THE NEW ZEALAND OFFICIAL YEAR-BOOK 1910


Table of Contents

Colophon

MAP OF NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND SHOWING LAND DISTRICTS.
(SeePart IV.)

MAP OF SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND SHOWING LAND DISTRICTS.
(SeePart IV.)

ADDENDA ET CORRIGENDA.

THE changes recorded hereunder have in most cases occurred since the pages referred to were printed and published in the form of advance sheets.

Page 33.—Foreign Consuls—Consul of Uruguay at Wellington: Don Cesar Montero Bustamente. Consul of Belgium at Auckland: Alexander Manuel Ferguson, vice John Burns. Consular Agent for the United States of America at Wellington: Charles Harcourt Turner, vice J. G. Duncan. Consular Agent of Italy at Auckland: Charles Rhodes. Consul-General of Japan at Sydney: M. Saito. Vice-Consul of Norway at Invercargill: Mathias Eriksen Wüg, vice W. S. Waterston.

Page 36.—Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies: Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, vice Right Hon. Earl of Crewe.

Trade Commissioner of the Dominion of Canada in New Zealand: W. A. Beddoe, Auckland. The agency at Sydney has been abolished.

BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONERS.

Australia: C. Hamilton Wickes, Melbourne (telegraphic address, “Combrit”).

Canada: Richard Grigg, Montreal (telegraphic address “Britcom”).

South Africa: R. Sothern Holland, Cape Town (telegraphic address, “Austere”).

New Zealand: G. H. P. Rolleston, Wellington (telegraphic address, “Advantage”).

Honours—Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George: Hon. W. Hall-Jones (1910). Knight Bachelor: Hon. C. C. Bowen (1910). Lady of Grace of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem: Mrs. S. A. Rhodes (1910). New Zealand Cross: Henry William Northeroft (1910, for services rendered in 1866).

Page 38.—Governor of New Zealand: Islington, His Excellency the Right Honourable John Poynder Dickson-Poynder, Baron (United Kingdom, 1910). Educated at Harrow and at Christchurch, Oxford. A Chairman of the Board of Trade Arbitration Court, Hon. Lieutenant in the army, and a Knight of Grace of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, in England. Formerly Lieutenant, 3rd Battalion Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) and Major and Hon. Lieut.-Colonel Royal Wilts Yeomanry. Served in South Africa, 1900, with 1st Battalion Imperial Yeomanry (Despatches, D.S.O.). Appointed a member of the Royal Commissions on London Traffic, 1904, and Trade Relations between Canada and the West Indies, 1908. M.P. for Wiltshire, 1892–1908. Member of the London County Council, 1898–1904.

Residences: 8 Chesterfield Gardens, Mayfair, London; Hartham Park, Corsham, Wilts, England; Government House, Wellington; Government House, Auckland.

Private Secretary: Robertson Kerr Clark, Esq.

1st Aide-de-Camp: Captain Gilbert Claude Hamilton, Grenadier Guards.

2nd Aide-de-Camp: Captain William John Shannon, 16th (the Queen's) Lancers.

3rd Aide-de-Camp: Captain Mark Makgill-Crichton-Maitland, Grenadier Guards.

Local Aide-de-Camp: Captain John Hugh Bosoawen (Honorary).

Page 41.—Legislative Council—Chairman of Committees: Hon. W. C. F. Carncross. Councillors: Hon. R. H. J. Reeves and Hon. Henry Scotland, deceased. Councillors: Hons. W. Beehan, S. T. George, T. K. Macdonald, and H. F. Wigram, reappointed.

Page 42.—House of Representatives.—Chairman of Committees; James Colvin, vice T. M. Wilford, resigned.

Page 43.—Members of Parliament.—Arthur Mielziner Myers elected for Auckland East, vice F. E. Baume, deceased.

Page 72.—Ecclesiastical—Church of England: The Right Rev. Moore Richard Neligan, D.D., Auckland, resigned; successor not appointed yet. Roman Catholic Church, Right Rev. Henry W. Cleary, DD., Bishop of Auckland, vice Bishop Lenihan, deceased.

Page 88.—Wellington—Harbourmaster's or berthing fee on vessels of 120 tons and upwards has been increased to 1d. per ton. Harbour-improvement rate is increased to 6d. per ton ou all inward and transhipment goods, with the exceptions mentioned. On coal, whether landed at the wharves or transhipped overside at the wharf, 1d. per ton.

Page 94.—Wellington—General merchandise: Wharfage and labour—Inwards, 2s. 8d. per ton; outwards, 1s. 4d. per ton. Wool: transhipments, if shifted more than half a mile, 6d. per bale. Railway wharfage: Inwards, 1s. 4d. per ton; outwards, 8d. per ton (without labour).

Page 95.—Wellington: Coal transhipped overside from one vessel to another, excluding labour—At wharves, 3d. per ton; in harbour, but not lying at wharf, 2d. per ton.

Page 150.—School attendance: Number belonging at beginning of year 1907 should read, 129,596.

Page 212.—Germany: Last line of paragraph, woodenware, £12,115, should appear under the heading “United States of America.”

Page 373.—Public Hospitals Expenditure, 31st March, 1910, should read,—

 £
Maintenance and administration181,031
New buildings and additions52,341
Other expenses4,268
 £237,640

Page 587.—Savings-banks: Deposits received during the year should read £9,611,120.

PART I.—INTRODUCTORY: OFFICIAL.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. NEW ZEALAND.

NEW ZEALAND, formerly a colony, has, since September, 1907, by Royal Proclamation, been granted the designation of “Dominion,” and is referred to accordingly in this book. It consists of three main islands, with several groups of smaller islands lying at some distance from the principal group. The main islands, known as the North, the South, and Stewart Islands, have a coastline 4,330 miles in length: North Island, 2,200 miles; South Island, 2,000 miles; and Stewart Island, 130 miles. Other islands included within the Dominion are the Chatham, Auckland, Campbell, Three Kings, Antipodes, Bounty, and Kermadec Islands. The annexation of the Cook and sundry other islands has necessitated an enlargement of the boundaries of the Dominion, which will be specially treated of further on.

New Zealand is mountainous in many parts, but has, nevertheless, large plains in both North and South Islands. In the North Island, which is highly volcanic, is situated the famous Thermal-Springs District, of which a special account will be given. The South Island is remarkable for its lofty mountains, with their magnificent glaciers, and for the deep sounds or fiords on the western coast.

New Zealand is firstly a pastoral and secondly an agricultural country. Sown grasses are grown almost everywhere, the extent of land laid down being more than thirteen millions and a half of acres. The soil is admirably adapted for receiving these grasses, and, after the bush has been burnt off, is mostly sown over without previous ploughing. In the South Island a large area is covered with native grasses, all used for grazing purposes. The large extent of good grazing-land has made the Dominion a great wool, meat, and dairy-produce country; while its agricultural capabilities are, speaking generally, very considerable. The abundance of water and the quantity of valuable timber are other natural advantages.

New Zealand is, besides, a mining country. Large deposits of coal are met with, chiefly on the west coast of the South Island. Gold, alluvial and in quartz, is found in both Islands, the yield having been over seventy-five millions and a half sterling in value to the present time. Full statistical information on this subject is given further on, compiled up to the latest dates.

Discovery and Early Settlement.

The first authentic account of the discovery of New Zealand is that given by Abel Jansen Tasman, the Dutch navigator. He left Batavia on the 14th August, 1642, in the yacht “Heemskirk,” accompanied by the “Zeehaen” (or “Sea-hen”) fly-boat. After having visited Mauritius, and discovered Tasmania, named by him “Van Diemen's Land,” in honour of Anthony van Diemen, Governor of the Dutch possessions in the East Indies, he steered eastward, and on the 13th December of the same year sighted the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand, described by him as “a high mountainous country, which is at present marked in the charts as New Zealand.”

Tasman, under the belief that the land he saw belonged to a great polar continent, and was part of the country discovered some years before by Schouten and Le Maire, to which the name of Staaten Land had been given, gave the same name of Staaten Land to New Zealand; but within about three months afterwards Schouten's “Staaten Land” was found to be merely an inconsiderable island. Upon this discovery being announced, the country that Tasman had called Staaten Land received again the name of “New Zealand,” by which it has ever since been known. Tasman sailed along the coast to a bay, where he anchored. To this he gave the name of Murderers (since termed Massacre or Golden) Bay, on account of an unprovoked attack on a boat's crew by the Natives, and the massacre of four white men. Thence he steered along the west coast of the North Island, and gave the name of Cape Maria van Diemen to the north-western extremity thereof. After sighting the islands of the Three Kings he finally departed, not having set foot in the country.

There is no record of any visit to New Zealand after Tasman's departure until the time of Captain Cook, who, after leaving the Society Islands, sailed in search of a southern continent then believed to exist. He sighted land on the 6th October, 1769, at Young Nick's Head, and on the 8th of that month cast anchor in Poverty Bay. After having coasted round the North Island and the South and Stewart Islands—which last he mistook for part of the South Island—he took his departure from Cape Farewell on the 31st March, 1770, for Australia. He visited New Zealand again in 1773, in 1774, and in 1777.

M. de Surville, a French officer in command of the vessel “Saint Jean Baptiste,” while on a voyage of discovery, sighted the north-east coast of New Zealand on the 12th December, 1769, and remained for a short time. A visit was soon after paid by another French officer, M. Marion du Fresne, who arrived on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand on the 24th March, 1772, but was, on the 12th June following, murdered at the Bay of Islands by the Natives.

In 1793 the “Dædalus,” under the command of Lieutenant Hanson, was sent by the Government of New South Wales to New Zealand, and two chiefs were taken thence to Norfolk Island. There was after this an occasional intercourse between the islands of New Zealand and the English settlements in New South Wales.

In 1814 the first missionaries arrived in New Zealand—Messrs. Hall and Kendall—who had been sent as forerunners by Mr. Marsden, chaplain to the New South Wales Government. After a short stay they returned to New South Wales, and on the 19th November of that year again embarked in company with Mr. Marsden, who preached his first sermon in New Zealand on Christmas Day, 1814. He returned to Sydney on the 23rd March, 1815, leaving Messrs. Hall and Kendall, who formed the first mission station at Rangihoua, Bay of Islands, under the auspices of the Church Missionary Society. Six years later, in 1821, the work of evangelization was put on a more durable basis; but the first station of the Wesleyan mission, established by Mr. Leigh and his wife, at the valley of the Kaeo, Whangaroa, was not taken possession of until the 10th June, 1823.

Colonisation.

The first attempt at colonisation was made in 1825 by a company formed in London. An expedition was sent out under the command of Captain Herd, who bought two islands in the Hauraki Gulf and a strip of land at Hokianga. The attempt, however, was a failure, owing to the savage character of the inhabitants. In consequence of frequent visits of whaling-vessels to the Bay of Islands, a settlement grew up at Kororareka—now called Russell—and in 1833 Mr. Busby was appointed British Resident there. A number of Europeans gradually settled in different parts of the country, and married Native women.

In 1838 a colonisation company, known as the New Zealand Company, was formed to establish settlement on systematic principles. A preliminary expedition, under the command of Colonel William Wakefield, was despatched from England on the 12th May, 1839, and arrived in New Zealand in the following August. Having purchased land from the Natives, Colonel Wakefield selected the shore of Port Nicholson, in Cook Strait, as the site of the first settlement. On the 22nd January, 1840, the first body of immigrants arrived, and founded the town of Wellington. About the same time —namely, on the 29th January, 1840—Captain Hobson, R.N., arrived at the Bay of Islands, empowered, with the consent of the Natives, to proclaim the sovereignty of Queen Victoria over the Islands of New Zealand, and to assume the government thereof. A compact called the Treaty of Waitangi, to which in less than six months five hundred and twelve names were affixed, was entered into, whereby all rights and powers of sovereignty were ceded to the Queen, all territorial rights being secured to the chiefs and their tribes. New Zealand was then constituted a dependency of the Colony of New South Wales, but on the 3rd May, 1841, was proclaimed a separate colony. The seat of Government had been previously established at Waitemata (Auckland), round which a settlement was formed.

The New Zealand Company having decided to form another settlement, to which the name of “Nelson” was to be given, despatched a preliminary expedition from England in April, 1841, for the purpose of selecting a site. The spot chosen was the head of Blind Bay, where a settlement was established. About the same time a number of pioneers arrived in Taranaki, despatched thither by the New Plymouth Company, a colonising society which had been formed in England, and had bought 50,000 acres of land from the New Zealand Company.

The next important event in the progress of colonisation was the arrival at Port Chalmers, on the 23rd March, 1848, of the first of two emigrant ships sent out by the Otago Association for the foundation of a settlement by persons belonging to or in sympathy with the Free Church of Scotland.

In 1849 the “Canterbury Association for founding a Settlement in New Zealand” was incorporated. On the 16th December, 1850, the first emigrant ship despatched by the association arrived at Port Cooper, and the work of opening up the adjoining country was set about in a systematic fashion, the intention of the promoters being to establish a settlement complete in itself, and composed entirely of members of the then United Church of England and Ireland.

The Maoris.

Prior to the colonisation of New Zealand by Europeans, the earliest navigators and explorers found a race of people already inhabiting both Islands. Papers written in 1874 by Mr. (afterwards Sir) William Fox and Sir Donald McLean (then Native Minister) state that at what time the discovery of these Islands was made by the Maoris, or from what place they came, are matters of tradition only, and that much has been lost in the obscurity enveloping the history of a people without letters. Nor is there anything on record respecting the origin of the Maori people themselves, beyond the general tradition of the Polynesian race, which seems to show a series of successive migrations from west to east, probably by way of Malaysia to the Pacific. Little more can now be gathered from their traditions than that they were immigrants and that they probably found inhabitants on the east coast of the North Island belonging to the same race as themselves—the descendants of a prior migration, whose history is lost. The tradition runs that, generations ago, the Maoris dwelt in a country named Hawaiki, and that one of their chiefs, after a long voyage, reached the northern island of New Zealand. Returning to his home with a flattering description of the country he had discovered, this chief, it is said, persuaded a number of his kinsfolk and friends, who were much harassed by war, to set out with a fleet of double canoes for the new land. The names of most of the canoes are still remembered, and each tribe agrees in its account of the doings of the people of the principal canoes after their arrival in New Zealand; and from these traditional accounts the descent of the numerous tribes has been traced. Calculations, based on the genealogical staves kept by the tohungas, or priests, and on the well-authenticated traditions of the people, indicate that about twenty-one generations have passed since the migration, which may therefore be assumed to have taken place about five hundred and twenty-five years ago. The position of the legendary Hawaiki is unknown, but many places in the South Seas have been thus named in memory of the motherland. The Maoris speak a very pure dialect of the Polynesian language, the common tongue, with more or less variation, in all the eastern Pacific islands. When Captain Cook first visited New Zealand he availed himself of the services of a Native from Tahiti, whose speech was easily understood by the Maoris. In this way much information respecting the early history of the country and its inhabitants was obtained which could not have otherwise been had.

For results of recent researches as to probable origin of the Maoris, see Year-book for 1901.

Boundaries and Area.

The Proclamation of Captain Hobson on the 30th January, 1840, gave as the boundaries of what was then the colony the following degrees of latitude and longitude: On the north, 31° 30' S. lat.; on the south, 47° 10' S. lat.; on the east, 179° 0' E. long.; on the west, 166° 5' E. long. These limits excluded small portions of the extreme north of the North Island and of the extreme south of Stewart Island.

In April, 1842, by Royal Letters Patent, and again by the Imperial Act 26 and 27 Vict., c. 23 (1863), the boundaries were altered so as to extend from 33° to 53° of south latitude and from 162° of east longitude to 173° of west longitude. By Proclamation bearing date the 21st July, 1887, the Kermadec Islands, lying between the 29th and 32nd degrees of south latitude and the 177th and 180th degrees of west longitude, were declared to be annexed to and to become part of the then Colony of New Zealand.

By Proclamation bearing date the 10th June, 1901, the Cook Group of islands, and all the other islands and territories situate within the boundary-lines mentioned in the following Schedule, were included:—

A line commencing at a point at the intersection of the twenty-third degree of south latitude and the one-hundred-and-fifty-sixth degree of longitude west of Greenwich, and proceeding due north to the point of intersection of the eighth degree of south latitude and the one-hundred-and-fifty-sixth degree of longitude west of Greenwich; thence due west to the point-of intersection of the eighth degree of south latitude and the one-hundred-and-sixty-seventh degree of longitude west of Greenwich; thence due south to the point of intersection of the seventeenth degree of south latitude and the one-hundred-and-sixty-seventh degree of longitude west of Greenwich; thence due west to the point of intersection of the seventeenth degree of south latitude and the one-hundred-and-seventieth degree of longitude west of Greenwich; thence due south to the point of intersection of the twenty-third degree of south latitude and the one-hundred-and seventieth degree of longitude west of Greenwich; and thence due east to the point of intersection of the twenty-third degree of south latitude and the one-hundred-and-fifty-sixth degree of longitude west of Greenwich.

The following now constitutes the Dominion of New Zealand:—

  1. The island commonly known as the North Island, with its adjacent islets, having an aggregate area of 44,468 square miles, or 28,459,520 acres.

  2. The island known as the South Island, with adjacent islets, having an aggregate area of 58,525 square miles, or 37,456,000 acres.

  3. Stewart Island, and adjacent islets, having an area of 665 square miles, or 425,390 acres.

  4. The Chatham Islands, situate 536 miles eastward of Lyttelton in the South Island, with an area of 375 square miles, or 239,920 acres.

  5. The Auckland Islands, about 200 miles south of Stewart Island, extending about 30 miles from north to south, and nearly 15 from east to west, the area being 210,650 acres.

  6. Campbell Island, in latitude 52° 33' 26” south, and longitude 169° 8' 41” west, about 30 miles in circumference, with an area of 45,440 acres.

  7. The Antipodes Islands, about 458 miles in a south-easterly direction from Port Chalmers, in the South Island. These are detached rocky islands, and extend over a distance of between 4 and 5 miles from north to south. Area, 12,960 acres.

  8. The Bounty Islands, a small group of islets, thirteen in number, lying north of the Antipodes Islands, and about 415 miles in an east-south-easterly direction from Port Chalmers. Area, 3,300 acres.

  9. The Kermadec Islands, a group lying about 614 miles to the north-east of Russell. in the Bay of Islands. Raoul, or Sunday Island, the largest of these, is about 20 miles in circuit. The next in size is Macaulay Island, about 3 miles round. Area of the group, 8,208 acres.

  10. Islands forming the Cook Group:—

    Rarotonga.—Distance from Auckland, 1,638 miles; circumference, 20 miles; height, 2,920 ft.

    Mangaia.—Distance from Rarotonga, 116 miles; circumference, 30 miles; height, 656 it.

    Atiu.—Distance from Rarotonga, 116 miles: circumference, 20 miles; height, 374 ft.

    Aitutaki.—Distance from Rarotonga, 140 miles; circumference, 12 miles: height, 366 ft.

    Mauke.—Distance from Rarotonga, 150 miles; circumference, 6 miles; height, about 60 ft.

    Mitiaro.—Distant from Rarotonga, 140 miles; circumference, 5 miles; height, about 50 ft.

    Takutea.—Distant from Rarotonga, 125 miles.

    The Herveys (Manuae and Aoutu).—Distant from Rarotonga, 120 miles.

    Total area of above Group, 150 square miles.

  11. Islands outside the Cook Group:—

Savage or Niue.—Distance from Rarotonga, 580 miles; circumference, 40 miles; height, 200 ft.; area, about 100 square miles.

Palmerston.—Distance from Rarotonga, 273 miles; an atoll, 4 miles by 2 miles.

Penrhyn, or Tongareva.—Distance 735 miles from Rarotonga; an atoll, 12 miles by 7 miles.

Humphrey, or Manahiki.—Distance from Rarotonga, 650 miles; an atoll, 6 miles by 5 miles.

Rierson, or Rakaanga.—Distance from Rarotonga, 670 miles; an atoll, 3 miles by 3 miles.

Danger, or Pukapuka.—Distance from Rarotonga, 700 miles; an atoll, 3 miles by 3 miles.

Suwarrow.—Distance from Rarotonga, 530 miles; an atoll.

Total area of islands outside the Cook Group, 130 square miles.

The total area of the Dominion is thus about 104,751 square miles, of which the aggregate area of the outlying groups of islands that are practically useless for settlement amounts to about 498 square miles.

Area of the States of Australia.

The areas of the several Australian States, as stated by different authorities, vary considerably. The total area of the Australian Continent is given as 2,944,628 square miles, according to a computation made by the late Surveyor-General of Victoria, Mr. J. A. Skene, from a map of Continental Australia compiled and engraved under his direction; but the following areas are taken from latest official records:—

 Square Miles.
Queensland670,500
New South Wales310,372
Victoria87,884
South Australia903,690
Western Australia975,920
            Total, Continent of Australia2,948,366
Tasmania26,215
            Total, Commonwealth of Australia2,974,581

The size of these States (with New Zealand) may be better realised by comparison of their areas with those of European countries. The areas of the following countries—Austria-Hungary, Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, Portugal, Spain, Italy (including Sardinia and Sicily), Switzerland, Greece, Roumania, Bulgaria, Servia, Eastern Roumelia, and Turkey in Europe—containing on the whole rather less than 1,600,000 square miles, amount to little more than half the extent of the Australian Continent. If the area of Russia in Europe be added to those of the other countries the total would be about one-seventh larger than the Australian Continent, and about one-twelfth larger than the Australian States, with New Zealand.

Area of the Dominion of New Zealand.

The area of the Dominion of New Zealand is about one-seventh less than the area of Great Britain and Ireland, the South Island of New Zealand being a little larger than the combined areas of England and Wales.

United KingdomArea in Square Miles.
England and Wales58,311
Scotland30,463
Ireland32,531
            Total121,305
New Zealand.Area in Square Miles.
North Island44,468
South Island58,225
Stewart Island665
Chatham Islands375
Other islands718
            Total104,751

Physical Features of the North Island.

The North Island extends over a little more than seven degrees of latitude, a distance in a direct line from north to south of 430 geographical or 198 statute miles; but, as the northern portion of the Dominion, which covers more than three degrees of latitude, trends to the westward, the distance in a straight line from the North Cape to Cape Palliser, the extreme northerly and southerly points of the island, is about 515 statute miles.

This Island is, as a whole, hilly, and in parts mountainous in character, but there are large areas of plain or comparatively level country that are, or by clearing may be made, available for agricultural purposes. Of these, the principal are the plains in Hawke's Bay on the east coast, the Wairarapa Plain in the Wellington District, and a strip of country along the west coast, about 250 miles in length, extending from a point about thirty miles from the City of Wellington to a little north of New Plymouth. The largest plain in the North Island, Kaingaroa, extends from the shore of Lake Taupo in a north-north-easterly direction to the sea-coast in the Bay of Plenty; but a great part of it is covered with pumicesand, and is unfit for tillage or pasture. There are several smaller plains and numerous valleys suitable for agriculture. The level or undulating country in this Island fit, or capable of being made fit, for agriculture has been roughly estimated at 13,000,000 acres. This includes lands now covered with standing forest and swamps that can be drained; also large areas of clay-marl and pumice-covered land. The clay-marl in its natural state is cold and uninviting to the farmer, but under proper drainage and cultivation it can be brought to a high state of productiveness. This kind of land is generally neglected at the present time, as settlers prefer soils more rapidly remunerative and less costly to work. The larger portion of the North Island was originally covered with forest. Although the area of bush land is still very great, yet year by year the amount is being reduced, chiefly to meet the requirements of settlement, the trees being cut down and burnt, and grass-seed sown on the ashes to create pasture. Hilly as the country is, yet from the nature of the climate it is especially suited for the growth of English grasses, which will flourish wherever there is any soil, however steep the land may be; once laid down in grass very little of the land is too poor to supply food for cattle and sheep. The area of land in the North Island deemed purely pastoral or capable of being made so, while too steep for agricultural purposes, is estimated at 14,200,000 acres. In the centre of the Island is a lake, about twenty miles across either way, called Taupo. A large area adjacent to the lake is pumice country. The Waikato River, the largest in the North Island, flows out of the north-eastern corner of this lake, and runs thence north-westward until it enters the ocean a little distance south of the Manukau Harbour. This river is navigable for small steamers for about a hundred miles from its mouth. The Maori King-country, partly occupied by Natives who for several years isolated themselves from Europeans, lies between Lake Taupo and the western coast. The River Thames, or Waihou, having its sources north of Lake Taupo, flows northward into the Firth of Thames. It is navigable for about fifty miles, but only for small steamers. The other navigable rivers in this island are the Wairoa (Kaipara), the Wanganui, and the Manawatu, the two last of which flow towards the south-west into Cook Strait.

The mountains in the North Island are estimated to occupy about one-tenth of the surface, and do not exceed 4,000 ft. in height, with the exception of a few volcanic mountains that are more lofty. Of these, the three following are the most important:—

  1. The Tongariro Mountain, situated to the south ward of Lake Taupo. It consists of a group of distinct volcanic cones, the lava-streams from which have so overlapped in their descent as to form one compact mountain-mass at the base. The highest of these cones is called Ngauruhoe, and attains an elevation of 7,515 ft. The craters of Ngauruhoe, the Red Crater (6,140 ft.), and Te Mari (4,990 ft.) are the three vents from which the latest discharges of lava have taken place, the most recent having occurred in 1868. These craters are still active, steam and vapour issuing from them with considerable force and noise, the vapours, charged with pungent gases and acids, making it dangerous to approach too near the crater-lips. An unusual disturbance occurred in 1909, a quantity of scoria-ash being discharged, but no lava.

  2. Ruapehu. This mountain lies to the south of Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. It is a volcanic cone in the solfatara stage, and reaches the height of 9,008 ft., being in part considerably above the line of perpetual snow. The most remarkable feature of this mountain is the crater lake on its summit, which is subject to slight and intermittent eruptions, giving rise to vast quantities of steam. In March, 1895, such an eruption took place, forming a few hot springs on the margin of the lake, and increasing the heat in the lake itself. This lake lies at the bottom of a funnel-shaped crater, the steep sides of which are mantled with ice and snow. The water occupies a circular basin about 500 ft. in diameter, some 300 ft. below the enclosing peaks, and is quite inaccessible except by the use of ropes. This lake, and the three craters previously mentioned on Tongariro, are all in one straight line, which, if produced, would pass through the boiling springs at Tokaanu on the southern margin of Lake Taupo, the volcanic country north-east of that lake, and White Island, an active volcano in the Bay of Plenty, situated about twenty-seven miles from the mainland.

  3. Mount Egmont. This is an extinct volcanic cone, rising to a height of 8,260 ft. The upper part is always covered with snow. This mountain is situated close to New Plymouth, and is surrounded by one of the most fertile districts in New Zealand. Rising from the plains in solitary grandeur, it is an object of extreme beauty, the cone being one of the most perfect in the world.

It is estimated that the area of mountain-tops and barren country at too high an altitude for sheep, and therefore worthless for pastoral purposes, amounts, in the North Island, to 300,000 acres.

Without a doubt the hot springs form the most remarkable feature of the North Island. They are found over a large area, extending from Tongariro, south of Lake Taupo, to Ohaeawai, in the extreme north—a distance of some 300 miles; but the principal seat of hydrothermal action appears to be in the neighbourhood of Lake Rotorua, about forty miles north-north-east from Lake Taupo. By the destruction of the famed Pink and White Terraces at Lake Rotomahana during the eruption of Mount Tarawera on the 10th June, 1886, the neighbourhood has been deprived of attractions unique in character and of unrivalled beauty; but the natural features of the country—the numerous lakes, geysers, and hot springs, some of which possess remarkable curative properties in certain complaints—are still very attractive to tourists and invalids. The world-wide importance of conserving this region as a sanatorium for all time has been recognised by the Government, and it is dedicated by Act of Parliament to that purpose.

Notwithstanding the length of coast-line, good harbours in the North Island are not numerous. Those on the west coast north of New Plymouth are bar harbours, unsuitable for large vessels. The principal harbours are the Waitemata Harbour, on which Auckland is situated—this is rather a deep estuary than a harbour; several excellent havens in the northern peninsula; and Port Nicholson, on the borders of which Wellington is situated. This is a landlocked harbour, about six miles across, having a comparatively narrow but deep entrance from the ocean. The water is deep nearly throughout.

The Cape Colville Peninsula contains gold-bearing quartz, and at the southern end rich gold is being found in the Ohinemuri County got from the famous Waihi Mine.

Cook Strait.

Cook Strait separates the North and South Islands. It is some sixteen miles across at its narrowest part, but in the widest about ninety. The strait is invaluable for the purpose of traffic between different parts of the Dominion.

Physical Features of the South Island.

The extreme length of the South Island, from Jackson's Head, in Cook Strait, to Puysegur Point, at the extreme south-west, is about 525 statute miles; the greatest distance across at any point is in Otago (the southernmost) District, about 180 miles.

The South Island is intersected along almost its entire length by a range of mountains known as the Southern Alps. Some of the summits reach a height of from 10,000 ft. to 12,000 ft., Mount Cook, the highest peak, rising to 12,349 ft.

In the south, in the neighbourhood of the sounds and Lake Te Anau, there are many magnificent peaks, which, though not of great height, are, owing to their latitude, nearly all crowned with perpetual ice and snow. Further north the mountains increase in height—Mount Earnslaw, at Lake Wakatipu; and Mount Aspiring, which has been aptly termed the New Zealand Matterhorn, 9,949 it. in height, at Lake Wanaka. Northward of this again are Mount Cook (or Aorangi), Mount Sefton, and other grand peaks.

For beauty and grandeur of scenery the Southern Alps of New Zealand may worthily compare with, while in point of variety they are said actually to surpass, the Alps of Switzerland. In New Zealand few of the mountains have been scaled; many of the peaks and most of the glaciers are as yet unnamed; and there is still, in parts of the South Island, a fine field for exploration and discovery—geographical, geological, and botanical. The wonders of the Southern Alps are only beginning to be known; but the more they are known the more they are appreciated. The snow-line in New Zealand being so much lower than in Switzerland, the scenery, though the mountains are not quite so high, is of surpassing grandeur.

There are extensive glaciers on both sides of the range, those on the west being of exceptional beauty, as, from the greater abruptness of the mountain-slopes on that side, they descend to within about 700ft. of the sea-level, and into the midst of the evergreen forest. The largest glaciers on either side of the range are easily accessible.

The following gives the sizes of some of the glaciers on the eastern slope:—

Name.Area of Glacier.Length of Glacier.Greatest Width.Average Width.
 Acres.Miles ch.Miles ch.Miles ch.
Tasman13,66418    02    141    15
Murchison5,80010    701    50    66
Godley5,3128    01    551    3
Mueller3,2008    00    610    50
Hooker2,4167    250    540    41

The Alletsch Glacier in Switzerland, according to Ball, in the “Alpine Guide,” has an average width of one mile. It is in length and width inferior to the Tasman Glacier.

Numerous sounds or fiords penetrate the south-western coast. They are long, narrow, and deep (the depth of water at the upper part of Milford Sound is 1,270 ft., although at the entrance only 130 ft.), surrounded by giant mountains clothed with foliage to the snow-line, with waterfalls, glaciers, and snowfields at every turn. Some of the mountains rise almost precipitously from the water's edge to 5,000 ft. and 6,000 ft. above the sea. Near Milford, the finest of these sounds, is the great Sutherland Waterfall, 1,904 ft. high.

The general surface of the northern portion of the South Island, comprising the Provincial Districts of Nelson and Marlborough, is mountainous, but the greater part is suitable for grazing purposes. There are some fine valleys and small plains suitable for agriculture, of which the Wairau Valley or Plain is the largest. Deep sounds, extending for many miles, break the coast-line abutting on Cook Strait. The City of Nelson is situated at the head of Blind Bay, which has a depth inwards from Cook Strait of about forty statute miles.

The Provincial District of Canterbury lies to the south of the Marlborough District, and on the eastern side of the Island. Towards the north the land is undulating; then there is a stretch of almost perfectly level country extending towards the south-west 160 miles, after which, on the south, the country is undulating as far as the borders of the Otago District. On the east a block of hill country rises abruptly from the plain and extends for some miles seaward. This is Banks Peninsula, containing several good harbours, the principal being Port Cooper, on the north, on which is situated Lyttelton, the chief port of the district: the harbour of Akaroa, one of the finest in the Dominion, is on the southern coast of this peninsula.

The District of Otago is, on the whole, mountainous, but has many fine plains and valleys suitable for tillage. The mountains, except towards the west coast, are generally destitute of timber, and suitable for grazing sheep. There are goldfields of considerable extent in the interior of this district. The inland lakes are also very remarkable features. Lake Wakatipu extends over fifty-four miles in length, but its greatest width is not more than four miles, and its area only 114 square miles. It is 1,070 ft. above sea-level, and has a depth varying from 1,170 ft. to 1,296 ft. Te Anau Lake is somewhat larger, having an area of 132 square miles. These lakes are bounded on the west by broken, mountainous, and wooded country, extending to the ocean.

The chief harbours in Otago are Port Chalmers, at the head of which Dunedin is situated, and the Bluff Harbour, at the extreme south.

The District of Westland, extending along the west coast of the South Island, abreast of Canterbury, is more or less auriferous throughout. The western slopes of the central range of mountains are clothed with forest trees to the snow-line; but on the eastern side timber is scarce, natural grasses covering the ground.

The rivers in the South Island are for the most part mountain-torrents, fed by glaciers in the principal mountain-ranges. When the snow melts they rise in flood, forming, where not confined by rocky walls, beds of considerable width, generally covered by enormous deposits of shingle. The largest river in the Dominion as regards volume of water is the Clutha. It is 154 miles in length, but is only navigable for boats or small river-steamers for about thirty miles. The Rivers Buller, Grey, and Hokitika, on the west coast, are navigable for a short distance from their mouths. They form the only ports in the Nelson South-west and Westland Districts. In their unimproved state they admitted, owing to the bars at their mouths, none but vessels of small draught; but, in consequence of the importance of the Grey and Buller Rivers as the sole ports available for the coal-export trade, large harbour-works have been undertaken, resulting in the deepening of the beds of these rivers, and giving a depth up to 26 ft. of water on the bars.

The area of level or undulating land in the South Island available for agriculture is estimated at about 15,000,000 acres. About 13,000,000 are suitable for pastoral purposes only, or may become so when cleared of forest and sown with grass-seed. The area of barren land and mountain-tops is estimated at about 9,000,000 acres.

Stewart Island.

Foveaux Strait separates the South from Stewart Island. This last island has an area of only 425,390 acres.

Stewart Island is a great tourist resort during the summer months, and is easily reached by steamer from the Bluff, distant about 25 miles.

The principal peak is Mount Anglem, 3,200 ft. above sea-level, which has an extinct crater at its summit. Most of the island is rugged and forest-clad; the climate is mild, frost being seldom experienced; and the soil, when cleared of bush, is fertile.

The chief attractions are the numerous bays and fiords. Paterson Inlet is a magnificent sheet of water, about ten miles by four miles, situated close to Half-moon Bay, the principal port, where over two hundred people live. Horseshoe Bay and Port William are within easy reach of Half-moon Bay. Port Pegasus, a land-locked sheet of water about eight miles by a mile and a half, is a very fine harbour. At “The Neck” (Paterson Inlet) there is a Native settlement of Maoris and half-castes. The bush is generally very dense, with thick undergrowth. Rata, black-pine, white-pine, miro, and totara are the principal timber trees. Fish are to be had in great abundance and variety; oysters form an important industry. Wild pigeons, ducks, and mutton-birds are plentiful.

The Outlying Islands.

The outlying group of the CHATHAM ISLANDS, lying between the parallels of 43° 30' and 44° 30' south latitude, and the meridians of 175° 40' and 177° 15' west longitude, 480 statute miles, east-south-east from Wellington, and 536 miles eastward of Lyttelton, consists of two principal islands and several unimportant islets. They were discovered by Lieutenant Broughton and named by him in honour of the Earl of Chatham. The largest island contains about 222,490 acres, of which an irregularly-shaped lake or lagoon absorbs 45,960 acres. About one-quarter of the surface of the land is covered with forest, the rest with fern or grass. The hills nowhere rise to a great height. Pitt Island is the next in size; the area is 15,330 acres. The greater portion of both islands is used for grazing sheep.

The KERMADEC GROUP of islands, four in number, is situated between 29° 10' and 31° 30' south latitude, and between 177° 45' and 179° west longitude. They are named Raoul or Sunday Island, Macaulay Island, Curtis Islands, and L'Espérance or French Rock. The principal island, Sunday, is 600 miles distant from Auckland, and lies a little more than half-way to Tonga, but 100 miles to the eastward of the direct steam route to that place. It is 300 miles eastward of the steam route to Fiji, and 150 miles westward of the steam route from Auckland to Rarotonga. Macaulay Island (named after the father of Lord Macaulay) and Curtis Island were discovered in May, 1788, by Lieutenant Watts, in the “Penrhyn” a transport ship. The remainder of the group was discovered in 1793, by Admiral Bruni d'Entrecasteaux. The Admiral gave the name of “Kermadec” to the whole group of islands, after the captain of his consort ship “L'Espérance,” and the name of the Admiral's ship “La Recherche” was given to the largest island. The name so given was not continued, but that of “Raoul” has taken its place, which would appear to have been given after the sailing-master of the “La Recherche,” whose name was Joseph Raoul. The name of “Sunday” may also have become attached to the island from the fact that it was discovered on a Sunday. The islands are volcanic, and in two of them signs of activity are still to be seen. The rainfall is plentiful, but not excessive. The climate is mild and equable, and slightly warmer than the north of New Zealand. The following are the areas of the islands and islets of the group: Sunday Island, 7,200 acres; Herald group of islets, 85 acres; Macaulay Island, 764 acres; Curtis Islands, 128 acres and 19 acres; L'Espérance, 12 acres: total, 8,208 acres. Sunday Island is twenty miles in circumference, roughly triangular in shape, and at the highest point 1,723 ft. above the sea-level. It is rugged and broken over a very large extent of its surface, and, except in a few places, covered with forest. The soil everywhere on the island is very rich, being formed by the decomposition of a dark-coloured pumiceous tuff and a black andesitic lava, with which is closely mixed a fine vegetable mould. The great luxuriance and richness of the vegetation bear witness to the excellence of the soil, which is everywhere—except where destroyed by eruptions, and on the steep cliffs—the same rich loam. Want of water is one of the drawbacks. Three of the four lakes on the island are fresh, but so difficult of approach as to be practically useless.

The AUCKLAND ISLANDS were discovered during a whaling voyage on 18th August, 1806, by Captain Abraham Bristow, in the ship “Ocean.” The discoverer named the group after Lord Auckland, again visited the islands in 1807 and then took formal possession of them. They lie about 290 miles south of Bluff Harbour, their accepted position being given as latitude 50° 32' S., and longitude 166° 13' E. They have several good harbours. Port Ross, at the north end of the principal island, was described by the eminent French commander D'Urville, as one of the best harbours of refuge in the known world. At the southern end of the island there is a through passage extending from the east to the west coast. It has been variously named Adams Strait and Carnley Harbour, and forms a splendid sheet of water. The largest of the islands is about 27 miles long by about 15 miles broad, and is very mountainous, the highest part being about 2,000 ft. above the sea. The west coast is bold and precipitous, but the east coast has several inlets. The wood on the island is, owing to the strong prevailing wind, scrubby in character. The New Zealand Government maintains at this island a depot of provisions and clothing for the use of shipwrecked mariners.

The THREE KINGS, a cluster of islands lying thirty-eight miles west-north-west of Cape Maria van Diemen; accepted position, 34° 6' 20” south, and longitude 172° 9' 45” east. They were discovered in 1643 by Tasman, and named in honour of the day of the discovery, it being the feast of the Epiphany.

The ANTIPODES, an isolated group, consisting of several detached rocky islands lying nearly north and south over a space of four to five miles; accepted position, 49° 41' 15” south, and longitude 178° 43' east.

The BOUNTY ISLANDS, a little cluster of islets, thirteen in number and without verdure, discovered in 1788 by Captain Bligh, R.N., of H.M.S. “Bounty.” Position verified by observation, 47° 43' south, longitude 179° 0 1/2' east.

CAMPBELL ISLAND was discovered in 1810 by Frederick Hazelburgh, master of the brig “Perseverance,” owned by Mr. Robert Campbell, of Sydney. It is mountainous, and of a circumference of about thirty miles. There are several good harbours.

The COOK ISLANDS, with others now included within the extended boundaries of the Dominion, are as under:*

RAROTONGA (Cook Group): A magnificent island, rising to a height of 3,000 ft., clothed to the tops of the mountains with splendid vegetation. It has abundant streams, considerable tracts of sloping land, and rich alluvial valleys. The two harbours are poor.

MANGAIA, the south-easternmost of the Cook Group, is of volcanic origin, and about thirty miles in circumference. The productions, which are numerous and cheap, are obtained by assiduous labour.

ATIU (Cook Group) resembles Mangaia in appearance and extent. It is a mere bank of coral, 10 ft. or 12 ft. high, steep and rugged, except where there are small sandy beaches and some clefts, when the ascent is gradual.

AITUTAKI (Cook Group) presents a most fruitful appearance, its shores being bordered by flat land, on which are innumerable cocoanut and other trees, the higher ground being beautifully interspersed with lawns. It is eighteen miles in circuit.

MAUKE or Parry Island (Cook Group) is a low-lying island; it is about two miles in diameter, well wooded, and inhabited.

MITIARO (Cook Group) is a low-lying island, from three to four miles long and one mile wide.

HERVEY ISLANDS (Cook Group): This group consists of two islands, surrounded by a reef, which may be 10 1/2 miles in circumference.

* See Part IV, “Notes on Cook and other Islands” following descriptions of land districts.

NIUE, or Savage Island, lying east of the Friendly Islands, is a coral island, thirty-six miles in circumference, rising to a height of 200 ft. It has the usual tropical productions.

PALMERSTON ISLAND, lying about 500 miles east of Niue and about 220 from the nearest island of the Cook Group (Aitutaki), is remarkable as the “San Pablo” of Magellan, the first island discovered in the South Sea. It has no harbour. The soil is fairly fertile, and there is some good hardwood timber.

PENRHYN ISLAND (Tongareva) lies about 300 miles north-east of Manahiki. It is one of the most famous pearl islands in the Pacific, and there is a splendid harbour, a lagoon with two entrances, fit for ships of any size.

MANAHIKI, lying about 400 miles eastward of Danger Island, is an atoll, about thirty miles in circumference, valuable from the extent of the cocoanut groves. The interior lagoon contains a vast deposit of pearl-shell.

RAKAANGA is an atoll, three miles in length and of equal breadth.

DANGER ISLAND (Pukapuka): Next to the 10th parallel, but rather north of the latitude of the Navigators, and east of them are a number of small atolls. Of these, the nearest to the Samoan Group—about 500 miles—is Danger Island, bearing north-west of Suwarrow about 250 miles.

SUWARROW ISLAND has one of the best harbours in the Pacific. It lies about 500 miles east of Apia, the capital of the Samoan Group. It is a coral atoll, of a triangular form, fifty miles in circumference, the reef having an average width of half a mile across, enclosing a land-locked lagoon twelve miles by eight, which forms an excellent harbour. The entrance is half a mile wide, and the accommodation permits of ships riding in safety in all weathers, with depths of from three to thirty fathoms. It is out of the track of hurricanes, uninhabited, but capable by its fertility of supporting a small population. As a depot for the collection of trade from the various islands it ought to be very valuable.

The Climate of New Zealand.

The climate of New Zealand is determined by the geographical situation of the Islands with respect to the Equator, and their isolated position in the great Pacific Ocean. Its latitude in the Southern Hemisphere corresponds very nearly with that of Italy in the Boreal—Auckland having about the same latitude as Cape Passaro, in the south of Sicily, Wellington the same as Naples, Christchurch the same as Florence, and Dunedin the same as Venice. Although the weather is not always or everywhere comparable with the best in Italy, yet, on the whole, the climate of New Zealand is by no means inferior to the Italian. Its freedom from intense heat in summer and cold in winter are distinct advantages to animal and vegetable life, and one only needs to point out that, while continental lands are exposed by turns to winds that in summer bear radiant heat, and in winter bring piercing cold, yet, as the waters of the ocean are subject to but little change upon their surface, and tend always to modify the atmosphere in their vicinity, so warmth is preserved in winter, and the heat of summer is tempered by their influence. Thus the surrounding ocean gives to New Zealand not only the marvellous salubrity it enjoys, but insures that equability of temperature and abundant rainfall which afford it one of the best climates in the world. It must also be borne in mind that no part of New Zealand is more than seventy-five miles distant from the greatest ocean in the world. On account of its great length, however—stretching as it does from latitude 34° southwards for a thousand miles—it is exposed to different conditions of insolation, and other local variations of climate are accounted for by differences of aspect, exposure to prevailing winds, and, above all, by the influence of the lofty mountain-chains which intersect the country.

The climate of the Dominion can best be studied by reference to standards of the whole compiled from a collection of meteorological statistics of various parts. It is thus possible for any one to arrive at valuable conclusions with regard to the climatic conditions prevailing in different districts by making simple meteorological allowances for aspect, latitude, elevation, &c. For example, temperature decreases 1° Fahr. for every 300 ft. of altitude, and in this country by about the same amount for each degree of latitude southwards.

Means or averages of the various climatic elements are used for the sake of comparison between different seasons and countries, and the climatological means compiled in the Meteorological Office of New Zealand are based upon results obtained from reliable standardised instruments and a carefully selected number of representative stations. By taking a number of these results together, not only are useful monthly, seasonal, and annual means established, but errors of observation, &c., are often altogether eliminated, and the normals thus obtained are less subject to local and temporary changes than records from a single meteorological observatory. It is found convenient to treat the two main Islands of New Zealand as separate climatic regions, and, by taking the means of about ten stations in each Island, to arrive at fair averages which help to describe the climate of the country. The mean annual temperature of the North Island is thus found to be 55.4° Fahr., and that of the South Island 51.8° Fahr., while means of the absolute daily maxima and minima of temperature show a mean diurnal range of 15.9° in the North and 16.5° in the South Island. On account of atmospheric and terrestrial effects following their solar causes, the meteorological seasons are later than the solar or astronomical seasons. Thus, in the Southern Hemisphere July is usually the coldest and wettest month of the year, while January is the driest and warmest. The seasons are thus roughly divided into: Winter—June, July, August; spring—September, October, November; summer—December, January, February; autumn—March, April, May. The mean temperatures (degrees Fahrenheit) of the seasons are,—

 Winter.Spring.Summer.Autumn.Year.
North Island49.054.261.856.655.4
South Island44.251.259.052.351.8

Mean temperatures of particular places are usually employed in climatic comparisons, and the following annual means and monthly means of the extreme months of the summer and winter are instructive:—

NEW ZEALAND.
 Auckland.Gisborne.Wellington.Christchurch.Hokitika.
Annual59.057.255.2552.853.25
January66.664.162.662.062.6
July51.451.247.642.547.6
AUSTRALIA.
 Brisbane.Sydney.Adelaide.
Annual67.862.863.1
January75.671.274.1
July57.752.251.3
INDIA.
 Calcutta.Bombay.Madras.Colombo.
Annual79.577.781.980.1
January65.173.075.680.8
July81.082.985.377.9
EUROPE.
 London.Edinburgh.Paris.Rome.Naples.Palermo.
Annual49.846.950.059.560.864.2
January38.137.836.144.247.152.2
July63.158.364.976.675.777.5
AMERICA.
 Montreal.Chicago.St. Louis.Washington.
Annual41.948.455.654.7
January12.423.430.633.3
July68.972.078.876.8

The absolutely highest and lowest temperatures recorded every day afford most valuable climatic records, and means of these extremes give the best idea of equability of the temperature.

MEANSOFTHE EXTREMESAND RANGE.
North Island.
 Winter.Spring.Summer.Autumn.Annual.
Mean maximum56.562.671.263.763.5
”    minimum42.046.953.947.947.7
”    diurnal range14.515.717.315.815.8
South Island.     
Mean maximum51.860.168.759.460.0
”    minimum36.943.350.143.943.5
”    diurnal range14.916.818.615.516.5

The mean maximum of the warmest month of the year and the mean minimum of the coldest show the mean absolute range of temperature during the year. Thus, we obtain—

Mean.North Island.South Island.
January, maximum72.269.9
July, minimum42.636.3
 29.633.6
Mean.Wellington. Lat 41°16' S.
January, maximum69.5
July, minimum42.1
    Mean annual range27.4
July, maximum90.7
January, minimum10.2
    Mean annual range80.5

Rainfall.

New Zealand has an abundant rainfall, which, though well distributed throughout the months of the year, especially in the South Island, is heaviest and most prevalent in the months of winter and spring. The averages from the climatological tables are—

 Winter.Spring.Summer.AutumnAnnual.
North Island13.8614.0712.0811.3451.35 in.
South Island11.9713.3110.9610.3946.63 in.
Rainy Days (0.005 in. or more).
North Island47493421151 days
South Island40383538151 days
ANNUAL RAINFALLS (INCHES).
Auckland, 43 years.Wellington, 43 years.Wanganui, 42 years.Gisborne, 29 years.Christchurch, 43 years.Hokitika, 28 years.Dunedin, 43 years.Invercargill, 30 years.
Average41.6850.6237.7046.9825.16115.5938.4045.38
Maximum53.8167.3651.0964.3335.29154.4554.5063.60
Minimum28.1431.3623.5826.0913.5488.2122.1533.26
MEAN NUMBEROF DAYSWITH RAIN (0.01 IN. ORMORE).
Gisborne (29 years), Wellington (41 years), Canterbury (39 years), and Hokitika (26 years).
January.February.March.April.May.June.July.August.September.October.November.December.Annual Mean Total.
Gisborne9101213161717161412129157
Wellington10911131617181716141312166
Canterbury9810911121312101099122
Hokitika151114141615161212181717177

Winds.

The climate of New Zealand, like that of all other countries in the Temperate Zones of the earth is a variable one, and all its atmospheric phenomena are subject to the control of passing disturbances, which in these latitudes come from the west and move eastward, seldom lasting more than three days. High pressure of the barometer—i.e., above 30 in.—is usually associated with bright and warm days, but cold and clear nights, with dew in summer and frost in winter. Low pressure with the barometer, below 30 in., usually brings more humid conditions; and while the barometer falls the wind is in the north and the weather is warm and wet. When the wind turns by the west to the south for the rise of the barometer, the weather is colder, and sometimes very wet and snowy on the ranges. The changes, though frequent, are never really sudden, and the storms have not the intensity of those of higher and lower latitudes.

Having a marine climate, the winds are stronger than in continental countries; but many parts of New Zealand are so sheltered by mountain-ranges that their records are very small indeed. Another surprising feature is that as shown by means of the various months, the winds of summer are higher than those of winter. The prevailing winds throughout the year are planetary anti-trade-winds—westerlies—which go round the world, and are used by mariners to take them eastward by Cape Horn, home (to England), and on their return they pick them up off the Cape of Good Hope. In summer, however, to the north of Auckland, the easterly trade-winds often blow with much regularity for weeks together.

Sunshine.

Bright sunshine is abundant not only in summer in New Zealand, but a very large percentage is maintained even in winter. This is surprising to those who have taken consideration only of the rainfall, but it is accounted for by the fact that the rain and clouds are usually associated with the fall of night and early morning. Self-registering rain-gauges show comparative few hours with rain, and these mostly at night. Records of sunshine at Nelson. Christchurch, &c., rival those of the finest climates in the world, At Gisborne, in 1906, the Rev. H. Williams, M.A, F.R.Met.Soc., recorded 2,202 hours or 52 per cent. of the possible. At Napier the Very Rev. D. Kennedy, D.D., F.R.Met.Soc., recorded 2,692 hours 29 minutes, being 62 per cent. of the possible, or an average of 7 hours 23 minutes per day throughout the year.

Over the northern part of the British Isles the average is 1,200 hours, or 27 per cent., and in the south it is 1,600 hours, or 36 per cent.; and Italy has averages from 2,000 to 2,400 hours, or from 45 to 54 per cent. of the possible.

In few parts of the world are climatic conditions so favourable to human life and its industries as in New Zealand. The native Maori is one of the finest races in the world, and European families under these skies have generally developed into finer and stronger men and women than their parents. Imported seed and stock have in most cases thriven marvellously in the fields, where throughout winter and summer they usually find all the nourishment they need, and require no other protection than the bush, which, wherever allowed, grows most luxuriantly. From youth to age men can in such a climate keep in vigorous health, and enjoy life to the fullest extent.

Constitution.

British sovereignty was proclaimed over New Zealand in January, 1840, and the country became a dependency of New South Wales until the 3rd May, 1841, when it was made a separate colony. The seat of Government was at Auckland, and the Executive included the Governor, and three gentlemen holding office as Colonial Secretary, Attorney-General, and Colonial Treasurer.

The successors of these gentlemen, appointed in August, 1841, May, 1842, and January, 1844, respectively, continued in office until the establishment of Responsible Government on the 7th May, 1856. Only one of them—Mr. Swainson, the Attorney-General—sat as a member of the first General Assembly, opened on the 27th May, 1854. During the session of that year there were associated with the permanent members of the Executive Council certain members of the General Assembly. These latter held no portfolios.

The Government of the colony was at first vested in the Governor, who was responsible only to the Crown; but in 1852 an Act granting representative institutions to the colony was passed by the Imperial Legislature. Under it the constitution of a General Assembly for the whole colony was provided for, to consist of a Legislative Council, the members of which were to be nominated by the Governor, and of an elective House of Representatives. The first session of the General Assembly was opened on the 27th May, 1854, but the members of the Executive were not responsible to Parliament. The first Ministers under a system of Responsible Government were appointed in the year 1856. By the Act of 1852 the colony was divided into six provinces, each to be presided over by an elective Superintendent, and to have an elective Provincial Council, empowered to legislate, except on certain specified subjects. The franchise amounted practically to household suffrage. In each case the election was for four years, but a dissolution of the Provincial Council by the Governor could take place at any time, necessitating a fresh election both of the Council and of the Superintendent. The Superintendent was chosen by the whole body of electors of the province; each member of the Provincial Council by the electors of a district. The Provincial Governments, afterwards increased to nine, remained as integral parts of the Constitution of the colony until the 1st November, 1876, when they were abolished by an Act of the General Assembly, that body having been vested with the power of altering the Constitution Act. On the same day an Act of the General Assembly which subdivided the colony (exclusive of the areas included within municipalities) into counties, and established a system of local county government, came into force.

By resolutions passed by the House of Representatives on the 12th July, 1907, and by the Legislative Council on the 16th July, 1907, addresses were forwarded to His Majesty the King respectfully requesting that the necessary steps might be taken to change the designation of New Zealand from the Colony of New Zealand to the Dominion of New Zealand; and His Majesty the King, by Order in Council dated 9th September, 1907, and by Proclamation issued 10th September, 1907, was graciously pleased to change the style and designation of the Colony of New Zealand to “The Dominion of New Zealand”; such change taking effect from Thursday, the 26th day of September, 1907.

Government.

The Governor is appointed by the King. His salary is £5,000 a year, with an annual allowance of £1,500 on account of his establishment, and of £500 for travelling-expenses, provided by the Dominion.

Members of the Legislative Council hold their seats under writs of summons from the Governor. Till the year 1891 the appointments were for life; but in September of that year an Act was passed making appointments after that time tenable for seven years only, though Councillors may be reappointed. In either case seats may be vacated by resignation or extended absence. Two members of the Council are aboriginal Native chiefs.

The members of the House of Representatives (now designated M.P.) are elected for three years from the time of each general election; but at any time a dissolution of Parliament by the Governor may render a general election necessary. Four of the members are representatives of Native constituencies. For the purposes of European representation the Dominion is divided into seventy-six electoral districts, each returning one member. The full number of members composing the House of Representatives is thus eighty. Members of the House of Representatives are chosen by the votes of the electors in every electoral district appointed for that purpose.

In 1889 an amendment of the Representation Act was passed, which contained a provision prohibiting any elector from giving his vote in respect of more than one electorate at any election. In 1893 women of both races were granted by law the right to vote at the elections for members of the House of Representatives. The qualification for registration is the same for both sexes. No person is entitled to be registered on more than one electoral roll within the Dominion. Women are not qualified to be elected as members of the House of Representatives. Every man registered as an elector, and not specially excepted by the Legislature Act now in force, is qualified to be elected a member of the House of Representatives for any electoral district. For European representation every adult person, if resident one year in the Dominion and three months in one electoral district, can be registered as an elector. Freehold property of the value of £25 held for six months preceding the day of registration until 1896 entitled a man or woman to register, if not previously registered under the residential qualification; but in 1896 the property qualification was abolished (except in case of existing registrations), and residence alone now entitles a man or woman to have his or her name placed upon an electoral roll. For Maori representation every adult Maori resident in any Maori electoral district (of which there are four only in the Dominion) can vote. Registration is not required in Native districts. [The above provisions are now incorporated in “The Legislature Act, 1908,” which consolidates the electoral laws.] The electoral laws are the subject of special comment further on in this work.

The Seat of Government.

Up to the year 1865 the seat of Government of New Zealand was at Auckland. Several attempts were made by members of Parliament, by motions in the Legislative Council and House of Representatives, to have it removed to some more central place; but it was not until November, 1863, that Mr. Domett (the then ex-Premier) was successful in carrying resolutions in the House of Representatives that steps should be taken for appointing some place in Cook Strait as the permanent seat of Government. The resolutions adopted were: “(1.) That it has become necessary that the seat of Government in the colony should be transferred to some suitable locality in Cook Strait. (2.) That, in order to promote the accomplishment of this object, it is desirable that the selection of the particular site in Cook Strait should be left to the arbitrament of an impartial tribunal. (3.) That, with this view, a Bill should be introduced to give effect to the above resolutions.” On the 25th November an address was presented to the Governor, Sir George Grey, K.C.B., by the Commons of New Zealand, requesting that the Governors of the Colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, might each be asked to appoint one Commissioner for the purpose of determining the best site in Cook Strait. Accordingly, the Hon. Joseph Docker, M.L.C., New South Wales; the Hon. Sir Francis Murphy, Speaker of the Legislative Council, Victoria; and R. C. Gunn, Esq., Tasmania, were appointed Commissioners.

These gentlemen, having made a personal inspection of all suitable places, arrived at the unanimous decision “that Wellington, in Port Nicholson, was the site upon the shores of Cook Strait which presented the greatest advantages for the administration of the government of the colony.”

The seat of Government was, therefore, in accordance with the recommendation of the Commissioners, removed to Wellington in February, 1865.

Public Works.

Nearly all the public works of New Zealand are in the hands of the Government of the Dominion, and in the early days they simply kept pace with the spread of settlement. In 1870, however, a great impetus was given to the progress of the whole country by the inauguration of the “Public Works and Immigration Policy,” which provided for carrying out works in advance of settlement. Railways, roads, and water-races were constructed, and immigration was conducted on a large scale. As a consequence, the population increased from 267,000 in 1871 to 501,000 in 1881, and to 982,926 in December, 1909; besides whom there were 47,731 Maoris, and also 12,340 persons residing in the Cook and other Pacific Islands within the extended boundaries of the Dominion.

Chapter 2. SUCCESSIVE GOVERNORS.

SUCCESSIONOF GOVERNORSOF NEW ZEALAND, ANDTHE DATESONWHICHTHEYASSUMEDANDRETIREDFROMTHE GOVERNMENT.

Captain William Hobson, R.N., from Jan., 1840, to 10 Sept., 1842.

[British sovereignty was proclaimed by Captain Hobson in January, 1840, and New Zealand became a dependency of the Colony of New South Wales until 3rd May, 1841, at which date it was proclaimed a separate colony. From January, 1840, to May, 1841, Captain Hobson was Lieutenant-Governor of New Zealand under Sir George Gipps, Governor of New South Wales, and from May, 1841, Governor of New Zealand; the seat of Government being at Auckland, where he died in September, 1842. From the time of Governor Hobson's death, in September, 1842, until the arrival of Governor Fitzroy, in December, 1843, the Government was carried on by the Colonial Secretary, Lieutenant Shortland.]

Lieutenant Shortland, Administrator, from 10 Sept., 1842, to 26 Dec., 1843.

Captain Robert Fitzroy, R.N., from 26 Dec., 1843, to 17 Nov., 1845.

Captain Grey (became Sir George Grey, K.C.B., in 1848), from 18 Nov., 1845, to 31 Dec., 1853.

[Captain Grey held the commission as Lieutenant-Governor of the colony until the 1st January, 1848, when he was sworn in as Governor-in-Chief over the Islands of New Zealand, and as Governor of the Province of New Ulster and Governor of the Province of New Munster. After the passing of the New Zealand Constitution Act, Sir George Grey was, on the 13th September, 1852, appointed Governor of the colony, the duties of which office he assumed on the 7th March, 1853. In August, 1847, Mr. E. J. Eyre was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of New Munster: he was sworn in, 28th January, 1848. On 3rd January, 1848, Major - General George Dean Pitt was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of New Ulster: he was sworn in, 14th February, 1848; died, 8th January, 1851; and was succeeded as Lieutenant-Governor by Lieutenant-Colonel Wynyard, appointed 14th April, 1851; sworn in, 26th April, 1851. The duties of the Lieutenant-Governor ceased on the assumption by Sir George Grey of the office of Governor, on the 7th March, 1853.]

Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Henry Wynyard, C.B., Administrator, from 3 Jan., 1854, to 6 Sept., 1855.

Colonel Thomas Gore Browne, C.B., from 6 Sept., 1855 to 2 Oct., 1861.

Sir George Grey, K.C.B., Administrator, from 3 Oct., 1861; Governor, from 4 Dec., 1861, to 5 Feb., 1868.

Sir George Ferguson Bowen, G.C.M.G., from 5 Feb., 1868, to 19 Mar., 1873.

Sir George Alfred Arney, Chief Justice, Administrator, from 21 Mar. to 14 June, 1873.

Sir James Fergusson, Baronet, P.C., from 14 June, 1873, to 3 Dec., 1874.

The Marquis of Normanby, P.C., G.C.M.G., Administrator, from 3 Dec., 1874; Governor, from 9 Jan., 1875, to 21 Feb., 1879.

James Prendergast, Esquire, Chief Justice, Administrator, from 21 Feb. to 27 Mar., 1879.

Sir Hercules George Robert Robinson, G.C.M.G., Administrator, from 27 Mar., 1879; Governor, from 17 April, 1879, to 8 Sept., 1880.

James Prendergast, Esquire, Chief Justice, Administrator, from 9 Sept. to 29 Nov., 1880.

The Honourable Sir Arthur Hamilton Gordon, G.C.M.G., from 29 Nov., 1880, to 23 June, 1882.

Sir James Prendergast, Chief Justice, Administrator, from 24 June, 1882, to 20 Jan., 1883.

Lieutenant - General Sir William Francis Drummond Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.B., from 20 Jan., 1883, to 22 Mar., 1889.

Sir James Prendergast, Chief Justice, Administrator, from 23 Mar. to 2 May, 1889.

The Earl of Onslow, G.C.M.G., from 2 May, 1889, to 24 Feb., 1892.

Sir James Prendergast, Chief Justice, Administrator, from 25 Feb., to 6 June, 1892.

The Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., from 7 June, 1892, to 6 Feb., 1897.

Sir James Prendergast, Chief Justice, Administrator, from 8 Feb., 1897, to 9 Aug., 1897.

The Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., from 10 Aug., 1897, to 19 June, 1904.

The Right Honourable William Lee, Baron Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., from 20 June, 1904.

Chapter 3. SUPREME COURT JUDGES.
Supreme Court Judges, past and present, with Dates of Appointment, and of Resignation or Death.

Sir W. Martin, appointed Chief Justice, 10 Jan., 1842. Resigned, 12 June, 1857.

H. S. Chapman, appointed, 26 Dec., 1843. Held office until March, 1852. Reappointed, 23 Mar., 1864. Resigned, 31 Mar., 1875.

S. Stephen, appointed, 30 July, 1850. Appointed Acting Chief Justice, 20 Oct., 1855. Died, 13 Jan., 1858.

Daniel Wakefield, appointed, Oct., 1855. Died, Oct., 1857.

Hon. H. B. Gresson, appointed temporarily, 8 Dec., 1857. Permanently, 1 July, 1862. Resigned, 31 Mar., 1875.

Sir G. A. Arney, appointed Chief Justice, 1 Mar., 1858. Resigned 31 Mar., 1875.

A. J. Johnston, appointed, 2 Nov., 1858. Died, 1 June, 1888.

C. W. Richmond, appointed, 20 Oct., 1862. Died, 3 Aug., 1895.

J. S. Moore, appointed temporarily, 15 May, 1866. Relieved, 30 June, 1868.

C. D. R. Ward, appointed temporarily, 1 Oct., 1868. Relieved, May, 1870. Appointed temporarily, 21 Sept., 1886. Relieved, 12 Feb., 1889.

Sir J. Prendergast, appointed Chief Justice, 1 April, 1875. Resigned, 25 May, 1899.

T. B. Gillies, appointed, 3 Mar., 1875. Died, 26 July, 1889.

J. S. Williams, appointed, 3 Mar., 1875.

J. E. Denniston, appointed, 11 Feb., 1889.

E. T. Conolly, appointed, 19 Aug., 1889. Resigned, 9 Sept., 1903.

Hon. Sir P. A. Buckley, K.C.M.G., appointed, 20 Dec., 1895. Died, 18 May, 1896.

W. B. Edwards, appointed, 11 July, 1896.

F. W. Pennefather, appointed temporarily, 25 April, 1898. Resigned, 24 April, 1899.

Hon. Sir Robert Stout, K.C.M.G., appointed Chief Justice, 22 June, 1899.

J. C. Martin, Acting Judge, appointed, 12 April, 1900. Resigned, 4 Dec., 1900.

Theophilus Cooper, appointed, 21 Feb., 1901.

F. R. Chapman, appointed, 11 Sept., 1903.

C. E. Button, appointed temporarily, 12 March, 1907. Resigned, 29th Feb., 1908.

Chapter 4. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, 1843–56.

Members of the Executive Council of the Dominion of New Zealand previous to the Establishment of Responsible Government (not including the Officers Commanding the Forces).

Willoughby Shortland, Colonial Secretary, from 3 May, 1841, to 31 Dec., 1843; succeeded by Mr. Sinclair.

Francis Fisher, Attorney-General, from 3 May to 10 Aug., 1841; succeeded by Mr. Swainson.

George Cooper, Colonial Treasurer, from 3 May, 1841, to 9 May, 1842; succeeded by Mr. Shepherd.

William Swainson, Attorney-General, from 10 Aug., 1841, to 7 May, 1856.

Alexander Shepherd, Colonial Treasurer, from 9 May, 1842, to 7 May, 1856.

Andrew Sinclair, Colonial Secretary, from 6 Jan., 1844, to 7 May, 1856.

[The three gentlemen last mentioned were nominated by Her late Majesty as ex officio members of the Executive Council. Two of them, the Colonial Secretary and the Colonial Treasurer, were not members of the General Assembly, opened for the first time 27th May, 1854, but all three remained in office until the establishment of Responsible Government.]

James Edward FitzGerald, M.H.R., without portfolio, from 14 June to 2 Aug., 1854.

Henry Sewell, M.H.R., without portfolio, from 14 June to 2 Aug., 1854.

Frederick Aloysius Weld, M.H.R., without portfolio, from 14 June to 2 Aug., 1854.

Francis Dillon Bell, M.L.C., without portfolio, from 30 June to 11 July, 1854.

Thomas Houghton Bartley, M.L.C., without portfolio, from 14 July to 2 Aug., 1854.

Thomas Spencer Forsaith, M.H.R., without portfolio, from 31 Aug. to 2 Sept., 1854.

Edward Jerningham Wakefield, M.H.R., without portfolio, from 31 Aug. to 2 Sept., 1854.

William Thomas Locke Travers, M.H.R., without portfolio, 31 Aug. to 2 Sept., 1854.

James Macandrew, M.H.R., without portfolio, from 31 Aug. to 2 Sept., 1854.

Chapter 5. PARLIAMENTS.

Number of Parliaments since the Constitution Act passed for conferring Representative Institutions upon the Dominion of New Zealand, with the Dates of Opening and Closing of Sessions and Dates of Dissolution.

Parliament.Date of Opening of Sessions.Date of Prorogation.
First (dissolved 15th September, 1855)27 May, 18549 August, 1854.
31 August, 185416 September, 1854.
8 August, 185515 September, 1855.
Second (dissolved 5th November. 1860)15 April, 1856 (No session in 1857)16 August, 1856.
10 April, 1858 (No session in 1859)21 August, 1858.
30 July, 18605 November, 1860.
Third (dissolved 27th January, 1866)3 June, 18617 September, 1861.
7 July, 186215 September, 1862.
19 October, 186314 December, 1863.
24 November 186413 December, 1864.
26 July, 186530 October, 1865.
Fourth (dissolved 30th December, 1870)30 June, 18668 October, 1866.
9 July, 186710 October, 1867.
9 July, 186820 October, 1868.
1 June, 18693 September, 1869.
14 June, 187013 September, 1870.
Fifth (dissolved 6th December, 1875)14 August, 187116 November, 1871.
16 July, 187225 October, 1872.
15 July, 18733 October, 1873.
3 July, 187431 August, 1874.
20 July, 187521 October, 1875.
Sixth (dissolved 15th August, 1879)15 June, 187631 October, 1876.
19 July, 187710 December, 1877.
26 July, 18782 November, 1878.
11 July, 187911 August, 1879.
Seventh (dissolved 8th November, 1881)24 September, 187919 December, 1879.
28 May, 18801 September, 1880.
9 June, 188124 September, 1881.
Eighth (dissolved 27th June, 1884)18 May, 188215 September, 1882.
14 June, 18838 September, 1883.
5 June, 188424 June, 1884.
Ninth (dissolved 15th July, 1887)7 August, 188410 November, 1884.
11 June, 188522 September, 1885.
13 May, 188618 August, 1886.
26 April, 188710 July, 1887.
Tenth (dissolved 3rd October, 1890)6 October, 188723 December, 1887.
10 May, 188831 August, 1888.
20 June, 188919 September, 1889.
19 June, 189018 September, 1890.
Eleventh (dissolved 8th November, 1893)23 January, 189131 January, 1891.
11 June, 189125 September, 1891.
23 June, 189212 October, 1892.
22 June, 18937 October, 1893.
Twelfth (dissolved 14th November, 1896)21 June, 189424 October, 1894.
20 June, 18952 November, 1895.
11 June, 189619 October, 1896.
Thirteenth (dissolved 15th November, 1899)7 April, 189712 April, 1897.
23 September, 189722 December, 1897.
24 June, 18985 November, 1898.
23 June, 189924 October, 1899.
Fourteenth (dissolved 5th November, 1902)22 June, 190022 October, 1900.
1 July, 19018 November, 1901.
1 July, 19024 October, 1902.
Fifteenth (dissolved 29th November, 1905)29 June, 190325 November, 1903.
28 June, 19048 November, 1904.
27 June, 190531 October, 1905.
Sixteenth (dissolved 29th October, 1908)27 June, 19063 July, 1906.
21 August, 190629 October, 1906.
27 June, 190725 November, 1907.
29 June, 190812 October, 1908.
Seventeenth10 June, 190917 June, 1909.
7 October, 190929 December, 1909.

Chapter 6. SUCCESSIVE MINISTRIES

Since the Establishment of Responsible Government in New Zealand in 1856.

Name of Ministry.Assumed Office.Retired.

* Owing to the death of the Premier, the Hon. J. Ballance, on 27th April, 1893.

† Owing to the death of the Premier, Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, P.C., on 10th June, 1906.

1. Bell-Sewell    7 May, 185620 May, 1856.
2. Fox20 May, 1856    2 June, 1856.
3. Stafford    2 June, 185612 July, 1861.
4. Fox12 July, 1861    6 August, 1862.
5. Domett    6 August, 186230 October, 1863.
6. Whitaker-Fox30 October, 186324 November, 1864.
7. Weld24 November, 186416 October, 1865.
8. Stafford16 October, 186528 June, 1869.
9. Fox28 June, 186910 September, 1872.
10. Stafford10 September, 187211 October, 1872.
11. Waterhouse11 October, 1872    3 March, 1873.
12. Fox3 March, 1873    8 April, 1873.
13. Vogel8 April, 1873    6 July, 1875.
14. Pollen6 July, 187515 February, 1876.
15. Vogel15 February, 1876    1 September, 1876.
16. Atkinson    1 September, 187613 September, 1876.
17. Atkinson (reconstituted)13 September, 187613 October, 1877.
18. Grey15 October, 1877    8 October, 1879.
19. Hall    8 October, 187921 April, 1882.
20. Whitaker21 April, 188225 September, 1883.
21. Atkinson25 September, 188316 August, 1884.
22. Stout-Vogel16 August, 188428 August, 1884.
23. Atkinson28 August, 1884    3 September, 1884.
24. Stout-Vogel    3 September, 18848 October, 1887.
25. Atkinson    8 October, 188724 January, 1891.
26. Ballance24 January, 1891    1 May, 1893.*
27. Seddon    1 May, 1893.21 June, 1906.†
28. Hall-Jones21 June, 1906    6 August, 1906.
29. Ward    6 August, 1906. 

Chapter 7. PREMIERS OF SUCCESSIVE MINISTRIES.

Name of Premier.
Henry Sewell.
William Fox.
Edward William Stafford.
William Fox.
Alfred Domett.
Frederick Whitaker.
Frederick Aloysius Weld.
Edward William Stafford.
William Fox.
Hon. Edward William Stafford.
George Marsden Waterhouse.
Hon. William Fox.
Hon. Julius Vogel, C.M.G.
Hon. Daniel Pollen, M.L.C.
Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G.
Harry Albert Atkinson.
Harry Albert Atkinson (Ministry reconstituted).
Sir George Grey, K.C.B.
Hon. John Hall.
Frederick Whitaker, M.L.C.
Harry Albert Atkinson.
Robert Stout.
Harry Albert Atkinson.
Sir Robert Stout, K.C.M.G.
Sir Harry Albert Atkinson, K.C.M.G.
John Ballance.
Rt. Hon. Richard John Seddon, P.C.
William Hall-Jones.
Right Hon. Sir Joseph George Ward, P.C., K.C.M.G.

Chapter 8. PREMIERS OF SUCCESSIVE MINISTRIES.
SPEAKERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, with Dates of their Appointment and Dates of Retirement or Death.

Name of Speaker.Date of Appointment.Date of Retirement or Death.
Hon. William Swainson16 May, 1854    8 August, 1855.
Hon. Frederick Whitaker    8 August, 185512 May, 1856.
Hon. Thomas Houghton Bartley12 May, 1856    1 July, 1868.
Hon. Sir John Larkins Cheese Richardson, Kt.    1 July, 186814 June, 1879.
Hon. Sir William Fitzherbert, K.C.M.G.14 June, 187922 April, 1887.
Hon. George Marsden Waterhouse22 April, 188721 September, 1887.
Hon. Sir William Fitzherbert, K.C.M.G.21 September, 188723 January, 1891.
Hon. Sir Harry Albert Atkinson, K.C.M.G.23 January, 189128 June, 1892.
Hon. Sir Henry John Miller    8 July, 1892. 
     6 October, 1897    9 July 1903.
Hon. W. C. Walker, C.M.G.    9 July, 1903    5 January, 1904.
Hon. John Rigg (Acting)    5 January, 1904    7 July, 1904.
Hon. Sir A. J. Cadman, K.C.M.G.    7 July, 190423 March, 1905.
Hon. R. H. J. Reeves (Acting)23 March, 1905    4 July, 1905.
Hon. C. C. Bowen    4 July, 1905. 

Chapter 9. SPEAKERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, with Dates of their Election and Dates of Retirement.

Name of Speaker.Date of Election.Date of Retirement.
Sir Charles Clifford, Bart.26 May, 1854 
15 April, 1856    3 June, 1861. 
Sir David Monro, Kt. Bach.    3 June, 1861 
30 June, 186613 Sept., 1870. 
Sir Francis Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., C.B.14 August, 187121 October, 1875.
Sir William Fitzherbert, K.C.M.G.15 June, 187613 June 1879.
Sir George Maurice O'Rorke, Kt. Bach.11 July, 1879 
24 September, 1879  
18 May, 1882  
    7 August, 1884 
    6 October, 1887   3 October, 1890.
Hon. Major William Jukes Steward23 January, 1891   8 November, 1893.
Hon. Sir George Maurice O'Rorke, Kt. Bach.21 June, 1894 
    6 April, 1897 
 22 June, 1900   5 November, 1902.
Hon. Arthur Robert Guinness29 June, 1903. 
 27 June, 1906. 
 10 June, 1909. 

Chapter 10. FOREIGN CONSULS.

Consuls of Foreign Countries residing in, or with Jurisdiction over, New Zealand, 31st May, 1910.

Country represented.Office held.Name.Place of Residence.
Argentine RepublicVice-Consul (with jurisdiction over New Zealand)Hon. T. FergusDunedin.
Austria-HungaryConsul-General for the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, and the South Sea IslandsHeinrich JehlitschkaSydney.
 ConsulE. LangguthAuckland.
BelgiumConsul-General for Australasia and FijiF. HuylebroeckMelbourne.
Consul-General (with jurisdiction over the Provincial Districts of Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, and Wellington)Hon. Charles John JohnstonWellington.
Vice-ConsulG. F. Johnston 
Consul (with jurisdiction over the Districts of Canterbury, Marlborough, Nelson and Westland)Joseph James KinseyChristchurch.
ConsulJohn BurnsAuckland.
George Lyon DennistonDunedin.
BrazilVice-ConsulA. H. MilesWellington.
ChinaConsulHwang Yung-LiangWellington.
ChiliConsul - General for the Commonwealth of Australia, and New ZealandWilliam BrownSydney.
Honorary ConsulGeorge DunnetAuckland.
Albert Martin, M.D.Wellington.
J. G. F. PalmerChristchurch.
”J. A. RobertsDunedin. 
DenmarkConsul (for North Island)Francis Henry Dillon BellWellington (Principal Consulate).
Consul (for South Island)Henry Bylove SorensenChristchurch.
Vice-Consul(Vacant)Auckland.
William Edward PerryHokitika.
Odin Henry MöllerDunedin.
FranceConsul (for New Zealand)Robert BoeufvéAuckland.
ChancelierAuguste A Lelièvre
Vice-ConsulPercival Clay NeillDunedin.
Consular AgentGeorge HumphreysChristchurch.
James MacintoshWellington.
German EmpireConsul-General for Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, and FijiDr. IrmerSydney.
Vice-Consul GeneralCount Deym Von Stritez
ConsulCarl SeegnerAuckland.
”Willi FelsDunedin. 
”    (acting)Karl JoostenChristchurch.
Friedrich August KrullWanganui.
Vice-ConsulEberhard FockeWellington.
GreeceVice-Consul for the Dominion of New ZealandJoseph Frank Dyer
HondurasConsul-General for Commonwealth of Australia, and New ZealandFrederic WalshSydney.
ItalyConsul-General for Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, and FijiCommendatore Luigi MercatelliMelbourne.
Consular AgentThomas WallaceChristchurch.
Roland Thomas RobertsonWellington.
Sir James Mills, K.C.M.G.Dunedin.
Geraldo Giuseppe PerottiGreymouth.
JapanConsulThomas YoungWellington.
LiberiaHon. Charles LouissonChristchurch.
Honorary ConsulArnold Woodford IzardWellington.
MexicoConsulJohn William HallAuckland.
NetherlandsConsul-General for Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, and FijiW. L. BosschartMelbourne.
Consul, with jurisdiction over New Zealand and the Islands belonging there-toHon. Charles John JohnstonWellington. 
NetherlandsVice-ConsulGeorge RitchieDunedin.
Ambrose MillarAuckland. 
Harold Featherston JohnstonWellington.
G. de VriesChristchurch.
NorwayConsul-General for Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, and the adjacent IslandsO. RömckeMelbourne.
Vice-ConsulSigurd Bentzon 
ConsulAlex. W. NewtonWellington.
Vice-ConsulLeslie Robert WilsonDunedin.
Roland St. ClairAuckland.
Albert Peter GundersenChristchurch
Walter Sinclair WaterstonInvercargill.
Richard Rowland WhyteWestport.
ParaguayConsulA. E. KernotWellington.
PeruConsul (with jurisdiction over the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand)J. Maitland PaxtonSydney.
PortugalConsulJohn DuncanWellington.
Vice-ConsulHenry Rees GeorgeAuckland.
Arthur Donald Stuart DuncanWellington.
Charles William RattrayDunedin.
RussiaConsul-General for the Commonwealth of Australia and the Dominion of New ZealandMathieu HedenströmMelbourne.
SpainConsul-in-Chief (with jurisdiction over Australia and New Zealand)Henry Cave
Honorary Vice-ConsulAlexander H. TurnbullWellington.
SwedenConsulArthur Edward Pearce
Vice-ConsulSidney Jacob NathanAuckland.
Albert KayeChristchurch.
United States of AmericaConsul-General (for New Zealand and its dependencies)William A. PrickittAuckland.
Vice-Consul-GeneralLeonard A. Bachelder
Consular AgentFrank GrahamChristchurch.
J. G. DuncanWellington.
Frederick Orlando BridgemanDunedin.

