretel, in fact, whether the rates of mortality 

 generally will increase or diminish as the proportion of the popu- 

 lation born in the colony increases, and to ascertain whether a 

 native of England increases or diminishes his expectation of life 

 by coming to reside in New South Wales. I am afraid, however, 

 that I shall not be able to obtain the requisite information. It 

 exists in the Begistry Office, but has never been collected and 

 tabulated, and could not now be made available without consider- 

 able expense. Much other information, which, if brought to 

 light, could be of great value, is buried in the same way. 



There are, of course, important advantages resulting to the 



