THE CENSUS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3168, 14 March 1911, Page 5

THE CENSUS.

VERY LENGTHY INSTRUCTIONS

A draft of the census schedule which householders will have to study and fill in oil the night of Sunday, April 2, has been published. The formidablelooking blue sheet (says the “Press ) is replaced on this occasion with a more substantial one of good white notepapcr. Instructions are very lengthy, but nothing appears which is not necessary _if an accurate census is to be taken. Jhe matters to be enumerated include the nature of the 'building (to distinguish an hotel from a prison), the material of which it is built, the number of tenanted rooms and the rental. A poultry census is also to be taken, nd the number of bee hives and the production of honey and beeswax has to be specified. With' regard to individuals, the census questions cover the sex, age, condition as to marriage, relation to head of household, profession or occupation (unemployment of more than a week must he indicated), infirmity, place of residence, religions denomination and education. Freethinkers are asked to put down their attitude towards theology, while the orthodox are urged to he exact, and not to use such general terms as “Methodist.” Those who decline to define their position may write “Object.” The Government statitsician, with a knowledge of human weakness, includes an announcement in large type that the information given in the census paper is treated as confidential, and the returns are not to be used as proof of age. as in connection with pensions, or for any other purpose than the preparation of statistical tables.