THE CENSUS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15511, 11 January 1911, Page 6

THE CENSUS.

SH! WILLIAM STEWARD’S SUGGESTION. On January 5 Sir William Steward wrote to the Minister of Internal Affairs as follows “ Hon D. Buddo, Minister of Internal Affairs. "Sir, —In view of the census to be taken in April I desire-again to call your attention to tho desirableness of issuing an instruction to the enumerators to ascertain the population of each 1 town,’ as distinguished from its population as a. ‘borough’- —i.e.,. taking in the population resident within a. distance of, say, “two’.or ‘three’ miles of the boundary of each borough. “This would enable;an accurate comparison, of tho population of the various centres. ' That is not now-possible —indeed the statistics relating to boroughs are now misleading when comparison is sought to be made of the respective populations of tlie several urban centres: ...

“In some' cases, a very considerable part.'of the population of a “ town reside outside the boundaries of the • borough;,’ ■ although to all intents and •purposes' as 'much inhabitants Of the ‘town’ us are those who. reside within the ‘ borough.’ This is the case in Waimate (for one of many instances), where fully one-third —perhaps more—of the people of the '. town ’ reside just outside the boundary of the ‘ borough.’ “' What is needed is that, in addition to tho column -showing the population ‘within’ each "• borough,’■ there- should be a column showing..... the ' suburban population within a feed distance .(1 ’have.suggested •‘iwp’.pi' .‘.three ’ miles) of : tlie borough boundaries, ' and ..a ‘ third ' .column giving the.total, popu-lation'of-the ‘town,’ urban and s'iß.ir bail,' so ihpt the. correct, status, of each centre'could be Seefi at a glance,. Inis is a matter of considerable importance in - connection with the raising of loans, etc. The valuation of land should also be similarly- shown-. “ When the last census was being taken 1 brought the matter under the notice of the chief of the Department, Mr Von Dadelszen, but it was then unfortunately too late, to enable 'tho suggestion to bo carried out, but for A on DadClsseri told me that he quite approved of tlie proposal and had recorded in tho" Department a . memorandum . with a view to its being carried out at the -next (i.e.. the now forthcoming; census. “You will no doubt recollect that 1 also brought the matter under your notice by question in tho House last session, and that in your reply you indicated an intention to endeavour to carry out . my suggestion. I now therefore Vrite to ask that you will not omit to give the necessary instructions. Awaiting your reply. —l am, etc.,

. “ AY. J. STEWARD.” Sir ■ William has received the following reply' . “ Office of the Alimster of Internal Affairs, Wellington, January 6, 1911. •'•‘Hon Sir W. J. Steward, AI.P., Waimate. “Dear Sit,—l am in receipt of your letter of the oth inst., _ adverting to your proposal that in taking the census the suburban population of a. borough should be- shown in a separate column alongside the actual population within tlie borough boundaries. “! am'referring the matter to the Department for consideration when, the returns are being compiled. I quite understand your desire that the residents of a town should have an opportunity of ascertaining the population within their borders irrespective of tho borough boundaries. “ With regard to your second suggestion as to the valuation of land being similarly shown in another column, this is scarcely in the nature of population statistics, and, as you are aware, the information is already supplied in the Blue Books. 1 think it would be better to allow the present, system to continue. The Blue Books .contain also information as to rates, subsidies, etc., which could not well be included in a return of population.—Yours faithfully, “I>. BUDDO.”