Answers To Correspondents

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27025, 9 March 1949, Page 6

Answers To Correspondents

G. S., Stirling.—The answer to your question appears under a special heading in our news columns.

“ Baloney.”—Letters referring to the referenda cannot be printed on polling dav.

“ Interested,” Ngapara.—(l) The price of ploughing a half acre of land with a tractor is a matter for arrangement between the parties concerned. (2) If a settlement cannot be amicably arrived at the matter should b«> referred to a solicitor.

“ Dollar,” Wedderburn.—The value of the American dollar in 1947 in New Zealand currency was 6s 3d. For cheques and drafts the buying rate of the dollar at present is 4.0328 to the £ NZ, and the selling rate 3.9696 to the £ NZ. For dollar notes the buying rate is 4.1075 to the £, and ffie selling rate 3.9696 to the £. E. A. T., Dunedin.—The population census for New Zealand was last taken fn September, 1945, and the previous one in March, 1936. The figures (exclusive of Maoris'! were as follows: 1936. 1.491,484 (Increase since 1926, 147.015); 1945, 1.603,554 (increase since 1936. 112.070). The increase In births over deaths (excluding Maoris) were: 1936-40. 69.776; 1941-45, 91,194. The Maori population In 1936 totalled 82,326 and in 1945. 98,744. The Maori birth rate percentage lor 1944-45 was 45.70, and the death rate 16.73. making a natural increase of 28.97. The nonMaori birth rate percentage for the same period was 21.55, and the death rate 9.95, the natural increase being 11.60. The population figures for both Maori and non-Maori, covering a long period of years, are given in the latest New Zealand Year Book, which may be seen in the Dunedin Public Library.