H.—29b.

1902. NEW ZEALAND.

NORTH ISLAND AND MIDDLE ISLAND REPRESENTATION COMMISSIONS SITTING AS A JOINT COMMISSION (REPORT OF THE).

Presented to the House of Representatives pursuant to " The Representation Act, 1887."

To His Excellency the Eight Honourable Uchter John Mark, Earl of Eanfurly, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty's Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies. May it please Tour Excellency,— We, the undersigned, appointed by Your Excellency, sitting as a Joint Commission for the purpose of " The Eepresentaton Act, 1887," and the amendments thereof, having received a report from the Eegistrar-General showing the results of the census of the population of the colony taken on the 31st March, 1901, proceeded to ascertain the quota of population required for each electoral district of the colony, and the number of districts to be allotted to the North Island and also to the Middle Island (including Stewart Island), in accordance with the provisions of the .Acts referred to above, and now respectfully submit for Your Excellency's consideration the following results of our proceedings: — The Eegistrar-General having furnished particulars as to the total population of the colony and its distribution according to the census of the 31st March, 1901, it was ascertained that the total population amounted to 772,504 (exclusive of Maoris and the inhabitants of the Chatham and Kermadec Islands), distributed as follows: The population in forty-four boroughs of over 2,000 inhabitants amounted, to 294,040; the population on ship-board within such boroughs amounted to 2,829 ; leaving a rural population amounting to 475,635. Having added 28 per cent, to the latter figures, the total nominal population of the colony proved to be 905,682. This latter, divided by the total number of members (76), fixed the quota at 11,917. It was further ascertained that the total actual population of the North Island amounted to 390,571, equivalent to a nominal population of 455,695. Likewise it was ascertained that the total actual population of the Middle Island was 381,933, and the total nominal population 449,987. A consideration of these figures showed that the number of members to which the North Island was entitled is represented by the figures 38-24, and the Middle Island by 37 , 76, and the Commission decided to allot thirty-eight members, representing thirty-four districts, to each Island. The Joint Commission, having fulfilled the functions devolving upon them in terms of the above Acts, resolved themselves into the separate Commissions, which proceeded respectively to apportion and define the electoral districts for each Island. Given under our hands and seals, this Bth day of August, 1902. (Signed.) J. W. A. Maechant, T. S. Weston. Chairman, Joint Commission. N. Y. A. Wales. J. Giles. Thos. Humphries. Wμ. A. Bichaedson. D. Baeeon. G. Mueller. G. J. Eobeets. James Mackenzie. Approximate Gost of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (1,200 copies), 17s.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o2.

Price 3d.]