THE POPULATION

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 247, 2 July 1926, Page 15

THE POPULATION

PROVINCIAL DISTRICT RETURNS SEX RATIO COMPARISONS Next in importance. to the population figures of the- cities and suburbs of the Dominion (recently published) are those which give the census of the provincial districts, tlie Statistician s returns for which were inqde known yesterday bv the Minister of Internal Affairs ('the'Hon. R. F. Bollard). The population of the districts was shown to be as follows-•

Auckland in the Lead. Auckland is very much the largest district, and in fact contains almost one-third (32 per cent.) of the Dominion’s population. It has been adding to the number of its inhabitants at a considerably more rapid rate than that evinced bv other districts. Next to Auckland, Wellington, Otago and Taranaki show the greatest gain in numbers, Otago’s position is doubtless affected bv the South Seas Exhibition at Dunedin. Marlborough, Southland, and Westland show the lower rates of increase. . The following return gives the percentage of increases between the census

Dominion ... 125,471” 10.29 ♦Less bv 4236 than the actual Dorninlon increase (129,707; 10.68 per cent.) on account of different treatment of halfcastes in 1921. Two Decades Reviewed. Movements during a short period such as five years are often not a reliable index of true growth, said that Minister. For that reason, the following table, or percentage gains or losses over a period of two decades will, perhaps, serve a more useful purpose. Auckland maintains its lead in each inter-censal period. The record is not. one of unbroken growth, for each provincial district, although this remark is applicable to South Island districts only. •

A point of some interest which is not without its important side also is the sex ratio of the population in the various districts, Mr. ■ Bollard said. All northern districts have a greater male ■ population than female. Auckland’s male majority amounts to 14,800; Hawke’s Bay to 2000; Taranaki’s to 3000: and Wellington’s to 7000. In the South Island matters are not quite the same. Marlborough has a male majority of 1000; Nelson of 2100; Westland of 800; and Southland of 2800. On the other hand, in Canterbury there are 2200 more females than males, and in Otago about an equal number.

Provincial Population. Maoris. district. Auckland 424,925 44,906 65,569 4,683 Taranaki — 67,653 3,538 Wellington 273,001 7,095 18,568 50,545 169 .;... 15,025 120 Canterbury 213,746 1,066 Otago— Otago portion . 149,579 331 370 Southland Portion bo.lio Dominion 1,344,384 62,781

of 1921 and that taken m Apri Increase (excluding Maoris) 1921-26. 1 last:— Increase per cent. 1921-26. 14.96 Auckland 55,307 Hawke’s Bav 4,644 7.62 5,742 9.27 Wellington 24,800 9.97 Marlborough 780 2,917 4.38 6.12 Westland 844 5.95 Canterbury 14,712 7.39 Otago— Otago portion ... 12,699 9.28 Southl’d portion 3,026

Increase per cent, in population. 19C626. 21. 16. 11. Auckland 14.96 19.80 16.63 . 25.23 Hawke’s Bay 7.62 12,27 11.78 14.92 Taranaki 9.27 10.99 8.17 18.83 Wellington ••• 9.97 11.18. 12.40 10.69 Marlborough ... 4.38 ■ 6.12 9.20 0.86’ 1.91 0.87 11.25 13.97 Westland ' 5.95 0.64 10.33 7.09 Canterbury 7.39 11.31 3.09 8.88 OtagoOtago portion • 9.28 3.85 0.45 '3.54 Southland portion 4.87 . 4.72 1.05 10.61 Dominion 10.29 10.87 9.02 13.49 •Decrease.