INFORMATION PLEASE!

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17008, 15 April 1926, Page 8

INFORMATION PLEASE!

WHAT THE CENSUS REQUIRES. PAPERS NOW DISTRIBUTED. CAREFUL SCRUTINY NECESSARY. The distribution of the papers in connection with the quinquennial census which is being taken on the night of Tuesday next are now being distributed in Gisborne. The apparent wealth of detail required by the J tapers is somewhat perplexing to the average individual, but if the documents are carefully perused no difficulty should be experienced in supplying (he information required by tlib Government for statistical purposes.' A careful examination of the papers before they are filled in is, m fact, tlio solution of what might appear a problem, and anv points that are not made dear can be further elucidated by enquire from the Chief Postmaster. Mr. W. Fisher who is also enumerator for tlio district. The census requires three forms, but in the ordinary household only two forms are necessary. The first schedule is known as the dwelling schedule. Ihe family .schedule will be used by every family, but in cases where persons other than members of the family are resident in the building personal schedules will also be left. THE DWELLING SCHEDULE. If the dwelling schedule is taken first no difficulty will be experienced. The first question does not apply to a private residence, hut only to hotels, hoardinghouses, vessels, etc., while the second quest ion requires merely life address ol the establishment. _ The nature of tlio building is asked in three very plain questions in the third clause, while clause 4 seeks information regarding the number of the rooms in the building. The (enure of the property, the weekly rental, and the material used in the construction of the building arc required in llie three next questions, while the last question relates lo the number of liieinbers of the household absent at the time of the census. On 1 lie reverse side of the dwelling schedule particulars of the number of poultry kept are required, and there is nothing complicated in this connect ion. The only oilier information required on the schedule is a list of persons, other than members of the family, who reside in the building, and bv whom personal schedules have been filled in. Tn this connection it should be moled that a*person renting a room in the house, but having his meals out. requires to fill in a separate dwelling schedule, but in Hie case of a person renting a rcom'and having one or more meals in the house, a personal schedule only is required. Upon completion of the. personal schedules, if there are any, the names should be placed on the dwelling schedule, and all the forms pinned together ready for the sub niinmrrator, who will call for them. THE FAMILY SCHEDULE.

The family schedule, and personal schedule, are a little more inquisitive, but none of the seventeen questions asked, if considered in conjunction with Dm explanatory notes, should be confusing. The first, four questions ask the full name, sex and age of the persons, and the relation to’the head of the household. The sixth column is for the conjugal conditio") and is carefully explained on tlio form, while iho following column requires the number of children under sixteen belonging to each person enumerated.

The questions as to occupation should present no difficulty. A carpenter, for instance, is engaged in tlio building trade, his personal occupation being a carpenter. Thus, in column Bhe would enter “Building,” and in column 9 “Carpenter.” Similarly a draper's assistant would enter “Drapery ’ and “Shop Assistant.” The next question relates to the status.of employment and in most eases will be answered by the symbol “W,” indicating that tlie person is in receipt of wages. Loss of time through sickness and accident also is required, but it should be noted that holidays must not be entered as working clays lost..

lli column 14 a person is required to state whether born in New Zealand, and if not the number of years resident in the Dominion. Nationality is required in the following column, but as long as a person is of European descent be need only enter “European.” regardless of the country of birth. A person's religion is asked in column 16, while, t lie final column is in connection with incomes. The latter is divided into sovoip categories and, should present rio difficulties if carefully studied.