THE Wellington Independent. Tuesday, June 21, 1859. THE CENSUS OF 1858.

Wellington Independent, Volume XV, Issue 1340, 21 June 1859, Page 3

THE Wellington Independent. Tuesday, J une 21, 1859. THE CENSUS OF 1858.

Bγ the Prince Alfred, we have received from Auckland via Nelson, an abstract of the long-looked-for census nf last year. The census was Inken by the General Government.on the 24ih December, under iho direction of the " Census Aot, 1858," and is to be continued once in three yours. '. .

The abstract before us Ims been published by the Registmr-G eneral, with ihe viow of moeting a general desire that ooilain results of the lato oensus should be officially made public, before the period at which tho volume of elalis-

tics for 1858, now in course of preparation, oati be completed. It shows the number and description of houses ; population ; acres in cultivation' and fenced ; and the numbers of live slock in the i several Provinces. ; For the sake of clearly showing the) progress made in 1858, we have compared tho totals for each Province in that year, with those of proceeding, as published in the General Government " Statistics for 1857. In the Wellington Province, is included'in all cases, the newly created Province of Hawke's Isay, the separation of that district from Wellington only taking place in November * No. of Ilonsisa. Wood. Brick & Other Total Stone. Materials. Auckland 3,449 "• 160 " 458 4,117 New Plymouth 644 7 29 (>3O Wellington 2,760 26 458 3fi;>C, Nelson 1,186 44 526 1,756 Canterbury 1,340 17 384' 1,74 V Otago 706 ' 52 469 1,227 The number of Houses was not taken in the census of previous years. . . . Population.) : 1857. 1858. Auckland 16,315 . 18,177 New Plymouth 2,618 2,(ir<o Wellington. . 10,997 13,242 Nelson $ -8,465 9,272 Canterbury 6,712: 8,907 Otajto 4631 6,944 Stewart's Island. no returu 51 Totals. 49,738 59.303 Military and their Families 2,353 1,896 General totals -52,091 61,196 Land. In cultivation. 'i 1857. 1858. Auckland 63,070 60,183 New Plymouth 9,473 12,155 Wellington 20,142 27,355 Nelson 13,869 17,997 Canterbury 8,006 13,935 Otago 7,088 ' 9,321 Totals. . 121,048 140,946 The deficiency in tbe Auckland Province is explained by the" New Zealander as the resulting from tbe ploughing up of old grass lands, which weie fallow at the date of tbe census. Fenced. 1857. 1858. Auckland 83,819 90,448 Nvw Plymouth 10,269 12,705 Wellington 35,764 44,985 .Velson". 21,350 45,337 Canterbury 24,257 32,927 Otago 14,628 19,066 Total. 190,087 235,468 Live Stock. Horses. 1857 1858 Auckland 2,894 . 3,839 New Plymouth 394 452 .Wellington 2,938 3,926 Nelson 1,037 2,26(i Canterbury 1,307 2,740 Otago 1,419 1-080 Totals 10,589 14,912 Cattle. 1857 -ISSB Auckland 24,555 31,700 New Plymouth 2,991 4,052 Wellingtoi 33.659 40,291 Nelson 13,893 19,435 Canterbury 15,355 20,739 Otugo 16,049 20,971 Totals 106,502 137,188 Sheep. 1857 1858 Auckland 36,749 58,792 New Plymouth 13,966 16,000 Wellington 277,789 336,314 Nelson 285,100 ■ 393,041 Canterbury 276,089 495,580 Otago 161,681 , 223,589 Totals 1,051,374 1,523,316 The extraordinary increase in the Province of Canterbury requires explanation. Wellington had a bad .lambing season last year, but we are not aware that Nelson had j neither this nor the number imported into Canterbury would account for the very large proportionate increase above stated.

Wellington, has, in common with all the other Provinces reason for congratulation that suoh marked progress lias taken place. Her progress would however have been far more satisfactory bad she not been cramped by a hostile General Government. Everywhere the settlers are crying out for more Innd on which to depasture their flocks and herds, aud the present cessation of public works, tending to open up the country in a greater degree, is.mainly owing to the attempts that are being made to involve us in difficulties by the impounding of revenues which fairly belong to us, Fortunately these aitempis are fruitless, and a more rapid progress will yet bo the order of the dsiv.