On the vital statistics of Tasmania, with especial reference to the mortality of children

In most things Tasmania is at a great disadvantage as compared with the neighbour colonies. The larger extent of their territory, the more open nature of the country, their greater, or reputedly greater mineral wealth, the more profitable fields for the employment of capital which they have hitherto offered, have rendered our colony incapable of competing on equal terms with them in all matters relating to production, trade, and commerce. The one advantage which Tasmania does enjoy is her climate; and it seemed to me that in showing in the fullest and most convincing manner her superiority in this respect, especially as regards the health of children, I might be doing some practical service. The mortality in the towns as compared with the country parts, was also one of the questions which I proposed to myself to investigate, and I therefore set about constructing, with the aid of my assistant, Mr. J. J. Barnard, a series of tables, intending to embody the results in my statistical report for last year.