H.—3l

30

Marriages. The marriages for 1911 stow an increase on the number for the previous year. The number was 8,825, or 589 more than in 1910. The rate per 1,000 of the population was 8-70, as against 8-30 in 1910. It is shown by the table following that there has been considerable increase in the marriage-rate, which has been above the standard during each of the last fifteen years :—

Marriages, Number and Rate.

The marriage-rate, measured by the total population, does not show the true position when, as in the case of New Zealand, the age-constitution of the people fluctuates considerably. A more satisfactory standard is found in the number of persons of marriageable age, defined as meaning the unmarried and widowed of males aged 20 years and upwards and of females aged 15 years and upwards. The rates are given for six census years : —■

The total number of marriages solemnized does not include marriages where both parties are of the aboriginal Native race, such persons being exempted from the necessity of complying with the provisions of the Marriage Act, although at liberty to take advantage thereof. Forty-five marriages in which both parties were Maoris were contracted in 1911 in terms of the Act, the greater portion (27) being solemnized before Registrars. In addition, the Registrar-General received returns of- 228 marriages solemnized under the provisions of section 191 (1) (b) of the Native Land Act, 1909. Ages of Persons Married. Of the persons married in 1911, 172 bridegrooms and 1,326 brides were under 21 years of age. Of the bridegrooms, two were between 17 and 18, and sixteen between 18 and 19. Of the brides, ten were between 15 and 16, and forty-nine between 16 and 17 years of age. The proportion of men married is greatest at the ages of 25 to 30, and of women at from 21 to 25 years. Deaths. The deaths in 1911 numbered 9,534, a rate of 9-39 in every 1,000 persons living, as against 9-71 in 1910. This is below the average of the previous ten years, 9-83 per 1,000.

Marriage-rate. Year. Marrii ige-rate. Year. Total Numbe: of Marriages registered. Compared with Rate in 1882-86 taken as 100. Total Number of Marriages registered. Compared with Rate in 1882-86 taken as 100. Per 1,000 of Population. Per 1,000 of Population. 1882-86 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 3,663 3,563 3,617 3,632 3,797 3,805 4,002 4,115 4,178 4,110 4,843 4,928 5,091 6-68 5-97 5-97 5-93 6-12 6-04 6-23 6-22 6-15 5-94 6-85 6-83 6-91 100 89 89 89 92 90 93 93 92 89 103 102 103 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 5,461 5,860 6,095 6,934 6,748 6,983 7,200 7,592 8,192 8,339 8,094 8,236 8,825 7-28 7-67 7-83 8-01 8-23 8-26 8-28 8-48 8-91 8-82 8-33 8-30 . 8-70 109 115 117 120 123 124 124 127 133 132 125 124 130

Proportion of Unmarried per 1,000 of Total. Proportion of Marri; iges per 1,000 of the Year of Census. Males. Females. Marriageable Marriageable Men. Women. Marriageable Persons. Total Population. 1886 1891 1896 1901 1906 1911 235-0 238-2 258-8 275-5 291-3 286-5 238-2 268-5 308-9 331-8 328-2 314-9 47-32 47-78 50-14 54-11 54-36 57-60 54-56 47-97 47-00 49-78 54-93 58-38 25-36 23-94 24-26 25-93 27-72 28-99 5-99 6-04 6-85 7-83 8-48 8-70