D—No. 9

4

CENSUS OF NEW ZEALAND—IB6I.

It will be seen that the Population of European Descent in New Zealand which in 1851 was 26,707 had in 1858 increased to 59,254, being an absolute increase in seven years amounting to 32,547 persons, or calculated centesimally, of 121.86 per cent. This striking advance has, however, been surpassed proportionately by the progress in the interval of three years between the Census of December, 1858, and that of December, 1861. The Numbers enumerated in December last amounted to 98,915, being an Absolute Increase on the Population in 1858 amounting to 39,661, or an Increase of (56.93 per cent, in those years. To the Numbers actually enumerated, however, may be added 3,000 persons (Gold Diggers) who were believed, on sufficient authority, to have been on the roads and in the gullies at the Otago Gold Fields on the day when the Census was taken, but who, not having been individually entered in Schedules, are not included in the Returns. Thus the Population in December last may be fairly estimated at 101,915; being an Increase in three years (1858-1861) of 42,661 persons, or 71.99 per cent., and iv ten years (1851-1861) of 75,208 persons, or 281.60 per cent. It may be remarked that the Population of the single Province of Otago thus estimated, exceeded in 1861, that of the entire Colony of New Zealand in 1851, by 3456 souls. It is to be borne in mind that these Numbers do not include the Military and their Families, which, on the 16th of December last, numbered 7,294, —viz., Officers and Men, 5,836; Male Children, 437; Women and Female Children, 1021. The evidences of advance presented by the comparative figures relating to Stock and Laud Cultivation (Tables IX., X.,) present similar matter of encouragement. The Aggregate Numbers of Live Stock of all kinds which had increased in the seven years (1851--1858) from 299,115 to 1,727,997, still further increased in the three years (1858-1861) to 3,036,901, (not including Poultry enumerated at the last Census.) Taking Sheep separately, the Total Number in the Colony which, in 1851 was 233,043, and in 1858 had increased to 1,523,316, in 1861 amounted to 2,760,163. So, with respect to Cultivation and Crops, the Aggregate Quantity of Land under Crop which, in 1851 was 29,140 acres, and in 1858 had increased to 140,946 acres, in 1861 amounted to 226,478 acres ; and tho Land Fenced was, in 1861, 409,467 acres, against 235,468 acres in 1858, and 30,470 acres in 1851. The distribution of the Population, the Live Stock, and the Cultivation and Crops respectively amongst the several Provinces and Electoral Districts, will be found in the following Tables ; —but tho comparative Tables necessarily relate only to the Provinces, and in most of these Tables, for the purposes of comparison, the recently established Provinces have been included with those of which previously they formed part. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, John B. Bennett, Registrar-General. The Honorable the Colonial Secretary.