GOVERNMENT AGENT FOR DOMINION OF CANADA TO NEW ZEALAND.

Address—Exchange, Bridge Street, Sydney, N.S.W.

Chapter 11. HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR NEW ZEALAND, IN LONDON.

The Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Westminster Chambers, 13 Victoria Street, S.W. (Appointed as from 1st December, 1908.) Secretary—C. W. Palliser.

Chapter 12. THE COLONIAL OFFICE.
(Downing Street, S.W., London)

Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies—Right Hon. Earl of Crewe, K.G., 13th April, 1908.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary—Colonel J. E. B. Seely, D.S.O., M.P.

Permanent Under-Secretary—Sir Francis J. S. Hopwood, K.C.B., G.C.M.G.

Assistant Under-Secretaries: Sir Charles P. Lucas. K.C.M.G., C.B.; H. B. Cox, C.B. (Legal); H. W. Just, C.B., C.M.G.; and G. V. Fiddes, C.B., C.M.G.

Chapter 13. CROWN AGENTS FOR THE COLONIES.

Whitehall Gardens, S.W. City Office: 1, Tokenhouse Buildings, E.C., London.

Crown Agents—Sir Ernest Edward Blake, K.C.M.G.; Major Maurice Alexander Cameron, C.M.G., late R.E.; and William Hepworth Mercer, C.M.G.

Chapter 14. HONOURS HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE DOMINION.

Privy Councillor (P.C.).

Ward, Right Hon. Sir Joseph George, 1907.

Knights Commanders of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (K.C.M.G.).

Mills, Sir James, 1909

Perceval, Sir Westby Brook, 1894.

Ward, Right Hon. Sir Joseph George, 1901.

Stout, Hon. Sir Robert, 1886.

Knights Bachelor (Kt. Bach.).

Campbell, Sir John Logan. 1902.

Kennaway, Sir Walter, 1909.

Miller, Hon. Sir Henry John, 1901.

McLean, Sir George, 1909.

O'Rorke, Hon. Sir George Maurice, 1880.

Prendergast, Hon. Sir James, 1881.

Russell, Sir William Russell, 1902.

Steward, Hon. Sir William Jukes, 1902.

Companions of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.).

Cradock, Major Montagu, 1900.

Davies, Brevet-Colonel R. H., 1900.

Newall, Colonel Stewart, 1900.

Porter, Colonel T. W., 1902.

Robin, Brevet-Colonel Alfred William, 1900.

Companions of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (C.M.G.).

Bauchop, Lieut.-Colonel A., 1902.

Gudgeon, Lieut.-Colonel Walter Edward, 1890.

Jowsey, Lieut.-Colonel Thomas, 1900.

Richardson, Hon. Edward, 1879.

Roberts, John, 1891.

Companion, Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.).

Abbott, Lieut.-Colonel F. W., 1902.

Bartlett, Major E., 1902.

Hickey, Lieutenant D. A., 1902.

Hughes, Captain J. G., 1900.

Major, Major C. T., 1900.

Polson, Major D., 1900.

Stevenson, Captain R., 1902.

Todd, Captain T. J. M., 1900.

Walker, Captain G. H., 1901.

Companion, Imperial Service Order (I.S.O.).

Collins, Colonel R. J., V.D., 1909.

Heywood, James B., 1905.

Kensington, W. C., 1909.

Logan, J. K., 1909.

Royal Red Cross.

Williamson, Miss J. M. N., 1900

VICTORIA CROSS.

Hardham, Lieut. W. J., 1901.

NEW ZEALAND CROSS.
*For service rendered in 1867.
Adamson, Thomas, 1869.Maling, Christopher, 1869.
Biddle, Benjamin, 1869.Mair, Gilbert, 1870.
Black, Solomon, 1869.Preece, George, 1869.
Hill, George, 1869.Roberts, John Mackintosh, 1869.
Shepherd, Richard, 1869.Lingard, William, 1869.
Mace, Francis Joseph, 1869.Wrigg, Harry Charles William, 1898.*

Distinguished Conduct Medals awarded to Members of New Zealand Contingents in South Africa (1899–1902).

Baigent, Private Ivanhoe.Langham, Sergeant-Major J.
Black, Sergeant-Major G. C.Lockett, Sergeant-Major E. B.
Burr, Sergeant-Major W. T.Pickett, Sergeant-Major M.
Cassidy, Sergeant W.Rouse, Farrier-Sergeant G.
Fletcher, Sergeant-Major W. H.Wade, Private H. B.
Free, Private A.White, Sergeant-Major H.
Kent, Sergeant W. 

Persons allowed to retain the Title of “Honourable” within His Majesty's Dominions.

By despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated Downing Street, 15th June, 1893, His Excellency the Governor was apprised that the title of “Honourable,” appertaining to Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils in colonies possessing Responsible Government, whether confined to duration of office or continued for life, was approved by Her late Majesty for use and recognition throughout her dominions, either during office or for life, as the case may be.

By further despatch of 10th March, 1894, the Secretary of State announced that he was prepared in future to submit for the approval of the Sovereign the recommendation of the Governor of any colony having Responsible Government that the President of the Legislative Council or the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly may, on quitting office after three years' service in their respective offices, be permitted to retain the title of “Honourable.” This title is now held by Sir G. M. O'Rorke and Major Sir William Jukes Steward.

Besides the members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, the following ex-Ministers, are allowed, as such, to retain the title of “Honourable”: Bryce, John, 1884; Duncan, Thomas Y., 1906; Fergus, Thomas, 1891; Hall-Jones, William, 1908; 1908; Hislop, Thomas W., 1891; McGowan, James, 1909; McNab, Robert, 1908; Mills, Charles H., 1906; Mitchelson, Edwin, 1891; Montgomery, William, 1907; Oliver, Richard, 1884; Reeves, William P., 1896; Richardson, Hon. Edward, C.M.G., 1887; Stout, Hon. Sir Robert, K.C.M.G., 1887; Thompson, Thomas, 1900; Tole, Joseph A., 1888.

By another despatch of 14th November, 1896, the Secretary of State requested to be informed if the Government of New Zealand desired that members of the Legislative Council in this Dominion should on retirement or resignation, after a continuous service in such Council of not less than ten years, be eligible for recommendation by the Governor for Royal permission to retain the title of “Honourable.”

Mr. William Montgomery has been allowed to retain the title as from 14th December, 1906, accordingly on such retirement.

Retired Judges of Supreme Court.

By despatch of 29th August, 1877, it was announced that retired Judges of the Supreme Court may be allowed the privilege of bearing the title of “Honourable” for life, within the Dominion. This title is now held by Sir James Prendergast.

Chapter 15. GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND.
31st May, 1910.

PLUNKET, His Excellency The Right Honourable William Lee, fifth Baron (United Kingdom, 1827), formerly an Attaché in the Diplomatic Service, and subsequently Private Secretary to successive Lords Lieutenant of Ireland (1900–4); Knight Commander of St. Michael and St. George; Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order; son of fourth Baron (Archbishop of Dublin); born 19th December, 1864; succeeded 1897; married, 1894, Lady Victoria Alexandrina Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, daughter of first Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, K.P., G.C.B., &c. Issue: Three sons (Honourables Terence, Brinsley, and Denis) five daughters (Honourables Helen, Eileen, Moira, Joyce, and Ethne). Appointed 9th March, 1904, and assumed office 20th June, 1904, as Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over New Zealand and its Dependencies. Salary, £5,000. Allowance on account of establishment, £1,500, and travelling-expenses, £500 per annum. The allowance is not payable for any period during which the Governor is absent from the Dominion. Residences: Old Connaught, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland; Government House, Wellington; Government House, Auckland.

Private Secretary: Horace Clare Waterfield, Esq.

1st Aide-de-Camp: Captain the Hon. Nigel Charles Gathorne-Hardy, Rifle Brigade.

2nd Aide-de-Camp: Captain William John Shannon, 16th (the Queen's) Lancers.

Local Aide-de-Camp: Captain John Hugh Boscawen (honorary).

ADMINISTRATOROFTHE GOVERNMENT.—The Chief Justice, appointed under a dormant Commission.

Chapter 16. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
31st May, 1910.

THE annual appropriation for Ministers' salaries is fixed by statute at the sum of £8,900, of which £1,600 is for the Prime Minister, £1,300 for the Minister for Railways, and £1,000 for each of six other Ministers. All Ministers to whom salaries are appropriated are members of the Executive Council, holding one or more of the offices specified by law. Members of the Executive Council travelling within the Dominion on public service are entitled to allowance not exceeding £1 10s. per day when so engaged, but not during the time a Minister is attending a session of the General Assembly. The members of the Executive Council to whom salaries are payable, and who are not otherwise provided with residences at the seat of Government, are entitled to an allowance in lieu thereof at the rate of £200 a year.

The Executive Council now consists of:—

His Excellency the GOVERNOR presiding.

Right Hon. Sir Joseph George Ward, P.C., K.C.M.G., Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, Postmaster-General, Minister of Telegraphs, Minister of Defence, Minister of Lands, and Commissioner of State Forests.

Hon. John Andrew Millar, Minister of Railways, Minister of Marine, and Minister of Labour.

Hon. James Carroll, Native Minister and Minister of Stamp Duties.

Hon. John George Findlay, K.C., LL.D., Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.

Hon. George Fowlds, Minister of Education, Minister of Immigration, and Minister of Customs.

Hon. Roderick McKenzie, Minister of Public Works and Minister of Mines.

Hon. David Buddo, Minister of Internal Affairs and Minister of Public Health.

Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, Minister of Industries and Commerce, Minister of Agriculture, and Minister in charge of Tourist and Health Resorts.

Hon. Apirana Turupa Ngata (representing the Native race).

Clerk of the Executive Council—James Frank Andrews.

Chapter 17. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Legislative Council.

THE number of members at present constituting the Legislative Council is forty-two, and is not limited. Prior to 1891 Councillors summoned by the Governor held their appointments for life; but on the 17th of September of that year an Act was passed giving the Council power to elect its own Speaker for a period of five years, and making future appointments to the Council tenable for seven years only, to be reckoned from the date of the writ of summons of the Councillor's appointment, though every such Councillor may be reappointed. The qualifications are that the person to be appointed be a male of the full age of twenty-one years, and a subject of His Majesty, either natural-born or naturalised by or under any Act of the Imperial Parliament or by or under any Act of the General Assembly of New Zealand. All contractors to the public service to an amount of over £50 and Civil servants of the Dominion are ineligible as Councillors. Payment of Councillors is at the rate of £200 a year, payable monthly. Actual travelling-expenses to and from Wellington are also allowed. A deduction of £1 5s. per sitting-day is made in case of an absence exceeding fourteen sitting-days in any one session, except through illness or other unavoidable cause. Under the Legislature Act, a seat is vacated by any member of the Council (1) if he takes any oath or makes any declaration or acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to any foreign Prince or Power; or (2) if he does, or concurs in, or adopts any act whereby he may become a subject or citizen of any foreign State or Power, or is entitled to the rights, privileges, or immunities of a subject of any foreign State or Power; or (3) if he is a bankrupt, or compounds with his creditors under any Act for the time being in force; or (4) if he is a public defaulter, or is attainted of treason, or is convicted of felony or any infamous crime; or (5) if he resigns his seat by writing under his hand addressed to and accepted by the Governor; or (6) if for more than one whole session of the General Assembly he fails, without permission of the Governor notified to the Council, to give his attendance in the Council. By the Standing Orders of the Council, the presence of one-fourth of the members of the Council, exclusive of those who have leave of absence, is necessary to constitute a meeting for the exercise of its powers. This rule, however, may be altered from time to time by the Council.

The ordinary sitting-days are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 2.30 p.m. to 5 p.m., resuming again at 7.30 p.m. when necessary.

ROLLOF MEMBERSOFTHE HONOURABLETHE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILOF NEW ZEALAND (MAY, 1910).
Speaker—Hon. C. C. BOWEN.
Chairman of Committees—Hon. R. H. J. REEVES.
Name.Provincial District.Date of Appointment.
* Life members.
Anstey, the Hon. JohnCanterbury22 January, 1907.
Baillie, the Hon. William Douglas HallMarlborough    8 March, 1861.*
Baldey, the Hon. AlfredOtago18 March, 1910.
Barr, the Hon. JohnCanterbury22 January, 1907.
Beehan, the Hon. WilliamAuckland22 June, 1903.
Bowen, the Hon. Charles ChristopherCanterbury23 January, 1891.*
Callan, the Hon. John BartholomewOtago22 January, 1907.
Carncross, the Hon. Walter Charles FrederickTaranaki18 March, 1910.
Collins, the Hon. William EdwardWellington22 January, 1907.
Findlay, the Hon. John George, K.C., LL.D.Wellington23 November, 1906.
George, the Hon. Seymour ThorneAuckland22 June, 1903.
Gilmer, the Hon. HamiltonWellington22 January, 1907.
Harris, the Hon. BenjaminAuckland    3 February, 1904.
Jenkinson, the Hon. John EdwardCanterbury    1 July, 1907.
Johnston, the Hon. Charles JohnWellington23 January, 1891.*
Jones, the Hon. GeorgeOtago13 December, 1909.
Kelly, the Hon. ThomasTaranaki16 October, 1906.
Loughnan, the Hon. Robert AndrewWellington    6 May, 1907.
Louisson, the Hon. CharlesCanterbury14 January, 1908.
Luke, the Hon. Charles ManleyWellington22 January, 1907.
McCardle, the Hon. William WilsonAuckland22 January, 1907.
Macdonald, the Hon. Thomas KennedyWellington22 June, 1903.
McGowan, the Hon. JamesAuckland6 January, 1909.
McLean, the Hon. Sir George, Kt. Bach.Otago19 December, 1881.*
Marshall, the Hon. JamesWestland17 April, 1909.
Miller, the Hon. Sir Henry John, Kt., Bach.Otago8 July, 1865.*
Mills, the Hon. Charles HoughtonWellington2 March, 1909
Ormond, the Hon. John DaviesHawke's Bay20 January, 1891.*
O'Rorke, the Hon. Sir George Maurice, Kt.Auckland25 June, 1904.
Paul, the Hon. John ThomasOtago22 January, 1907.
Pere, Hon. WiremuHawke's Bay22 January, 1907.
Reeves, the Hon. Richard Harman JeffaresNelson13 December, 1909.
Rigg, the Hon. JohnWellington1 July, 1907.
Samuel, the Hon. OliverTaranaki22 January, 1907.
Scotland, the Hon. HenryTaranaki24 February, 1868.*
Sinclair, the Hon. John RobertOtago22 January, 1907.
Smith, the Hon. William CowperHawke's Bay13 December, 1909.
Smith, the Hon. George JohnCanterbury22 January, 1907.
Stevens, the Hon. Edward Cephas JohnCanterbury7 March, 1882.*
Thompson, the Hon. ThomasAuckland18 March, 1910.
Tucker, the Hon. William HenryAuckland22 January, 1907.
Wigram, the Hon. Henry FrancisCanterbury22 June, 1903.

House of Representatives.

The number of members constituting the House of Representatives is eighty—seventy-six Europeans and four Maoris. They are now designated Members of Parliament. The number was fixed by the Act of 1900, which came for the first time into practical operation at the general election of 1902. Previously (from 1890) the House consisted of seventy-four members, seventy Europeans and four Maoris; and previously to that (from 1881) of ninety-five members, ninety-one Europeans and four Maoris. The North Island at present returns forty-one European members, and the South Island thirty-five. The elections are triennial, except in the case of a dissolution by the Governor. Every registered elector, being of the male sex, and free from any of the disqualifications mentioned in “The Legislature Act, 1908,” is eligible for membership. All contractors to the public service of New Zealand to whom any public money above the sum of £50 is payable, directly or indirectly, in any one financial year, as well as the Civil servants of the Dominion, are incapable of being elected as, or of sitting or voting as, members. The payment made to members of the House of Representatives is £25 per month, amounting to £300 per annum, subject to certain deductions for absence during session not due to sickness or other unavoidable cause. Travelling-expenses to and from Wellington are also allowed. This scale of payment came into force on the 7th November, 1901, under the provisions of an Act passed in that year. Twenty members, inclusive of the Speaker, constitute a quorum. Unless otherwise ordered, the sitting-days of the House are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., resuming at 7.30 p.m. Order of admission to the Speaker's Gallery is by ticket obtained from the Speaker. The Strangers' Gallery is open free to the public.

Roll of Members of Parliament (May, 1910) in House of Representatives.

Speaker—Hon. ARTHUR ROBERT GUINNESS.

Chairman of Committees—THOMAS MASON WILFORD.

Name.Electoral District.Date when Writs made returnable.
* Deceased, successor not yet elected.
      For European Electorates.
Allen, JamesBruce21 November, 1908.
Anderson, George JamesMataura21 November, 1908.
Arnold, James FrederickDunedin Central21 November, 1908.
Baume, Frederick Ehrenfreid*Auckland East21 November, 1908.
Bollard, JohnEden21 November, 1908.
Brown, John VigorNapier21 November, 1908.
Buchanan, Walter ClarkeWairarapa21 November, 1908.
Buddo, Hon. DavidKaiapoi21 November, 1908.
Buick, DavidPalmerston21 November, 1908.
Buxton, ThomasGeraldine21 November, 1908.
Carroll, Hon. JamesGisborne21 November, 1908.
Clark, Edward HenryChalmers21 November, 1908.
Colvin, JamesBuller21 November, 1908.
Craigie, JamesTimaru21 November, 1908.
Davey, Thomas HenryChristchurch East21 November, 1908.
Dillon, AlfredHawke's Bay21 November, 1908.
Dive, BradshawEgmont21 November, 1908.
Duncan, JohnWairau21 November, 1908.
Duncan, Hon. Thomas YoungOamaru21 November, 1908.
Ell, Henry GeorgeChristchurch South21 November, 1908.
Field, William HughesOtaki21 November, 1908.
Fisher, Francis Marion BatesWellington Central21 November, 1908.
Forbes, George WilliamHurunui21 November, 1908.
Fowlds, Hon. GeorgeGrey Lynn21 November, 1908.
Fraser, WilliamWakatipu21 November, 1908.
Glover, Albert EdwardAuckland Central21 November, 1908.
Graham, JohnNelson21 November, 1908.
Greenslade, Henry JamesWaikato21 November, 1908.
Guinness, Hon. Arthur RobertGrey21 November, 1908.
Guthrie, David HenryOroua21 November, 1908.
Hall, CharlesWaipawa21 November, 1908.
Hanan, Josiah AlfredInvercargill21 November, 1908.
Hardy, Charles Albert CreerySelwyn21 November, 1908.
Herdman, Alexander LawrenceWellington North21 November, 1908.
Hemes, William HerbertTauranga21 November, 1908.
Hine, John BirdStratford21 November, 1908.
Hogan, James ThomasWanganui21 November, 1908.
Hogg, Alexander WilsonMasterton21 November, 1908.
Jennings, William ThomasTaumarunui21 November, 1908.
Lang, Frederic WilliamManukau21 November, 1908.
Laurenson, GeorgeLyttelton21 November, 1908.
Lawry, FrankParnell21 November, 1908.
Luke, John PearceWellington Suburbs21 November, 1908.
Macdonald, William Donald StuartBay of Plenty21 November, 1908.
McKenzie, Hon. RoderickMotueka21 November, 1908.
Mackenzie, Hon. ThomasTaieri21 November, 1908.
McLaren, DavidWellington East21 November, 1908.
Malcolm, Alexander ScottClutha21 November, 1908.
Mander, FrancisMarsden21 November, 1908.
Massey, William FergusonFranklin21 November, 1908.
Millar, Hon. John AndrewDunedin West21 November, 1908.
Newman, EdwardManawatu21 November, 1908.
Nosworthy, WilliamAshburton21 November, 1908.
Okey, Henry James HobbsTaranaki21 November, 1908.
Pearce, George VatorPatea21 November, 1908.
Phillipps, Leonard RichardWaitemata21 November, 1908.
Poland, HughOhinemuri21 November, 1908.
Poole, Charles HenryAuckland West21 November, 1908.
Reed, Vernon HerbertBay of Islands21 November, 1908.
Rhodes, Robert HeatonEllesmere21 November, 1908.
Ross, Robert BeatsonPahiatua21 November, 1908.
Russell, George WarrenAvon21 November, 1908.
Scott, RobertTuapeka21 November, 1908.
Seddon, Thomas Edward YoudWestland21 November, 1908.
Sidey, Thomas KayDunedin South21 November, 1908.
Smith, Robert WilliamRangitikei3 October, 1909.
Stallworthy, JohnKaipara21 November, 1908.
Steward, Sir William Jukes, Kt. Bach.Waitaki21 November, 1908.
Taylor, Edmund HarveyThames4 February, 1909.
Taylor, Thomas EdwardChristchurch North21 November, 1908.
Thomson, George MalcolmDunedin North21 November, 1908.
Thomson, John CharlesWallace21 November, 1908.
Ward, Right Hon. Sir Joseph George, P.O., K.C.M.G.Awarua21 November, 1908.
Wilford, Thomas MasonHutt21 November, 1908.
Witty, GeorgeRiccarton21 November, 1908.
Wright, Robert AlexanderWellington South21 November, 1908.
    For Maori Electorates.
Te RangihiroaNorthern Maori5 April, 1909.
Kaihau, HenareWestern Maori23 December, 1908.
Ngata, Apirana TurupaEastern Maori23 November, 1908.
Parata, TameSouthern Maori23 November, 1908.

Chapter 18. OFFICIAL LIST.
1st APRIL, 1910.

Table of Contents

LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENTS.

Legislative Council.

Clerk of Parliaments, Clerk of the Legislative Council, and Examiner of Standing Orders upon Private Bills—Leonard Stowe.

Clerk-Assistant and Acting Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod—A. T. Bothamley.

Second Clerk - Assistant—B. E. S. Stocker, M.A.

Interpreter—F. H. Phillips.

House of Representatives.

Clerk of House—H. Otterson.

Clerk-Assistant—A. J. Rutherfurd.

Second Clerk-Assistant—A. F. Lowe.

Sergeant-at-Arms—Major T. V. Shepherd.

Reader and Clerk of Bills and Papers—E. W. Kane.

Record Clerk—W. E. Dasent.

Chief Hansard Reporter—Silas Spragg.

Hansard Reporters—W. Berry, J. M. Geddes, W. Leslie, W. H. Russell, H. M. Gore, D. H. Cameron, J. Gray, R. G. Thomson, F. W. Weston, J. W. Stevenson.

Hansard Supervisor—M. F. Marks.

Clerk of Writs—H. Pollen.

Deputy Clerk of Writs—R. F. Lynch.

Interpreter—D. F. G. Barclay.

Parliamentary Library.

Chief Librarian—Charles Wilson.

Assistant Librarian—H. L. James.

PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE.

Prime Minister—Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, P.O., K.C.M.G.

Secretary to Cabinet and Clerk of the Executive Council—J. F. Andrews.

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE.

The Treasury.

Minister of Finance—Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, P.C., K.C.M.G.

Secretary to the Treasury, Receiver-General, Paymaster-General, and Registrar of New Zealand Consols—J. W. Poynton.

Assistant Secretary and Accountant to the Treasury and Deputy Registrar of New Zealand Consols—Richard B. Vincent.

Cashier—C. E. Chittey.

Clerks—E. L. Mowbray, A. O. Gibbes, H. N. W. Church, A. J. Morgan, J. J. Esson, M. S. Seddon, T. J. Davis, J. A. Martin, J. H. Stock, H. Hawthorn, R. J. S. Hickson, F. H. Tuckey, W. Wilson, C. B. Carpenter, W. M. Townshend, G. C. Rodda, A. J. Tresize, F. J. Chittey, G. Scott, R. Witheford, S. Fraser, A. C. McIntyre, J. D. Naughton, C. Boyd, A. H. Duff, T. M. Highet, L. McIntosh, M. Ralston, D. M. Schramm, E. M. Bodmin, E. M. Taylor, W. L. Clapson, P. Dunstan, E. Toms, G. M. Morris, G. E. Miller, T. H. Jones, H. Stafford.

Cadets—C. J. Fisher, W. H. Welsh, D. E. Mackay, F. J. McComisky, W. C. Ryan, F. W. H. Prideaux, J. B. Watson, D. R. Dinnie, H. Vivian, E. Stewart, D. T. Moroney, A. P. Lewis.

Friendly Societies Office.

Registrar—R. E. Hayes.

Revising Barrister—L. G. Reid.

Actuary—A. T. Traversi.

Clerks—J. G. Roache, L. R. Hamilton, M. A. Bridson.

Cadets—G. E. Bradley, P. H. Jones.

LAND AND INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT.

Commissioner of Taxes—P. Heyes.

Clerk in Charge, Land-tax—H. Nancarrow.

Clerk in Charge, Income-tax—J. M. King.

Receiver of Land and Income Tax—C. V. Kreeft.

Inspectors—W. M. Tyers, D. G. Clark, G. W. Jänisch.

Clerk in Charge, Graduated Tax—E. W. Watson.

Income-tax Staff.

Clerks—D. R. Purdie, E. J. R. Cumming, J. M. Glasgow. H. S. Barron. J. M. Park, R. Hirschberg, L. F. Allen, L. Powell, P. Hodgkins, E. Ward, E. M. Pytt-Jackson, N. Kennedy, E. Hyde.

Typistes—E. O'Leary, E. C. Graves, M. A. Rogers.

Cadets—J. D. Eves, H. H. A. Young, B. Black.

Land-tax Staff.

Section Clerks—E. Randell, J. M. Smythe, R. R. Leys, A. S. Williamson.

Clerks—C. T. Rout, C. E. Dowland, J. M. Ferguson, P. H. Wood, W. H. Doyle, S. C. Lambert, M. G. Fisher, P. W. Skelley, T. Hoggard, J. B. Hobart, W. B. Rhodes, J. A. Horne, St. G. A. Dowsing, J. H. Clark, F. F. Laurenson, F. Houldsworth, J. Monahan, C. Headland, E. W. Arnold, W. H. Phillips, C. Mundy, R. Grant, W. Penney, G. Walsh, H. F. Wood, J. T. D'Emden, B. Hibbard, H. L. Rosenberg, F. Bray, S. J. A. Hill, C. Sparrow, J. Coogan, W. V. Fantham.

Cadets—R. S. Wakelin, A. C. Watson, L. F. Cooper.

VALUATION DEPARTMENT.

Valuer-General—Peter Heyes.

Inspecting Valuer—John P. Dugdale.

Officers in Charge—A. J. McGowan, Auckland; H. L. Wiggins, Christ-church; A. Clothier, Dunedin; T. L. Oswin, Invercargill.

Clerks—Wellington, J. W. Black, F. W. Barnett, W. A. Clachan, C. H. Biss, C. J. Lovatt, E. H. Fisher, J. Wells, T. J. Rowse, H. A. Anderson, H. J. Valentine, J. H. Shine, E. H. Eton. H. Christie, W. Hill, J. Guthrie, M. V. Card, G. F. Cooke, N. H. Mackie, W. Lovell, A. T. McCaw, F. K. Tucker, C. J. Hurley, A. C. Peart.

Draughtsmen—Wellington, H. H. Seed, A. E. S. Gill, F. W. Clayton; Dunedin. J. D. Hutchin.

District Valuers—W. F. Thompson, Whangarei; E. Morgan, Onehunga; B. J. Esam, Auckland; G. W. Hyde, Hamilton; W. F. Wallis, Morrinsville; C. F. Lewis, Gisborne; J. Eraser, Hastings; G. H. Lloyd, Hawera; D. Craig, Wanganui; E. P. Fowler, Taihape; J. M. Wilson, Palmerston North; H. J. C. Coutts, Masterton; J. Ames, F. N. Martin, J. F. H. McCarthy, G. Halliday, Wellington; E. Kenny, Picton; H. Murray, Christchurch; J. M. Kelly, Rangiora; G. Mason, O'Kain's Bay; D. Stowell, Timaru; E. A. Atkinson, Oamaru; H. G. Fisher, Dunedin; R. Milne, Milton; J. George, Lumsden; J. Smaill, Gore.

Clerks—Auckland, J. B. Wallis, T. C. Somers, F. F. McKenzie, W. Gulliver, T. P. Gilfedder, P. G. Pearce; Christchurch, A. Millar, J. E. Johnston, G. J. Russell, G. Forbes, N. Smythe; Dunedin, C. de R. Andrews, M. J. Drysdale; Invercargill, A. Wyllie, W. W. King.

Cadets—Auckland, C. W. Chilcott, H. C. Fletcher; Wellington, W. G. McClintock, G. S. Rowe, A. M. Hall; Christchurch, B. Nixon, P. J. P. Dwyer; Dunedin, J. G. Johnston; Invercargill, H. R. Fraser.

STAMP DEPARTMENT.

Minister of Stamp Duties—Hon. James Carroll.

Commissioner of Stamps—P. C. Corliss.

Chief Clerk—C. H. W. Dixon.

Custodian and Issuer of Stamps—W. H. Shore.

Accountant—J. P. Murphy.

Clerks—V. Willeston, C. McIntosh, G. Tinney, R. Smyth.

Chief Stamper—A. A. Somerville.

Cadets—J. McKay, B. L. Dallard, H. B. Walton.

Deputy Commissioners of Stamps.

Auckland—W. G. Fletcher.

Gisborne—R. N. Jones.

Taranaki—A. V. Sturtevant.

Hawke's Bay—L. Pauling.

Wellington—C. H. W. Dixon.

Wanganui—D. Miller.

Nelson—W. W. de Castro.

Marlborough—F. Broughton.

Canterbury—P. G. Withers.

Timaru—H. W. Capper.

Otago—J. Murray.

Southland—C. E. Nalder.

Westland—J. G. L. Hewitt.

Registrar of Companies.

P. C. Corliss.

Registrars of Building Societies, Industrial and Provident Societies, and Assistant Registrars of Companies.

Auckland—W. G. Fletcher.

Poverty Bay—R. N. Jones.

Taranaki—A. V. Sturtevant.

Hawke's Bay—L. Pauling.

Wellington—C. H. W. Dixon.

Nelson—W. W. de Castro.

Marlborough—F. Broughton.

Canterbury—P. G. Withers.

Otago—J. Murray.

Southland—C. E. Nalder.

Westland—J. G. L. Hewitt.

POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT.

General Post Office.

Postmaster - General and Minister of Telegraphs—Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, P.C., K.C.M.G.

Secretary, Post and Telegraph Department, and Commissioner of Old-age Pensions—D. Robertson.

Assistant Secretary and Inspector—W. R. Morris.

Chief Clerk—F. V. Waters.

Staff—J. C. Williamson (Second Clerk), W. Crow, H. D. Grocott, J. C. Redmond, A. T. Markmann, W. J. Gow, R. C. O'Connor, J. E. Broadfoot, F. W. Furby, G. G. Rose (M.A.), G. McNamara, S. Macalister, C. A. Mathieson, J. P. P. Clouston, A. Donovan, W. I. Dawson, W. J. Wilkie, W. H. Barnett, J. F. Wilson, C. T. Andrew, Hon. T. Ogilvie-Grant, P. J. G. Schmidt, S. J. Smith, T. Mark, J. E. Hunt, D. E. Fouhy, C. E. C. Milner, L. C. Barnes, G. B. Farmer, N. T. Policy, A. D. Troup, M. A. Green, A. C. Affleck, K. M. McGrath, A. McGill.

Superintendent of Electric Lines—J. K. Logan, I.S.O.

Chief Electrician—T. Buckley.

Staff—R. Heinitz, F. Palmer, C. S. Plank, H. L. Cummings, E. C. Gage, L. L. Macey.

Controller of Money-orders and Savings-banks, and Accountant—J. L. H. Ledger.

Assistant Controller of Money-orders and Savings-banks, and Assistant Accountant—H. A. R. Huggins.

Stall"—W. Chegwidden (First Clerk), R. D. Kelly, H. G. Cornwall, G. C. Fache, F. T. R. Johnston, A. J; A. Roberts, G. Lew, D. A. Jenkins, C. B. Harton, H.D. Edwards, J. A. Thomson, S. J. Bolton, F. E. Beamish, P. D. Hoskins, H. C. Milne, J. C. Fairbairn, F. Stewart, H. C. Hickson, W. R. Wakelin, A. Marshall, H. E. Combs, F. G. A. Eagles, E. White, J. Snell, B.A., F. Wilton, J. Madden, P. Cutforth, G. Foote, W. Gilbert, R. M. Porteous, D. Rutherford, A. Leeden, R. H. Twose, C. Gamble, L. C. Forgie, J. A. Humphrey, W. A. Smith, C. B. Burdekin, H. A. Lamb, T. A. Churches, C. H. Clinkard, H. J. Copping, N. V. Ross, D. A. McCurdy, H. A. Hamilton, A. M. Rosie, G. B. Williamson, O. L. T. Harrison, T. Brown, J. R. Williams, F. M. Leckie, J. H. Reynolds, J. S. Lambert, E. E. Mortimer, W. M. Moore, J. Macmorran, H. D. Smith, W. Findlay, J. T. Schulenburg, F. G. Furniss, J. W. Coard, J. K. Brooks, H. Toner, E. J. G. Loader, E. H. Boyd, F. D. Andrews, S. McDowall, J. C. Paul, W. T. Bird, C. J. H. Davidson, L. F. Bruce, R. T. McElligott, J. P. J. Hanratty, V. J. Brogan, F. S. Hodson, C. W. Robinson, R. S. James, P. Condon, J. R. McKee, J. H. Mitchell, G. B. Brown, F. W. Duske, A. W. Robertson, M. McCartney, N. W. Weir, J. Smyth, R. G. Pullar, G. T. Kellaway, E. C. B. Wilkinson, T. M. Grace, C. H. Gannaway, V. Johnston, E. Bermingham, EG. Harris, B. M. Kenny, M. A. M. Macleod, M. A. Asquith, E. E. Warren, A. R. Payne, E. G. Mills, R. E. E. Alexander, C. M. Jordan, E. G. Nolan, C. A. Coady, C. M. Godsell, P. E. Mackay, J. Sullivan.

Inspector of Post-offices—G. B. Dall.

Staff—G. V. Hudson, J. Brennan, W. A. Tanner, P. S. Robins, S. M. Harrison, H. McGill, G. A. Maskew, J. L. M. Harkness, T. O. Lambie, L. Sleightholme, C. A. E. J. Agar, E. M. Phillips, H. G. Shakes.

Inspector of Savings-banks—R. B. Morris.

Assistant Inspector of Savings - banks—W. Gee.

Inspector of Telegraph Offices—H. W. Harrington.

Staff—W. A. Andrews, J. Robertson, W. C. Purdie, E. Downard.

Controller of Stores—C. B. Mann.

Assistant Controller of Stores—C. H. W. Nicholls.

Staff—J. B. Jordan, T. Palmer, W. H. Carter, M. McGilvray, J. G. Howard, J. L. Murphy, G. S. S. Urquhart, H. W. Cockerill, J. O'Sullivan, W. M. Krebs, G. E. St. George, J. J. Monahan, F. L. Chapman, H. A. Johnston, M. A. White, J. A. Salmond, VV. Gazley, F. H. Carrick.

Chief Postmasters.

Auckland—F. D. Holdsworth.

*Thames—W. H. S. Nicholls.

*Gisborne—W. H. Renner.

Napier—T. T. King.

*New Plymouth—W. J. Chaney.

*Wanganui—D. Miller.

Wellington—J. A. Hutton.

* Blenheim—E. Northcroft.

*Nelson—E. V. Senn.

*Westport—H. Logie.

*Greymouth—G. W. Sampson.

*Hokitika—D. St. George.

Christchurch—S. P. Stevens.

*Timaru—H. W. Capper.

*Oamaru—W. W. Beswick.

Dunedin—W. St. G. Douglas.

*Invercargill—W. McHutcheson.

Telegraph Engineers.

Auckland—W. S. Furby.

Christchurch—J. W. Gannaway.

Dunedin—J. Orchiston.

Nelson—W. E. Chisholm.

Wellington—C. C. Robertson.

Assistant Inspectors of Post-offices.

P. Curtis (Northern District); J. H. Stevens (Central District); H. Kissel (Midland District).

Officers in Charge of Telegraph Offices.

Auckland—F. G. Gannaway.

Napier—F. H. Dodd.

Wellington—C. H. M. Hawk.

Christchurch—B. N. Martin.

Dunedin—B. H. Keys.

Board of Appeal.

J. W. Poynton, Secretary to the Treasury (Chairman), nominated.

J. K. Logan, I.S.O., Superintendent of Electric Lines, nominated.

L. Anderson, Representing Postal Branch, elected.

W. R. Thompson, Representing Telegraph Branch, elected.

RAILWAYS DEPARTMENT.

Minister of Railways—Hon. J. A. Millar.

Head Office.

General Manager—T. Ronayne.

Chief Clerk—R. W. McVilly.

Clerks—G. Brownlee, W. S. Ridler, J. L. Day, J. O. Duff, J. Hislop, J. E. Widdop, D. MacKellar, W. A. Wellings, P. J. McGovern, J. Thomson, W. P. Miller, F. M. Sherwood, A. J. Levick, T. H. McLean, J. A. Jones, R. J. Walker, G. H. Hoare, N. J. McKay, E. S. Gray, J. A. Mitchell, G. D. Newton, F. K. Bevan, A. T. West, A. Benton.

Audit Inspectors—D. Munro, W. P. Williams, I. Faris, H. Williams.

Chief Accountant—H. Davidson.

Clerks—J. H. Davies, S. P. Curtis, A. W. J. Cook, A. Morris, C. Batten, J. Firth, W. B. Fisher, E. J. Fleming, E. Davy, H. H. Leopard, R. J. Loe, W. Bourke, T. Pattle, A. H. Hunt, H. D. Smith, P. H. Smith, W. E. Ahern, F. K. Porteous, A. D. C. Gosman, T. A. O'Connor, A. E. Wilson, J. W. Dayman, W. H. Simmons, J. B. Gauntlett, P. J. Wright, E. D. H. Heaton, J. P. Treahy, R. A. Fahy, J. Jessen, A. R. Charlton, R. Trowland, F. J. Stephens, J. A. McQueen, E. G. Edwards, D. McCallum.

* Combined Post and Telegraph offices.

Stores Branch.

Stores Manager—H. Baxter.

Stores Audit Inspector—F. J. Dawes.

Sawmill Manager (Kakahi)—G. Weir.

Clerks—M. C. Rowe, W. H. Chittey, A. E. Boyes, R. H. Stephens, E. J. Guinness, L. W. Hawkins, S. S. Millington, R. E. Alpe, J. D. Eraser, J. Lundon, P. M. Muir, W. McLeod, J. P. Harris, C. H. Nelson, A. H. G. Lambert, A. B. Leggett, L. Murphy, L. W. F. Wiren, R. Kennedy, F. B. Knutson, A. P. Dwan, W. J. Carson.

Traffic Branch.

Chief Traffic Manager—H. Buxton.

Clerks—G. A. C. Robieson, J. D. Nash, G. S. Reid.

District Managers—Whangarei, J. D. Harris; Auckland, T. W. Waite; Wanganui, J. E. Armstrong; Wellington, S. F. Whitcombe; Westport, J. Ashley; Westland, A. Duncan; Christchurch, W. J. Stringleman; Dunedin, C. A. Piper; Invercargill, T. W. Brebner.

Stationmasters in Charge—Kawakawa, H. E. Burrell; Kaihu, R. B. Peat; Gisborne, H. J. Day; Nelson, T. S. Edwards; Picton, P. Couch.

Maintenance Branch.

Chief Engineer for Working Railways—J. Burnett, M. Inst. C.E.

Inspecting Engineer—F. W. MacLean.

Signal Engineer—H. J. Wynne, A.M. Inst. C.E.

Railway Land Officer—G. McCartney.

Inspector of Bridge-construction—A. H. Alabaster.

Signal Inspector—J. Cheeseman.

Electrician—J. T. Fahy, A.M.I.E.E.

Electrical Mechanician—T. Hendry.

Electric Lines Inspector—E. A. Tomkies.

Office Engineer—G. A. Troup.

Draughtsmen—J. Besant, Ad. Howitt, E. Meek, D. Thomson, A. S. Henderson, W. W. Fry, G. M. Hogben.

Civil Engineering Cadets—W. P. Mead, E. E. Jenkinson, H. D. Henderson, H. K. Edie, R. R. Gow.

Clerks—W. P. Hicks, W. A. Mirams, T. H. Wilson, E. S. Kelly, F. W. Phillips, J. M. Robb, F. J. Rowden, H. Southern, W. B. Lee, T. Tresize, F. McGovern, V. W. W. Venimore, R. Greig, D. S. Morris, P. McMaster, J. A. Devlin, P. J. Twomey, S. Perry, J. T. Egan, C. W. McGahan.

District Engineers—Auckland, D. T. McIntosh; Ohakune, J. K. Lowe; Wanganui, F. J. Jones; Wellington, F. C. Widdop and A. C. Koch; Westport and Westland, C. M. Benzoni; Christchurch, C. H. Biss; Dunedin, H. Macandrew; Invercargill, A. J. McCredie.

Assistant Engineers—W. R. B. Bagge, Auckland; R. S. Kent, Wanganui; W. R. Davidson and J. McNair, Wellington; C. T. Jeffreys, Christchurch; H. D. Dansey, Dunedin.

Locomotive Branch.

Chief Mechanical Engineer—A. L. Beattie.

Clerks—J. P. Kelly, R. Aekins, D. D. Weir, B. A. Marris, H. McKeowen, N. P. G. Ewart, L. C. Fama, J. H. Leopard, J. P. McKeowen, E. S. Stringleman, A. J. Ridler, A. Goodley, O. R. Fennell, T. C. McGrath, P. J. McEnirney, J. J. Herrick, G. R. Heginbotham, H. D. Meek, W. Grinter.

Chief Draughtsman—R. Pye-Smith.

Draughtsmen—S. H. Jenkinson, C. G. G. Berry, J. D. Holmes.

Boiler Inspector—J. W. Nichols.

Locomotive Inspectors,—

North Island—G. Bowles.

South Island—A. Mackenzie.

Locomotive Engineers—Auckland, J. H. Fox; Wellington-Napier—New Plymouth, G. A. Pearson; Hurunui-Bluff, H. H. Jackson; Westport and Westland, E. E. Gillon. Relieving, F. T. Murison, G. E. Richardson.

Loco. Inspector (Thames)—C. T. Bargh.

Tech. Clerks—G. Wilson, A. L. Piper, A. G. Steffensen.

Boards of Appeal.

North Island.

Chairman—Alexander McArthur, appointed by the Governor.

C. P. Ryan, Clerk, Wanganui, elected.

M. Lee, Guard, Wellington, elected.

P. Laffy, Surfaceman, Wellington, elected.

D. McKenzie, Machinist, Petone, elected.

C. G. Lee, Engine-driver, Wanganui.

South Island.

Chairman—Mr. District Judge Haselden, appointed by the Governor.

J. Gray, Traffic inspector, Christchurch, elected.

M. Reddington, Shunter, Christchurch, elected.

G. Brown, Engineman, Christchurch, elected.

J. H. Jones, Turner, Addington.

NATIVE DEPARTMENT.

Native Minister—Hon. James Carroll.

Under-Secretary—Thos. W. Fisher.

Chief Clerk—W. T. Pitt.

Clerk (also Private Secretary to the Native Minister)—W. T. Gordon.

Record Clerk—J. B. Hackworth.

Clerks—L. A. Teutenberg, J. Harvey.

Translator—L. M. Grace.

Chief Judge of Native Land Court—Jackson Palmer.

Judges of Native Appellate Court and Native Land Court—J. W. Browne, W. E. Rawson, C. E. MacCormick, R. N. Jones, T. W. Fisher, M. Gilfedder, A. G. Holland.

Commissioners of Native Land Court—H. W. Bishop, H. Carr, J. B. Jack, W. H. Bowler.

Registrars of Native Land Court—Auckland, E. P. Earle; Wellington, E. A. Welch; Wanganui, A. H. Mackay; Gisborne, H. Carr.

Clerks and Interpreters of Native Land Court—A. F. Puckey, C. W. P. Seon, W. E. Goffe, C. P. Newton, H. R. H. Balneavis, W. T. Pitt, Ware Waitai, Tiweka Anaru, Tukere te Anga.

Presidents of Maori Land Boards—Tokerau Board, C. Dean Pitt; Waiariki, J. W. Browne; Waikato and Maniapoto-Tuwharetoa, W. H. Bowler; Tairawhiti Board, A. Keefer; Aotea Board and Te Ikaroa Board, J. B. Jack.

Maori Councils.

Minister in Charge—Hon. A. T. Ngata.

Health Officer—Dr. M. Pomare.

Superintendent—J. B. Hackworth.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

Head Office.

Minister of Justice and Attorney-General—Hon. J. G. Findlay, LL.D., K.C.

Under-Secretary—F. G. B. Waldegrave.

Chief Clerk—G. C. B. Jordan.

Clerks—G. F. Dixon, W. Gollan, H. W. Kirkwood.

Cadet—E. Grant.

Crown Law Office.

Solicitor - General—J. W. Salmond, LL.B.

Assistant Law Officers—L. G. Reid, E. Y. Redward.

Law Draftsman—W. Jolliffe.

Clerks—E. N. G. Poulton (also Private Secretary to Attorney-General), J. Christie, J. M. Tudhope.

Patent Office.

Registrar of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks, Fine Arts and Dramatic Works Copyrights—J. C. Lewis.

Clerks—Mary Eyre, E. P. O'Donnell, J. A. Hardie.

Cadet—C. V. Fordham.

Judicial.

Supreme Court Judges.

Chief Justice—

Wellington—Hon. Sir R. Stout, K.C.M.G.

Judges—

Wellington—Theo. Cooper, F. R. Chapman.

Auckland—W. B. Edwards.

Christchurch—J. E. Denniston.

Dunedin—J. S. Williams.

Registrars of the Supreme Court.

Auckland—R. E. G. Thomas.

Hamilton—F. O. B. Loughnan.

New Plymouth—H. S. Fitzherbert.

Gisborne—W. A. Barton.

Wanganui—W. Kerr.

Palmerston North—A. D. Thomson.

Napier—S. E. McCarthy.

Masterton—

Wellington—D. G. A. Cooper.

Nelson—J. S. Evans.

Blenheim—R. S. Florance.

Christchurch—G. A. King.

Westport—E. Rawson.

Timaru—V. G. Day.

Hokitika—J. G. L. Hewitt.

Greymouth—A. Crooke.

Dunedin—W. A. Hawkins.

Invercargill—J. R. Colyer.

Sheriffs.

Auckland—R. E. G. Thomas.

Taranaki—J. Terry.

Hawke's Bay—S. E. McCarthy.

Poverty Bay—W. A. Barton.

Wellington—D. G. A. Cooper.

Wairarapa—M. Foley.

Wanganui and Rangitikei—C. A. Barton.

Manawatu—C. J. Hewlett.

Nelson—W. Heaps.

Westland North—O. E. Bowling.

Central Westland—H. Smith.

Marlborough—F. W. Hart.

Canterbury—G. A. King.

Timaru—V. G. Day.

Westland—J. G. L. Hewitt.

Otago—W. A. Hawkins.

Southland—J. R. Colyer.

Crown Solicitors.

Auckland—Hon. J. A. Tole.

Hamilton—H. T. Gillies.

New Plymouth—T. S. Weston, sen.

Gisborne—J. W. Nolan.

Napier—H. A. Cornford.

Masterton—A. R. Bunny.

Wellington—F. H. D. Bell.

Wanganui—G. Marshall.

Palmerston North—C. A. Loughnan.

Nelson—C. Y. Fell.

Blenheim—R. McCallum.

Westport—

Greymouth—

Christchurch—T. W. Stringer.

Timaru—J. W. White.

Dunedin—J. F. M. Fraser.

Invercargill—W. Macalister.

Oamaru—A. G. Creagh.

Stipendiary Magistrates.

Auckland—C. C. Kettle.

Whangarei, &c.—T. Scott Smith

Onehunga, &c.—E. C. Cutten.

Hamilton, &c.—F. O. Loughnan

Russell, &c.—R. J. Acheson.

Rotorua, &c.—R. W. Dyer.

Thames, &c.—F. J. Burgess.

Gisborne, &c.—W. A. Barton.

New Plymouth. &c.—H. S. Fitzherbert.

Hawera, &c.—W. G. Kenrick.

Wanganui, &c.—W. Kerr.

Palmerston North, &c.—A. D. Thomson

Wellington, &c—A. McArthur, M.A., LL.D., and W. G. Riddell.

Wairarapa, &c.—

Napier, &c.—S. E. McCarthy.

Nelson, &o.—J. S. Evans.

Blenheim, &c.—R. S. Florance.

Christchurch, &c.—H. W. Bishop.

Kaiapoi, &c.—T. A. B. Bailey.

Timaru, &c.—V. G. Bay.

Greymouth, &c.—A. Crooke.*

Westport, &c.—E. Rawson.*

Hokitika, &c—J. G. L. Hewitt.*

Dunedin, &c.—H. Y. Widdowson.

Oamaru, &c.—T. Hutchison.*

Milton, &c.—J. R. Bartholomew.*

Queenstown, &c.—H. A. Young.*

Naseby—E. W. Porritt.*

Invercargill, &c.—G. Cruickshank.*

Chatham Islands—Dr. G. H. Gibson.

Official Assignees in Bankruptcy.

Auckland—E. Gerard, J.P.

Wellington—A. Simpson, J.P.

Christchurch—J. Evans.

Dunedin—W. S. Fisher.

Clerks of Magistrates' Courts.

Hamilton—H. J. Dixon.

New Plymouth—J. Terry.

Hawera—D. W. Mason.

Stratford—F. Bird, jun.

Wanganui—C. A. Barton.

Palmerston North—C. J. Hewlett.

Dannevirke—S. Tansley.

Masterton—M. Foley.

Pahiatua—D. O'Rourke.

Timaru—T. W. Tayler.

Oamaru—A. A. Mair.

Invercargill—J. R. Colyer.

Auckland—H. H. G. Ralfe.

Rotorua—A. F. Bent.

Gisborne—G. J. Johnstone.

Napier—A. Trimble.

Hastings—T. M. Lawlor.

Marton, &c.—H. Morgan.

Feilding—C. V. Roberts.

Otaki—T. O'Rourke.

Taihape—W. Baker.

Wellington—A. H. Holmes.

Christchurch—W. A. D. Banks.

Lyttelton—W. D. Wallace.

Kaiapoi and Rangiora—A. G. Ashby.

Waimate—W. Y. Purchase.

Port Chalmers—G. G. Chisholm.

Balclutha—G. H. Sherwood.

Clerks of Magistrates' and Wardens' Courts and Receivers of Gold Revenue and Mining Registrars.

Thames—J. Jordan.

Coromandel—G. G. Paul.

Paeroa and Te Aroha—H. R. Bush.

Waihi—J. McIndoe.

* Are also Wardens of Goldfields.

Tauranga—T. R. W. Philpotts.

Whangarei—W. J. Reeve.

Nelson—E. C. Kelling.

Blenheim—F. W. Hart.

Collingwood—A. E. Fanthorpe.

Westport—O. E. Bowling.

Reefton—H. Smith.

Ahaura—G. P. Shepherd.

Greymouth—B. Harper.

Kumara—G. H. Harris.

Hokitika—J. N. Nalder.

Ashburton—J. Fitzgerald.

Naseby, &c.—J. C. Malfroy.

Clyde, Black's, and Alexandra—F. T. D. Jeffery.

Cromwell—J. M. Adam.

Queenstown and Arrowtown—A. J. Thompson.

Lawrence—A. M. Eyes.

Gore—G. H. Lang.

Riverton and Orepuki—D. P. Phillips.

Dunedin (Hindon)—R. P. Ward.

Coroners.

Auckland, T. Gresham; Arrowtown, H. Graham; Coromandel, A. R. H. Swindley; Collingwood, E. Davidson; Dannevirke, T. L. Buick; Dunedin, C. C. Graham; Feilding, E. Goodbehere; Foxton, A. Fraser; Hamilton, J. S. Bond; Hawera, C. E. Major; Kawhia, T. D. Hamilton; Levin, W. C. Nation; Marton, J. J. McDonald; New Plymouth, J. Mackay; Onehunga, D. A. Sutherland; Opotiki, P. A. Crawford; Otahuhu, A. R. Harris; Paeroa, W. Forrest; Pahi, J. B. Ariell; Port Albert, L. P. Becroft; Queenstown, L. Hotop; Raglan, W. H. Wallis; Taihape, J. P. Aldridge; Takaka, A. Sinclair; Tapanui, W. Quin; Taumarunui, A. S. Laird; Tauranga, T. E. Price; Te Awamutu, J. B. Teasdale; Te Kopuru, T. Webb; Waihi, W. M. Wallnutt; Waipawa, J. C. Taylor; Waiuku, W. J. King; Westport, G. B. Sinclair; Whangarei, J. M. Killen; Woodville, E. J. Gothard. All Stipendiary Magistrates are ex officio Coroners.

Prisons.

Inspector—Dr. T. F. Hay, M.B., C.M. Visiting Adviser—Rev. J. A. L. Kayll.

Gaolers—Auckland, Thomas Rosson Pointon; Dunedin, T. C. Scanlon; Invercargill, Michael Hawkins; Lyttelton, A. W. Ironsides; Napier, A. Gideon; New Plymouth, J. Coyle; Wellington, S. G. Millington; Waiotapu, Alexander William Roberts; Hanmer Springs, J. T. Reid; Waipa Valley, T. H. Moynihan.

Cook Islands Administration.

Resident Commissioner, Cook and other Islands—Captain J. E. Smith.

Resident Commissioner, Niue—H. G. Cornwall.

Police.

Head Office.

Commissioner—F. G. B. Waldegrave.

Chief Clerk—C. E. Matthews.

Police Force.

Inspectors—John Cullen, John Wybrant Ellison, Robert James Gillies, Terence O'Brien, Nicholas Kiely, Edward Wilson, Alfred James Mitchell, Patrick Black, John Dwyer.

Sub-Inspectors—Henry Green, John O'Donovan, Arthur H. Wright, Samuel Percival Norwood, William John Phair, Joseph Albert McGrath, Charles William Hendrey.

LAND TRANSFER AND DEEDS REGISTRY.

Registrar-General of Land and Deeds—E. Bamford.

Secretary, Land and Deeds—P. C. Corliss.

District Land Registrars and Registrars of Deeds.

Auckland—T. Hall.

Taranaki—H. S. Fitzherbert.

Wellington—E. Bamford.

Hawke's Bay—L. Pauling.

Poverty Bay—R. N. Jones.

Nelson—J. S. Evans.

Marlborough—R. Stone Florance.

Canterbury—G. G. Bridges.

Otago—W. Wyinks.

Southland—C. E. Nalder.

Westland—J. G. L. Hewitt.

Examinees of Titles.

Auckland—T. Hall.

Taranaki—H. S. Fitzherbert.

Wellington—E. Bamford.

Hawke's Bay—L. Pauling.

Poverty Bay—R. N. Jones.

Nelson—J. S. Evans.

Marlborough—R. Stone Florence.

Canterbury—G. G. Bridges.

Otago—W. Wyinks.

Southland—C. E. Nalder.

Westland—J. G. L. Hewitt.

MINES DEPARTMENT.

Minister of Mines—Hon. Roderick McKenzie.

Private Secretary—J. H. McAlister.

Head Office.

Under-Secretary for Mines—H. J. H. Blow.

Chief Clerk—H. E. Radcliffe.

Clerks—G. Girling-Butcher, J. T. Watkins, T. H. Sherwood, and A. N. Poison.

Inspection of Mines.

Inspecting Engineer and Inspector of Mines—Frank Reed, M.I.M.E.

District Inspectors;—Thames and Auckland Districts—Boyd Bennie and Matthew Paul; Clerk, G. S. W. R. Hanson: Canterbury, Otago, and Southland Districts—E. R. Green and Robert McIntosh; Clerk, H. Paton: West Coast Districts—A. G. Marshall (Westport), A. H. Richards (Hokitika), and A. Whitley (Reefton), Clerk, C. M. Wilson.

Managers of Water-races.

Waimea-Kumara—J. Rochford.

Mount Ida—R. Murray.

Geological Survey; Branch.

Director—J. M. Bell, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.G.S., F.G.S.

General Geologist—P. G. Morgan, M.A.

Mining Geologist—C. Fraser, M.Sc.

Topographer—K. M. Graham.

Schools of Mines.

Lecturers and Instructors:—Thames—W. H. Baker, B.Sc.; Assistant, W. A. Given, M.A.: Coromandel—J. McPadden: Waihi—A. H. V. Morgan, M.A.: Karangahake—R. B. McDuff: Reefton—J. Henderson, M.A., D.Sc.: Westport—Sydney Fry.

Board of Examiners under “The Coal-mines Act, 1908.”

The Director, Geological Survey; the Surveyor - General; the Inspecting Engineer of Mines; the Chief Inspector of Machinery, Wellington; James Bishop; Jonathan Dixon; and H. A. Gordon, F.G.S.

Board of Examiners under “The Mining Act, 1908.”

Same official members as above Board, excepting the Chief Inspector of Machinery, Wellington, with the following private members: H. A. Gordon, F.G.S., Auckland; T. Gilmour, Waihi; Benjamin Sutherland, Reefton; and H. P. Hornibrook, Coromandel.

The Director of Geological Survey is Chairman of both Boards, and H. E. Radcliffe is the Secretary.

State Coal-mines.

General Manager—W. C. Gasquoine.

Mine-manager, Point Elizabeth Colliery, Greymouth—James Bishop.

Mine-manager, Seddonville Colliery, Westport—James Fletcher.

Accountant—L. H. Eilers.

Agent, Westport—A. Wilson.

Depot Agent, Wellington—T. Quinlivan.

Depot Agent, Christchurch—W. H. Crothers.

Depot Agent, Wanganui—F. A. Nalder.

Depot Agent, Dunedin—F. J. Gunn.

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS.

Minister of Internal Affairs—Hon. David Buddo.

Under-Secretary—Hugh Pollen.

Officer in Charge of Government Buildings—W. H. Hennah.

Audit Office.

Controller and Auditor-General—Colonel R. J. Collins, I.S.O.

Assistant Controller and Auditor—J. B. Heywood, I.S.O.

Chief Clerk—P. P. Webb.

Audit Inspectors—A. A. Bethune, C. G. Collins, A. W. Eames, J. H. Fowler, R. A. Gray, C. P. Johnson, L. B. Jordan, H. A. Lamb, B. A. Meek, C. A. Ralston, J. Ward, H. Wylie, O. R. Younghusband.

Audit Officer, London—T. H. Hamer.

Examiners—A. M. Adams, A. A. Cairns, E. A. Casey, G. C. Cooke, J. C. A. Dudley, J. T. Dumbell, H. Eastgate, C. E. Easton, L. H. Edwards, A. E. Fowler, G. S. Gapper, R. Garriock, T. S. Hamer, J. Mc. Hamilton, F. M. Hay, A. Hore, D. C. Innes, E. S. Innes, W. W. Knowles, K. D. MacLeod, H. L. Marbrook, H. M. Nalder, G. H. Richardson, A. G. Robinson, J. P. Rutherford, G. G. Smith, E. E. Smythe, R. M. Sunley, P. J. Taylor, H. T. Thompson, T. Treahy, A. Waiters, A. W. Whyte.

Cadets—T. Auton, R. J. Miller, C. D. Thompson.

Registrar-General's Office.

Registrar-General—F. W. Mansfield.

Registration Branch.

Chief Clerk and Deputy Registrar-General—W. W. Cook.

Clerk and Examiner of Returns from Officiating Ministers and Registrars—G. A. Schoch.

Record Clerk—J. W. Butcher.

Clerks for Searches, Documents, &c.—R. G. Poulton, J. L. Palethorpe.

Index Clerk—S. Coffey.

Typiste—L. Dixon.

Statistical Branch.

Chief Compiler and Editor New Zealand Official Year-book—W. M. Wright.

Compilers—F. H. Machattie, M. A. Ashenden, R. Kirker.

Registrars of Births, Deaths, and Marriages—Four Chief Towns.

Auckland—T. Culpan.

Wellington—G. G. Hodgkins.

Christchurch—L. C. Williams.

Dunedin—H. Maxwell.

(There are also 221 other District Registrars located throughout the Dominion.)

ELECTORAL.

Minister in Charge—Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, P.C., K.C.M.G.

Chief Electoral Officer—F. W. Mansfield.

Clerk in Charge—F. Evans.

Clerks—J. D. Ferguson, G. A. Cormack, F. C. Fraser, H. L. Jenkins, A. G. Wiffin, J. G. Carpenter, M. Walker, W. A. von Keisenberg.

Typistes—R. Rees, E. Swift.

High Commissioner's Office.

High Commissioner—Hon. W. Hall-Jones.

Secretary—C. W. Palliser.

Trade and Immigration Representative—T. E. Donne.

Accountant—G. F. Copus.

Produce Commissioner—H. C. Cameron.

Veterinarian—A. Crabb, M.R.C.V.S.

Dominion Museum and Observatory.

Director—A. Hamilton.

Astronomical Observer—T. King.

New Zealand Institute.

President—H. Hamilton.

Hon. Treasurer—M. Chapman, K.C.

Secretary—B. C. Aston.

Advertising Office.

Clerk in Charge—P. J. Kelleher.

Clerks—J. E. Hull, R. Jenkins, R. S. Cunliffe, T. Lynch.

Dominion Chemical Laboratory.

Dominion Analyst—James S. Maclaurin D.Sc., F.C.S.

Assistants—W. Donovan, Roy Girling-Butcher, R. L. Andrew, and C. M. Wright.

Cadets—R. Lynch, and C. A. McCombie.

Bacteriological Laboratory.

Bacteriologist—R. H. Makgill, M.D. Edin., D.P.H., Camb.

Assistant Bacteriologist—J. A. Hurley.

Analysts—Wellington, Dr. J. S. Maclaurin; Auckland, J. A. Pond; Dunedin,; Christchurch, A. A. Bickerton.

Printing and Stationery.

Minister in Charge—Hon. J. A. Millar.

Government Printer, Stationery Office Manager, and Controller of Stamp Printing—John Mackay.

Chief Clerk and Accountant—B. B. Allen.

Clerks—J. W. Hall, R. Watts, A. Stace, W. Hutchings, A. Williams, G. Garnham, C. T. Williams, P. C. Jordan, C. P. Cosgrove.

Cadettes—H. V. Wilson, A. Besant.

Copy Supervisor—M. F. Marks.

Mechanical Division.

Superintending Overseer—W. A. G. Skinner.

Printing Branch—

Overseers—W. P. McGirr, G. H. Loney, F. H. Mountier, H. C. Jones, W. L. Gibson.

Chief Reader—W. Fuller.

Stereotyper and Electrotyper—W. J. Kirk.

Monotype Expert—E. J. Hampton.

Machine-room—

Overseer—J. Phillips.

Sub-overseer—W. Weaver.

Binding Branch—

Overseer—G. H. Broad.

Sub-overseer—J. Rutter.

Forewoman—A. O'Malley.

Stamp Branch—

Overseer—J. Burns.

Lithographic and Photographic Br'ch—

Overseer—D. Ross.

Chief Draughtsman—G. N. Sturtevant.

Engineer—

Mental Hospitals.

Inspector-General—Frank Hay, M.B., C.M.

Assistant Inspector—Miss Hester Maclean.

Chief Clerk—D. Souter.

Medical Superintendent, Auckland Mental Hospital—R. M. Beattie, M.B.

Medical Superintendent, Christchurch Mental Hospital—W. Baxter Gow, M.D.

Medical Superintendent, Porirua Mental Hospital—Gray Hassell, M.D.

Medical Superintendent, Seacliff Mental Hospital—F. Truby King, M.B.

Superintendent, Hokitika Mental Hospital—John Downey; Medical Officer—H. Macandrew, M.B.

Superintendent, Nelson Mental Hospital—George Chapman; Medical Officer—W.J. Mackay, M.D.

Ashburn Hall, Wakari (private hospital)—Proprietors, Dr. E. H. Alexander and Executor of James Hume; Medical Officer, E. H. Alexander, M.B., C.M.

Home for Defectives, Richmond—Steward, Henry Buttle; Matron, Matilda C. Buttle.

Hospitals and Charitable Aid.

Minister in Charge—Hon. G. Fowlds.

Inspector-General of Hospitals—T. H. A. Valintine, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.P.H.

Assistant Inspectors—Miss Hester Maclean, Miss J. Bicknell, Miss A. Bagley.

Chief Clerk—E. A. S. Killick.

Cadet—A. O. von Keisenberg.

Public Health.

Minister of Health—Hon. D. Buddo.

Director and Chief Health Officer—T. H. A. Valintine, M. R. C. S., L.R.C.P., D.P.H.

Chief Clerk—E. A. S. Killick.

Clerks—H. Magrath, C. W. Steward, L. J. Ell.

Shorthand-writers and Typistes—G. Craig, G. Martelli.

District Health Officers—Auckland, Dr. R. H. Makgill; Napier, Dr. F. I. DeLisle; Wellington, Dr. J. P. Frengley; Christchurch, Dr. H. E. Finch; Dunedin, Dr. F. Ogston.

Port Health Officers—Hokianga, Dr. W. Begg; Whangarei, Dr. W. W. Baxter; Kaipara, Dr. W. H. Horton; Helensville, Dr. Max Meinhold; Whitianga, Dr. K. F. Gordon; Auckland, Dr. E. W. Sharman; Onehunga, Dr. W. G. Scott; Thames, Dr. Walshe; Gisborne, Dr. J. W. Williams; New Plymouth, Dr. H. A. McCleland; Napier, Dr. T. C. Moore; Wanganui, Dr. J.M. Christie; Wellington, Dr. H. Pollen; Picton, Dr. W. E. Redman; Nelson, Dr. F. A. Bett; Westport, Dr. G. Hallwright; Greymouth, Dr. C. G. F. Morice;

Lyttelton, Dr. C. H. Upham; Timaru, Dr. C. E. Thomas; Oamaru, Dr. A. Douglas; Bluff, Dr. J. Torrance; Chatham Islands, Dr. G. H. Gibson.

Sanitary Inspectors—Chief Inspector: C. A. Schauer, Wellington. Inspectors: Auckland, R. Grieve; Thames, B. A. Franklin; Hamilton, A. P. Bennett; Stratford, F. B. Gardiner; Wanganui, S. H. Sargeant; Marton, F. C. Wilson; Feilding, M. O'Brien; Greytown, C. E. Miller; Wellington, A. Gray; Blenheim, J. Johnston; Greymouth, E. Middleton; Christ-church, M. Kershaw; Oamaru, R. J. McKenzie; Invercargill, K. Cameron.

Cambridge Sanatorium.

Medical Superintendent—Dr. E. E. Roberts.

Matron—Miss H. C. Inglis.

Secretary—H. Symonds.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE.

Minister of Defence—Right Hon. Sir Joseph George Ward, P.C., K.C.M.G.

Private Secretary—James Hislop.

Council of Defence.

President—The Hon. Minister of Defence, Right Hon. Sir Joseph George Ward, P.C., K.C.M.G.

Chief of the General Staff—Colonel Alfred William Robin, C.B., N.Z.M.

Department of the Chief of the General Staff.

Chief of the General Staff—Colonel Alfred William Robin, C.B., N.Z.M.

Staff Officer—Captain Sydney Vincent Trask, N.Z.M.

General Instructional Staff.

Director of Military Training and Education—Lieut.-Colonel E. W. C. Chaytor, P.S.C., N.Z.M.

Chief Instructor for General Courses and Classes of Instruction (except technical classes, artillery subjects)—Major E. ff. W. Lascelles, N.Z.M. (Captain H.M. 3rd Dragoon Guards), with headquarters at Wellington.

Garrison and Field Artillery—Captain G. S. Richardson, N.Z.M., Chief Instructor, with headquarters at Wellington.

Field Engineers and Signalling Subjects—Captain J. E. Duigan, N.Z.M., with headquarters at Wellington.

Mounted Rifles (North Island)—Captain H. H. Browne, N.Z.M., with headquarters at Auckland.

Infantry—

Department of the Adjutant-General and Quartermaster-General.

Adjutant-General and Quartermaster-General—Colonel Harry Denison Tuson (Major The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry)

Staff Officer—Captain Richard John S. Seddon, N.Z.M.

Director of Ordnance.

Lieutenant - Colonel Harry Francis Head, N.Z.M. (Major R.A.).

Superintending Officer, Construction of Fortifications.

Lieutenant James Harvey Price, Royal Marines (ret. h.p.).

Director of Military Stores.

James O'Sullivan (Honorary Captain and Quartermaster, N.Z.M.).

Assistant Storekeeper—Frederick Silver.

Director-General of Medical Services—Colonel (temporary) James R. Purdy, New Zealand Medical Corps.

Director-General of Veterinary Services—Lieutenant - Colonel Charles John Reakes, M.R.C.V.S. (Eng).

Testing Officer (Ammunition)—Master-Gunner A. Duvall, R.A.

Magazine-keepers—William Thomas Beck (Auckland); Richard Fredric (Wellington).

Armourers—Staff - Sergeant Bertram Buckley, A.O.C.; Staff - Sergeant John Hunter, A.O.C.; Staff-Sergeant William E. Luckman, A.O.C.

Department of the Finance Member, Council of Defence.

Finance Member—

Accountant—Frederick B. Mabin.

Clerks—H. M. Griffen, G. L'E. Logan.

Cadet—J. B. Ryan.

Headquarters Office, Council of Defence.

Clerical Branch.

Chief Clerk—William Edward Butler.

Record Clerk—William McGoldrick.

Clerks—F. Jennings; Lieutenant J. F. Rockstrow, N.Z.M.; W. R. Collett; G. F. Rudkin; R. Fordyce; L. F. O'Neill; T. J. Collerton; D. S. Lyons; A. W. Jackson.

Clerical Cadet—E. Fennessy.

Typistes and Shorthand-writers—Miss E. M. Gardiner, Miss M. I. Davidson.

District Commands.

Auckland.

Officer Commanding District—Lieutenant-Colonel George Cecil Burleigh Wolfe, N.Z.M. (late Captain R.M.L.I.).

Assistant Adjutant General—Captain Robert Carpenter, N.Z.M.

Wellington.

Officer Commanding District—Lieutenant - Colonel Arthur Bauchop, C.M.G., N.Z.M.

Assistant Adjutant-General—Captain R. O. Chesney, N.Z.M.

Nelson.

Officer Commanding District—Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) Lewis John Joyce, N.Z.M.

Assistant Adjutant-General—

Canterbury.

Officer Commanding District—Lieutenant-Colonel John Edward Hawkins (V.D.), N.Z.M.

Assistant Adjutant-General—Captain Harry R. Potter, N.Z.M.

Otago.

Officer Commanding District—Lieutenant-Colonel Vere Staunton Smyth, N.Z.M. (Reserve of Officers), late H.M. Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

Assistant Adjutant-General—Captain Daniel A. Hickey, D.S.O., N.Z.M.

Permanent Force.

Officer Commanding—Lieut.-Colonel Harry Francis Head, N.Z.M. (Major), R.A.

Detachment Royal N.Z. Artillery.

Auckland.

Captain Herbert Edward Pilkington.

Lieutenant Raynor Barrington Smythe.

Royal New Zealand Artillery.

Wellington.

Major—John Edward Hume.

Captains—Frank Symon, George E. B. Mickle.

Lieutenant—Ivon Tatham Standish.

Detachment Royal N.Z. Artillery.

Lyttelton.

Lieutenant—Sydney George Sandle.

Dunedin.

Captain—Murray Menzies Gardner.

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND CUSTOMS.

Minister of Customs—Hon. George Fowlds.

Secretary—W. B. Montgomery.

Inspector and Collector—C. S. Nixon.

Chief Clerk—G. Craig. LL.B.

Clerks, Customs—G. F. McKellar, W. O'Meara, R. J. Gray, W. C. Thomas.

Cadet—V. L. Westerman.

Typistes—E. E. Westrup, L. Larchin.

Collectors of Customs.

Auckland—J. P. Ridings.

Poverty Bay—J. Howie.

New Plymouth—J. H. Hempton.

Napier—E. R. Brabazon.

Wellington—C. S. Nixon.

Wanganui—W. F. Dickey.

Wairau—R. B. D. Eyre.

Nelson—T. M. Cullen.

Westport—H. J. Crowther.

Greymouth—W. Devenish.

Hokitika—R. G. Ecclesfield.

Lyttelton and Christchurch—A. Elliott

Timaru—W. J. Hawley.

Oamaru—H. W. S. Ruffell.

Dunedin—W. Sibbald.

Invercargill and Bluff Harbour—H. R. Spence.

Officers in Charge of Ports, and Coastwaiters.

Thames—T. C. Bayldon, Coastwaiter.

Russell—H. Stephenson, Coastwaiter.

Tauranga—J. J. Pickett, Officer in Charge.

Whangaroa—A. G. Ratcliffe, Coast-waiter.

Whangarei—J. Munro, Coastwaiter.

Mangonui—H. G. Hunt, Officer in Charge.

Hokianga—F. A. Hardy, Coastwaiter.

Kaipara—D. Savident, Officer in Charge.

Waitara—L. K. Sampson, Coastwaiter.

Patea—W. A. Cameron, Officer in Charge.

Picton—J. W. Burgess, Officer in Charge.

Chatham Islands—G. H. Gibson, Officer in Charge.

Custodian, Customhouse, Wellington—J. McGahey.

MARINE DEPARTMENT.

Minister of Marine—Hon. J. A. Millar.

Secretary—-G. Allport.

Senior Clerk—B. W. Millier.

Clerks—G. H. A. Tanner, W. Alves, J. A. Munro.

Cadets—T. J. King, L. E. Judd.

Shorthand writers and typistes—M. Fisher, A. Reed, H. M. C. Berntsen.

Marine Engineer for the Dominion—R. W. Holmes.

Nautical Adviser and Chief Examiner of Masters and Mates—H. S. Blackburne.

Director, Meteorological Branch—Rev. D. C. Bates.

Clerks—F. W. Simms, W. Goudie.

Shorthand-writer and Typiste—E. McAlister.

Superintendents of Mercantile Marine and Examiners of Masters and Mates—

Auckland—C. E. W. Fleming.

Assistant—T. A. G. Atwood.

Examiner of Masters and Mates and Surveyor of Ships—T. A. Dykes.

Clerks—J. Scully, C. C. Courtenay.

Wellington—G. G. Smith.

Assistant—S. G. Stringer.

Clerk—H. D. Thomson.

Lyttelton—J. A. H. Marciel.

Assistant—H. T. W. Wilcox.

Dunedin—N. Beaumont.

Assistant—R. Eraser.

Clerk—C. B. Jarman.

Master of s.s. “Hinemoa"—J. Bollons.

Master of s.s. “Tutanekai"—C. F. Post.

Commander Training-ship “Amokura"—G. S. Hooper (R.N.R.)

Inspectors of Sea-fisheries.

Wellington—L. F. Ayson (Chief Inspector), J. Bollons, C. F. Post, W. J. Simpson, H. S. Rose.

Raglan—J. O'Sullivan.

Mangonui—W. Drummond.

Russell—H. Stephenson.

Whangarei—R. P. Boag, J. Munro.

Kaipara—D. Savident, J. T. Cowan.

Coromandel—L. Spellman.

Manukau—R. H. Gibbons.

Hokianga—F. A. Hardy.

New Plymouth—A. Hooker.

Waihi—W. H. McKinnon.

Tauranga—A. Skinner.

Kapiti Island—R. Henry.

Wanganui—W. J. Connor.

Auckland—J. P. Bennett, D. Rowles, P. J. Dunne, W. Sefton, T. E. Creeks, T. Donovan, W. Eccles, W. F. Baskiville.

Waitara—T. H. Price.

Foxton—F. Woods, J. B. Hall.

Picton—C. J. King.

Greymouth—E. Egan.

Kaikoura—W. McLennan.

New Brighton—E. J. Rowe.

Rangiora—E. Mackay.

Kaiapoi—J. Holmes.

Dunedin—T. J. Sullivan, J. McIntyre, F. W. Beck.

Port Chalmers—L. Mullany.

Bluff—P. McGrath.

Napier—W. Cooper.

Invercargill—J. Friend.

Harbourmasters.*

Collingwood—F. Stallard.

Puponga—E. G. Stallard.

Hokianga—P. A. Hardy.

Kaipara—D. Savident.

Manukau—R. H. Gibbons.

Picton—J. W. Burgess.

Russell—H. Stephenson.

Tauranga—A. F. Tunks

Akaroa—W. A. Harding.

Waitapu—E. J. Winter.

Karamea—A. L. Kemp.

Okarito—J. W. Thomson.

Okura—J. A. Cuttance.

Waikawa—A. Currie.

Inspection of Machinery and Survey of Ships.

Minister in Charge—Hon. J. A. Millar.

Chief Inspector of Machinery, Chief Surveyor of Ships, and Chief Examiner of Marine Engineers and Stationary-engine Drivers—R. Duncan, Head Office, Wellington.

* The more important harbours are controlled by local Boards, not by the Marine Department.

Chief Clerk—A. R. Stone.

Draughtsman—G. E. Breeze.

Clerks—R. P. Milne, Auckland; W. D. Andrews, J. G. Macpherson, H. M. Mullins, Wellington, W. J. Craig, Dunedin.

Shorthand-writer and Typiste—A. Duncan.

Cadets—Head Office: J. C. O'Leary, D. McKay, G. H. Weir, G. W. Clinkard, A. R. McNeilly, K. C. Trembath.

Inspectors of Machinery, Surveyors of Ships, and Examiners of Marine Engineers and Stationary - engine Drivers,—

Auckland—H. Wetherilt, C. W. R. Suisted, W. G. Bell.

Hamilton—W. R. Douglas.

Napier—M. Sharp.

Wanganui—S. Dalrymple.

Palmerston North W. Cullen.

Wellington—A. Calvert, J. Kydd, P. Mackenzie.

Nelson—N. D. Hood.

Christchurch—P. J. Carman, A. McKenzie.

Timaru—J. Williamson.

Dunedin—A. W. Bethune, A. Walker, W. J. Crawford.

Invercargill—P. Grant.

Board of Examiners of Stationary, Traction, Locomotive, and Winding Engine Drivers—Robert Duncan, Chief Inspector of Machinery, M.Inst. Nav. A., Chairman; Frank Reed, M.I.M.E., Inspecting Engineer of Mines; R. W. Holmes, M.Inst.C.E., Engineer-in-Chief, P.W.D.; C. R. Vickerman, Superintending Engineer, P.W.D.; J. G. Macpherson, Secretary.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR.

Minister of Labour—Hon. J. A. Millar.

Wellington.

Secretary for Labour and Registrar of Industrial Unions—E. Tregear.

Chief Inspector of Factories, Deputy Registrar of Industrial Unions (also Chief Advisory Officer, Workers' Dwellings)—J. Lomas.

Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories—F. W. Rowley.

Accountant and Inspector of Factories—J. W. Collins.

Clerks—W. J. McKeown, T. McIntosh, J. R. Fraser, W. E. Shanahan, E. M. Casey, T. Proctor, T. Boyce, V. Saxon, M. Spence.

Shorthand-writers and Typistes—R. Ritson, C. Fama, B. E. Cowie, E. Hill.

Cadets—G. W. Jackson, A. B. Rigg, A. H. Latta, V. Bernard, J. H. G. Burnside, H. S. Hurle, R. C. Cameron.

Inspectors of Factories and Awards.

Wellington—C. E. Aldridge, W. Newton, M. S. Hawthorne, A. Donald.

Cadet—S. G. Gow.

Auckland—J. Shanaghan (in charge), W. Hood, R. T. Bailey. Clerk—W. Hunter, Cadet—J. S. McClune. Shorthand-writer and Typiste—M. Atkinson.

Christchurch—W. H. Hagger (in charge), L. D. Browett, G. E. A. Hood. Clerk—W. Linklater. Cadet—P. H. Kinsman. Shorthand writer and Typiste—B. A. Dewar.

Dunedin—E. Le Cren (in charge), J. Hollows. Clerk—J. Maxwell. Cadets—A. E. Waite, T. McMillan.

Gisborne—W. H. Westbrooke.

Napier—E. W. F. Gohns.

New Plymouth—H. Willis.

Wanganui—D. Carmody.

Palmerston North—W. J. Culver.

Masterton——J. Georgeson. Cadet—V. Sutton.

Nelson—S. Tyson. Clerk—M. Emerson.

Greymouth—H. E. Moston.

Timaru—G. H. Lightfoot.

Invercargill—H. B. Bower.

And 160 Inspectors and Agents (police officers) in small towns.

Workers' Dwellings Act.

Chief Advisory Officer—J. Lomas.

Architect—W. Temple.

Inspectors of Scaffolding.

Auckland and Taranaki—H. Gresham (Auckland).

Wellington and Hawke's Bay—R. A. Bolland (Wellington).

North Canterbury—E. J. G. Stringer (Christchurch).

Otago and Southland—F. Barton (Dunedin).

Nelson and Marlborough—S. Tyson (also Inspector of Factories at Nelson).

South Canterbury—G. H. Lightfoot (also Inspector of Factories at Timaru).

Westland—H. E. Moston (also Inspector of Factories at Grey mouth).

Officers in Charge of Women's Employment Branches.

Auckland—H. R. Morrison, Miss.

Wellington—E. H. Bremner, Miss.

Christchurch—J. Mitchell, Mrs.

Dunedin—M. S. Hale, Miss.

Court of Arbitration.

Judge—His Honour Mr. Justice Sim.

Employers' Member—W. Scott.

Workers' Member—J. A. McCullough.

Registrar—B. M. Wilson.

Conciliation Commissioners.

Auckland and Taranaki Industrial Districts—T. Harle Giles (Auckland).

Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson, and Westland Industrial Districts—P. Hally (Wellington).

Canterbury and Otago and Southland Industrial Districts—J. R. Triggs (Christchurch).

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND STATE FORESTS.

Head Office.

Minister (Secretary) of Lands—Rt. Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, P.C., K.C.M.G.

Under-Secretary for Crown Lands—Wm. C. Kensington, I.S.O., also Under-Secretary for Immigration.

Surveyor-General—J. Strauchon.

Inspecting Surveyors—J. Langmuir, J. D. Climie.

Chief Clerk—F. T. O'Neill.

Chief Accountant—R. A. Paterson.

Acting Chief Draughtsman—H. T. McCardell.

Draughtsmen—G. P. Wilson, H. R. A. Farquhar, A. L. Haylock, H. E. Taylor, C. E. Adams, F. W. Bronte, W. J. Adams, A. G. Watt.

Clerks—W. E. Jourdain, E. F. Hawthorne, A. A. S. Danby, W. S. Hardy, J. Stalker, P. J. Herlihy, R. A. Keenan, P. D. N. Verschaffelt, R. Sinel, S. Gambrill, F. T. Venning, W. E. Shaw, J. Bennett.

Cadets—M. Cooper, J. F. Quinn, W. J. Brooke, G. T. Findlay, F. A. Ruck, L. W. B. Hall.

Auckland District.

Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor—Eric C. Gold Smith.

Inspecting Surveyor—W. J. Wheeler.

District Surveyors—R. S. Galbraith, H. F. Edgecumbe, J. B. Thompson, T. W. Hughes, A. Wilson, A. A. Seaton, A. J. Mountfort, H. M. Kensington, V. I. Blake.

Assistant Surveyors—T. Carroll, H. T. Mitchell, F. E. Byrne, P. S. Sherratt, R. G. Macmorran.

Chief Draughtsman—C. R. Pollen.

Land Transfer Draughtsman—H. D. McKellar.

Assistant Draughtsmen—R. W. S. Ballantyne, A. Nicholson, T. K. Thompson, G. F. Townshend, J. Y. Dixon, W. T. Morpeth, R. Covil, H. A. Warner, R. C. Airey, H. Townshend, P. Mitchell, F. Martin, A. B. Harding, J. Simms, C. E. O. Smith, R. J. Knight, W. Scanlen, R. J. Crawford, T. G. Gillespie, E. F. Luks, A. O. Darby.

Receiver of Land Revenue—J. H. O'Donnell.

Chief Clerk—J. H. Boscawen.

Clerks—R. Leckie, C. E. Archibald, A. J. Redgrave, W. J. Munro, D. Smith, W. H. Stebbing, R. W. Cumming A. G. Stebbing, J. A. Attridge, J. Redman, J. Smith, J. S. McLean, F. S. Downard, R. Macalister, M. G. D. Grant, G. A. Potter, J. E. Taylor, A. Kennedy, J. P. Lane, H. A. Vollemaere.

Cadets—P. C. Gannaway, W. B. Willis, G. M. R. Jackson, R. F. Knight, A. W. Craig, A. Otterson, G. I. Beeson, F. W. Watson, G. Pirrit, R. F. Ward, J. G. Nilson, L. J. Poff.

Crown Lands Rangers—F. C. Ewen, C. S. Kensington, J. W. Shannon, A. B. Jordan.

Timber-measurers—E. T. Thomson, T. A. Houghton.

Hawke's Bay District.

Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor—T. N. Brodrick.

Inspecting Surveyor and Local Land Officer, Gisborne—G. H. Bullard.

District Surveyors—T. Brook, E H Farnie, J. Roddick.

Assistant Surveyors—H. E. Walshe, T. Cagney.

Chief Draughtsman—H. G. Price.

Draughtsmen—J. G. Clare, E. H. Cane, G. Duncan, W. T. Nelson, H. J. Lewis, A. F. Browne, F. J. Harrop, W. G. Harding, W. Paldridge, C. G. Maher, Paaka Turei.

Receiver of Land Revenue—H. R. Robinson.

Receiver of Land Revenue—Gisborne, H. W. C. Mackintosh.

Chief Clerk—J. Thomson.

Clerk—C. Holden.

Cadets—F. R. Burnley, D. Nelson, E. Blake, H. W. Harris, A. R. Barker, E. G. Robinson.

Crown Lands Rangers—H. M. Smith, D. G. Robertson.

Taranaki District.

Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor—F. Simpson.

District Surveyors—W. Laing, N. C. Kensington.

Assistant Surveyor—D. M. Wilson.

Chief Draughtsman—W. H. Skinner.

Draughtsmen—F. Carrington, J. Cook, W. Gordon, H. W. Saxton, H. J. Moverley, T. V. Mackay.

Chief Clerk—H. M. Bannister.

Receiver of Land Revenue—A. J. Rossiter.

Clerks—A. C. Clarke, E. J. W. Cooke, J. W. Harvey, L. L. Smith, E. C. Gideon, J. E. Warren.

Cadets—A. F. Waters, A. G. Boyd, W. Kennedy.

Wellington District.

Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor—J. Mackenzie.

District Surveyors—R. P. Greville, H. J. Lowe, J. R. Strachan, C. A. Mountfort, J. Stevenson, A. M. Roberts.

Assistant Surveyors—H. E. Girdlestone, T. A. Johnston, W. Stewart, O. N. Campbell.

Chief Draughtsman—M. C. Smith.

Assistant Draughtsmen—C. T. H. Brown, H. Mackay, R. Caldwell, F. J. Halse, H. J. W. Mason, E. C. Cachemaile, R. R. Percival, H. A. Armstrong, J. D. Watt, R. W. Collins, M. E. Richardson, H. C. Luff, G. H. M. Moir, D. F. Mason, R. Gillanders, M. Orr, H. B. Randrup.

Chief Clerk—G. R. N. Wright.

Recover of Land Revenue—T. G. Waitt.

Clerks—J. R. McCormick, C. Gore, A. Duncan, W. Burch, J. Urquhart, T. Tudhope, N. Fleming, H. G. Vickers, G. Letham, R. McDonald.

Cadets—W. M. Gray, Y. Blake, H. Dyett, G. Keddell, R. Enting, W. A. Nicholson, C. Purdie, W. H. Ellis, F. P. Hagan, H. Bray, N. Middlemas.

Crown Lands Rangers—H. Lundius, J. B. F. Sutherland, J. Ammunson, N. Craig.

Nelson District.

Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor—R. T. Sadd.

District Surveyors—J. D. Thomson, H. Maitland.

Assistant Surveyors—J. L. D'A. Irvine, J. H. Buttress.

Chief Draughtsman—D. W. Gillies.

Assistant Draughtsmen—J. Pollock, W. Curtis, W. A. Styche, J. F. Frith, P. A. Dalziell, J. G. Kelly, E. O. Weir.

Receiver of Land Revenue—J. R. Macdonald.

Clerks—G. Anderson, A. Quinney.

Cadets—H. M. Thompson, W. D. Armit, J. A. Montgomerie, F. H. Waters, E. A. Ingram, B. C. A. McCabe.

Crown Lands Ranger—R. E. Harris.

Land Officer, Westport—D. S. Thomson.

Marlborough District.

Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor—F. S. Smith.

District Surveyor—M. Carkeek.

Chief Draughtsman—W. F. Marsh.

Assistant Draughtsmen—F. E. Greenfield, A. D. Burns, J. G. Wilson, H. W. Broadmore.

Receiver of Land Revenue—G. W. Palmer.

Clerks—A. Mackintosh, W. H. Marple, C. M. Watterson.

Cadet—T. S. Couch.

Crown Lands Rangers—F. Ward, E. E. Townshend.

Westland District.

Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor—G. H. M. McClure.

District Surveyors—Wm. Wilson, C. H. Morison.

Assistant Surveyors—A. N. Harrop, J. Cunningham.

Chief Draughtsman and Inspecting Surveyor—F. A. Thompson.

Assistant Draughtsmen A. D. Macfarlane, A. D. Folley, R. P. Dykes.

Chief Clerk—F. T. Sandford.

Receiver of Land Revenue—A. C. Turnbull.

Clerk—W. E. White.

Cadet—K. J. Hogan.

Crown Lands Rangers—C. Macfarlane, A. Meharry.

Canterbury District

Commissioner of Crown Lands—F. W. Flanagan.

Chief Draughtsman and Acting Chief Surveyor—H. D. M. Haszard.

District Surveyor—A. G. Allom.

Assistant Surveyor—J. C. Young.

Assistant Draughtsmen-H. R. Schmidt, F. W. Hunt, W. C. Leversedge, H. Kensington, C. B. M. Straubel, W. F. Newman.

Receiver of Land Revenue—A. A. McNab.

Chief Clerk—J. G. Bendeley.

Clerks—J. C. Andersen, S. H. Sapsford, A. Costelloe, A. H. Eaton.

Cadets—F. Rochfort, R. F. Burgess.

Crown Lands Rangers—W. B. Buckhurst, J. Forrester.

Otago District.

Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor—E. H. Wilmot.

District Surveyors—D. M. Calder, W. T. Neill, D. I. Barron.

Assistant Surveyor—S. T. Burton.

Chief Draughtsman—W. Armstrong.

Assistant Draughtsmen—C. Fynmore, J. R. Vaile, A. J. Morrison, R. V. Parker, S. B. Smith, A. H. Saunders, C. E. Pfeifer.

Receiver of Land Revenue—F. A. Cullen.

Chief Clerk—R. A. Johnston.

Clerks—A. Marshall, J. McDonald, F. J. Mouat, J. D. Hay, J. Torrance, F. E. Duncan, F. E. Woodhouse.

Cadet—J. A. McIver.

Crown Lands Rangers—E. Atkinson, E. O'Neill, F. B. Leonard, A. McDougall.

Southland District.

Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor—H. M. Sheet.

Assistant Surveyors—C. Otway, D. Macpherson.

Chief Draughtsman—G. Robinson.

Assistant Draughtsmen—W. Deverell, J. L. Dickie, J. B. Greig, O. G. Goldsmith, J. C. Potter.

Chief Clerk—A. D. McGavock.

Receiver of Land Revenue—H. L. Welch.

Clerks—W. Robertson, T. Pound, H. S. Jamieson.

Cadets—A. N. West, W. Traill, S. T. Seddon, R. E. L. Mitchell, A. L. H. Hay, A. C. R. Anderson, E. D. Thompson.

Crown Lands Rangers—J. C. Mackley, A. Cameron, W. Traill.

Miscellaneous.

Caretaker, Kapiti Island—R. Henry.

Magnetic Observatory.

Magnetic Observer—H. F. Skey.

Assistant—B. V. Pemberton.

Members of Land Boards.

Auckland—Erie C. Gold Smith, A. R. Harris, M. W. Armstrong, J. Trounson, A. R. H. Swindley.

Hawke's Bay—T. N. Brodrick, R. R. Groom, E. Lane, G. Wright, W. E. Akroyd.

Taranaki—F. Simpson, J. Heslop, James Rattenbury, J. McCluggage, J. B. Connett.

Wellington—J. Mackenzie, J. Dawson, H. T. Ellingham.

Nelson—R. T. Sadd, O. Lynch, J. S. Wratt, G. Walker, A. Sinclair.

Marlborough—F. S. Smith, H. M. Reader, A. McCallum, James Fulton, James Boyd.

Westland—G. H. M. McClure, J. S. Lang, A. Gumming, M. Pollock, G. Mallinson.

Canterbury—F. W. Flanagan, J. Sealy, J. Stevenson, R. Macaulay, J. Gibson.

Otago—E. H. Wilmot, G. Livingstone, J. Tough, D. Barron, J. A. Macpherson.

Southland—H. M. Sheet, A. Kinross D. King, J. McLean, J. King.

Scenery Preservation.

Minister in Charge—Hon. T. Mackenzie.

Inspector of Scenic Reserves—E. Phillips Turner.

Scenery Preservation Board, constituted under “The Scenery Preservation Act, 1908.”

The Surveyor-General (Chairman).

The General Manager of Tourist and Health Resorts.

The Commissioner of Crown Lands for each Land District in which are lands dealt with under the Act.

Secretary—W. R. Jourdain.

State Forests Branch.

Minister in Charge—Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, P.C., K.C.M.G.

Superintending Nurseryman, North Island (Rotorua)—H. A. Goudie.

Superintending Nurseryman, South Island (Tapanui)—R. G. Robinson.

Nurserymen in Charge—Eweburn, A. W. Roberts; Hanmer Springs, W. J. Morrison; Ruatangata, A. Gordon.

Assistant Foresters—H. Howe, R. Macrae, D. Buchanan, F. Benfell, A. J. Boydell.

Clerk—E. H. Taylor, Rotorua.

Immigration.

Minister for Immigration—Hon. George Fowlds.

Under-Secretary—Wm. C. Kensington, I.S.O.

Chief Clerk—F. T. O'Neill.

Chief Accountant—R. A. Paterson.

Immigration Officer—A. A. S. Danby.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COMMERCE, AND TOURISTS.

Minister in Charge—Hon. Thomas Mackenzie.

Secretary of Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourists—F. S. Pope.

Head Office.

General Section.

Chief Clerk—W. C. Robinson.

Inspector of Offices—R. Evatt.

Clerks—T. D. H. Hall, E. McCarthy, W. R. B. Aekins, V. A. Mills, L. C. Mitchell.

Cadets—A. M. Gill, C. H. Schwass, J. Walker, E. W. Lewington.

Messenger—C. Perry.

Accounts Section.

Accountant—J. W. Bell.

Clerks—J. Andrews, E. A. Farrington, C. Mackie, G. H. Bulter, D. Patterson.

Cadets—S. H. Huntington, C. J. M. Gair.

Publications Section.

Editor—G. Bisset.

Clerk—J. P. Hyland.

Biology Section.

Biologist—A. H. Cockayne.

Laboratory Assistants—E. H. Atkinson, P. N. Cubitt.

District Agents.

Auckland—J. E. D. Spicer.

Napier—A. C. Philpott.

Wanganui—A. E. Rowden.

Wellington—W. T. Wynyard.

Christchurch—A. Callcott.

Dunedin—W. Miller.

Invercargill—D. Sinclair.

Clerical Staff attached to District Agencies.

Auckland—

Clerk—W. McN. Miller. Cadets—F. W. Grey, T. L. Gedye, C. H. Courtney. Clerk—Hamilton, J. Hill.

Napier—

Clerk—S. T. K. Sharp. Cadet—C. J. Cornwell. Clerk—Hastings, H. Absolum.

Wanganui—

Cadets—G. G. McC. Mitchell, J. D. Roche. Clerk—Palmerston North, W. Nettlefold.

Wellington—

Clerk—W. A. Pye; Masterton, R. F. Crosbie; Blenheim, H. T. Payne.

Christchurch—

Clerk—J. W. Butters. Cadets—R. H. Brownlie, A. Gillies. Clerks—Hokitika, H. H. Halliday; Timaru, A. Bryson; Lyttelton, E. Weastell.

Dunedin—

Clerks—R. Hutton, L. G. Bruce. Cadet—I. Hunter. Clerk—Lawrence, W. H. McLew.

Invercargill—

Cadet—W. N. Crawford.

Caretaker of the Auckland Office—H. T. Norton.

Live-stock and Meat Division.

Director—C. J. Reakes, M.R.C.V.S.

Assistant Director—J. L. Bruce.

Senior Veterinarian—J. G. Clayton, M.R.C.V.S.

Clerical Staff—Divisional Clerk, H. W. Rowden; Clerk, A. Ironside; Cadets, A. T. Stone, F. S. Dayman, R. R. Tyrer.

Veterinary Supervisors (Ms.R.C.V.S.)—Auckland, J. Lyons; Gisborne, S. Burton; Hastings, A. W. Barnes; Wanganui, A. R. Young; Wellington, G. Broom; Christchurch, A. A. Johnson, F.R.C.Y.S.; Dunedin, J. Kerrigan.

Veterinary Officer in Charge of Laboratory, Wallaceville, H. A. Reid, F.R.C.Y.S.; Laboratory Assistant, G. H. Barker; Laboratory Cadet, F. Smith; Laboratory Farm Overseer, A. McKerrow; Attendant at Laboratory, C. R. Matthews.

Veterinarians and Meat - inspectors (Ms.R.C.V.S.)—Auckland, A. J. Hickman, C. R. Neale, H. L. Marsack (Ont.); Waitara, D. H. Rait; Paldpaki, W. G. Taylor; Wanganui, P. M. Edgar; Petone, D. Spilman; Belfast, J. R. Charlton; Christ-church, H. S. S. Kyle (Melb.), W. D. Blain; Ashburton, F. C. Robertson; Timaru, A. M. Paterson; Pareora,; Oamaru, T. Cunningham; Dunedin, W. D. Snowball; Invercargill, W. T. Sabin.

Inspectors of Manure - sterilising—Sydney (N.S.W.), F. G. Laurie; Calcutta, R. L. Ward.

Inspectors of Stock—Whangarei, J. T. Stone; Auckland, R. Hull, W. R. Brown; Te Aroha, V. A, Huddleston; Tauranga, A. A. Mays; Hamilton, A. H. Burkill; Gisborne, W, B. Hingston; New Plymouth, H. Munro; Stratford, J. M. Hignett; Opunake, R. Crockett; Hawera, D. Elliot; Hastings, D. A. Graham; Wanganui, D. Munro; Feilding, J. C. Miller; Woodville, F. W. Sutton; Palmerston North, D. Fleming; Masterton, A. T. P. Hubbard; Johnsonville, J. Halligan; Nelson, J. Harvey; Blenheim, J. W. Otway; Amberley, J. Munro; Hokitika, C. C. Empson; Christchurch, F. Mackenzie; Prebbleton, S. H. Ussher; Timaru, C. S. Neville; Oamaru, F. W. Blair; Dunedin, R. G. F. Fountain; Mosgiel, R. I. Gossage; Gore, H. Hill; Balclutha, T. Gilmour; Invercargill, R. Wright.

Assistant Inspectors of Stock—Hamilton, H. Whyte; Hastings, A. Cook; New Plymouth, P. Beere; Wanganui, F. Murray; Lower Hutt, H. A. W. Ward; Johnsonville, J. P. Findlay; Christchurch, R. T. Souness, E. A. McKinlay; Dunedin, J. W. Smith; Invercargill, D. McL. McKay.

Meat - inspectors—Thames, F. G. Wayne; Paeroa, F. Beattie; Waihi, B. Thomson; Gisborne, C. R. Spragg; Tomoana, A. C. Scandrett; Napier, O. Thomson; Hastings, T. P. Short; Dannevirke, C. J. Stone; New Plymouth, T. J. Reakes; Stratford, S. T. Evatt; Hawera, E. T. B. Worthy; Wanganui, H. G. Wilton; Feilding, G. W. Mitchell; Palmerston North, W. C. Moore; Masterton, A. D. Gillies; Ngahauranga, J. C. Mackley; Petone, J. Jarman; Blenheim, A. M. R. Mills; Nelson, G. Ford; Westport, G. B. Williams; Greymouth, T. Anderson; Lyttelton, J. Preston; Dunedin, T. J. Buckton; Gore, F. Stewart.

Assistant Meat-inspectors—Auckland, T. P. Burke; Gisborne, J. E. Tomlinson, E. Dawson; Napier, J. D. S. Heaton; Patea, W. J. Walter; Wanganui,; Palmerston North, K. Ross; Ngahauranga, G. W. Rait; Wellington, C. Aston, G. B. Carter; Picton, P. T. Emerson; Christchurch, G. H. Jarrett; Smithfield, H. Rountree; Timaru, P. J. Sheridan; Burnside, R. Fleming; Mataura, M. W. Watt; Invercargill, H. F. Brittain; Wallacetown, P. Dow; Ocean Beach, A M. Spilman; Woodlands, J. Milne.

Poultry Instructor, Wellington—F. C. Brown.

Overseer, Poultry-dressing Depot—Christchurch, R. W. Pounsford.

Overseers, Poultry Stations—Burnham, J. Rose; Milton, A. Carr.

Caretakers of Live-stock Quarantine Stations—Auckland, T. Hill; Wellington, H. J. Creeley; Lyttelton, W. J. Thomas.

Caretaker of the Angora Flock, Motuara Island—H. Turner.

Fields and Experimental Farms Division.

Director—E. Clifton.

Assistant Director—J. Duncan.

Clerical Staff—Divisional Clerk, B. A. C. Quirk; Clerks, J. Fitzgibbon, J. R. F. Cameron; Cadets, W. R. King, F. R. Webster, R. D. Douglas, A. H. Fraer.

Fields Supervisors—Napier, D. Ross; Wanganui, J. W. Deem; Christ-church, H. T. G. Turner; Dunedin, A. K. Blundell.

Fields Instructors—Wellington, G. T. de S. Baylis; Christchurch, A. Macpherson.

Experimental Farms—Managers—Waerenga, J. F. Shepherd; Ruakura, W. Dibble; Weraroa, J. Drysdale; Arataki, T. F. Ellis, Moumahaki, P. McConnell (acting). Overseers—Tauranga, W. C. Berridge; Bickerstaffe, W. C. King. Clerks—Ruakura, T. W. Lonsdale; Moumahaki, G. Evatt; Weraroa, D. M. Cole.

Orchard and Garden Overseers—Ruakura, A. W. Green; Moumahaki, T. H. Chapman; Weraroa, W. H. Taylor.

Vineyard Overseer—Waerenga, J. B. Andrews.

Beekeepers—Ruakura, Miss L. Livesay; Waerenga, Miss D. R. Hart; Weraroa, G. Weitzel.

Poultry-stations Overseers—Ruakura, C. J. C. Cussen; Moumahaki, L. M. Wilson.

Caretaker of Live-stock. Quarantine Station—Auckland, T. Hill.

Hemp-graders—Auckland, W. H. O. Johnston; Wellington, W. H. Ferris (Grader in Charge), W. L. Rutherford; Foxton, W. Petrie; Invercargill, W. H. Middlemiss.

Hemp Instructor—Wellington, J. Stewart.

Clerk, Wellington—H. Wynn-Williams.

Inspectors of Rabbits and Noxious Weeds—Whangarei, A. P. Speedy; Auckland, R. Rowan; Te Aroha, J. L. Morris; Hamilton, J. Kerr; Cambridge, R. Alexander; Kihikihi, C. E. McPhee; Opotiki, J. Case; Lichfield, T. Parker; Te Kuiti, B. W. Bayly; Gisborne, W. Ross; Taumarunui, E. T. Hughes; Mohaka, T. Mullaly; New Plymouth, R. E. Fairfax-Cholmeley; Hawera, A. J. Glasson; Mangaweka, A. P. Smith; Wanganu, C. Watson; Hastings, J. G. Parker; Taihape, G. A. Watt; Waipukurau, H. O. M. Christie; Fielding, J. G. Johnston; Palmerston North, W. Dalgliesh; Pahiatua, T. Bacon; Masterton, T. C. Webb, J. S. Rankin; Carterton, S. C. Ivens; Wellington, G. H. Jenkinson; Nelson, H. Cleland; Blenheim, F. H. Brittain; Seddon, G. J. Ward; Kaikoura, W. S. Goodall; Greymouth, J. H. Walton; Rotherham, W. McB. Munro; Rangiora, J. A. B. Hughes; Lincoln, J. G. Scott; Ashburton, C. Branigan; Fairlie, W. B. Manning; Timaru, J. C. Huddleston; Waimate, F. A. McDonald; Kurow, O. Reid; Oamaru, S. M. Taylor; Ranfurly, A. T. N. Simpson; Queenstown, J. Ross; Clyde, T. N. Baxter, A. Clarke; Palmerston, C. S. Dalgliesh; Sutton, W. Scott; Dunedin, E. Fowler, J. R. Renton; Taieri, H. McLeod; Lawrence, R. Barron; Tapanui, W. J. McCulloch; Gore, B. Grant; Clinton, A. A. Clapcott; Balclutha, H. A. Munro; Otautau, H. F. Dencker; Wyndham, J. R. Whyborn; Invercargill, W. Wills.

Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries Division.

Director—T. W. Kirk.

Assistant Director—W. A. Boucher.

Clerical Staff—Divisional Clerk, R. W. Atkinson; Clerk, R. Waters; Cadets, L. J. Meridith, W. K. Dallas.

Vine and Wine Instructor—S. F. Anderson.

Orchard Instructors—Auckland, E. A. Reid, W. C. Thompson, G. Esam; Hamilton, J. A. Campbell; Hastings, F. E. Nottage; Palmerston North, A. G. Simms; Blenheim, E. Rabbits; Nelson, F. R. Hallam; Christchurch, W. J. Courtier; Dunedin, R. Toms.

Inspectors of Imported Fruit—Auckland, W. R. L. Williams, C. E. C. Dyke; Wellington, H. Palethorpe, G. E. Harnett; Christchurch, A. C. Smale.

Apiary Instructors—Christchurch, E. G. B. Kenny; Wellington, W. B. Bray.

Dairy-Produce Division.

Director—D. Cuddie.

Assistant Director—W. M. Singleton.

Divisional Clerk—J. S. Fleming.

Cadets—C. J. Drake, J. A. Scott.

Dairy instructors—Auckland, A. G. Shirley; Hamilton, W. Dempster; Hawera, W. Grant; Manaia, C. Stevenson; Wanganui, J. Pedersen; Palmerston North, F. Thomson; Carterton, W. Graham; Dunedin, A. C. Ross; Invercargill, J. Sawers.

Dairy-produce Graders—Auckland, A. A. Thornton, N. Fulton; New Plymouth, J. Johnston, L. Hansen; Patea, W. Wright, E. E. C. Wood; Wellington, W. E. Gwillim, E. A. Dowden; Lyttelton, S. Bowman; Dunedin, A. C. Ross; Bluff, J. Sawers.

Clerical Staff—Clerks—Auckland, J. O. Lord; New Plymouth, W. F. Shield. Cadets—Patea, J. Gray; Wellington, H. B. Reid.

Commerce and Tourists Division.

Director—C. R. C. Robieson.

Divisional Clerk—W. H. Frethey.

Trade Representative—J. Graham Gow.

Inspector—F. Moorhouse.

Clerks—R. H. Hooper, H. Kirk, M. Keogh, J. H. Barr, A. G. Millington, M. O'Brien, L. C. Redwood, T. W. Brown, C. Freyberg.

Cadets—U. K. Harty, J. W. Clarke, S. R. Edwards.

Shorthand Typistes—N. Lambert, L. Turton, E. Cunningham, O. Mills.

Draughtsman and Artist—J. McDonald.

Photographic Assistants—A. I. Murphy, K. Fitzgerald.

Clerk in Charge, Inquiry Bureau, Wellington—J. W. Hill.

Tourist Agents—C. Wallnut, Auckland; G. F McGirr, Te Aroha; W. R. Blow, Rotorua; G. W. C. Moon, Christchurch; J. A. Tipping, Dunedin; T. F. McLaughlin, Invercargill.

New Zealand Government Agents—Sydney, N.S.W., E. H. Montgomery; Cadet, J. H. Saxon. Melbourne, Vic., H. J. Manson; Clerk, A. B. Saunders.

Rotorua Sanatorium and Baths—Balneologist; A. S. Wohlmann, M.D., M.R.C.S.; Matron, I. Pownall; Clerks, J. F. Robieson, S. C. Hunt.

Engineer in Charge, Rotorua—L. Birks, B.Sc., A.M.I.C.E.; Clerk, W. Hill.

Resident Officer, Town of Rotorua—L. Birks; Deputy, W. Hill.

Resident Medical Officer, Hanmer Springs—H. Chesson, M.R.C.S.; Clerk, S. J. Collett; Matron, E. Rennell.

Managers, Government Hostels—P. E. Challis, Waitomo Caves; D. McDonald, “Hermitage,” Mount Cook.

Chief Guide, Mount Cook—P. Graham.

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

Minister of Education—Hon. George Fowlds.

Head Office.

Inspector-General of Schools—George Hogben, M.A.

Secretary for Education—Sir E. O. Gibbes, Bart.

Assistant Inspector - General—W. J. Anderson, M.A., LL.D.

Chief Clerk—F. K. de Castro.

Assistant Inspectors—W. E. Spencer, M.A., M.Sc. (also Editor School Journal) and T. H. Gill, M.A., LL.B.

Clerks—F. D. Thomson, B.A., H. J. Barrett, T. G. Gilbert, J. Beck, I. Davey, B.A., F. W. Millar, A. J. H. Benge, H. L. J. Machu, N. Wanliss, V. A. Mills, H. V. Croxton, E. Lear, I. Johnstone, J. A. Orr, J. R. McClune, A. M. Palmer, L. P. Arthur, W. L. Dunn, C. A. Berendsen, B. Egley, C. G. Murray, E. Windsor.

Cadets—W. C. Collier, T. C. Comrie, E. M. Hogg, H. D. Clyde, T. H. Jamieson, C. R. Horrell, J. Meighan, D. N. Johnson, L. C. Barker, J. C. Hendry, T. P. Cox, G. J. Agnew, A. W. Reynolds, C. T. Stafford, R. S. Bremner.

Native Schools Branch.

Inspector—W. W. Bird, M.A.

Assistant Inspector—J. Porteous, M.A.

Clerk in Charge—F. L. Severne.

Manual and Technical Instruction Branch.

Inspectors—M. H. Browne (in charge of Branch), E. C. Isaac.

Junior Cadets Branch.

Officer Commanding—Major T. W. MacDonald.

Clerk—H. B. Jacobs.

Armourer, &c.—R. Hears.

Special Schools Branch.

Inspector—R. H. Pope (in charge of Branch)

Assistant Inspector—T. A. Walker.

Visiting Officers—E. G. Hyde, Mrs. C. F. Scale.

Managers of Industrial Schools—Government Schools.

Auckland (Mount Albert)—Miss S. E. Jackson.

Boys' Training Farm, Weraroa—G. M. Burlinson.

Receiving Home, Wellington—Mrs. E. S. Dick.

Receiving Home, Christchurch—Miss A. B. Cox.

Te Oranga Home, Christchurch—Mrs. E. T. Branting.

Burnham—T. Archey.

Caversham—Miss M. Kempton

Private Schools.

St. Mary's, Auckland—Rev. H. F. Holbrook.

St. Joseph's, Wellington—Rev. J. Hickson.

St. Mary's, Nelson—Mr. M. D. Flaherty.

St. Vincent de Paul's, Dunedin—Rev. J. Coffey.

Infant Life Protection.

District Agents—Auckland, Miss S. E. Jackson; Wellington, Mrs. S. E. Dick; Christchurch, Miss A. B. Cox; Dunedin, Miss M. Kempton.

School for Deaf, Sunnier (Christchurch).

Director—J. E. Stevens.

School for Backward Boys, Otekaike (Oamaru District).

Principal—G. Benstead.

Matron—Mrs. G. Benstead.

Education Boards, with Names of Secretaries.

Auckland—R. Crowe.

Taranaki—P. S. Whitcombe.

Wanganui—W. J. Carson.

Wellington—G. L. Stewart.

Hawke's Bay—G. Crawshaw.

Marlborough—E. Hylton.

Nelson—N. R. Williams.

Grey—P. F. Daniels.

Westland—A. J. Morton, B.A.

Canterbury North—H. C. Lane.

Canterbury South—A. Bell, M.A.

Otago—P. G. Pryde.

Southland—J. Neill.

Inspectors of Schools.

Auckland—D. Petrie, M.A.; J. Grierson; R. D. Stewart; C. W. Garrard, B.A.; W. A. Burnside, B.A.; J. T. G. Cox; G. H. Plummer, LL.B. (acting Inspector).

Taranaki—W. A. Ballantyne, B.A.; R. G. Whetter, M.A.

Wanganui—G. D. Braik, M.A.; J. Milne, M.A.; T. B. Strong, M.A., B.Sc.

Wellington—T. R. Fleming, M.A., LL.B.; F. H. Bakewell, M.A.; J. S. Tennant, M.A., B.Sc.

Hawke's Bay—Henry Hill, B.A.; J. A. Smith, B.A.

Marlborough—D. A. Strachan, M.A.

Nelson—G. A. Harkness, M.A.; A. Crawford, B.A.

Grey—Edward A. Scott.

Westland—A. J. Morton, B.A.

North Canterbury—T. Ritchie, B.A.; T. S. Foster, M.A.; E. K. Mulgan, M.A.; W. Brock, M.A.

South Canterbury—I. G. Gow, M.A., A. Bell, M.A.

Otago—P. Goyen, C. R. D. Richardson, B.A.; C. R. Bossence; J. R. Don, M.A., D.Sc.

Southland—J. Hendry, B.A.; A. L. Wyllie, M.A.

Secretaries to School Commissioners.

Auckland—H. N. Garland.

Taranaki—F. P. Corkill.

Wellington—J. H. N. Wardrop.

Hawke's Bay—W. J. Pallot.

Marlborough—E. Hylton.

Nelson—F. St. John.

Westland—A. J. Morton.

Canterbury—H. H. Pitman.

Otago—C. Macandrew.

BOARD OF LAND PURCHASE COMMISSIONERS UNDER “THE LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACT, 1908.”

Chairman and Land Purchase Inspector—J. D. Ritchie.

W. C. Kensington, I.S.O., Under-Secretary for Lands.

John Strauchon, Surveyor-General.

Chief Clerk—O. Mewhinney.

Also for the following Districts:

Auckland—

E. C. Gold Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Vacant.

Hawke's Bay—

T. N. Brodrick, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Thomas Hyde.

Wellington—

James Mackenzie, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Vacant.

Taranaki—

F. Simpson, Commissioner of Crown Lands

John Heslop.

Marlborough—

F. Stephenson Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

J. H. Redwood.

Nelson—

R. T. Sadd, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Philip Best.

Westland—

G. H. McClure, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

J. S. Lang.

Canterbury—

P. W. Flanagan, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

A. C. Pringle.

Otago—

E. H. Wilmot, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

A. McKerrow.

Southland—

H. M. Skeet, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

A. Kinross.

PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE.

Public Trustee—F. Fitchett, M.A. LL.D.

Deputy Public Trustee and Chief Clerk—A. A. K. Duncan.

Solicitor—J. W. Macdonald.

Inspector—T. S. Ronaldson.

District Manager, Wellington—T. D. Kendall.

Accountant—A. Purdie.

Examiner—W. McL. Barr.

Assistant Solicitor—E. P. Hay.

Clerks in charge—G. A. Smyth, W. A. Fordham, C. Zachariah, P. J. Harvey, W. S. W. McGowan, E. O. Hales.

Clerks—E. C. Reeves, C. A. Goldsmith, N. M. Chesney, R. Price, J. Menzies, F. Robinson, V. J. Brogan, W. M. Egglestone, A. B. Chappell, R. A. V. Oswin, A. C. Bretherton, G. H. Chesterman, G. H. Elliffe, A. W. Watters, W. G. Baird, E. R. Myers, R. D. Newth, K. A. E. Alexander, T. J. Dwyer, P. R. Winchcomb, H. W. S. Pearce, K. Ereatara, C. H. Riddick, R. L. Macalister, W. C. Nicholls, E. M. C. Burr, A. S. Faire, D. L. McKay, C. J. Playne, E. F. Allen, H. Mulholland, C. E. Makeham, P. J. Ryan, D. McMillan, F. Reid, L. Tattle.

Cadettes—E. A. Smythe, M. E. Nash, E. E. McLean, A. Mackay, E. C. Clarke, N. J. Mulhane, H. Jack, A. R. O'Sullivan, C. Anderson, V. Upham.

Custodian—G. Warren.

District Manager, Christchurch—M. C. Barnett, Clerks—H. Turner, A. W. Ironside, P. C. Dwyer, C. A. Suckling, L. J. Stanley, C. E. White. Cadettes—V. E. Moon, E. M. Hassall.

District Manager, Auckland—E. F. Warren. Clerks—A. J. Cross, A. R. Jordan, S. Hunter, J. S. Donovan, F. C. Coombe. Cadettes—E. E. Shannon, E. G. You.

District Manager, Napier—K. N. H. Browne. Clerk—D. O'Donoghue. Cadette—I. I. Hutson.

District Manager, Dunedin—F. H. Morice. Clerks—C. F. Young, R. Ward, F. M. Whyte, H. A. Cunningham, F. McIvor. Cadettes—M. Downes, G. E. Allnut.

District Manager, Greymouth—G. P. Purnell. Cadet, J. C. Hogan. Cadette—M. E. Troy.

District Manager, Nelson—J. E. Allen. Clerk—A. H. T. Jones.

West Coast Settlement Reserves Agent and District Manager, New Plymouth—J. B. Jack. Clerks—S. W. Smith, A. H. Pearce, T. Kururangi.

District Manager, Wanganui—T. R. Saywell. Clerks—N. M. Macdougall, T. F. H. King.

GOVERNMENT INSURANCE DEPARTMENT

Commissioner—J. H. Richardson, F.F.A., F.A.S., F.I.A.V., F.I.A.N.Z.

Actuary—Morris Fox.

Deputy Commissioner and Secretary—W. B. Hudson.

Accountant—G. W. Barltrop.

Chief Medical Officer—T. Cahill, M.D.

Assistant Actuary—P. Muter.

Chief Clerk—R. C. Niven.

Office Examiner—G. A. Kennedy.

Clerks—J. W. Kinniburgh, A. H. Hamerton, W. S. Smith, H. S. Manning, H. Rose, T. L. Barker, C. E.

Galwey, G. Webb, P. K. Kelling, J. B. Young, G. A. N. Campbell, C. H. E. Stichbury, A de Castro, J. R. Samson, H. L. Levestam, G. B. Hill, T. Foully, S. P. Hawthorne, J. G. Reid, R. Fullerton, G. S. Nicoll, W. Spence, A. P. King, R. T. Smith, G. E. Sadd, W. J. Ewart, W. H. Woon, A. J. E. Wiggs, A. S. Houston, S. G. Hamerton, W. McLaughlin, H. H. Dixon, J. M. Emerson, C. Bolton, W. E. Arnold, G. J. Robertson, W. Thompson, W. Copeland, G. L. Osborne, T. Dimant, B. Trevithick, I. E. Foot, E. K. Hay, E. B. Wright, J. W. Macdonald, E. T. O. Downard, A. V. Hewitt, J. L. O'Reilly, C. Cater, I. A. Bentley, J. C. Low, N. F. Wright, S. C. G. Downard, F. J. Colmer, D. Sturrock, W. M. Falconer, R. M. McLean, M. E. Cox, E. C. Cooper.

Auckland Agency.

District Manager—W. J. Speight.

Chief Clerk—W. C. Marchant.

Clerks—C. H. Ralph, L. G. Blackwell.

Napier Agency.

Resident Agent—J. H. Dean.

Clerk—D. McCorkindale.

Wanganui Agency.

Resident Agent—A. E. Allison.

Clerk—N. Webley.

Wellington Agency.

District Manager and Supervisor of New Business—G. Robertson.

Chief Clerk—F. B. Bolt.

Clerks—A. Marryatt, F. J. Mushet.

Nelson Agency.

Resident Agent—A. P. Burnes.

Greymouth Agency.

Resident Agent—R. S. Latta.

Christchurch Agency.

District Manager—J. C. Prudhoe.

Chief Clerk—J. K. Blenkhorn.

Clerks—P. M. West, F. P. Cleary, C. H. White.

Timaru Agency.

Resident Agent—S. T. Wicksteed.

Oamaru Agency.

District Manager—A. W. G. Burnes.

Dunedin Agency.

District Manager—M. J. K. Heywood.

Chief Clerk—O. H. Pinel.

Clerk—T. P. Laurenson.

Invercargill Agency.

District Manager—J. Findlay.

Clerk—J. Hendry.

STATE FIRE INSURANCE OFFICE.

Head Office.

General Manager—G. F. C. Campbell.

Deputy General Manager—J. H. Jerram.

Accountant—C. B. Redward.

Fire Surveyor—R. H. Pavitt.

Corresponding and Record Clerk—O. S. Jones.

Clerks—M. D. McPhail, E. C. Little, W. C. Arthur.

Typiste—Miss A. Coltman.

Cadets—W. E. Watson, E. MacPherson, S. O. Jones, J. H. Dick, F. C. Haycraft, L. W. Probert, R. Bulman, A. H. Pollen, J. L. Inkster.

Branches.

Auckland.

Manager—R. J. Lusher.

Chief Clerk—P. H. Smith.

Clerks—H. J. Lavers, C. A. G. Marshall.

Cadets—E. H. Von Stunner, R. A. Hogan.

Typiste—Miss F. Buck.

Canterbury.

Manager—F. J. G. Wilkinson.

Chief Clerk—H. J. Thomson.

Cadets—J. G. McKenzie, P. G. S. Cookson, W. Hay, T. L. Seator.

Otago and Southland.

Manager—F. H. Pope.

Chief Clerk—A. L. Berry.

Cadets—R. J. McLean, A. J. Muirhead.

Typiste—Miss A. Arnold.

South Canterbury and North Otago (Timaru).

Manager—K. B. Bain.

Palmerston North.

Manager—H. C. Rogers.

Cadet—S. A. Parker.

Taranaki (New Plymouth).

Manager—L. H. Osborn.

Cadet—G. A. Hayden.

NEW ZEALAND STATE - GUARANTEED ADVANCES DEPARTMENT.

Minister in Charge—Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, P.C., K.C.M.G.

Advances Board—Ex officio members—The Minister, Chairman of Board, the Superintendent, the Public Trustee, and the Solicitor-General. Unofficial members—Messrs. Henry Kember and J. K. Warburton.

Superintendent—J. W. Poynton.

Deputy Superintendent—W. Waddel.

Accountant—W. N. Hinchliffe.

Solicitor—.J. B. Christie.

Clerk in Charge—J. E. Thompson.

Clerk in Charge, Insurance and Correspondence—C. T. Fraser.

Cashier—A. A. Prichard.

Ledger-keeper—A. W. Knowles.

Clerks—W. Foote, W. Auld, J. A. Hay, C. D. Wilson, R. G. McLennan, J. M. Hutchison, A. Esam, E. H. Wood, J. T. E. Harrap, R. J. Goudie, J. F. O'Leary, H. J. Thomas, A. J. R. Isherwood, J. Cattell, W. H. Cooper, A. F. Newbold, R. Robertson, S. Astin, H. White, S. O. Clark, F. J. Gledhill.

Legal Branch—S. Piggin (in charge Workers' Branch). G. Mackley, F. North, T. H. Giles, A. Curtayne.

Typist—F. W. Crombie (in charge).

Typistes—M. W. Ahern, E. Hishon, M. M. Lyons, R. Marchant.

Cadets—H. K. Douglas, E. V. Paul, C. Murray, H. E. Dowdy, E. J. Burke, N. D. Vallance, G. L. Morison, T. Fawcett, J. L. Griffin, W. Neal, A. J. Kilsby, W. H. Pearce, R. J. W. Hall, B. F. X. Doherty.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

Head Office.

Minister of Public Works—Hon. R. McKenzie.

Under-Secretary—H. J. H. Blow.

Assistant Under-Secretary—W. S. Short.

Engineer - in - Chief—R. W. Holmes, M.Inst.C.E.

Superintending Engineer—C. R. Vickerman.

Inspecting Engineer of Roads—A. B. Wright.

Assistant Engineer—F. C. Hay.

Architect—J. Campbell, F.R.I.B.A.

Chief Clerk—W. D. Dumbell.

Assistant Chief Clerk—G. C. Schmidt.

Accountant—G. J. Clapham.

Assistant Accountant—C. E. Bennett.

Land-purchase Officer—E. Bold.

Record Clerk—H. W. H. Millais.

Clerks—P. S. Waldie, J. O. Anson, A. H. Kimbell, C. E. Crawford, A. W. Innes, W. McNamara, J. Thompson, H. Arthur, H. F. Curtis, L. White, J. Council, J. W. Black, J. J. Bennett, P. J. Fennell, J. D. Brosnan, W. L. J. Mellsop, G. F. Edenborough, G. F. Jackson, O. Ellison.

Chief Draughtsman—W. G. Rutherford.

Draughtsmen—C. H. Pierard, L. L. Richards, J. P. Nicoll, T. J. McCosker, W. G. C. Swan, J. B. Robertson, R. Walker, H. C. North, A. F. Macrae, A. W. Kemp, A. Stevenson, C. E. Paton, A. E. Wilson, W. Stewart, G. H. Murray, J. J. Hay, J. Anderson, R. B. Cotton, A. T. Ford, D. C. Hay.

Head Storekeeper—J. C. Fulton.

Architectural and Drafting Cadets—T. C. V. Rabone, R. C. Caigou, R. A. Patterson, J. Bradley, M. King.

Clerical Cadets—S. L. Searell, J. P. O'Dowd, F. S. Read, G. D. Turnbull, R. J. Potts, H. Newton, W. H. Bennett, E. P. Evans.

Clerical Cadettes—K. F Haldane, E. A. Pettit.

District Offices.

District Engineers—Auckland, J. A. Wilson, M.I.C.E.; Tauranga, G. L. Cook, M.Inst.C.E.; Wellington, J. D. Louch, A.M.I.C.E.; Dunedin, F. W. Furkert, A.M.I.C.E.

Resident Engineers—Whangarei, J. E. W. McEnnis; Stratford, C. J. McKenzie; Otoko (Gisborne), C. E. Armstrong; Greymouth, J. H. Lewis; Christchurch, H. Vickerman, B.Sc., A.M.LC.E.; Nelson, S. J. Harding.

Resident Road Engineers—F. B. Wither; G. T. Murray, A.M.I.C.E.; R. H. Reaney; J. H. Treseder.

Assistant Engineers in Charge—Seddon, H. H. Sharp; Westport, J. Wood.

Assistant Engineers—H. R. Young, W. Widdowson, J. Meenan, J. H. Dobson, J. Hannah, G. A. M. Luff, H. Dickson, J. V. Haskell, A. Ross, A. Stewart, J. J. Wilson, F. S. Dyson, L. B. Campbell, J. Norris, P. Keller, H. Patterson, G. G. Wilson, W. Hall-Jones, A. J. Baker, T. M. Ball, G. H. J. Mellsop.

Assistant Road Engineers—A. H. Vickerman, T. Burd, C. H. Williams, D. N. McMillan, W. Nathan, E. M. Donaldson.

Engineering Cadets—T. M. Crawford, H. Watkinson, A. D. Thorpe, W. G. Pearce, J. R. Marks, W. S. King, H. G. Shannon, T. G. C. Mackay, J. P. Church, L. W. Wogan, A. C. Smith, C. W. Salmon, G. S. Bogle, J. E. Anderson, R. A. Wilson, R. L. Kaye, R. H. Packwood, O. G. Thornton, F. N. Thompson, L. May, W. L. Newnham, F. Langbein, H. S. Hills, A. Tyndall, G. G. Lowe, G. W. Albertson, J. Rochford, S. G. Patterson.

Architectural and Drafting Cadets—L. W. Orr, E. Puttick.

Draughtsmen—W. H. Hislop, J. J. Fraser, E. C. Farr, W. J. C. Slane, S. B. Dodge, L. H. Reals, W. N. Anderson, F. I. Ellis, W. H. Gilmour, C. H. Lawn, J. R. Cade, J. Kelly, H. C. Heays, G. More, T. S. Goudie, A. B. Childs, B. F. Kelly, G. Brown.

Clerks—G. A. Kallender, C. T. Rushbrook, J. H. Denton, F. P. Manson, W. J. Wiggs, P. S. Foley, F. H. Ibbetson, E. G. Beale, S. d'A. Grut, W. Merson, A. J. Sutcliffe, L. M. Shera, St. J. A. White, P. W. Willson, N. J. Ryan, A. L. Menzies, E. H. Baker, A. D. Park, L. Cooper, C. A. Turner, J. Holroyd, H. M. O'Donnell, W. H. Boys, A. Ross, J. H. Irvine, E. J. Edwards, E. Twohill, A. J. Archer, T. C. Duncan, J. G. B. Hannah, G. R. Drury, D. Carman, W. Sotheran, H. Colvin, V. C. Curtis, W. S. Turner, J. J. Gibson, W. T. Birchall, R. Lindesay, W. S. Ferguson, T. Lockhead, W. H. Mardon, S. A. Holland, E. J. Colquhoun, F. K. Wilkie.

Clerical Cadets—H. L. Powell, C. A. Carmine, J. A. Wilkinson, F. C. Stewart, J. D. Stack, K. R. Watson, J. A. Shannon, C. O. Miller, H. G. M. Priestly, A. B. Robson, L. O. Chamberlain, T. Hohapata, J. Murphy, I. D. Shearer.

Storekeepers—S. J. Moncrieff, J. Nutting, C. B. Gollop, S. E. Vaile, W. H. Gibbs.

Workshop Manager.—S. H. Agar.

Public Works Tenders Board.

Minister of Public Works (President), Under-Secretary for Public Works, Engineer-in-Chief of Public Works, General Manager of Railways, and Government Architect. Secretary to Board, G. C. Schmidt.

CIVIL SERVICE GUARANTEE.

The Civil Service Act provides for the establishment of a system whereby officers of the Service guarantee the fidelity of each other. There are certain exemptions, including officers of both Houses of Parliament, officers of the Government Insurance Department, Official Assignees and their staffs, lighthouse-keepers and assistants, officers of the Railways Department, officers serving outside the limits of the Dominion, and any officer whose salary is less than £100 per annum.

In case of defalcation by an assurer the amount of such defalcation must be made good from the salaries of insurers by a deduction in proportion to the total yearly salary to the extent of thirty-nine-fortieths of the ascertained liability, the balance being a charge on the Consolidated Fund.

A Board of five members, of whom at least three must be assurers, is appointed by the Governor for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the Act regarding the system. The following gentlemen constitute the present Board:—

F. G. B. Waldegrave, Under-Secretary for Justice.

R. J. Collins, I.S.O., Controller and Auditor-General.

D. Robertson, Secretary, Post and Telegraphs.

W. C. Kensington, I.S.O., Under-Secretary for Lands.

R. Carter, Secretary for Customs.

Secretary to Board, A. M. Smith.

PUBLIC SERVICE SUPERANNUATION.

On 1st January, 1908, a fund was established to provide annual allowances to officers of the public service on their retirement on account of age, infirmity, or length of service. All branches of the service are included, excepting the Railways Department and Teachers, these being provided with separate funds. The fund is supported by contributions from members, regulated according to age at time of joining the fund, and a fixed sum paid annually by the Government. The solvency of the fund is guaranteed by the State. All moneys are paid to the Public Trustee, and the administration of the fund is vested in a Board, of which a Minister of the Crown is Chairman—four permanent members appointed by the Governor and six members elected, two by the Post and Telegraph Department, one by the Police Force (not yet elected), and three by all other Departments, the elected members holding office for three years. The Board at present consists, besides the Chairman, of the following members:—

Nominated—

Wm. C. Kensington, Esq., I.S.O.

J. W. Poynton, Esq.

J. H. Richardson, Esq.

Elected–

H. A. R. Huggins, Esq.

W. McNickle, Esq.

for Post and Telegraph Department.

Elected—

George Allport, Esq.

H. R. Spence, Esq.

H. W. Bishop, Esq.

for other Departments.

Secretary—

A. M. Smith.

Chapter 19. ECCLESIASTICAL.

THERE is no State Church in the Dominion, nor is State aid given to any form of religion. Government in the early days set aside certain lands as endowments for various religious bodies, but nothing of the kind has been done for many years past.

CHURCH OF THE PROVINCE OF NEW ZEALAND , COMMONLY CALLED THE “CHURCH OF ENGLAND.”

Bishops.

The Most Rev. Samuel Tarratt Nevill, D.D., Dunedin; consecrated 1871 (Primate).

The Right Reverend Moore Richard Neligan, D.D., Auckland; consecrated 1903.

The Right Rev. Alfred Walter Averill, M.A., Waiapu; consecrated 1910.

The Right Rev. Frederic Wallis, D.D., Wellington; consecrated 1895.

The Right Rev. Charles Oliver Mules, M.A., Nelson; consecrated 1892.

The Right Rev. Churchill Julius, D.D., Christchurch; consecrated 1890.

The Right Rev. Cecil Wilson, M.A., Melanesia; consecrated 1894.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Archbishop.

The Most Rev. Francis Redwood, S.M., D.D., Archbishop and Metropolitan, Wellington; consecrated 1874.

Bishops.

The Bight Rev. George Michael Lenihan, D.D., Auckland; died 22nd February, 1910. His successor not yet appointed.

The Right Rev. John Joseph Grimes, S.M., D.D., Christchurch; consecrated 1887.

The Right Rev. Michael Verdon, D.D., Dunedin; consecrated 1896.

ANNUAL MEETINGS AND OFFICERS.

The principal present heads or officers of the various Churches, and the places and times of holding the annual or periodical assemblies or meetings, are as follow:—

Church of England.—For Church purposes, the Dominion is divided into six dioceses—viz., Auckland, Waiapu, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, and Dunedin. The General Synod meets every third year in one or other of the dioceses. Representatives attend from each diocese, and also from the diocese of Melanesia. President, the Bishop of Dunedin, Primate. The Diocesan Synods meet once a year, under the presidency of the Bishop of the diocese.

Roman Catholic Church.—The diocese of Wellington, established in 1848, was in 1887 created an archdiocese and the metropolitan see. There are three suffragan dioceses—Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin. A retreat is held annually in each of the four dioceses, at the end of which a synod is held, presided over by the bishop or archbishop, and at which all his clergy attend.

In January, 1899, the first Provincial Council of New Zealand was held in Wellington, under the presidency of the Metropolitan, and attended by all the suffragan bishops, and a number of priests elected specially in each diocese as representatives of the whole Catholic clergy in the Dominion. The decrees of this Council were approved by Borne in April, 1900, were published on 1st January, 1901, and are now binding in every diocese in the Dominion.

Presbyterian Church of New Zealand.—The General Assembly will meet on the second Wednesday of November, 1910, in St. Andrew's Church, Auckland. Moderator, the Rev. Issac Jolly, M.A., Auckland; Senior Clerk, Rev. David Sidey, D.D., Napier; Junior Clerk, Rev. David Borrie, Dunedin; Treasurer, Rev. W. J. Comrie; Presbyterian Church Offices, Wellington; Theological Professors, Rev. Michael Watt, M.A., D.D., Dunedin, Rev. W. Hewitson, B.A., Dunedin, and Rev. John Dickie, Dunedin.

Methodist Church of Australasia in New Zealand.—The next annual New Zealand Conference meets in the last week of February, 1911, in Durham Street Church, Christchurch. Each Conference determines where the next one shall assemble. President (1910-11), Rev. C. H. Laws, Christchurch; Secretary, Rev. S. Lawry, Papanui, Christ church.

Primitive Methodist Connexion.—A Conference takes place every January. The next is to be held at Wellington, commencing 12th January, 1911. The Conference officials for the present year are: President, Rev. Samuel Henderson, Christchurch; Vice-President, Mr. Robert B. Horsley, Wanganui; Secretary, Rev. J. Southern, Granity, Westport; Hon. District Secretary, Mr. D. Goldie, Pitt Street, Auckland; Treasurer of Connectional Funds, Mr. Joseph Watkinson, Burleigh Street, Auckland.

Baptist Union of New Zealand.—President, Rev. William Hay, Dunedin; Vice-President, Mr. A. Chidgey, Christchurch; Secretary, Rev. R. S. Gray, Christchurch; Mission Secretary, Rev. E. A. Kirwood, Mount Roskill, Auckland; Mission Treasurer, Mr. A. Hoby, Wellington. The Union comprises 47 churches, 22 preaching-stations, 4,877 members, and a constituency of 20,000. The denominational organ is the New Zealand Baptist; Editor, Mr. H. H. Driver, Dunedin. The Foreign Missionary Society, with an average income of £1,700, has a thoroughly equipped hospital, employs a doctor, a missionary, three zenana ladies, and 16 Native helpers. The sphere of operations is in North Tipperah, East Bengal.

Congregational Union of New Zealand.—The annual meetings are held during the month of February, at such place as may be decided on by vote of the Council. Chairman for 1910, Mr. A. M. Lewis, Wellington; Chairman-elect, Rev. A. E. Hunt, Timaru; Secretary, Rev. H. Steele Craik, Auckland; Treasurer, Mr. W. H. Lyon, Auckland; Registrar, Mr. G. B. Gregory, Wellington; Head Office, Auckland. In 1911 the meeting of the Council will be held at Dunedin. The Committee of the Union meets in Auckland on the second Tuesday of each month.

Hebrews.—Ministers: Rev. S. A. Goldstein, Auckland; Rev. H. van Staveren and Rev. C. Pitkowski, Wellington; Rev. I. Bernstein, Christchurch. Annual meetings of the general congregations are usually held at these places during the month of Elul (about the end of August).

Chapter 20. DEFENCES, MILITARY AND NAVAL.

THE new system of defence for the Dominion, as established by “The Defence Act, 1909,” involves obligation to undergo military service on the part of all males between, the ages of fourteen and twenty-one, with voluntary service up to thirty years of age.

The present system of defence will not be disturbed, and the particulars given in the following pages stand good pending the completion of arrangements necessary for the inauguration of the new policy. The main provisions of “The Defence Act, 1909,” are as under:—

COUNCIL OF DEFENCE.

Defence Council to consist of,—

  1. The Minister of Defence.

  2. The Chief of the General Staff.

  3. The Finance Member.

The Inspector-General of Defence to be responsible to the Council, but not a member of it.

PERMANENT FORCE.

  1. Enrolment for a period of eight years.

  2. At expiration of live years to be enrolled in the Reserve, and serve for three years therein.

  3. Members of Reserve liable to be called upon to rejoin the Force.

  4. Members of the Permanent Force may continue to serve until discharged under age-limit conditions or for other reasons.

TERRITORIAL FORCE.

Under the Act the present Volunteer Force becomes the Territorial Force. Appointments of officers to be made on the recommendation of Board of Officers in each district.

All males from twelve years to fourteen years of age to be trained in the Junior Cadets, subject to the control of the Minister of Education.

All males from fourteen years to eighteen years of age to be trained in the Senior Cadets as part of the Defence Forces under the jurisdiction of the Council of Defence.

All males from eighteen years to twenty-one years of age to be trained in the General Training Section of the Territorial Force, and from twenty-one to thirty years of age to be trained in the Reserve.

Training in the Junior Cadets to consist of not less than fifty-two hours in each year.

Training in the Senior Cadets to consist of not less than six whole days, twelve half-days, and twenty-four night drills in each year.

Training in the Reserve to consist of two muster parades in each year.

Defence Rifle Clubs may be formed and conducted as hitherto. Members who have passed through the General Training Section to be eligible for enrolment in Defence Rifle Clubs.

MILITIA.

All males, with certain exceptions, between the ages of seventeen and fifty-five years are liable to be trained and serve in the Militia. The Governor has power to call out the Militia to serve for the prescribed period in time of emergency.

The permanent defence forces consist of the Royal N.Z. Artillery and the auxiliary forces of Volunteers—viz., Field Artillery, Garrison Artillery, Engineers, Mounted Rifles, Rifle, Cycle, Field Ambulances, Reserve Corps, Defence Rifle Clubs, and Defence Cadets. The administration of the defence forces of the Dominion is under the control of the Council of Defence, of which the Hon. the Minister of Defence is President.

MILITIA AND VOLUNTEER DISTRICTS.

The two Islands (North and South) are divided into five military districts, each commanded by an officer of field rank, with a paid staff of officers and non-commissioned officers. The staffs of non-commissioned officers are engaged in instruction of Volunteer corps of the different branches of the service in their respective districts. The number of non-commissioned officers employed as instructors to Volunteers is as follows:—

Staff Sergeant-major InstructorsDominion of N.Z.Gunnery, 1.
Staff Sergeant-major InstructorsAucklandEngineering and Signalling, 1.
  Mounted, 3.
  Infantry, 4.
Staff Sergeant-major InstructorsWellingtonEngineering and Signalling, 2.
  Mounted, 3.
  Infantry, 5.
Staff Sergeant-major InstructorsNelsonMounted, 1.
  Infantry, 2.
Staff Sergeant-major InstructorsCanterburyEngineering and Signalling, 1.
  Mounted, 2.
  Infantry, 3.
Staff Sergeant-major InstructorsOtagoEngineering and Signalling, 1.
  Mounted, 3.
  Infantry, 3.

ROYAL N.Z. ARTILLERY.

This Force is divided into four detachments, which are stationed at Auckland, Wellington (headquarters), Lyttelton, and Dunedin; their principal duties are to look after and take charge of all guns, ordnance stores, ammunition, horses for Field Artillery, and munitions of war at these four centres, and also to carry out the instruction of Artillery Volunteers. The Force has a strength of 270 of all ranks, the authorised establishment being 255. The training of Garrison and Field Artillery Volunteers is carried out by the Permanent Force under the direction of the Chief Instructor of Artillery.

VOLUNTEERS.—FIELD ARTILLERY.

There are five batteries of Field Artillery. They are armed with 15-pounder B.L., on field carriages, and go into camp annually for sixteen days. Present strength, 453 of all ranks.

VOLUNTEERS.—NAVAL AND GARRISON ARTILLERY.

There are eleven Garrison Artillery Corps. They go into camp annually for sixteen days. Present strength, 1,211 of all ranks.

VOLUNTEERS.—ENGINEERS.

There are four Engineer Corps and one Pioneer Corps, with a total strength of 359 officers and men. The Engineers go into camp for sixteen days each year. The qualifications for Pioneers for capitation, personal payments, ammunition, orders of dress are the same as for Infantry.

VOLUNTEERS.—MOUNTED RIFLES.

There are sixty-eight corps of Mounted Rifles. These corps go into camp for an annual training of seven days. Present strength, 4,245 officers and men.

VOLUNTEERS.—INFANTRY AND CYCLE CORPS.

In this branch of the service there are 121 corps, with a strength of 414 officers, 6,174 other ranks. Infantry company camps are not necessary for capitation, but a certain number of parades (including three daylight parades) must be held. Three Cycle and two Infantry Corps have signalling detachments attached.

VOLUNTEERS.—FIELD AMBULANCES.

There are Volunteer Field Ambulances at Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, and Dunedin, with a total strength of 19 officers and 214 other ranks.

RESERVE CORPS.

Reserve Corps are formed mainly from members of late New Zealand contingents, and also from those Infantry or Mounted Corps who have been unable to keep up to the necessary strength as such, or are too far removed from the lines of communication for mobilisation and frequent practical instruction. Each efficient member is allowed 100 rounds of ammunition free annually. Each member must attend four drills during the year to qualify as efficient. An annual capitation allowance of 5s. is made to each Reservist who qualifies by attendance at drill and completes musketry course. Reserve Corps may, provided there is no active Volunteer Corps within a reasonable distance, enrol men who have had no previous military training, in which case the recruit must go through the same practice as laid down for recruits of active Volunteer Corps.

VOLUNTEERS.—GARRISON BANDS.

There are five Garrison Bands, with a total membership of 146

BATTALION BANDS.

There are seventeen battalion bands, with a total membership of 386.

VOLUNTEERS.—DEFENCE CADET CORPS.

There is a force of seventy-seven Defence Cadet Corps, with a total strength of 4,100 of all ranks.

DEFENCE RIFLE CLUBS.

There are 158 Rifle Clubs, comprising 3,614 members. Members can purchase rifles at cost-price from Government. An annual grant of ammunition is made to those members who fulfil conditions as to firing annual musketry course, drills, &c.

ARMS.

The whole of the adult portion of the Force have magazine Lee-Enfield carbines or rifles. Defence Cadets are armed with magazine Lee-Enfield and Martini-Enfield carbines. Defence Rifle Clubs are armed with magazine Lee-Enfield rifles.

ENROLMENT.

Members of the Permanent Forces are enrolled to serve for a period of eight years from enrolment, the last three years of such being in the Reserve. Every member may, at the expiration of five years' service, if of good character, be allowed to continue in active service until retirement under age-limit conditions. Enrolment in the Volunteer Force is for a minimum period of one year. The Volunteer may continue to serve until he has reached the limit prescribed by the regulations.

INSTRUCTORS.

Officer Instructors for Artillery and Engineer Corps are provided from the Permanent Force, having undergone instruction in England. Non-commissioned Officer Instructors are trained in the Permanent Force.

Nearly all of the Instructional Staff in mounted and infantry duties have been trained in the Imperial Army.

CAPITATION.

An annual capitation of £3 10s. is granted to each efficient member of field artillery, £3 to garrison artillery, £3 to infantry Volunteer, £4 to each efficient mounted Volunteer, 12s. 6d. to each efficient cadet, and 5s. to each efficient Reservist.

AMMUNITION.

The following annual allowances of small-arms ammunition per man are made annually to the various arms: Permanent Force, 100 rounds ball; Engineers, 100 rounds ball; Artillery, 100 rounds ball; Mounted Rifles, 180 rounds ball; Infantry, 180 rounds ball; Defence Cadets, 100 rounds ball; Defence Rifle Clubs, 120 rounds ball; Reserve Corps, 100 rounds ball. Every efficient member of a Volunteer Corps, Defence Cadet Corps, Reserve Corps, or Defence Rifle Club is allowed to purchase 100 rounds of service ball ammunition annually at a reduced rate.

ESTABLISHMENT.

The maximum establishment for the various branches of the service is as under:—

  Officers.N.C.O.s and Men.
Mounted Rifles—   
Regimentseach105
Squadronseach480
Field Artillery—   
Four-gun Batterieseach595
Two-gun Batterieseach350
Garrison Artillery—   
Divisionseach63
Companieseach6151
Engineers—   
Companieseach6100
Infantry—   
Battalionseach84
Companieseach594
Companieseach360
Cycle Corpseach466
Cycle Corpseach232
Reserve Corpseach360
Defence Cadet Corpseach360
Field Ambulanceseach547
Garrison Bandseach125
Battalion Bandseach 20
Rifle Clubseachminimum15

ADMINISTRATION.

The defence forces of New Zealand are administered under “The Defence Act, 1908,” and the General Regulations of the Defence Forces of New Zealand.

EXPENDITUREONTHE ESTABLISHMENTAND MAINTENANCEOF DEFENCESFROM 1897-98 TO 1908-9.*
Year.Military Expenditure.Harbour Defences.Total.
* The special expenditure on account of contingents for South Africa is not included.
 £££
1897-9883,0042,52585,529
1898-99114,78910,158124,947
1899-1900184,9705,328190,298
1900-1156,2183,960160,176
1901-2250,4786,678257,156
1902-3292,0816,126298,207
1903-4221,9592,885224,844
1904-5239,3332,515241,848
1905-6195,0281,300196,328
1906-7167,8181,541169,359
1907-8198,4182,579200,997
1908-9195,6857,297202,982

Chapter 21. DEPOTS FOR SHIPWRECKED MARINERS.

OUTLYING ISLANDS OF NEW ZEALAND.

MARINERS are informed that depots of provisions and clothing for castaways are established on the following islands:—

Kermadec Islands.—There are two depots, each a small iron shed, fitted with spouting and a tank to catch water, and containing a supply of clothing, biscuits, medicines, tools, &c. One is in 30° 15' S., 178° 31' W., at Lava Cascade, about 1½ cables south-eastward of the northern point of Macaulay Island; the other is in 30° 35' S., 178° 36' W., on the southern side of Macdonald Cove (crater), on the N.W. side of Curtis Island.

Three Kings.—A provision depot has been established on the largest island. It is situated on the narrow neck at the head of N.W. and S.E. bays. A fire made on the hill to the west of the depot will attract the attention of the light-keepers at Cape Maria Van Dieman.

Snares Islands.—A depot is established in 48° Of S., 166° 33¾ E., in Boat Harbour, at the eastern end of N.E. Island.

Bounty Islands.—The depot is a hut at an elevation of 120 ft., visible from the northward, and situated in 47° 43¼' S., 179° 0½ E., southward of the western inlet of the principal island—the north-eastern—of the western group.

Antipodes Islands.—The depot is a hut at an elevation of 100 ft., visible from some distance north-eastward, and situated in 49° 40' S., 178° 50' E., 300 ft. from the landing-place, on the N.E. side of the large island, and half a mile westward of its east point.

Auckland Islands.—There are three depots on the principal island: one, a square wooden house, in 50° 33¼' S., 166° 12' E., and a boat near the depot, on the S. side of Erebus Cove, Port Ross; on the E. side and at the northern end of the island; the second is in 50° 44½' S., 166° 8' E., at the head of Norman Inlet (wrongly named “Musgrave Inlet” on charts), and not at the inlet named Norman Inlet, two miles and a half northward; the third, and a boat for shipwrecked people, is in 50° 50½ S., 166° 1' E., in the western arm of Camp Cove, Carnley Harbour, at the S. end of the island. A lifeboat has been placed on Enderby Island, the northeastern of the group; another at the N.W. end of Adams Island, the southern of the group; one on Rose Island, immediately S.W. of Enderby Island; and one on Disappointment Island.

Campbell Island.—The depot, indicated by a white staff and a boat, is in 52° 33' S., 169° 6½' E., in Tucker Cove, at the head of S. or Perseverance Harbour, on the east side of the island.

Finger-posts to indicate the positions of the depots are erected on all these islands. The Government steamer visits the Kermadec and Three Kings Islands once a year: and the Snares, Bounty, Antipodes, Auckland, and Campbell Islands twice a year.

Chapter 22. GRAVING-DOCKS AND PATENT SLIPS.

AUCKLAND DOCKS.

The Auckland docks are the property of the Auckland Harbour Board. The dimensions of the docks at Auckland are as follow:—

 Calliope Dock.Auckland Dock.
Length over all525 feet.312 feet.
Length on floor500 feet.300 feet.
Breadth over all110 feet.65 feet.
Breadth on floor40 feet.42 feet.
Breadth at entrance80 feet.43 feet.
Depth of water on sill (at high water, ordinary spring tides)33 feet.13½ feet.

Alterations have been made to the lower altars of Calliope Dock which will enable vessels of 63 ft. beam to be docked without any difficulty. A complete equipment of modern machinery (to Admiralty specification) has been provided by the Board, including 80-ton sheer-legs.

The following is the scale of charges for the use of the Auckland and Calliope Graving-docks and appliances:—

AUCKLAND GRAVING-DOCK.*
* These charges will be revised during the current year.
 £s.d.
Entrance fee110
For every vessel of 100 tons (gross register), or under, per day500
For every vessel from 101 to 200 tons (gross register), per day600
For every additional ton (gross register), per day002

Twenty per cent. reduction on the above rates will be allowed when two or three vessels dock on the same tide, and remain in dock the same number of hours, but such reduction will not be allowed if any of the Auckland Harbour Board's vessels are docked at the same time as another vessel.

For shores cut in docking or hanging the vessel there must be paid, according to injury done, such amount as may be fixed by the Dock-master.

For use of steam-kiln, 10s. per day.

For use of pitch-furnace, 10s. per day.

CALLIOPE GRAVINGDOCK.*
* These charges will be revised during the current year.
 £s.d.
Entrance fee550
For all vessels up to 300 tons (gross register), for four days or less2000
For all vessels 301 to 400 tons (gross register), for four days or less22100
For all vessels 401 to 500 tons (gross register), for four days or less2500
For all vessels 501 to 600 tons (gross register), for four days or less27100
For all vessels 601 to 700 tons (gross register), for four days or less3000
For all vessels 701 to 800 tons (gross register), for four days or less32100
For all vessels 801 to 900 tons (gross register), for four days or less3500
For all vessels 901 to 1,000 tons (gross register), for four days or less37100
For all vessels 1,001 to 1,100 tons (gross register), for four days or less4000
For all vessels 1,101 to 1,200 tons (gross register), for four days or less4500
For all vessels 1,201 tons (gross register) and upwards, for four days or less5000

After the fourth day in dock the following rates will be charged:—

For all vessels up to 500 tons (gross register)4d. per ton a day.
For all vessels up to 500 tons 501 to 1,000 tons (gross register)3d. per ton a day.
For all vessels up to 500 tons 1,001 to 2,000 tons (gross register)2¾d. per ton a day.
For all vessels up to 500 tons 2,001 to 3,000 tons (gross register)2½. per ton a day.
For all vessels up to 500 tons 3,001 to 4,000 tons (gross register)2¼. per ton a day.
For all vessels up to 500 tons 4,001 tons (gross register) and upwards2d. per ton a day.

Twenty per cent. reduction on the above rates will be allowed when two or three vessels dock on the same tide and remain in dock the same number of hours, but such reduction will not be allowed if any of the Auckland Harbour Board's vessels are docked at the same time as another vessel.

For shores cut in docking or hanging the vessel, there shall be paid, according to injury done, such amount as may be fixed by the Dockmaster.

During the year 1909, 122 vessels of various descriptions, with a total of 30,644 tons, made use of the Auckland Graving-dock, occupying it in all 194 days, for repairs or painting.

In Calliope Dock 26 vessels, including 1 warship, were docked with an aggregate tonnage of 73,183, and occupied the dock for 87 days.

Dock dues earned for the year amounted to £2,680.

Under arrangement with the Admiralty, a complete plant of the most efficient and modern machinery has been provided at Calliope Dockyard. The workshops are erected, and all the machinery is placed in position. This plant includes 80-ton sheer-legs; trolly to carry 80 tons, and rails; 10-ton steam-crane at side of dock, engines, boilers, overhead travellers; planing, shaping, and slotting machines; radial drills, vertical drills, band saws for iron, punching and shearing machines, plate-bending rolls; 24 in. centre gantry lathe, 70 ft. bed; 9 in. and 12 in. gantry lathes, milling-machines, emery grinders, screwing - machines, ditto for pipes, horizontal boring - machines, Root's blower, smiths' forges (six), coppersmith's forge, levelling-slabs, steam-hammers, lead-furnace, wall-cranes, zinc-bath, plate-furnace, jib crane for foundry, circular-saw bench, band saw for wood, lathe for wood, general joiners' and carpenters' benches (four), kiln for steaming boards, Fox's trimmer, cupola to melt 5 tons of metal, countersinking - machine, pipe-bending machine, tools of various descriptions, moulders' bins, force-pumps for testing pipes, vice-beaches, electric-light engines, dynamos (two), steam capstans, &c., and all other appliances and machinery required to render the plant adequate to repair any of His Majesty's ships upon the station or any merchant vessel visiting the port. The dock and machinery will be available for use, when not required for His Majesty's vessels, in effecting repairs to any merchant vessel requiring same. Electric lights have been provided for workshops, dock, and dockyard. The dockyard is connected by telephone with the central exchange. An abundant supply of the purest fresh water is available at Calliope Dock and Calliope Wharf.

WELLINGTON PATENT SLIP.

The Port of Wellington has no clock at present, although one is now being constructed; but there is a well-equipped patent slip at Evans Bay, on which vessels of 2,000 tons can be safely hauled up. This slip is the property of a private company, and is in no way connected with the Harbour Board. It is 1,070 ft. long, with a cradle 260 ft. in length. There is a depth of 32 ft. at high water at the outer end of the slip. A dolphin and buoys are laid down for swinging ships in Evans Bay.

The company has convenient, workshops, which contain machinery necessary for effecting all ordinary repairs to vessels using the slip.

During the year ended 31st March, 1909, 114 vessels of various sizes, of an aggregate of 52,179 tons, were taken up on the slip for repairs, cleaning, painting, &c. The charges for taking vessels on the slip and launching them are 1s. per ton on the gross tonnage for the first full twenty-four hours, and 6d. per ton per day afterwards, unless by special agreement.

LYTTELTON DOCK AND PATENT SLIP.

The Graving-dock at Lyttelton, which is the property of the Harbour Board, is capable of docking men-of-war, or almost all of the large ocean steamers now running to the Dominion, Its general dimensions are: Length over all, 503 ft.; length on floor, 450 ft.; length inside caisson at a height of 4 ft. above the floor, 462 ft.; breadth over all, 82 ft.; breadth on floor, 46 ft.; breadth at entrance, 62 ft.; breadth where ship's bilge would be, on 6 ft. blocks, 55 ft.; available clocking depth at this breadth, 17 ft.; depth of water on sill at high water, springs, 23 ft.

The scale of charges for the use of the dock and pumping machinery is as follows:—

 £s.d.
For all vessels up to 300 tons, for four days or less2000
For all vessels up to 300 tons, 301 to 400 tons, for four days or less22100
For all vessels up to 300 tons, 401 to 500 tons, for four days or less2500
For all vessels up to 300 tons, 501 to 600 tons, for four days or less27100
For all vessels up to 300 tons, 601 to 700 tons, for four days or less30 0
For all vessels up to 300 tons, 701 to 800 tons, for four days or less32100
For all vessels up to 300 tons, 801 to 900 tons, for four days or less3500
For all vessels up to 300 tons, 901 to 1,000 tons, for four days or less37100
For all vessels up to 300 tons, 1,001 to 1,100 tons, for four days or less4000
For all vessels up to 300 tons, 1,101 to 1,200 tons, for four days or less4500
For all vessels up to 300 tons, 1,201 tons and upwards, for four days or less5000

After the fourth day in dock, the following rates are charged:—

For all vessels up to 500 tons4d. per ton per day.
For all vessels of 501 tons to 1,000 tons3d.
For all vessels over 1,001 tons up to 2,000 tons2¾d. per ton per day.
For all vessels over 2,001 tons up to 3,000 tons2½d. per ton per day.
For all vessels over 3,001 tons up to 4,000 tons2¼d. per ton per day.
For all vessels over 4,001 tons up to 5,000 tons2d. per ton per day.

