THE CENSUS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1010, 16 July 1862, Page 4

THE CENSUS.

By the courtesy of the 'Colonial Secretary we have received the Gazette containing the Census Returns for the Colony taken on the 16th December, 1861. Exclusive of the military the European population of New Zealand number 98,915 to which may be added 3000 persons supposed to have been on the roads and in the gullies of the Otago Gold Fields at the time the returns were filled up, making the total population 101,915. Of these, the.North Island owns 40,000 the Middle 60,000 in round numbers. At the time of.the last Census in 1858, the population of the Colony amounted to 59,254. The numbers enumerated in December last give an absolute increase in three years of 39,661 or an inincrease of 66.93 per cent, in three years. The number of the military with their families in New Zealand was estimated at the date of the census at 7,294.

Though the present returns are not fully made up and are deficient in some important particulars relating to religion, education, &c. which will be published in the statistical volume of 1861, they are sufficiently full and accurate to afford the means of testing the material progress of each province, and comparing its condition with that of its neighbours. As a matter of course, the population of Otago has increased to an extent out of all proportion with the other provinces of the colony. Making due allowance for the cause of this increase however, Canterbury has no reason to be ashamed of her position in the race. In every respect this province gives strong evidence of a sound and prosperous condition. Even in the matter of population, it iB second only to Otago in the ratio of increase, while if <ve turn to the tables relating to live stock, cultivation, and houses,the results establish the conviction that in material wealth and general advancement it is second to no settlement in the colony.

By far the most useful and interesting table is that showing the numerical and centesimal increase of the population in the various settlements from Dec. 1858 to Dec. 1861. From this we find that the population, of Auckland has increased from 18,177 in 1858 to 24,420 in 1861, the total numerical increase being 6,243 and the centesimal increase 34.34. In Taranaki the population has decreased 608, or at the rate of 22.92. In Wellington the numerical increase has been 1,935, centesimal 14.61. Nelson (including Marlborough) numerical increase 2,979, centesimal 32.12. Canterbury has increased her population by 7,073 souls, showing a centesimal increase in three years of 78.87, while Otago has madq a clean jump from 6,944 to 28,983, exclusive of the 3,000 not in the returns. The centesimal increase in the Olngo

population is given at 317.31. Allowing for the exceptional causes which have been at work in Otago, this province may justly claim to have taken the lead as regards increase of population. In another table which gives similar returns over a period of ten years, the rate of increase in the settlements of Canterbury and Otago as compared with thenorthern settlements is still more marked and affords conclusive evidence as to the superiority of the middle island as a field for colonisation.

Table No. 3, showing the numbers of live stock held by Europeans tells the same tale. Under the head of horses, Canterbury stands first, owning 6,049 as compared with 5,621 for Auckland, 5,117 for Wellington, 2,355 Nelson, and 4,790 for Otago. In cattle, Wellington takes the lead with 49,323. Auckland 36,482, Otago 34,544, and Canterbury 33,576. The other settlements are far below these numbers. In sheep, Canterbury is still far a-head of all though Otago takes a very respectable second place. The numbers are thus given: Canterbury 877,369, Otago 619,853, Marlborough 368,836, Hawkes Bay 312.459, Wellington 247,940, Nelson 181,267, Southland 73,970; Auckland 67,803.

The tables showing the quantity of land fenced in and under cultivation are also full of interest. The older settlements here shew to advantage, Auckland having 112,000 acres of fenced land, of which 76,000 are under crop, by far the greater proportion, 63,000, being laid down in grass. Wellington has 77,000 acres fenced in, with 55,000 under crop, 49,000 of which are in sown grass. Canterbury owns. 73,000 acres of fenced land, only 33,000 of which are at present under cultivation, 13,000 being in wheat, and 10,000 in grass. Otago comes next with 42,000 acres fenced in, 19,000 being under crop, of which 8000 are laid down in grass.

Another table is added from which valuable information may be gleaned as to the social status of each province. This return shows the number of houses in each province and the material of which they are composed. Auckland numbers 6,063 houses, 5,236 of which are built of wood, 269 of brick or stone, and 558 of other materials. Wellington possesses 3081, being 2,722 wood, 3 brick or stone, 356 other materials; the fear of earthquakes is plainly evinced by this return, Nelson has 1,874, of which 1,413 are wooden, 53 brick or stone, 408 other materials. Canterbury owns 3237; 2557 wood, 47 brick or stone, and 633 other materials. Otago figures with the grand total of 6,136, but of these only 1,617 are of wood, 96 brick or stone, the remainder, 4,423, being composed of other materials such as sod huts, tents, &c., speaking strongly of the migratory habits of her population.

As a whole these returns afford just cause for congratulation to the inhabitants of the colony. With one exception, that of Taranaki, which has felt the blighting effects of war, every settlement shows a healthy state of progress, and though this has not been equally divided we.are glad to find that each member of the provincial press finds something to congratulate its readers upon. We think we may safely say if they are satisfied, so are we.