M(1)7
II.-VITAL STATISTICS.
The population of the Colony is estimated to be:-
British and foreign civilians. 16,500
Chinese Civilians 857,920
Total number of Chinese births registered. 3,281
Total number of non-Chinese births 373
The general birth rate for the civil population is said to be 4.64 and that of the Chinese 4.25 per 1000. From the nature of the case it is practically impossible to arrive at a correct estimate of the Chinese birth rate.
The total number of deaths was 14,991 and the general civilian death rate was 19.05 per 1,000. Of this total there were 14,735 Chinese and 241 non-Chinese civilians and the death rate was respectively 19.12 and 14.6 per 1,000.
Infantile mortality.-Among infants of one month or less, 10 non-Chinese and 847 Chinese, died. Of those infants who were more than a month old but less than a year, 30 non-Chinese and 3,824 Chinese died. The total number of children who died at the age of a year or less was therefore 40 non-Chinese and 4,671 Chinese. These figures are derived from reliable statistics because the registration of deaths is compulsory, but as births are not registered in every case the Chinese birth rate given above is not accurate. (These statistics are derived from the Medical Officer of Health's office).