Twenty per cent. reduction on the above rates is allowed when two or three vessels can arrange to dock on the same tide and remain in flock the same number of hours. Two vessels of 1,000 tons each can be docked at the same time. The 20-per-cent. rebate is not allowed if any of the Lyttelton Harbour Board's vessels are docked at the same time as another vessel. The twenty-four hours constituting the first day of docking commences from the time of the dock being pumped out.

Any vessel belonging to H.M. Navy or any colonial Government, or any commissioned ship belonging to any foreign nation, is admitted into the graving-dock without payment of the usual dock dues, but is charged only such sum as is necessary for the reimbursement of actual expenditure of stores, wages, and materials.

There are electric lights, one on each side of the graving-dock; and there are engineering works within a short distance of it, where repairs and heavy foundry-work can be undertaken.

The graving-dock and machinery cost £105,000. The interest and sinking fund on that sum, at 6½ per cent., amounts to £6,825 per annum. Since its construction the dock dues for the twenty-seven years ended 31st December, 1909, amounted to £31,523, and the working-expenses to £18,323, leaving a balance for twenty-seven years ended 31st December, 1909, of £13,200.

During the year 1909 thirty vessels were docked, and the dock dues amounted to £3,392. For the twenty-seven years ending 1909, 603 vessels were docked, or an average of about twenty-two a year.

PATENT SLIP, LYTTELTON.

Alongside the graving-dock is a patent slip, with a cradle 150 ft. in length, suitable for vessels of 300 tons. It belongs to the Harbour Board.

The following is the scale of charges:—

Up to 75 tons gross register, £4 for five days, and 10s. per day after the fifth day.

Over 75 tons and up to 150 tons gross register, £6 for five days, and 15s. per day after fifth day.

Over 150 tons and up to 250 tons gross register, £8 for five days, and 20s. per day after fifth day.

Over 250 tons gross register, £10 for five days, and 20s. per day after fifth day.

A “day" to mean between sunrise and sunset.

The above rates cover the cost of all labour connected with hauling up and launching (the crew of the vessel to give their assistance as may be required), and the cost of blocking a vessel and shifting the blocks after hauling up.

OTAGO GRAVING-DOCK.

The dock at Port Chalmers is now vested in the Otago Harbour Board. Vessels of large size can be taken in the Otago Dock, as the following measurements will show:—

Length over all520 feet.
Length on the floor500 feet.
Breadth where ship's bilge would be72 feet.
Breadth at dock-gates70 feet.

Connected with the Otago Dock are a large machine-shop, steam-hammer, and forge, with all the appliances necessary for performing any work that may be required by vessels visiting the port. An 80-ton shear-legs has also been erected for heavy lifts.

There is also a patent slip, used for taking up small vessels.

All vessels using the Otago Graving-dock are liable for dock dues according to the following scale (unless under special contract):—

 £s.d.
For all vessels up to 300 tons, for four days or less2000
For all vessels up to 300 tons, 301 to 400 tons, for four days or less22100
For all vessels up to 300 tons, 401 to 500 tons, for four days or less2500
For all vessels up to 300 tons, 501 to 600 tons, for four days or less27100
For all vessels up to 300 tons, 601 to 700 tons, for four days or less3000
For all vessels up to 300 tons, 701 to 800 tons, for four days or less32100
For all vessels up to 300 tons, 801 to 900 tons, for four days or less3500
For all vessels up to 300 tons, 901 to 1,000 tons, for four days or less37100
For all vessels up to 300 tons, 1,001 to 1,100 tons, for four days or less4000
For all vessels up to 300 tons, 1,101 to 1,200 tons, for four days or less4500
For all vessels up to 300 tons, 1,201 tons and upwards, for four days or less5000

After the fourth day in dock the following rates are charged:—

For all vessels up to 500 tons4d. per ton per day.
For all vessels of 501 tons to 1,000 tons3d. per ton per day.
For all vessels over 1,001 tons up to 2,000 tons2¾d. per ton per day.
For all vessels over 2,001 tons up to 3,000 tons2½d. per ton per day.
For all vessels over 3,001 tons up to 4,000 tons2¼d. per ton per day.
For all vessels over 4,001 tons up to 5,000 tons2d. per ton per day.

Twenty per cent. reduction on the above rates is allowed when two or three vessels can arrange to dock on the same tide and remain in dock the same number of hours. Two vessels of 1,000 tons each can be docked at the same time. The 20-per-cent. rebate is not allowed if any of the Otago Harbour Board's vessels are docked at the same time as another vessel. The twenty-four hours constituting the first day of docking commences from the time of the dock being pumped out.

Any vessel belonging to H.M. Navy or any colonial Government, or any commissioned ship belonging to any foreign nation, is admitted into the graving-dock without payment of the usual dock dues, but is charged only such sum as is necessary for the reimbursement of actual expenditure of stores, wages, and materials.

Chapter 23. HARBOURS.

PILOTAGE, PORT CHARGES, ETC.

PILOTAGE, port charges, berthage charges, &c., at eighteen of the principal harbours in New Zealand, as on the 1st January, 1910 (compiled by Mr. C. Hood Williams, Secretary to the Lyttelton Harbour Board):—

AUCKLAND.

Pilotage (not compulsory): Sailing-vessels, inwards and outwards, 3d. per ton each way.

Steamers, inwards and outwards, 2d. per ton each way when services of pilot are taken.

Pilotage includes the removal fee to or from the berth at 1d. per ton. In the case of any vessel, the registered tonnage of which exceeds 5,000 tons, no pilotage rates shall be payable in respect of such excess.

Port charges: 3d. per ton half-yearly (on all vessels over 15 tons) in one payment. Vessels arriving for coal, stores, water, or for receiving or landing mails, which do not come to any wharf or receive or discharge cargo within the port, are exempt from port charges. In the case of any vessel the registered tonnage of which exceeds 5,000 tons, no port charges shall be payable in respect of such excess.

Harbourmaster's fees: 1d. per ton. Vessels paying pilotage are exempt.

Exemption berthage certificates are given to competent masters in the coastal and intercolonial trades, but not to those in foreign trade.

Berthage: Every person who shall use any wharf with any vessel shall pay for the use thereof—Licensed ferry steamers, 10s. to £1 10s. per month; other vessels under 20 tons, 6d. and 1s. per day, not exceeding 10s. per quarter.

For every vessel not included in the above, ¼d. per ton per day. Outside berths, ⅛d. per ton per day.

NOTE.—The by-laws of the Auckland Harbour Board are being revised, so there may be some change during 1910.

GISBORNE.

Pilotage (not compulsory): To roadstead—Sailing-vessels, first 100 tons, 6d. per ton; every ton over 100 tons, 2d. per ton; steamers, first 100 tons, 3d. per ton; every ton over 100 tons, 1d. per ton. Into Turanganui River: Sailing-vessels, 4d. per ton; steamers, 3d. per ton. Outward pilotage, half-rates.

Port charges: Vessels plying within port only, 3d. per ton quarterly in advance. Vessels not plying within the port only, 2d. per ton on arrival, but not to exceed 1s. per ton in any half-year.

Ocean-going vessels (not being “colonial trading” or coasting vessels) returning to port within one month from date of first arrival are exempt from port charges for second or subsequent arrivals within calendar month.

Harbourmaster's fees: 5s. per vessel of less than 60 tons. Vessels licensed as lighters are exempt. 1d. per ton, sailing-vessels 60 tons and upwards; 10s. per vessel, steamers of 60 and under 120 tons.

To roadstead only: 1d. per ton, ocean-going steamers, (not being “colonial trading” vessels or coastal vessels), but not to exceed 6d. per ton in any half-year; all other steamers, 120 tons and upwards, ½d. per ton on arrival, but not to exceed 3d. in any half-year.

Into Turanganui River: 1d. per ton on arrival, steamers of 120 tons and upwards.

Berthage rate: Lighters carrying cargo, 2s. 6d. per trip. Lighters also charged license 1s. per ton register per annum.

THAMES.

Pilotage (compulsory): In and out—Sailing-vessels up to 100 tons, 6d. per ton, and 2d. for each ton over 100 tons; steamers up to 100 tons, 6d. per ton, and 4d. per ton for each additional ton.

Port charges: Regular traders, 2d. per ton per quarter; other vessels, 2d. per ton each trip, not to exceed 1s. 3d. per ton in half-year.

Harbourmaster's fees: Nil.

Berthage: 20 tons and under, 10s. per ton per quarter; over 20 tons, 6d. per ton per quarter, or 2s. 6d. first 20 tons per day and ¼d. each additional ton.

Warps and fenders: Nil.

NEW PLYMOUTH.

Pilotage (compulsory), charged both inwards and outwards: Intercolonial or coasting—Sailing-vessels, 3d. per ton; steamers, 1½d. per ton: foreign sailing-vessel or steamer, ½d. per ton.

Port charges: Intercolonial, 4d. per ton, payable half-yearly; foreign, ½d. per ton on arrival in roadstead.

Harbourmaster s fees: Nil.

Berthage rate: 3½d. per ton on all cargo lauded, shipped, or transhipped outwards; on registered tonnage also ½d. per ton.

Warps: 1d. per ton register for first 100 tons; ½d. per ton for excess.

Fenders: 1s. per day or part of day.

Water (minimum 3s.): 5s. per 1,000 gallons.

WAITARA.

Pilotage: From signal-staff, ½d. per register ton each way, in and out. Oceangoing vessels ¼d. per register ton (one way only).

Port charges: Steamers and sailing-vessels, 3d. per ton quarterly, payable first trip in each quarter; ocean-going vessels, ½d. per register ton, payable each trip.

Harbourmaster's fees: Nil.

Berthage: Steamers 2d. per ton and sailing-vessels 3d. per ton every trip.

Warps and fenders: Nil.

PATEA.

Pilotage (in and out): 1d. per ton register.

Port charges: 3d. per ton every three months. Light dues, ¼d. per ton.

Harbourmaster's fees: Nil.

Berthage: 6d. per ton on cargo, as per manifest.

Warps and fenders: Nil.

Water: 2s. 6d. per 1,000 gallons.

WAIROA.

Pilotage (compulsory): 6d. per register ton.

Port charges: 3d. per ton per quarter.

Harbourmaster's fees: Nil.

Berthage, warps, and fenders: Nil.

NAPIER.

Pilotage (not compulsory): Into Inner Harbour—Sailing-vessels, 4d. per ton; steamers, 3d. per ton. Into breakwater, harbour, or roadstead—First 100 tons: Sailing-vessels, 6d. per ton; steamers, 3d. per ton. Every ton over 100 tons: Sailing-vessels, 2d. per ton; steamers, 1d. per ton. Outward pilotage, half-rates.

Port charges: 6d. per ton quarterly in advance, vessels plying within port only; 2d. per ton on arrival of vessels not plying within port, but not to exceed 1s. per ton in any half-year. Ocean-going vessels (not being “colonial trading” or coasting vessels) returning to port within thirty days from date of first arrival are exempt from port charges for second or subsequent arrivals within calendar month.

Harbourmaster's fees: 5s. per vessel of less than 60 tons. 1d. per ton, sailing-vessels 60 tons and upwards; 10s. per vessel, steamers of 60 tons and under 120 tons; 1d. per ton, steamers of 120 tons and upwards. Vessels paying for pilotage service inwards do not pay Harbourmaster's fees.

Harbour-improvement rate: 3d. per ton on cargo landed, shipped, or transhipped (weight or measurement at option of Board); 1s. each horse or large cattle shipped or transhipped; ½d. each sheep or small animal shipped or transhipped.

Hawsers and moorings: Vessels at wharf in Breakwater Harbour, ¼d. per ton per day, or part of a day, on registered tonnage. Vessels moored to buoys within Breakwater Harbour, ⅛d. per ton per day or part of a day.

Fenders: Vessels at wharves in Breakwater Harbour—5s. per day, vessels under 500 tons; 7s. per day, vessels of 500 tons and under 1,000 tons; 10s. per day, vessels of 1,000 tons and under 1,500 tons; 15s. per day, vessels of 1,500 tons and under 2,000 tons; £1 per day, vessels of 2,000 tons, and under 3,000 tons; 5s. for every 1,000 tons over 3,000 tons.

WANGANUI.

Pilotage: All vessels when piloted by signals from the staff only, 1d. per ton register. River pilotage, to be charged for any assistance rendered by the pilot or any of his crew inside the bar, 2d. per ton. When a pilot boards and conducts a vessel outside the bar, 3d. per ton. Steamers engaged in tendering ocean steamers at anchor in the roadstead charged half pilotage rates.

Port charges: Vessels of 500 tons and up to 8,000 tons register, ½d. per ton. Not to exceed 3d. per ton in any half-year. Vessels paying pilotage exempt. Ocean-going vessels (not being “colonial-trading" or “coastal”) returning to the port within one month of first arrival exempt as regards second or subsequent arrivals.

Harbourmaster's fees: Nil.

Berthage: For every steamer using any wharf, being berthed alongside, and whether discharging or loading cargo or not, 2d. per ton on gross register for first day of eight working-hours, and 1d. for every succeeding day of eight working-hours. For every sailing-vessel the charge to be 2d. for first day of eight working-hours, and ½d. for every succeeding day of eight working-hours, not exceeding five days. For every vessel occupying a berth outside another vessel, and loading or discharging cargo, ¼d. per ton on gross register per day of eight working-hours whilst loading or discharging. Ships' dues on vessels detained in port by stress of weather will not be charged after the third day.

WELLINGTON.

Pilotage (optional): Sailing-vessels inwards, 4d. per ton; sailing-vessels outwards, 3d. per ton; steamers inwards, 3d. per ton; steamers outwards, 2d. per ton. Pilotage includes the removal fee to or from the berth at ¾d. per ton.

Port charges: 2d. per ton on arrival; not exceeding 6d. in any half-year. Half-yearly days, 1st January and 1st July. Steamers arriving for coal, stores, water, or for receiving or landing mails or passengers and their luggage, which do not come to any wharf or receive or discharge cargo within the port, are exempt from port charges.

Harbourmaster's or berthing fee on vessels of 120 tons and upwards, ¾d. per ton; under 120 tons, 10s. Vessels paying pilotage are exempt. Exemption berthage certificates are given to competent masters in the coastal and intercolonial trades, but not to those in foreign trade.

Berthage: ¼d. per ton net register per day or part of a day (day counted from midnight to midnight). Vessels berthing after working-hours, and only landing passengers and luggage, not charged for that day. Vessels leaving wharf after midnight and prior to working-hours, and only on such day taking on board passengers and luggage, not charged for such day. Vessels not working cargo after noon on Saturdays pay half-rates for such Saturday. No charge for Sundays or holidays. Vessels laid up for repairs, fitting-out, &c., half rates.

Harbour-improvement Rate.—The charge of 4d. per ton shall be made to and payable by ships to the Board, as a harbour-improvement rate, on all goods landed on the wharves or landing-places under the control of the Board, except on coal and on ballast, and except on such goods as are the products of the Dominion of New Zealand and are landed for the purpose of transhipment to vessels to be carried out of the Dominion: Provided that for the purposes of this by-law the following measurements shall he taken: Empties, half tonnage; wool, five bales to the ton; great cattle, each one ton; small cattle, twelve to the ton; timber, 500 ft. superficial measurement to the ton; bricks, slates, and tiles, 500 to the ton; carts and carriages, each two tons; loose hides, twenty-five to the ton.

NELSON.

Pilotage (compulsory): Steamers, inwards and outwards, 1½d. per registered ton; sailing-vessels, inwards and outwards, 6d. per ton. Minimum pilotage each way (in all cases), £1 10s.

British and foreign-going vessels to pay (in addition to pilotage) the following, on first arrival: Half-yearly—viz., between January and June, and July and December—per ton register, 3½d. (this payment to include the services of a tug when necessary).

Port charges:—Vessels not paying pilotage, to pay the following, upon first arrival: Half-yearly, 1s. per ton.

Harbour lights: Vessels not paying pilotage, over 60 tons register, 2d. per ton; under 60 tons register, 1d. per ton, on each arrival.

Harbourmaster's fees: 120 tons and upwards, 1d. per ton register; less than 120 tons, 10s. for each removal of any steamer or sailing-vessel within the harbour.

Berthage, fenders, and warps: Nil.

WESTPORT.

Pilotage (compulsory): All vessels up to 100 tons, free. Any vessel, steamer, or sailer above 100 tons register, 1d. per ton each way, in and out. One way only, half-rates.

Port charges: Receiving and discharging ships' ballast, 1s. per ton: minimum charge, 20s.; 1d. per ton for use of shoot.

Harbourmaster's fees: Nil.

Berthage: Use of wharf, for every vessel up to 1,400 tons lying at wharf, 1d. per ton net register per trip; for every vessel over 1,400 tons lying at a wharf, 2d. per ton net register per trip; minimum charge, 5s.

Towage (both ways, in and out): Sailing-vessels, minimum charge, £7 10s.; maximum charge, £37 10s. Vessels 200 tons and upwards, 9d. per ton register. Steamers minimum charge, £12 10s. maximum charge, £40. Vessels 1,000 tons and upwards, 3d. per ton register. Any vessel using the tug one way only, either in or out, half-rates, and vessels arriving for “bunker" coal—i.e., coal to be used in the ship on her voyage and for no other purpose—half-rates. Declaration to be made to this effect.

GREYMOUTH.

Pilotage (not compulsory): Signal-station. For sailing-vessels, 6d. per ton; for steamers, 4d. per ton, each way.

Port charges: Discharging ships' ballast, 6d. per ton.

Harbourmaster's fees: Nil.

Berthage: 1d. per ton net register for the first four days. For each additional day: Steamers, per ton register, ¼d.; sailing-vessels, per ton register, ½d. Day counted from midnight to midnight. No charge for Sundays or statutory holidays, provided no cargo is landed or shipped.

Warps: £1 per trip.

LYTTELTON.

Pilotage (compulsory): Inwards and outwards—Sailing-vessels 3½d. per ton; steamers 2½d. per ton. Foreign-going steamers and sailing-vessels free on second call on same voyage.

Port charges: 2d. per ton quarterly, in advance, for vessels of 100 tons and upwards plying within the port or employed in coasting only, not to exceed 6d. per ton in any half-year; 2d. per ton for vessels of 100 tons and upwards not plying within the port or not solely employed in coasting, nor, to exceed 6d. per ton in any half-year. For exemption from pilotage and harbour fees, see sections 116, 117, and 118 of “The Harbours Act, 1908.”

Harbourmaster's fees: Nil.

Berthing charges: On all vessels of 25 tons register and upwards ¼d. per ton each trip.

Warps (21 in. coir hawsers): £1 per warp for use during a vessel's stay in port, not exceeding six months.

Fenders (soft wood): 10s. for first day, and 5s. per day after. 10s. for use of each hardwood fender.

TIMARU.

Pilotage (compulsory): Sailing-vessels, 3d. per ton inwards and outwards; when tug used, 2d. per ton: steamers, 2d. per ton inwards and outwards. Foreign and intercolonial steamers under 3,500 cargo tons, working 800 tons cargo or less, only one pilotage fee; 3,500 tons or over, working 1,000 tons cargo or less, one pilotage fee only. Foreign-going steamer or sailing-vessel calling more than once during same voyage before leaving New Zealand, one inward and outward rate only (subject to above exemptions).

Port charges: Coasters, 1½d. per ton each trip; sailing-vessels, not coasters, 3d. per ton each trip; steam-vessels, not coasters, 6d. per ton on cargo worked; in all cases not to exceed 1s. 3d. per ton in any half-year, dating from the 1st days of January and July in each year. Intercolonial steamers coming direct or coastwise 1½d. per ton register, or 6d. per ton on cargo landed and shipped, whichever rate may be the lesser.

Harbourmaster's fees: 1d. per ton each service; vessels less than 120 tons, 10s.; steamers of 1,000 tons or over, which have loaded wholly in New Zealand or Australian ports, working 500 tons of cargo or less, only one Harbourmaster's fee. This fee is charged to all vessels or steamers not paying pilotage.

Berthage: 3d. per ton on all cargo landed or shipped. Transhipments, half-rates.

Hawsers and moorings: Vessels at wharves, ½d. per ton register for first three days; subsequent days, ¼d. per ton. Vessels at buoys, under 800 tons register, ⅛d. per ton; over 800 tons, ⅙d. per ton.

Fenders: Sailing-vessels under 500 tons register, 2s. per day; under 1,000 tons, 3s. per day; over 1,000 tons, 4s. per day. Steamers under 1,000 tons register, 4s. per day; under 1,500 tons, 10s. per day; under 2,000 tons, 15s. per day; over 2,000 tons, £1 per day, after three days half-charges. Foreign-going vessels detained in the port sixty days, half-rates thereafter for hawsers and moorings and fenders. Maximum charge for hawsers and fenders, per visit, £15.

OAMARU.

Tonnage rate: On cargo, inwards or outwards—Coal, merchandise, stone, produce, and timber, 8d. per ton; wool, 2s. per ton; frozen sheep, 1d. per carcase; frozen lamb, 1d. per carcase; rabbits and hares, 3s. per ton, gross weight; all other frozen goods, 3s. per ton, gross dead-weight; live-stock, 1s. 8d. per ton. These charges are in lieu of the usual port dues, pilotage, and berthage dues. Cargo is computed as follows for tonnage rates and carnage: Timber (native), 480ft., super., to the ton; timber (ironbark), 320 ft., super., to the ton; other hard wood, 380ft., super., to the ton; posts and rails, 50 to the ton; palings, 320 to the ton; Oamaru stone, 22 cubic feet to the ton, or as per railway weight; wool, 4 bales to the ton; live sheep, 20 to the ten; horses, 2 tons each; cattle, 2 tons each; yearlings, half-rates; pigs, 10 to the ton; light carriages, two-wheeled, J. ton each; light carriages, four-wheeled, 2 tons each. In computing the tonnage-rate all goods may be charged upon the dead weight or measurement, at the option of the Board.

Warps: ½d. per ton per day for seven days; ¼d. per ton per day thereafter. In the event of any vessel remaining at any wharf for a period exceeding six weeks, the charge for warps will thereafter be reduced to ⅛d. per ton register of such vessel for each day or part of a day that she may occupy a berth at the wharf.

OTAGO (DUNEDIN).

Pilotage (compulsory): Inwards and outwards—Sailing-vessels without tug, 6d. per ton; with tug, 4d. per ton: steamers, 4d. per ton. Foreign steamers calling twice on one voyage only charged once. All vessels holding exemption certificates, one annual pilotage. For every vessel under steam carrying an exempt pilot and employing a Board's pilot the charge shall be ½d. per ton for the Upper Harbour.

Port charges: 2d. per ton, but not to exceed 6d. per ton half-yearly, all vessels.

Harbourmaster's fees: Vessels less than 120 tons, 10s.; over 120 tons, 1d. per ton.

Berthage: Every steam or sailing vessel occupying a berth at the Board's wharves shall, subject to the following exemption, pay the following berthage rate: One halfpenny per ton not register per day or part of a clay, provided that the maximum amount chargeable shall not exceed £15, and that the minimum amount shall be 1s. per day or part of a day. Any small boat or yacht using or berthing at any of the Board's wharves, jetties, or landing stages, and not holding a license under the by-laws, shall pay the sum of 1s. per day or part of a day, or in lieu thereof the Board will accept a yearly berthage fee of 5s., paid in advance, provided that nothing contained herein shall render any dingey or small boat belonging to licensed vessels, or vessels berthed at the Board's wharves and paying a berthage rate, subject to any berthage charge.

Towage: When assistance is given to steam-vessels under steam, one-fourth usual towage, not exceeding £5 for Upper Harbour and £7 for Lower Harbour.

Extracts from by-laws: The maximum charges on any one vessel for port charges, pilotage and harbourmaster's fees, both inwards and outwards, shall not exceed £180 on any one visit; and in the case of a foreign steamer calling twice at the port on one voyage shall not exceed £200. Minimum charge: On application of the master or agent of any foreign-going steamer visiting the port, the ordinary charges for pilotage and port charges shall be suspended, and a charge of 5s. per ton on cargo as per ships manifest discharged, and 10s. per ton on cargo loaded, shall be substituted therefor, but there shall be a minimum charge of £50. Any payments made under this by-law shall not be deemed to be an inward and outward pilotage under section (d) of By-law No. 79.

BLUFF.

Pilotage (compulsory): Steamers, inwards and outwards, 2½d. per registered ton: sailing-vessels, 4½d. inwards and outwards if tug not employed; 2½d. per registered ton inwards and outwards if tug employed. Sailing-vessels in ballast, 2½d. per registered ton inwards and outwards. Steamers, in and out, 5d. per registered ton, payable yearly; sailing-vessels, in and out, 9d. per registered ton, payable yearly. On application by master or agent of foreign-going steamers ordinary charges for pilotage, port charges, and berthage may be suspended, and a charge of 5s. per ton for inward cargo and 10s. per ton for outward cargo may be substituted therefor, with a minimum charge of £50.

Port charges: On all vessels, per trip, 2d. per registered ton, but no vessel shall be required to pay more than 6d. per registered ton in any six months from date of entry.

Harbourmaster's fees: Nil.

Berthage: Steamers, 2d. per ton net register for the first day, and 1d. per ton per week or part of a week thereafter. Sailing-vessels and hulks of over 50 tons register, 1d. per ton net register per week for the first four weeks, and ¼d. per ton per week thereafter.

Towage assistance to steamers using their own motive power: Over 3,000 tons, £5; over 2,000 tons, £4; under 2,000 tons, £3.

Steamers calling more than once on same voyage only charged one inward and outward pilotage.

Maximum charge for harbour dues, £180 in any one visit, including ten days' berthage.

WHARFAGE RATES.

Wharfage rates at eighteen of the principal harbours in New Zealand, as on 1st January, 1910 (compiled by Mr. C. Hood Williams, Secretary to the Lyttelton Harbour Board).

AUCKLAND.

General Merchandise.—2s. per ton imports; 1s. per ton exports.

Transhipments: Half-rates when declared before landing, or 2s. 6d. per ton, including labour and seven days' storage.

Grain and Agricultural Produce.—1s. 6d. per ton landed; 1s. per ton shipped. Transhipments: Half-rates when declared before landing, or 2s. 6d. per ton, including labour and seven days' storage.

Frozen Meat, Butter, &c.—1s. 6d. per ton landed; 1s. per ton shipped.

Transhipments: Half-rates when declared, or 2s. 6d. per ton, including seven days' storage and labour.

Wool.—6d. per bale, shipped or landed.

Transhipments: If lauded, dumped, and reshipped, 3d. per bale.

Coal.—1s. 3d. per ton landed; 6d. per ton shipped.

Transhipments: Half-rates when declared. Shipped or discharged over side for steamer's use, free.

Timber.—Sawn, 2s. per 1,000 ft. landed; 1s. per 1,000 ft. shipped. Baulk or round (less 12½ per cent.), 1s. per 1,000 ft. landed, 6d. per 1,000 ft. shipped.

Transhipments: Half-rates when declared.

Passengers' luggage under half a ton, goods carried by hand by passengers and single packages under 5 ft. measurement, free.

NOTE.—The by-laws of the Auckland Harbour Board are being revised, so there may be some changes during 1910.

GISBORNE.

General Merchandise.—Imports: General, 5s. per ton; kerosene, sugar, and wire, 5s. per ton; wine and spirits, 7s. 6d. per ton. Exports: General, 2s. 6d. per ton. If paid inward, free.

Transhipments: Half-rates.

Grain and Agricultural Produce.—Imports: Grain, 5s. per ton; grass-seed, 5s. per ton; maize, 5s. per ton; potatoes (12 sacks), 5s. per ton; oats (12 sacks), 5s. per ton; chaff (20 sacks), 5s. per ton; flour, 5s. per ton; bran and pollard, 2s. 6d. per ton. Exports: Grain, 1s. per ton; grass-seed, 2s. per ton; maize, 1s. per ton; potatoes (12 sacks), 1s. per ton; chaff (20 sacks), 1s. per ton.

Transhipments: Half-rates.

Frozen Meat, Butter, &c.—Exports: Carcases mutton, 1½d. each; carcases lamb, not exceeding 36 lb., ¾d.; beef, tallow, and other meat products, 2s. 6d. per ton; butter, 2s. 6d. per ton; hides, every 40 or 10 sacks, 2s. 6d. per ton; sheep-skins, per bale or every 60, 1s. per ton.

Wool.—1s. per bale, export.

Transhipments: 3d. per bale; 1s. per bale if landed at all.

Goal.—2s. per ton; bunker coal not landed, 6d. per ton; coke (20 sacks), 2s. per ton.

Timber.—1s. per 1,000 ft. super., imports; 1a. per 1,000 ft. super., exports.

THAMES.

General Merchandise.—1s. 6d. per ton, imports or exports, without labour.

Transhipments: Free, if inward wharfage has been paid; half-rates otherwise.

Grain and Agricultural Produce.—1s. 6d. per ton, imports or exports, without labour.

Transhipments: Free, if inward wharfage has been paid; half-rates otherwise.

Frozen Meat, Butter, &c.—None shipped.

Transhipments: Half-rates.

Wool.—1s. 6d. per ton.

Transhipments: Half-rates.

Coal.—1s. 6d. per ton, without labour.

Transhipments: Free, if inward wharfage has been paid; half-rates otherwise.

Timber.—6d. to 1s. per 1,000 ft. sawn timber South and North of Opani Point respectively; 6d. per 1,000 shingles; 2s. per 100 props; 1s. 6d. per 100 slabs; 4s. per 100 sleepers; 2s. 6d. per 100 posts or rails; 2s. 6d. per 1,000 palings; 6d. per ton firewood.

NEW PLYMOUTH.

General Merchandise.—2s. per ton.

Transhipments: 1s. 6d. per ton.

Grain and Agricultural Produce.—2s. per ton grass-seed, 2s. per 20 sacks.

Transhipments: 1s. 6d. per ton.

Frozen Meat, Butter, &c.—2s. per ton.

Transhipments: 1s. 6d. per ton.

Wool.—6d. per bale; five bales of 4 cwt., 2s. per ton; three bales of over 4 cwt., 2s. per ton.

Transhipments: Three-quarter rates.

Coal.—2s. per ton; brown coal, 1s. 9d.: with labour.

Transhipments: Three-quarter rates, with labour.

Timber.—480 ft. per ton, 2s.; hardwood, 320 ft. per ton (rough or sawn), 2s.: with labour.

Transhipments: Three-quarter rates.

WAITARA.

General Merchandise.—Inwards, 2s. per ton, including forty-eight hours' storage; outwards, 2s. per ton, including ten days' storage. Labour provided by the Board.

Transhipments: Half-rates.

Grain and Agricultural Produce.—Imports, 2s. per ton; grass-seed, 2s. per 20 sacks. Labour provided. Exports, in not less than 3-ton lots, 1s. per ton.

Transhipments: Half-rates.

Frozen Meat, Butter, &c.—1s. per ton weight, without labour.

Transhipments: Half-rates, without labour.

Wool.—Dumped, 4½d. per bale; undumped, 6d. per bale. Transhipments: Half-rates.

Coal.—Imports, 1s. 6d. per ton, without labour; brown coal, 1s. per ton, without labour.

Transhipments: Half-rates.

Timber.—Under 5,000 ft., 3d. per 100 ft.; over 5,000 ft., 2d. per 100 ft.: without labour. Exported white-pine, if over 5,000 ft., 1½d. per 100 ft.: without labour.

Transhipments: Half-rates.

PATEA.

General Merchandise.—2s. per ton, imports or exports (produce shipped direct from South ports, 1s. 6d.).

Transhipments: 1s. per ton.

Grain and Agricultural Produce.—2s. per ton of 10 sacks grain, 20 sacks cocksfoot grass-seed, 20 sacks bran, 40 sacks chaff, 16 sacks pollard or ryegrass. Potatoes, export, 1s. per ton; import, 2s. per ton.

Frozen Meat, Butter, &c.—Butter and cheese 1s. per ton, without labour, from grading-wharf; otherwise, 2s., with labour. Frozen meat, 1s. 6d. per ton; cased meats, 1s. per ton, without labour.

Wool.—6d. per bale, including storage.

Hides—3d. per dozen.

Coal.—1s. per ton, without labour.

Timber.—4d. per 100 ft.; labour extra.

WAIROA.

General Merchandise.—2s. per ton, imports and exports.

Transhipments: Returned empties, free.

Grain and Agricultural Produce.—1s. 6d. per ton, imports and exports.

Butter.—2s. per ton.

Wool.—9d. per bale, imports and exports.

Coal.—1s. per ton.

Timber.—2½d. per 100 ft. Exports, fruit, free. Returned empties, free.

NAPIER.

General Merchandise.—2s. 6d. per ton imports, 1s. 3d. per ton exports, according to measurement or weight. If labour supplied, add on 6d. imports, and 6d. exports. Ballast, inwards, 1s. per ton; outwards, 1s. per ton. Empties, 1s. 9d. per ton imports; 10d. per ton exports.

Transhipments: Quarter import rates, Outer Harbour; half import rates, Inner or Breakwater Harbours.

Grain and Agricultural Produce.—2s. 6d. imports, 1s. 3d. exports, according to measurement or weight. If labour supplied, add on 6d. imports, and 6d. exports.

Transhipments: Quarter import rates, Outer Harbour; half import rates, Inner or Breakwater Harbours.

Frozen or Chilled Meat, &c.—Imports free; exports 2s. 6d. per ton. Tallow and pelts, imports free; exports 3s. per ton.

Transhipments: Quarter import rates, Outer Harbour; half import rates Inner or Breakwater Harbours.

Wool.—1s. per bale, exports only. Imports, free.

Transhipments: Wool, flax, skins, or tow, 3d. over side; 3d. per bale if landed for transhipment or dumping.

Coal.—1s. 9d. imports; 1s. exports.

Transhipments: Quarter-rates, Outer Harbour; half-rates, Inner or Breakwater Harbours. Coal for engines and freezing-ships, Outer Harbour, free, if declared so.

Timber.—3s. 4d. per 1,000 ft., imports; 1s. 3d. per 1,000 ft. exports.

Transhipments: Half-rates, Inner or Breakwater Harbours; quarter-rates Outer Harbour.

NOTE.—Goods other than wool, skins, tow, meats, and flax landed on a wharf for transhipment to a vessel lying at another berth charged inward wharfage only when declared at time of entry.

WANGANUI.

General Merchandise.—Imports, 3s. per ton; exports, 2s. per ton.

Transhipments: Half-rates.

Grain and Agricultural Produce.—Imports, 3s. per ton; exports, 1s. 6d. per ton. Potatoes, export, 1s. per ton.

Transhipments: Half-rates.

Frozen Meat.—Sheep, ½d. per carcase; lambs, ½d. per carcase; legs, shoulders, and loins calculated at so-many to a carcase, according to freight.

Wool.—3d. per bale.

Transhipments: Half-rates.

Coal.—1s. 3d. per ton. Coal for ship's use, outward, 3d. per ton.

Transhipments: Half-rates.

Timber.—6d. per 100 ft.; for shipment, 2d.; white-pine, 1d.

Transhipments: Half-rates.

WELLINGTON.

General Merchandise.—2s. 6d. per ton inwards, including labour and one night's storage. Glass, acids, and special goods, 5s. per ton. Inward cargo landed after noon on Friday is stored free till noon on following Monday; landed after noon on Saturday is stored free till 5 p.m. on the following Tuesday. 1s. per ton outwards, including labour. Glass, acids, and special goods, 2s. 6d. per ton. Railway wharfage—1s. 3d. inwards, 6d. outwards, without labour.

Transhipments: 3s. per ton, including labour and seven days' storage. Glass, acids, and special goods, 5s. per ton. Over side of vessel lying at wharf, 6d. per ton.

Grain and Agricultural Produce.—2s. 6d. per ton inwards, including labour and one night's storage; 1s. per ton outwards, including labour. Railway wharfage—1s. 3d. inwards, 6d. outwards, without labour.

Transhipments: 2s. 6d. per ton, including labour and seven days' storage. Over side of vessel at wharf, 6d. per ton.

Frozen Meat, Butter, &c.—1s. inwards, 1s. outwards, per ton, without labour. Railway wharfage—1s. 3d. inwards, 6d. outwards, per ton, without labour. Dairy produce treated as general merchandise.

Transhipments: Meat, 1s. 6d. per ton, without labour; butter, 2s. 6d. per ton, including labour and storage. Meat, butter, &c., over side of vessel at wharf, 6d. per ton.

Wool.—4d. per bale at Railway Wharf, without labour; 6d. per bale at other wharves, including labour.

Transhipments: 6d. per bale, including labour, and 3d. additional if stored. If shifted more than a quarter of a mile. 3d. per bale extra. Over side of vessel to vessel at wharf, 3d. per bale.

Coal.—1a. per ton imports, 6d. per ton exports, without labour. Railway wharfage—1s. per ton inwards, 6d. per ton outwards, without labour.

Transhipments: Across wharf for steamer's use, free. From vessel or hulk to vessel at wharf, free.

Timber.—3d. per 100 ft. inwards; 2d. per 100 ft. outwards, without labour. If labour supplied, 3d. per 100 ft. added inwards, and 2d. outwards. Railway wharfage—3d. inwards, 2d. outwards, without labour.

Transhipments: 3s. per ton, including seven days' storage and labour. Over vessel's side into another vessel at wharf, 6d. per ton.

NELSON.

General Merchandise.—2s. per ton, imports and exports, with labour.

Transhipments: Free when not landed on wharf; 2s. 6d. if landed.

Grain and Agricultural Produce.—1s. 6d. per ton, imports and exports, with labour.

Transhipments: Free when not landed on wharf; 2s. 6d. if landed.

Frozen Meat, Butter, &c.—None shipped.

Transhipments: Free when not landed on wharf; half-rates if landed.

Wool.—Exports, 1s. per bale; imports free.

Transhipments: Free when not landed on wharf; half-rates if landed.

Coal.—1s. per ton imports; 2s. with labour. Free exports; 2s. 6d. per ton with labour.

Transhipments: Free when not landed on wharf.

Timber.—1d. per 100 ft. super., import; 1d. per 100 ft. super., export; 2s. per ton by measurement: with labour.

Transhipments: Free when not landed on wharf; half-rates if landed on wharf. Reshipments, 2s. 6d. per ton.

WESTPORT.

General Merchandise.—2s. per ton, and 1s. per ton for receiving and delivering. Transhipments: 2s. 6d. per ton, including labour and one week's storage; 1s. per ton if transhipped to vessel or lighter.

Grain and Agricultural Produce.—2s. per ton., and 1s. per ton for receiving and delivering.

Transhipments: 2s. 6d. per ton, including labour and one week's storage; 1s. per ton if transhipped to vessel or lighter.

Frozen Meat, Butter, &c.—2s. per ton, and 1s. per ton for receiving and delivering.

Transhipments: 2s. 6d. per ton, including labour and one week's storage.

Wool.—6d. per bale.

Transhipments: 2s. 6d. per ton, including labour and one week's storage; 1s. per ton if transhipped to vessel or lighter.

Coal.—6d. per ton.

Timber.—2d. per 100 ft. If for export and carried by rail, free.

GREYMOUTH.

General Merchandise.—3s. per ton. This charge includes 1s. a ton for receiving and delivering. Coke, bricks, and fireclay carried by rail for export, free.

Transhipments: 2s. 6d. per ton, including labour and one week's storage; 1s. per ton if transhipped to vessel or lighter.

Grain and Agricultural Produce.—3s. per ton. This charge includes 1s. a ton for receiving and delivering.

Transhipments: 2s. 6d. per ton, including labour and one week's storage; 1s. per ton if transhipped to vessel or lighter.

Frozen Meat, Butter, &c.—3s. per ton. This charge includes 1s. a ton for receiving and delivering.

Transhipments: 2s. 6d. per ton, including labour and one week's storage.

Wool.—6d. per bale.

Transhipments: 2s. 6d. per ton, including labour and one week's storage; 1s. per ton if transhipped to vessel or lighter.

Coal.—6d. per ton inwards; outwards, free, if carried by rail.

Timber.—Inwards, 2d. per 100 ft.; outwards, free, if carried by rail.

Transhipment: Over side, 1d. per 100 ft.

LYTTELTON.

General Merchandise.—1s. 6d. per con.

Transhipments: Free, whether landed on wharf or otherwise.

Grain and Agricultural Produce.—6d. per ton; chaff, hay, &c., 9d. per ton.

Transhipments: Free.

Frozen Meat, Butter, &c.—6d. per ton.

Transhipments: Free, whether landed on wharf or otherwise.

Wool.—6d. per bale.

Transhipments: Free.

Coal.—6d. per ton.

Transhipments: Free, whether landed on wharf or otherwise.

Timber.—3½d. per 100 ft.

Transhipments: Free.

N.B.—All reshipments of goods from Lyttelton under declaration, free.

TIMARU.

General Merchandise.—2s. per ton.

Transhipments: Half-rates.

Grain and Agricultural Produce.—1s. 6d. per ton.

Transhipments: Half-rates.

Frozen Meat, Butter, &c.—1s. 6d. per ton weight.

Transhipments: Half-rates.

Wool.—1s. per bale.

Transhipments: Half-rates.

Coal.—2s. per ton.

Transhipments: Half-rates. For bunkering purposes, free.

Timber.—4d. per 100 ft.; 6d. per 100 ft. Australian and foreign timber.

Transhipments: Half-rates.

OAMARU.

General Merchandise,—2s. per ton.

Transhipments: Free.

Grain and Agricultural Produce,—2s. per ton.

Transhipments: Free.

Frozen Meat, Butter, &c.—½d. per sheep. Butter, as merchandise, 2s. per ton. Other frozen goods, 2s. per ton.

Transhipments: Free.

Wool.—6d. per bale.

Transhipments: Free.

Coal.—2s. per ton.

Transhipments: Free.

Timber.—3d. and 7d. per 100 ft. Fencing posts and rails, 4s. per 100. Palings, 7d. per 100.

Transhipments: Free.

Stone.—½d. per foot.

Live Cattle and Horses.—2s. 6d. each; yearlings, half-rates. Sheep, 2d. each; pigs, 4d. each.

OTAGO (DUNEDIN).

General Merchandise.—1s., 2s., 3a., 4s., and 5s. per ton, imports. (Classified.) Exports: Beer 2s. per ton. A rate of 2s. per ton by weight upon all flour, malt, meal, tallow, hides, wool, ores, and quartz. Cattle, 1s. 6d.; calves, 1s.; pigs, 6d.; horses, 2s. 6d.; foals, 1s. 6d. each. All other goods 6d. per ton export.

Transhipments: 1s. per ton.

Grain and Agricultural Produce.—1s. per ton, imports; 6d. per ton by weight, exports; bran and pollard, exports, 6d. per ton; flour and oatmeal, 2s. A rate of 6d. per ton by weight upon all barley, wheat, oats, rye, beans, whole peas, maize, potatoes, turnips, carrots, onions, straw, hay, and building-stone.

Transhipments: 1s. per ton.

Frozen Meat, Butter, &c.—Flax, fungus, rabbits, live-stock, and beef, 6d. per ton exports (measurement); butter, imports, 4s. per ton; butter and cheese, exports, 6d. per ton (weight); frozen meat, imports, 5s. per ton, 6d. per ton exports.

Transhipments: 1s. per ton.

Wool.—Exports, 2s. per ton, wool, skins, and hides (three bales to ton); 4s. per ton, imports (three bales to ton).

Transhipments: 1s. per ton by measurement.

Coal.—3s. per ton, imports; exports, 6d. per ton.

Transhipments: 1s. per ton.

Timber.—6d. and 3d. per 100 superficial feet, imports; exports, 6d. per ton 500 superficial feet.

Transhipments: 1s. per ton by measurement. Notice of transhipment must be given within twenty-four hours after ship's arrival.

BLUFF.

General Merchandise.—1s. 10d. per ton, imports and exports.

Transhipments: Free when not landed on wharf; half-rates if landed.

Grain and Agricultural Produce.—11d. per ton, imports and exports.

Transhipments: Free when not landed on wharf; half-rates if landed.

Frozen Meat, Butter, &c.—11d. per ton, exports; cheese, 1s. per ton.

Transhipments: Free when not landed on wharf; half-rates if landed.

Wool.—Exports, 9d. per bale; imports, free.

Transhipments: Free when not landed on wharf; half-rates if landed.

Coal.—1s. 6d. per ton, imports; free exports.

Transhipments: 1s. 6d. per ton when landed ex hulk; free when not landed on wharf.

Timber.—1s. per 1,000 ft. super., import; 1s. per 1,000ft. super., export.

Transhipments: Free when not landed on wharf; half-rates if landed on wharf.

Chapter 24. LIGHTHOUSES

Number of LightName of Lighthouse.Order of Apparatus.Fixed, Flashing, or Revolving.Interval of Revolution or Flash.Height, in Feet, above High Water.Colour of Light.Distance visible in Nautical Miles.Colour of Lighthouse.

* An asterisk denotes those lighthouses which are in telephonic communication with telegraph system.

‡ Flashing twice every half-minute, with interval of three seconds between flashes.

† Harbour lights.

1*Cape Maria Van Diemen1st order dioptricRevolving1 minute330White25White.
*   Fixed Red, to show over Columbia Reef  
1aCape Brett1st order dioptricGroup flashing510White30½ 
2Moko Hinou1st order dioptricFlashing10 seconds385White27White.
3Cuvier Island1st order dioptricRevolving30 seconds390White27 
4*Tiritiri2nd order dioptricFixed 300White, with red are over Flat Rock24Red.
5†Bean Hock5th order dioptricFixed 50White, red, green10White.
5a†Rangitoto BeaconPintsch's patent gas-lightOcculting5 seconds68White, showing 5 sec. flash and 5 sec. obscured12 
6Ponui Passage5th order dioptricFixed 50White and red10White.
7*East Cape2nd order dioptricFlashing10 seconds362White flash26White.
8†Gisborne Leading LightsDioptric side-lightsFixed 60, 40Red5 
9Portland Island2nd order dioptricRevolving30 seconds300White24White.
 Portland Island Fixed  Red, to show over Bull Rock  
10†Napier4th order dioptricFixed 160White19White.
11Cape Palliser2nd order dioptricGroup fl., 2 fl.30 seconds258White; interval of 3 sec. between flashes23 
12*Pencarrow Hd.2nd order dioptricFixed 322White25White.
 *Pencarrow Hd. Low-level LightWigham patentFixed  White, with red arc10White.
13†Somes Island2nd order dioptricFixed 95White, red, and green15½White.
14†Manawatu RiverOrdinary lampFixed 44White5 
15†Wanganui River6th order port lightFixed 6588 
16†Patea5thFixed 130Red10 
17*Cape Egmont2nd order dioptricFixed 103White16White.
18†New Plymouth Leading Lights4th order port lightFixed 100, 30Red16White.
19Waitara6th order port lightFixed 70White8 
20*Manukau3rd order dioptricFixed 385White27Brown.
 † *Manukau5th order port lightFixed 70White and green10White.
21*Kaipara2nd order dioptricFlashing10 seconds278White23½Red.
22†HokiangaMasthead-light  152White5 
23*Nelson4th order port lightFixed 60White, with red arc13White.
24French Pass60th order port lightFixed 12White and red, with white light an beacon8White.
25Stephens Island1st order dioptricGroup fl., 2 fl.30 seconds600White32½White.
26†Jackson HeadWigham bcn. lampFixed 37White5Concrete bcn.
27The Brothers2nd order dioptricFlashing10 seconds258White23White.
 The Brothers Fixed  Red, over Cook Rock  
28†Tory Channel Leading Lights5th order port lightFixed 86, 22White10White.
29†Wairau River6th order port lightFixed 38White8 
30*Cape Campbell2nd order dioptricRevolving1 minute155White18½ 
31*Godley Head2nd order dioptricFixed 450White29White.
32*Akaroa Heart2nd order dioptricFlashing10 seconds270White23White.
33†Timaru15th order port lightFixed 85Red and green10White.
34Jack's Point4th order dioptricFixed 94White15½White.
35†Oamaru5th order dioptricFlashing14 seconds120White10Light stone
36Moeraki3rd order dioptricFixed 170White19½White.
37*Taiaroa Head3rd order dioptricFixed 196Red20½White.
37a†Otago Harbour Entrance, N. Mole LightWigham bcn. lightOcculting 29White8 
38*Cape Saunders2nd order dioptricRevolving1 minute210White21White.
39*Nugget Point1st order dioptricFixed 250White22½White
40Waipapa Point2nd order dioptricFlashing10 seconds70White14White
41Dog Island1st order catadioptricRevolving30 seconds150White18½White & black bands.
42*Centre Island1st order dioptricFixed 265White, with red arcs23White.
43Puysegur Point1st order dioptricFlashing10 seconds180White20White.
44†Hokitika5th order dioptricFixed 122White10White.
45†Greymouth6th order port lightFixed 62White8Flagstaff.
46*Cape Foulwind.2nd order dioptricRevolving30 seconds238White22White.
47†WestportDioptric masthead-lt.Fixed 50White8 
48Kahurangi Point2nd order dioptricFixed 110White, with red sector to show over Stewart Breaker16½White.
49*Farewell Spit2nd order dioptricRevolving1 minute97White, with red arc over Spit end16Upper part white & lower part red.

NOTE.—The distance visible of lights of greater power than 5th order dioptric is calculated in nautical miles as seen from a height of 15 ft. above the sea. In very clear weather the lower-order lights may be seen at a greater distance than is given in this table.

Chapter 25. NEW ZEALAND NEWSPAPERS.

THERE are (February, 1910) 233 publications on the register of newspapers for New Zealand. Of these, sixty-seven are published daily, thirty-two are published three times a week, twenty-six twice a week, sixty-eight once a week, four fortnightly, one three-weekly, one four-weekly, and thirty-four monthly.

The names of the newspapers, with the postal districts and towns in which they are printed, are given in the following list, the second column showing the day or period of publication.

M. signifies morning paper; E. evening paper.

AUCKLAND.
Auckland— 
      Auckland Free Press (M.)      Saturday.
      Auckland Star (E.)      Daily.
      Auckland Weekly News and Town and Country Journal (M.)      Thursday.
      Christian Worker (M.)      Monthly.
      Church Gazette (M.)      Monthly.
      Defence (M.)      Monthly.
      Glas Istine (M.)      Friday.
      Leader, The (M.)      Monthly.
      Napredak (E.)      Saturday.
      New Zealand Farmer, Stock and Station Journal (M.)      Monthly.
      New Zealand Herald (M.)      Daily.
      New Zealand Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic Review and Licensed Victuallers' Gazette (M.)      Thursday.
      New Zealand Motor and Cycle Journal (M.)      Monthly.
      New Zealand Observer (M.)      Saturday.
      New Zealand Town and Country Life, Farmers' Weekly, and Land Agents' Record (M.)      Wednesday.
      New Zealand Worker (E.)      Friday.
      New Zealand Yachtsman (E.)      Friday.
      Saturday Night (E.)      Friday.
      Sentinel and Sporting Times (E.)      Friday.
      Sharland's New Zealand Journal (M.)      Monthly.
      Sport, Stage Chronicle, and Business Guide (E.)      Saturday.
      Stage (M.)      Monthly.
      Weekly Graphic and New Zealand Mail (M.)      Wednesday.
Cambridge— 
      Waikato Independent (E.)      Tues., Thur., Sat
Coromandel— 
      Coromandel County News and Kuaotunu and Mercury Bay Mail (E.)      Tuesday, Friday.
Dargaville— 
      North Auckland Times (E.)      Daily.
      Wairoa Bell and Northern Advertiser (E.)      Tuesday, Friday.
Hamilton— 
      Waikato Argus (E.)      Daily.
      Waikato Times and Thames Valley Gazette and Kawhia Advocate (E.)      Daily.
Helensville— 
      Kaipara Advertiser and Waitemata Chronicle (M.)      Wednesday.
Kawakawa— 
      Northern Luminary, Bay of Islands, Hokianga, Mangonui, and Whangaroa Counties Gazette (E.)      Friday.
Kawhia— 
      Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser (E.)      Friday.
Kohukohu— 
      Hokianga Times and North-western Representative (E.)      Monday.
Mangonui— 
      North Auckland Age (E.) 
Morrinsville— 
      Morrinsville Herald and Matamata Chronicle (M.)      Saturday.
Raglan— 
      Raglan County Chronicle (M.)      Friday.
Rotorua— 
      Hot Lakes Chronicle (M.)      Wed., Saturday.
      Rotorua Times (E.)      Tuesday, Friday.
Taumarunui— 
      Taumarunui Press and Upper King Country Gazette (E.)      Tuesday, Friday.
Te Kuiti— 
      King Country Chronicle (E.)      Wed., Saturday.
Warkworth— 
      Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette (E.)      Wednesday.
Whangarei— 
      Northern Advocate (E.)      Daily.
      Northern Advocate Weekly (E.)      Friday.
      Northern Mail (M.)      Tues., Thur., Sat.
      Northern Mail Weekly (M.)      Friday.
THAMES.
Karangahake— 
      Goldfields Advocate (M.)      Saturday.
Opotiki— 
      East Coast Guardian (E.)      Tues., Thur., Sat.
      Opotiki Herald, Whakatane County and East Coast Gazette (E.)      Tuesday, Friday.
Paeroa— 
      Ohinemuri Gazette (E.)      Mon., Wed., Fri.
Tauranga— 
      Bay of Plenty Times (E.)      Mon., Wed., Fri.
Te Aroha— 
      Te Aroha and Ohinemuri News and Upper Thames Advocate (M.)      Tues., Thur., Sat.
      Te Aroha Mail (M.)      Tues., Thur., Sat.
Thames— 
      Thames Advertiser (M.)      Daily.
      Thames Star (E.)      Daily.
Waihi— 
      Waihi Daily Telegraph (E.)      Daily.
Whakatane— 
      Whakatane County Press (E.)      Tuesday, Friday.
GISBORNE.
Gisborne— 
      Gisborne Times (M.)      Daily.
      Poverty Bay Herald (E.)      Daily.
NEW PLYMOUTH.
Inglewood— 
      Inglewood Record and Waitara Age (E.)      Mon., Wed., Fri.
New Plymouth— 
      Budget and Taranaki Weekly Herald (M.)      Saturday.
      Taranaki Daily News (M.)      Daily.
      Taranaki Herald (E.)      Daily.
Opunake— 
      Opunake Times (E.)      Tuesday, Friday.
Stratford— 
      Stratford Evening Post (E.)      Daily.
Waitara— 
      Waitara Evening Mail and Clifton County Chronicle (E.)      Mon., Wed., Fri.
NAPIER.
Dannevirke— 
      Dannevirke Advocate (E.)      Daily.
      Dannevirke Evening News (E.)      Daily.
Hastings— 
      Hastings Standard (E.)      Daily.
      New Zealand Bulletin (M.)      Saturday.
Napier— 
      Daily Telegraph (E.)      Daily.
      Hawke's Bay Herald (M.)      Daily.
      New Zealand Fire and Ambulance Record (M.)      Monthly.
      White Ribbon (M.)      Monthly.
Waipawa— 
      Waipawa Mail (E.)      Tues., Thur., Sat.
Waipukurau— 
      Waipukurau Press (E.)      Tues., Thur., Sat.
Wairoa— 
      Wairoa Guardian (E.)      Tuesday, Friday.
WANGANUI.
Eltham— 
      Eltham Argus (E.)      Daily.
Hawera— 
      Egmont Star (M.)      Friday.
      Hawera and Normanby Star, Patea County Chronicle, and Waimate Plains Gazette (E.)      Daily.
Hunterville— 
      Hunterville Express and Rangitikei Advertiser (E.)      Tues., Thur., Sat.
Manaia— 
      Waimate Witness and Kaponga Advocate (E.)      Mon., Wed., Fri.
Mangaweka— 
      Mangaweka Settler (E.)      Tues., Thur., Sat.
Marton— 
      Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus (E.)      Daily.
Ohakune— 
      Ohakune Times, Rangataua Advocate, and Waimarino Gazette (E.)      Tues., Thur., Sat.
Patea— 
      Patea County Press (E.)      Mon., Wed., Fri.
Raetihi— 
      Waimarino County Call (E.)      Mon., Wed., Fri.
Taihape— 
      Taihape Daily Times and Waimarino Advocate (E.)      Daily.
Wanganui— 
      Good Cheer (M.)      Last week in m'th.
      Wanganui Chronicle (M.)      Daily.
      Wanganui Herald (E.)      Daily.
      Weekly Chronicle and Patea-Rangitikei Advertiser (M.)      Thursday.
WELLINGTON.
Carterton— 
      Wairarapa Daily News (E.)      Daily.
Eketahuna— 
      Eketahuna Express and County Gazette (E.)      Tues., Thur., Sat.
Feilding— 
      Feilding Star and Kiwitea-Oroua County Gazette (E.)      Daily.
Foxton— 
      Dreadnought and Manawatu Monthly Advertiser (E.)      Monthly.
      Manawatu Herald (E.)      Tues., Thur., Sat.
      Press Hank (M.)      Monthly.
Greytown— 
      Wairarapa Standard and Featherston Advocate (E.)      Mon., Wed. Fri.
Levin— 
      Levin Times (E.)      Mon., Th.
      Manawatu Farmer and Horowhenua County Chronicle (E.)      Daily.
Martinborough— 
      Martinborough Star (E.)      Mon., Wed., Fri.
Masterton— 
      Wairarapa Age (M.)      Daily.
      Wairarapa Daily Times (E.)      Daily.
Otaki— 
      Otaki Mail and Horowhenua County and West Coast Advertiser (E.)      Mon., Wed., Fri.
Pahiatua— 
      Pahiatua Herald (E.)      Daily.
Palmerston North— 
      Manawatu Daily Times (M.)      Daily.
      Manawatu Evening Standard (E.)      Daily.
      Manawatu Press (M.)      Saturday.
Petone— 
      Hutt and Petone Chronicle (E.)      Tues., Thur., Sat.
Wellington— 
      Business Life (E.)      Monthly.
      Church Chronicle (M.)      Monthly.
      Commonweal (E.)      Monthly.
      Dominion (M.)      Daily.
      Evening Post (E.)      Daily.
      Farmers' Union Advocate (E.)      Saturday.
      Katipo (E.)      Monthly.
      Mercantile Gazette of New Zealand (E.)      Wednesday.
      Nation (M.)      Monthly.
      New Zealand Building, Engineering, and Mining Journal (M)      Monthly.
      New Zealand Craftsman (E.)      Monthly.
      New Zealand Dairyman and Farmers' Union Journal (E.)      Monthly.
      New Zealand Free Lance (M.)      Saturday.
      New Zealand Gazette (E.)      Thursday.
      New Zealand Primitive Methodist (M.)      Monthly.
      New Zealand Railway Review (E.)      Four-weekly.
      New Zealand Shipping Gazette and Mercantile Journal (E.)      Saturday.
      New Zealand Shipping Gazette and Mercantile Journal (E.)      Daily.
      New Zealand Times (M.)      Daily.
      New Zealand Trade Review and Price Current (M.)      Three-weekly.
      New Zealand Truth (M.)      Saturday.
      Playgoer (E.)      Friday.
      Progress (M.)      Monthly.
      Weekly Herald (M.)      Saturday.
Woodville— 
      Examiner (E.)      Mon., Wed., Fri.
BLENHEIM.
Blenheim— 
      Marlborough Express (B.)      Daily.
      Marlborough Herald (E.)      Daily.
Havelock— 
      Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate (M.)      Tuesday, Friday.
Picton— 
      Marlborough Press, County of Sounds Gazette (E.)      Mon., Wed., Fri.
NELSON.
Collingwood— 
      Golden Bay Argus (E.)      Thursday.
Motueka— 
      Motueka Star (E.)      Tuesday, Friday.
Nelson— 
      Colonist (M.)      Daily.
      Nelson Evening Mail (E.) 
Takaka— 
      Golden Bay Times (E.)      Thursday.
WESTPORT.
Charleston— 
      Charleston Herald, Brighton Times, and Croninville Reporter (M.)      Wed., Saturday.
Murchison— 
      Buller Post (E.)      Tuesday.
Westport— 
      Buller Miner (M.)      Friday.
      Westport News (M.)      Daily.
      Westport Times and Evening Star (E.)      Daily.
GREYMOUTH.
Greymouth— 
      Evening Star and Brunnerton Advocate (E.)      Daily.
      Grey River Argus (M.)      Daily.
Reefton— 
      Inangahua Herald and New Zealand Miner (M.)      Daily.
      Inangahua Times and Reefton Guardian (E.)      Daily.
HOKITIKA.
Hokitika— 
      Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star (E.)      Daily.
      West Coast Times (M.)      Daily.
Kumara— 
      Kumara Times and Dillman's and Goldsborough Advertiser (E.)      Daily.
CHRISTCHURCH.
Akaroa– 
      Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser (M.)      Tuesday, Friday.
Ashburton— 
      Ashburton Guardian (E.)      Daily.
      Ashburton Mail, Rakaia, Mount Somers, and Alford Forest Advertiser (M.)      Tues., Thur., Sat.
Cheviot— 
      Cheviot News (M.)      Tuesday, Friday.
Christchurch— 
      Canterbury Times (incorporating “Sportsman" and “New Zealand Cyclist”) (M.)      Wednesday.
      Christian Herald (E.)      Monthly.
      Evening News (E.)      Daily.
      Examiner (M.)      Monthly.
      Lyttelton Times (M.)      Daily.
      New Brighton Monthly Magazine (M.)      Monthly.
      New Zealand Baptist (E.)      Monthly.
      New Zealand Church News (M.)      Monthly.
      New Zealand Poultry Journal (M.)      Monthly.
      New Zealand Tatler (M.)      Monthly.
      Observer (M.)      Saturday.
      Press (M.)      Daily.
      Spectator (M. and E.)      Saturday.
      Star (E.)      Daily.
      Vanguard (E.)      Sat., fortnightly.
      War Cry and Official Gazette of the Salvation Army, New Zealand (M.)      Saturday.
      Weekly Press (incorporating “The Referee”) (M.)      Wednesday.
Kaiapoi— 
      Kaiapoi Record (M.)      Wednesday.
Kaikoura— 
      Kaikoura Star and Kaikoura County Gazette and Recorder (E.)      Daily.
      Kaikoura Sun, Farmers'. Advocate, and County Gazetteer (E.)      Daily.
Rangiora— 
      Standard and North Canterbury Guardian (M.)      Wed., Saturday.
Southbridge— 
      Ellesmere Guardian (M.)      Wed., Saturday.
TIMARU.
Geraldine— 
      Geraldine Mail (M.)      Tues., Thur., Sat.
Temuka— 
      Geraldine Guardian (M.)      Tues., Thur., Sat.
      Temuka Leader (M.)      Tues., Thur., Sat.
Timaru— 
      Timaru Herald (M.)      Daily.
      Timaru Post (E.)      Daily.
Waimate— 
      Waimate Advertiser (E.)      Mon, Wed., Fri.
      Waimate Timas (M.)      Tues., Thur., Sat.
OAMARU.
Oamaru— 
      North Otago Times (M.)      Daily.
      Oamaru Mail (E.)      Daily.
DUNEDIN.
Alexandra South— 
      Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette (E.)      Wednesday.
Balclutha— 
      Clutha Leader (M.)      Tuesday, Friday.
      Free Press (M.)      Tuesday, Friday.
Clyde— 
      Dunstan Times, Vincent County Official Gazette, and General Goldfields Advertiser (E.) 
      Monday. 
Cromwell— 
      Cromwell Argus and Northern Goldfields Gazette (E.)      Monday.
Dunedin— 
      Budget (M.)      Monthly.
      Dominion Journal (M.)      Monthly.
      Evening Star (E.)      Daily.
      Farmers' Circular (M.)      Thur., fortn'ly.
      Magpie (M.)      Monthly.
      New Zealand Guardian (M)      Thur., fortn'ly.
      New Zealand Journal of Education (M.)      Thor., fortn'ly.
      New Zealand Tablet (M.)      Thursday.
      New Zealand Tribune (M.)      Friday.
      Otago Daily Times (M.)      Daily.
      Otago Witness (M.)      Wednesday.
      Outlook (M.)      Saturday.
      Triad (M.)      Monthly.
Lawrence— 
      Tuapeka Times (M.)      Wed., Saturday.
      Milton-Bruce Herald (E.)      Mon., Thursday.
      Milton Mirror (E.)      Mon., Thursday.
Mosgiel— 
      Taieri Advocate (E.)      Mon., Wed., Fri.
Naseby— 
      Mount Ida Chronicle (M.)      Friday.
Palmerston— 
      Palmerston and Waikouaiti Times (M.)      Friday.
Roxburgh— 
      Mount Benger Mail (M.)      Wednesday.
Tapanui— 
      Tapanui Courier and Central Districts Gazette (M.)      Wednesday.
INVERCARGILL.
Arrowtown— 
      Lake County Press (E.)      Thursday.
Bluff— 
      Bluff Press and Stewart Island Gazette (E.)      Tuesday.
Gore— 
      Gore Standard (M.)      Daily.
      Mataura Ensign (E.)      Daily.
Invercargill— 
      Southern Cross (M.)      Saturday.
      Southlander (M.)      Friday.
      Southland Daily News (E.)      Daily.
      Southland Times (M.)      Daily.
      Weekly Times (M.)      Friday.
Orepuki— 
      Orepuki Advocate and Western District Advertiser (M.)      Saturday.
Otautau— 
      Otautau Farmer and Wallace County Gazette (M.)      Wednesday.
      Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle (E.)      Tuesday.
Queenstown— 
      Lake Wakatipu Mail (E.)      Tuesday.
Riverton— 
      Western Star and Wallace County Gazette (E.)      Tues., Friday.
Winton— 
      Winton Record, Hokonui Advocate, and Awarua Guardian (M.)      Friday.
Wyndham— 
      Wyndham Farmer (M.)      Tuesday, Friday.
      Wyndham Herald (M.)      Tuesday, Friday.

The foregoing towns are arranged according to the postal district in which they are situated.

Of the provincial districts, Auckland has 58 publications registered as newspapers, Taranaki 12, Hawke's Bay 12, Wellington 52, Marlborough 6, Nelson 13, Westland 5, Canterbury 30, and Otago 45.

PART II.—STATISTICAL.

Table of Contents

Chapter 26. SECTION I.—POPULATION.

THE population of New Zealand, as estimated on the 31st December, 1909, and the increase during the year, is shown below:—

 Males.Females.Totals.

* Excluding 776 Natives of South Sea Islands at labour abroad.

Estimated population (exclusive of Maoris, also
Cook and other Pacific Islands) on 31st December, 1908
    510,329    150,313    960,642
Increase during the year 1909—   
By excess of births over deaths    8,256    9,309    17,565
By excess of immigration over emigration    1,821    2,898    4,719
Estimated population (exclusive of Maoris,
also Cook and other Pacific Islands) on 31st December, 1909
    520,400    462,520    982,926
Maori population, census, April, 1906    25,538    22,193    47,731
Population of Cook and other Pacific Islands, census, 1906    6,224    6,116    *12,340
Total estimated population of Dominion on 31st December, 1909    552,168    490,829    042,997

A census taken in April, 1896, proved that the population had been over-estimated during the intercensal period 1891–96, the accumulated error being 1,801 persons. By the enumeration made in March, 1901, the estimate was found to be 2,101 persons in excess of the ascertained total, and in April, 1906, an excess in the estimate to the extent of 2,497 persons was disclosed. The estimates of the total population have in each instance been corrected by the quantity of the ascertained error, but no corresponding addition has been made to the recorded number of departures from the Dominion; thus it will be found that the aggregate of increase by excess of arrivals over departures and of births over deaths for the ten years 1900–1909 is 4,901 persons more than the difference between the estimated total population for the first and last years of that period.

Estimates of population are made from the records of births and deaths and the returns of migration. These estimates when tasted in the past by census results have been found to approach very closely to the fact, and there is no reason to suspect that the present is an exception. The following table shows the growth of the population during the last twenty-five years:—

Year.Estimated Population on the 31st December.*Increase during the YearCentesimal Increase on Population of Previous Year.
By Excess of Births over Deaths.By Excess of Arrivals over Departures.Net Increase.

* Corrected where necessary in accordance with census results.

† Loss. The amount of loss by departures in the period 1886–91, though correct in the aggregate, cannot be allocated with exactness to the respective years.

1885575,17213,612–2,744†10,8681.93
1886589,38613,164–17,194†58,88610.24
1887603,36112,998
1888607,38013,194
1889616,05212,685
1890625,50812,284
1891634,05811,755
1892650,43311,4174,95816,3752.58
1893672,26511,42010,41221,8323.36
1894686,12811,6102,25313,8632.06
1895698,70611,68389512,5781.83
1896714,16212,1801,47213,6521.95
1897729,05612,1422,75214,8942.09
1898743,46311,7112,69614,4071.98
1899756,50511,1551,88713,0421.78
1900768,27812,3461,83114,1771.87
1901787,65712,8576,52219,3792.52
1902807,92912,2807,99220,2722.57
1903832,50513,30111,27524,5763.04
1904857,53914,67910,35525,0343.01
1905882.46215,6219,30224,9232.91
1906908,72615,91312,84828,7613.26
1907929.48415,0285,73020,7582.28
1908960,64216,89714,26131,1583.35
1909982,92617,5654,71922,2842.32

An examination of the increase for each quarter of the past ten years discloses a considerable amount of irregularity, due to fluctuations in migration. The second quarter shows a loss from this cause for each year, excepting 1893, for the reason that visitors to New Zealand take their departure just before the winter season. New-Zealanders travelling abroad for pleasure usually sail during the autumn, returning in the spring and summer.

INCREASE OF POPULATION DURING EACH QUARTER, 1900–9.
Year.First Quarter.Second Quarter.Third Quarter.Fourth Quarter.Total Increase.

The minus sign (–) denotes decrease.

19002,1121,8293,7476,48914,177
19014,4412,6064,7977,53519,379
19022,3391,5356,5819,81720,272
19036,9213,9944,6559,00624,576
19046,4523,2745,6109,69825,034
19057,4342,3955,5189,57624,923
19067,5093,8095,79711,64628,761
19075,1417204,59510,30220,758
19088,1053,2326,96512,85631,158
19097,6901,0344,0259,53522,284
INCREASEBY MIGRATION.
1900754–1,3685113,4421,831
19011,164–7111,9024,1676,522
1902–825–1,6153,7586,6747,992
19033,8147961,4665,19911,275
19042,861–3072,0435,75810,355
19053,448–1,3841,7055,5339,302
19063,426–1901,8977,71512,848
19071,513–3,1061,0926,2315,730
19083,548–7153,1178,31114,201
19093,435–3,517–1674,9684,719

Although the birth-rate in New Zealand is low as compared with that of some countries of Europe, the general death-rate and also the mortality among infants is the lowest recorded by any other country of the world. The natural increase of population is shown in the following table.

NATURAL INCREASEOF POPULATION, 1900–9.
YearExcess of Births over Deaths.Natural Increase per 1,000 of Mean Population.
Males.Females.Persons.
19005,9546,39212,34616.17
19016,0536,80412,85716.53
19025,7636,51712,28015.39
19036,2707,03113,30116.21
19047,0097,67014,67917.37
19057.4208,20115,62117.95
19067,4628,45115,91317.77
19077,0807,94815,02816.35
19088,0458,85216.89717.88
19098,2509,30917,56518.07

The average rate of natural increase for the above period was 16.97 per 1,000. The average rate in New Zealand, the Commonwealth of Australia, and some of the principal countries of Europe is given hereunder:—

Country.Increase.
New Zealand (1905–9)17.60
Commonwealth of Australia (1903–7)15.00
German Empire (1902–6)14.44
Denmark14.39
England and Wales12.13
Scotland12.09
Italy10.78
Switzerland10.43
Ireland5.89
France1.42

Migration.

The number of persons arriving in and departing from New Zealand is compiled from the records of the Customs Department, and the departures from the Dominion by the Union Steamship Company's boats are checked by special returns kindly furnished by the pursers of the steamers, so that where persons who did not book their passages have been omitted, the necessary additions can be made. The pursers' returns also serve to prevent the occasional omission of the full number of persons leaving by any one vessel, which sometimes has happened previous to the introduction of this check. Unless more passengers are at any time of great pressure taken away from New Zealand than can lawfully be carried, the returns of outgo of population should prove nearly correct.

The total number of arrivals and departures during the past ten years, distinguishing the sexes and the number of those under or over twelve years of age, is given in the next table.

ARRIVALSAND DEPARTURES, 1900–9.
Year.Arrivals.
Over 12 Years of Age.Under 12 Years of Age.Total.
Males.Females.Males.Females.
190010,9975,20696990218,074
190115,7246,9421,2441,17625,086
190220,0297,4061,4931,36530,293
190318,6238,6031,8511,80130,883
190420,1189,0081,8621,64432,632
190519,5419,6061,8031,73532,685
190623,37411,6512,2331,97539,233
190721,26611,0801,9621,80036,108
190826,66413,2692,6782,35944,970
190921,76312,4802,3022,10538,650

Passages at Reduced Rates from the United Kingdom to New Zealand.

The following information relating to Government assistance to immigrants will supersede that given on page 111:—

Residents in the Dominion may nominate domestic servants, and near relatives may also nominate agriculturists for passages at reduced rates, and pay the necessary sum to the Under-Secretary for Immigration, Wellington.

The payments required are as follow:—

Second class£27.
Third class (two-berth cabin)£12.
Third class (four-berth cabin)£10.

Children between three years and twelve years of age travelling with their parents are charged half-price. One child under three years of age in each family is taken free. A quarter-fare is charged for each additional child under three years of age.

The full rates are—second class, £38; and third class, £21 or £19: a reduction to the passenger of £11 in the second class or £9 in the third class.

Passages are granted on vessels belonging to the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company, the New Zealand Shipping Company, and the Federal Steam Navigation Company to persons approved by the High Commissioner in London.

The persons nominated must be within the age-limit (50). A nomination is accepted only upon the understanding that the relative in the Dominion is responsible for the nominee immediately on arrival.

Persons in a delicate state of health should not be nominated, as passages at reduced rates will not be granted to them. When cases of lung, chest, or other complaints are discovered in any member of a family by the Medical Officer at London or Liverpool, the whole family will be prevented from sailing.

The question of suitability of any applicant for reduced passage will be decided by the High Commissioner.

The High Commissioner in London is authorised to grant passages at reduced rates to persons engaged in agricultural pursuits if the applicant will be possessed of a capital of £25 upon arrival in the Dominion. Domestic servants may also obtain from the High Commissioner passages at the reduced fare.

Agriculturists, whether nominated or not, are only given passages so that they may arrive in the Dominion during the summer months.

The address of the High Commissioner for New Zealand is Westminster Chambers, 13 Victoria Street, London S.W.

ARRIVALSAND DEPARTURES. 1900–9—continued.
Year.Departures.
Over 12 Years of AgeUnder 12 Years of Age.Total.
Males.Females.Males.Females.
190010,3824,55966164116,243
190111,6465,47778066118,564
190214,7525,96984873222,301
190312,1205,96986365619,608
190413,7826,92888967822,277
190514,4687,16492282923,383
190616,0238,0821,1881,09226,385
190717,9689,8231,3421,24530,378
190818,3649,7791,3431,22330,709
190990,77210,3731,4721,31433,931

Government assistance to immigrants was discontinued in 1891 and resumed in 1904. Certain reductions in fares are arranged by the High Commissioner with the shipping companies for men with moderate means who intend to settle in the Dominion. This arrangement enables farmers and others possessed of a small capital to obtain passages from the United Kingdom to New Zealand at £10 per adult. The question of the suitability of any applicant is decided by the High Commissioner in London, and the passage-money must be paid to his officers.

The practice of nominating immigrants to be brought out partly at the Government expense was discontinued during 1890, but revived in a modified form in 1906. It had been made evident that help was needed to enable families to reunite in New Zealand. Husbands who had preceded their families, and who were making good progress, though finding it naturally uphill work at first, were anxious to bring out their wives and children. Brothers wished to bring out brothers, and other relations were desirous to be reunited. The Government therefore decided that these persons should be allowed to pay either £10 or £12 for each adult (according to the berthing accommodation required) to the Under-Secretary for Immigration at Wellington, furnishing at the same time the full names, ages, and addresses of their relatives. When this is done the High Commissioner grants assisted passages, provided the persons are in good health. In many cases where the full amount could not be deposited owing to lack of means, sums have been received upon account, and undertakings accepted to pay the balances at stated times.

The total number of persons assisted during each of the last six years was,—

Year.Persons
assisted.
19041,058
19052,191
19063,880
19072,510
19084,466
19093,990

The external movement of population is greatest with the Commonwealth of Australia, as will be seen in the next table, but these numbers are inflated by the inclusion of many persons who sail from New Zealand for Australia to make that country a starting-point for further travel, and who may or may not return by the same route. The real destination and original place of departure when returning is not ascertained in these cases.

ARRIVALSFROMAND DEPARTURESTO DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.
Countries.1905.1906.1907.1908.1909.
 Arrivals.    
United Kingdom5,5538,2937,44911,34811,184
Commonwealth of Australia25,13228,69926,91631,76925,548
Other British possessions1,0281,3201,2161,1381,141
Foreign countries972921527715777
 32,68539,23336,10844,97038,650
 Departures.    
United Kingdom1,8542,4952,4402,6352,676
Commonwealth of Australia19,36721,72225,84826,46828,995
Other British possessions7558451,2441,1931,326
Foreign countries1,4071,323840413934
 23,38326,38530,37830,70933,931

Among the departures during 1909 were 293 persons who booked for South American ports, 66 for San Francisco, 369 for the Society Islands, 113 for Navigator Islands, and 83 for Friendly Islands.

Race Aliens.

Persons of other than European descent are classified in the immigration returns as “race aliens.” It will be seen by the following table that the number of arrivals of this class during 1908 was greater than usual, the object being to escape the education test which came into operation during the latter end of that year.

Birthplace.Year.
1900.1901.1902.1903.1904.1905.1906.1907.1908.1909.
China277569132235239260255538171
Syria427412363033223
Asia Minor3106865 4612
Japan214810110337
Palestine    7     
Armenia    13     
Pacific Islands511712 142428271018
Other counties5 144111 2
Totals9213096164292276329293589233

The majority of the 233 race aliens who arrived during 1909 were persons formerly resident in New Zealand, and who were returning to their homes, 168 Chinese being included in this category.

Immigration Restriction.

The Immigration Restriction Act prohibits the landing of lunatics or idiots, persons suffering from a dangerous or loathsome contagious disease, certain convicted criminals, and any person other than of British birth who fails to write out and sign, in any European language, a prescribed form of application. Shipwrecked persons are excepted. The Act does not apply to officers and crews of any mercantile vessels, provided they are not discharged in New Zealand, and are on board the vessel when she clears outward. There are other exemptions under the Act, including His Majesty's land and sea forces, and the officers and crew of any ship of war of any Government, and certain persons may be specially exempted by the Minister of Internal Affairs. Heavy penalties may be incurred for breaches of this law. Regulations under the Act were published in the New Zealand Gazette of 26th November, 1908.

The law of the Commonwealth of Australia, with a view to the restriction of Asiatic immigration, prohibits the landing of any person who, when asked to do so by a public officer, fails to write out from dictation and sign a passage of fifty words in any prescribed language. An Act, having a similar purpose, was passed by the Parliament of New Zealand in 1907, requiring that any Chinese proposing to land in the Dominion shall be able to read a printed passage of not less than one hundred words of the English language. This measure became law on the 23rd October. 1908, and is now incorporated in “The Immigration Restriction Act, 1908.”

Proportions of the Sexes and Density of Population.

The gradual equalisation of the numbers of the sexes, the density of population, and the average number of persons to an inhabited dwelling are illustrated in the following table:—

Date of
Enumeration.
Number of
Females to
100 Males.
Number of
Persons to a
Square Mile.
Number of
Persons to an Inhabited
Dwelling.
Number of
Inhabited Dwellings to a
Square Mile.
December, 186162.160.9444.420.214
February, 187170.522.4564.480.548
April, 188181.724.6935.120.917
April, 189188.266.0245.061.191
March, 190190.337.4274.861.527
April, 190688.658.5414.821.773

Increase of Population at Successive Censuses.

