CENSUS OE NEW ZEALAND, 1867.

D.—No. 1

4

I. No 1 shows the Population in the several Provinces on the Census Night, with the numbers and descriptions of the Houses or Dwellings of the People. No. 2 shows the Population of each of the Electoral Districts returning Members to the House of Representatives. No. 3 is a Comparative Table, showing the Population of the Provinces, and of the whole Colony, at each of the Censuses of 1858, 1861, 1864, and 1867, with the Numerical and Centesimal Increases in each of those Triennial Periods. 11. No. 4 shows the Extent of Holdings (distinguishing Freehold and Leasehold) in the several Provinces; with the Number of Acres Fenced, the Quantities of Land broken up, but not under Crop; and the Numbers of Acres under the respective descriptions of Crops. The information is much more detailed than on former occasions, in pursuance of the provisions of the Act of last Session, In two of the particulars specified in the Schedule to that Act, however, —viz.: t "Extent and Description of Fencing," and "Forest Trees (Plantations of) " —the Heturns were in some instances so defective, (indeed being, as to the former, wholly blank for two of the Provinces), and in others so manifestly incorrect, that I have, at least, postponed the publication of the Results, with the intention of introducing them into tho Statistical Volume for the Year, if, in the interval before its completion, I should be able to extract from them any information likely to be reliable or of real value. No. 5 gives, for each Electoral District, information similar to that given for the Provinces in No. 4. No. 6 is a Comparative Table showing (in Acres) the Quantity of Land Fenced, and the Quantity under the principal Crops in each Province, according to the Censuses of 1858, 1861, 1864, and 1867, respectively. 111. Nos. 7, 8, and 9 relate to Live Stock, respecting which the information is furnished on the same plan as has been described above with regard to Population and Cultivation, &c. In No. 7, columns have been added showing the Production of Butter and of Cheese, and the numbers and kinds of Agricultural Machines in the several Provinces in 1867. It will be seen that, according to the Census enumeration, the Population of the Colony (exclusive of the Military and their Families, and of the Aboriginal Natives) was, in December 1867, 218,637. There can be no doubt, however, that the actual Number exceeded this, as, besides individual omissions through the negligence of Sub-Enumerators, or from other causes, there are almost insuperable difficulties in obtaining a correct enumeration of the Gold Digging Population. Had such an enumeration been practicable the Total would probably have been many hundreds, or even several thousands, more than it is. But the Census Numbers, as they stand, show an absolute Increase, as compared with 1864, amounting to 46,479, or 26-99 per cent. Of this Population (1867) the Northern Island, (comprising the Provinces of Auckland, Taranaki, Wellington, and Hawke's Bay), had 45,189 Males, and 34,724 Females, making a Total of 79,913, or 36-55 per cent, on the Population of the Colony; —and the Middle Island, (comprising the Provinces of Nelson, Maiiborough, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland), 86,697 Males, and 51,843 Females, making a Total of 138,540, or 63-37 per cent, on the whole Population. The addition of 184 (or "08 per cent.) for the Chatham Islands, will bring out the General Total as above. "The County of Westland Act, 1867," not having yet been brought into force when the Census was taken, that territory was included as before in the Census District of the Province of Canterbury. But the particulars of information will be found in the Tables for Electoral Districts, —in the Districts of " Westland South" and " Westland Boroughs." The Population as enumerated was (exclusive of those on shipboard) Males, 11,764 ; Females, 3,654 ; Total, 15,418. But the observation above, as to the probability, or rather certainty, (that the enumeration for Gold Fields is below the actual numbers), is to be borne in mind here.

Population of Colony.

Northern and Middle Island.

County of Westland.