The Census Figures.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 3, 19 July 1911, Page 5

The Census Figures.

Spoken to on Thursday on the question of electoral revision as the result of the completed census figures, the Hon. G. Fowlds, Minister for Education, remarked that five years ago when the last census was taken he predicted that ■the increase of population in the Auckland Province would be equal to the increase of all the rest of the Dominion put together, and that the completed figu res showed that his estimate was realised within a very few thousands.

On the subject of the possible revision of electorates and probable increase of representation for the North Island, the Minister said that until the commissioners got the full figures with the 28 per cent added to the country districts, it was impossible to speak definitely on this point. In his opinion it would be just touch and go whether the North Island gained two seats or one. He did not think that we could possibly gain more than two, and he thought it would be a very close go whether we got the second or not. “I think,” said Mr Fowlds, “that there is a larger percentage of urban population in the North Island than in the South, and as this urban population does not get 28 per cent added that would mean an advantage to the South Island.”

Asked about the prospects of Auckland in the matter of seats, Mr. Fowlds said that it would depend entirely on whether the North Island got one or two seats. “If two,” said the Minister, “ then certainly one of them will be in the neighbourhood of Auckland city, hut if the North gets only one sent extra then it will probably go to the neighbourhood of the Taumarunui electorate, the population of which has gone ahead at a very great rate during the last five years.”

Mr John Bevan, who represented Hokitika in the House of Representatives 27 years ago, died at Hokitika on Saturday. He held many important public positions, and for 50 years was an enthusiastic Freemason. He was a Past Master, and Past First Principal of the Pacific Royal Arch Chapter. The deceased, who leaves a widow, was 74 years of age.

Mr. Peter McNab, son of the late Mr. Peter McNab, of Normanby-road, Mt. Eden, formerly a pupil at the Auckland Grammar School, and afterwards in the Government Survey Department, has passed the final examination in medicine and surgery at the University- of Edinburgh, qualifying for the degrees of M.B. and Ch.B. We understand Mr. McNab will spend some time in one of the large hospitals at Home before coming to New Zealand to practise. Mr Leslie Maearthur, F.G.S., a mining geologist, and formerly warden of goldfields, N.S.W., arrived with Mrs. Macarthur by the Maheno from Sydney on Sunday, one of his chief objects being to inspect mines in this country, the Owners of which want to obtain outside capital. When visiting New Zealand about 20 years ago he discovered valuable scheelite ores in the north of the South Island, and the representatives of Krupp’s works, Germany, desire him to make further investigations concerning these ores. Mr. Maearthur expresses the opinion that the distrust among Home investors touching Australian mining ventures is not so pronounced as regarding New Zealand ventures.

Mr A. C. Baker has. on his retirement from the secretaryship of the Remuera Bowling Club, been presented by the committee with a handsome bag in recognition of his services to the club while occupying the office.

Mr R. Heaton Rhodes, M.P. for Ellesmere, will return to the Dominion in August to attend the session of Parliament. He will again be a candidate for Parliament at the next general election. Mr Walter H. Parkinson, of Kaituna, states that he has no intention of opposing Mr Rhodes. Mr W. R. Crandall, who made a gallant though fruitless attempt to rescue Mr J. Schaffer from drowning at the Queenstreet wharf last December, was presented with the N.Z. Royal Humane Society’s bronze medal and certificate at the City Council Chambers by the Mayor last week. In making the presentation, Mr Parr said that the citizens as well as the Royal Humane Society were proud to do honour to the recipient.