The increase of population of European descent at successive census periods has been,—

Date of Enumeration.Population.
Persons.
Numerical Increase.
Persons.
Centesimal
Increase.
December, 185859,41339,60866.67
December, 186199,02173,13773.86
December, 1864172,15846,51027.01
December, 1867218,66837,72517.25
February, 1871256,39343,12116.82
March, 1874299,514114,89838.36
March, 1878414,41275,52118.22
April, 1881489,93388,54918.07
March, 1886578,48248,1768.33
April, 1891626,65876,70212.24
April, 1896703,36069,3599.86
March, 1901772,719  
April, 1906888,578115,85914.99

Population of Principal Divisions.

The principal natural divisions in New Zealand are the North, South, and Stewart Islands. These contain nearly the whole population of European descent, the Cook and other annexed islands being inhabited almost solely by coloured Natives. Until 1876 the Dominion was divided into provincial districts, originally seven and finally nine in number. On the abolition of these provinces a system of local administration was established by a subdivision of the whole area of the Dominion into counties and boroughs. Subsequently minor subdivisions, interior to counties, were legalised, these subdistricts having more limited powers for administration.

The population of the two main Islands, with that of Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands, the former being included in the South and the latter in the North Island, at each census period, is given in the next table, together with the proportion per cent, that the population of each division bears to the total population of the Dominion.

POPULATION OF THE NORTH AND SOUTH ISLANDS, 1858–1906.

Census Year.Population (excluding Maoris).Proportions per Cent.
North Island and Chatham Islands.South and Stewart Islands.Total.North Island and Chatham Islands.South and Stewart Islands.
185884,17925,23459,41357.5342.47
186141,69157,33099,02142.1057.90
186465,349106,809172,15837.9662.04
186780,097138,571218,66836.6363.37
187197,008159,385256,39337.8462.16
1874112,063187,451299,51437.4162.59
1878158,404256,008414,41238.2261.78
1881193,289296,644489,93339.4560.55
1886250,681327,801578,48243.3356.67
1891281,726344,932626,65844.9655.04
1896340,865362,495703,36048.4651.54
1901390,778381,941772,71950.5749.43
1906476,929411,649888,57853.6746.33

It will be seen that in the earlier year the North Island had the largest population, this position being reversed at the succeeding enumerations until 1901. The Maori war which broke out in 1860 retarded settlement in the North, while the large area of land reserved for the Maoris was until quite recently a serious hindrance to the development of this portion of the Dominion. The construction of railways, roads, and bridges is now giving access to larger areas of new lands, which are being offered for selection in blocks intended for close settlement, and quickly occupied. The South Island was practically free from the Maori trouble, and settlement was more rapid, though much of the land was disposed of in large areas. The discovery of gold in Otago in 1861 and in the West Coast in 1861 attracted to these localities considerable numbers of miners.

In 1870 a policy of vigorous construction of railways and other developmental public works and of assistance to immigrants was inaugurated, resulting in a large increase to the population, including nearly ninety thousand Government immigrants introduced between 1873 and 1879.

Population in Provincial Districts.

Although for political or administrative purposes provinces have now no signification, still the territorial subdivisions have been retained for many reasons. An estimate of the population is made each year, but it is based on the assumption that there has been no movement since the previous census and chat new arrivals are distributed in proportion to the total population of each district. The population as ascertained at the census of 1906 was,—

Provincial District.Population, Census, 1906.
Males.Females.Totals.
Auckland112,33298,891211,223
Taranaki23,23320,16643,399
Hawke's Bay22,84519,39742,242
Wellington90,64783,221179,868
Marlborough7,9356,43314,368
Nelson23,38719,13542,522
Westland8,2026,47214,674
Canterbury82,12976,977159,106
Otago94,18186,793180,974
    Chatham Islands11483197
    Kermadec Islands325
        Totals for the Dominion471,008417,570888,578

Population in Counties.

The counties contain what is understood to be the rural population, but this is not strictly correct, as some of the towns not municipalised, and forming part of counties, have considerable populations. On the other hand the population of a few of the smaller boroughs might be classed as rural, as will be noticed further on. The population of counties is ascertained only when a census is taken, no estimate being attempted. Each county, with the number of its inhabitants, is shown below.

County.Population, Census, 1906.
Mangonui2,801
Whangaroa801
Bay of Islands2,692
Hokianga2,514
Whangarei7,306
Hobson5,424
Otamatea2,921
Rodney4,185
Waitemata7,949
Eden26,663
Manukau13,480
Waikato4,532
Waipa4,849
Piako2,414
Raglan2,282
Waitomo676
Ohura550
Kawhia688
Awakino389
Taupo East509
Taupo West1,282
Matamata1,462
Rotorua2,657
Thames4,286
Ohinemuri5,895
Coromandel2,841
Whakatane1,015
Opotiki1,679
Tauranga1,999
Cook5,315
Waikohu1,858
Waiapu858
Wairoa2,156
Hawke's Bay7,700
Waipawa3,936
Dannevirke4,764
Waipukurau1,211
Patangata1,843
Weber593
Woodville2,036
Clifton2,837
Taranaki8,486
Egmont2,885
Stratford5,187
Whangamomona725
Hawera3,802
Waimate West1,571
Eltham2,636
Patea3,123
Wanganui4,833
Waimarino2,787
Waitotara4,164
Rangitikei9,511
Kiwitea3,034
Pohangina1,797
Oroua3,698
Manawatu4,007
Kairanga3,681
Horowhenua5,337
Hutt4,995
Makara2,264
Pahiatua3,672
Akitio1,394
Castlepoint561
Eketahuna2,738
Mauriceville1,089
Masterton3,723
Wairarapa South2,734
Featherston3,470
Marlborough7,287
Sounds1,098
Waimea7,785
Collingwood1,211
Takaka1,547
Murchison802
Westland4,117
Buller5,458
Inangahua3,836
Grey5,692
Kaikoura1,747
Amuri1,406
Cheviot1,605
Akaroa2,300
Mount Herbert470
Selwyn22,297
Tawera1,404
Waimairi10,677
Wairewa855
Ashley9,489
Waipara1,817
Ashburton11,541
Geraldine5,027
Mackenzie1,939
Levels6,584
Waimate6,510
Waitaki9,613
Waihemo1,806
Waikouaiti4,119
Taieri6,882
Peninsula2,477
Bruce4,675
Tuapeka6,113
Clutha6,174
Vincent4,300
Maniototo3,004
Lake2,103
Southland24,424
Stewart Island288
Wallace8,315
Fiord54
Chatham Islands197
Total458,797

Population in Boroughs.

Prior to the year 1900 there was no statutory limitation to the number of inhabitants necessary to constitute a borough, consequently many small centres, the residents being mainly engaged in rural occupations, became municipalities. The Municipal Corporations Act now imposes a limit as to area, and provides that no new borough may be constituted unless the proposed area contains not less than 1,000 inhabitants. The total number of persons resident in boroughs at the last live census periods was as follows:—

Census Period.Population in Boroughs. Persons.
1886245,612
1891270,343
1896307,294
1901350,202
1906424,614

The increase during the twenty years was 179,002 persons, or 72.88 per cent. Boroughs which in 1906 had a population of 1,000 or over contained an aggregate of 407,141 persons in that year, as against 257,514 in 1886, an increase of 58.1 per cent. The name of each borough, with the estimated number of inhabitants, is given in the next table.

ESTIMATED POPULATION OF CITIES AND BOROUGHS ON THE 31ST DECEMBER, 1909.
City or Borough.Estimated
Population. Persons.

*These boroughs will be amalgamated as from the 1st January, 1910.

Dargaville1,050
Whangarei3,000
Birkenhead1,059
Northcote1,332
Devonport6,818
Auckland City43,295
Grey Lynn7,465
Newmarket2,691
Mount Eden9,889
Parnell5,700
Onehunga4,000
Thames3,807
Te Aroha1,150
Waihi5,850
Hamilton2,600
Cambridge1,400
Tauranga1,250
Gisborne7,000
Waitara1,220
New Plymouth5,414
Inglewood1,160
Stratford2,300
Hawera2,300
Eltham1,500
Patea900
Wanganui8,857
Wanganui East1,300
Taihape1,000
Marton1,500
Feilding3,300
Palmerston North12,000
Levin1,500
Foxton1,450
Hastings5,000
Napier10,788
Dannevirke3,500
Woodville1,215
Waipawa1,050
Eketahuna800
Pahiatua1,360
Masterton5,500
Carterton1,407
Greytown1,200
Lower Hurt4,000
Petone7,313
Onslow1,715
Wellington City71,553
Karori1,374
Eastbourne750
Miramar1,748
Picton995
Blenheim3,520
Nelson City8,800
Richmond675
Motueka1,250
Westport4,000
Greymouth5,300
Brunner1,100
Kumara900
Hokitika2,504
Ross600
Rangiora1,800
Kaiapoi1,804
Christchurch City56,769
Woolston3,436
Sumner1,650
New Brighton1,600
Lyttelton4,150
Akaroa560
Ashburton2,850
Temuka1,680
Geraldine1,250
Timaru8,300
Waimate1,800
Oamaru5,310
Hampden380
Palmerston South800
Waikouaiti700
Port Chalmers2,140
North-east Valley5,300
Maori Hill2,303
West Harbour1,742
Dunedin City38,857
Roslyn6,299
Mornington4,683
St. Kilda3,400
Green Island1,500
Mosgiel1,530
Milton1,400
Kaitangata1,682
Balclutha1,300
Lawrence1,159
Roxburgh490
Tapanui500
Naseby415
Cromwell680
Alexandra1,000
Arrowtown440
Queenstown675
Gore3,500
Mataura1,100
Winton500
*Invercargill8,650
*North Invercargill1,200
South Invercargill2,360
*East Invercargill1,300
*Avenal600
*Gladstone680
Campbelltown1,700
Riverton1,000
Total501,098

Chief Cities and Suburbs.

The principal cities of New Zealand are Auckland and Wellington in the North Island, Christchurch and Dunedin in the South Island. The population of each of these centres and their suburbs, as estimated on the 31st December, 1909, is given below:—

AUCKLANDAND SUBURBS.
 Population.
Auckland City43,295
Suburban boroughs— 
    Birkenhead1,659
    Devonport6,818
    Newmarket2,691
    Grey Lynn7,465
    Parnell5,700
    Mount Eden9,889
    Northcote1,332
    Other suburbs19,080
Total Greater Auckland97,929
WELLINGTONAND SUBURBS.
 Population.
Wellington City71,553
Suburban boroughs— 
    Onslow1,715
    Karori1,374
    Miramar1,748
Total Greater Wellington76,390
CHRISTCHURCHAND SUBURBS.
 Population.
Christchurch City56,769
Suburban boroughs— 
    Woolston3,436
    New Brighton1,600
    Sumner1,650
    Other suburbs15,150
Total Greater Christchurch78,605
DUNEDINAND SUBURBS.
 Population.
Dunedin City38,857
Suburban boroughs— 
    Maori Hill2,303
    Mornington4,683
    North east Valley5,300
    Roslyn6,299
    St. Kilda3,400
    West Harbour1,742
Total Greater Dunedin62,584

Population in Town Districts.

The several stages in the growth of a New Zealand town may he marked thus: The village, taxed by the parent count)', and dependent upon the latter for all public works; then the legally constituted town district, still subordinate to the county in some matters, its affairs administered by a Board presided over by a Chairman. When its population exceeds 500 the town district becomes independent of the county, and controls the whole of its revenues. If the population reaches 1,000, full municipal powers may be obtained, with the dignity of a Council presided over by a Mayor, and finally, if the number of inhabitants should reach 20,000 or over, the title of “city" may be assumed, although the constitution remains unaltered. The name of each town district and the estimated population is as follows:—

Town Districts.Estimated
Population.
Persons.

* Recently constituted; population not yet ascertained.

Kamo350
Hikurangi600
Warkworth 
Helensville700
Ellerslie1,155
Papakura396
Pukekohe700
Huntly1,000
Frankton700
Kihikihi290
Leamington325
Morrinsville375
Ngaruawahia420
Te Awamutu530
Raglan180
Rotorua2,000
Opotiki925
Kawhia175
Fitzroy750
Opunake450
Kaponga350
Normanby441
Manaia560
Gonville1,000
Ohakune600
Waverley530
Castlecliff 
Lethbridge (Turakina)280
Hunterville650
Bull's492
Halcombe300
Rongotea400
Clyde (Wairoa)840
Taradale940
Ormondville465
Waipukurau830
Kaikora North268
Featherston690
Martinborough800
Upper Hutt864
Johnsonville1,000
Havelock267
Mackenzie182
Amberley341
Southbridge450
Hampstead1,500
Tinwald560
Pleasant Point527
Bay1,300
Outram431
Clinton450
Wyndham532
Otautau700

Population on Adjacent Islands.

Adjacent to the main islands are many smaller islands, some of which are of considerable area, and are under cultivation; others are but islets used as sites for lighthouses, while others again are barren, and unfitted for human habitation. The Chatham Islands have been constituted a county, but so far no movement has been made towards exercising the functions of a local governing body.

The name and population of each of the inhabited islands is shown in the next table:—

Islands.    Total.    M.F.

* Now a county.

Mokohinau Lighthouse    8    4    4
Tiritiri Lighthouse    8    4    4
Motuhora    3    1    2
Great Barrier    312    197    115
Little Barrier    8    1    7
Kawau    26    18    8
Ponui    40    18    22
Ponui Lighthouse    1    1 
    Ruthe's    7    3    4
Pakatoa    4    2    2
Pahiki    3    3 
Waiheke    163    80    83
Week's (Puketutu)    5    1    4
Motuihi    5    4    1
Bean Rock Lighthouse    1    1 
Motutapu    13    8    5
Rakino    3    3 
Rangitoto    3    3 
Brown's    2    1    1
Cuvier and Lighthouse    6    4    2
Rakitu    7    4    3
Rangiahua    6    3    3
East Island Lighthouse    7    5    2
Portland and Lighthouse    7    3    4
Somes and Lighthouse    5    3    2
Stephen's    16    10    6
Brothers Lighthouse    3    3 
Dog Island and Lighthouse    13    6    7
Centre and Lighthouse    10    6    4
Chatham Islands*    197    114    83
Kermadec Islands    5    3    2
Total    897    517    380

Only three of these islands had a population over 100 persons at last census. Since 1901 the boundaries of New Zealand have been extended to include the Cook and certain other Pacific islands, the population of which is shown elsewhere

Maori Population.

A census of the Maori population is taken every five years, the information being obtained by the collectors either directly or through the chief or head of the tribe or hapu. The name, sex, and age, so far as it can be ascertained, of each Maori is entered; but, owing to the nomadic habits of the race and lack of definite knowledge in some particulars, it has been a difficult task in the past. With a better understanding of the purpose of the census, and the spread of education among the Maoris, it should be possible to obtain a fairly accurate record at the next census. The results of the past five enumerations are set out below; but these must be regarded as subject to the limitations stated above, the apparent increase during the period 1901–6 being ascribed by some authorities as due to a more perfect enumeration in the latter year:—

Census Year.    Males.    Females.    Total.
1886    22,840    19,129    41,969
1891    22,861    19,132    41,993
1896    21,673    18,181    39,854
1901    23,112    20,031    43,143
1906    25,538    22,193    47,731

The number of half-castes living as members of Maori tribes, and the number living as and among Europeans, is given in the next table for five census periods. Those under the first heading are already included among Maoris in the preceding table, the others being classed among the European population. It is a matter of some difficulty to ascertain the number of half-castes living as Maoris. There has been no definite rule to guide collectors in deciding when a half-caste should be classified as living as a Maori—indeed, it might be said that all the half-castes and a large proportion of the Maoris in the South Island live in European fashion. They mostly have separate holdings of land and separate homes, and have adopted the habits of the whites.

Half-castes.

Census Year.Half-castes.Total.
Living as Members of Maori Tribes.Living as and among Europeans.
18862,2541,9584,212
18912,6812,1844,865
18963,5032,2595,762
19013,1332,4065,539
19063,9382,5786,516

The number of Maoris (including half-castes living as Maoris) in each county and adjacent islands, as ascertained at the census of 1906, was as follows:—

NUMBEROF MAORIESINEACH COUNTY, 1906.
Counties.Persons
Mangonui2,053
Whangaroa743
Hokianga2,760
Bay of Islands2,571
Hobson882
Otamatea407
Whangarei960
Rodney132
Great Barrier Island41
Eden (including Waiheke and Chamberlin Islands)282
Waitemata189
Manukau678
Waikato838
Raglan1,483
Kawhia615
Awakino131
East Taupo889
West Taupo1,136
Waitomo1,075
Waipa344
Piako576
Ohinemuri675
Thames774
Coromandel695
Tauranga and adjacent islands2,040
Whakatane2,332
Opoitki1,319
Rotorua1,260
Waiapu2,611
Cook1,759
Hawke's Bay1,505
Waipawa468
Patangata140
Woodville11
Wairoa2,266
Akitio43
Castlepoint9
Featherston365
Wairarapa South119
Pahiatua50
Masterton251
Eketahuna20
Mauriceville8
Hutt290
Waitotara348
Manawatu260
Kairanga166
Rangitikei557
Wanganui782
Horowhenua1,015
Waimarino728
Oroua212
Patea332
Hawera699
Stratford52
Taranaki295
Clifton704
Egmont1,008
Sounds80
Marlborough158
Waimea113
Collingwood7
Takaka30
Buller36
Westland94
Kaikoura109
Ashley198
Selwyn83
Akaroa141
Mount Herbert106
Geraldine151
Levels25
Waimate54
Waitaki115
Waikouaiti140
Peninsula144
Waihemo13
Taieri68
Clutha22
Southland93
Wallace276
Stewart Island and adjacent islands100
Chatham Islands202

Population of Cook and other Pacific Islands included within the Boundaries of the Dominion.

During the year 1901, the boundaries of the Dominion were extended to include the Cook Group and certain other of the South Pacific islands. No record of the population of these islands was then obtainable, but in 1906 an account of the number and birch-places of the inhabitants was taken, and the results are shown in the following table:—

 Whites and Half-castes
living as Whites.
Natives and Half-castes
living as Natives.
Total.Absentees.*

* Absent in ships or at the guano islands, &c.

(a) Birthplaces.—United Kingdom, 28; New Zealand, 23; Australia, 6; Tasmania, 3; Rarotonga, 10; France, 8; Germany, 5; Sweden, 1; Cape Verde Islands, 2; United States America, 8; Holland, 1; Portugal, 2; Society Group, 1; Hong Kong, 6; Jamaica, 2; Manila, 1.

(b) Birthplaces.–United Kingdom, 5; New Zealand, 2; Rarotonga, 1.

(c) Birthplaces.—Australia, 1; Hong Kong, 2; Austria, 1.

(d) Birthplaces.—United Kingdom, 4; New Zealand, 1; Jamaica, 1; Norway, 1; Aitutaki, 1.

(e) Birthplaces.—France, 1; Germany, 1.

(f) Birthplaces.—Cape Verde Islands, 1; Hong Kong, 1.

(g) Birthplaces not stated.

(h) Birthplaces.—United Kingdom, 5; United States America, 1.

(i) Birthplaces.—United Kingdom, 1; Australia, 1.

(k) Birthplaces.—United Kingdom, 1.

SUMMARYOF BIRTHPLACES.—United Kingdom, 44; New Zealand, 20; Australia, 8; Tasmania, 3; Rarotonga, 11; Prance, 9; Germany, 6; Sweden, 1; Cape Verde Islands, 3; United States America, 9; Holland, 1; Portugal, 2; Society Group, 1; Hong Kong, 9; Jamaica, 3; Manila, 1 Norway, 1; Aitutaki, 1 Austria, 1; not stated, 21 (on Nine Island). Total. 161.

Rarotonga107(a)2,3342,141 
Mangaia8(b)1,5231,531 
Atiu4(c)914918 
Aitutaki8(d)1,1541,16282
Mauke (or Parry Island)2(e)44444610
Mitiaro2(f)208210 
Total Cook Group1316,5776,70892*
Niue (or Savage Island)21(g)3,8013,822580
Palmerston 8282 
Penrhyn (or Tongareva)6(h)414420 
Manihiki2(i)51952122
Rakaanga1(k)35135250
Danger (or Pukapuka) 43543532
Total other islands305,6025,632684*
Total population of Pacific islands16112,17912,340776*

THE CHINESE.

At the census of 1881, the year in which taxation was first imposed on Chinese landing in New Zealand, the Chinese population numbered 5,004 persons, which fell to 4,542 in 1884, and further to 3,711 in 1896. During the period 1881–96 the poll-tax was £10 per head, and this seemed sufficient for the purpose of preventing a large influx of the Chinese, but during the years 1894 and 1895 the arrivals shown by the Customs returns were found to be somewhat greater than the departures. The census of 1896 showed the number of Chinese as 3,711, and during that year an Act was passed, raising the poll-tax on Chinese immigrants to £100 per head and limiting the number of Chinese passengers that may be carried by vessels to New Zealand to one for every 200 tons burthen. According to the census of 1901 the Chinese population was 2,857, and in 1906 it was 2,570, of whom 55 were females. During 1908 the arrivals in the Dominion were 538 (522 males and 16 females) and the departures 248 (230 males and 28 females), the total number remaining on 31st December being estimated at 2,998 (2,937 males and 61 females). The sum of £32,000 was received as poll-tax for the year 1908, representing 320 new arrivals, the balance being those who had previously resided in the Dominion. The arrivals during 1909 numbered 171, of whom 168 had previously resided in New Zealand, and the departures numbered 335. The estimated number remaining in the Dominion at the end of 1909 was 2,824, including 67 females. The application of the education test, previously described, appears to have practically stopped the immigration of these Asiatics.

Of the number of Chinese in 1906, 2,515 were males and 55 females. Of the males 63 were returned as married; 40 females were given as wives, and 13 as daughters or relatives, one a dressmaker, and one a shirtmaker.

The number of Chinese under 14 years of age was only 33 (23 males and 10 females).

The occupations showed 612 gold-miners, 734 market-gardeners with 57 labourers and assistants, 184 fruiterers or greengrocers with 42 assistants, 219 laundrymen with 24 assistants, 53 storekeepers with 25 clerks and assistants, 105 labourers undefined, 36 farm labourers, 51 hotel cooks and servants, 18 boardinghouse-keepers with 3 cooks and servants, 5 fish-hawkers, 34 vegetable-hawkers, 21 rabbiters, 8 carpenters and cabinetmakers, 7 merchants, 5 fishermen, 24 grocers and assistants, 4 restaurant-keepers, 3 rag, bone, and bottle dealers, 1 draper, 2 station labourers, 4 interpreters, 1 butcher, 39 general hawkers, and one person of independent means.

On board ships in port were 10 firemen and 8 ship's servants. In addition to the number of hotel and boardinghouse cooks there were 4 farm, 3 station, and 36 cooks undefined. Amongst others in small numbers are noticed 2 missionaries. 1 medical man, 2 herbalists, and 1 clergyman.

Three of the Chinese were inmates of hospitals, and 15 of benevolent asylums. There were 22 Chinese lunatics (in asylums), and 5 of this race were prisoners in gaol on the census night.

POPULATION OF AUSTRALASIA.

The growth of population in Australasia over a period of forty-nine years is shown in a comparative table. The total for December, 1909, being 5,357,064 persons, is greater than the population of Ireland or Scotland for 1908, and slightly more than one-seventh part of the population of England and Wales for that year. Australasia has now twice the population of Denmark, over one-third more than Switzerland, and nearly that of Sweden.

 Persons.
1860.
Persons.
1670.
Persons.
1880.
Persons.
1890.
Persons.
1901.
Persons.
1909.

* Excluding 47,731 Maoris and 12.340 persons belonging to Cook and other annexed Pacific Islands.

New South Wales348,546498,659747,9501,121,8601,362,2001,621,677
Victoria537,817720,599860,0671,133,2601,201,5061,303,357
Queensland28,056115,567226,077892,965503,266572,654
South Australia124,112183,797267,573319,414362,604416,047
Western Australia15,22725,08429,01946,290182,553273,543
Tasmania87,775100,765114,762145,290172,475186,860
New Zealand79.711248,400484,864625,508772,719982,926
Australasia1,221,2741,898,8712,730,3123,784,5934,557,3235,357,064

AGES OF THE PEOPLE.

The number of persons at each year of age is ascertained from the census household schedule. In the following tables these numbers have been condensed in customary groups, and the information disclosed at the census of 1906 is compared with that for two previous censuses. Chinese are included, but not Maoris.

Age-groups.Number.
1886.1896.1906.
Males.Females.Males.Females.Males.Females.
Under 5 years43,82043,00842,44841,21152,49950,246
5 years and under 10 years42,52441,79143,56142,46445,82644,462
10 years and under 15 years34,06533,32043,04442,42343,83442,924
15 years and under 20 years29,07029,81940,36440,37044,24242,875
20 years and under 25 years24,65024,51434,26434,45249,37045,238
25 years and under 30 years24,45219,95630,60528,99049,30843,140
30 years and under 35 years22,59116,12823,74721,46637,79832,621
35 years and under 40 years19,57414,31922,50618,08132,32927,794
40 years and under 45 years19,28713,15419,99914,85524,45120,930
45 years and under 50 years18,00410,32316,83012,72521,42417,003
50 years and under 55 years13,5397,41416,20311,52318,33613,563
55 years and under 60 years7,8784,40614,2528,59713,98410,958
60 years and under 65 years4,9793,17310,5046,27812,4529,442
65 years and under 70 years3,0502,1276,4593,78111,5247,599
70 years and under 75 years1,5741,2383,2192,2057,5674,616
75 years and under 80 years8546751,8431,3883,6982,373
80 and over5253909828791,8651,546
Unspecified children547626183528
Unspecified adults1,731430559239466212
All ages312,221266,261371,415331,945471,008417,570

A calculation of the proportion per cent. at each age-group to the total of males and females shows the effect of a declining birthrate on the ages under 15, the proportion of males at these ages having been 38.81 per cent, in 1886 against 30.20 per cent. in 1906, and 44.44 per cent. against 32.96 per cent. respectively of females.

Of the males, those 15–24 years formed 17.33 per cent. of the total in 1886, against 19.91 per cent. in the later year. At the ages 15–64 the proportions were 59.33 per cent. and 64.56 per cent. in 1886 and 1906 respectively. From 65 years upwards the proportions increased from 1.86 per cent. to 5.24 per cent. during the period under review.

Females at ages 15–44 increased in proportion to the total from 44.36 per cent. in 1886 to 50.96 per cent. in 1906. At 45 years and over there was 11.20 per cent. in 1886 and 16.08 per cent. in 1906 of the number of this sex.

Age-groups.Proportion per Cent. of Males.Proportion per Cent. of Females.
1886.1896.1906.1886.1896.1906.
Under 5 years14.1311.4511.1616.1812.4212.03
5 years and under 10 years13.7111.759.7415.7212.8010.65
10 years and under 15 years10.9711.019.3012.5412.8010.28
15 years and under 20 years9.3710.889.4111.2212.1710.28
20 years and under 25 years7.949.2510.509.2210.3810.84
25 years and under 30 years7.898.2510.487.518.7410.34
30 years and under 35 years7.296.408.036.076.477.82
35 years and under 40 years6.316.076.875.395.456.66
40 years and under 45 years6.215.395.204.954.485.02
45 years and under 50 years5.814.544.553.883.844.07
50 years and under 55 years4.364.373.902.793.473.25
55 years and under 60 years2.553.842.971.662.592.63
60 years and under 65 years1.602.832.651.191.892.26
65 years and under 70 years0.981.742.450.801.141.82
70 years and under 75 years0.520.871.610.470.671.11
75 years and under 80 years0.210.500.790.260.420.57
80 and over0.150.200.390.150.270.37
Totals100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00

The declining proportions at the earlier ages 0.19 years may be ascribed to a falling birth-rate, while the increase at the higher ages is due to the advanced age of the then mostly adult immigrants introduced during the early stages of settlement. These form the greater portion of the groups 60 years and over, numbering 62,682 persons in 1906, of whom only 1,843 were New-Zealand-born. The latter element in the population is assuming larger proportions each year, while the influence of the numbers recruited from abroad on the age-constitution is gradually waning.

BIRTHPLACES OF THE PEOPLE.

The table following shows the birthplaces of the population, exclusive of Maoris, for five census years. The total number of British-born has increased during the period by 56 per cent., while the number of foreign-born has remained stationary. Persons born in New Zealand have more than doubled in number. The Commonwealth of Australia is represented by 47,256 persons, a large increase since 1886. Against this there were 25,788 persons, natives of New Zealand, residing in the Commonwealth in 1901 as compared with 23,870 in 1891. Persons born in the Tinted Kingdom numbered 233,856 in 1886, against 208,931 in 1906. This decrease is due to the dying-out of the early settlers, though it will be seen that during the period 1901–6 the loss by death and departure was more than replaced by new arrivals from the parent country.

Birthplace.Number in each Census Year.
1886.1891.1896.1901.1906.
 Persons.Persons.Persons.Persons.Persons.
New Zealand300,190300,716441,661516,106606,247
Commonwealth of Australia17,24515,94321,63126,99147,256
England125,657117,070116,541111,964116,560
Wales1,9812,2142,1481,7652,144
Scotland54,81051,91650,43547,85847,767
Ireland51,40847,03446,03743,52442,460
Other British possessions3,9533,7033,9014,2734,560
Total British555,244605,196682,354752,481866,994
Austria-Hungary5365648811,8742,212
German Empire5,0074,6634,5954,2174,174
Denmark2,1782,0532,1252,1202,277
Chinese Empire4,5504,4703,7192,9022,602
Other foreign countries7,6147,4007,7607,4808,602
Total foreign countries19,88519,15019,08018,59319,867
At sea1,3241,2951,3221,2031,245
Not stated2,0291,017604442472
Totals578,482626,658703,360772,719888,578

The proportion of the population of foreign origin has gradually decreased since 1886, while the native-born portion becomes rapidly greater. The table given below shows the proportionate strength of the different nationalities represented in the Dominion.

Birthplace.Proportion of each Nationality in—
1886.1891.1896.1901.1906.
 Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.
New Zealand52.0858.6162.8566.8368.26
Commonwealth of Australia3.002.553.083.495.32
England21.8018.7116.5814.5013.13
Wales0.340.350.310.220.24
Scotland9.518.307.186.205.38
Ireland8.927.616.555.644.78
Other British possessions0.690.590.550.550.51
Total British96.3496.7297.1097.4397.62
Austria-Hungary0.090.090.130.240.25
German Empire0.870.750.650.550.47
Denmark0.370.330.300.270.26
Chinese Empire0.780.710.530.380.29
Other foreign countries1.331.191.100.970.97
Total foreign countries3.443.072.712.412.24
At sea0.220.210.190.160.14
 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00

NATURALISATION.

When any alien residing in New Zealand desires to be naturalised, he may present to the Governor a memorial signed and verified by a statutory declaration setting forth—

  • His name, age, birthplace, residence, and occupation;

  • The length of his residence in New Zealand, and his desire to settle therein;

  • A request that letters of naturalisation may be granted to him.

Every memorial must have written upon it or attached a certificate signed by some Magistrate or Justice to the effect that the applicant is known to the person certifying and is of good repute. On taking the oath of allegiance he shall enjoy within New Zealand all the rights and capacities that a natural-born subject of the United Kingdom can enjoy or transmit, excepting such rights (if any) as are specially excepted in the letters of naturalisation granted to him.

Any person who has been previously naturalised in the United Kingdom, or any British possession, may obtain letters of naturalisation in New Zealand upon presentation of his certificate or letters to the Governor, with satisfactory evidence of his bona fides.

An alien woman married to a natural-born or naturalised British subject shall be deemed to be herself naturalised. Where the father, or the mother, being a widow, has become naturalised in New Zealand, every child of such father or mother who during minority resides with such parent shall also be deemed to be naturalised.

Every alien resident in New Zealand may inherit or otherwise acquire, hold, and dispose of every description of property in the same manner as if he were a natural-born British subject, but may not become the owner of any ships, or of a share in any ship, registered in New Zealand. Any person born in foreign territory whose mother is a natural-born British subject shall be capable of acquiring property in New Zealand by purchase, or under a will or intestacy.

No fee is payable for naturalisation except in the case of Chinese, who are charged £1.

During 1909 letters were granted to 211 males and 6 females belonging to the following nationalities:—

Natives of—    M.    F.
    Austria-Hungary    67 
    Germany    35    3
    Denmark    26 
    Sweden    21 
    Norway    17    1
    Russian Empire    13 
    Syria    8    1
    France    6    1
    Italy    4 
    United States of America    4 
    Other countries    10 
Total    211    6

The number of natives of each country naturalised during the last twenty-six years is next shown.

Natives of— 
    Germany1,865
    Sweden and Norway1,528
    Denmark1,035
    Russia in Europe358
    France174
    Belgium43
    Netherlands77
    Switzerland230
    Italy and Sicily284
    Portugal71
    Austria-Hungary994
    Greece73
    China416
    United States of America120
    Other countries229
Total7,497

CONJUGAL CONDITION.

Both in 1901 and 1906 the number of females returned as married was less than that of males. In many instances married men coming to New Zealand from abroad leave their families behind until steady work has been obtained and a home prepared. This is the usual practice among aliens, the expense of transport in some cases preventing the union of families for a considerable length of time.

The number of married persons in 1906 was slightly less than one-third of the total population, exclusive of Maoris. Widowed and divorced are included among the unmarried over 20 and 15 years of age for males and females respectively, the number of the widowed being 12,599 males and 21,625 females. Those returned as divorced at the last census—351 males and 256 females—are probably less than the actual fact, owing to the reluctance of some persons to state this condition. The following table shows the number of unmarried and married males and females for five successive census years:—

Census.Number of UnmarriedNumber of Married
Males.Females.Males.Females.
Under 20
Years of Age.
Over 20
Years of Age.
Under 15
Years of Age.
Over 15
Years of Age.
1886149,41572,262118,18263,43984,55784,463
1891159,00077,955123,85278,77690,37190,765
1896169,32594,946126,087102,422102,621103,062
1901173,096110,485127,017121,297118,401117,746
1906180,270137,191137,621136,584143,838142,736

The proportions per cent. exhibit a steady increase both for married males and females since 1891. Widowed males increased relatively to the total population, but not to the same extent as widowed females, as the latter do not remarry so often as the former, and the liability to fatal accident among males is far greater than among the opposite sex.

Census.Proportion of Males.Proportion of Females.
Unmarried.Married.Widowed.Unmarried.Married.Widowed.
 Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.
188670.3527.612.0464.5931.743.67
189170.0227.612.3764.9530.944.11
189669.4827.972.5564.3731.104.53
190167.9029.452.6562.9432.174.89
190666.5230.782.7060.5734.245.19

The proportion of married women under 20 years of age is steadily diminishing, while between 35 and 45 years there is an increasing tendency. Women in New Zealand are not now marrying at such early ages as they did formerly, as will be seen from the figures given below.

Age-groups.Proportion of Married Women.
1886.1891.1896.1901.1906.
 Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.
Under 20 years1.811.101.120.980.94
20 and under 35 years60.0360.1259.5759.9460.29
35 and under 45 years38.1638.6939.3139.0838.77
 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00

Excluding the widowed, the number of unmarried males over 20 years of age was found at the census of 1906 to be 124,592, and the number of unmarried females was 114,959–108 Bachelors to every 100 spinsters. The relative numbers at the last five census periods were,—

Census.Number of Bachelors to
every 100 Spinsters.
1886123
1891105
189698
190197
1906108

RELIGION.

There is no State Church in New Zealand, nor is financial assistance given by the State to any religious denomination. Among the first colonists settlements were formed composed entirely of the adherents to certain religious bodies, but, as facilities for communication increased, this exclusiveness rapidly gave place to a spirit, of tolerance, and no serious attempt was made to preserve the distinctive religious character of these communities. In Otago, where the Free Church of Scotland founded a settlement, adherents to the Presbyterian Church, mostly descendants of the original stock, form 45 per cent. of the population of that portion of the Dominion; while in Canterbury, which was originally settled by the United Church of England and Ireland, adherents to the Church of England constituted a similar proportion of the population of the Canterbury Provincial District at the census of 1906.

The Church of England has the largest number of adherents, and, according to returns collected in 1906, had 516 churches, besides using 107 other buildings for Divine worship. The Presbyterian Church, the next in strength, had 382 churches, with the use of 203 buildings as temporary places of worship. Roman Catholics occupy third place in point of numbers, and possessed 290 churches. Methodists had 386 churches, and used 81 other buildings wherein to hold service.

The total number of churches and chapels belonging to all denominations and sects was 1,872, besides which 302 schoolhouses and 168 dwellings or public buildings were made use of as places of worship or for meetings. These churches and buildings were sufficient for the accommodation of 375,8 persons, or 42 per cant. of the total number of adherents and members.

The number belonging to each of the principal denominations is shown, for five census periods, in the next table:—

Denomination.Number of Adherents.
1886.1891.1896.1901.1906.
Church of England232,369253,331282,809315,263368,065
Presbyterian130,643141,477159,952176,503203,597
Methodist55,29263,41573,36783,80289,038
Roman Catholic80,71587,27298,804109,822126,995
Other Christian denominations43,03648,63355,13753,73958,619
Non-Christian12,69614,34214,32713,30414,346
No religion9731,5581,8751,1091,709
Object to state19,88915,34215,96718,29524,325
Unspecified2,8691,2881,1228821,884
Totals578,482626,658703,360772,719888,578

Members of Christian denominations formed 95.45 per cent. of those who made answer to the inquiry at the last census, non-Christian sects were 1.61 per cent., and those who described themselves as of no religion 0.19 per cent. The Census Act provides that those persons who are unwilling to state what denomination, if any, they belong to, may enter the word “Object" in the census schedule. In 1906 there were 24,325 persons, or 2.75 per cent. of the total, who took advantage of this permission.

Denomination.Proportion of Adherents.
1886.1891.1896.1901.1906.
 Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.
Church of England40.3740.5140.2740.8541.51
Presbyterian22.7022.6222.7822.8722.96
Methodist9.6110.1410.4410.8610.06
Roman Catholic14.0213.9614.0714.2314.32
Other Christian denominations7.487.797.866.966.60
Non-Christian2.202.282.041.721.01
No religion0.170.250.270.140.19
Object to state3.452.452.272.372.75
Totals100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00

OCCUPATIONS OF THE PEOPLE.

The inquiry made on the census schedule as to occupation is accompanied by full and clear instructions for the guidance of householders; but, despite this precaution, many replies are so vague as to render the classification difficult and in some respects unsatisfactory.

In the following tables the occupations as returned on the census schedules have been strictly adhered to. The commercial and industrial classes include all persons whose occupations were sufficiently defined to admit of their being classified under the special branch of industry, &c., in which they were engaged. Many of those whose employment was of the nature of unskilled assistance did not state the particular business they were connected with, and these could not be assigned to any specific industry. Those engaged as agents or assistants in any occupation belonging to Classes III to VI have been, generally speaking, included with the principals. All persons returned as both primary producers and dealers have been classed as producers only under Class VI, and persons who described themselves as both manufacturers and dealers have bean entered as industrial workers in Class V. Persons out of employment are included under their ordinary or former occupation. Inmates of gaol, reformatories, hospitals, or benevolent institutions have not been classed according to their former occupations, but as “dependents.”

Classes.Number.Proportions per Cent.
1896.1901.1906.1896.1901.1906.
PERSONS.
I. Professional19,24623,50927,0982.743.043.05
II. Domestic28,81034,39439,8034.114.454.48
III. Commercial33,44339,93751,9684.775.175.84
IV. Transport and communication16,93721,75028,3862.412.823.20
V. Industrial81,814184124,25511.6613.1013.98
VI. Primary producers106,13111,921118,37315.1314.4913.33
VII. Indefinite6,5527,5359,2020.930.981.04
Breadwinners292,932340,230399,08541.7544.0544.92
VIII. Dependents408,735432,149489,26058.2555.9555.08
Occupations not stated1,693340233   
Totals703,360772,719888,578100.00100.00100.00
MALES.
I. Professional11,99914,54916,5783.243.593.53
II. Domestic5,8806,5429,5931.591.612.04
III. Commercial29,65034,40943,3398.008.489.19
IV. Transport and communication16,61221,26527,6374.485.245.87
V. Industrial68,57184,874105,76818.5020.9222.47
VI. Primary producers103,016108,007114,90627.8026.6224.41
VII. Indefinite4,1344,9136,0201.111.211.28
Breadwinners239,862274,559323,84164.7267.6768.79
VIII. Dependents130,729131,164146,94735.2832.3331.21
Occupations not stated824269220   
Totals371,415405,992471,008100.00100.00100.00
FEMALES.
I. Professional7,2478,96010,5202.192.442.52
II. Domestic22,93027,85230,2106.937.607.24
III. Commercial3,7935,5288,6291.141.512.07
IV. Transport and communication3254857490.100.130.18
V. Industrial13,24316,31018,4874.004.454.42
VI. Primary producers3,1143,9143,4670.941.070.83
VII. Indefinite2,4182,6223,1820.730.710.76
Breadwinners53,07065,67175,24416.0317.9118.02
VIII. Dependents278,006300,985342,31383.9782.0981.98
Occupations not stated8697113   
Totals331,945366,72717,570100.00100.00100.00

The most important feature of the tables presented above is the remarkable growth of Class V, Industrial, which increased by 52 per cent. in number during the period embraced, and now comprises the largest proportion of the total breadwinners. A great rise in the value of goods manufactured annually since 1896, and the rapid development of town population during the same period, corroborate the results of this inquiry. An examination of the tables published elsewhere in this book will disclose the importance of “manufactures" in the industrial life of the community.

“Primary producers” occupied the leading position both as to numbers and proportion relatively to the total working-population in 1896, but ten years later were subordinate to the “industrial" class. In number there was an increase of 11.54 per cent., as compared with 36.24 per cent. increase in the total number of breadwinners.

The “commercial" class shows an increase in number of 55'39 per cent. between 1896 and 1906, the gain being greatest during the last five years of the period. Class II, Domestic, which includes persons engaged in the supply of board and lodging, increased by 38.16 per cent. between the first and last years of the series, the increase in the total population being 26.33 per cent. The “professional" class, including school-teachers, added 40 per cent. of its number since 1896, but the proportion relative to the total breadwinners remained nearly stationary between the last two censuses. The number of persons engaged in “transport and communication” increased in greater degree than any other class, the total employed in this industry being 11,449, or 67.60 per cent. more in 1906 than ten years earlier. Class VII, Indefinite, includes those persons who describe themselves as “old-age pensioners,” “annuitants,” “independent means,” “retired,” or in such other manner as would justify the assumption that they were self-supporters.

Industrial.

In technical phraseology this class embraces all persons, not otherwise classed, who are principally connected with the manufacture, construction, modification, or alteration of materials so as to render them more available for the various uses of man, but excluding as far as possible all who are mainly or solely engaged in the service of commercial interchange. The numbers of persons employed in the different branches of this class at the last three censuses, together with the proportions per cent. to the total population, are given in the following table:—

Engaged inNumber.Proportion of Total Population.
1896.1901.1906.1896.1901.1906.
 Persons.Persons.Persons.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.
Manufacture, &c., of art and mechanic productions14,32219,42523,9802.042.512.70
Manufacture of textile fabrics, dress, or fibrous materials19,89922,41026,1572.832.902.94
Manufacture of food, drinks, narcotics, and stimulants5,6477,6599,1560.800.991.03
Manufacturing, &c., animal and vegetable substances1,7312,4492,1380.250.320.24
Manufacture or processes relating to metals and minerals6,1268,2939,3570.871.071.05
Working in heat, light, and other forms of energy3315831,1970.050.080.13
Construction and repair of houses and buildings11,84815,76022,0951.682.042.49
Construction of railways, roads, &c.3,5307,1329,6200.500.921.08
Disposal of dead matter or refuse1121832490.010.029.03
In imperfectly defined industries18,26817,29020,3062.602.242.29
Total industrial class81,814101,184124,25511.6313.0913.98

Of those employed in the manufacture of textile fabrics and dress, females numbered 12,050 in 1896, 14,237 in 1901, and 15,709 in 1906. Sawmilling employs the greatest number of any single industry in the first group, 5,168 persons being engaged in this business at the date of the last census. Among the imperfectly defined workers in 1906, persons who described themselves as labourers without indicating the particular industry with which they were connected numbered 14,212, while 2,101 persons were described simply as “engineer,” “engine-driver,” or “stoker.”

Primary Producers.

This class includes all persons mainly engaged in the cultivation of food-products, or in obtaining other raw materials from natural sources.

It might be expected that in a country such as New Zealand the agricultural, pastoral, and mining industries combined would employ a larger number of persons than any other class, but, although of first importance in value of production, it ranks next to the industrial class as regards the number of workers directly engaged. The number of persons employed in each branch of the industry, and the proportion of the total population for three census, years, is given in the next table.

Engaged inNumber.Proportion of Total Population.
1896.1901.1906.1896.1901.1906.
 Persons.Persons.Persons.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.
Agriculture73,22167,81269,55710.418.787.83
Pastoral10,07921,41027,4001.432.773.08
Mining18,59017,81615,9642.642.301.80
Forestry2,3602,9433,3320.340.380.37
Fisheries, rabbiting, &c.1,6841,6931,9320.240.220.22
Other primary pursuits1962471880.030.030.02
Total primary producers106,130111,921118,37315.0914.4813.32

In the above table the agricultural and pastoral branches of the farming industry are shown separately, but in a large number of cases the occupation was described in the census schedule as “farmer" alone, and these have been classified as “agricultural"; therefore this division may have gained at the expense of the pastoral branch. The latter has made great strides forward during recent years, while the increasing use of labour-saving appliances by agriculturists is largely displacing manual assistance.

A considerable reduction in the number of employed in mining has taken place since 1896. This decrease occurred among gold-miners, both alluvial and quartz, although the output of gold more than doubled during the period. Deposits suitable for working on a small scale are becoming exhausted, and the industry is now carried on chiefly by large capitals. Coal-mining, on the other hand, engaged twice as many hands in 1906 as in 1896. Of the number shown in the fifth group, the increase is mostly due to the fishing industry, which employed 959 men in 1906, as against 788 in 1896. Capturing and otherwise dealing with rabbits gave employment to 871 persons in the first and 928 persons in the last of the years shown above.

Commercial.

All persons directly connected with the hire, sale, transfer, distribution, storage, and. security of property and materials are included in this class. The numbers and proportions engaged in the various branches of trade at each of three census periods are shown below.

Occupation.Number.Proportion of Total Population.
1896.1901.1906.1896.1901.1906.
 Persons.Persons.Persons.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.
Engaged in—      
    Finance and property4,4605,6317,2330.640.720.81
Dealing in—      
    Art and mechanic productions1,7802,2903,2150.250.300.36
    Textile fabrics, dress, and fibrous articles4,1625,5517,9330.590.720.89
    Food, drinks, narcotics, and stimulants8,1819,39912,0671.161.221.36
    Animals, and animal and vegetable substances1,7112,6472,9450.240.340.33
    Minerals and other materials mainly used for fuel and light5107591,0620.070.100.12
    Minerals other than for fuel1,0601,5571,9210.150.200.22
    Mercantile pursuits not elsewhere classed10,66311,23514,9341.521.461.68
Engaged in—      
    Storage9168686580.130.110.07
Total commercial class33,44339,93751,9684.755.175.84

It would appear that traders are increasing in greater ratio than the total population. The increase that is taking place in the number of dwellers in towns no doubt tends to encourage this movement.

Domestic.

This class embraces all persons engaged in the supply of board and lodging, and in rendering personal services for which remuneration is usually paid. The number, and proportions to population, are given in the next table.

Engaged in.Number.Proportion of Total Population.
1896.1901.1906.1896.1901.1906.
 Persons.Persons.Persons.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.
Supply of board and lodging 10,64213,324 1.381.50
Domestic service and attendance (for which remuneration is paid)28,81010,642
23,752
13,324
26,479
4.101.38
3.07
1.50
2.98
Total domestic class28,81034,39439,8034.104.454.48

A change in the classification made it necessary to bracket the two groups for the year 1896. The total numbers have more than kept pace with the increase of population, this progress having been greatest during the first five years of the period. Females who described themselves as engaged in domestic service numbered 17,994 in 1896 and 20,105 in 1906.

Transport and Communication.

Included in this class are all those engaged in the transport of persons or goods, or in effecting communications, whether by land or water. The numbers, and proportions per cent. of the population, are given below:—

Engaged inNumber.Proportion of Total Population.
1896.1901.1906.1896.1901.1906.
 Persons.Persons.Persons.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.
Railway traffic (not construction)3,8775,0576,8320.550.660.77
Road traffic (including tramways)4,8515,5937,7510.690.720.87
Sea and river traffic, and the regulation thereof5,9108,0589,5640.841.041.07
Postal service7661,1751,6590.110.150.19
Telegraph and telephone service9691,3862,1080.140.180.24
Delivery of documents, parcels, and messages by hand5644814720.080.060.05
Total transport and communication16,93721,75028,3862.412.813.19

The number of railway employees increased during the above period by 2,955, or 76.22 per cent. In 1906 there were 113 miles of privately owned railways open for traffic, as compared with 167 miles in 1896, so that nearly the whole of the total number shown above are employed by the State. Electric tramways account for portion of the large increase in the number engaged in road traffic, there being 965 tramway hands in 1906, as against 218 in 1896. The great increase in production and the expansion of trade generally is reflected in this class of workers.

Professional.

What is termed the “professional class” embraces all persons, not otherwise classed, mainly engaged in the government and defence of the country, and in satisfying the moral, intellectual, and social wants of its inhabitants. The number of persons, and proportion per cent, of population, in each sub-order of this class is given as at the last three census periods.

Engaged inNumber.Proportion of Total Population.
1896.1901.1906.1896.1901.1906.
 Persons.Persons.Persons.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.
General Government8131,0901,3260.110.140.15
Local Government4124075400.060.050.06
Defence3161,0334690.040.130.05
Law and order2,0402,4122,7950.290.310.32
Religion1,3171,5301,7050.190.200.19
Charity and health3,5974,9076,4970.510.640.73
Literature5356276480.080.080.07
Education5,6756,0266,5230.810.780.73
Science and art3,7164,5755,2730.530.590.59
Amusements8259021,3220.120.120.15
Total professional class19,24023,50927,0982.743.043.04

Persons employed in the Government service are classified, wherever possible, according to the nature of their duties: thus, Postal, Telegraph, and Railway employees are placed under the heading “Transport and Communication.” Other persons paid by the State would include some or all of the following: Those connected with charitable or benevolent institutions, hospitals, museums, education, insurance, harbours, lighthouses, and mines, also civil engineers, electricians, surveyors, architects, printers and binders in the Government Printing Office, and artisans in the Government Railway workshops.

Education employs the greatest number of persons, the majority of whom are females—viz., 3,691 in 1896 and 4,305 in 1906. Under the heading “Science and Art” is included 1,448 persons engaged in civil and mechanical engineering, architecture, and surveying in 1896, and 1,975 in 1906. Musicians, also placed in this group, numbered 1,348 in the former and 1,866 in the latter year. It is probable that many of those, especially females, described as music-teachers are but partially supported by this means, and are actually partial dependents. Public amusement afforded employment to 825 persons in 1896 and 1,322 in 1906. In the latter year 335 persons were described as “actor, actress, or circus performer.” and 357 as “jockey.” Other persons connected with theatres numbered 102, and 275 persons were engaged as keepers of billiard-rooms or as employed therein.

Grade of Occupation.

Under this heading or, the census schedule each breadwinner was asked to indicate if an employer of labour, if in business on own account but not employing others, if a wage-earner, if a relative assisting without payment, or if unemployed. The tabulated result of this inquiry in 1896 and 1906 is shown below.

Grade.Number.
1896.1906.
Males.Females.Males.Females.
Employers28,8181,62741,4762,333
In business on own account but not employing others42,5995,73146,9367,931
Wage-earners132,72737,168203,98755,491
Relatives assisting without payment20,9595,90723,2538,117
Unemployed14,7592,6378,1891,372
Not specified82486922013
Totals240,68653,939324,06175,257

The number of employers and persons working on their own account appears to be abnormally large compared with the wage-earners. About one-half of those who described themselves as employers belonged to the class of primary producers, and in 1906 the same class accounted for 28,373 males and 868 females working on their own account, mostly small farmers, miners, and kauri-gum diggers. In the commercial class there were 7,255 males and 1,707 females in business on their own account without outside assistance, also 7,847 employers with 34,270 wage-earning assistants. In the industrial class 10,062 males and 521 females were employers, with 84,658 males and 15,137 female wage-earners, but these include artisans and labourers employed by the Government and by local bodies. The numbers in this class working on their own account without assistance were 6,498 males and 2,186 females, the principal trades represented on the male side being bootmakers, carpenters, blacksmiths, paperhangers and glaziers, saddlers, tailors, and watchmakers; while the females were nearly all engaged in dressmaking and millinery. The proportion of total breadwinners, male and female, in each grade at the censuses of 1896 and 1906 is shown in the table following:—

Grade.Proportion of Breadwinners.
1896.1906.
Males.Females.Males.Females.
Employers12.013.0612.813.10
In business on own account but not employing others17.7610.8014.4910.54
Wage-earners55.3470.0462.9973.75
Relatives assisting without payment8.7411.137.1810.79
Unemployed6154.972.531.82
Totals100.00100.00100.00100.00

Unemployed males, at the date of the census in 1906, were 2.53 per cent., and females 1.82 per cent., of the total breadwinners. Persons not at work for more than one week prior to the census, except in cases of leave of absence, were instructed to return themselves as unemployed, so that sickness would account for a considerable number coming under this heading.

AGES OF WORKERS.

The outstanding features of the tables showing the ages of workers are the declining and comparatively small numbers under 15 years of age and the increasing numbers at 65 years and over. The greater educational advantages now afforded, with more inclination on the part of parents to allow their children to continue attending school after they have reached the compulsory age, would partly account for the former result, and a declining birth-rate would further reduce the proportion of children available for employment. Workers at the age of 65 and over consist almost wholly of those persons who came to New Zealand after attaining manhood, the native-born population in this age-group being few in number.

Age-groups.Number of Breadwinners.
1896.1906.
Males.Females.Males.Females.
Under 155,9511,7615,1911,565
15 and under 2036,01315,10639,65617,914
20 and under 2533,93514,00948,73019,254
25 and under 4595,84715,245142,12025,157
45 and under 6556,7076,03064,7707,905
65 and over11,6881,68123,1503,385
Unspecified54510744477
All ages240,68653,939324,06175,257

A comparative table, giving the proportion per cent. in each age-group of the total breadwinners, distinguishing males and females, is given below. At the three earliest age-groups females show greater proportions than males, but at the higher ages this position is reversed.

Age-groups.Proportion of Breadwinners.
1896.1906.
Males.Females.Males.Females.
 Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.
Under 152.483.271.602.08
15 and under 2015.0028.0612.2523.83
20 and under 2514.1326.0315.0625.61
25 and under 4539.9128.3243.9233.46
45 and under 6523.6111.2020.0210.52
65 and over4.873.127.154.50
All ages100.00100.00100.00100.00

BREADWINNERS AND DEPENDENTS.

In a division of the population under the above headings married women and others who perform domestic duties without receiving regular remuneration are classed as “dependents.” It must be admitted that this discrimination is hardly justifiable, and that a fairer method, such as a distinction between “workers" and “non-workers,” might have been made; but the necessity for a uniform classification percludes such a departure from the recognised practice. The numbers in the various groups composing the dependent class at the census of 1906 were,—

   Males.  Females.  Total.
Engaged in domestic duties for which remuneration is not paid  236  201,966  202,202
Scholars and students  83,373  81,209  164,582
Relatives and others not stated to be performing domestic duties  57,670  55,843  113,513
Supported by voluntary and State contributions  4,287  3,057  7,344
Criminals under legal detention  1,381  238  1,619
   146,047  342,313  489,260

The proportion of population in each of the two divisions at each census year from 1881 to 1906 was as follows:—

Census Year.Breadwinners.Dependents.
Males.Females.Total.Males.Females.Total.
 Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.
188160.9511.2638.5239.0588.7461.48
188660.9512.2238.4339.0587.7861.57
189162.1915.4240.2437.8184.5859.76
189664.7216.0341.7535.2883.9758.25
190167.6717.9144.0532.3382.0955.95
190668.7918.0244.9231.2181.9855.18

Chapter 27. SECTION II.—EDUCATION OF THE PEOPLE.

Of every 100 persons in New Zealand 83.5 could read and write. 1.6 could read only, and 14.9 could neither read nor write at the time of the census of 1906. The proportion able to read and write has increased, and that of persons who cannot read has decreased, steadily since 1874. The figures are given for four censuses:—

 Read and write.Read only.Cannot read.
Census 187468.158.0923.76
Census 188674.014.8021.19
Census 189680.602.8916.51
Census 190683.501.6014.90

To ascertain, however, how completely education is carried out, accepting as a test the knowledge of reading and writing, it is necessary to show the position at present in respect of age periods, which is accordingly given.

At the period under five years none are found to read and write, and only 0.37 were able to read; 99.63 being unable to do either on account of extreme youth. At five to ten years 65.51 could read and write, and 10.14 read only, leaving 24.35 who could not read. But this last includes only three years of the school-going period.

With the subsequent periods up to forty years figures under “Bead only” and “Cannot" are reduced to small fractions as under:—

 Read and write.Read only.Cannot read.
10 to 15 years99.450.220.33
15 to 20 years99.630.080.29
20 to 25 years99.560.080.36
25 to 30 years99.430.130.44
30 to 35 years99.350.160.49
35 to 40 years99.120.240.64

At forty to forty-five years those who “cannot read” are over 1 per cent., and the proportion goes on increasing regularly, thus:—

 Read and write.Read only.Cannot read.
50 to 55 years96.321.532.15
60 to 6594.052.533.42
70 to 7589.155.125.73
80 and upwards86.146.127.74

The improved conditions of the young people are clearly shown above. At the last two periods given, which belong to advanced life, 5.34 per cent. and 6.22 per cent. are found to be either “reading only” or quite illiterate.

PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON EDUCATION.

In the following tables an attempt has been made to analyse the public expenditure on the various branches of education. The first table shows the total amount expended both from the public account and out of income from endowments during the years ended 31st March, 1908 arid 1909. The figures are given to the nearest £1,000.

Branch of Education.1907–8.1908–9.
Out of Public Funds.Out of Income from Endowments.Total.Out of Public Funds.Out of Income from Endowments.Total.
 ££££££
Primary (including Native schools and training-colleges)736,00047,000783,000758,00053,000811,000
Secondary (including secondary departments of district high schools)76,00034,000110,00074,00036,000110,000
Continuation and technical64,000 64,00059,000 59,000
Higher (including university and higher technical)24,00021,00045,00026,00027,00053,000
 900,000102,0001,002,000917,000116,0001,033,000
Industrial schools32,000 32,00039,000 39,000
Special schools (deaf, blind, &c.)7,000 7,00017,000 17,000
Superannuation and miscellaneous8,000 8,0007,000 7,000
 947,000102,0001,049,000980,000116,0001,096,000

In 1907–8 teachers' salaries and allowances amounted to £519,000; repairs and re-building, £62,000; new buildings, £54,000; all other expenses, £148,000. In 1908–9 the corresponding expenditure was £536,000, £66,000, £51,000, and £158,000 respectively. The amount expended per head of population, including Maoris, but not residents in the Cook and other Pacific Islands, was as follows:—

Branch of Education.1907–81908–9
Out of Public Funds.Out of Income from Endowments.Total.Out of Public Funds.Out of Income from Endowments.Total.
 s.d.s.d.s.d.s.d.s.d.s.d.
Primary (including Native schools and training-colleges)1511016115011161
Secondary (including secondary departments of district high schools)170823150922
Continuation and technical14  1412  12
Higher (including university and higher technical)0605011060610
 1862120718124205
Industrial schools07  0709  09
Special schools (deaf, blind, &c.)02  0204  04
Superannuation and miscellaneous02  0202  02
 1952121619424218

For primary education public funds (general and local) contribute 12s. 3d. per head of the population in England and Wales, in London 17s., Wales alone 15s. 5d., Scotland 12s. 4d., Ireland 6s. 7d. In New York the cost to the public purse of primary and secondary education, excluding the cost of new schools, is £1 1s. 7d. per head of population, as against 15s. 3d., or 17s. 6d. including expenditure out of income from endowments, in New Zealand.

The following table shows the total amount expended on education out of the public funds only, and the amount per head of population during each of five financial years:—

Year.Amount expended out of Public Funds.Expenditure per Head of Population out of Public Funds.
 £s.d.
1898–99519,000134
1903–4670,000156
1906–7926,000194
1907–8947,000195
1908–9980,000194

PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

Education at the public schools is free (except that, at such as are also district high schools, fees are charged for the teaching of the higher branches) and purely secular. The attendance of all children between the ages of 7 and 14 is compulsory, except when special exemptions are granted, or a child is being otherwise sufficiently educated.

The subjects taught at the primary schools are required by the Education Act to be the following: Reading, writing, arithmetic, English grammar and composition, geography, history, (including civic instruction), elementary science and drawing object-lessons, vocal music, physical instruction, moral instruction, nature-study, health, and (in the case of girls) sewing and needlework, the principles of domestic economy, also handwork for both sexes. Provision must also be made for the instruction in military drill of all boys in these schools.

The Dominion is divided into thirteen education districts, over each of which an Education Board presides, and into smaller districts, in each of which a School Committee elected by the householders has authority, subject to the general control of the Board, which is elected by the Committees of the district. The Board of an education district receives and disburses the money voted by the General Assembly for purposes of instruction, and, subject to the condition of consultation with the Committee of the school district, appoints the teachers. The Boards also appoint the Inspectors, but the latter work under regulations made by the Governor in Council, who also makes the regulations under which certificates are granted to teachers after examination and adequate experience.

Since the year 1895 children out of the reach of a primary school, but living near to a convenient line of railway, have been granted free passes to the nearest public school or private school; in 1902 this privilege was extended to holders of scholarships and free places in secondary schools, district high schools, and technical schools; and at the beginning of the year 1909, the same concession was granted to other secondary pupils who were compelled to travel by rail in order to attend school. The amount paid in railway fares on this account in 1908 was £9,437.

Where conveyance by rail is not possible, grants are made to Education Boards to enable children in outlying localities to attend central public schools. The allowance for this purpose is at the rate of 6d. per child for each day of attendance at school, and the total expenditure in 1908 was £1,905.

When a child, through the impracticability of conveyance, has to live away from home in order to attend a public school, a sum of 2s. 6d. per week is allowed in each case in aid of board and lodging. The total expenditure under this head in 1908 was £57.

Free text-books are now provided for the pupils of the preparatory classes and the classes of Standards I and II in the public schools.

An illustrated paper, called the School Journal, is published monthly by the Education Department, for free circulation among pupils attending public primary schools, and for sale to private schools. The Journal is issued in three parts, each part being adapted to the educational attainments of pupils in two of school Standards I to VI. It is claimed that although the Journal aims primarily at being instructive rather than recreative there is ample evidence that its appearance each month is welcomed by the children, and that its influence tends to the very desirable end of fostering the habit and the love of reading. It differs from most of the miscellaneous Readers in that, being composed largely of articles belonging to well-defined series of courses, it preserves a continuity absent from ordinary Readers. These courses deal with the history and geography of New Zealand, of the rest of the British Empire, and foreign countries, from the point of view of the human interests involved, so far as these appeal to a child's mind; with nature-knowledge of various kinds—the object being to extend what the pupils have learnt by their own observation, not to give information as a substitute for actual observation; with practical matters of hygiene; with civics and moral instruction; and with current topics, such as Antarctic exploration, Empire Day, Arbor Day, and so forth. It is believed that these subjects are so presented as to cultivate the imagination as well as to arouse thought.

SCHOOL STATISTICS TO 31ST DECEMBER, 1908.

It has been found impossible to collect the full statistics relating to schooling for the year 1909 in time for this work, and the figures for the previous year are accordingly given.

The number of schools, teachers, and scholars, as in December, 1908, are shown in the following summary:—

Description of Schools.Numbers of Schools.Number of Instructors.Number of Scholars at the End of the Year 1908.
M.F.Total.Boys.Girls.Total.

* Excluding 68 visiting teachers.

† Excluding Maori scholars and pupils attending aided or endowed secondary schools.

‡ Excluding men, women, lads, and girls, in addition to the children in the school, who were receiving technical and industrial training.

§ And 5 sewing-mistresses.

EUROPEAN.       
Public (Government) schools (scholars other than Maoris and half-castes)1,9981,4922,4973,98974,67368,326142,999
Public (Government) schools (half-castes living anions Europeans)7006381,338
Secondary schools (aided or endowed)3012492*2162,5901,7374,327
Secondary pupils, technical day-schools    l,0969042,000
Private schools†3031177568737,30110,38417,685
Industrial schools and orphanages    536391927
Native village schools, European children attending    217193410
Private Native boarding-schools, European children attending    516
School for Deaf-mutes1   463682
Jubilee Institute for Blind12131511‡26
Totals—Europeans2,3331,7353,3465,08187,17982,621109,800
NATIVE.       
Native village schools supported by Government (excluding European children stated above)9778123§2012,1151,6923,807
Private Native boarding-schools (maintenance of scholars paid by Government)71011214164105
Private Native boarding-schools (maintenance of scholars paid from endowments)111102213
Private Native day-schools73101311185196
Public (Government) schools, Maoris attending    1,6301,1842,814
Public (Government) schools, half-castes living as Maoris attending    149128277
Private schools for Europeans, Maoris attending    303874
Totals—Natives111911442354,1933,2937,486

Thus at the end of 1908 there were 2,444 schools of all classes at which members of the European and Maori races were being educated. This was an increase of 35 on the number in 1907. The public primary schools numbered 1,998 in 1908, against 1,963 in 1907. The number of aided or endowed colleges, grammar, and high schools was 30, 1 more than in the previous year. The number of private schools from which returns were received by the Registrar-General was 303, an increase of 1. There were also 11 industrial schools and orphanages, public and private, at which education was given, as well as a school for deaf-mutes subsidised by Government, and a school for the blind.

Of the total number of children of European descent (including such half-castes as live among Europeans) known to be receiving education at school at the end of 1908 at least 158,383 were from 5 to 15 years of age. The census showed also 4,591 children receiving tuition at home in 1906, against 5,055 in 1901. No doubt increased school accommodation in country places does away with the need for tutors and governesses to a certain extent.

The number of schools established, for the education of the Native or Maori race was 111

Public (Government) Schools.

Compared with 1907, there was in 1908 an increase of 6,357 in the number of pupils belonging to the public schools at the end of the year, and the average attendance shows an increase of 7,134 for the whole year.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCEAND YEARLY INCREASEFROM 1877 TO 1908.
Year.School Attendance.Yearly Increase on
Number belonging at Beginning Year.Number belonging at End of Year.Average Attendance.*Average Attendance expressed as Percentage of Roll-numberNumber belonging at Beginning of Year.Number belonging at End of Year.Average Attendance.†
Whole Year.Whole Year.

* From 1877 to 1893 (inclusive) the “strict" average is given, and for subsequent years the “working" average.

† From 1877 to 1894 (inclusive) the increase on the “strict" average is given, and for subsequent years that on the “working" average.

1877 55,688     
187850,84965,04045,521  9,352 
187959,70775,56653,06773.88,85810,5267,546
188068,12482,40160,62574.68,4176,8357,558
188174,35983,56061,82274.26,2351,1591,197
188270,30987,17963,70973.61,9503,6191,887
188379,41692,47667,37374.03,1075,2973,664
188484,88397,23872,65775.15,4674,7625,284
188590,670102,40778,32776.65,7875,1695,670
188695,377106,32880,73776.14,7073,9212,410
188799,206110,91985,63777.03,8294,5914,900
1888103,534112,68590,10879.34,3281,7664,471
1889104,919115,45693,37480.31,3852,7713,266
1890108,158117,91294,63279.93,2392,4561,258
1891110,665119,52397,05880.32,5071,6112,426
1892112,279122,62099,07080.61,6143,0972,012
1893114,305124,68698,61578.52,0262,066[−455]
1894116,819127,300104,99681.82,5152,6144,875
1895113,900129,856108,39482.83,0812,5563,398
1896122,425131,037110,51783.32,5251,1812,123
1897123,533132,197112,32883.91,1081,1601,811
189812),892131,621111,63683.4359[−576][−692]
1899123,207131,315110,31682.6[−685][−306][−1,320]
1900123,416130,724111,74784.1209[−591]1,431
1901122,725131,351111,79784.1[−691]62750
1902123,456132,262113,71184.97319111,914
1903124,095133,568113,04783.96391,306[−664]
1904125,150135,475116,50685.51,0551,9073,459
1905126,653137,623120,26586.91,5032,1483,759
1906128,328139,302121,95886.91,6751,6791,693
190729,536141,071120,02684.61,2081,769[−1,932]
1908130,866147,428127,16087.11,3306,3577,134

For each quarter of the year 1908 the average of the weekly roll-numbers showed an increase over that for the corresponding quarter of 1907. The mean of the average weekly roll for the four quarters was 145,974 for 1908, as against 141,946 for 1907—an increase of 4,028, making the total roll greater than in any previous year. Although the additions to the roll were most marked in the North Island, every district showed at least some increase. The increase was most marked in the last quarter of the year: this is probably largely due to the fact that for the first time, generally speaking, the annual examinations were held in November or December. The effect has been to check the exodus, especially from the upper classes, which has taken place hitherto in the December quarter. Although the change is not likely to be so marked in future, it is probable that the new arrangement will keep most of the Standard VI class at school until the close of the school year, and to that extent will benefit both the pupils themselves and the efficient working of the schools. The number on the roll at the end of the year was 147,428, as against 141,071 for the previous year, an increase of 6,357.

AGE AND SEX OF PUPILS.

The following table shows the age and sex of the pupils on the rolls of the public schools of the Dominion at the end of 1908, and the percentage of the roll for each age.

AGEAND SEXOF PUPILS, DECEMBER, 1908.
Ages.Boys.Girls.Total.Percentages for Five Years.
    19081907.1906.1905.1904.
5–6 years6,3935,70012,0938.28.08.38.17.8
6–7 years8,2587,39715,65510.610.510.610.310.3
7–8 years9,0148,28517,29911.711.611.111.411.5
8–9 years8,5888,00116,58911.311.111.511.511.5
9–10 years8,4757,76516,24011.011.411.411.511.4
10–11 years8,5817,92116,50211.211.311.411.311.5
11–12 years8,4187,70116,11910.911.011.111.211.1
12–13 years7,8997,40715,30610.410.510.510610.7
13–14 years6,6365,75112,3878.48.78.38.38.3
14–15 years3,3762,8626,2384.24.04.03.94.0
 75,63868,790144,42897.998.198.298.198.1
15 and over1,5141,4863,0002.11.91.81.91.9
Totals77,15270,276147,428100.0100.0100.0100.0100.0

Of the children in the public schools, 52.8 per cent. are under ten, and 47.2 are over that age; the corresponding percentages for 1907 were 52.6 and 47.4. The proportion of children under ten years of age tends to increase.

The proportion of boys to girls remains about the same as for the previous six years, 52.33 per cent. to 47.67 per cent.—that is, for every 100 boys on the roll there are 91 girls. The proportion is the same if we omit those over fifteen years of age. According to the census of 1906 there were in New Zealand, between the ages of five and fifteen, 97 girls for every 100 boys. The difference in the proportion on the school rolls is partly accounted for by reference to the number enrolled between the ages of five and seven—for every 100 boys between these limits there are on the rolls of the public schools only 89 girls; in other words, speaking generally, girls are not sent to school at so early an age as boys. The second important source of leakage is found between the ages of twelve and fifteen, where the ratio of girls to boys on the school rolls is again 89 to 100: this seems to mean that more girls than boys are taken away from the primary schools at the age-period named. The number of girls to every 100 boys between twelve and fifteen years of age at the secondary schools of the Dominion is only 73; so that the leakage is not accounted for in this direction. Apparently there are a certain number of parents who think that it is sufficient for a girl to have little more than half the amount of schooling that a boy receives.

PUBLIC-SCHOOL TEACHERS.

The number of teachers in the public schools, exclusive of those employed in the secondary departments of district high schools in December, 1907, and December, 1908, respectively, was as follows:—

 1907.1908.  
Adults,—    
    Men1,3323,331Decrease1
    Women1,9552,021Increase66
            Total3,2873,352Increase65
Pupil-teachers,—    
Male172161Decrease11
Female478476Decrease2
            Total650637Decrease13
All teachers,—    
Male1,5041,492Decrease12
Female2,4332,497Increase64
            Total3,9373,989Increase52

For the schools above Grade 0 having only one teacher—that is, schools with 16 to 40 children in average attendance—the average number of children per teacher—or, in other words, per school—was 24.80. Taking all schools with two or more teachers, the average number of pupils per adult teacher, if two pupil-teachers be reckoned as equivalent to one adult, was 42.51; and with the same assumption the average for all schools of Grade 1 and upwards was 38.42.

Omitting teachers of schools of Grade 0, the ratio of adult men teachers to adult women teachers in 1908 was 100 to 126; in 1907 it was 100 to 124.

The rise in the proportion of male pupil-teachers, which had been steady during the previous five years, was arrested in 1908, when the ratio of male pupil-teachers to female pupil-teachers was 1 to 2.96, as against 1 to 2.77 in 1907.

It may be interesting to note the corresponding proportions for primary-school teachers, secondary teachers in district high schools and secondary schools (exclusive of visiting teachers), and for students in training-colleges, respectively:—

NUMBEROF WOMEN TEACHERSOR STUDENTSPER HUNDRED MEN TEACHERSOR STUDENTS (OMITTING TEACHERSOF SCHOOLSIN GRADE 0).
 1900.1007.1908.
Adult primary teachers125124126
Pupil-teachers339277296
Secondary teachers807776
Training-college students350315286
            All teachers and students148142144

In other words, out of a total of 4,105 persons engaged in the above-named branches of the teaching profession, there were in 1908 1,683 men and 2,422 women.

Remembering that a much larger number of women than of men leaves the profession after a few years of service, we may form some idea of the extent to which New Zealand has been affected by the general tendency all over the world towards the increase of women in the teaching profession.

So far as can be gathered from the reports received from England, Scotland, and the United States, the following statement shows the number of women teachers per hundred men teachers:—

 England.Scotland.United States.
Adult primary teachers329252388
Pupil-teachers386456
Secondary teachers  117
Training-college students212396321

The above figures refer in the case of England to the year 1906–7; of Scotland to 1907–8; of the United States to 1907. The number of secondary-school teachers in England and Scotland is not available.

TRAINING OF TEACHERS.

Four training-colleges for teachers have now for some time been in active operation, and in only one of the four does the number of students fall materially below the full complement for which the colleges were intended to provide. At the close of the year the students in attendance numbered 274, of whom 71 were men and 203 were women. The corresponding total for the close of 1907 was 253, of whom 61 were male students. Among those attending during the year have also to be reckoned a few students who left before the close of the period either to go into active service under the Boards or for some other reason. The total provision in contemplation is for 100 students in each of the centres. Towards this number, out of the total reported, Wellington contributes 78; Dunedin 76; Christchurch 72; and Auckland, 48.

The course of training extends over two years, but in the case of those who have already undergone a preliminary training as pupil-teachers, it has not always been deemed necessary to require the full period of attendance. In a very few instances, as has been determined in its discretion by the Board controlling the training college, an attendance of one year has been accepted; but the great bulk of the students remain for two years, and it is so intended.

Connected with each training-college is a normal or practising school, which includes, besides the ordinary classes of a public elementary school, a kindergarten division, a model “country" school of forty children, and a secondary department. The secondary department affords opportunities of practical training to those who intend to take up secondary work either in the high schools or in the upper departments of district high schools.

According to the regulations adopted, students of a training-college take English and other non-special subjects at the university college, and attend lectures in the methods of teaching and in the history and principles of education, under the principal, who is generally also by appointment the university college lecturer in education. Every one is required to take up at least one branch of science, special attention being directed to nature-study and elementary agriculture; and handwork of various forms suited to school purposes also receives a prominent place in the curriculum.

A pupil-teacher in any education district who has satisfactorily completed his term of service may enter at the training-college most convenient for him, the complete course extending over two years. During this period he receives, in addition to the amount of his university college fees, a sum of £30 a year, with a further allowance of £30 if he is compelled to live away from home to attend the college. Advantages not quite so great are also offered to other qualified candidates who have not been pupil-teachers. Others again may be admitted for longer or shorter periods although they may for some time have been engaged in the practice of their profession.

The amount paid during 1908 for the training of teachers was £40,968, made up as follows:—

Training-college—£s.d.
Salaries of staff5,925310
Students' allowances10,666411
University fees of students2,27683
Libraries1871811
Apparatus25133
Buildings13,56500
            Total£32,64692
Other training—   
Grants for special instruction in handwork, including agriculture, of teachers other than training-college students2,90000
Railway fares of teachers and instructors5,421112
            Total£8,321112

It must be remembered, however, that this total provides not only for the efficient training of over two hundred and seventy teachers, but the instruction of over fifteen hundred children in attendance at the practising schools.

TEACHERS' SUPERANNUATION.

On 1st January, 1906, a fund was established, to provide annual allowances to teachers upon their retirement from the service by reason either of infirmity or age. The fund is supported by contributions from salaries ranging from five to ten per cent., and the State guarantees to make good any deficiency that may occur.

The age of retirement is compulsory at 65 years, and optional at 60 years for males, and for females 60 years and 50 years, respectively. Allowances are based upon length of service, and provision is made for widows and orphans of members who may die before retirement.

The number of contributors to the fund on 31st December, 1908, was 2,931, the number of persons receiving allowances on that date was 168, of whom 26 were widows and 25 children, representing a total annual payment of £7,221. The balance to the credit of the fund was £84,540.

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE OF EDUCATION BOARDS.

The total income of the various Education Boards for the year 1908 was £866,434, including £13,542 of refunds, fines, fees, donations, interest, &c. The grants by Government amounted to £801,640, and receipts from education reserves to £48,765. These grants consist of payments to the Board of every district of a sum sufficient to pay the salaries of teachers and pupil-teachers in the district, and further payments of a sum of £250 per annum, together with a sum of 11s. 3d. per annum for each child in daily average attendance at a public school. (The Governor may by Order in Council declare that in lieu of the payments last named there shall be paid to the Boards a capitation allowance of 12s., and in addition £250 per annum to each Board having a daily average attendance of less than 8,000 children.) There is also a varying sum for the establishment and maintenance of normal or training-schools, and for the support of such schools already established; also grants for school buildings and for technical education.

The receipts and expenditure of the Education Boards, numbering thirteen altogether, are tabulated below, with further particulars:—

RECEIPTSAND EXPENDITUREOF EDUCATION BOARDS.   
Receipts.
 £s.d.
Balance. 1st January, 190850,178111
Government grants—   
    Rents from reserves£48,761196
    Balance of grants for salaries of teachers and pupil-teachers437,282165
    Allowance at £250 and capitation76,319108
    Other grants28,49646
        Total for maintenance590,863111
    Scholarships and salaries of staffs of secondary departments of district high schools31,128148
    Manual and technical instruction42,6341511
    Buildings and teachers' house allowances185,7771010
        Total from Government850,404126
Local receipts—   
    Fees, donations, &c.9,855194
    Interest, rents, &c.3,68630
 13,54224
Refunds, fines, &c.2,486188
 £916,611155
Expenditure.
 £s.d.
Boards' administration39,73097
Teachers' and pupil-teachers' salaries and pupil-teachers' lodging-allowances489,0411810
Incidental expenses of schools (including £4,495 16s. 3d. paid over to School Committees out of special capitation provided by Government for the purpose)38,07791
Salaries of relieving teachers3,77837
Scholarships and secondary education31,89287
Training of teachers19,948133
Manual and technical instruction48,212310
Buildings, house allowances, sites, &c.157,96938
Refunds and sundries9,817111
Balance, 31st December, 190878,14431
 £916,611155

Excluding the expenditure on buildings and on scholarships and secondary education, the chief items of expenditure in 1907 and 1908 were as follows:—

 1907.1908.
 ££
Boards' administration37,83239,730
Incidental expenses of schools38,32038,077
Teachers' salaries484,673489,042
Training of teachers20,08619,949
Manual and technical instruction43,46248,212

The increase in teachers' salaries is due to the increase in the number of schools; and to some extent the increase in the cost of administration may be attributed to the same cause. The increase in the expenditure upon manual and technical instruction is due mainly to the greater number of classes for both manual and technical instruction, and the increased number of centres at which classes were held.

