165,451 MEALS SERVED IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 885, 21 February 1907, Page 20

165,451 MEALS SERVED IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

The report of the Select Committee appointed to control the arrangements for the kitchen and refreshment-rooms of the House of Commons recently issued, shows’ that from February 13 till November 24, 1906, 126 breakfasts, 35,829 luncheons, 47,968 dinners, 795 suppers, 75,218 teas, 5515 meals at bars were served to members in the House, making a grand total of 165,451 meals served. The sale of cigars realised £1096, and spirits, wines, etc., whilst went in wages. The total receipts were 1,122. THE COLONY’S POPULATION. A leaflet has been issued by the Regis-trar-General showing the movement of the population for the years 1902 to 1906. In 1902 the population of New Zealand was 807,929, an increase of the previous year’s figures of 20,272. In 1903 the total population of the colony had risen to 832,505, in 1904 to 857,539, in 1905 to 882,462, and in 1906 to 908,718. The excess of births over deaths last year was 15,913, and the net gain in population for the twelve months was 28,761. In the year 1902 the net increase from abroad, after deducting the number of persons who left New Zealand, was 7992, and in 1903 it‘ was 11,275. In x 9°4 the excess of arrivals over departures fell a little, being 10,355 persons, and in 1905 fell still further to 9302 ; bur the year 1906 shows the largest increase of all, the arrivals being 12,848 in excess of the departure. In five years New Zealand has gained according to the returns 51,772 persons from abroad, mostly from Australia and the Home Country, after deducting those who departed outwards. The natural increase of births over deaths is considerable on account of the low death rate, and shows a steady rise over each of the five years dealt with in the table. The total excess of births is 71,794 for the quinquennium under observation.