STATISTICS OF NEW ZEALAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 4, 25 July 1861, Page 3

STATISTICS OF NEW ZEALAND.

The Southern Cross, relbrrin"- to Dr. Bonnet’s volume of statistics for 1860, savs - As a work of reference it is all but unique. The tables- are compiled from official records, and prefaced by a well written digest, in the nature of a report to the Colonial Secretary, the hon. E. W. Stafford.

Naturally enough the question of population suggests itself as one of vital importance ; and in this respect the statistics are less explicit than we the compiler. After detailing the manner in which could have wished, but the fault does not lie with the European population tables were compiled, the Registrar General thus states the results: Meanwhile, definitely ascertained figures afford sufficient evidence of the rapid increase of the population of the colony. The total in December 1858 as shown by the census, was (exclusive of the Chatham Islands) 59,328. Since that date, up to December, 18(50, the returns show- an increase from the two great sources from which population is to be supplied, amounting to upwards of 9,000 souls in each year, the excess of births over deaths in the two years 1859-60 having been 3,997, and the excess of immigration (strictly limited to that over seas) above emigration, 14,701, thus making, for those two years together, an incaease from these sources amounting to 18,698, which, calculated centesimully, shows an increase of 31-53 per. cent., on the whole population ; or taking the sexes separately, of 31-10 on the males, and of 32-09 on the females. This is the lowest estimate that can be formed without including any allowance for increase by unregistered births or perhaps, unrecorded arrivals. According to the estimate given in Table No.l, the increase would be 34-23 on the whole population, or 3486 on the males and 33-41 on the females respectively. A centesimal calculation for the several provinces taken cannot (for reasons indicated elsewhere,) bo positively accurate in itself, or in exact agreement with the results of the calculation for the colony. It may, however, bo acceptable, as showing the proportions in which the respective provinces mav be assumed to have participated in the total increase. Calculated on the figures in Table No. 1, the centesimal increase in Auckland during the two years 1859-60 would be 30‘56 on the whole population, or 31-19 on the males and 39-72 on the females respectively. In Taranaki, as might be anticipated from the removal of families in consequence of (he war, there is a large decrease, amount iing to 53-24 on the whole population, or 33-23 on the males, and /9T3 on the females, .All the other provinces show increase in the following proportions, viz..Wellington, 17-73 on the whole, or 22\IS on the males, and 1T79 on the females ; Hawke's Bay, 55.28 on the whole, or 5 1-93, on the males, and 56 09 on the females ; Nelson (including Marlborough,) 29-42 on the whole, or 27'34 on the males, ami 32'07 on (he females ; Canterbury, 71" 10 on the whole, or G7'79 on the males, and 76 62 on the females : and Otago, 82'76 on the whole, or 92--2 S on the males, and 70’74 on the females respectively. Taking as .the basis the Maori Census of 1857-8 (of which a full abstract appeared in flic volume of statistics for 1857,) and correcting the numbers for Canterbury by a later Census taken by Mr. AT. Duller in February , IB6o,—excluding also Stewart s and the Chatham Islands —(in the former of which the numbers wore estimated at 200,- and in the latter at. 510) —the, Maori population in New Zealand was, at the latest attempt at enumeration believed to amount to 31,298 males, and 23,898 females, making (with 79 sex not stated) a total of 55,275. It is important, however, to observe .the distribution of the natives in (ho Northern and Middle Islands respectively:— Northern Island, (including Auckland, Taranaki, Wellington, and Hawke’s Bay)— males, 29,981; females 22,993; sex not stated, 79 ; Total, 53,056. Middle Island (including Nelson, Canterbury, and Otan-o)—males 1,314; females, 905 ; Total, 2,219. °