The proportion of the expenditure by Boards for administration to their whole expenditure and the corresponding proportion of the incidental expenses of schools (through School Committees) for the last four years have been as follows:—

 Boards.Committees.
 Per Cent.Per Cent.
19055.05.7
19064.54.8
19074.74.8
19084.74.5

On the whole, there is a slight tendency for the proportion of expenditure upon administration by the Education Boards and School Committees to decrease, and this is as it should be, for the cost of administration should not increase proportionately with the number of schools.

MANUAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

The Education Act provides for public instruction in such subjects of manual training and of art, science, and technology as are set forth in regulations. The Act provides also for the instruction in elementary handwork of pupils attending primary or secondary schools. All classes recognised under the Act are eligible for grants in aid of necessary buildings, equipment, and material, and for capitation, and subsidies of £1 for £1 on voluntary contributions.

During 1908 capitation was paid on attendances at classes for drawing (various branches), painting, modelling, design, wood, carving, architecture, cabinetmaking, carpentry and joinery, plumbing, painters' and decorators' work, mechanical and electrical engineering, practical mathematics and mechanics, surveying, natural and experimental science (various branches), agriculture, dairy-work, wool-sorting, farriery and smithing, modern languages, mathematics, commercial subjects, cookery, laundry-work, dressmaking, millinery, tailoring, and vocal music.

The subjects taken up in classes in connection with primary and secondary schools included elementary handwork, drawing, elementary science, experimental and natural science, cookery, woodwork, elementary practical agriculture, dairy-work, swimming and life-saving, first aid and ambulance, needlework, dressmaking, and elementary practical physics and chemistry.

Special annual grants are made to Education Boards for the maintenance of training-classes for teachers in subjects of manual and technical instruction prescribed for school classes.

Provision has also been made for free technical education. Persons complying with the conditions prescribed by the regulations are entitled to hold junior free places at technical schools or classes. These free places are tenable for two years, and may be continued under certain conditions for three years more as senior free places. In order that the substratum on which technical education is based may be sound, it is made a condition of the tenure of junior free places that the holders shall receive instruction in one or more subjects of general instruction, such as English and arithmetic or some other branch of mathematics, in addition to instruction in technical subjects. Holders of senior free places are required to take up definite courses of technical instruction. Two thousand students qualified for free technical instruction during the year.

The controlling authorities of classes for manual and technical instruction are Education Boards, governing bodies of secondary schools and university colleges, and, in the case of certain classes in existence prior to 1904, the managers of those classes. School classes, or classes held in connection with primary or secondary schools, are under the control of the Education Boards or of the governing bodies respectively. “Special classes"—that is, continuation classes, and classes for manual or technical instruction—are established and controlled by the same bodies. “College classes” are classes for higher technical instruction established and controlled by the governing body of a university college. Continuation classes and classes for manual and technical instruction may also be established by Borough Councils, County Councils, and other local authorities acting jointly with an Education Board or the governing body of a university college or secondary school; these are called “associated classes,” and all bodies contributing thereto may have a voice, according to the share of the cost of maintenance borne by them, in the election of managers for the classes.

The Education Department conducts every year examinations on behalf of the Board of Education, South Kensington (science and art subjects), and the City and Guilds of London Institute (technological subjects). In 1908 examinations were held at twenty centres. At the science and art examinations, 403 out of 626 candidates who presented themselves for examination in various subjects were successful. At the technological examinations 233 candidates passed out of a total of 330. The number of separate subjects in which candidates are examined increases from year to year, and likewise the number of centres from which candidates are drawn. The percentage of failures in New Zealand is less than in England, although a smaller proportion of colonial students qualify in the honours grade.

In connection with the annual grants made by the Government to university colleges for specialisation, the Auckland University College and the Otago University have each established a School of Mines, providing for courses for the university degree of B.Sc. or for the associateship in mining and metallurgy. The Otago University is also establishing a Veterinary School. The Canterbury College has an endowed School of Engineering and Technical Science, providing for courses for the university degree of B.Sc. in mechanical, electrical, or civil engineering, or for the associateship in engineering.

There also are several Schools of Mines located in districts in which mining is actively carried on, and particulars relating to these will be found in the Mining Section of this book.

The Canterbury Agricultural College has an endowment of 62,000 acres of land, of the rental value of £1,500 per annum, and possesses extensive buildings, and an experimental farm of a very complete character. The institution offers an opportunity to acquire a thorough knowledge of the science and practice of agriculture. Two years' residence at the college is accepted by the University of New Zealand as part of the curriculum qualifying for the degree of B.Sc. in agriculture. The college accommodates forty students.

With the view of encouraging attendance at recognised technical schools and classes, arrangements have been made with the Railway Department by which students attending classes registered with the Minister of Education may obtain railway tickets at special rates. Free railway tickets are issued to holders of free places at technical schools, and to public school teachers attending approved training-classes.

The following is a summary of the expenditure by the Government during the year on manual and technical instruction:—

 £s.d.£s.d.
Capitation,—      
        School classes17,40246   
        Technical classes17,60127   
        Free places6,90806   
    41,91177
Subsidies on voluntary contributions,—      
        School classes22548   
        Technical classes6,156176   
    6,38222
Grants for buildings, equipment, and rent,—      
        School classes3,633100   
        Technical classes21,961108   
Grants for materials for technical classes1,535173   
    27,1301711
Railway fares of instructors and students   2,97300
Examinations   58010
Inspection and other expenses   1,09651
                     Total   £80,073139

The total expenditure by the Government in the way of capitation, subsidies, and grants was—for school classes, £21,260 19s. 2d.; and for technical classes, £54,163 8s 6d.

MANUAL INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS.

Manual instruction was given in about 60 per cent. of the public schools during the year. Some particulars are given below:—

SUBJECTSOFAND NUMBEROF CLASSESFOR MANUAL INSTRUCTION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, 1908.
Subjects of Instruction.Number of Classes
Elementary handwork2,198
Drawing and design682
Woodwork270
Agriculture460
Dairy-work38
Elementary science57
Physical measurements94
Cookery330
Dressmaking72
Swimming and life-saving103
Physiology and first aid51
Totals4,355

The number of public schools in which handwork was taught was 1,200.

The number of pupils under instruction was 112,952.

The percentage of total roll-number under instruction was 76.6.

The payments by way of capitation, grants, and subsidies in aid of classes were £20,191 14s. 5d.

The average cost per pupil was 3s. 6.9d.

Instruction in cookery and woodwork in most districts was given at specially equipped centres, of which there are now nearly fifty.

Increasing attention continues to be given to instruction in elementary agriculture. School gardens, experimental and observation plots, and, in many cases suitable laboratory practice, form special features of the instruction, which in several districts is supervised by special itinerant instructors. The number of classes in operation during the year was 460, an increase of 63. In addition, dairy-work was taught in three education districts, the number of classes being 38. In not a few of the schools attempts are being made to bring the curricula into closer touch with local conditions, by giving greater prominence to subjects bearing on rural life and pursuits.

Practical instruction in various branches of elementary science was given to 57 recognised classes. In this connection it may be noted that there are now about twenty well-equipped laboratories available for instruction in science in connection with primary and district high schools. In the case of several of the latter schools laboratory-work forms an important part of the course of agricultural instruction.

In schools where laboratories are not yet available, courses in elementary physical measurements such as may conveniently be carried out in ordinary class-rooms are found to afford excellent opportunities for individual practical work. Such courses were taken by about 90 classes.

As in previous years, several classes received assistance in the way of voluntary contributions in money and in kind from local bodies, agricultural associations, members of the farming community, and others. Such contributions carry a Government subsidy of £1 for £1.

Recognised classes for manual instruction were also held during the year at about twenty secondary schools. The subjects of instruction included woodwork, cookery, and various branches of science. Some particulars relating to the classes are as follows:—

The number of recognised classes for manual instruction in secondary schools was 159.

The capitation of classes amounted to £861 18s. 5d.

The average cost per class was £5 8s. 5d.

TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION.

Apart from special centres for manual instruction there are now about 45 technical schools in operation, while recognised classes were held at 122 places. In several districts, but more particularly in Auckland and Wanganui, classes, in charge chiefly of itinerant instructors, were carried on in rural sub-centres with satisfactory results. This system has much to commend it, and it is hoped that it will become more general as circumstances and opportunities offer. In Auckland classes were held at 16 and in Wanganui at 28 such sub-centres.

The number of recognised technical and continuation classes in operation during the year was 1,505, as against 1,392 last year. The classes were divided as follows:—

Classes.Number of Centres.Number of Classes.Average Attendance.
1907.1908.1907.1908.1907.1908.
“Special” classes889879185410,91711,016
“Associated” classes17234875208,6749,002
“College” classes111141311,2761,500

It will be noticed that “special" classes—i.e., classes under an Education Board or the Board of Governors of a secondary school as controlling authority—were the most numerous and the most widely distributed. “Associated" classes—i.e., classes conducted by managers representing the controlling authority, local and other contributing bodies—though held at a much smaller number of centres, had an average attendance of 17.3 per class, as against 14 in the case of “special.” classes. The number of “associated" classes continues to increase, indicating the interest that is being taken in technical education by local bodies, industrial associations, and other similar organizations. “College" classes were carried on in connection with one only of the University colleges—namely, Canterbury College, Christchurch.

The following are some particulars relating to technical classes in operation during 1908:—

The number of places at which recognised technical classes were held was 122.

The number of recognised classes was 1,505.

The average attendance at all classes was 21,518.

The capitation on attendance was £17,601 2s. 7d.

The rate of capitation per unit of average attendance was 16s. 4d.

The Science and Art Examinations of the English Board of Education, and the Technological Examinations of the City and Guilds of London Institute, were held as usual, the former at 16, the latter at 15 centres. The number of candidates at the Science and Art Examinations was 626, of whom 403 passed; while at the Technological Examinations 330 candidates presented themselves, of whom 233 passed. Although the time, May to July, at which these examinations require to be held is not altogether convenient from the point of view of the schools, the number of schools making use of these examinations is increasing every year.

SECONDARY EDUCATION.

There were 30 subsidised or endowed schools of higher education in December, 1908. The names of these secondary schools, with the numbers of pupils on the rolls in the last term or quarter of the year, and the fees charged, are stated further on. These schools must not be confused with the district high schools, although they nearly all admit to free places holders of Education Board Scholarships and of National Scholarships, besides all who gain certificates of proficiency within prescribed limits of age, &c.

The total number of pupils attending the thirty secondary schools in the last terms of 1907 and 1908 respectively were as follows:—

 1907.1908.
 Boys.Girls.Total.Boys.Girls.Total.
Roll (exclusive of lower departments)2,4411,6104,0512,5021,6784,180
Number in lower departments87581458859147
        Total2,5281,6684,1962,5901,7374,327
Number of boarders (included above485124609557136693

In the same years these schools were staffed as follows:—

 1907.1908.
 M.F.Total.M.F.Total.
Regular staff1188620412591216
Part-time teachers382260432568

The average number of pupils per teacher (excluding part-time teachers) was 20.6 in 1907, and 20 in 1908.

The total number of pupils attending the secondary departments of the sixty-six district high schools in the two years 1907, 1908, respectively were—

 1907.1908.
Boys1,2431,017
Girls1,2091,125
        Total2,4522,142

Besides the head teachers, who generally take some part in the secondary instruction, there were employed in 1907 in the secondary departments of district high schools 101 special assistants—53 men and 48 women—and in 1908 there were 102 special assistants—namely, 55 men and 47 women. The average number of pupils per teacher was 24.3 in 1907, and 21 in 1908.

In addition to those in secondary schools and in the secondary departments of district high schools there should properly be included in the number of pupils under secondary instruction in the Dominion (a) the pupils attending certain day classes in connection with technical schools who are receiving a special form of secondary instruction, and (b) the pupils in various institutions for the secondary education of Maori boys and girls.

Including these, but excluding the pupils in the lower departments of secondary schools, the total number of pupils receiving secondary instruction at the end of 1908 was as follows:—

 Boys.Girls.Total.

* All these pupils are boarders.

Secondary schools2,5021,6784,180
District high schools1,0171,1252,142
Technical day-schools1,0969042,000
Maori secondary schools136167303*
        Total4,7513,8748,625

In five cases no secondary school is maintained by the governing body: these are the Gisborne High School, Greymouth High School, Hokitika High School, Akaroa High School, and Waimate High School; but in all cases the funds are applied, in whole or in part, to the establishment of scholarships or in aid of local district high schools or other secondary schools.

FREE SECONDARY EDUCATION.

Under the regulations for free places at secondary schools and district high schools, free places in such schools are divided into two series, junior and senior, the former being tenable for two years with a possible extension to a third year without further examination, the latter till the age of nineteen. Boys and girls who qualify for Junior Scholarships, whether they obtain scholarships or not, are entitled to junior free places, and all who pass the special examination for free places, whether they are under fourteen years of age or not, are also participants in the privilege. With respect to such candidates the age-limit is thus practically abolished. Junior free places may again be obtained not only by all those who gain certificates of proficiency and satisfy the conditions of age, but also by those who gain certificates of proficiency and are over fourteen, provided that the number of the last-named admitted to any secondary school does not exceed 10 per cent. of the whole number of pupils.

In like manner all who pass the Matriculation Examination of the University, or who gain credit at the Civil Service Junior Examination, either in its competitive form or, as slightly modified for the purpose in question, in the form of a qualifying examination only, are admitted to senior free places whether they are over sixteen or not, while the same privilege is granted to those who qualify for senior scholarships of the Education Boards, and to those who secure a bare pass in the Civil Service Junior Examination, if their age does not exceed sixteen. As, however, various reasons exist in the interests both of the pupil and of the school for dispensing with an external examination whenever this can be done with convenience and safety, arrangements are now being made for applying to senior free places in a modified shape the principle of the “accrediting" system, which has for some time been growing in favour with educational authorities elsewhere, and which forms commonly a characteristic feature of Continental and American schools. Hereafter, on the joint recommendation of the principal of the school attended (or, in the case of district high schools, of an Inspector of the district) and of the Inspector-General of Schools, it will be possible for a free pupil who has gone through a satisfactory course of work of sufficient scope to secure without the restrictions of an intermediate public examination free secondary education throughout the whole course of his attendance at a secondary school up to the age of nineteen years.

There is no age-limit for admission to a junior free place in a district high school or a technical school.

At the end of 1008 the secondary schools giving free tuition to duly qualified pupils, and receiving grants therefor under the Act, were twenty-seven, as against twenty-six for the preceding year. The total number of pupils on the roll of these schools, exclusive of pupils in the lower departments of the schools, was 4,180, and out of this total, 2,747, or 66 per cent., were given free places under the regulations. The total annual payment at the rate paid for the last term of the year would be approximately £24,824: the approximate average cost to the Treasury was therefore £9 0s. 9d. per pupil.

In addition, free tuition was given to 145 others who were holders of scholarships or of exhibitions granted by these schools, or by endowed secondary schools not coming under the conditions for free places, making the total number of free places held at secondary schools 2,892, or 69 per cent. of the net roll above referred to. In reckoning the amount of free secondary education in the Dominion must be included the pupils in attendance at the secondary classes of district high schools, 2,142 in number, all but a comparatively small number of whom were free pupils, receiving free tuition at an average cost to the Government of £9 11s. 5d. per pupil. There should be added also those receiving free education in Maori schools, 108 in number, and the holders of certain free places in technical schools, numbering 2,000. There is thus an approximate total of 7,142 pupils receiving free secondary education, exclusive of those holders of free places in technical schools who were art students, or were taking courses which may be more approximately described as technical rather than as secondary.

The following table gives a summary of the various secondary free places referred to, exclusive of the 145 scholarships granted by the schools:—

FREE PLACESASIN DECEMBER, 1908.
 Boys.Girls.Total.
(i.) Secondary Schools,—   
          (a) Junior free pupils1,0838391,922
          (b) Senior free pupils479346825
                        Total1,5621,1852,747
(ii.) District high schools1,0171,1252,142
(iii.) Maori secondary schools4365108
(iv.) Technical day-schools1,0969042,000
                        Grand total3,7183,2796,997

The classification of secondary schools as shown in the following tables may be interpreted thus:—

  1. Schools established under special Acts of the Legislature with endowments derived from grants of money from the public revenue or from grants of land. It is optional with these schools to admit free pupils or offer scholarships equal in value to one-fifth of the net annual income derived from endowments.

  2. High schools established in places where there are no secondary or district high schools. These schools must admit free pupils, for which they receive grants according to scale.

  3. Schools which, though endowed, do not admit, nor are they empowered to admit, free pupils.

Schools.Total Roll for Last Term of 1908.Lower Departments included in Total Roll.Boarders included om Total Roll.Annual Rates of Fees.
Boys.Girls.
Under 12 years.12 to 1515 to 18Over 18Total.Under 12 years.12 to 15.15 to 18Over 18.Total.Boys.GirlsBoys.Girls.For Tuition.For Board, exclusive of Tuition.

* Minus

A. Endowed Schools included in the Eighth Schedule to “The Education Act, 1908.”
               £s.d.£s.d.
Whangarei High School 926136 1420 34    880   
Auckland Boys' Grammar School 932406339         10100   
Auckland Girls' Grammar School      601406206    10100   
Thames High School 1618 34 209 29    880   
New Plymouth High School 3020 50 1526142    660   
Wanganui Girls' College     3788716184 17 778
10
8
10
0
0
4000
Wellington Boys College 8520011296       80 11
9
17
11
9
0
4200
Wellington Girls College     9531027171 6  11
9
17
11
9
0
   
Napier Boys' High School949669133     25 35 10404000
Napier Girls' High School     92944385 18 2210404000
Marlborough High School 1229445 2525353    8110   
Nelson Boys' College5569914174     16 73 12
8
0
8
0
0
4200
Nelson Girls' College     750809146 12 3712
8
0
8
0
0
4200
Christchurch Boys' High School87211110201     22   7
10
10
10
0
0
   
Christchurch Girls' High School     3871084202 6  12
9
12
9
0
0
   
Rangiora High School 1615 31 1512229    990   
Ashburton High School 1433 47 1427 41    660   
Timaru Boy's' High School 2444169       9 9004500
Girls' High School      1235552    900   
Waitaki Boys' High School10787710175     25 127 710049
42
4
18
0
0
Waitaki Girls' High School      1337 50    7100   
Otago Boys' High School 901635258       13 100043100
Otago Girls' High School     162926161    1000   
Southland Boys' High School 57734134         1000   
Southland Girls' High School      516429144    1000   
          Total327011,214752,02232598908911,6298859337136      
B. Secondary Schools established under Section 94 of the Education Act.
Palmerston North High School13848188 1830149  8 1010040190
Dannevirke High School 1629247 1615536    1000   
Gore High School 1915 34 1012123          
Total173923169 44577108  8       
C. Endowed Secondary Schools not coming within the Definition of Section 89 of the Education Act.
Wanganui Collegiate School 3112821180       141 12005100
Christ's College Grammar School5174886219       71 12
14
0
3
0
6
11
7
0
17
6
6
              Total5110521627399       212       
              Grand total for 1908848791,5221052,59032642965981,7378859557136      
              Grand total for 1907639751,37011202,52828679898631,6688758485124      
                    Difference21*96152*15624*37673569117212      
STAFF AND SALARIES OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS AS IN DECEMBER, 1908.*
Schools.Staff.Salaries at Rate paid at End of Year.Notes.
Regular.Part-time.Regular Staff.Part-time Teachers.
Men.Woman.Men.Women.Men.Women.men.Women.

* In five cases no secondary school has been maintained by the governing body: these are the Gisborne High School, Greymouth High School, Hokitika High School, Akaroa High School, Waimate High School; but in all cases the funds are applied, in whole or in part, to the establishment of scholarships or in aid of local district high schools or other secondary schools.

A. Endowed Schools included in the Eighth Schedule to the Education Act.
     ££££ 
Whangarei High School2112440100879 
Auckland Boys' Grammar School13 1 3,786 50  
Auckland Girls' Grammar School 101  1,83260  
Thames High School21  500150   
New Plymouth High School222 67036549  
Wanganui Girls' College 1115 2,025130120Principal has residence.
Wellington Boys' College14 4 3,380 80  
Wellington Girls' College 1112 1,7354095 
Napier Boys' High School7   1,482   Including £52 house allowance for second master; also, Principal has residence, and two assistant masters have board.
Napier Girls' High School 6 1 1,045 30 
Marlborough High School22  625275  Principal has residence.
Nelson Boys' College8 2 1,905 90 Principal and one assistant have board and residence, and one assistant has residence.
Nelson Girls' College 811 1,0904050Principal and five assistants have board and residence.
Christchurch Boys' High School12 5 3,512 250  
Christchurch Girls' High School 1017 1,70245340 
Rangiora High School122 3502529 Principal has residence.
Ashburton High School22  590290   
Timaru Boys' High School4 3 1,225 38  
Timaru Girls' High School 4   810   
Waitaki Boys' High School6 111,330 1536Four assistants have board and residence.
Waitaki Girls' High School 311 4201050 
Otago Boys' High School11 3 3,178 160 Principal has residence.
Otago Girls' High School 822 1,58510060 
Southland Boys High School6 3 1,504 94  
Southland Girls' High School 621 1,0107712 
                Total9287372324,47714,686 |1,345872 
B. Secondary Schools established under Section 94 of the Education Act.
Palmerston North High School42221,1002905030Including £50 house allowance for Principal.
Dannevirke High School12  330315   
Gore High School21  562135  Opened last term, 1908. Principal appointed beginning of 1909, and rate of salary as from that date added to salaries (£347 10s.) of assistants.
                Total75221,9927405030 
C. Endowed Secondary Schools not coming within the Definition of Section 89 of the Education Act.
Wanganui Collegiate School12 1 2,745 60 Eight assistants have board.
Christ's College Grammar School13 3 3,453 231 Principal and five assistants have residence
                Total25 4 6,198 291  
                Grand total12492432532,66715,4261,686902 

FINANCES OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

The income of secondary schools is derived from the following sources:—

  1. Rents from the special land reserves allocated to them by statute;

  2. Statutory grants, given in lieu of special land reserves;

  3. Income from the secondary-school land reserves controlled by the School Commissioners, divided among the secondary schools in the several land districts in proportion to the number of pupils, exclusive of lower departments;

  4. Interest upon moneys derived from the sale of reserves, and invested in accordance with the Education Reserves Act;

  5. Statutory capitation upon the free pupils under the Act;

  6. Capitation on pupils in classes recognised under the Manual and Technical Instruction Regulations;

  7. Special grants from Government for buildings and apparatus;

  8. Statutory subsidies on voluntary contributions;

  9. Tuition fees of pupils;

  10. Boarding fees of pupils;

  11. Miscellaneous sources, such as interest on moneys other than those obtained by the sale of reserves, donations, and special endowments (for scholarships, prizes, &c.), rent of premises, &c.

The revenue derived from the sources (i) to (iv) is the income derived from endowments, and the “net annual income derived from endowments” is the average for the three preceding years of this revenue, less the expenditure upon the endowments and investments and upon buildings, and less mortgage and other charges.

The following table gives a summary of the receipts under the several heads named above, and of the various items of expenditure for the year:—

SUMMARYOFTHEACCOUNTSOF INCOMEAND EXPENDITUREFOR 1908 FURNISHEDBYTHE GOVERNING BODIESOF SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
Receipts.
 £s.d.
Credit balances on 1st January, 190827,72944
Endowment reserves sold and mortgage moneys repaid4,5171411
Rent of reserves28,78891
Interest on moneys invested3,781610
Reserves Commissioners' payments4,20493
Government payments—   
For manual instruction881186
For free places24,5381510
Subsidy on voluntary contributions1,08006
Grants for buildings, sites, furniture, &c.16,16423
Statutory grant (Marlborough High School)40000
Technical instruction—   
Government payments2,207104
From other sources1,53482
School fees (tuition)19,159126
Hoarding-school fees16,892165
Hooks, &c., sold, and refunds36809
Sundries not classified6,78971
Debit balances, 31st December. 19086,627146
 £165,665113
Expenditure.
Liabilities on 1st January, 19085,781711
Expenses of management3,41239
School salaries52,34031
Boarding-school accounts15,390119
Scholarships and prizes2,031146
Printing, stationery, fuel, light, &c.3,949112
Buildings, furniture, insurance, rent, and rates40,102114
On endowments3,8831310
On manual instruction754127
Interest1,89525
Examination expenses207163
Sundries not classified5,93498
On technical instruction4,043153
Credit balances, 31st December, 190825,937179
 £165,665113

This table shows that, generally speaking, the finances of the secondary schools are in a sound condition, notwithstanding the large expenditure under the head of buildings. It may be as well to compare the chief items of income and expenditure in 1907 and 1908:—

 1907.1908.
 ££
Income from endowments33,63636,774
Grants from Government (exclusive of building grants)24,94829,108
Building grants9,47316,164
Tuition fees20,12819,160
Salaries of staff50,03852,340
Expenses of management3,4213,412
Buildings, &c.38,15340,103

As the free-place system is extended, the amount received in tuition fees will naturally diminish, and the capitation grants from Government will increase.

The Education Amendment Act of last session will, by the introduction of a higher scale of capitation on free pupils, benefit not only those secondary schools which have few, if any, endowments, but also the more numerous class of schools whose income from endowments is small in proportion to the number of pupils; further, it will relieve from anxiety those schools where a necessity arises for a large building expenditure in any year, as the effect of the new sliding scale is that in any year the total of the net annual income from endowments and the capitation—that is, of the moneys available for the payment of staff salaries and working-expenses—cannot, with due safeguards, fall below £12 10s. per pupil—a sum which past experience shows to be just sufficient.

The new scale does not, like the former scale, proceed by jumps, but is a true sliding scale, increasing the rate of capitation for even the smallest decrease of the net annual income per pupil. The words of the schedule are, for this and other reasons, at first sight somewhat complicated, but their meaning may be clearly seen by the following statement of their effect at certain stages of the net annual income per head, which is found by dividing the net annual income from endowments, defined above, by the total number of pupils, excluding the lower department, the latter being required to be self-supporting.

RATE of CAPITATIONPAYABLEON FREE PUPILSFORCERTAIN STAGESOFTHE NET ANNUAL INCOMEPER HEAD.
Net Annual Income per Head.Capitation per Free Pupil.Total Income per Pupil.
£17 and over£4 (or £6)£21 and over
£15£4/10 (or £6)£19/10 at least.
£13£5 (or £6)£18 at least.
£11£5/10 (or £6)£16/10 at least.
£9£6£15
£7£7£14
£5£8£13
£4£8/18£12/18
£3£9/16£12/16
£2£10/14£12/14
£1£11/12£12/12
Nil£12/10£12/10

There is the further proviso that in no case shall the capitation be less than £6 for every free place given in excess of the number of scholarships which a secondary school would be bound to give if it did not provide free places. As compared with the former scale, in which the maximum rate of capitation was £10 15s., and allowing the same rate of expenditure, the amended scale will place the poorly endowed schools in a far more favourable position—it will enable them to increase their efficiency by adding to their staffs, and, what is at least equally important, by raising the salaries paid to assistants, which are now in many cases far too low.

For the whole Dominion, if there are taken into account only the secondary schools that admit free pupils under the Act, the following is the position:—

* Exclusive of capitation and subsidies for manual instruction.

Total number of pupils, excluding lower departments3,614
Total net income from endowments (average of three years)£11,105
Net income from endowments per head£3.07
Approximate annual rate of capitation*£9.16
Total available net income per head for salaries and management*£12.23
Total expenditure on salaries of staff£42,929
Total management£2,798
Total staff salaries, and management£45,727
Expenditure per head on staff salaries£11.88
Expenditure on management£0.77
Total expenditure per head on staff salaries, and management£12.65

The last figure given shows as nearly as may be the actual cost per annum for each pupil, exclusive of those in lower departments. If we include all the secondary schools this average becomes £13.43 per head.

DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOLS.

The number of district high schools in operation at the end of 1908 was 66, as against 64 for 1907 and 61 for 1906. In the secondary-departments of these schools the teachers employed, apart from the principals, who may or may not have taken part in the secondary instruction, but whose added responsibility is in all cases recognised by some increment of salary, numbered 102, and the number of pupils in attendance was 2,142—an increase of 1 teacher, and a decrease of 310 pupils. In 1905 a very substantial rise in the attendance had to be noted; the present movement in the opposite direction may be attributed to various causes, among which increased facilities for higher education in other directions and somewhat stricter tests of admission have doubtless much to do.

The programme followed in the upper departments of district-high schools embraces generally a secondary course in English, mathematics (including arithmetic), and science. Where possible, handwork is also included, and in many cases Latin, French, geography, and history are taken up by a greater or less proportion of the pupils. With few exceptions—the secondary departments attached to the training-colleges for teachers in the four chief centres, two other schools in Wellington, one in Christchurch, and one in Wanganui—the schools are really rural schools, situated in the smaller boroughs or in townships, without any of the features of urban environment, and it is to be hoped that as opportunities occur every effort will be made to adapt the course of study accordingly. In many cases steps in this direction have already been taken, and with the introduction of more teachers on the staff of these schools who have been trained on modern lines a further extension of the work in the direction of agricultural science for agricultural districts, chemistry, or geology and allied knowledge for mining centres, and some branch of handwork to cultivate manual dexterity in all, could be profitably undertaken.

A table is given showing the number of qualified pupils attending these district high schools on the 31st December, 1908.

STAFF, SALARIES, ATTENDANCE, AND PAYMENTSAT DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOLS, 1908.
Education District.Number of Schools.Number of Teachers (excluding Head Teachers)Number of Pupils.Amounts paid in Salaries during the Year.
From Receipts from Government.From other sources.Total
M.F.Total.M.F.Total.
        £s.d.£s.d.£s.d.
Auckland11106161541613153,14500   3,14500
Taranaki121348348257000   57000
Wanganui77310113962091,86825661001,934125
Wellington101010201882624504,054124   4,054124
Hawke's Bay442658801381,097100721841,17084
Nelson4235506311394000   94000
Grey11129263535500600041500
Westland1112181937355001050046000
North Canterbury1086141611312922,90696100003,00696
South Canterbury442668611291,341189   1,341189
Otago959141301582882,771168   2,771168
Southland413420345469159   69159
    Totals for 19086655471021,0171,1252,14220,0961554048420,50139
    Totals for 19076453481011,2431,2092,45219,96013104276820,38806

NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY.

The introduction of university education into New Zealand was effected by the Superintendent and Provincial Council of Otago, who in 1869 passed an Ordinance under which the University of Otago was established. Following closely on the founding of this institution was the establishment of the University of New Zealand under an Act of the General Assembly, “The New Zealand University Act, 1870.” This University subsequently received a Royal charter, whereby the degrees which it confers are declared entitled to “rank, precedence, and consideration” throughout the British Empire “as fully as if the said degrees had been conferred by any university of the United Kingdom.” It was apparently contemplated by Parliament (vide section 19 of the Act last quoted) that the New Zealand University and the Otago University should be amalgamated; but the negotiations for this purpose having failed, the two institutions remained for some time distinct bodies. In the year 1874, however, the University of Otago surrendered or put in abeyance its power of conferring degrees, and became affiliated to the University of New Zealand, and at the same time it was stipulated that the University of New Zealand should not directly exercise functions of teaching.

“The New Zealand University Act, 1874,” which repealed the statute of 1870, gave power to the Senate to confer, after examination, the several degrees of Bachelor and Master in Arts, Bachelor and Doctor in Law, Science, Medicine, Music, and also in such other departments of knowledge, except theology, as might be determined by the said Senate in the future.

By statute passed in 1904 further powers were given to confer the degrees of Doctor of Literature; Master of Laws; Master of Surgery; Master of Science; and Bachelor, Master, and Doctor of (a) Veterinary Science, (b) Dental Surgery, (c) Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Mining, Metallurgical, Naval Architecture); (d) Agriculture, (e) Public Health, (f) Commerce.

Powers are granted to confer also ad eundem degrees.

In 1902 an Amendment Act was passed reconstituting the Senate, which now consists of twenty-four members or Fellows, five to be elected by each of the four University College districts—that is to say, two by each governing body, two by each District Court of Convocation, and one by each Professorial Board. The remaining four members are nominated by the Governor in Council.

The statutes relating to the New Zealand University have been consolidated under “The New Zealand University Act, 1908.”

In the year 1873 the Superintendent and Provincial Council of Canterbury passed an Ordinance for founding “The Canterbury College,” and the college was accordingly established with the same standard of university education as that of the University of Otago, but without the power of conferring degrees. It was affiliated to the University of New Zealand.

In December, 1878, a Royal Commission on University and Secondary Education was appointed by the Governor, which met in July, 1879, and reported that two colleges, with an income of £4,000 each, ought to be established in Auckland and Wellington, and that suitable buildings, at a cost of £12,500 each, should be erected in those cities. In the following year the Royal Commission repeated these recommendations.

“The Auckland University College Act, 1882,” which became law on the 13th September in that year, definitely established the college, and endowed it with a statutory grant of £4,000 per annum. By “The Auckland University College Reserves Act, 1885,” three blocks of land, containing about 10,000 acres each, and a block containing about 354 acres, which had been devoted to the purpose of promoting higher education in the Province of Auckland, became vested in the Council of the University College.

The Auckland University College was affiliated to the University of New Zealand by the Senate of the University on the 6th March, 1883, and on the 21st May in the same year the college was opened by the Governor.

Nothing was done for Wellington until the year 1894, when an Act was passed entitled “The Middle District of New Zealand University College Act, 1894,” which said, “There shall be established in the City of Wellington a college to be connected with the University of New Zealand,' and provision was made for a governing body to be called the Council, but no provision was made for any pecuniary grant nor any endowment, and, though certain members of the Council were appointed, nothing could be done for want of funds.

Not until 1897 were the needs of Wellington actually attended to. In the session of Parliament of that year the late Right Hon. Mr. Seddon, P.C., then Premier, introduced the Victoria College Act: an Act, as stated in the preamble, “to promote higher education by the establishment of a college at Wellington in commemoration of the sixtieth year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria,” the college being intended to embrace in its work the Provincial Districts of Wellington, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland. The Act was passed on the 22nd December, 1897, and the Council was formed as provided in the Act, and the work of organization was begun. The Act provides for the payment out of the Consolidated Fund of a grant of £4,000 a year, and also requires the Council to give six scholarships each year, called “Queen's Scholarships,” to persons of either sex under the age of fourteen years, upon the results of an examination under such conditions as the Council may provide. The Act further sets apart a parcel of land 4,000 acres in extent in the Nukumaru Survey District (Wellington Provincial District) as an endowment for the College.

The Council of the College has established ten chairs: classics, English, mathematics and mathematical physics, chemistry, physics, biology, law (two), modern languages, and mental science; and lectureships in education, political economy, and geology. It is intended as funds allow to add other subjects.

The New Zealand University is not a teaching body, as above explained, undergraduates hitherto for the most part keeping their terms at one or other of the affiliated institutions—the Auckland University College, the Victoria College, the Canterbury College, and the University of Otago—each of which has now a staff of professors and lecturers. On the 31st December, 1908, the number of graduates who had obtained direct degrees was 1,275.

The number of undergraduates on the roll of the University on 1st June, 1909 was 4,422 (exclusive of such as had not performed any academical act for a period of ten years), but only 1,974 were keeping terms (not including undergraduates who had not, in the last three years, entered at a college or come up for any college or university examination), of whom 1,201 were males and 773 females. One hundred and twenty-three of the males and eleven of the females were medical students. The numbers of students at the affiliated institutions during the year 1908 were as follow: At the Auckland University College, 228 matriculated and 127 non-matriculated; at Canterbury College, 299 matriculated and 88 non-matriculated: at the Otago University, 329 matriculated and 38 non-matriculated. The Victoria College, before mentioned, affords further facilities for university students, and in 1908 had a total of 525 students on the roll—447 matriculated and 78 non-matriculated.

The names of the officers forming the controlling body of the New Zealand University on 1st June, 1910, are:—

VISITOR.

His Excellency the Governor.

UNIVERSITY OFFICERS.

Chancellor, Sir Robert Stout, K.C.M.G.

Vice-Chancellor, Charles Christopher Bowen.

Registrar, John William Joynt, M.A., Dublin.

Assistant-Registrar, Barclay Hector.

Office: Wellington.

THE SENATE.

James Allen. M.A., Cantab.

Charles Christopher Bowen.

Frederick Douglas Brown, M.A., B.Sc., Oxon.

John Macmillan Brown, M.A., Glasg.

John Rankine Brown, M.A., Oxon.

The Reverend Andrew Cameron, B.A., N.Z.

Charles Chilton, M.A., D.Sc., N.Z.; M.B., C.M., Edin.; F.L.S.

Louis Cohen, M.A., N.Z.

William Edward Collins, M.B., Lond; M.R.C.S., Eng.

The Reverend William Albert Evans.

Frederick Fitchett, M.A., LL.D., N.Z.

Henry Andrew Gordon, F.G.S., A.M.I.C.E.

James Hay, M.A., LL.B., N.Z.

George Hogben, M.A., Cantab.

William Chisholm Wilson McDowell, B.A., N.Z.; M.B., C.M., Edin.

Sir George Maurice O'Rorke, Kt,. M.A., LL.D., Dublin.

The Reverend William Salmond, M.A., D.D., Edin.

John Halliday Scott. M.D., Edin., M.R.C.S., Eng.,; F.R.S.E.

Robert Julian Scott, M.Inst.C.E., M.Inst.M.E., A.A.I.E.E.

John Shand, M.A., LL.D., Aberd.

Sir Robert Stout, K.C.M.G.

Joseph Augustus Tole, B.A., LL.B., Sydney.

Heinrich Ferdinand von Haast, M.A., LL.B., N.Z.

NOTE.—Owing to the death of F. E. Baume, Auckland, there is a vacancy to be filled.

PRIVATE AND DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOLS.

There were 307 private schools at the end of 1908, an increase of 5 on the number in 1907: 36 were for boys, 53 for girls, and 218 for children of both sexes. The number of pupils attending them was 18,367—namely, 7,653 boys and 10,714 girls, not counting 74 Maoris, 36 boys and 38 girls. The number of European pupils at these schools was greater than in 1907 by 279. Of the private schools, 149 were Roman Catholic, with an attendance of 12,538 pupils.

The following gives, for the past ten years, the number of private schools and of Europeans attending them, the number of Roman Catholic schools and pupils being also shown separately:—

Year.Number of Private Schools.Pupils.Included in Previous Numbers.
Roman Catholic Schools.Pupils at Roman Catholic Schools.
Boys.Girls.Totals.
18993076,2199,07615,29513310,526
19003046,1529,40315,55513210,687
19013096,2449,10015,34412910,448
19022976,4519,17315,62413910,802
19032886,4059,20415,60913910,812
19042956,7859,59316,37814911,373
19052916,8379,80216,63914611,738
19063087,02610,10517,13115411,948
19073027,51010,57818,08815212,650
19083077,65310,71418,36714912,538

The distribution of the private schools in the various provincial districts is shown on the next page.

PRIVATEAND DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOLS, 1908.—SUMMARYBY PROVINCIAL DISTRICTS.
Provincial Districts.Number of SchoolsNumber of Teachers.Number of Scholars (exclusive of Maoris).Daily Average Attendance.
Boys.Girls.Mixed.Total.Male.Female.Total.Male.Female.Total.Male.Female.Total.

* Exclusive of 74 Maoris (36 boys, 38 girls).

Auckland785873281832111,8702,6764,5461,6492,4084,057
Taranaki 31215 3535391563954345504849
Hawke's Bay54918114253391543934352504856
Wellington7104568481822301,7282,3924,1201,5192,0983,617
Marlborough1 34 1111120132252101116217
Nelson485171010504485531,001425474899
Westland1181032225308344652281322603
Canterbury474253141331471,2111,7232,9341,0541,5012,555
Otago763649221241461,1861,7882,9749771,5402,517
Totals36532183071367729087,65310,71418,367*6,7039,46716,170

NOTE.—Denominational schools, such as Roman Catholic and Anglican, are included in the above as private schools. Particulars for the Roman Catholic schools in December, 1908, are as under:—

SUMMARYOF ROMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS.
Provincial Districts.Number of Schools.Number of Teachers.Number of Scholars (exclusive of Maoris).Daily Average Attendance.
Boys.Girls.Mixed.Total.Male.Female.Total.Male.Female.Total.Male.Female.Total.
Auckland34283510941041,2421,7813,0231,0781,5812,659
Taranaki 1910 2727367474841324421745
Hawke's Bay323872027283350633255324579
Wellington34172424881121,1171,4362,5539791,2532,232
Marlborough1 34 1111120132252101110217
Nelson2529 2323229348577221286507
Westland117932124304341615277319596
Canterbury132024566717891,0991,8886919731,664
Otago4319261664809251,2012,1268061,0591,865
Totals1823108149654144795,3767,16212,5384,7326,33211,064

SCHOOLS FOR NATIVES.

The number of Native-village schools in operation at the end of 1908 either supported or subsidised by the Government was 97. In addition, there were six boarding-schools for Native children, the cost of whose maintenance was partly paid either by the Government or from endowments, and six mission schools.

The subjects of instruction in Native schools are now English, arithmetic, handwork, nature study, morals, singing, and physical drill.

Instruction in woodwork is given in fifteen schools, and in several schools the girls are taught practical dressmaking and plain cookery with simple appliances. A scheme of cottage gardening as a branch of handwork is in operation at fifty-one schools. In the majority of schools some form or other of elementary handwork is taken with success.

At the six boarding-schools, St. Stephen's and Te Aute for boys, and Hukarere, St. Joseph's, Queen Victoria, and Turakina Schools for girls, the Government provides a number of free places at one or other of these schools, tenable for two years, for children of predominantly Maori race who pass the Fourth or a higher Standard at the Maori village schools. At the end of the year 103 of these places were occupied

In addition to the free places available at the various boarding-schools. provision is made for industrial, nursing, and University scholarships. Industrial scholarships or apprenticeships are now regarded as senior free places. The original arrangements for apprenticing Maori boys were made at a time when the Native-school system was in its infancy. The best qualified boys who had passed through the village-school course had the option of either a free place or an apprenticeship. The results obtained under this system have not been entirely unsatisfactory, but there were without doubt a good many failures. Nor is this to be wondered at when one considers that in most cases the boy was transferred from a Native settlement right into the civilised life of a town or city. The new scheme provides an opportunity of his becoming acquainted with civilisation during the time he is holding a junior free place, and it is only when he has satisfactorily completed this course and has had, in addition, the opportunity of showing his aptitude during a year's training in technical work that he becomes eligible for an apprenticeship. Several boys who have passed through St. Stephen's School have been apprenticed to learn suitable trades, and so far the new arrangements appear to be producing satisfactory results.

In the case of girls, senior free places take the form of hospital scholarships. It is a somewhat difficult matter to get hospital authorities to accept Maori girls as junior probationers. At present there are only two hospitals—Napier and Auckland—at which the day-pupilship is possible. This allows of four new girls being admitted for training every year; but when these have completed the year much difficulty is found by the Hospitals Department in obtaining positions for them on the staff of suitable hospitals. The two Maori girls who held the first nursing scholarship under the present conditions have successfully passed the State examination qualifying them for registration as nurses, and have received further training in a maternity home, where one of them has been successful in obtaining a certificate in midwifery.

Six University Scholarships have hitherto been provided for Maori youths who have passed with credit the entrance examination to the University. Three were reserved for those who wished to study medicine, the remainder being devoted to arts, science, or law. The record of the University Scholarship scheme for Maoris is not encouraging, and the results have not in any way been commensurate with the expense. In recent years the candidates have shown themselves to be lacking in application and to be unworthy of scholarships. To such a degree was this apparent that it has been decided that the scheme should remain in abeyance, and no University Scholarship will therefore, for the present, be awarded.

The number of Maori children attending schools during the fourth quarter of 1908 was 7,486—namely, 4,193 males and 3,293 females. These included 331 half-castes at the Native - village schools who were living as members of Maori tribes, and 277 at public European schools.

The numbers at the several schools in 1908 and 1907 were as under:—

Schools.Maori Children attending Schools.
Boys.Girls.Total of both Sexes.
1908.1907.1908.1907.1908.1907.
At public European schools1,7791,5511,3121,1053,0912,656
At Native-village schools2,1152,0601,6921,7063,8073,766
At subsidised or endowed boarding-schools152136166156318292
At private European or Native schools147150123120270270
              Totals4,1933,8973,2933,0877,4866,984

There was thus, in 1908, an increase of 296 in the number of Maori boys, and 206 in the number of Maori girls, attending school.

Seventy-six out of the 97 Native-village schools in operation on 31st December, 1908, were under the charge of masters and seventeen under mistresses; there were besides one hundred and eight assistants, and five sewing-teachers.

The net expenditure on Native schools for 1908 was as follows: Teachers' salaries and allowances, £21,421; inspection, £1,268; buildings, fencing, furniture, &c., £6,574; manual-instruction classes, £529; other ordinary expenditure, £3,443: total, £33,235.

SCHOLARSHIPS.

Education Board Scholarships.

Under the Education Board scholarship scheme the Education Boards, under local regulations approved by the Minister of Education, award annually a large number of scholarships of varying value out of an allowance of old standing, amounting to 1s. 6d. per head of the average attendance. The regulations adopted in the different districts commonly provide for two classes of scholarships, junior and senior—the former limited to children under fourteen or in some cases under thirteen years of age resident in the district, and tenable usually for two years; the latter, more restricted in number, continuing the secondary education of the holders for two or three years longer.

During the year 1908 Education Board scholarships—junior and senior—were current to the number of 484, as against a total of 491 for 1907. The actual monetary value of these scholarships in most instances is small, the object in view being generally to spread the benefits as widely as possible rather than to provide attractive prizes for a few. Each scholarship, however, through the operation of the provisions for free places, which give a preference to scholarship-holders, carries with it in all but certain exceptional circumstances the substantial benefit of free tuition, and a lodging or travelling allowance is added where necessary. The total expenditure of Education Boards on scholarships of this class during the year 1908 was £8,283. The following table shows the number and value of Education Board scholarships current at the end of 1908:—

Education Districts.Number held in Dec., 1908.Period of Tenure.Boards Expenditure on Scholarships in 1908.Annual value, &c.
Boys.Girls.Total.
    Years.£s.d. 
Auckland53308331,9855735 at £40, 48 at £10.
Taranaki138212317065 at £35, 1 at £12, 15 at £10.
Wanganui1615312 or 36621468 at £40, 4 at £23 10s., 4 at £21, 1 at £15, 14 at £10.
Wellington40276729006013 at £40, 3 at £9, 1 at £7 4s., 4 at £6 5s., 46 at £5.
Hawke's Bay38236125570012 at £30, 1 at £12 10s., 9 at £10, 2 at £8 10s., 1 at £7 10s., 36 at, £2 10s.
Marlborough57121 or 21631003 at £25, 4 at £10, 5 at £2.
Nelson1222342382266 at £40, 4 at £25, 24 at £1 5s.
Grey3472861001 at £26, 0 at £8.
Westland325258001 at £24, 3 at £10, 1 at £4.
North Canterbury292150290219617 at £30, 33 at £10.
South Canterbury2182928364116 at £27, 1 at £12, 22 at £7.
Otago3719562 or 31,29121025 at £40, 25 at £10, 6 at £6.
Southland1612282 or 36400020 at £30, 8 at £5.
                Totals, 1908286198484 8,282164 
                Totals, 1907294197491 8,5461411 

In extension of the provisions for scholarships, the arrangements now in force, by which pupils of fair promise are admitted to free tuition in secondary and other schools, are very comprehensive and far-reaching in their effects. For all who deserve it there is now a free course from the initiatory stages of the primary school to the doors of the University, and by means of further scholarships and bursaries, making classes at the colleges free to all duly qualified students, a further step of progress to the distinction of a University degree is also possible in terms of similar advantage.

Beyond the limits of the secondary school the opportunities given to promising students are considerable. Besides the scholarships offered by the University, there are available four Senior National Scholarships in each of the four University districts, four Senior Queen's Scholarships on terms of a similar character in connection with Victoria College, and one or more Taranaki Scholarships under special enactment, making a total of some thirty-six scholarships of very substantial value offered at the close of 1908 on the results of the Junior Scholarship Examination of the University. Certain local and privately endowed scholarships (about thirty-seven in number) are also awarded on the same examination.

University bursaries, covering free tuition at University college classes for a period of three years, are also offered out of the public funds to all who obtain credit in the Junior University Scholarship Examination, and otherwise possess the qualifications for a National Scholarship without obtaining one. With these provisions there can be few indeed entitled to special consideration who are deterred from a University course by the question of the cost of classes.

National Scholarships.

An Act to encourage higher education in New Zealand by the granting of National Scholarships was passed in 1903, and has since been incorporated in “The Education Act, 1908.” Provision is made for the establishment of Junior and Senior Scholarships, the necessary funds being furnished by the Minister of Finance.

A Junior Scholarship is offered in each education district for every four thousand or part of four thousand children in average yearly attendance, tenable for three years, with an extension of one year under certain conditions. The value of a Junior Scholarship is £10 per annum in addition to tuition fees. Candidates must be under fourteen years of age. A scholarship may not be awarded to or held by any child whose parents are in receipt of a net annual income exceeding £250.

Senior National Scholarships, not exceeding twenty in number, are awarded annually to persons of either sex under nineteen years of age on the result of the Junior Scholarship Examination of the University. The value of a Senior Scholarship is £20 per annum in addition to tuition fees, and it is tenable for three years.

Where the holder of a Junior or Senior National Scholarship is obliged to live away from home in order to prosecute his or her studies an additional sum of £30 per annum is paid, or actual travelling-expenses, not exceeding £10 per annum are allowed if the holder of a scholarship is obliged to travel more than four miles daily in order to prosecute his or her studies.

At the end of 1908 the number of Junior National Scholarships current was 89, 75 of which were held at secondary schools and 14 at district high schools. Apart from fees otherwise accounted for under the heading of free-place expenditure, the cost of Junior National Scholarships for the year was £2,130.

SPECIAL SCHOOLS.

In accordance with a recent decision, the schools which, under the provisions of the Industrial Schools Act, deal with neglected and delinquent children, are regarded as “special schools.”

The system dealing with this class of children is divided into two sections, “Government schools.” which are wholly maintained by funds appropriated by Parliament, and “private schools,” which are supported partly by private funds and partly by capitation paid either by the Government or by Charitable Aid Boards in the case of those children who are admitted by reason of destitution. These latter are Roman Catholic institutions. It is the policy, as far as children under the control of the Government schools are concerned, to avoid congregating them in institutions; and therefore, whenever the age, temperament, and other conditions will allow, all children are placed in foster-homes. This system, which is the best attainable substitute for a child's true home and natural parents, is coming more and more into favour.

The boarding-out system has its limitations, however, and unless these are clearly recognised, and provision made otherwise for young people who need special handling, much harm may be done not only to the children themselves through lack of the expert care and training suited to their needs, but also to those with whom they associate at the ordinary elementary schools or elsewhere. Therefore, the selection of the child, as well as the selection of the foster-home, is a matter of the utmost importance.

In consequence of an adverse representation made by a society for the promotion of the welfare of children, the Education Department invited its officers, who are or who have been concerned with the boarding-out of children, to give candid expression to their views as to whether this system is right in principle, and, if so, in what directions its administration can be improved on. Their views constitute a weighty argument in favour both of the principle and of its operation.

Of the the three Government schools which have in residence children who. although not of vicious tendencies, yet need control of a kind that the foster-home does not as a rule afford, two are for girls, and have on the average about thirty in residence, and one, the Boys' Training Farm, has about 160 boys, of whom about 80 of those who are suitable are provided for in a group of four cottage homes.

At both the girls' and boys' reformatories—Burnham and Te Oranga Home—the classification is being further extended by the erection of buildings specially designed for the training of older inmates, whose characteristics are such as to make it necessary to segregate them completely from those of better disposition.

As the law stands at present, control of industrial-school inmates may be retained until they arrive at twenty-one years of age. In the great majority of cases it is found unnecessary to exercise supervision for so long, but unfortunately there are a few who even at that age are quite unfit to take their place in society with any reasonable hope of their succeeding in life, or, in some cases, of their refraining from committing crime. In order to deal with these exceptional instances it is suggested that power be given to extend the period of detention, subject to the existing provision by which an inmate may be discharged at any time, or placed out on probation.

In December, 1908, the total number on the books of all these schools was 2,263, or 112 more than at the close of the year 1907. On the books of the Government schools there were 1,709, an increase of 77 over the corresponding number for 1907; on the books of the private schools there were 554, or 35 more than at the end of the previous year. The number in residence at Government schools was 420, and at private schools 372, so that 792 was the total number of “inmates" actually in residence. The number boarded out was 731, 7 being from private schools and the rest from Government schools. There were 9 girls maintained in various corrective institutions, 2 boys and 1 girl in hospital, 1 boy and 3 girls in orphanages, 9 boys and 2 girls in mental hospitals, 11 boys at the Costley Training Institution, Auckland, 1 inmate at the school for the deaf, and 1 at the special school for feeble-minded, boys. The total number of inmates dependent on the public funds for maintenance was therefore 1,557, or 116 more than the number at the end of 1907. The remaining 706, although still subject to control and supervision, were not dependent on the schools for maintenance. They may be classified as follows: Licensed to reside with friends, 191; at service, 421; in hospital, 4; in the Costley Training Institution, Auckland, 4; in other institutions, 16; in gaol, 6; absent without leave, 64.

The total number of inmates of the private and Government schools is given for the years 1907 and 1908, and the variations in the numbers boarded out, in residence, or at service:—

INMATES, 1907 AND 1908.
Boarded out.In Residence.At Service, &c.Totals.
Dec., 1907.Increase.DecreaseDec., 1908.Dec., 1907.IncreaseDecreaseDec., 1908.Dec., 1907IncreaseDecreaseDec., 1908.Dec., 1907.Increase.DecreaseDec., 1908.
Government Schools—                
    Auckland (Mount Albert)748 82294 33559 6415821 179
    Boys' Training Farm, Weraroa15 6914811 159124 6118287 1286
    Receiving Home, Wellington24728 27511 56567 6331430 344
    Te Oranga Home, Christchurch    55 15431 32886 482
    Receiving Home, Christchurch17415 18914 6891 982270  279
    Burnham5 2310717 1241142 11622617 243
    Caversham171 5166288 368311 9428214 296
Private Schools—                
    St. Mary's, Auckland  10619 125418 4914727 174  
    St. Joseph's, Wellington    2314 3726 620498 57
    St. Mary's, Nelson1 1 1588 166103 1192262 4258
    St. Vincent de Paul's, Dunedin8 17422 44113 14614 65
        Totals6955115731721831279273540357402,15112192,263

There were seven Government schools in existence in 1908, and the numbers of inmates on their books at the end of the year were as follows: Auckland (Mount Albert), 179; Boys' Training Farm, Weraroa (new school), 286; Receiving Home, Wellington, 344; Receiving Home, Christchurch, 279; Burnham, 243; Te Oranga Home, 82; Caversham, 296: total, 1,709. Those belonging to private schools were distributed as follows: St. Mary's, Auckland, 174; St. Joseph's, Wellington, 57; St. Mary's, Nelson, 258; St. Vincent de Paul's, Dunedin, 65: total, 554.

The cost of the Government schools and the amount recovered (from Charitable Aid Boards, from parents, from sale of farm-produce, &c.) are shown:—

COSTOF GOVERNMENT SPECIAL SCHOOLS, 1908.
Government School.Cost of School, including Buildings find other Works.Boarding out. (Included in first column).Salaries. (Included in first column.)Recoveries.Net Cost.
 £s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d
Auckland2,8311911,4181334861831,128901,703101
Boys' Training Farm, Weraroa8,67112102164112,072551,926666,74564
Receiving Home, Wellington6,742374,659256211263,9195112,822178
Te Oranga Home5,88341   8181182981425,584911
Receiving Home, Christchurch5,059163,4481811553252,2371262,82190
Burnham8,08817111001932,287112874937,21488
Caversham5,57917103,1571377721713,572942,00786
        Totals42,856161013,0011247,61218613,95768   
Salaries, travelling-allowances, and expenses of departmental officers (Inspectors, visiting officers, &c.)1,54515
Payments to inmates of their earnings held in trust44126
Commission expenses, inquiry held at Te Oranga Home27840
Grant to Postal Department in connection with payment for children boarded out5000
Contingencies4581
Total net cost£ 30,862162

The next table shows payments made by the Government on account of inmates in private special schools, the recoveries, and the net expenditure by the Government. The contributions from Charitable Aid Boards to these schools, being made directly to the managers, are not included in the recoveries shown.

GOVERNMENT EXPENDITUREON PRIVATE SPECIAL SCHOOLS (R.C.), 1908.
Name of School.Gross Cost.Recoveries.Net Cost.
 £s.d.£s.d.£s.d.
St. Mary's, Auckland1,8501304311441,418188
St. Joseph's, Wellington2121895911215377
St. Mary's, Nelson1,09700253181084312
St. Vincent de Paul's, Dunedin13690358410108
                Totals3,297097801282,51681

During 1908 inmates were maintained in five other institutions, and the expenditure on this account was as follows: Costley Training Institution, Auckland, £173 8s.; Door of Hope Institution, Auckland, £3 18s.; Salvation Army Maternity Home, Auckland, £5 2s.; Mount Magdala, Christchurch, £84 17s. 10d.; Salvation Army Maternity Home, Dunedin, £8 18s. 9d.

Institute for the Blind.

The Jubilee Institute for the Blind at Auckland is not a Government institution, although the Trustees are required by law to receive, at the direction of the Minister of Education, children who are between seven and sixteen years of age—the period fixed for compulsory education of blind children. Being, however, a “separate institution” under the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, it receives a subsidy at the rate of 24s. in the pound upon the voluntary contributions raised by the Trustees, and, in addition, payment is made to it by the Education Department on account of pupils for whose tuition the Department is responsible. The Trustees have received, at various times, other grants in aid of buildings. The total amount paid on account of Government pupils during the year 1908 was £705 5s. 5d. The number of Government pupils at the end of 1907 was 28, and the number of such pupils at the close of the year 1908 was 33.

School for Deaf-mutes.

The roll of this school includes all the known deaf-mutes of school age and of sound intellect in New Zealand who have been brought under the notice of the Education Department.

The number in residence at the end of 1908 was 82, or 7 more than at the end of 1907.

The method of instruction used at Sumner is the oral method, in favour of which there is a vast predominance of expert opinion.

As regards the adoption of that system, the Minister of Education remarks, “It cannot be too often repeated that in this institution the deaf, who would otherwise be speechless, are taught both to speak and to understand (from the motion of the lips) the speech of others, and that they are thereby admitted not only to the benefits of communication with their fellow-men, but even very largely to the conceptions involved in human intercourse. These facts are not always understood or appreciated. Every year deaf children are found who, to a greater or less extent, have passed the age at which their special instruction should have begun, and who consequently fail to attain expertness in oral communication, or more than partial mental development. Through want of knowledge of the institution, through mistaken advice, through misguided affection, or through fear of expense, the parents of these children are responsible for a loss of time that can never be made good.”

The following classes of deaf children are admitted to the institution, mental soundness being in all cases a necessity:—

  1. Children born deaf, or who have lost their hearing before learning to speak.

  2. Children who can hear a little, but are too deaf to be taught in an ordinary school.

  3. Children who have lost their hearing after having learned to speak.

The gross expenditure for the year 1908 was £4,908. The amount paid by parents for maintenance was £695, other recoveries £24, leaving a net expenditure of £4,189 for the year.

School for Mentally Deficient Children.

An institution for the care and education of boys who, by reason of deficient intelligence, cannot receive proper advantage from the ordinary public school instruction, has been established at Otekaike, North Otago.

The object is (1) to make the afflicted children sufficiently capable to go out into the world; (2) to cure them so that they may be enabled, under the supervision of friends or relatives, to earn their own living; (3) to detach the unfortunate ones so far from their trouble that, under cover of the institution and its guardians, they are still capable of contributing to their own maintenance by light labour.

The aim is to model the New Zealand school on the same lines as those of similar institutions in England, and the director is well equipped, by special training, for the duties of his office. The institution was opened at the end of 1908, and in February, 1909, had ten juvenile inmates. It is proposed to establish a similar home for girls.

SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.

The returns for the census of 1906 showed that 107,759 pupils were attending Sunday-schools, and there were 11,720 teachers.

SUBSIDISED PUBLIC LIBRARIES, 1908–9.

The number of libraries participating in the vote granted for subsidies shows an increase of twenty as compared with the number aided in the previous year. In order that the purpose intended to be served by the vote may be attained, it is made a condition for participation that the whole of the subsidy granted to each library in the previous year shall have been expended in the purchase of books.

The method of distribution of the vote was the same as that adopted in previous years—viz., a nominal addition of £25 was made to the amount of the income of each library derived from subscriptions, donations, and rates, provided that the receipts for the year were not less than £2. and the vote was divided according to the amount thus augmented; but no library received credit for a larger income than £75—that is, in no case did the augmented amount on which distribution was based exceed £100. The amount of the vote was divided among 437 libraries, and afforded a subsidy of 3s. 3.5d. in the pound on the nominal income, the subsidies ranging from £4 8s. 10d. to £16 9s. 2d.

Chapter 28. SECTION III.—COMMERCE: TOTAL TRADE.

THE total trade of New Zealand for each of the years 1886 to 1909 will be seen from the figures given below. The volume grew steadily until the maximum was reached in 1907, when causes arising beyond the Dominion produced a general fall in prices of staple products. The total value of imports in 1909 was less than that for the previous year by £1,796,565, or 10.28 per cent. On the other hand, exports increased in total value by £3,344,502, equal to 20.5 per cent. The value of the total trade in 1909 was greater than that of the previous year by £1,547,937, equal to 4.58 per cent.

The balance of trade for the year 1909 stands as follows:—

 £
Exports (excluding specie)19,636,151
Imports (excluding specie)14,817,462
Excess of exports4,818,689

The movement of specie during the same period resulted in a considerable balance on the import side.

 £
Specie imported, 1909857,257
Specie exported 190925,845
Balance of imports831,412

The period for which New Zealand trade statistics are compiled embraces part of two season's wool clips, therefore the figures do not exhibit the full effect of fluctuations in prices of this staple for one season as compared with another. Although the year ending 31st March does not cover the whole season's export, it nevertheless includes the greater portion. The values of all imports and exports for the years ending 31st March 1909 and 1910 are—

 1908–9.1909–10.Increase (+) or Decrease(–).
 £££
Imports (excluding specie)16,313,75914,774,377-1,539,382
Exports (excluding specie)16,768,05221,467,657+4,699,605
Excess of exports454,2936,693,280 
Specie imported506,867581,580 
Specie exported243,74924,152 
Excess of imports263,118557,428 

The value of the total trade of New Zealand advanced from £13,431,804 in the year 1886 to £35,336,715 in 1909. But of these amounts some portion was coin. Excluding the specie, the figures for 1886 are £12,853,736, and for 1909 £34,453,613.

Year.Total Trade.Imports.Exports.Imports (excluding Specie).Exports (excluding Specie).Excess of Exports over Imports (excluding Specie).
 ££££££

* Excess of imports.

188613,431,8046,759,0136,672,7916,319,2236,534,513215,290
188713,111,6846,245,5156,866,1696,064,2816,680,772616,491
188813,709,2255,941,9007,767,3255,430,0507,403,2061,972,156
188915,650,7276,308,8639,341,8645,980,5839,183,9548,203,371
189016,072,2456,260,5259,811,7205,923,8959,569,3163,640,421
189116,070,2466,503,8499,566,3976,431,1019,560,8593,129,758
189216,477,9076,943,0569,534,8516,742,5449,490,9202,748,376
189315,896,8796,911,5158,985,3646,494,2798,680,8452,186,566
189416,019,0676,788,0209,231,0475,990,1779,221,5503,231,373
189514,950,3536,400,1298,550,2246,115,9538,518,1192,402,166
189616,458,4257,137,3209,321,1057,035,3799,299,9072,264,528
189718,072,2168,055,22310,016,9937,994,2019,741,2221,747,021
189818,748,5558,230,60010,517,9558,211,40910,449,8382,238,429
189920,677,9688,739,63311,938,3358,613,65611,923,4223,309,766
190023,892,25710,646,09613,246,16110,207,32613,223,2583,015,932
190124,699,33911,817,91512,881,42411,353,41612,869,8101,516,394
190224,971,70011,326,72313,644,97710,958,03813,635,4592,677,421
190327,799,05312,788,67515,010,37812,075,95914,971,9262,895,967
190428,040,04213,291,69414,748,34812,900,03014,738,7501,838,720
190528,494,80412,828,85715,655,94712,481,17815,642,0693,160,891
190633,306,54015,211,40318,095,13714,303,17017,992,4803,689,310
190737,371,81817,302,86120,068,95716,539,70720,061,6413,521,934
190833,788,77817,471,28416,317,49417,247,16216,075,2051,171,957*
190935,336,71515,674,71919,661,99614,817,46219,636,1514,818,689

Each year of the above series, until 1908, shows a balance in favour of exports, the aggregate amount to the end of last year being £58,869,013.

In the table given below the external trade is shown for each year per head of population, the calculations being made exclusive as well as inclusive of specie, for the purpose of arriving at exact conclusions as regards trade in goods. In the year 1894 the imported money amounted to a sum of £797,843, in 1903 to £712,716, in 1906 to £908,233, in 1907 to £763,154, and in 1909 to £857,257, making a substantial difference in the rates.

Excluding specie, the trade per head of population increased from £22 1s. 7d. in 1886, to £35 9s. 1d. in 1909: imports from £10 17s. 1d. to £15 4s. 11d., and exports from £11 4s. 6d. to £20 4s. 2d.

Year.Including Specie.Excluding Specie.
Total Trade per Head of Mean Population (excluding Maoris).Imports per Head of Mean Population (excluding Maoris).Exports per Head of Mean Population (excluding Maoris).Total Trade per Head of Mean Population (excluding Maoris).Imports per Head of Mean Population (excluding Maoris).Exports par Head of Mean Population (excluding Maoris).
£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.
188623151112211932217101711146
188721198109511103217510341141
18882212119164121672140S1951247
188925911105615452415991561503
18902513101002151382419491101584
1891251041066153102571010431537
1892251321016314161125561091114157
1893240910901311922181191651326
1894231199191113111022711816513116
189521111094101270212881681260
18962358101111339232291911331
18972501111331317824117111713100
189825931137145825611113114310
18992711511131151842778119815180
19003159131810176113013813741764
19013115015310161123129141111161010
19023160143111721301661314817110
1903331710151110186032196141451851
1904333815147179132142155417810
190532141014141117191132661461117197
190637391619820413612151952019
19074013318166211693916617191121167
19083515118991754355218501702
19093673162720483591154112042

The highest record of trade (excluding specie) was that for 1874, when the rate per head was £41 4s. 5d., the imports amounting at that time to £24 17s. per head.

It has been customary to leave out the Maoris in estimating the sum per head, for their industries and necessities swell the volume of trade in comparatively so slight a measure that the amount per head of European population can be more truly ascertained by omitting them altogether.

The following table shows the value of imports and exports from each of the principal countries for the years 1905 to 1909. The countries mentioned are those from or to which the goods were shipped, not necessarily those of origin or final destination:—

TRADEWITH VARIOUS COUNTRIES, 1905–1909.
Countries.1905.1906.1907.1908.1909.
 Imports.
From—£££££
United Kingdom7,795,2849,003,22910,278,01910,441,8379,287,786
New South Wales1,047,7571,462,9281,776,8961,658,4981,275,003
Victoria652,9011,178,5201,142,693895,2571,295,194
Other Australian States115,059133,864207,964287,671194,013
South Africa5593941,0735,4946,224
Canada74,085108,237154,766156,500139,151
India and Ceylon485,382495,475604,219572,037615,050
Other British possessions536,636507,369776,553762,982742,541
United States of America1,438,5011,405,7811,425,5961,643,9371,166,063
Germany277,467336,960351,634389,531327,847
Belgium78,151116,359113,500104,64776,708
Other foreign countries327,075462,287469,948552,893549,139
Total12,828,85715,211,40317,302,86117,471,28415,674,719
 Exports.
To—£££££
United Kingdom12,087,81814,047,17616,533,49313,143,78016,193,188
New South Wales1,321,3531,900,0221,341,0731,254,9831,052,371
Victoria866,939891,443795,883764,254783,277
Other Australian States106,67991,05784,30483,92482,467
South Africa176,93788,67463,72786,491121,962
Canada42,7097,70417,98911,24877,286
India and Ceylon4,61062,020117,730107,146138,163
Other British possessions72,575100,407138,925106,475194,165
United States of America716,301642,792714,063326,415684,810
Germany38,95854,95266,48940,19177,969
Belgium8,6399,62515,24112,22110,950
Other foreign countries212,429199,265180,040380,366245,388
Total15,655,94718,095,13720,068,95716,317,49419,661,996.
TRADEWITH VARIOUS COUNTRIES, 1905–1909: PERCENTAGETO TOTAL.
Countries.1905.1906.1907.1908.1909.
 Imports.
From—Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.
United Kingdom60.7659.1959.4059.7759.25
New South Wales8.189.6110.289.498.14
Victoria5.097.756.605.128.26
Other Australian States0.900.881.201.651.24
South Africa0.01 0.010.030.04
Canada0.580.710.890.900.89
India and Ceylon3.783.263.493.273.92
Other British possessions4.183.344.494.374.74
United States of America11.209.258.239.417.44
Germany2.162.212.032.232.09
Belgium0.610.760.660.600.49
Other foreign countries2.553.042.723.163.50
Total100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
 Exports.
To-Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.
United Kingdom77.2177.6382.3880.5582.36
New South Wales8.4410.506.687.695.35
Victoria5.544.933.964.683.98
Other Australian States0.680.500.420.510.42
South Africa1.130.490.320.530.62
Canada0.270.040.090.070.39
India and Ceylon0.030.340.590.600.70
Other British possessions0.460.560.690.650.99
United States of America4.583.553.562.003.48
Germany0.250.310.330.250.40
Belgium0.050.050.080.080.06
Other foreign countries1.361.100.902.331.25
Total100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00

According to statistics published by the British Board of Trade the value of goods received in the United Kingdom from New Zealand during 1908 was £14,663,841, of which goods valued at £2,527,231 were again exported. On the other hand, the f.o.b. value of shipments from the United Kingdom to New Zealand during the same year was £8,767,003, excluding goods other than the produce of the United Kingdom, valued at £746,171. If to the former amount be added 10 per cent. to cover cost of freight and other charges it would appear that the c.i.f. value of goods the produce or manufacture of the United Kingdom sent to New Zealand was £9,643,703, against which produce of this country was imported and retained for home consumption in the United Kingdom to the value of £12,136,610.

The United Kingdom supplied during the past five years an average of 60 per cent. of the value of goods imported into and received 80 per cent. of the shipments from this country. Imports and exports from and to the Commonwealth of Australia averaged 17 and 13 per cent. respectively. The United States of America provide 9 per cent. of imports and receive 3.4 per cent. of the exports, while trade with Germany represents 2.14 per cent. and 0.31 per cent. respectively.

Trade of Australasia

The following table gives the value of the imports and exports of the different States comprising what is now the Commonwealth of Australia, and for New Zealand, for the year 1908. The Australian figures are taken from the Official Year-book of the Commonwealth:—

Country.Total Value ofExcess of Exports over Imports
Imports.Exports.

* Excess of imports.

States of the Commonwealth of Australia—£££
New South Wales34,467,00037,810,0003,343,000
Victoria26,067,00026,053,00014,000*
Queensland9,463,00014,187,0004,724,000
South Australia (including Northern Territory)11,231,00013,778,0002,547,000
Western Australia6,178,0009,437,0003,259,000
Tasmania3,371,0004,024,000653,000
New Zealand17,471,00016,317,0001,154,000*

In the preceding table is given the total trade inwards and outwards in each case, including oversea and inter-State transportations. In order to form a just idea of the trade of Australasia as a whole, it is necessary to eliminate the inter-State traffic altogether, which has been done in the figures given further on. Prior to the year 1891 the balance of Australasian external trade was in favour of the imports, but in that year the scale turned and exports exceeded the imports. This condition has obtained ever since until in the year 1908 the figures stood as under:—

EXTERNAL TRADEOF AUSTRALASIA.
 £
Imports62,162,000
Exports76,267,000
Total trade138,429,000
Excess of exports over imports14,105,000

The trade per head (oversea and inter-State) of the population in each of the States of the Australian Commonwealth and New Zealand in 1908 was:—

TRADEPER HEADOFTHE POPULATION IN 1908.
Country.Imports.Exports.Total Trade.
 £s.d.£s.d.£s.d.
States of the Commonwealth of Australia—
New South Wales211602318445144
Victoria20143201414184
Queensland1746251664310
South Australia (including Northern Territory)28433412362166
Western Australia23633512158184
Tasmania1811022211401311
New Zealand1899175435151

Figures for the Australian States are again quoted from the Official Year-book of the Commonwealth. But the values of the exports of the Australian States, more especially New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, are largely increased by the inclusion of articles the produce or manufacture of other States and countries.

The value of home productions or manufactures exported from each Australian State, excepting Tasmania, and for New Zealand in 1908, and the rate per head of mean population, were as follow:—

Country.Home Produce exported.Per Head of Population.
££s.d.
New South Wales32,420,0662009
Victoria19,708,84515116
Queensland13,895,5012500
South Australia8,551,3512197
Western Australia9,334,82434158
New Zealand15,894,53016104

The next table sets forth the amount of the trade of each of the above-named States and New Zealand with the United Kingdom in 1908:—

Country.Imports from the United Kingdom.Exports to the United Kingdom.Total Trade with the United Kingdom.
 £££
New South Wales11,853,79111,481,74723,335,538
Victoria9,345,7307,528,93216,874,668
Queensland3,142,9093,306,1986,449,107
South Australia2,935,0993,495,2356,430,334
Western Australia2,022,8043,243,6475,266,451
Tasmania (1907)641,128357,767998,895
New Zealand10,441,83713,143,78023,585,617

The statement appended shows the relative importance of Australasia as a market for the productions of the United Kingdom:—

EXPORTSOF HOME PRODUCTIONSFROMTHE UNITED KINGDOMIN 1908, TO
 £
British India and Ceylon51,189,089
Germany33,400,273
Australasia31,709,418
France22,321,424
United States21,303,565
Argentine Republic16,420,579
Italy15,028,191
Russia12,648,528
Dominion of Canada12,243,960
Cape of Good Hope and Natal11,896,234
Belgium11,674,463
Netherlands11,520,863
Japan9,904,465
Egypt9,576,658
China (excluding Hong Kong)9,216,112
Brazil8,135,928
Turkey7,010,188
Sweden6,359,553
Spain5,290,473
Denmark, Iceland, and Greenland4,784,989
Austria-Hungary4,314,997
Norway4,079,875
Chili3,959,623
Straits Settlements3,856,792
Java, &c.3,673,136
West India Islands and British Guiana2,955,139
Hong Kong2,901,465
Uruguay2,617,486
Nigeria2,537,609
Portuguese East Africa2,534,283
Portugal2,434,745
Mexico2,236,687

The exports to other countries did not amount to £2,000,000 in any one case.

Australasia as a whole, with a population of about 5,300,000, thus takes the third place in importance for consumption of British produce, the exports thereto being three-fifths the value of similar exports to British India, with its 300,000,000 inhabitants.

Reciprocal Trade

The following are the reciprocal provisions of “The Customs Duties Act, 1908,” sections 9 and 10:—

Where any country, being part of the British Dominions, reduces or abolishes, or proposes to do so, the duty on any product or manufacture of New Zealand, the Governor is authorised to enter into an agreement to reduce or abolish the duty on any articles the produce or manufacture of such country to an extent that the estimated revenue so remitted shall equal as nearly as possible the remission by that country. Such agreements, however, require ratification by Parliament.

Similarly, where any country not being part of the British Dominions, reduces or abolishes, or proposes to do so, the duty on any product or manufacture of New Zealand, the Governor is authorised, subject to or by virtue of a treaty with His Majesty, to negotiate for an agreement to reduce or abolish the duty on any articles the produce or manufacture of such country to an extent that the estimated revenue so remitted in New Zealand shall equal as nearly as possible what is remitted by that country, subject to Parliamentary ratification.

A treaty is at present in force between New Zealand, the British South African Colonies composing the Union, and Southern Rhodesia, by which certain concessions as to tariff rates are made on both sides. A schedule of the goods affected will be found in Section IV.

Chapter 29. SECTION IV.—IMPORTS: CUSTOMS AND EXCISE REVENUE AND CUSTOMS TARIFF.

Imports.

THE quantities and values of imports used in making up the figures given in this portion of the statistical information are obtained from Customs entries, verified where necessary, as with goods subject to an ad valorem duty, by examination. In estimating the value of ad valorem goods, such value is understood to be the fair market value thereof when sold for home consumption in the principal markets of the country whence and at the time when the same were exported, including the value of the case, cask, or covering of any kind in which such goods are contained, with 10 per cent. added (section 55, “The Customs Law Act, 1908”). Value of all other goods includes freight and charges to time of arrival at port of discharge. Goods transhipped at a foreign port are regarded as imported from the country where they were originally shipped, The countries named, however, may not be those of origin, as no attempt is made to trace the goods beyond the ports disclosed by the documents presented to the Customs. Very little cargo in transitu passes through New Zealand.

The total declared values of the imports in 1909 amounted to £15,674,719, being a decrease on the corresponding total in 1908 of £1,796,565. These figures, however, include specie. The value of coin brought into the Dominion in 1909 was £857,257, against £224,122 in the previous year, and if these amounts are excluded the decrease on the value of merchandise is £2,429,700.

The value of imports for the year 1890, and for each of the ten latest years was:—

Year.Imports, inclusive of Specie.Imports, exclusive of Specie.
 ££
18906,260,5255,928,895
190010,646,09610,207,326
190111,817,91511,353,416
190211,326,72310,958,038
190312,788,67512,075,959
190413,291,69412,900,030
190512,828,85712,481,178
190615,211,40314,303,170
190717,302,86116,539,707
190817,471,28417,247,162
190915,674,71914,817,462

In 1901 the Government imported railway plant valued at half a million sterling, against far smaller quantities introduced in the subsequent years.

The value of imports, exclusive of specie, rose from £5,928,895 in 1890 to £6,115,953 in 1895, after which there ensued a steady advance to £17,247,162 in 1908, but in 1909, as before stated, there was a considerable falling off.

The expansion of imports is still further to be considered in connection with the condition of the manufactures of the Dominion, for an increase of imports arising from a decline of internal manufactures would scarcely be regarded as a satisfactory position. That. there has been great development of the manufactures of New Zealand since 1895, not only in the great primary industries, but throughout, is exhibited in the section giving the results of an inquiry made at the census of 1906 relative to manufactories and works.

It is desirable to consider not only the total value of the import trade for different years by comparing totals, but to ascertain the rates per head of population, to judge whether the imports are relatively greater or less than they have been. The fairest comparisons are from calculations made after deducting specie imported, as the amount of this commodity fluctuates widely. The figures for 1890 and each year from 1900 onwards stand thus:—

Years.Imports per Head of mean Population, excluding Maoris.
Including Specie.Excluding Specie.
 £s.d.£s.d.
189010029110
19001318101374
190115310141111
19021431113148
190315111014145
1904151471554
190514141114611
19061619815195
190718166171911
190818991850
1909162715411

Using the figures exclusive of the specie, comparisons for the years since 1900 show that the value of imports per head of population increased annually with almost unbroken regularity until 1905. For the ensuing three years there was considerable increase in the rate; then an appreciable decrease in 1909.

