SPECIAL TELEGRAM.

Otago Witness, Issue 1797, 30 April 1886, Page 18

SPECIAL TELEGRAM.

(Fbom Our. Own Correspondent.) Wellington, April 28.

CENSUS RETURNS.

The census returns for Dunedin and suburbs show that the total population is -10,205— the city containing 23,246, and the suburbs 22,959. In comparison with the census of 1881, the city shows a loss of 1120, while the suburbs more than counterbalance this by a gain of 4537. There were in the city on the night on which the census was taken 484 empty houses, while the suburbs contained 347 tenantless dwellings. i have been able to obtain the following census items. A large number of returns are still absent owing to the extent of the districts and the scattered population. The present population of Wellington city is returned at 20,1208 as against 20,563 under the census of 1881. The increase is therefore nearly 0000, or not far short of 30 per cent, in five years. Other districts show the following returns :—: — Counties: Hutt, 10,000; Manuwatu, 2088; Oraua,B3o3; Horowhenun, 083. Electoral districts: Waikato, 2395; Thames, 5038; Waitotara, 5077; Egmont, 6429; Waitohi, 6853; Invercargill (electorate), 7501. Boroughs : Thames, 4460 ; Oamaru, 5370 ; Invercargill, 5214; East Invercargill, 811; North Tnvercargill, 785; Avenal, 364; Gladstone, 321; Palmerston South, 881 ; Hampden, 332 ; Hawksbury, 759 ; Wanganui, 4900 ; Palmerston North, 2592; Fielding, 1298; Foxfcon, 741. The census returns for the borough of Timaru give a population of 3751 pei^ons, being a dectease of 136 compared with the returns ot 1881. The returns for the suburbs show a popt.latiori of 2772, being an increase of 125 as compared with 18S1. The total for the elect oral district of Timaru is 6VS2G. RAILWAY RETURNS, 1 understand that the railway returns have shown a material improvement during the last few weeks of the financial year The falling-off in February is said to have been mostly recovered in the latter part of March, and the reduction of expenditure still continues. Tho balance sheet is not yet made up, but it. is believed that the receipts* will prove to luve been about £1,040,000, only a tew thousands le-<.s than last year, but more thau £70,000 .short of the Treasurer's estimate iv last session's budget. On the other hand, the working expenses (by rigid economy and even curtailment of many public conveniences through reducing the number of trains) have been diminished by about the same amount as the receipts have fallen off ; consequently the net profit, is expected to prove somewhat over £350,000— about the same as last year. MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS. Mr Stout goes to Nelson to-morrow, but at present has no intention of addressing a public meeting. He will probably do so, however, if sufficient pressure is brought to bear on the spot. Mr Ballance is expected to return to Wellington on Saturday.