STATISTICAL RETURNS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13652, 23 July 1906, Page 3 (Supplement)

STATISTICAL RETURNS.

WELLINGTON, July 11. A return issued by the Kogistrar-general shows that the total imports of New Zealand were less in 1905 than they were in 1904. tho respective figures obeing £12,900,030 and £12,481,178, exclusive of specie. The figures for each year from 1896 are as follow:—1895. £6.115,953; 18S6, £7,035,379; 1597, £7,994,201; 1898, £8.211.409; 1899, £8,613,656; 1900. £10,207.326; 1901. £11,353.416; 1902, £10,958,038; 1903. £1.2,075,959; 1804, £12,900,030; 1905, £12,481,178. Comparing other figures in the leaflet, it, is noticcbale that an important, development lias taken place in our importations from foreign countries since the passing of " The Preferential and Reciprocal Trade Act, 1903." In 1895 the value of our imports from British countries was £5,787,208, and from foreign lands £612,921, and in 1903 British imports had risen to £10,648,152, and foreign to £2.140,523. In 1905 .our imports from Britain and hor dependencies totalled £10,707,663. while foreign-bought goods fell to' £2,021,194, a decrease of £19,329 as compared with 1903. A return compiled by the Rflgistrargenoral gives some particulars regarding tho country's growth during tho 10 years extending From 1895 to 1905. Some of tho most important aro:— 1895. 1905. Population, excluding . Maoris, etc. .. 698,706 882,162 Occupied holdings (number) 52,790 69,912 Land in cultivation, v including grasses (acres) 10,698,803 14,114,925 Live stock— Horses (number) .. 237,418 326,537 Caltlo (number) . 1,017,901 1,810,936 Sheep (number) .. 19,826,601 19,130,875 Postal inonev - orders issued (£) 812,604 1,541,712 Railways, GovernmentOpen for traffic, March, 1896-190G (miles) 2,014 2,407 Receipts, March, 1696-1906 (£) .. .. 1,183,041 2,239,704 ShippingVessels, inwards (tons) 672,951 1,139,410 Vessels, outwards (tons) 0(8,916 1,141,562 Export of New Zealand produceWool, quantity (lb) HG.015,170 139,912,737 Wool, value {£) .. 3,662,131 5,381,333 .Grain. quantity (bushels) .. .. 2,381,837 2.282,853 Grain, valuo {£) .. 215,783 291,571 Frozen meat, quantity (qwt) 1,134,097 1,690,684 Frozen meat, value (£) 1,262,711 2,694,432 Butter, quantity (cwt) 57.964 305,722. Butter, value {£) .. 227,601 1,108,557 Cheese, quantity (cwt) 76,743 88,562 Cheese, value {£) .. 150,909 205,171 Phormiurn fibre, quantity (tona) . 1,806 27,877 Phormium fibre, value (.) .... 21,010 096,467 Gold, quantity (oz) 293,493 520,485 Gold, valuo {£) .. 1„162,181 2,093,936 Gum, kauri, quantity (tons) .. .. 7,425 10,883 Gum, kauri, valuo (.£).. 418,766 561,444 Provisions, tallow, timber, etc. {£) . " 1,269,031 2,167,616 Total exports New Zealand produce (-) 8.390,153 15.503,530 Imports (f) 6.400,120 12,828,857 Output of coal (tons) 726,654 1,585,756 BanksDeposits, average of four quarters' (t) 13,514,415 20,515,601 Assets, average of four quarters (£) 18,159,781 21,770,525 Liabilities, average of four quarters (£') 11,191,627 22,111,166 Savings hanks, post office and privateNumber of depositors (number) .. .. 163.513 316,376 Amount to credit If) 4,620,636 9,773,954 Life Insurance, Government— Policies in force (number) .. .. 33,968 45,137 Amount insured, with bonuses (£).. 8,345,229 11,725,977 __________