Imports, North and South Islands.

Separating the value of the imports entered at the ports of the North Island from that of the South Island, it is found that while in 1899 the former received imported goods to the value of £4,727,039 against £3,942,500, for the South Island, in the year 1909 the North Island imports exceeded those of the other to a far greater extent, the values being respectively £9,636,416 and £5,758,619.

Imports, by Provincial Districts.

The value of imports recorded for each provincial district is the value of the goods entered at the port or ports situate within the district, but information is not at present available to enable the whole of the imported goods to be traced to their actual destination, so that the figures must not be taken to represent the value of imports consumed within the several districts.

The values of imports in each provincial district during 1899 and 1909 were as under:—

 1899.1909.
 ££
Auckland2,258,5844,470,840
Taranaki73,998138,656
Hawke's Bay212,875350,788
Wellington2,181,5824,676,132
Marlborough13,44035,495
Nelson155,325173,672
Westland54,929122,740
Canterbury1,559,2392,659,793
Otago2,149,5672,766,919

The value of imports by parcel-post (£70,091 in 1899 and £279,681 in 1909) must be added to the above figures in order to make up the totals (including specie) of £8,739,633 and £15,671,719 for the respective years.

Imports, by Ports.

The following table gives the value of the imports for each port in New Zealand for years 1909, 1908, 1905, 1900, 1890, arranged in order of magnitude for 1909:—

 1909.1908.1905.1900.1890.
 £££££
Wellington4,475,5475,040,9013,837,7292,767,0661,233,184
Auckland4,333,8574,671,2953,156,4702,617,3291,385,959
Lyttelton2,377,3642,627,6232,095,6171,770,7091,174,370
Dunedin2,258,4272,499,0192,016,3402,158,1771,662,629
Invercargill & Bluff437,358521,480328,976288,170120,050
Napier350,788467,837275,750209,418162,097
Timaru282,429317,114227,224143,09095,202
Wanganui200,585259,428176,387145,26749,637
Poverty Bay128,311139,71476,25449,27817,731
Nelson115,713140,856132,561140,514141,980
New Plymouth11.5,090122,11086,34367,33812,971
Greymouth99,429109,59065,24559,46079,877
Oamaru71,13466,32368,36247,55954,075
Westport57,95963,59029,10637,7509,442
Wairau29,46229,60922,59015,94218,964
Patea23,56629,90420,96615,56111,604
Hokitika23,31122,09612,46112,69313,549
Kaipara8,00914,9664,6397,8831,294
Picton6,0333,1966,1531,591583
Tauranga6631,1521,1413,6391,493

Imports from Different Countries.

In dealing with the imports from the different countries it must be pointed out that the trade returns of New Zealand do not disclose the countries of origin, goods being credited in every case to the countries of shipment. This, no doubt, is a serious defect in the statistics, especially in the case of shipments from the United Kingdom to New Zealand. Of the goods imported from the United Kingdom in 1909, valued at £9,287,786, it is estimated that about 92 per cent. was the produce or manufacture of Britain and Ireland, the balance being re-exports, the origin of which has not been traced.

The figures given below show for ten years the imports from the United Kingdom, with those from the British colonies and possessions, and from foreign States:—

 Imports from
 United Kingdom.British Colonies and Possessions.Foreign States.
 £££
19006,504,4842,625,3721,516,240
19016,885,8312,913,8662,018,218
19026,851,4522,583,0051,892,266
19037,512,6683,135,4742,140,533
19047,982,3403,047,3542,262,000
19057,795,2842,914,3582,119,215
19069,003,2293,886,7872,321,387
190710,278,0194,664,1642,360,678
190810,441,8374,338,4392,691,008
19099,287,7864,267,1762,119,757

The proportions represented by the above figures in every one hundred pounds' value of total imports are:—

 United Kingdom.British Colonies and Possessions.Foreign States.
 Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.
190061.1024.6614.24
190158.2624.6617.08
190260.4922.8016.71
190358.7424.5216.74
190460.0522.9317.02
190560.7622.7216.52
190659.1925.5515.26
190759.4026.9613.64
1908597724.8315.40
190959.2527.2213.53

The exports from the United Kingdom to New Zealand, as given in the Unified Kingdom trade returns, for the period 1899–1908, distinguishing between the value of goods of British and Irish produce and those the produce of other countries re-exported, are next shown. These values are f.o.b., while those recorded in the New Zealand returns are c.i.f.:—

Year.British and Irish Produce exported from the United Kingdom to New Zealand.Produce of other Countries re-exported to New Zealand.Total Exports from the United Kingdom to New Zealand.
 £££
18994,543,131393,3804,936,511
19005,485,845413,4475,899,292
19015,599,272468,9586,068,230
19025,676,576481,3096,158,885
19036,361,390593,4306,954,820
19046,315,090582,3306,897,420
19056,425,793569,0136,994,806
19067,400,188652,2888,052,476
19078,700,941740,9679,441,908
19088,767,003746,1719,513,174

Imports from the Commonwealth of Australia include considerable quantities of goods, the produce of the United Kingdom and foreign countries transhipped at Australian ports for New Zealand. This element would further disturb the values credited to foreign countries if Canadian goods shipped at ports in the United States to New Zealand were assigned to the country of origin.

The following is the value of imports from different countries or places in 1909 and 1908, given in the order of the increase or decrease:—

Country.1909.1908.Increase.
£££
Victoria1,295,194895,257399,937
Fiji590,214557,70932,505
Bengal366,639342,84723,792
Sweden35,52514,74820,777
Ceylon330,499210,67519,824
Greece27,79018,8918,899
Asia Minor39,87331,0408,833
Maiden Island16,9798,4308,549
Norway19,44511,9307,515
Turkey7,3522,7724,580
Spain9,6085,7863,822
Christmas Island (British)6,2193,2502,969
Ocean Island7,5004,6892,811
Surprise Island7,1724,4642,708
Holland46,70744,0172,690
Society Islands9,1227,6841,438
Denmark5,3134,1471,166
Cape Colony6,0595,085974
Arabia2,2521,306946
Russia1,426516910
China7,5027,005497
Egypt1,389931458
Burmah16,55216,182370
Italy22,95022,581369
Country.1900.1908.Increase.
£££
Cochin China145..145
Norfolk Island295188107
Uruguay47..47
Christmas Island38..38
Brazil673136
Canary Islands14811830
British East Africa29..29
Malta69968217
Morocco14..14
Mauritius57507
Straits Settlement6..6
Orange River Colony6..6
Rhodesia3..3
British West Africa1..1
Mexico1..1
Solomon Islands321
Country.1909.1908.Decrease.
£££
United Kingdom9,287,78610,441,8371,154,051
United States of America1,166,0631,643,937477,874
New South Wales1275,0031,658,498383,495
Western Australia97,207159,03561,828
Germany327,847389,53161,684
British Columbia59,233111,75952,526
Java63,94397,05928,116
Belgium76,708104,64727,939
South Australia43,93562,17418,239
Canada139,151156,50017,349
France88,766103,20414,438
Tasmania50,57062,55411,984
Singapore43,75254,15210,400
Friendly Islands20,79229,4268,634
Switzerland10,25915,5075,248
New Caledonia514,7244,673
Seychelles..3,2883,288
Austria-Hungary9,09712,0442,947
East Indies (Foreign)1,3933,0501,657
Navigator Islands1,8163,4521,636
Queensland2,3013,9081,607
Japan86,86588,2111,346
Madras5191,451932
Country.1909.1908.Decrease.
£££
British West Indies5801,121541
Hong Kong16,85717,394537
Sumatra141503362
Natal118371253
Portugal3,7023,871169
Aden120267147
Borneo..128128
Persia50157170
Alaska67569
Philippine Islands12,87912,94566
Sandwich Islands338047
Bombay84188241
Peru..3434
Madagascar52722
Argentine Republic..55
Chili..55
St. Helena..22
New Hebrides121
Gibraltar..11
New Guinea..11
Transvaal Colony3838..

Articles of Import.

Imports for the five years 1905 to 1909, classified according to the nature of the goods, were as follows:—

Imports for Five Years.

Group of Principal Articles imported.1905.1906.1907.1908.1909.
* Includes methylated and perfumed spirits and spirits of wine.
 £££££
Apparel, including hats and cap775,915860,442949,780972,775930,590
Boots and shoes296,390314,358300,885288,544258,738
Drapery, haberdashery, linens, woollens, and other textiles1,727,9301,939,7882,255,5742,354,4402,105,490
Hosiery144,370160,977189,880191,596155,002
Silks119,72796,11195,24860,13841,706
        Totals3,064,3323,371,6763,791,3673,867,4933,491,526
Iron and steel (pig, wrought, wire, &c., and galvanised)861,9911,123,0921,266,0551,235,943976,198
Railway and tramway plant224,171347,424233,298221,976191,057
Machinery570,657645,882767,536698,465583,448
Sewing and knitting machines36,00842,70638,73453,45358,821
Hardware and ironmongery352,743408,783485,150452,606328,745
Tools and implements (including agricultural)275,074299,927293,793381,786265,830
Nails44,98152,67060,16667,96645,625
Other metals and metal manufactures316,149397,397502,506558,943450,648
        Totals2,681,7743,317,8813,647,2383,671,1382,900,372
Sugar424,534451,206569,472592,849613,950
Tea226,427229,469268,556252,345279,900
        Totals650,961680,675838,028845,194893,850
Beer39,93545,72654,80454,96546,544
Spirits*242,523294,073304,733316,295291,515
Tobacco281,539330,454372,322361,769353,612
Wine51,82565,02873,93076,03270,493
        Totals615,822735,281805,789809,061762,164
Paper236,231243,588276,632302,437263,044
Printed books183,560177,509184,125207,282187,690
Stationery161,934177,241189,105209,264179,279
        Totals581,725598,338649,862718,983630,013
Miscellaneous (specified articles)—     
  Arms, ammunition, and explosives122,65096,438137,069142,297145,837
  Automobiles, motor-oars, and motorcycles, and materials for52,50379,821192,110249,929182,257
  Bags and sacks138,868121,492156,976161,278180,705
  Bicycles and tricycles70,42871,69257,72134,08322,881
  Bicycle and tricycle fittings120,540127,916127,790149,934128,881
  Candles41,68648,52241,52836,09244,090
  Canvas44,09160,76366,56565,59959,067
  Carpeting and druggeting55,49070,69477,24370,47561,653
  Carts, carriages, and materials for73,26167,11782,72197,80860,109
  Cement69,99565,549106,36168,46846,956
  China, porcelain, earthenware, and parianware102,306115,074154,665156,633119,097
  Coal155,786195,141213,377274,605253,081
  Drugs, chemicals, and druggists' wares317,264372,628383,886394,170373,696
  Fancy goods and toys151,972170,529202,321250,426210,259
  Fish (preserved and potted)51,18854,60865,57477,91263,203
  Floorcloth and oilcloth87,78596,546111,371123,66198,607
  Fruits (including fresh, preserved, bottled, and dried)271,841280,274398,259354,732318,477
  Furniture, cabinet-ware, and upholstery67,28178,82096,101118,23562,086
  Glass and glassware138,857175,837192,496220,527162,038
  Leather and leather-manufactures126,288141,197161,025188,090178,349
  Manures173,734209,838234,739254,054269,458
  Musical instruments and materials for123,795128,070136,459132,202106,278
  Seeds90,00596,388201,795145,450124,148
  Oil255,198291,228311,455410,510329,289
  Timber133,276197,585270,770443,938311,472
  Woolpacks and wool-pockets38,78656,05976,39455,46848,522
        Total miscellaneous (specified articles)3,074,8743,469,8264,256,7714,676,5763,960,490
Other imports (excluding specie)1,811,6901,129,4932,550,6122,658,7172,179,047
        Total imports (excluding specie)12,481,17814,303,17016,539,70717,247,16214,817,462
Specie imported347,679908,233763,154224,122857,257
        Total imports12,828,85715,211,40317,302,86117,471,28415,674,719

Adopting the same classification as in the foregoing table the total value for each group is shown for the years 1899 and 1909, distinguishing imports from the United Kingdom, British possessions, United States of America, Germany, and other foreign countries.

Years.Annual Imports from
United Kingdom.British Possessions.Foreign Countries.
United States.Germany.Others.Total Foreign Countries.
  ££££££
Textiles, boot and shoes, drapery and clothing18992,012,72989,47539,62710,17521,12270,924
19093,158,579168,24866,99421,40176,304164,699
Iron and steel, machinery, hardware, tools, and other manufactures of iron and steel18991,311,156193,996253,64923,88829,474307,011
19092,185,518267,959341,24648,24257,407446,895
Sugar and tea18991,812532,4198241413,4204,385
19091,589831,7115,2047855,26860,550
Beer, wine, spirits, and tobacco1899266,23868,970120,9499,65224,855155,456
1909460,584178,97783,6087,49431,501122,603
Paper, books, and stationery1899255,76847,73148,1257,2011,44856,774
1909440,660134,87321,97921,44611,05554,480
Miscellaneous articles18991,678,420978,947312,135109,548159,763581,446
19092,934,5111,934,548647,032229,186394,2601,270,478
Specie1899522125,260....195195
1909106,345750,860....5252
                        Total imports18995,526,6452,036,798775,309160,605240,2771,176,191
19099,287,7864,267,1761,166,063327,847625,8472,119,757

Principal Imports from British Countries.

The goods enumerated below, although shipped from ports in the countries indicated, are not necessarily all the produce or manufacture of those countries. As already stated, only about 92 per cent. of the total imports from the United Kingdom is the produce of that country, the balance being reshipments.

United Kingdom.—Alkali, £25,152; animals, living, £10,827; apparel and slops, £681,760; arms, ammunition, and explosives, £125,552; beer, £44,249; belting, other than leather, £19,084; beverages, non-alcoholic, £16,334; bicycles and tricycles, £26,487; bicycles and tricycles, materials for, £73,018; blacking, £22,353; books, &c., printed, £130,591; boots and shoes, £198,041; brushes, brushware, and brooms, £28,462; candles, £29,694; canvas, £49,303; carpeting and druggeting, £58,658: carriages, &c.—motor vehicles, bodies for, £20,455; motor vehicles, chassis for, £95,271; motor vehicles, materials for, £22,340; carriages, carts, &c., materials for, £34,401: cement, £46,956; china, porcelain, and parianware, £25,076; cocoa and chocolate, £19,464; cocoa butter, £15,377; confectionery, £52,520; copper—pig, bar, and sheet, £19,402; cordage, £12,373; iron and steel hawsers, £22,371; cotton piece-goods, £700,044: drapery—ribbons and crape, £41,377; lace and laces, n.o.e., £62,074; tailors' trimmings, £60,149; drapery, n.o.e., £297,074: drugs, chemicals, and druggists' wares, £217,863; dyes, £9,087; earthenware, £76,055; engine-packing, £9,583; fancy goods and toys, £129,216; fish, potted and preserved, £22,423; floorcloth and oilcloth, £97,446; farinaceous foods, £32,018; fruits, dried, £9,565; furniture, cabinetware, and upholstery, £22,946; furs, £9,682: glass bottles, empty, £25,879; plate glass, £29,499; window glass, £14,531: glassware, £17,376; haberdashery, £111,222; hardware, holloware, and ironmongery, £266,001; hats and caps, £85,739; hatters' materials, £16,853; hose—canvas, indiarubber, &c., £11,699; hosiery, £152,114; instruments—musical (pianos), £52,252; surgical and scientific, £24,496: iron and steel, £972,597; jewellery, £10,635; lamps, lanterns, and lampwicks, £22,822; leather, £60,477; leather-manufactures, £13,058; linen piece-goods, £45,138; hessians and scrim, £36,461; machinery and machines, £437,820; materials for and parts of machines, £9,703; manures, £45,474; matches, £14,869; manufactured metal, articles of, £247,159; millinery, £69,912; mustard, £13,284; nails, £15,410; oils, other than kerosene, £75,506; oilmen's stores, £12,412; paints and colours, £93,577; paper—paperhangings, £32,774; printing-paper, £89,024; writing-paper, £36,009: perfumery, &c.—toilet preparations, £9,859; photographic goods, £33,036; plate and plated-ware, £60,243; rugs, all kinds, £14,939; saddlery and harness, £30,215; saddlers' ironmongery and materials, £30,633; salt, £20,582; sauces, catsup, and chutney, £10,102: seeds—grass and clover, £43,266; other kinds, £27,060: silks, &c., £24,511; soap-powder, extract of soap, £11,224; soap unenumerated, £12,630; specie, £106,345; spirits, cordials, and liqueurs, £243,427; starch, £11,866; stationery, £134,179; textile piece-goods, n.o.e., £289,556; textiles—articles, other than apparel, made up from, £20,554; tin, sheet, £55,931; tinware, £12,086; tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, and snuff, £144,088; tobacco pipes and cases, £15,801; tools and implements, £80,290; twine, £27,120; umbrellas and parasols, and materials for, £18,767; varnish, lacquers, and gold-size, £14,903; watches, £8,883; wine, £24,808; woollen piece-goods, £216,115; yarns, £11,684; grindery, £27,302.

New South Wales.—Acid, £1,601; alkali, £1,089; animals, living, £8,430; apparel and slops, £9,566; bags and sacks, £4,119; beverages, non-alcoholic, £1,288; bicycles, tricycles, materials for, £2,121; books, &c., printed, £24,116; boots and shoes, £4,609; brushes, &c., materials for, £3,151; candles, £3,270; canvas, £1,295; carriages, &c., materials for, £7,763; chassis for motor vehicles, £1,508; charcoal, £3,156; coals, £252,404; coffee; raw, £1,146; coke, £4,747; confectionery, £1,502; copper—pig, bar, and sheet, £3,780; iron and steel ropes and hawsers, £2,942; cork, cut £1,310; cotton piece-goods, £13,214: drapery—tailors' trimmings, £2,402; lace and laces, n.o.e., £1,157; drapery, n.o.e., £6,139: drugs, chemicals, and druggists' wares, £12,618; dyes, £1,859; earthenware, £2,207; engine-packing, £2,212; fancy goods and toys, £29,205; fish, potted and preserved, £3,176; flour, £22,088; farinaceous food, £6,732; fruits, dried, £2,056; fruits, fresh, £47,087; furniture, cabinetware, and upholstery, £2,277; glass bottles, empty, £4,232; grain—wheat, £6,877; grindery, £2,349; haberdashery, £3,099; hardware, holloware, and ironmongery, £4,684; hats and caps, £1,369; hatters' materials, £1,569; hose—canvas, indiarubber, &c., £1,717; indiarubber goods, £2,159: instruments—musical (pianos), £1,265; surgical and scientific, £7,063: iron and steel, £23,776; jewellery, £1,291; lamps, lanterns, and lampwicks, £1,334: lead—pigs, and bars, £7,932; sheet, £10,522: leather, £15,953; linen piece-goods, £1,221; hessians and scrim, £3,011; machinery and machines, £38,230; materials for and parts of machines, £1,989; manures, £57,681; manufactured metal, articles of, £14,871; millinery, £2,961; mouldings and panels, £1,266; oils, other than kerosene, £6,183; onions, £1,817; paints and colours, £2,337; perfumes and toilet preparations, £2,859; photographic goods, £2,946; pictures, paintings, drawings, &c., £1,091; plants, shrubs, &c. £2,196; plate and platedware, £1,485; printing material, £4,048; rice, £11,075; rice-meal refuse, £1,069; salt, £3,690: seeds—grass and clover, £3,262; other kinds, £1,102: shale, £954; silks, &c., £1,430; skins and pelts, £1,088; soaps, £21,889; specie, £100,560; spirits, cordials, and liqueurs, £7,111; spirits of wine, £6,822; stationery, £8,975; sugar, refined, £13,721; tanning material, crude, £4,098; tea, £16,211; textile piece-goods, n.o.e., £18,108; timber, £123,815; tin, block, £9,745; tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, and snuff, £11,173; tools and implements, £5,665; umbrellas and parasols, materials for, £1,530; wine, £9,068; woodenware, £2,304; wool, £6,294; woollen piece-goods, £6,045.

Victoria.—Acid, £1,408; animals, living, £2,283; apparel and slops, £7,900; arms, ammunition, and explosives, £2,471; bags and sacks, £2.767; belting, leather, £1,095; belting, other than leather. £1,402; bicycles and tricycles, materials for, £41,747; boats, £1,047; books, &c., printed, £25,832; boots and shoes, £7,493; carpeting and druggeting, £1,048: carriages, &c.—materials for, £1,807; motor vehicles, materials for, £7,352: coffee, raw, £4,308; cotton piece-goods, £5,942: drapery—ribbons and crape, £1,213; drapery, n.o.e., £6,047: drugs, chemicals, and druggists' wares, £69,478; dyes, £2,020; earthenware, £1,159; essential oils, £3,415; fancy goods and toys, £3,240; flour, £21,965; farinaceous foods, £2,470; fruits, bottled and preserved, £1,360; fruits, dried, £3,540; fruits, fresh, £16,158; furs, £1,057; glass bottles, empty, £2,534; glassware, £1,647; grain—wheat, £6,396; grindery, £5,398; haberdashery, £2,415; hardware, holloware, and ironmongery, £2,740; hose—canvas, indiarubber, &c., £4,519; indiarubber goods, £3,573; iron and steel, £6,836; lead—pigs and bars, £1,058; leather, £29,615; linen piece-goods £2,753; machinery and machines, £41,151; manures, £19,958; manufactured metals, articles of, £8,377; millinery, £2,974; oils, other than kerosene, £7,468; onions, £5,433; paints and colours, £1,183; photographic goods, £2,318; plants, shrubs, &c., £7,150; portmanteaux and travelling-bags, £1,975; rice, £9,239; soap, £3,399; specie, £650,300; spices, unground, £1,467; spirits, cordials, and liqueurs, £5,335; stationery, £11,243; stone, building, £1,491; sugar, refined, £8,918; sulphur, £1,945; tanning materials, crude, £19,143; tea, £16,872; textile piece-goods, n.o.e., £5,105; timber, £3,143; tin, block, £9,478; tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, and snuff, £111,432; tools and implements, £3,747; wine, £8,817; woodenware, £1,083; woollen piece-goods, £1,460.

South Australia.—Flour, £4,543; fresh fruits, £1,850; manures, £4,495; salt, £16,190; tanning materials, £6,802; wine, £7,501.

Tasmania.—Fresh fruit, £7,756; fish, penguin, and seal oil, £1,543; potatoes, £671; tanning materials, £8,505; timber, £27,185; tin, block, £1,679.

Western Australia—Timber, £96,911.

Fiji.—Fresh fruits, £57,015; grain and pulse, £1,149; raw sugar, £527,862; molasses, £1,929.

Maiden Island.—Manures, £16,979.

Ocean Island.—Manures, £7,500.

Canada.—Apparel and slops, n.o.e., £811; ammunition, £1,080; bicycles and tricycles, materials for, £1,263; boots and shoes, £2,076; gum boots, £1,779; candles, £1,727; canvas, £537; chassis for motor vehicles, £1,150; cotton piece-goods, £1,128; earthenware, £877; fish, potted and preserved, £2,797; furniture, cabinetware, and upholstery, £4,219; iron and steel, £1,660; leather, £3,368; machinery and machines, £27,646; mouldings and panels, £1,349; nails, £10,848; printing-paper, £58,828; seeds, grass and closer, £2,853; tools and implements, £5,527.

British Columbia.—Apparel and slops, n.o.e., £1,127; books, &c., printed, £572; boots and shoes, £1,434; gum boots, £1,163; chassis for motor vehicles, £1,023; cotton piece-goods, £1,221; drugs, chemicals, and druggists' sundries, £1,248; fish, potted and preserved, £18,788; lead—pig and bar, £3,944; leather, £1,248; machinery and machines, £3,734; timber, £15,408; laths and shingles, £1,362; wine, £2,046.

Cape Colony.—Wine, £5,409.

Hong Kong.—Fireworks, £1,136; furniture, cabinetware, and upholstery, £1,127; grain and pulse, £1,062; jams, jellies, and preserves, £2,200; rice, £4,185; textile piece-goods, £1,075.

Bengal.—Canes and rattans, £696; carpeting and druggeting, £772; cornsacks, £160,478; bags and sacks, unenumerated, £12,297; fibrous yarns, £1,690; hatters' materials, £1,674; hessians and scrim, £23,386; kapok, £2,196; manures—bonedust, £60,053; mats and matting, £3,682: oils—castor, £15,938; linseed, £1,519; paraffin wax, £1,006; pig iron, £3,179; tea, £23,268; woolpacks and pockets, £47,872.

Burmah.—Candles, £7,755; paraffin wax, £7,380; rice, £1,080.

Ceylon.—Cocoa beans, £2,406; coffee, raw, £587; desiccated cocoanut £2,072; tea, £221,745.

Singapore.—Canes and rattans, £650; fruits, bottled and preserved, £8,694; kapok, £1,365; manures, £3,378; rice, £10,994; sago and tapioca, £11,436; spices, unground, £5,544.

Christmas Island.—Manures, £6,219.

Principal Imports from Foreign Countries.

United States of America.—Apparel and slops, £22,421; arms, ammunition and explosives, £11,087; beekeepers' tools, £3,075; bicycles and tricycles, materials for, £1,027; books, &c., printed, £6,261; boots and shoes, £18,550; boots, gum, £6,534; brushes, brushware, and brooms, £1,936; canvas, £7,479: carriages, &c.—carriages and carts, £1,489; bodies for motor-vehicles, £1,930; chassis for motor vehicles, £9,090; perambulators and go-carts, £2,420; materials for, £7,681: clocks, £6,926; confectionery, £2,926; cotton piece-goods, £16,887; drapery, n.o.e., £1,217; drugs, chemicals, and druggists' sundries, £18,516; engine-packing, £2,022; fancy goods and toys, £11,492; fish, potted and preserved, £2,927; farinaceous foods, £3,731; fruit, bottled and preserved, £14,510; fruits, dried, £31,428; fruits, fresh, £13,589; furniture, cabinetware, and upholstery, £5,571; furniture, knife, &c., powder and polish, £4,006; glass bottles, empty, £2,870; glassware, £9,711; grease, £2,159; grindery, £9,267; haberdashery, £1,111; hardware, holloware, and ironmongery, £42,263; hops, £2,200; hose—canvas, rubber, &c., £1,108; ink, printing, £1,931: instruments—musical, harmoniums and organs, £2,174; pianos, £2,302; surgical and scientific, £10,168: iron and steel, £55,117; lamps, lanterns, and lampwick, £8,427; lead—pigs and bars, £1,004; leather, £20,249; machinery and machines, £147,556; materials for and parts of machines, £1,402; manufactures of metal, £29,596; mouldings and panels, £5,922; nails, £13,024: oils—kerosene, £128,638; other, £88,272: onions, £1,887; paints and colours, £7,643; paperhangings, £1,571; printing-paper, £2,664; writing-paper, £1,965; perfumery, toilet preparations, £2,955; photographic goods, £4,277; pictures, paintings, drawings, &c., £1,419; picture frames and mounts, £1,310; plaster-of-paris, £2,129; printing materials, £1,176; resin, £4,746; saddlery and harness, £1,334; saddlers' ironmongery and materials, £1,018; sausage-skins, £10,318; seeds, grass and clover, £29,135; ships' chandlery, n.o.e., £1,199; soap-powder, extract of soap, £2,169; soap, n.o.e., £5,578; stationery, £8,446; stones—grind, mill, oil, and whet, £1,147; sugar, glucose, £5,197; timber, £33,889; tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, and snuff, £79,507; tools and implements, £49,005; turpentine and terebene, £8,001; varnish, lacquers, and gold-size, £3,241; watches, £1,716; wax, paraffin, £12,923.

Germany.—Acid, £1,909; apparel and slops, £5,540; arms, ammunition, and explosives, £2,107; bicycles and tricycles, materials for, £11,732; brushes, brushware, and brooms, £2,233; carriages, &c.—materials for motor vehicles, £2,944; china, porcelain, and parianware, £6,288; clocks, £2,901; confectionery, £2,094; cotton piece-goods, £2,024; drapery—lace and laces, n.o.e., £1,310; drapery, n.o.e., £3,007; drugs, chemicals, and druggists' sundries, £6,355; dyes, £1,741; earthenware, £2,848; fancy goods and toys, £28,340; fish, potted and preserved, £1,088; furniture, cabinetware, and upholstery, £1,788; gelatine and isinglass, £1,048; glass bottles, empty, £16,081; glassware, £10,362; haberdashery, £1,275; hardware, holloware, and ironmongery. £10,519; hosiery, £1,740; musical instruments (pianos), £30,006; iron and steel, £13,429; lamps, lanterns, and lampwick, £5,579; leather, £2,696; machinery and machines, £21,265; manures, £22,944; manufactures of metal, £3,246; mouldings and panels, £2,599; nails, £4,229; naphtha (wood), £1,122; butter - paper, £3,320; paperhangings, £1,856; wrapping-paper, £3,660; salt, £2,890; seeds, grass and clover, £10,048; seeds, unenumerated, £1,281; spirits, cordials, and liqueurs, £3,961; stationery, £11,093; textile piece-goods, n.o.e., £3,916; tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, and snuff, £1,151; tools and implements, £1,646; woodenware, £12,115; zinc, £1,926.

Belgium.—Apparel and slops, £11,983; aims, £1,857; confectionery, £867; cotton piece-goods, £1,598; dyes, £656: glass—plate, £4,670; window, £8,633: glassware, £2,519; iron and steel, £2,307; machinery and machines, £13,323; manures, £2,271; paper, butter, £1,952; paperhangings, £1,497; stearine, £1,478; wine, £1,368; zinc, sheet, £1,002; spelter, £3,490.

France.—Acid, tartaric, £1,917; basketware and wickerware, £666: carriages, &c.—bodies for motor vehicles, £942; chassis for motor vehicles, £5,749; materials for motor vehicles, £1,242: cream of tartar, £29,654; earthenware, £1,952; fancy goods and toys, £2,299; gelatine and isinglass, £2,086; pianos, £913; spirits, cordials, and liqueurs, £8,964; stearine, £4,010; tobacco pipes and cases, £3,427; wine, £7,305.

Italy.—Almonds, shelled and unshelled. £4,498; chassis for motor vehicles, £825; dressed or polished marble, £3,835; fibrous yarns, £1,268; hats and caps, £1,155; lemon and orange peel in brine, £2,588; marble in the rough, £1,682; sulphur, £1,627.

Spain.—Cork, cut, £6,173; nuts, £1,227; wine, £1,097.

Portugal.—Cork, cut, £1,688; fish, potted and preserved. £864.

Norway.—Carbide of calcium, £8,221; fish, potted and preserved, £5,582.

Sweden.—Carbide of calcium, £5,780; lamps, lanterns, and lampwick, £1,414; machinery and machines, £12,939; matches, £1,281; timber, £7,476; wrapping-paper, £1,916.

Denmark.—Machinery and machines, £2,893.

Austria-Hungary.—Boots and shoes, £1,357; furniture, cabinetware, and upholstery, £2,266; gelatine and isinglass, £770; tobacco-pipes, £948.

Holland.—Cocoa and chocolate, £25,078; cotton piece-goods, £1,493; grass and clover seed, £1,460; seeds, unenumerated, £1,941; gin and geneva, £6,907; material for cardboard boxes, £1,056; zinc spelter, £3,176.

Switzerland.—Asphalt, £574; cigars, £749; confectionery, £3,386; textile piece-goods, £1,236.

Greece.—Dried fruits, £27,565.

Japan.—Apparel and slops, n.o.e., £2,347; articles made up from textiles (not apparel), £2,059: basketware and wickerware, £2,159; china, porcelain, and parianware, £810; cotton piece-goods, £1,263; drapery, £5,373; earthenware, £630; fancy goods and toys, £4,488; furniture, cabinetware, and upholstery, £1,792; hats and caps, £1,086; manures, £14,435; mats and matting, £1,442; onions, £540; rice, £5,860; silks, £13,161; sulphur, £2,603; textile piece-goods, £19,839.

Java.—Kapok, £13,823; hats and caps, £608; raw sugar, £54,000.

Asia Minor.—Dried fruits, £37,177; tanning materials, £1,776.

West Indies.—Cigars, £1,346.

Arabia.—Dried fruits, £2,236.

China.—Rice, £1,383; tea, £1,105; textile piece-goods, £2,042.

Turkey.—Dried fruits, £6,292; foods for animals, £837.

Friendly Islands.—Copra, £4,773; fresh fruits, £15,559.

Navigator Islands.—Copra, £714.

Society Islands.—Copra, £1,638; fresh fruits, £5,782.

Surprise Island.—Manures, £7,172.

Philippine Islands.—Hemp, £10,228; cigars, £2,161.

Sugar.

The value of sugar (including raw sugar, £581,886; refined sugar. £22,970; glucose. £6,615; molasses and treacle, £2,479) imported in 1909 was £613,950, an increase of £21,101 on the amount for 1908 (£592,849). The value of this import for the last three years has averaged £592,090. The following figures, giving the average consumption per head of sugar in Australasia, are, saving those for New Zealand—and excluding a proportion (30 lb. per head) deducted on account of Maoris—taken from “The Official Year-book of New South Wales, 1904–5.” The figures stating the consumption of tea, wine, beer, spirits, and tobacco, given further on, are also taken from the same source:—

Annual Consumption of Sugar per Head in Australasia.

 Lb.
Queensland123.0
New South Wales109.2
New Zealand107.9
Western Australia107.6
South Australia101.8
Victoria100.7
Tasmania100.4

Tea.

The quantity? of tea imported in 1909 was 7,302,310 lb. Supposing Maoris to use, on an average, 1lb. per head per annum, the consumption of tea per head of the population exclusive of Maoris, would be about 7 lb.

Average Annual Consumption of Tea per Head in Australasia.

 Lb.
Western Australia9.6
South Australia8.2
New Zealand7.3
New South Wales7.2
Queensland7.0
Victoria6.9
Tasmania6.2

Beer, Spirits, and Wine.

During 1909 excise duty was paid on 9,183,920 gallons of beer; whilst 252,313 gallons of beer, 713,424 gallons of spirits, and 138,699 gallons of wine were entered at the Customs for home consumption.

Beer manufactured in New Zealand on which Excise Duty was paid.

 Gal.
19006,811,280
19017,134,800
19027,179,360
19037,555,200
19047,786,480
19057,796,160
19068,318,880
19079,049,600
19089,347,600
19099,183,920

The following table gives the consumption per head of alcoholic liquors by the people, excluding and including Maoris, showing separately the proportions of beer, wine, and spirits from 1900 to 1909. To the quantity of beer manufactured in each year on which excise duty was paid has been added the quantity brought into consumption from imports:—

Year.Beer.Spirits.Wine.
Excluding Maoris.Including Maoris.Excluding Maoris.Including Maoris.Excluding Maoris.Including Maoris.
 Gal.Gal.Gal.Gal.Gal.Gal.
19009.1508.6960.7200.6840.1520.145
19019.4138.9190.7660.7260.1590.151
19029.2528.7770.7550.7160.1580.150
19039.4608.9870.7550.7180.1490.142
19049.4558.9960.7660.7290.1420135
19059.2128.7770.7300.6950.1300.124
19069.5699.0850.7730.7340.1430136
190710.1509.6490.8060.7660.1590.151
190810.1799.6890.7950.7570.1580.150
19099.7109.2560.7400.7050.1430.136

A comparison of the consumption of beer, spirits, and wine per head in Australasia on an average of five years is added:—

Beer.Spirits.Wine.
 Gal.Gal.Gal.
Queensland10.41.100.28
New South Wales9.80.830.68
Victoria13.40.701.29
South Australia8.40.465.43
Western Australia24.501.471.00
Tasmania9.220.540.17
New Zealand (including Maoris)9.360.750.15

Besides showing the quantity of alcoholic liquor consumed during the year, it seems desirable to give some information as to the actual cost of the beer, wine, and spirits imported, not including duty, which is merely so-much taxation raised by means of the importer, but all held in the Dominion and used by the Government for the benefit of the people.

In the year 1909 the value of the various kinds of potable spirits imported amounted to £279,139, of imported beer to £46,544, and wines to £70,493; making altogether £396,176.

If to the above total be added £688,794, the estimated value of the beer manufactured, and £9,000, the estimated value of wine made, the cost for the introduction and manufacture of alcoholic beverages comes to £1,093,970 for the year 1909, against which may be set £7,136, representing the value of the small export for the same period.

Tobacco.

The tobacco entered for consumption in 1909 was 2,744,805 lb., and the consumption per head of population, including Maoris, 2.75 lb.

Average Annual Consumption per Head of Tobacco in various Countries.

 Lb
Holland6.92
United States4.40
Turkey4.37
Western Australia4.36
Austria-Hungary3.77
Denmark3.70
Switzerland3.24
Belgium3.15
Germany3.00
New Zealand2.75
New South Wales.69
Queensland2.65
Tasmania2.30
South Australia2.14
Canada2.11
France2.05
Victoria2.02
Sweden1.87
Spain1.70
United Kingdom1.41
Italy1.34
Russia1.23

Details of all Articles of Import.

Details of all imports for 1909, giving quantities and values of articles introduced, with the amounts entered for home consumption, and the amount of duty received, are next shown:—

General Imports into New Zealand during the Year 1909.

(For rates of duty, see Tariff.)

Articles.Total Quantities Imported.Value of Total Imports.Entered for Home Consumption on Importation and Warehouse.Amount of Duty received, including Preferential
  £ £s.d.
Acid—      
    Acetic436,979 lb.4,670513,339 lb.3,20874
    Carbolic38,287 lb.577....
    Salicylic1,574 lb.112....
    Sulphuric33,225 lb.253....
    Tartaric122,693 lb.5,453....
    Unenumerated232,071 lb.5,208....
Alkali—    
    Potash and caustic potash1,060 cwt.1,313....
    Soda ash18,718 cwt.6,368....
    Soda, carbonate and bicarbonate16,112 cwt.5,980....
    Soda, caustic13,591 cwt.10,183....
    Soda crystals68 cwt.1868 cwt.61711
    Soda silicate5,367 cwt.1,842....
    Unenumerated3,728 cwt.2,483....
Alum4,115 cwt.1,958....
Animals, living—      
    Birds2,430 No.681....
    Cats21 No.12....
    Cattle, horned11 No.82011 No.5100
    Deer59 No.609....
    Dogs128 No.937....
    Eagles2 No.3....
    Emus1 No.3....
    Frogs300 No.2....
    Goats1 No.20....
    Gold-fish50 No.2....
    Horses78 No.15,50362 No.6200
    Kangaroos3 No.6....
    Ladybirds..1....
    Lemurs1 No.2....
    Lizards2 No.3....
    Monkeys27 No.24....
    Partridges24 No.12....
    Pigeons23 No.60....
    Pigs3 No.100....
    Poultry382 No.603....
    Sheep230 No.2,894....
Apparel and slops n.o.e...743,024£739,447184,861138
Apparel made to order of residents in the Dominion..1,429£1,429571100
Arms, ammunition, and explosives—.. ....
    Accoutrements..147....
    Caps, percussion6,190,000 No.825£74774140
    Cartridges (shot), 10 to 24 bore6,638,003 No.22,1086,552,000 No.8,391157
    Cartridges n.o.e.13,526,140 No.8,377£8,3512,20968
    Cartridge-cases312,307 No.438312,900 No.197177
    Detonators for dynamite..3,412....
    Dynamite61,500 lb.2,981....
    Firearms10,833 No.15,060£14,9733,93799
    Firearms, parts of..957....
    Fuse291,770 coils7,012....
    Lithofracteur, cordite, and similar explosives277,566 lb.13,008....
    Ordnance stores..17,052....
    Powder, blasting805,647 lb.20,348....
    Powder, sporting8,290 lb.802....
    Shot373 cwt.31233 cwt.16146
    Other explosives749,719 lb.32,057....
    Unenumerated..166....
Asphalt17,719 cwt.2,839....
Bacon and hams2,684 lb.1392,684 lb.2274
Bags and sacks—      
    Cornsacks596,868 doz.165,899....
    Unenumerated85,331 doz.14,631£39110840
Bags of textile or felt, printed4,689 doz.175£17543150
Bagging and sacking..1,324£4312180
Basketware and wickerware..4,858£4,9121,365150
Beche-de-mer.1 cwt...1 cwt.066
Beekeepers' tools..3,712....
Beer250,116 gal.46,544252,313 gal.25,231108
Belting, leather39,463 lb.5,56338,873 lb.647178
Belting, leather other than leather..22,161£1,507150140
Beverages, non-alcoholic—      
    Aerated and mineral waters..3,801£4,266853610
    Coffee-essence..13,266£13,0932,618105
    Fruit-juices, sweetened..705£78715930
    Fruit-juices, unsweetened21,267 gal.2,321£3667460
    Unenumerated..273£2575260
Bicycles and tricycles6,589 No.22,881£25,9765,26593
    Materials for..128,881£26,1925,43930
Motor bicycles and tricycles295 No.4,906£4,8491,023160
Materials for..2,905£18336180
Biscuits—      
    Fancy, and other kinds116,172 lb.5,323116,000 lb.969143
    Ships', plain461 cwt.543526 cwt.79410
Blacking..23,313£23,2674,66827
Blacklead..5,202£5,2591,095511
Blue258,116 lb.6,423251,159 lb.1,046101
Boats45 No.2,238£1,838373140
    Fittings for..32£275169
Books, &c., printed..187,690....
Boots and shoes79,501 doz. pr.218,805£225,02969,775132
    Nos. 0 to 616,84015,355£3033060
    Gum-boots1,73113,719....
Borax2,408 cwt.3,105....
Brass—      
    Pigs, bars, or sheets1,090 cwt.4,224....
    Tubing or stamped work in the rough712 cwt.3,153....
Bricks—      
    Building46,396 No.183....
    Fire291,729 No.1,705£1,705367140
    Other kinds58,481 No.182....
Bronze, ingots508 cwt.3,053....
Brushes, brushware and brooms..34,407£34,6639,896153
    Materials for..9,077....
Candles2,557,817 lb.44,0902,568,746 lb.16,28546
Canes and rattans..2,258....
Canvas..59,067....
Caramel35,783 lb.44335,829 lb.14959
Cards, playing26,758 packs79167,460 packs1,686100
Carpeting and druggeting..61,653£60,23612,04721
Carriages, &c.—      
    Carriages126 No.2,093£2,0914521410
    Carts, drays, and wagons67 No.1,435£1,46442240
    Motor vehicles—bodies for401 No.23,938£23,7314,74648
    Motor vehicles—chassis for449 No.115,031....
    Motor vehicles—materials for..35,477£603120130
    Perambulators and go-carts2,914 No.3,023£3,02085600
    Steam motor - lorries—bodies for2 No.47£17380
    Steam motor - lorries—chassis for2 No.1,049....
    Materials for..8,435£7,8991,708134
    Materials for—viz., axles, axle-arms and boxes..18,935....
    Carriage and cart shafts, spokes, and felloes in the rough..5,945....
    Carriage and cart makers' materials..19,147....
Cement111,869 barrels46,956108,720 barrels10,87200
Chains and chain cables7,947 cwt.9,643£4104100
Charcoal358 tons3,156....
Cheese3 cwt.14£14400
Chicory146 lb.9146 lb.1166
China, porcelain, and parianware..32,822£32,4657,49087
Clocks58,104 No.14,927£14,8644,287197
Coals258,185 tons253,081....
Cocoa and chocolate453,684 lb.46,471453,544 lb.6,36878
Cocoa-beans250,006 lb.7,471....
Cocoa-butter420,202 lb.16,381....
Cocoanut, desiccated166,180 lb.2,635....
Coffee—      
    Raw238,828 lb.7,838....
    Roasted2,132 lb.1202,020 lb.25182
Coke3,552 tons6,437....
Combs..4,033£3,9609791410
Confectionery—      
    Chocolate confectionery, plain trade packages160,070 lb.8,117157,597 lb.2,02654
    Chocolate confectionery, fancy packages..33,000£32,5036,864177
    Unenumerated742,892 lb.24,550755,594 lb.6,51175
Copper—      
    Nails221 cwt.1,124....
    Pig, bar, and sheet5,677 cwt.24,078....
    Rod and bolt190 cwt.811....
    Sheathing70 cwt.311....
Copra472 tons7,147....
Cordage4,411 cwt.13,875£13,2102,712103
    Hawsers of 12 in. and over424 cwt.599....
    Iron and steel12,251 cwt.25,590£5911160
Cork, cut..14,501£12,8741,28788
Cotton piece-goods—      
    Butter and cheese cloth..7,840£3,75075010
Leather cloth..7,292....
Tubular woven cotton cloth..38,412£295160
Waterproof material..4,795....
Unenumerated..686,281....
Cotton—      
    Waste5,406 cwt.8,080....
    Wick129,351 lb.5,899....
Drapery..321,221£320,82264,16492
    Lace and laces, n.o.e...66,008£65,06413,012152
    Ribbons and crape..43,788£43,7428,74699
    Tailors' trimmings..63,010....
Drugs, chemicals, and druggists' wares—      
    Baking-powder, yeast preparations, &c...731£676136180
    Chemicals n.o.e...5,130£4,9251,078101
    Cream of tartar1,084,019 lb.36,086....
    Medicinal preparations, drugs, and druggists' sundries..135,386£134,82629,906112
    Glycerine, refined..2,263£2,23545540
    Medicinal preparations over 50 per cent. proof spirits30,331 lb.3,64739,409 lb.1,970810
    Washing-powder..1,825£1,923384120
    Anhydrous ammonia..6,153....
    Arsenic1,204 cwt.996....
    Carbide of calcium1,667 tons22,603....
    Disinfectants..11,642....
    Gums..3,058....
    Insecticides and tree-washes..3,136....
    Medicinal barks, leaves, &c...592....
    Phosphorus..966....
    Potassium and sodium cyanide708 tons59,823....
    Sheep-dip..68,568....
    Sheep and horse drenched and sheep-licks..867....
    Vanilla-beans4,193 lb.362....
    Unenumerated..39,862....
Dyes..15,588....
Earthen ware..86,275£80,50316,6231111
Eggs for setting11 doz.13....
Engine-packing..14,985....
Essences—      
    Flavouring, spirituous3,340 gal.8,1313,316 gal.2,652161
    Flavouring, n.o.e...176£1033380
Essential oils—      
    Eucalyptus10,232 lb.2,514£2,50550120
    Other kinds..7,670....
Fancy goods and toys..210,259£203,47850,78748
Felt sheathing..5,168£56656120
Fire-engines and extinguishers1,623 No.2,496£5245280
Fire-hose and other appliances..1,777£21521100
Fireworks..2,333£2,162566198
Fish—      
    Anchovies, salted19 cwt.61....
    Dried, pickled, or salted2,1343,9242,069 cwt.1,149117
    Potted and preserved2,297,329 lb.59,2182,171,048 lb.18,74621
Fish ova..650....
Fishing-tackle—      
    Artificial flies..349£3368400
    Fish-hooks..891....
    Unenumerated..4,600£4,59893171
Flock18 cwt.22£22240
Floorcloth and oilcloth..98,607£95,56919,1131611
Flour105,562 centals48,701105,594 centals5,2811011
Foods, animal—      
    Chaff8 tons509 tons8139
    Prepared calf-meal5 tons605 tons650
    Unenumerated..4,197£4,2391,068176
Foods, farinaceous—      
    Arrowroot39,709 lb.581....
    Infants and invalids..15,072....
    Macaroni and vermicelli337,583 lb.4,573....
    Maizena and cornflour1,708,814 lb.22,126....
    Sago and tapioca22,866 cwt.13,633....
    Unenumerated..2,935....
Fruits, bottled and preserved144,832 doz.25,924£26,2638,367106
Fruits, dried—      
    Currants2,744,276 lb.27,514....
    Raisins4,201,664 lb.49,307....
    Figs, dates, and prunes3,756,05036,794....
    Unenumerated502,2959,308508,885 lb.4,240142
Fruits, fresh—      
    Apples, pears, plums, &c.688,738 lb.11,357688,738 lb.2,8691410
    Apples and pears1,529,101 lb.17,3591,528,446 lb.3,18453
    Currants, raspberries, &c.30,204 lb.31930,204 lb.62186
    Grapes276,542 lb.4,525276,542 lb.1,15252
    Lemons781,765 lb.10,221781,765 lb.1,628137
    Other kinds20,243,918 lb.121,688....
Fruits, lemon and orange peel, in brine537,195 lb.3,035....
Fruit-pulp, and partially preserved fruit84,461 lb.1,12680,194 lb.50143
Fungus7 cwt.15....
Furniture, cabinetware, and upholstery..37,485£38,27411,404113
    Kapok6,903 cwt.17,995....
    Unenumerated..6,606....
Furniture, knife, and plate powder and polish..9,003£8,9152,1961710
Furs..11,767£10,9932,74863
Gelatine and isinglass226,913 lb.10,968224,183 lb.1,59085
Glass—      
    Bottles, empty..52,222....
    Mirrors and looking-glasses..7,130£7,2711,99136
    Plate, bevelled, &c...8,891£8,8832,41679
    Plate, other kinds756,404 sup. ft.26,323....
    Window3,074,523 sup. ft.23,990....
Glassware..43,482£29,1007,928112
Glue and size117,122 lb.2,795116,122 lb.8021010
Gold-leaf..219....
Grain and pulse—      
    Barley120 centals81121 centals1222
    Beans and peas1,257 centals863995 centals3764
    Maize591 centals204591 centals14158
    Oats245 centals93246 centals946
    Wheat39,672 centals13,69139,659 centals1,48743
    Unenumerated22,498 centals10,23022,782 centals85464
    Ground, unenumerated10,268 centals8,79110,023 centals513111
Grease5,233 cwt.4,1834,171 cwt.1,118170
Grindery—      
Heel and toe plates..553£564125133
Unenumerated..44,265£13160
Gum371 cwt.1,546....
Haberdashery..20,035£20,0864,01731
    Buttons, &c...37,714....
    Sewing cottons, silks, and threads..60,499....
    Unenumerated..2,081....
Hair..3,726....
Hardware, holloware, and ironmongery..328,745£323,23771,191120
Hats and caps77,544 doz.90,289£90,10322,526187
Hatters' materials..21,589....
Hemp426 tons10,748....
Hides2,285 No.4,261....
Honey298 lb.8298 lb.298
Hops61,141 lb.3,25161,332 lb.2,155153
Hose, canvas, indiarubber, &c...19,792£1,994398160
Hosiery..155,002£155,17938,794171
Indiarubber and gutta-percha goods..9,917£1422880
Ink—      
    Printing242,265 lb.7,832£2,74427473
    Writing6,476 gal.2,7485,372 gal.552311
Instruments, musical—      
    Harmoniums and organs341 No.4,394£4,4311,13899
    Pianos3,452 No.88,366£89,90422,132130
    Unenumerated..10,506£10,3172,69120
    For Volunteer bands..28....
    Materials for..2,984£569118140
Instruments—      
    Optical..4,093....
    Scientific..6,202....
    Surgical and dental..29,006....
    Surveying..3,427£5045080
    Unenumerated..346....
Iron and steel—      
    Angle1,039 tons7,413£951900
    Bar, bolt, and rod17,896 tons146,448£8991791410
    Bolts and nuts22,604 cwt.22,933....
    Castings for ships..1,377£1322680
    Galvanised manufactures..879£738188185
    Hoop2,543 tons23,305£569113160
    Hoop, galvanised3,178 cwt.2,0173,178 cwt.25977
    Pig9,767 tons39,244....
    Pipes and fittings15,824 tons155,790£12,6862,53740
    Rails19,911 tons138,001£1,84536900
    Sheet and plate8,460 tons70,072£77515500
    Sheet, galvanised, corrugated270,067 cwt.220,647267,265 cwt.26,73603
    Sheet, galvanised, plain65,480 tons54,86965,011 tons4,885181
    Staples, fencing13,937 tons8,093....
    Tanks4,266 No.11,653..1,788166
    Wire, fencing, barbed3,208 tons38,873....
    Wire, fencing, plain8,737 tons83,149....
    Wire, telegraphic and telephone256 tons11,458....
    Wire netting..35,127£2322340
    Wire, unenumerated393 tons4,806....
    Unenumerated257 tons2,812....
Jams, jellies, and preserves460,507 lb.9,135493,566 lb.4,232133
Jellies, concentrated74,259 lb.2,97278,127 lb.1,30226
Jewellery 12,811£12,0142,56487
Lamps, lanterns, and lampwick..41,147£38,2859,809166
Lard85 cwt.269£26955120
Lead—      
    Pigs and bars1,177 cwt.16,994....
    Pipe (including composition)193 cwt.175195 cwt.3416
    Sheet17,494 cwt.15,457....
Leather936,905 lb.133,526672,574 lb.5,9381810
    Chamois..1,454£1,39230200
Leather manufactures—      
    Boot and shoe vamps, uppers, and laces..10,306£10,2682,5091111
    Unenumerated..5,717£5,6841,35167
Linen piece-goods..49,420  
    Hessians and scrim..64,416....
Linseed5 tons74....
Machinery and machines—      
    Agricultural (including agricultural implements)..112,231....
    Ploughs and harrows..7,437....
    Cash-registering298 No.3,661£5,7861,15742
    Dairying..41,983£1,856185119
    Dairying engines for..54£5222620
    Dairying boilers for..67£671386
    Dredging..5,390£5,111292170
    Electric..212,071£114,51818,390910
    Engines, steam30 No.13,733£14,1012,826160
    Engines, gas and oil1,626 No.69,839£24,2544,850154
    Engines, gas and oil, for motor-cars75 No.2,197£63112640
    Engines, boilers for27 No.6,474£6,5061,30540
    Flour-milling..3,165£3,16615860
    Knitting242 No.3,098....
    Locomotives4 No.4,067£4,06781380
    Mining..27,298£4,688468160
    Mining engines for..9,752£9,927537156
    Mining boilers for..359£35971160
    Paper-milling..6,792£6,330318146
    Portable and traction engines44 No.19,951£1931960
    Printing..34,401£32,5201,9661911
    Refrigerating..1,172£2,123153116
    Sewing11,849 No.55,723....
    Woollen-mill..8,960£8,116405186
    Unenumerated..98,267£90,91320,22127
    Materials for, and parts of..13,914£2,896584142
Maize, flaked1,152 bush.2691,153 bush.57130
Malt1,018 bush.3681,020 bush.10201
    Rice-malt360 lb.11360 lb.1100
Manures—      
    Bonedust13,815 tons74,934    
    Guano9,551 tons30,222    
    Unenumerated46,592 tons164,297    
Marble—      
    Dressed or polished..7,743£7,9621,990107
    Hewn or rough-sawn317 tons2,686....
Matches and vestas—      
    Wax (boxes)65,580 gross14,57668,990 gross4,17282
    Wooden35,230 gross2,80230,704 gross2,13852
Mats and matting..12,166£12,1342,426152
Meats, potted and preserved..1,744£1,26025963
Metal, manufactured articles of—      
    Anchors1,082 No.834£3843886
    Gasmaking plant..5,143£5,1441,028160
    Japanned and lacquered metalware..882£88623056
    Meters—water, gas, or electricity..21,209....
    Pumps..2,508£1,978421179
    Railway and tramway plant..53,056£1,214242160
    Rivets and washers8,306 cwt.8,625....
    Tacks1,805 cwt.2,776....
    Typewriters852 No.12,314....
    Unenumerated..198,277£120,63226,604105
Metal sheathing, other than copper204 cwt.650....
Milk, preserved221,447 lb.3,971£2,239651711
Millinery—      
    Feathers, ornamental..5,126£5,1781,293144
    Other kinds..69,285£69,36417,34109
Mouldings and panels..16,851£17,0213,40437
Mustard238,220 lb.13,299....
Nails75,289 cwt.45,25870,169 cwt.8,711156
    Roofing, lead-headed.225 cwt.367353 cwt.701010
Naphtha (wood)16,859 gal.2,213....
Nuts—      
    Almonds, shelled and unshelled252,939 lb.12,481....
    Cocoa18,477 No.97....
    Walnuts30,843 lb.1,21031,180 lb.259168
    Unenumerated81,260 lb.1,487....
Oakum251 cwt.297....
Oars498 No.121....
Oils—      
    Castor144,976 gal.16,405....
    Cod-liver13,204 gal.1,634....
    Colza27,243 gal.2,575....
    Fish, penguin, and seal73,398 gal.4,622....
    Linseed343,724 gal.41,352....
    Mineral, kerosene3,938,180 gal.129,045....
    Mineral, other kinds2,188,184 gal.91,828391,938 gal.8,24684
    Neatsfoot53 gal.753 gal.166
    Olive4,387 gal.1,245....
    Whale510 gal.33....
    Unenumerated, bulk229,281 gal.17,202227,294 gal.6,49456
    Unenumerated, in vessels under 1 gallon..8,363£8,3141,662152
    Unenumerated148,842 gal.14,978....
Oilmen's stores..12,986£12,8342,566178
Onions1,334 tons9,7321,319 tons1,318165
Opium236 lb.17020 lb.3900
Paints and colours—      
    Ground in oil59,950 cwt.65,32057,606 cwt.7,215510
    Mixed ready for use10,725 cwt.26,77110,243 cwt.2,675177
    Unenumerated13,539 cwt.13,980£1,98019807
    Driers, liquid690 gal.171....
    Driers, n.o.e.837 cwt.703841 cwt.10525
Paper—      
    Bags, coarse23 cwt.3526 cwt.9161
    Bags, other kinds4,671 cwt.5,956£6,0761,537168
    Butter-paper6,790 cwt.10,454....
    Paperhangings..38,013....
    Printing192,184 cwt.152,675£1,352270100
    Wrapping11,586 cwt.12,11011,829 cwt.4,03991
    Writing25,512 cwt.39,896....
    Unenumerated1,733 cwt.3,905....
Pearl barley701 cwt.439701 cwt.3509
Peas, split1,189 cwt.7341,185 cwt.11891
Peel, candied and drained16,984 lb.34716,990 lb.23757
Perfumery—      
    Perfumed spirits1,275 gal.5,3141,282 gal.1,922116
    Toilet preparations..17,246£16,8804,958147
    Unenumerated..430£42814100
Photographic goods..6,886£6,8191,551108
    Copper, glass, and zinc plates for photo-lithographic work..1,292....
    Photographic cameras and lenses..9,573£3,088308163
    Sensitised surfaces..25,476£2,435243100
Pickles3,308 gal.9653,180 gal.47707
Pictures, paintings, drawings, engravings, and photographs..9,865£8,3471,669711
    Paintings, &c., for museums, &c...1,033....
    Paintings and pictures by New Zealand students..100....
Picture frames and mounts..3,951£4,0901,02970
Pitch9,726 cwt.2,824....
Plants, shrubs, &c...11,332....
Plaster of-paris17,818 cwt.3,019....
Plate and plated ware..63,478£63,94213,06913
Portmanteaux and travelling-bags..7,391£7,4271,938810
    Leather bags and leather-cloth bags..467£46711140
Potatoes323 tons2,028324 tons323142
Printing materials—      
    Stereotypes, matrices, half-tone, and line blocks..258£27568129
    Type and materials, n.o.e...14,656£2,91229149
Provisions—      
    Eggs7,400 doz.235£2355040
    Unenumerated..15,658£15,8843,807176
Putty4,512 cwt.2,0614,474 cwt.564132
Quicksilver6,139 lb.691....
Resin13,080 cwt.7,447....
Rice74,408 cwt.44,828....
Rice-meal refuse12,001 cwt.2,270....
Rugs, all kinds..16,880£16,7483,349105
Saccharine10,633 oz.17319,481 oz.1,46116
Saddlery and harness (including whips)..32,028£31,8916,528159
    Harness oil, composition, and leather-dressing..1,520£1,578391179
    Saddlers' ironmongery and materials..21,816....
    Collar-check..10,001....
Salt18,409 tons44,135....
    Rock salt154 tons362....
Saltpetre1,348 cwt.1,649....
Sauces, catsup, and chutney15,770 gal.10,79015,017 gal.3,00367
    Soy2,831 gal.199....
    Sausage-skins213,117 lb.14,180217,262 lb.2,715155
Seeds—      
    Grass and clover32,151 cwt.91,073....
    Unenumerated..33,075....
Shale341 tons954....
Ship-chandlery, n.o.e...5,883....
Silks, &c...41,706£41,5728,314100
    For flour-dressing..5....
Silver945 oz.106....
Skins and pelts24,210 No.1,565....
Slates, roofing382,371 No.4,187....
Soap—      
    Powder, extract of soap, &c...13,827£13,5822,71680
    Unenumerated..44,189£44,20511,994010
Specie—      
    Copper..5,130....
    Gold..750,000....
    Silver..102,127....
Specimens illustrative of natural science..173....
Spices—      
    Ground24,941 lb.86224,708 lb.21140
    Unground485,550 lb.10,051....
Spirits—      
    Bitters, cordials, and liqueurs3,268 gal.3,1523,311 gal.2,648114
    Brandy69,549 gal.33,14165,013 gal.52,01051
    Geneva and gin, unsweetened96,775 gal.25,38287,138 gal.69,71096
    Methylated44 gal.753 gal.2155
    Rum11,436 gal.2,84413,582 gal.10,86553
    Sweetened, &c.4,966 gal.1,4136,754 gal.5,402182
    Whisky573,207 gal.210,134533,880 gal.427,10457
    Unenumerated3,630 gal.3,0733,746 gal.2,99729
Spirits of wine94,404 gal.7,0552,398 gal.1,918133
    Methylated, in bond....85,324 gal.2,13322
Starch1,123,583 lb.12,1331,099,659 lb.9,182175
    Confectioners' moulding42,603 lb.268....
Stationery—      
    Handbills, circulars, &c.395,741 lb.14,575397,953 lb.5,114106
    Manufactured..70,638£65,41718,047510
    Unenumerated..49,576£42,2089,484104
Apparatus and appliances for teaching purposes..7,835£3060
    Bookbinders' materials..7,843....
    Cardboard boxes, materials for..18,817£79115840
    Unenumerated..7,651£99899170
Stearine293,014 lb.5,798293,012 lb.1,0981511
Stone—      
    Building610 tons1,035....
    Granite and ocher stone, dressed or polished..5,344£5,4511,36526
    Granite and other stone, hewn or rough sawn, &c.228 tons849....
    Mill, grind, oil, and whet..2,914....
Sugar—      
    Raw999,810 cwt.581,886....
    Refined29,375 cwt.22,970....
    Glucose10,468 cwt.6,6151,145,140 lb.4,77184
    Golden syrup21 cwt.25....
    Molasses260,751 cwt.2,366....
    Treacle69 cwt.88....
Sulphur26,166 cwt.6,622....
Tanning materials, crude—      
    Bark3,753 tons38,984....
    Other kinds..6,078....
Tar..847....
Tarpaulins and tents..185£1853960
Tea7,302,310 lb.279,900113,362 lb.63625
Textile piece-goods other than silk, cotton, linen, or woollen..341,908£344,34368,868121
    Articles made up from, other than apparel..23,788£23,8474,76994
Timber—      
    Laths and shingles1,825,617 No.1,7521,825,617 No.182116
    Logs3,575 No.18,885....
    Logs, hewn10,947,069 sup. ft.112,110    
    Palings593,872 No.3,728593,872 No.593175
    Posts65,307 No.2,50565,307 No.26163
    Rails9,021 No.2979,021 No.18011
    Sawn, undressed24,584,356 sup. ft.168,28423,252,150 sup. ft.23,25230
    Sawn, dressed158,591 sup. ft.2,893143,4752861811
    Unenumerated..1,018....
Tin—      
    Block3,730 cwt.25,964....
    Foil22,208 lb.1,526....
    Sheet72,539 cwt.57,246....
Tinware..13,918£14,0233,661410
Tinsmiths' furniture and fittings..3,301....
Tobacco, &c.—      
    Unmanufactured15,501 lb.89822,869 lb.2,286180
    Manufactured2,099,942 lb.227,5672,256,394 lb.394,71259
    Cigars48,122 lb.17,95054,690 lb.19,141139
    Cigarettes369,399 lb.107,028159,806 thous. 10,051 lb.143,348116
    Snuff1,280 lb.1691,286 lb.45020
Tobacco pipes and cases..21,677£21,5265,524144
Tools and implements—      
    Axes and hatchets..7,058....
    Engineers', metal, wood, and stone-workers' machine tools..42,637....
    Scythes..981....
    Sheep-shears..2,370....
    Spades, shovels, and forks..8,378....
    Unenumerated..84,738....
Turpentine and terebine80,153 gal.10,762....
Twine..22,449£20,5884,14986
    Nets and netting..1,627£1,59432241
    Binder1,809 cwt.3,890£70140
    Unenumerated..1,243....
Umbrellas and parasols..9,334£9,2881,857111
    Materials for..11,084....
Varnish, lacquers and gold-size41,912 gal.19,079£39,2664,097128
Vegetables, fresh, dried, or preserved..1,982£1,74045859
Vinegar52,343 gal.6,71451,261 gal.1,281127
Watches38,816 No.11,354£12,9742,594143
Watchmakers' materials..1,067....
Wax—      
    Beeswax17,695 lb.1,07617,689 lb.73141
    Paraffin2,007,576 lb.24,1142,034,468 lb.8,476190
    Unenumerated37,986 lb.72214,472 lb.6060
Whiting and chalk12,368 cwt.1,18112,195 cwt.609195
Wine—      
    Australian51,347 gal.18,62053,985 gal.13,49665
    Sparkling12,912 gal.24,18912,941 gal.5,82367
    Other kinds71,243 gal.27,68471,773 gal.19,42945
Wooden ware..25,575£16,3464,034172
Wool—      
    Greasy142,077 lb.6,713....
    Scoured1,411 lb.132....
    Washed888 lb.62....
Woollen piece-goods..224,861£221,22044,243196
Woollen blankets3,682 pairs3,158£3,142628100
Woolpacks40,593 doz.48,165....
Woolpockets627 doz.357....
Yarns..12,082£12,0802,41600
    Coir, flax, jute, and hemp..5,361....
Zinc—      
    Perforated sheet661 cwt.1,273£29529100
    Plain sheet5,477 cwt.7,349....
    Spelter6,865 cwt.8,116....
Minor articles required in the making-up of apparel, &c...6,325....
Articles and materials suited only for and to be used solely in the fabrication or repairs of goods within the Dominion..24,243....
Miscellaneous goods—      
    Manufactured..30,210....
    Unmanufactured..9,397....
Parcels-post..279,684..52,540138
EXCISE DUTIES.      
Tobacco, manufactured....21,64.1 lb.1,08210
Cigars....2,019 lb.15182
Cigarettes if manufactured by machinery....26350
Cigarettes if made by hand....303 lb.1533
Perfumery, essences, &c., medicinal preparations (excepting medicated vane or wine mixed with food) containing more than 50 Per cent. proof spirit....50,623 lb.1,898611
Culinary and flavouring essences....2,842 gal.1,70505
Perfumed spirits....54 lb.5493
Toilet preparations....180 lb.10859

Goods received from the Cook Islands and Niue, or Savage Island, are treated as produce of New Zealand and not as trade. The following were the principal articles from these Islands during 1909:—

Article.Quantity.Value.
Fruit juices2,448 gals.149
Coffee, raw25,202 lb.462
Copra563 tons8,509
Fruits, fresh..60,975
Hats and caps..2,151
Cocoanuts42,634 No.200
Vegetables..439
Vanilla beans2,000 lb.156
Other articles..428
  £73,469

Customs Revenue.

The Customs and excise duties received during the last five years are shown in detail, also the rate of revenue per head of mean population, inclusive and exclusive of Maoris, for each year:—

1905.1906.1907.1908.1909.
* Duty abolished in 1907.
CUSTOMS DUTIES.£££££
Spirits509,928556,393595,218604,107577,233
Wine33,07237,53242,73742,79938,749
Ale, beer, &c.21,82725,15827,91127,17825,232
Cigars, cigarettes, and snuff121,435139,065159,037168,745162,940
Tobacco348,600363,931376,779391,554397,000
Coffee, cocoa, &c.6,1366,1797,5957,3576,370
Sugar and molasses196,736214,134166,335**
Opium2041301112939
Other goods by weight202,032213,286226,322201,563182,695
Other goods ad valorem1,097,9681,210,6171,317,2061,262,6591,088,767
Other duties75,00087,604101,539134,901113,573
Parcels-post39,72845,07458,63262,19452,341
Primage........1,969
Surtax........6,509
    Totals, Customs duties2,652,6662,899,1033,079,4222,903,0862,653,617
1905.1906.1907.1908.1909.
EXCISE DUTIES.£££££
Tinctures—New Zealand2,4732,5564,5172,7703,766
Cigars, cigarettes, and snuff—New - Zealand-manufactured84343353280170
Tobacco—New - Zealand - manufactured9101,1299851,0141,086
Beer—New Zealand97,452103,986113,120116,845114,799
    Totals, excise duties100,919108,014118,975120,909119,821
 £s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.
Revenue from Customs duties per head of mean population (excluding Maoris)3103493703152147
Ditto (including Maoris)218131633821862121
Revenue from excise duties per head of mean population (excluding Maoris)0238024.9027.1026.7025.6
Ditto (including Maoris)022.5023.5025.5025.2024.2

The falling off in the Customs revenue for 1909 is accounted for by the substantial decrease in quantity and value of imports.

Details for twenty years are given:—

Customs Revenue per Head of European Population.

 £s.d.
1890293
1891297
18922116
18932104
1894264
1895269
18962911
18972130
18982133
18992145
190021610
19012164
19022173
1903310
1904329
1905310
1906349
1907370
1908315
19092147

Besides an alteration of tariff in 1895 in some items, certain duties were lowered and exemptions granted in the year 1900. The duty on tea was brought to 2d. per pound, instead of 4d.; currants and raisins were lowered to 1d. per pound; candles to 1d.; cocoa and roasted coffee to 3d. There was also reduction on stearine for match-making, on paraffin wax, and wax matches. The duty on patent and proprietary medicines was made 15 per cent., also that on certain drugs and chemicals, while the charge on steam-engines, or parts thereof, became 5 per cent. Various exemptions came into force.

In 1907 the Customs tariff was completely revised and some important alterations made. Among articles placed upon the free list are: Sugar, molasses and treacle, currants, raisins, figs, dates, prunes, unground spices, mustard, maizena, cornflour, almonds and nuts (excepting walnuts), carbonate and bicarbonate of soda, tartaric acid, infants' foods, forfar, dowlas, and flax-sheeting, vegetable oils, fencing staples and standards, sheet lead; gas, electricity, and water meters; rubber and pneumatic tires for carriages. Children's boots Nos. 0–6 and tea in bulk are admitted free if of British manufacture or growth.

Increased rates of ordinary duty were imposed on certain articles, among which are found: Flavouring essences, n.o.e., medicinal preparations, drugs and druggists' sundries, candles, paraffin wax, hosiery, cash-registers, cartridges (shot), 10–24 bore, cartridge-cases, certain sizes of iron and fibre pipes, mouldings and panels.

Tea, the produce of British dominions, if in packages of 5 lb. in weight or over is admitted free, in packages under 5 lb. 2d. per pound. The preferential duty on tea of foreign growth is 2d. per pound if in packages of 5 lb. in weight or over, and 2/5d. per pound if in packages of a lesser weight than 5 lb.

“The Customs Duties Amendment Act, 1909.” imposes a surtax of 1 per cent. on the amount of duty payable on tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes, and of 2½ per cent. on the amount of duty payable on all other dutiable goods. This surtax remains in operation until 31st March, 1911.

The Customs revenue for 1909 was increased by the sum of £85,096 in consequence of the preferential surtax, but the exemption in favour of British-grown tea has resulted in a considerable loss of revenue. The duty collected on all tea imported in 1903 was £43,606, while in 1909 only £315 was received. Sugar, from which the duty has been removed, yielded an average revenue of £194,000 during the years 1903–7.

The tariff (general and preferential) has been given in full in this section. The rates of duty levied include 16s. per gallon on spirits; 30s. per gallon on perfumed spirits; 7s. per pound on cigars and snuff; 17s. 6d. per 1,000, of 2½b. and under, on cigarettes; also 3s. 6d. per pound on manufactured and 2s. on unmanufactured tobacco. Sparkling wine is charged 9s. a gallon; Australian, 5s.; other kinds, 6s.; ale and beer, 2s. The duty on cocoa, chocolate, and chicory is 3d. per pound; roasted coffee, 3d. Opium is charged 40s. per pound, but this article, in a form suitable for smoking, cannot now be legally imported. The remainder of the Customs revenue, with small exception, is made up of charges on goods by weight, ad valorem duties, ranging from 5 to 40 per cent., and receipts from the foreign parcels-post. There is also an excise duty of 1s. per pound on tobacco; 1s. 6d. per pound on cigars and snuff; 3d. per gallon on beer; 9d. per pound on medicinal preparations (with exceptions) containing more than 50 per cent. of proof spirit, which, if less than 50 per cent., would be free. Toilet preparations subject to 16s. liquid gallon on importation, 12s. the liquid gallon, or when subject to 25 per cent. duty, 6s. per gallon. Also, 12s. per gallon on culinary and flavouring essences, and 20s. on perfumed spirits.

The excise duty on cigarettes made in New Zealand is now (from the 31st December, 1896) 2s. 6d. per pound on machine-made and 1s. per pound on hand-made cigarettes.

All packages of manufactured tobacco must be labelled before leaving the manufactory, and it is necessary to obtain warrants to use cutting-machines for cutting duty-paid manufactured tobacco for sale (or to be used in the manufacture of cigarettes by hand), and to manufacture cigarettes by hand, under certain conditions.

The duties authorised by “The Timber Export Act, 1908,” will be found following the full tariff.

Preferential Tariff.

In 1903 the Legislature of New Zealand, with the object of encouraging trade between this country and other parts of the British Empire, imposed a surtax upon certain goods not being the produce or manufacture of some part of the British dominions. This may be regarded as the small beginning of what under the tariff of 1907 came to be a substantial protection to the British producer.

In 1907, while the tariff was under revision, some changes were made in the preferential duties of 1903, and the number of articles subject to the surtax greatly increased, until at present 193 of the total of 486 items on the tariff come under this head. The articles upon which differential duty is charged are specified in the tariff given further on in this section.

The value of imports into New Zealand from foreign countries has never assumed large proportions, ranging from 13.5 to 17 per cent. of the total during the past ten years. From 1899 to 1904 there was a steady increase, but since the latter year the proportion has fallen, a result, no doubt, in a large measure due to the preferential treatment of British goods.

During the three years 1905–7, when the preferential tariff of 1903 was in full operation, the proportion of the value of goods imported upon which the surtax was charged, to the total value of goods imported, excluding specie, was—

Year.Value of Imports subject to Surtax.Proportion to Total Value of Imports (excluding Specie)
£Per Cent.
1905599,7644.81
1906620,6004.34
1907658,0273.98

The greater number of articles included in the differential list in 1908 has increased the total value of imported articles subject to the surtax, and also the proportion to total imports as follows:—

Year.Value of Imports subject to Surtax.Proportion to Total Value of Imports (excluding Specie).
£Per Cent.
1908895,0075.19
1909842,4075.69

In the latest issue of the Official Year-book of the Commonwealth of Australia existing British preferential tariffs are discussed, and the effect of preference on the imports into New Zealand during 1908 is illustrated by statistics.

Corresponding information has been prepared in this office respecting the imports during 1909, and the tables are shown hereunder. The first table shows the value of British imports affected by the preferential tariff to be £3,971,270, and of foreign goods similarly affected, £922,001. By the second table it will be seen that the actual duty collectible on British goods was £504,845, an average rate of 12.71 per cent., while had the same goods been of foreign origin the duty chargeable would have amounted to £1,003,510, an average rate of 25.27 per cent. This gives an advantage to the British producer equal to £498,665, or 12.56 per cent.

On foreign goods affected by preference the total duty collectible was £252,781, an average rate of 27.42 per cent., whilst if these goods had been admitted on the same terms as those of British origin the duty chargeable would have been only £157,635, an average rate of 17.10 per cent. Thus the foreign goods were subject to a surtax amounting to £95,146, an average rate of 10.32 per cent.

Imports, 1909—Preferential and Non-preferential.

From United Kingdom and British Possessions.From Foreign Countries.Total.
 £££
Imports affected by preferential tariff—   
    Free1,543,771..1,543,771
    Dutiable2,427,499922,0013,349,500
                    Total3,971,270922,0014,893,271
Imports not affected by preferential tariff—   
    Free4,828,5751,117,0135,945,588
    Dutiable3,897,91280,6913,978,603
                    Total8,726,4871,197,7049,924,191
Total merchandise12,697,7572,119,70514,817,462
Bullion and specie857,20552857,257
                    Total13,554,9622,119,75715,674,719

Imports affected by Preferential Tariff Rates, 1909.

From United Kingdom and British Possessions.

Imports.Duty which would be payable under
Preferential Tariff.General Tariff.
 ££Per Cent.£Per Cent.
(A.) Free1,543,771....282,15418.28
(B.) Dutiable2,427,499504,84520.80721,35629.72
            Total3,971,270504,84512.711,003,51025.27
Imports.Duty which would be payable under
General Tariff.Preferential Tariff.
Imports similar to group A above153,39222,25414.51....
Imports similar to group B above768,609230,52729.99157,63520.51
            Total922,001252,78127.42157,63517.10

New Zealand offers a wider margin of preference to the British producer than does any other country of the Empire. The difference between the rate of duty chargeable in 1908 on British goods affected by preference and foreign goods subject to surtax was only 5.10 per cent. in Australia and 2.95 per cent. in South Africa, while in New Zealand last year the advantage was as stated above, equal to a rate of 12.56 per cent. ad valorem.

In connection with the subject of preferential duties, tables are annexed to illustrate the position in regard to two specially selected important foreign States at the time the additional duties were authorised. The tables also exhibit the fact that the value of free goods introduced increased at a greater rate since the year 1900 than of those which paid duty:—

Imports from the United States of America.

Year.On the East Coast.On the West Coast.Total Imports.
Admitted Free of Duty.On which Duty Payable.Admitted Free of Duty.On which Duty Payable.Admitted Free of Duty.On which Duty Payable.
* Of this sum £100,497 was value of goods for Government use.
 ££££££
1900377,569580,71742,56761,020420,136641,737
1901618,312556,433146,02394,492*764,335650,925
1902527,525619,05053,661118,701581,186737,751
1903522,581716,95457,430144,393580,011861,347
1904629,560679,74251,509167,104681,069846,846
1905541,685668,93354.415173,468596,100842,401
1906529,572638,69952,230185,280581,802823,979
1907562,805708,74725,324128,720588,129837,467
1908816,176685,00552,56490,192868,740775,197
1909563,972460,92639,912101,253603,884562,179
Year.Admitted Free of Duty.On which Duty Payable.Proportions per Cent.
Admitted Free of Duty.On which Duty Payable.
 ££  
190039,149142,92521.5078.50
190140,377158,14420.3379.67
190246,084164,47621.8978.11
190370,191204,10625.5974.41
190469,594239,21022.5477.46
190564,920212,54723.4076.60
1906109,538227,42232.5167.49
1907102, 677248,95729.2070.80
1908144,824244,70737.1862.82
1909129,574198,27339.5260.48

Value of Free and Dutiable Imports.

The values of the imports into New Zealand during the years 1908 and 1909 are given in the next cable, classified according to the duties to which they were liable, and arranged so as to show the declared value of goods on which specific or ad valorem duties at various rates are payable, and of those admitted free of duty.

