ANNEX TO THE REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE YEAR 1883. DU RAPPORT DU MINISTRE DE L'AGRICULTURE POUR L'ANNÉE 1883. PRINTED BY MACLEAN, ROGER & CO., WELLINGTON STREET ANNEXE DU RAPPORT DU MINISTRE DE L'AGRICULTURE POUR L'ANNÉS 1833. RÉSUMÉ DES RELEVÉS DE LA STATISTIQUE MORTUAIRE POUR LES SIX PREMIERS MOIS DE L'ANNÉE 1883. MORTUARY STATISTICS FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR 1883. INTRODUCTION. SIR,-I have the honour, pursuant to your instructions, to present you with preliminary returns on Mortuary Statistics. In doing this allow me to briefly recite the proceedings which have taken place in inaugurating this portion of the labours of your Department. In virtue of the authority vested in him, by " The Census and Statistics Act" of 1879, His Excellency the Governor in Council was pleased to approve, in the manner prescribed by section' 28 of the said Act, a series of Rules and Forms respecting the collection of Mortuary Statistics: these Rules and Forms were assented to by His Ex celloncy on the 26th of December 1882, and published, according to law in the Canada Gazette, of the 30th of the same month and year. These Rules provided that they should apply-" to the collection of Statistics of "Deaths and their causes within the limits of the following named Cities or Towns, "being the Capitals of Canada and of the Provinces and others having a population of "25,000 inhabitants or upwards, according to the Census of 1880-81, that is to say: "Montreal, Toronto, Quebec, Halifax, Hamilton, Ottawa, St. John, N.B., Charlotte"town. Winnipeg, Fredericton and Victoria, B. C., to which neighbouring localities may be added from time to time, or to such other cities, towns or localities or joint "cities, towns and localities whenever by experience it will appear that the system 'is satisfactorily worked and when sufficient means are granted by Parliament for "that purpose. In accordance with the letter and spirit of section 31 of "The Census and Statistics Act," the said Rules authorized the Minister of Agriculture to arrange with the local authorities in order to make use of the means in their power and of the or ganizations already in operation in these localities, for the collection of the Mortuary Statistics of such places as would come under the provision of the Rules as aforesaid. In consequence of such provisions and pursuant to the Rules, a Circular was addressed to the Mayor of each of the cities mentioned, in the following terms: "I herewith forward to you a copy of the Rules, Regulations and Forms, assented "to by His Excellen cy the Governor General in Council; and I have much pleasure in 'informing you that such Rules, Regulations and Forms will be applied to the City of so soon as the conditions contained in such "Rules, Regulations and Forms are fulfilled, and notification is given to me to the effect "that the local authorities are in a position and ready to enter upon the work of col"lecting Mortuary.Statistics, as therein provided for. "The name of the licensed medical practitioner appointed to the Local Board of "Health is to accompany such notification; with mention of the yearly salary attached |