Duties to which Imports liable.Value of Imports, 1908.Value of Imports, 1909.
 ££££
Specific duties..2,423,589..2,097,477
Ad valorem duties—    
    5 per cent.82,959 65,510..
  10 per cent.89,148 89,386..
  15 per cent.22,107 31,851..
  19 2/5 per cent... 11..
  20 per cent.3,305,231 2,679,370..
  22½ per cent.29,781 26,265..
  24 per cent.5,973 9,353..
  25 per cent.1,451,318 1,288,275..
  30 per cent.553,798 481,299..
  33¾ per cent.5,333 6,774..
  37½ per cent.66,893 72,390..
  40 per cent.1,871 1,429..
  Various227,569 199,029..
  5,841,981 4,950,942
Parcels-post (various)..323,481..279,684
Duty-free (excluding specie)..8,658,111..7,489,359
Specie imported..224,122..857,257
    Totals..17,471,284..15,674,719

By “The Customs Duties Amendment Act, 1909,” a surtax of 1 per cent. of the amount of duty payable under the existing tariff in the case of tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes, and of 2½ per cent. of the amount of duty payable in the case of all other dutiable goods, is imposed on and from the 24th November, 1909. This surtax is not included in the rates of duty shown in the above table.

The proportions of free and dutiable goods imported during 1899, 1904, 1906, and 1909 are compared with similar figures for 1894, the year preceding that in which an altered tariff came into force. A further revision was made in 1907, as previously remarked.

1894.1899.1904.1906.1909.
* Including excise duties levied on certain imports manufactured in bond.
Merchandise—£££££
    Free1,871,7722,942,9994,802,6085,476,9497,489,359
    Dutiable4,118,4055,670,6578,097,4228,826,2217,328,103
    Imports (less specie)5,990,1778,613,65612,900,03014,303,17014,817,462
    Percentage of free merchandisePer Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.
31.2534.1737.2338.2950.54
 £££££
    Total net duty received*1,572,4672,046,4522,655,1662,903,1312,658,639
Duty, per cent. of imports—Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.
    (a.) On dutiable imports38.1836.0932.7932.8936.28
    (b.) On all merchandise26.2523.7620.5820.3017.94

The average rate levied on dutiable goods in 1909 was 3.39 per cent. higher than before the tariff revision of 1907, the increase being mainly due to the surtax on foreign goods, but the average on all merchandise shows a decrease. The proportion of imported merchandise free of duty increased considerably since 1906, showing the effect of remissions under the new tariff.

Customs Tariff.

The following are the principal clauses of “The Customs Duties Amendment Act, 1909,” which came into operation on the 24th November, 1909:—

(2.) On all dutiable goods imported into New Zealand or entered for home consumption after the coming into operation of this Act, in addition to all other duties of Customs or excise payable on those goods under “The Customs Duties Act, 1908,” “The Customs Law Act, 1908,” or “The Tobacco Act, 1908,” there shall be payable, at the time when those duties are payable, a further duty of Customs or excise as the case may be (to be called a surtax) of one per centum of the amount of each of those duties respectively in the case of tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes, and of two and a half per centum of the amount of each of those duties respectively in the case of all other dutiable goods.

(3.) This Act shall not extend to the Cook Islands.

(4.) Nothing in this Act shall affect the existing reciprocal treaty between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of certain colonies in South Africa referred to in section eight of “The Customs Duties Act, 1908.”

(7.) The duty imposed by this Act shall cease to be chargeable after the thirty-first day of March, nineteen hundred and eleven, in respect of any goods imported into New Zealand or entered for home consumption after that day.

* By Order in Council, dated 27th July, 1908, the importation into New Zealand of goods manufactured or produced wholly or in part by prison labour is prohibited.
7Fish, dried, pickled, or salted, n.o.e.10s. the cwt.5s. the cwt.
8Fish, potted, and preserved
(NOTE.—The term “fish” is used in the Tariff in its widest sense, and includes shellfish, crustaceans, and other foods obtained from the fisheries.)
2d. the lb., including any liquor, oil, or sauce1d. the lb., including any liquor, oil, or sauce.
(NOTE.—Sardines are not subject to preferential duty.)
9Fruits, dried—viz., currants, and raisinsFree. 
10Fruits, dried—viz., figs, dates, and prunesFree. 
11Fruits, dried, n.o.e.2d. the lb. 
12Fruits, fresh—viz., apples, pears, plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, medlars, apricots, quinces, tomatoes, and grapes
(No duty exceeding ½d. the lb. to be levied on apples and pears on and from the 14th July to and including 31st December.)
1d. the lb. 
13Fruits, fresh—viz., currants, raspberries, gooseberries, blackberries, strawberries, and lemons½d. the lb. 
14Fruit-pulp, partially preserved fruit, fruit preserved by sulphurous acid, unsweetened and n.o.e.1½d. the lb. 
15Glucose, and caramel1d. the lb. 
16Honey2d. the lb. 
17Jams, jellies, marmalade, and preserves2d. the lb., or package of that reputed weight, whichever rate is higher, and so in proportion for packages of greater or less reputed weight2/5d. the lb., or package of that reputed weight, whichever rate is higher, and so in proportion for packages of greater or less reputed weight.
18Jellies, concentrated4d. the lb.⅘d. the lb.
19Maizena and cornflourFree. 
20MustardFree. 
21Pearl barley1s. the cwt. 
22Peas, split2s. the cwt. 
23Pickles3s. the gallon. 
24Sauces, catsup, and chutney4s. the gallon. 
25Soy, in vessels of 10 gallons capacity or under4s. the gallon. 
26Spices, ground, n.o.e., including pepper, pimento, and olive-stones, ground2d. the lb.2/5d. per lb.
27Spices, unground, including chillies, pepper, and pimento, ungroundFree. 
28SugarFree. 
29Treacle and molassesFree. 
30Vinegar, not exceeding 6.5 per cent. of acidity, calculated as acetic acid6d. the gallon1⅕d. per gallon.
31Walnuts, shelled or unshelled2d. the lb. 
       Goods subject to 20 per cent. ad val.:—  
32Capers, caraway-seeds, caviare, cayenne pepper, curry-powder, and -paste, fish-paste, olives20% ad val. 
33Lard, and refined animal fats, n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
34Meats, potted or preserved20% ad val.10% ad val.
35Provisions n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
36Vegetables, fresh, dried, or preserved20% ad val.10% ad val.
       Goods subject to 25 per cent. ad val.:—  
37Fruits, preserved in juice, or syrup
(Fruits, preserved in juice, or syrup, fortified with alcohol to any extent exceeding 33 per cent. of proof spirit, shall be charged 16s. per proof gallon on such juice or syrup, in addition to 25 per cent. and val. on the total value of the goods.)
25% ad val.12½% ad val.
38Milk or cream, preserved, evaporated, or dried25% ad val.12½% ad val.
     Goods subject to fixed rates:—  
39Cigarettes, not exceeding in weight 2½ lb. per 1,00017s. 6d. the 1,000. 
40Cigarettes, n.o.e.7s. the lb. 
41Cigars, including the weight of every band, wrapper, or attachment, to any cigar7s. the lb. 
42Snuff7s. the lb. 
43Tobacco, including the weight of every label, tag, or other attachment3s. 6d. the lb. 
44Tobacco, unmanufactured, entered to be manufactured in New Zealand in any licensed tobacco-manufactory, for manufacturing purposes only, into tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, or snuff2s. the lb. 
 CLASS III.—ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGESAND MATERIALFORMAKINGTHE SAME.  
       Goods subject to fixed rates:—  
45Ale, beer of all sorts, porter, cider, and perry, when containing more than 2 per cent. of proof spirit; the gallon, or for six reputed quart bottles or the equivalent in bottles of a larger or smaller reputed quantity2s. the gallon. 
46Cordials, bitters, and liqueurs, when exceeding the strength of 33 per cent. of proof spirit, but not exceeding the strength of proof16s. the liquid gallon. 
47Cordials, bitters, and liqueurs, when exceeding the strength of proof16s. the proof gallon. 
48Hops6d. the lb.3d. the lb.
49Maize, flaked1s. the bushel. 
50Malt, whole or ground2s. the bushel. 
51Rice malt1d. the lb. 
52Solid wort6d. the lb. 
53Spirits, and spirituous mixtures, the strength of which can be ascertained by Sykes's hydrometer or other instrument (No allowance beyond 16.5 under proof shall be made for spirits or spirituous mixtures of a less strength than 16.5 under proof.)16s. the proof gallon. 
54Spirits, and spirituous mixtures, sweetened, n.o.e., when not exceeding the strength of proof16s. the liquid gallon. 
55Spirits, and spirituous mixtures, sweetened, n.o.e., when exceeding the strength of proof16s. the proof gallon. 
 Spirits, and spirituous mixtures, in bottles or jars in cases, shall he charged as follows—viz.: Two gallons and under as two gallons, over two gallons and not exceeding three as three gallons, over three gallons and not exceeding four as four gallons, and so on for any greater quantity contained in any case.  
56Spirits, and spirituous mixtures, containing more than 33 per cent. of proof spirit, in combination with other ingredients, and although thereby coming under any other designation excepting medicinal preparations otherwise enumerated16s. the liquid gallon. 
 Wine.—The term “wine” as applied to the Tariff includes medicated wine, or wine mixed with food; also such spirituous beverages, and fluid foods, containing less than 33 per cent. of proof spirit, as may be so decided by the Minister.  
57Wine, Australian, containing not more than 40 per cent. of proof spirit; the gallon, or for six reputed quart bottles, or the equivalent in bottles of a larger or smaller reputed quantity5s. the gallon. 
58Wine, other than sparkling, and Australian, containing not more than 40 per cent. of proof spirit; the gallon, or for six reputed quart bottles, or the equivalent in bottles of a larger or smaller reputed quantity6s. the gallon. 
59Wine, sparkling, containing not more than 40 per cent. of proof spirit; the gallon, or for six reputed quart bottles, or the equivalent in bottles of a larger or smaller reputed quantity9s. the gallon. 
60Wine of any kind containing more than 40 per cent. of proof spirit16s. the liquid gallon. 
 CLASS IV.—NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, AND MATERIALSFORMAKINGTHE SAME.  
       Goods subject, to fixed rates:—  
61Chicory3d. the lb.⅗d. the lb.
62Cocoa, and chocolate, including cocoa-beans roasted and crushed; also cocoa or chocolate mixed with milk or any other food substance whatsoever3d. the lb.⅗d. the lb.
63Coffee, roasted3d. the lb.⅗d. the lb.
64Tea n.o.e.2d. the lb.2/5d. the lb.
       Goods subject to 20 per cent. ad val.:—  
65Aerated, and mineral waters; effervescing beverages; and beverages n.o.e.20% ad val. 
66Coffee, essence of; and essence of coffee with milk or any other food substance20% ad val.10% ad val.
67Fruit juices or imitation fruit juices, unsweetened, in containers of less than 10 gallons capacity20% ad val.10% ad val.
68Fruit juices or imitation fruit juices, sweetened; syrups; raspberry vinegar, sweetened20% ad val.10% ad val.
 CLASS V.—DRUGS, MEDICINES, CHEMICALS, AND DRUGGISTS' SUNDRIES.  
       Goods subject to fixed rates, except as specified:—  
69Acid, acetic, containing not more than 30 per cent. of acidity1½d. the lb. 
70Acid, acetic, containing more than 30 per cent. of acidity, for every 10 per cent. of acidity or fraction thereof½d. the lb. 
71Acid, tartaricFree. 
72Cream of tartarFree. 
73Essences flavouring, containing more than 33 per cent. of proof spirit16s. the liquid gallon. 
74Medicinal preparations (excepting medicated wines or wines mixed with food), containing more than 50 per cent. of proof spirit1s. the lb. 
75Opium£2 the lb. 
76Saccharin n.o.e., including substances of a like nature or use1s. 6d. the ounce. 
77Soda, bicarbonateFree. 
78Soda-crystals2s. the cwt.4⅘d. the cwt.
       Goods subject to 20 per cent. ad val.:—  
79Baking powder; yeast preparations, and oilier ferments; also yeast foods20% ad val.10% ad val.
80Chemicals, and chemical preparations, n.o.e., including photographic chemicals n.o.e.; also anti-incrustation, boiler, and other compounds20% ad val.10% ad val.
81Essences, flavouring, n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
82Eucalyptus oil in bulk or bottle20% ad val. 
83Glycerine, refined20% ad val.10% ad val.
84Medicinal preparations, drugs, and druggists' sundries, and apothecaries' wares, n.o.e.; also aerated water makers', and cordial manufacturers', and brewers' drugs, chemicals, and other sundries, n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
85Medicinal preparations (excepting medicated wires or wines mixed with food) containing 50 per cent. of proof spirit or less20% ad val.10% ad val.
80Saccharin, in the form of tablets, pilules, granules, or cachets, each containing not more than ½ grain of saccharin in combination with at least 10 per cent. of alkali20% ad val.10% ad val.
 CLASS VI.—CLOTHINGAND TEXTILE GOODS.  
     Goods subject to fixed rates of duty:—  
87Cotton, raw4d. the lb. 
       Goods subject to 20 per cent. ad val.:—  
88All articles n.o.e., made of textile, felt, or other piece-goods, or of any combination of the same, wholly or partly made up or manufactured, and not being apparel or clothing either wholly or partly made up20% ad val. 
89Drapery n.o.e.20% ad val. 
90Flags20% ad val. 
91Haberdashery n.o.e.20% ad val. 
92Lace, and laces, n.o.e.20% ad val. 
93Ribbons, and crepe, all kinds20% ad val. 
94Rugs, woollen, cotton, opossum, or other20% ad val. 
95Textile piece-goods n.o.e., including imitation silks, composed of any material or substance whatsoever20% ad val. 
90Umbrellas, parasols, and sunshades20% ad val. 
97Yarns n.o.e.20% ad val. 
       Goods subject to 25 per cent. ad val.:—  
98Apparel, and ready-made clothing, n.o.e.25% ad val. 
99Feathers, ornamental (including ostrich); artificial flowers, leaves, and sprays25% ad val. 
100Furs, and fur trimmings25% ad val. 
101Hats of all kinds (including straw hats), also caps25% ad val. 
102Hosiery n.o.e.25% ad val. 
103Millinery of all kinds, including trimmed hats, caps, and bonnets25% ad val. 
       Goods subject to 40 per cent. ad val.:—  
104Apparel made to the order, or measurement, of residents in the Dominion and intended for the individual use of such residents, whether imported by the residents themselves or otherwise40% ad val. 
105Apparel—viz., Volunteer clothing made to measurement sent from New Zealand40% ad val. 
         CLASS VII.—LEATHERAND MANUFACTURESOF GOODS.  
       Goods subject to mixed rates:—  
106Boots, shoes, clogs, and pattens, n.o.e., viz.—  
     Men's, above size No. 51s. 6d. the pair, and 15% ad val.9d. the pair, and 7½% ad val.
     Youths', above size No. 11s. the pair, and 15% ad val.6d. the pair, and 7½% ad val.
     Boys', Nos. 7 to 1 both inclusive6d. the pair, and 15% ad val.3d. the pair, and 7½% ad val.
     Women's above size No. 11s. the pair, and 15% ad val.6d. the pair, and 7½% ad val.
     Girls', Nos. 7 to 1, both inclusive.6d. the pair, and 15% ad val.3d. the pair, and 7½% ad val.
     Other kinds1s. the pair, and 15% ad val.6d. the pair, and 74% ad val.
 Slippers (not including lawn tennis, and gymnasium shoes soled with india-rubber or felt)6d. the pair, and 15% ad val.3d. the pair, and 7½% ad val.
 Slippers of felt, with carpet, twine, or felt soles22½% ad val.11¼% ad val.
 Shoes or goloshes known as Plimsolls with moulded indiarubber soles22½% ad val.11¼% ad val.
 Champion, gymnasium, yachting, and lawn tennis boots, and shoes, with moulded indiarubber soles22½% ad val.11¼% ad val.
 Goloshes or overshoes of all kinds, of rubber22½% ad val.11¼% ad val.
 Shoettes, and sandals, n.o.e.22½% ad val.11¼% ad val.
       Goods subject to fixed rates:—  
107Leather—  
     Leather belting, belt leather, harness, welting, bridle, strap, legging, bag, and kip other than East India4d. the lb. 
 All hide leathers dressed, n.o.e.
(NOTE.—Any leathers n.o.e. (1) either dressed in sides, or pieces of whatever size, or (2) if in whole skins over 16 ft., are to be classed as hide leather.)
3d. the lb. 
 Calf skins, being whole skins, however dressed, and 16 ft. spread and under1d. the lb. 
 Sheepskins, and lambskins, however dressed, n.o.e.3d. the lb. 
 East India kip, dressed1d. the lb. 
 Sole, pump, and skirt leather2d. the lb. 
 Leather dressed, n.o.e., including kangaroo, and wallabi1d. the lb. 
108Leather board or compo4d. the lb. 
       Goods subject to 20 per cent. ad val.:—  
109Leather bags, and leather cloth bass, n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
110Leather, chamois20% ad val.10% ad val.
111Leather manufactures, n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
112Saddlery, and harness; whips, and whip thongs20% ad val.10% ad val.
       Goods subject to 22½ per cent. ad val.:—  
113Heel plates, and toe stiffeners, and toe plates22½% ad val.11¼% ad val.
114Laces, vamps, and uppers; also clog or patten soles22½% ad val.11¼% ad val.
115Leather cut into shapes22½% ad val.11¼% ad val.
116Leather leggings22½% ad val.11¼% ad val.
       Goods subject to 25 per cent. ad val.:—  
117      Portmanteaux; trunks; travelling bags, and brief bags, of leather or leather cloth, 10 in. in length and upwards; and carpet bags25% ad val.12½% ad val.
 CLASS VIII.—FURNITUREAND HOUSEHOLD FURNISHING.  
       Goods subject to 20 per cent. ad val.:—  
118Basketware, and wickerware, n.o.e., not being furniture20% ad val.10% ad val.
119Carpets; druggets; floorcloth; mats; matting; plain, and fancy stair oil baize; wood, and fancy oil baize; and oil, and other dado cloths20% ad val. 
120Furniture, knife, and plate powder, and polish; also floor and linoleum polishes, not being varnishes20% ad val.10% ad val.
       Goods subject to 25 per cent. ad val.:—  
121Furniture, and cabinetware, n.o.e., and other than iron, or other metal25% ad val.12½% ad val.
122Mantelpieces, other than stone25% ad val.12½% ad val.
123Upholstery n.o.e.25% ad val.12½% ad val.
 CLASS IX.—CHINA, CLASS, AND EARTHEN GOODS.  
       Goods free of duty:—  
124Glass, crown, sheet, and common windowFree. 
       Goods subject to 20 per cent. ad val., except as specified:—  
125Bricks, known as firebricks20% ad val.10% ad val.
126China, porcelain, and parian ware20% ad val.10% ad val.
127Drainage pipes, and drainage tiles20% ad val.10% ad val.
128Earthenware, stoneware, and brownware20% ad val.10% ad val.
129Filters20% ad val.10% ad val.
130Fireclay, ground; and fireclay goods20% ad val.10% ad val.
131Flooring, wall, hearth, and garden tiles20% ad val.10% ad val.
132Glass, plate, polished, coloured, and oilier kinds, n.o.e.Free. 
133Glassware; globes, and chimneys, for lamps20% ad val.10% ad val.
134Lamps, lanterns, and lampwick, n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
       Goods subject to 25 per cent. ad val.:—  
135Plate glass bevelled or silvered; mirrors, and looking-glasses, framed or unframed25% ad val.12½% ad val.
 CLASS X.—FANCY GOODS, MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, ETC.  
       Goods subject to fixed rates:—  
136Cards, playing6d. the pack. 
137Perfumed spirits, and Cologne water£1 10s. the liquid gallon. 
       Goods subject to 20 per cent. ad val.:—  
138Clocks, time registers, and time detectors20% ad val.10% ad val.
130Fancy goods, and toys; also sporting, gaining, and athletic requisites, n.o.e., including billiard tables, and billiard requisites; hair, and toilet combs20% ad val.10% ad val.
140Fishing tackle, including artificially baited hooks, other than flies20% ad val.10% ad val.
141Jewellery; plate, gold, or silver; plated-ware; greenstone, cut or polished20% ad val.10% ad val. (except greenstone, cut or polished).
142Lay figures, busts, and dress stands20% ad val.10% ad val.
143Magic lanterns, bioscopes, cinematographs, kinetoscopes, phonographs, gramophones, graphophones, and the like instruments, including accessories peculiar thereto n.o.e.; also limelight, and the like apparatus, including accessories peculiar thereto, except magic-lantern slides20% ad val.10% ad val.
144Mouldings, and panels, in the piece, of either wood, plaster pulp, metal, or other material, for picture frames, cornices, walls, or ceilings20% ad val. 
145Musical instruments20% ad val.10% ad val.
140Photographic goods n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
147Pictures, paintings, drawings, engravings, and photographs, framed or unframed; picture or photograph frames or mounts
(NOTE.—Any painting, drawing, or photograph, in any medium, having a value for duty exceeding £5 shall be assessed for duty at £5, plus the value of the frame and mounting, if any, and plus the value of the canvas or other material upon which such painting, drawing, or photograph is made.)
20% ad val.10%, ad val. (except pictures, paintings, drawings, engravings, and photographs, framed or unframed.
148Statues, statuettes, casts, and bronzes20% ad val.10% ad val.
140Tobacco pipes and cases, cigar and cigarette holders and cases, cigarette papers and cases20% ad val.10% ad val.
150Watches20% ad val. 
151Walking-sticks20% ad val.10% ad val.
       Goods subject to 25 per cent. ad val.:—  
152Artificial flies25% ad val.12½% ad val.
153Oil, perfumed; also toilet preparations, and perfumery, n.o.e.25% ad val.12½% ad val.
 CLASS XI.—PAPER MANUFACTURESAND STATIONERY.  
       Goods subject to fixed rates:—  
154Handbills, circulars, programmes, playbills, printed posters, trade catalogues, price-lists, and fashion-plates; printed advertising matter n.o.e.; also paper bags, and wrapping-paper, or wrappers, of all kinds, printed or lithographed; printed or lithographed envelopes or labels
(NOTE.—This shall not apply to trade catalogues or price-lists of the goods of firms or persons having no established business in New Zealand.)
3d. the lb.⅗d. the lb.
155Ink, writing2s. the gallon1s. the gallon.
156Paper bags, coarse (including sugar bags)7s. 6d. the cwt.3s. 9d. the cwt.
157Paper wrapping all kinds, not printed including blue candle, glazed cap, glazed casings, small hand, lumber hand, tissue, brown, cartridge, and sugar papers5s. the cwt.2s. 6d. the cwt.
       Goods free of duty:—  
158PaperhangingsFree. 
       Goods subject to 20 per cent. ad val.:—  
159Cardboard, pasteboard, strawboard, wood-pulp board, corrugated board, and cloth-lined board, n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
160Cloth-lined, enamelled, gelatine, and metallic papers, n.o.e.; also “ivorite” n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
161Stationery, and writing paper, n.o.e., also printers' menu, wedding, programme, and mourning cards of cardboard, celluloid, or other material, edged, or embossed, but otherwise unprinted20% ad val.10% ad val.
       Goods subject to 25 per cent. ad val.:—  
162Calendars, and showcards, all kinds25% ad val.12½% ad val.
163Cardboard- or paper-boxes complete; or cardboard or paper, cut, or shaped, for boxes, wrappers, or other receptacles (including match-boxes)25% ad val.12½% ad val.
164Directories of New Zealand, or of any part thereof; also covers for directories25% ad val.12½% ad val.
165Paper bags n.o.e.25% ad val.12½% ad val.
166Stationery, manufactured, viz.:—Account-books, manuscript-books, scribbling, and letter blocks, and books, plain, or ruled; bill-head, invoice, and statement forms; printed or ruled paper, counter-books, cheque, and draft forms; tags, labels not printed or lithographed, blotting-pads, sketch-books, book-covers, copying letter-books, manifold-writers, albums (other than for photographs), diaries, birthday-books, plain or faint lined ruled books, printed window-tickets, printed, lithographed, or embossed stationery n.o.e., and Christmas, New Year, birthday, Easter, and other cards, and booklets25% ad val.12½% ad val.
167Stereotypes, matrices, half-tone, and line blocks25% ad val. 
 CLASS XII.—MANUFACTURESOF METAL.  
       Goods subject to fixed rates, except as specified:—  
168Cartridges (shot) 10- to 24-bore2s. 6d. the 1001s. 3d. the 100.
169Cartridge-cases1s. 3d. the 1007½d. the 100.
170Composition-piping3s. 6d the cwt.8 2/5 d. the cwt.
171Iron, galvanised corrugated shoots2s. the cwt.4⅘d. the cwt.
172Iron, and other nails, n.o.e., including dog-spikes2s. the cwt.1s. the cwt.
173Iron, plain galvanised sheet or hoop1s. 6d. the cwt.3⅗. the cwt.
174Iron tanks, for every 100 gallons, or fraction of 100 gallons, in holding capacity2s. 6d.6d.
175Lead, in sheetsFree. 
176Lead piping3s. 6d. the cwt.8 2/5 d. the cwt.
177Shot10s. the cwt.2s. the cwt.
       Goods subject to 5 per cent. ad val.:—  
178Engines and machines for mining purposes—namely, capstan engines for mining shafts; winding engines, steam, air, or electrically driven, including bed plates, foundation bolts, and friction clutches, when imported with the engines; drums for winding engines5% ad val.10% ad val.
179Machinery—viz., flour milling, refrigerating, dredging, woollen mill, paper mill, rope and twine making, oil refining, boring, meat preserving, leather splitting5% ad val.10% ad val. (except flour milling, oil refining, and boring machinery).
180Printing machines or presses; embossing, bronzing, type casting, and type setting machines; ruling machines, cardboard box making machines, and tools for same5% ad val.10% ad val. (except type casting and type setting machines).
181Soda-water machines; also machines for aerating liquids5% ad val.10% ad val.
182Steam engines, and parts thereof, for mining (including gold-dredging), or gold saving purposes and processes, or for dairying purposes5% ad val.10% ad val.
       Goods subject to 10 per cent. ad val.:—  
183Machinery, electric, and appliances—namely, electric generators, and electric motors, including slide rails therefor, electric lamps including globes for arc lamps, electric transformers10% ad val.5% ad val.
       Goods subject to 20 per cent. ad val.:—  
184Bicycles, tricycles, and the like vehicles, also finished, or partly finished or machined parts of the same, n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
185Bill-hooks, bush-hooks, slashers, and hedge knives20% ad val.10% ad val.
180Boilers, land, and marine, including feed-water heaters, fuel economizers, steam superheaters, and mechanical stokers20% ad val.10% ad val.
187Cartridges, n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
188Cash registering machines20% ad val. 
189Crab winches, cranes, capstans, and windlasses20% ad val.10% ad val.
190Electric batteries, and cells; furniture, fittings, instruments, and appliances, n.o.e., for the generation, transmission, application, or utilisation of electricity, or of electric power of any description whatsoever20% ad val.10% ad val.
191Firearms, all kinds20% ad val.10% ad val.
192Hardware, ironmongery, and hollow-ware, n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
193Iron pipes wrought n.o.e., and wood or litre pipes, exceeding 6 in. in internal diameter, also knees, bends, elbows, and other fittings for the same. Cast iron pipes exceeding 9 in. in internal diameter, and knees, bends, elbows, and other fittings for the same20% ad val.10% ad val.
194Lawn mowers20% ad val.10% ad val.
195Lead-headed nails and galvanised dip-headed roofing nails20% ad val. 
196Machinery, n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
197Manufactured or partly manufactured articles of metal, or manufactured or partly manufactured articles of metal in combination with any other material whatsoever, n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
198Steam-engines, and parts of steam-engines, n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
       Goods subject to 25 per cent. ad val.:—  
199Galvanised iron manufactures, n.o.e., made up from galvanised iron, or from plain sheet iron, and then galvanised25% ad val.12½% ad val.
200Japanned, and lacquered metalware25% ad val.12½% ad val.
201Tinware, and tin manufactures, n.o.e.25% ad val.12½% ad val.
 CLASS XIII.—TIMBER, AND ARTICLESMADEFROM TIMBER.  
       Goods subject to fixed rates:—  
202Timber, palings, split2s. the 100. 
203Timber, posts, split8s. the 100. 
204Timber, rails, split4s. the 100. 
205Timber, sawn, dressed4s. the 100 sup. ft. 
206Timber, sawn, rough2s. the 100 sup. ft. 
207Timber, shingles, and laths2s. the 1,000. 
       Goods subject to 20 per cent. ad val.:—  
208Bellows, n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
209Blocks, wooden tackle20% ad val. 
210Broom. mop, hoe, rake, and similar handles20% ad val. 
211Carriages, carts, drays, wagons, perambulators, and the like vehicles, and wheels for the same20% ad val.10% ad val.
212Carriage shafts, spokes, and felloes, dressed; bent carriage timber, n.o.e.20% ad val. 
213Cars, wagons, and trucks, railway, and tramway; and wheels for the same, n.o.e. Motor vehicles. Motor car bodies, or bodies for motor busses, whether attached or unattached20% ad val.10% ad val. (except motor vehicles, motor car bodies, or bodies for motor busses, whet her attached or unattached).
214Doors, and sashes, either plain, or glazed with ornamental glass20% ad val.10% ad val.
215Woodenware, and turnery, n.o.e., and veneers20% ad val.10% ad val.
 CLASS XIV.—OILS, PAINTS, ETC.  
       Goods subject to fixed rates, except as specified:—  
216Oils in vessels capable of containing one gallon of oil or more—namely, vegetable oilsFree. 
217Oil—namely, crude petroleum, crude residual oil, once-run shale oil, once-run petroleum oil½d. the gallon 
218Oil, n.o.e., including mineral lubricating-oil, in vessels capable of containing one gallon or more6d. the gallon1⅕d the gallon.
219Paints, and colours, ground in oil or turpentine; also putty; and driers, n.o.e.2s. 6d. the cwt.6d. the cwt.
220Paints, and colours, mixed ready for use: also enamel paints, n.o.e.5s. the cwt.1s. the cwt.
221Stearine¾d the 1b.3/20d. the lb.
222Varnish and lacquers, including lithographic varnish, gold size, liquid gold, and other metallic paints; also liquid medium for mixing with metallic paints2s. the gallon4⅘d. the gallon.
223Whiting, and chalk1s. the cwt.2 2/5 d. the cwt.
       Goods subject to 20 per cent. ad val.:—  
224Axle grease, and other solid lubricants; petroleum greases, and mixture of the same with other substances, n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
225Harness oil, and composition, leather dressing, and belt dressing; also leather revivers and polishes n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
226Oils in vessels having a lesser capacity than one gallon20% ad val. 
 CLASS XV.—AGRICULTURALAND FARM PRODUCTS, ETC.  
       Goods subject to fixed rates:—  
227Cattle (horned)10s. each. 
228Chaff£1 the ton. 
229Grain—namely, barley2s. the 100 lb. 
230Grain, and pulse, of every kind, n.o.e.9d. the 100 lb. 
231Grain, and pulse, of every kind, when ground or in any way manufactured, n.o.e., including wheat flour1s. the 100 lb.2 2/5 d. the 100 lb.
232Horses£1 each. 
233Onions£1 the ton. 
234Potatoes£1 the ton. 
235Prepared calf-meal£1 5s. the ton. 
       Goods subject to 20 per cent. ad val.:—  
236Animals, food for, of all kinds, n.o.e., including horse, and cattle spices, and condiments, proprietary or otherwise; also hempseed, maw-seed, millet-seed, canary-seed, and mixed bird-seed20% ad val.10% ad val.
 CLASS XVI.—MISCELLANEOUS.  
       Goods subject to fixed rates, except as specified:—  
237Blue1d. the lb.⅕d. the lb.
238Candles1 ½ d. the lb.¾d. the lb.
239Cement, Portland, and other structural, and building cement2s. the barrel2s. the barrel.
240Gelatine, isinglass, glue, and size1 ½d. the lb.3/10d. the lb.
241Matches:—  
     Wooden, in boxes containing not more than 60 matches1s. the gross boxes6d. the gross of boxes.
     In boxes containing over 60 and not more than 100 matches2s. the gross boxes1s. the gross of boxes.
     In boxes containing more than 100 matches; for every 100 matches, or fraction thereof, contained in one box2s. the gross boxes1s. the gross of boxes.
     Wax, “plaid vestas” in cardboard boxes containing under 100 matches1s. the gross boxes6d. the gross of boxes.
     “Pocket vestas,“ in tin or other boxes, containing under 100 matches1s. 4d. the gross boxes8d. the gross of boxes.
     Wax, other kinds, for every 100 matches or fraction thereof contained in one box2s. 3d. the gross boxes1s. 1 ½d. the gross of boxes.
     Matches of any material other than wood or wax, a duty corresponding to the duty payable on wooden matches.
(NOTE.—Boxes made of gold, silver, metal, wood, or composition, of permanent value when empty, shall, in addition to the duty payable on any matches contained therein, be charged as jewellery or fancy goods.)
  
242Paraffin wax1d. the lb. 
243Powder, sportingFree. 
244Sausage skins, and casings (including brine or salt)3d. the lb. 
245Soap, common yellow, and blue mottled5s. the cwt.1s. the cwt.
246Spirits, methylated to the satisfaction of the Minister1s. the liquid gallon2 2/5 d. the liquid gallon.
247Spirits cleared from warehouse, methylated under prescribed conditions6d. the liquid gallon, not including the added naphtha or other methylating material. 
248Starch2d. the lb.2/5 d. the lb.
249Wax, mineral, vegetable, Japanese, and beeswax1d. the lb. 
       Goods subject to 10 per cent. ad val.:—  
250Flock10% ad val. 
       Goods subject to 20 per cent. ad val.:—  
251Bags, calico, forfar, linen, flour; bagging, bags, and sacks, n.o.e., including filter bags, and sheaths20% ad val.10% ad val.
252Blacking, and boot-gloss, and-polish20% ad val.10% ad val.
253Blacklead20% ad val.10% ad val.
254Boats, launches, yachts, also all vessels propelled by means other than oars (when imported in any vessel), including all fittings therefor n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
255Cordage, rope, and twine, n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
256Fireworks, n.o.e.20% ad val.10% ad val.
257Nets, and netting20% ad val.10% ad val.
258Soap powder, extract of soap, dry soap, soft soap, liquid soap, soap solutions, and washing, or cleansing powders, crystals, pastes, and liquids20% ad val. 
259Tarpaulins, tents, sails, rick, and wagon covers20% ad val.10% ad val.
       Goods subject to 25 per cent. ad val.:—  
260Bags of textile or felt, all kinds, if printed25% ad val.12 ½% ad val.
261Brooms, brushes, and brushware25% ad val.12 ½% ad val.
262Marble, granite, and other stone, dressed, or polished, and articles made therefrom; also imitation stone, dressed, or polished, and articles made therefrom, or from cement25% ad val.12 ½% ad val. (except marble, dressed or polished, and articles made therefrom.)
263Soap, n.o.e.25% ad val.12 ½% ad val.
 In addition to any duty chargeable by law on any goods imported into the Dominion, a further duty of 20 per cent. ad val. shall be charged when the goods are prison made.*  

SCHEDULE B.

Goods in this Schedule, except where otherwise provided, are exempt from duties of Customs.

Tariff Item No.Goods.Preferential Surtax on Foreign Goods (Schedules C, D, and E).
* By Order in Council, dated 27th July, 1908, the importation into New Zealand of goods manufactured or produced wholly or in part by prison labour, is prohibited.
 CLASS I.—FOODS, ETC. 
264Almonds, and nuts, except walnuts. 
205Anchovies, salted, in casks, or other containers, capable of holding 28 lb. net or over. 
266Arrowroot (lb.), sago (cwt.), tapioca (cwt.), macaroni (lb.), vermicelli (lb.), rice-flour, prepared barley-flour, potato-Hour, infants' and invalids' farinaceous foods. 
267Cocoa or cacao butter, cocoanut butter, nut butter, and other refined vegetable butters or fats. 
268Salt. 
269Rice, dressed or undressed, also rice meal refuse and rice meal. 
270Soy, in vessels exceeding 10 gallons capacity. 
 CLASS IV.—NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, ETC. 
271Cocoa-beans, uncrushed. 
272Coffee, raw. 
273Fruit-juices, or imitation fruit-juices, unsweetened, in containers of 10 gallons capacity or over. 
274Tea, in bulk—viz., in packages of 51b. or over net weight of tea2d. the lb.
 CLASS V.—DRUGS, ETC. 
275Acids—viz., boracic; carbolic; chromic; citric; fluoric; formic; lactic; muriatic; nitric; oleic; oxalic; picric; pyrogallic; salicylic; sulphuric. 
276Concentrated extracts, or essences, in liquid form, or preserved in fat, for the purpose of manufacturing perfumery, when entered to be warehoused in a manufacturing warehouse for the purpose of making perfumery or other articles therein. 
277Dextrine n.o.e. 
278Disinfectants. 
279Drugs and chemicals, viz.:— 
     Carnauba wax. 
     Catechu. 
     Cochineal. 
     Creosote, crude or commercial. 
     Crude distillates of coal-tar or wood, in vessels containing 10 gallons or over, for the manufacture of disinfectants in New Zealand. 
     Formic aldehyde, and solution thereof. 
     Fusel oil. 
     Gall nuts. 
     Glycerine, crude. 
     Gums—viz., arabic, benzoin, damar, tragacanth, artificial gum-arabic. 
     Liquefied gases, and compressed gases. 
     Liquorice in blocks of 7 lb. net, and over, or soft liquorice-extract in bulk, in tins or other vessels capable of holding 7 lb. not or over. 
     Naphthalene, crude or refined. 
     Saffron. 
     Strychnine, and salts of strychnine. 
     Sugar of milk. 
     Sulphur. 
     Turmeric. 
     Alum, alum sulphate. 
     Ammonium chloride, or sal ammoniac, ammonium sulphate. 
     Arsenic, and arsenates. 
     Borax. 
     Calcium carbide (tons), chloride, sulphate, sulphite, and bisulphite; chlorinated lime. 
     Carbon bisulphide. 
     Copper sulphate, or Milestone, oxide of copper. 
     Iron sulphates. 
     Magnesium sulphite, and bisulphite. 
     Manganese oxides. 
     Phosphorus. 
     Potash (cwt.); pearlash (cwt.); potash, caustic (cwt.), chlorate, cyanide (tons), nitrate (or salt-petre) (cwt.), permanganate, prussiates, sulphite, and bisulphite; metallic potassium. 
     Salts of thorium, zirconium, or other rare metals, and solutions thereof, including mixtures of same, suited for the manufacture of incandescent mantles. 
     Silver nitrate in crystals. 
     Soda acetate, crude; soda ash (cwt.); soda, arseniate, anhydrous carbonate (cwt.), caustic (cwt.), cyanide (tons), bisulphite, hyposulphite, silicate (cwt.), sulphate, sulphide, sulphite, nitrate, permanganate. 
     Metallic sodium, sodium peroxide. 
     Zinc chloride.
(NOTE.—Mixtures of any of the articles enumerated under this Schedule as drugs and chemicals, with each other, or with chemicals, or substances not enumerated, shall, if not provided for elsewhere in the Tariff, be charged as medicinal preparations n.o.e., or chemicals n.o.e. under Schedule A, Class V.)
 
280Drugs crude, not powdered, and unsuited for use as foods, or in the manufacture thereof—viz., barks, woods, twigs, leaves, herbs, flowers (except hops), roots, corms, gums, balsams, inspissated juices (except opium), seeds, fruits, fruit rinds, pitch, cantharides, ergot; also powdered pyrethrum (lowers or Dalmatian powder, and powdered hellebore in bulk. 
281Essential oils, except eucalyptus; cod liver oil (gallons); oil of rhodium. 
282Horse, and cattle drenches. 
283Insecticides for agricultural uses, also tree washes. 
284Opium when entered to be warehoused in a manufacturing warehouse, for the purpose of making therein approved medicinal preparations. 
285Scrub exterminators. 
286Sheep dip; sheep drenches; sheep licks. 
287Surgical and dental instruments; also the following surgeons', physicians', dentists', and opticians' materials—viz., antiseptic dressings, gauzes, lint, tow, cotton wool, poroplastic felt, adhesive plaster, oiled silk or other fabric, spongio piline, bandages, catgut, and sterilised, and other sewings, thermometers; also appliances including splints for wear, peculiarly adapted to correct a deformity of the human body, to afford support to an abnormal condition of the human body, or to reduce or alleviate such condition, or to substitute any part of such body; crutches; car trumpets, ear tubes, and audiphones, for the partially deaf. Opticians' trial cases, lenses, and frames, spectacles, and magnifying glasses, ophthalmoscopes, optometers and other measuring instruments, test cards, and diagrams, artificial eyes (demonstration and other). Dentists' materials—viz., artificial teeth, tooth crowns, celluloid blanks, base plates, denture strengthened, guttapercha stick, points, pellets, and sheets, rubber dam, amadou absorbent, absorbent paper, rubber in sheets, metal-plate, -wire, -foil, sticks; solder; fusible metal, porcelain powder, and enamel, inlays, modelling composition and wan, investment compound, amalgam, and cement; also such other appliances and materials peculiar to surgical or dental use as may from time to time be enumerated in any order of the Minister. 
288Scientific and philosophical instruments and apparatus—namely, assay-balances; laboratory retorts, and laboratory flasks, and other instruments, and apparatus for chemical analysis, and assay works; assay furnaces, including dentists', and jewellers' furnaces; also such instruments, and apparatus, suited strictly for scientific and philosophical purposes, as may from time to time be approved by the Minister. 
 CLASS VI.—CLOTHINGAND TEXTILES. 
289Brace-elastic, and brace-mountings. 
290Brattice cloth made of jute or hessian. 
291Bunting, in the piece. 
292Butter cloth; also cheese cloth, and cheese bandages or caps20% ad val.
293Buttons, tapes, wadding, pins, needles. 
294Cotton or linen piece-goods, and unions of the same, n.o.e., except imitation silks composed of any material or substance whatsoever. 
295Fur skins, green or sun-dried. 
296Gold or silver face or braid for military clothing, feather-stitch braid. 
297Hatmakers' materials—viz., felt hoods; shellac; galloons; calicoes; spale boards for hat boxes; leathers; silk plush in the piece; linings, when cut up or otherwise, under such conditions as the Minister may prescribe; blocks; moulds; frames; ventilators; tassels. 
298Hessians, plain or striped, and scrim. 
299Leather cloth, plain colours. 
300Minor articles (required in the making-up of apparel, boots, shoes, hats, caps, saddlery, umbrellas, parasols, and sunshades), enumerated in any order of the Minister, and published in the Gazette. 
301Ostrich feathers grown in New Zealand, when returned from abroad dressed, or dyed, upon evidence being produced to the satisfaction of a Collector of Customs as to their previous exportation. 
302Sailcloth, canvas, and unbleached double-warped duck, in the piece. 
303Sewing cottons, silks, and threads; angola mendings not exceeding 45 yards in length; crewel, flourishing, embroidery, darning, knitting, and crochet threads, of silk, linen or cotton, or unions of the same, plain or fancy; macrame thread or macrame twine. 
304Silk for flour dressing, in the piece. 
305Silk twist (shoemakers', and saddlers'). 
306Staymakers' binding, eyelets, corset-fasteners, jean, ticks, lasting, sateen, and cotell; also corset shields, and busk protectors. 
307Tailors' trimmings—viz., haircloth; plain or coloured imitation haircloth; canvas; buckram; wadding, and padding; silk, worsted, and cotton bindings, and braids; stay bindings; Russia braids; shoulder-pads; buckles; silesias; drab, slate, and brown jeans; pocketings; slate, black, and brown dyed unions and linens; Verona, and Italian cloth, of cotton or wool, or unions of the same; also such other lining materials as may be approved by the Minister. 
308Tubular woven cotton cloth in the piece for meat-wraps20 % ad val.
309Umbrella-makers' materials—viz., reversible, and levantine silk mixtures, gloria, and satin de chene, of not less than 44 in. in width; alpaca cloth, with border; zanella cloth, with border; also other piece-goods on such conditions as the Minister may approve sticks, runners, notches, caps, ferrules, cups, ribs, stretchers, tips, and rings. 
310Union textiles n.o.e., in the piece, the invoice value of which does not exceed 6d. the yard, when cut up, and made into shirts or pyjamas, under such conditions and regulations as the Minister may prescribe. 
311Waterproof material in the piece, having within, or upon it, a coating of india-rubber. 
312Boot elastic. 
313Bootmakers' linings, canvas, plain, or coloured, bag and portmanteau linings, of such materials, qualities, and patterns, as may be approved by the Minister. 
314Boots, shoes, shoettes, sandals, clogs, and pattens, slippers, and goloshes—namely, children's Nos. 0 to 610 % ad val.
315Cork soles, and sock-soles; moulded shoe and slipper soles of rubber10 % ad. val.
310East India kip, also hides, crust of rough tanned, but undressed. 
317Goat-skins, and kid-skins, however dressed. 
318Grindery—namely, button fasteners, and staples; eyelets, and hook eyelets, and eyelet rings; tingles; spikes for running or cricketing shoes; boot-protectors; wood or rubber heels or knobs; leather toe-tips, “Wells” patent or a similar make, stiffeners or toes moulded ready for use, copper toes, boot stretchers and trees, hollow-fillers, japanned toe-tips; legging springs and stiffeners; lasting tacks, pegs, brass rivets, iron rivets; brass, iron, and copper cut-bills; steel points, sparrow bills; wrought, cut, and malleable hob-nails; Hungarian nails; wrought, and cut tip-nails; iron or wooden lasts; stands for lasts; sole, heel, stiffening, and toe-cap knives; shoemakers' wax; heel-balls; bristles, hemp, and flax; rubber Solution or cement; welting cut into strips or in coils ready for use; shoemakers' binding or beading; welting leather cut into strips not exceeding 1 in. in width; webbing; tanners', curriers', and bootmakers' inks or stains; bootmakers' sectional cutting-boards; glass or emery paper, or cloth, on sheets, in rolls, or cut into shapes. 
319Hog-skins. 
320Kangaroo, and wallaby skins, undressed. 
321Leather, japanned or enamelled. 
322Saddle-trees. 
323Saddlers' ironmongery (except bits and stirrup-irons), frames, and mounts for harness; straining, surcingle, brace, girth, and roller webs; collar check, and the same article plain, of such quality as may be approved by the Minister; legging-buckles, also metal articles required to repair or complete riding or driving harness, or saddlery, to be repaired or made in the Dominion. 
324Tanning Materials, crude. 
 CLASS VIII.—FURNITURE, ETC. 
325Blind webbing, and tape. Worsted covered cord, and solid glace cord, for Venetian, and other blinds. 
326Upholsterers' materials—viz., webbing, hair-seating, visitation hair-seating; curled hair; gimp, and cord, of wool, cotton, or silk; tufts, and studs; chair canvas. 
 CLASS IX.—CHINA, GLASS, ETC. 
327Bottles, empty, plain stone; also empty plain glass bottles, not being cut or ground; jays, plain glass; and plain earthen jars, up to 3 in. in diameter at the mouth. 
328Earthen, or glass roofing tiles, ridging, or finials; also roofing slates (number). 
320Glass plates (engraved) for photo-lithographic work. 
330Jars, or other dutiable vessels, containing free goods, or goods subject to a fixed rate of duty, and being ordinary trade packages for the goods contained in them. 
331Lamps, miners' safety, and glasses therefor; lamps peculiarly adapted for use on harbour beacons and lighthouses, also appliances peculiar to such lamps; side lights, and head lights, especially suited for the use of ships. 
 GLASS X.—FANCY GOODS, ETC. 
332Action work, and keys, in frames, or otherwise, iron, or metal piano frames, for manufacture of organs, harmoniums, and pianos; organ pipes, and stop-knobs 
333Articles, being exhibits for public display only in public museums, whether purchased under bond or directly imported by, or for presentation to such museums, upon declaration that such goods will not be sold or otherwise disposed of in New Zealand without payment of any duty which may be payable. 
334Artists' materials—viz., canvas in the piece or on stretchers, oiled paper or drawing paper in sheets or blocks, colours, brushes, palettes, and palette knives10% ad val.
335Cigarette papers entered to be warehoused in any licensed tobacco manufactory for the manufacture therein of cigarettes 
336Films for bioscopes, cinematographs, and kinetoscopes. 
337Microscopes, and telescopes, and slides, and lenses, for same. 
338Paintings, statuary, and works of art, whether purchased under bond or directly imported by, or for presentation to any public institution or art association registered as a body corporate, for display in the buddings of such institution or association, and not to be sold or otherwise disposed of; statuary or works of art, whether purchased under bond, or directly imported, for display in any public park or place, on conditions prescribed by the Minister. 
339Paintings or pictures painted or drawn by New Zealand students, within live years of the time of their departure from the Dominion' for the purpose of undergoing a period of tuition abroad for the first time, upon evidence being produced to the satisfaction of a Collector of Customs 
340Photographic cameras, and lenses, including focussing cloths, and camera covers10% ad val.
341Photographs of personal friends in letters or packets. 
342Precious stones, cut or uncut, if unmounted. 
343Sensitised surfaces, and albumenised paper, plain, not being post-cards or other stationery10% ad val.
344Slides for magic lanterns. 
 CLASS XI.—PAPER, ETC. 
     (NOTE.—In every case whore exemption from duty is governed by a size, the equivalent area shall be exempt under like condition.) 
345Bookbinders' materials—viz., cloth, leather, thread, headbands, webbing, end-papers, tacketing-gut, marbling-colours, marble-paper, blue or red paste for ruling-ink, staple-presses, wire staples, staple-sticks. 
346Butter paper (known as vegetable parchment paper), and waxed paper imprinted.
(NOTE.—Butter paper or waxed paper, printed, shall be charged as wrapping paper, or wrappers, of all kinds, printed or lithographed. Schedule A, Class XL)
 
347Cardboard, pasteboard, wood-pulp board, and corrugated board, of size not less than that known as “royal” and weighing not less than 2 oz. per sheet of “royal” size; also straw board of size not less than that known as “royal,” and weighing not less than 3 oz. per sheet of “royal” size. 
348Cardboard boxes, material for—viz., gold, and silver paper, plain or embossed; embossed paper in strips; gelatine or coloured papers; known as “box papers”20% ad val.
349Cartridge drawing paper. 
350Celluloid, plain, in sheets, n.o.e. 
351Cloth-lined boards, not less than “royal” size. 
352Cloth-lined paper, and enamelled, gelatine, and metallic paper, of size not less than “demy”; also “ivorite” of size not less than “demy.” 
353Copy-books, having printed headlines on each page; also drawing-books10% ad val.
354Copying-paper, medium and larger sizes, in original mill wrappers and labels. 
355Ink, printing10% ad val.
356Masticated para. 
357Millboard, and Bookbinders' leather board. 
358Paper, hand-made or machine-made, book, or writing, when in original wrappers, of sizes not less than the size known as “demy,” and not being a wrapping paper, or of the same quality as wrapping paper. 
359Paper, printing20% ad val.
360Printed books, papers, and music, n.o.e., excepting advertising matter. 
361Sunday school tickets, and reward cards, being Scriptural or religious motto cards, not exceeding 5d. per dozen invoice value, and not exceeding 6 in. by 4 in. in size, and having no reference upon them to Christmas, New Year, Easter, or birthdays. 
 CLASS XII.—METALS. 
362Agricultural machines, and agricultural implements, n.o.e.; also parts peculiar to the manufacture or repair of agricultural machines, and implements—including; chaff cutting knives, fittings for threshing mills, forgings or castings for ploughs, discs for harrows, plough-shares, mould-board plates, and steel-share plates cut to pattern, skeith-plates, tilt-rakes, reaper-knife sections or fingers, finished brass, and steel springs.
(NOTE.—Agriculture as applied to the Tariff shall include horticulture and viticulture.)
 
363Anchors10% ad val.
364Artificers' tools, n.o.e., not including brushes or brush ware; also the following tools—namely, axes, and hatchets, spades, shovels, forks, picks; mattocks, quartz, and knapping hammers, scythes, sheep-shears, reaping hooks, soldering irons, paperhangers' scissors, butchers' saws or cleavers; measuring bands or tapes; coal cutters, and air picks. 
365Axles, axle-arms, and axle boxes. 
366Bellows nails. 
367Bicycles and tricycles, fittings for—namely, rubber tires, pneumatic rubber tires, outside covers of rubber, and inner tubes, handle grips, pedal rubbers; also the following articles when not plated, japanned, enamelled, or varnished—namely, drop forgings, stampings, steel balls, weldless steel tubes with or without butted ends, wood or metal rims (not bored), spokes, forks, stays, handle bars, and seat pillars, unbuilt, bracket shells, fork, and stay ends, fork tips, bridges, crowns, and lugs; also ball heads complete when not brazed, including all plated parts. Hubs complete plated or otherwise, sprockets, chains, and chain-wheels, whether plated or not. Bottom brackets complete, including axles, cups, cranks, and pedals, plated or otherwise20% ad val. (except rubber tires, pnuematic rubber tires, outside covers of rubber, and inner tubes).
368Beekeepers' tools, implements, and apparatus—namely, metal fittings for bee hives, bee smokers, wax extractors, rubber gloves, gloves of textile soaked in oil, queen cages, comb foundation, foundation machines, honey knives, honey extractors, queen rearing outfits, wax presses, tools peculiar to the use of beekeepers. 
369Blacksmiths' anvils, forges, and fans10% ad val.
370Bolts, and bolt ends, up to 24 in. in length; nuts, blank or screwed nuts, black or finished nuts. 
371Brass, copper, and tin, in pigs, bars, or sheets; also tinned hoops. 
372Brass or metal tubing, and stamped work, in the rough. 
373Caps, percussion10% ad val.
374Card clothing, for woollen-mills, and for paper-mills. 
375Castings for ships; also propeller-screws, including only bosses and blades20% ad val.
376Chains, iron, plain, or with hook, swivel, or ring, attached10% ad val.
377Copper, brass, and composition rod, bolt, sheathing, and nails. 
378Couch-roll jackets, machine wires, beater-bars, and strainer-plates, for paper-mills. 
379Crucibles. 
380Electrical materials—namely, insulated cable and wire, carbon in block, sheet, or rod, are lamp carbons; mica, vulcanite, and other insulating material, rubber or guttapercha solutions, insulating tape. 
381Electricians' portable testing sets. 
382Emery grinding machines, and emery wheels. 
383Empty iron drums, not exceeding 10 gallons capacity. 
384Engineers', and all metal- or wood- or stone-workers' machine tools or hand tools, not including brushes or brushware. 
385Engine-governors10% ad val.
386Eyelets. 
387Fire-engines (number), chemical fire-engines (number), and chemical fire-extinguishers (number); also fire-hose and couplings therefor, portable fire-escapes, fire-ladders, fire-reels, and firemen's helmets, if declared, to the satisfaction of the Collector, for the use of a fire brigade10% ad val.
388Fish-hooks, unmounted, and without attachments. 
389Galvanising baths, welded. 
390Gas engines, and hammers, and oil engines120% ad val.
391Glassmakers' moulds. 
302Hydraulic wheel presses. 
393Iron boiler-plates and unflanged end-plates for boilers; boiler-tubes not exceeding 6 in. in internal diameter and unflanged; expansion-rings; furnace-flues20% ad val.
394Iron pipes wrought, and wood or fibre pipes, not exceeding 6 in. in internal diameter, also knees, bends, elbows, and other fittings for the same. Cast iron pipes not exceeding 9 in. in internal diameter, also knees, Vends, elbows, and other fittings for the same. Wrought iron boring, casing, and lining tubes, for oil boring, mining, or well sinking purposes20% ad val.
395Iron, plain black—viz., sheet, plate, hoop, rod, bolt, bar, angle, tee channel; pig iron; plain iron rolled girders, rolled chequered plates; shafting, plain rolled or plain turned, but otherwise unwrought20% ad val. (except hoop 6 in. in width or over, and pig iron).
396Iron and steel cordage20% ad val.
397Lead, in pigs and bars. 
398Locomotive wheels and tires, including wheels and tires for railway or tramway passenger cars; coil, spiral, and volute springs, suited for the manufacture of locomotives; automatic air-pressure brakes specially suited for use on railway carriages and wagons. 
399Machine saw-blades. 
400Machinery—viz., dairying machinery (including cream-separating machines, also coolers); also vacuum pumps for milking machines when imported along with the machines to which they belong10% ad val. (excluding cream-separating machines, coolers, and vacuum pumps when imported along with the machines to which they belong).
401Machinery, mining, and gold saving; also, briquette making, and coal washing machines, rock-breaking machines, trommels, stamper batteries, ore feeders, grizzly bars, steel shoes and dies, ore crushing rolls, ball mills, grinding pans, tube mills, concentrators and rubber endless belts for same, battery screening woven or punched; also, the following machines, materials, and appliances, when imported for mining purposes, namely:—10% ad val. (except concentrators and rubber endless belts for same).
     Air compressors, not including the motive power for charging the same
     Chain links and rollers for conveyors, and conveyor belts of rubber or fibre
     Electric exploders
     Fans for mine ventilation
     Filter presses
     Fuel-economizers
     Sand pumps
     Sinking pumps
     Solution pumps made wholly of metal
     Steam pumps having a capacity exceeding 5,000 gallons per hour
     Turbine pumps
     Shaft signalling gear
     Steel or iron head frames for mining shafts
     Battery blanket not exceeding 3 ft. wide
     Material for filter cloths and plush or other cloth for gold saving
402Medals, including only old or second-hand war medals, humane societies', and other similar medals; also old coins. 
403Metal fittings, for trunks, portmanteaux, travelling bags, leggings, bags, and satchels. 
404Metal sheaves, grooved metal pulleys10% ad val.
405Metal tubes in the rough, having a slit through their whole length, suited for the manufacture of fenders, bedsteads, gates, and the like articles. 
406Metal wire of all kinds, plain (tons); metal cordage n.o.e., not being gold or silver (cwt.); also barbed fencing wire (tons), and fencing-staples (cwt.). 
407Metal wove-wire, and metal gauze; also wire netting, and expanded metal lathing or fencing, in the piece10% ad val.
408Metallic capsules10% ad val.
409Meters, gas, or electricity, being household supply meters. 
410Meters, water-. 
411Motor engines for bicycles20% ad val.
412Moulders' chaplets and dowels. 
413Perambulators, and the like vehicles, fittings for, n.o.e. 
414Perforated or cellular sheet zinc or iron10% ad val.
415Portable engines on four or any greater number of wheels, with boiler of locomotive type; also traction engines10% ad val.
410Printing type, and printing materials, n.o.e., suited only for the use of printers10% ad val.
417Rails for railways and tramways, including lay-outs, and points, and crossings, for the same; also fish plates20% ad val.
418Rivets, and washers. 
419Rock drills, diamond drills, and drill sharpeners. 
420Set screws, Engineers' studs, and split pins. 
421Sewing, knitting, and kilting machines. 
422Spray pumps, not being syringes. 
423Steam or hydraulic pressure, and vacuum gauges; pressure indicators or pressure gauges for gas or oil engines; speed indicators, Engineers', for testing machinery10% ad val.
424Surveyors' instruments—viz., steel bands, chains, measuring tapes, field instruments, and drawing instruments; draughtsmen's drawing instruments10% ad val.
425Tacks, and nails, 1 in. and under. 
426Tea packing lead. 
427Tinsmiths' fittings, and furniture, including stamped or blocked tin or copper, planished or unplanished. 
428Welded and flanged boiler furnaces, plain or corrugated10% ad val.
429Zinc, plain sheet. 
430Zinc plates or copper plates for photo-lithographic work. 
431Ash, hickory, lancewood, and beechwood timber, unwrought. 
432Blacksmiths', braziers', assay, and treadle power bellows. 
433Carriage or cart makers' materials—viz., shafts, spokes, and felloes, in the rough; hubs, all kinds; poles if unbent and unplaned, all kinds; bent wheel rims. 
434Chassis for motor vehicles, whether attached or unattached to such vehicles, including wheels therefor. 
435Churns. 
436Lignum-vitæ. 
437Material for the manufacture of carriages, carts, drays, and wagons, motor vehicles, and railway cars or wagons—viz., springs, truck pedestals, mountings, trimmings, hinges, tire bolts, shackle holders, step treads, rubber cloth, rubber tires, pneumatic rubber tires, outer covers of rubber, inner tubes; also, iron or metal fittings (except steps, lamp irons, dash irons, seat rails, and fifth wheels) for the manufacture of carriages, carts, drays, wagons, and motor vehicles (other than motor bicycles or railway or tramway cars or wagons). 
438Sieves, hair. 
439Wooden handles for tools. 
 CLASS XIV.—OILS, ETC. 
440Oils in vessels capable of containing one gallon of oil or more—viz., refined mineral oils not exceeding in specific gravity 0.870 at 60° F.; fish, penguin, mutton bird, seal, and whale oils.
(NOTE.—Mixtures of mineral or vegetable oils, with each other, or with fish, penguin, mutton bird, seal, whale, or other oils, shall be charged with duty (1) if imported in vessels capable of containing one gallon of oil or more, as oil n.o.e., including mineral lubricating oil, Class XIV, Schedule A; (2) if imported in vessels having a lesser capacity than one gallon, 20 per cent. ad val.)
 
441Paints, and colours, n.o.e.10% ad val.
442Turpentine; turpentine substitute composed of volatile mineral oils, or of volatile mineral oils in combination with turpentine, or other volatile vegetable oils; liquid driers; terebene. 
443Wood naphtha. 
 CLASS XV.—AGRICULTURAL FARM PRODUCTS, ETC. 
444Linseed. 
 CLASS XVI.—MISCELLANEOUS. 
445Apparatus, appliances, articles, and materials, for educational purposes, as may he approved by the Minister, and under conditions prescribed by him. 
446Bagging, bags, or sacks, of jute or hessian; also cornsacks: bags made of New Zealand tow or flax. 
447Belting, for driving machinery, other than leather belting and not being cordage or rope10% ad val.
448Binder-twine10% ad val.
449Bricks other than firebricks. 
450Candle-nuts, and candle-nut kernels. 
451Candle-wick. 
452Canvas aprons and elevators, for reapers and binders. 
453Canvas, indiarubber, or other hose, tubing, or piping, armoured or otherwise; flexible metal hose, tubing, or piping20% ad val.
454Charts and maps. 
455Confectioners' moulding starch. 
456Cork, cut; bungs; fishermen's cork floats; also plain unornamental stoppers of every description for bottles, jars, and casks10% ad val.
457Cotton and other waste, engineers. 
458Diving dresses, and dresses suited solely for use in poisonous gases or smoke, with apparatus peculiar thereto. 
459Dyes; dye stuffs; and dyeing materials, crude. 
460Engine packing. 
461Felt sheathing10% ad val.
462Gum boots, half-knee, knee, or thigh, the soles of which may be of either leather or rubber. 
463Hawsers of 12 in. or over. 
464Honey and brown Windsor soap composition. 
465India-rubber gloves. 
466Manures. 
467Marble, granite, and other stone, hewn or rough sawn, not dressed or polished. 
468Netmakers' cotton twine; nets, seine fishing. 
469Official supplies for consular officers of countries where a similar exemption exists in favour of British consuls. 
470Paper-makers' fells. 
471Passengers' baggage and effects, including only wearing apparel and other personal effects that have been worn or are in use by persons arriving in the Dominion; also implements, instruments, and tools of trade, occupation, or employment, of such persons, not exceeding £50 in value, and household or other effects not exceeding £100 in value, which have been in use for twelve months prior to embarkation by the persons or families bringing them to the Dominion, and which are not intended for any other person or persons, or for sale; also cabin furnishings belonging to such persons not exceeding in value £10: 
     Provided that goods falling within the above exemption may be admitted free, only, if imported within two years of the arrival in the Dominion of the persons or families by whom they have been used. 
472Plaster of Paris. 
473Powder—viz., blasting powder, and blasting meal. 
474Returned empties which are identified as such to the satisfaction of a Collector of Customs. 
475Shipbuilders' models of vessels suited only for exhibition. 
470Ship chandlery, n.o.e. 
477Ships' rockets, blue-lights, and danger-signals, and rocket life-saving apparatus. 
478Stones, mill, grind, oil, and whet. 
479Tobacco for sheep-wash, or for insecticide, after being rendered unfit for human consumption to the satisfaction of the Minister. 
480Treacle or molasses, mixed with bone-black in proportions to the satisfaction of the Minister. 
481Typewriters. 
482Wax, bottling. 
483Wool packs and wool pockets. 
484Yarn—viz., coir, flax, jute, and hemp. 
485Articles and materials (as may from time to time be specified by the Minister) which are suited only for, and are to be used solely in, the fabrication or repair of goods within the Dominion. All decisions of the Minister in reference to articles so admitted free to be published from time to time in the Gazette. 
486All articles n.o.e.
Provided that all goods falling under this Schedule, which are prison made, shall he charged an ad val. duty of 20 per cent.*
 
TABLEOF DUTIESCHARGEABLEON GOODSBEINGTHE PRODUCEOR MANUFACTUREOFANDBEINGIMPORTEDFROMTHE CAPEOF GOOD HOPE, NATAL, THE ORANGE FREE STATE, ANDTHE TRANSVAAL, COMPOSINGTHE UNIONOF SOUTH AFRICA, ANDFROM SOUTHERN RHODESIA.*
Tariff Item No.Goods.Rate of Duty.
* No higher duty shall be levied on any goods the produce or manufacture of the said colonies than that which would be levied under “The Customs Duties Act. 1908,” on the same goods if they were the produce and manufacture of some other part of the British Dominions. (See “The Customs Duties Act 1908” section 8.)
487Feathers15% ad val.
488Fish1 ½d. the lb.
489Fruits, driedFree.
490Fruits, greenFree.
491Maize6d. per cental.
492SugarFree.
493Tobacco (manufactured)2s. 6d. per lb.
494Tea (not otherwise exempt)1d. per lb.
495Wines (other than sparkling)2s. per gallon.
496Wines (sparkling)5s. per gallon.
497All other goods (except spirits), 3 per cent, less than the duty which would otherwise be payable. 
 TABLEOF EXCISE DUTIES. 
498Tobacco1s. per lb.
499Cigars and snuff1s. 6d. per lb.
500Cigarettes— 
     If manufactured by machinery2s. 6d. per lb.
     If made by hand1s. the lb.
501Beer3d. the gallon.
502Articles in which spirit is a necessary ingredient, manufactured in a warehouse appointed under section 32 of “The Customs Law Act, 1908,” namely— 
     Perfumed spirit20s. the liquid gallon.
     Toilet preparations which are subject to 16s. the liquid gallon on importation12s. the liquid gallon.
     Toilet preparations which are subject to 25 per cent, duty on importation6s. the liquid gallon.
     Culinary and flavouring essences12s. the liquid gallon.
     Medicinal preparations (excepting medicated wine or wine mixed with food) containing more than 50 per cent, of proof spirit9d. the lb.
     Medicinal preparations (excepting medicated wine or wine mixed with food) containing 50 per cent. of proof spirit or lessFree.
Tariff Item No.EXTRACTFROM “THE CUSTOMS DUTIES Act, 1908.”
503Where any dispute arises as to the true meaning and application! of certain terms used in the Tariff, the Minister may determine such dispute in such manner as appears to him just, and his decision thereon shall be final.
 EXTRACTFROM “THE DEFENCE ACT, 1908.”
504“156. All military clothing, saddlery, and equipments imported into New Zealand for the bona fide use of a Volunteer corps or of an officer of the Defence Forces shall, on the certificate in writing of the Minister that the same are or have been imported for such purpose, be admitted free of duty.”
 EXTRACTFROM “THE FRIENDLY SOCIETIES ACT, 1908.”
505“37. (2.) Customs duties shall not be chargeable on regalia, emblems, certificates, and banners, the property of any society or registered branch.”
DUTIESAND EXEMPTIONSFROM DUTYCREATEDBY HIS EXCELLENCYTHE GOVERNOR.
 The following foods, being infants' and invalids' foods, viz.:—
506Allenbury's Foods Nos. 1, 2, and 3.Free.
507Allenbury's Pancreatised Milk and Cereal Diet.
508Allinson's Food.
509Benger's Food.
510Burroughs Wellcome and Co.'s Peptogenic Milk Powder.
511Carnrick's Soluble Food.
512Chapman's Food.
513Du Barry's Revalenta Arabica.
514Frame Food Diet.
515Gluten Flour.
516Hewlett's Food.
517Horlick's Malted Milk
518Maltico Food.
519Mellin's Food.
520Moseley's Food.
521Neave's Food.
522Nestle's Milk Food.
523Nestle's Milo Food.
524Ridge's Food.
525Savory and Moore's Food.
526Food composed of pasteurised milk or casein of milk in combination with malted or unmalted ground grain.
527Dextro levulose, or invert sugar.1d. the lb.
528Grape-sugar.
529Saccharum.
530Sacchosoline.
531Glucose obtained from other sources than starch.
532Winding engines for mining purposes driven by hydraulic power (including bed plates, foundation bolts, and friction clutches, when imported with the engines), ordinary tariff, 5 per cent. ad val.; preferential surtax, 10 per cent. ad val.
533Cotton, linen, and union piece - goods having patterns or woven devices or other signs which indicate that they are to be cut up into separate articles, 20 per cent. ad val.
534Creep-clips, tie-irons, bearing brackets, and bed-plates being rail-fastenings, free; preferential surtax 20 per cent. ad val.
535Sanitas malted nuts, free.
536Machines for bevelling and cutting glass, free.
537Bevelled or silvered glass, other than plate glass, ordinary tariff, 25 per cent. ad val.; preferential surtax, 12 ½ per cent, ad val.
538Compo-board, 4s. the hundred superficial feet.
539Straight air-pressure brakes, especially suited for use on railway or tramway carriages, free.
540Belting of cotton, jute, or woven fibre, with a backing or edging of leather, 2d. per lb., provided that the weight of the leather included therein does not exceed one-half.

MODIFICATIONS.

The Customs tariff is modified in respect of the undermentioned articles imported into the Cook and other Islands within the extended boundaries of the Dominion:—

Claret, 2s. the gallon.

Horses, 10s. each.

Drugs imported by missionery societies for dispensation among the Natives, free.

“The Customs Duties Act, 1908,“ provides that there shall be levied and collected in the said Islands, in addition to all other duties imposed by the Act. the following, viz.:—

Sugar, whether imported from New Zealand or elsewhere, ½d. per lb.

Cotton piece-goods (except calico), linen piece-goods, and piece-goods of mixed cotton and linen, whether imported from New Zealand proper or elsewhere. 10 per cent, ad valorem.

OPIUM PROHIBITION.

“The Opium Act, 1908,“ makes it unlawful for any person to import opium into the Dominion in any form suitable for smoking. Permits may be issued by the Minister of Customs for the importation of the drug in certain forms.

No permit shall be issued to any person of the Chinese race. Heavy penalties are prescribed for breaches of the above law.

The Act makes it illegal to have opium in possession, except the kinds which can be held under permit, and requires that every person who purchases opium from the holder of a permit shall enter or cause to be entered in a book kept for such purpose the particulars of all purchases in the same manner as the holder of a permit is required to enter particulars of all sales.

An Order in Council dated 2nd February, 1909, issued under authority of section 93 of “The Customs Law Act, 1908,” prohibits the importation into New Zealand of any fluid preparation of opium containing a greater quantity of extractive matter than tincture of opium prepared according to the Pharmacopoeia of the United States of America.

TIMBER EXPORT.

“The Timber Export Act, 1908,“ provides that the Governor may from time to time, by Order in Council, cause to be levied, previous to exportation from New Zealand, the following duties upon timber:—

Logs, round5s. per 100 superficial feet.Or such lesser duty as the Governor by Order in Council determines.
Logs, squared with axe or saw
Half logs
Flitches of any particular kind, or pieces of such size as the Governor by Order in Council from time to time determines3s. per 100 superficial feet.Or such lesser duty as the Governor by Order in Council determines.

Orders in Council dated 6th October, 1908, and 17th December, 1908, direct that the following duties shall be levied, collected, and paid:—

ON WHITE-PINEOR KAHIKATEA TIMBERS.
Logs, round5s. per 100 superficial feet.
Logs, cut in half5s. per 100 superficial feet.
Logs, squared with axe or saw, 10 in. by 10 in., or its equivalent or over5s. per 100 superficial feet.
Flitches, exceeding 12 in. in width and 4 in. in thickness or its equivalent, and less than the equivalent of 10 in. in width and 10 in. in thickness3s. per 100 superficial feet.
      Provided that no duty shall be levied on flitches unless they exceed 4 in. in thickness. 
ON KAURI TIMBER.
Logs, round5s. per 100 superficial feet
Logs, cut in half5s. per 100 superficial feet
Logs, squared with axe or saw5s. per 100 superficial feet
Flitches exceeding 30 in. in width and 9 in. in thickness, or its equivalent3s. per 100 superficial feet

THE NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTH AFRICAN CUSTOMS DUTIES RECIPROCITY.

By treaty with the Colonies of the Cape of Good Hope, Natal, Orange River, Transvaal, now composing the Union of South Africa, and with Southern Rhodesia the existing New Zealand Customs tariff is altered in respect of importations from the above colonies into New Zealand, and on and after the 1st January, 1907, the following duties shall be levied*:—

Feathers15 per cent, ad valorem.
Fish1 ½d. per lb.
Fruits, driedFree.
Fruits, greenFree.
Maize6d. per cental.
SugarFree.
Tobacco (manufactured)2s. 6d. per lb.
Tea (not otherwise exempt)1d. per lb.
Wines (other than sparkling)2s. per gallon.
Wines (sparkling)5s. per gallon.
All other goods (except spirits)3 per cent. less than the duty which would otherwise be payable.

The following duties are chargeable under the treaty on New Zealand goods imported into the above colonies of South Africa:—

Bran1s. per cental.
Flour2s. 3d. per cental.
Oats1s. 10d. per cental.
Wheat1s. per cental.
Butter2d. per lb.
Cheese12 per cent. ad valorem.
Meats1d. per lb.
All other goods (except spirits)3 per cent. less than the duty which would otherwise be payable.

It is also agreed that if a fiscal difference is made by either of the contracting parties between locally manufactured spirits and imported spirits, the manufactured spirits of the other contracting party shall be admitted at the same rate of duty as is payable on the locally manufactured spirits.

The above treaty continues in full force and effect until terminated by the Governor by Order in Council gazetted.

* No higher duty shall be levied on any goods the produce and manufacture of the said colonies than that which would be levied under “The Customs Duties Act, 1908,” on the same goods if they were the produce or manufacture of some other part of the British dominions (see “The Customs Duties Act, 1908,” see. 8).

Chapter 30. SECTION V.—EXPORTS.

THE quantities and values of exports used in making up the figures given in this portion of the statistical information are obtained from Customs entries. In estimating the value of goods exported the “free on board in New Zealand” value is given, and, as regards the main items, the Collector of Customs examines carefully the amounts stated, and compares them with current price-lists, to prevent any overestimate. As a further safeguard, the values of wool, frozen meat, oats, wheat, tallow, phormium fibre, butter, and cheese are submitted to the various Chambers of Commerce for their approval prior to the publication of the figures. Goods transhipped are regarded as destined for the country where it is intended to land them.

The value of all the exports in 1909, inclusive of specie (£25,845), was £19,661,996. The value of New Zealand produce exported, £19,462,936, gives an average of £20 0s. 7d per head of population, against £16 16s. 4d. for 1908.

The average annual value of domestic products exported during each quinquennial period since 1853, and the average value per head of population is shown below together with the values for 1908 and 1909.

 Exports of New Zealand Produce.
Quinquennial Period.Average Total Value.Average Value per Head.
 ££s.d.
1853-57335,57181111
1858-621,040.330111810
1863-673,754,50019155
1868-724,636,3741884
1873-775,530,7151538
1878-825,893,1951257
1883-876,665,48111120
1888-928,898,3721440
1893-978,961,26912160
1898-190212,273,80715178
1903-716,513,39918145
190815,894,53016164
190919,462.9362007

Exports from the North and South Islands.

The exports from the North and South Islands respectively, excluding “Parcels-post,” during the last five years were as under:—

Year.North Island.South Island.Proportion to Total Export.
 ££North Island.South Island.
19058,648,6466,986,69155.3144.69
190610,438,3117,635,28657.7542.25
190712,204,9017,836,66160.9039.10
19089,958,0256,322,36061.1738.83
190911,943,8107,685,11560.8539.15

Exports from Different Ports, &c.

The following table shows the average yearly value of exports from each port in the Dominion during each quinquennial period from 1893 to 1907, and for the year 1909. The ports are arranged in order of magnitude for the latter year.

Ports.Yearly Average of Quinquennial Periods.Year.
1893-971898-1902.1903-7.1909.
 ££££
Wellington1,363,1572,128,1983,176,0523,680,687
Auckland1,275,4131,923,7852,859,8743,371,407
Lyttelton1,773,1312,328,1482,592,1052,630,062
Napier937,662903,3771,253,5381,763,581
Dunedin1,064,0161,352,5351,501,7501,512,610
Invercargill and Bluff662,826813,436931,7701,298,256
Timaru519,388741,5101,033,2171,202,709
Poverty Bay234,793371,745732,1231,040.621
Patea41,86985,349347,886577,806
New Plymouth161,902365,789452,388601,380
Waitara85,847162,984369,972
Wanganui284,126333,842402,263424,581
Greymouth229,764324,512403,821387,372
Wairau and Picton137,452139,700252,434264,599
Oamaru266,259230,497258,530198,908
Kaipara80,008140,734143,979113,775
Nelson64,78566,98587,06595,082
Westport37,50756,37165,13564,747
Hokitika80,20740,54636,61230,770

The grouping of Invercargill with Bluff, and Wairau with Picton, is unavoidable as the returns furnished by the Customs do not, in those cases, distinguish each port separately.

Exports to Different Countries.

The values of exports for the years 1899 and 1909 to the United Kingdom, the Australian States, with other British possessions, and to foreign countries, show the extent and development of outward trade in regard to its distribution, considered for such period:—

Countries.1699.1909.
 ££
United Kingdom9,427,51516,193,188
New South Wales1,118,6991,052,371
Victoria412,822783,277
Queensland52,64411,049
Western Australia66,32114,314
South Australia25,75135,813
Tasmania31,79921,291
Other British possessions142,203531,576
United States433,499684,810
Germany28,02777,969
Other foreign ports199,055256,338
 £11,938,335£19,661,996

Comparing the first five years with the second half of the period shown below, it is found that there has been an increase of 37.87 per cent. in the value of exports to the United Kingdom, of 29.66 per cent. to foreign countries, and a decrease of 4.16 per cent. to British possessions.

 Exports to
Year.United Kingdom.British Colonies and Possessions.Foreign States.
 £££
190010,259,3422,332,780654,039
19019,295,3752,907,412678,637
19029,450,6483,577,815616,514
190311,345,0752,821,608843,695
190411,876,2732,088,61783,384
190512,087,8182,591,802976,327
190614,047,1763,141,327906,634
190716,533,4932,559,631975,833
190813,143,7802,414,521759,193
190916,193,1882,449,6911,019,117

The following are the values of exports to different countries or places in 1909 and 1908, arranged in order of magnitude of increase or decrease:—

Country.1909.1908.Increase in 1909.
 £££
United Kingdom16,193,18813,143,7803,049,408
United States of America684,810326,415358,395
British Columbia103,68912,80390,886
Canada77,28611,24866,038
Germany77,96940,19137,778
France47,45410,60536,849
Friendly Islands83,13449,56133,573
Cape Colony60,22931,57028,659
Ceylon134,570106,23128,339
Victoria783,277764,25419,023
Navigator Islands50,22140,3849,837
Society Islands39,31329,904409
Natal61,51254,6826,830
Hong Kong10,1137,0023,111
Sandwich Islands3,2352113,024
Queensland11,0499,2831,766
Bengal2,3898311,558
China1,284921,192
Madras1,12081,112
Russia1,11771,110
New Hebrides2,1191,504615
Norfolk Island1,7141,167547
Carolina Islands2,4191,913506
Denmark48919470
Holland4628454
Tasmania21,29120,857434
Solomon Islands1,070745325
Malden Island511241270
Sweden22213209
New Guinea185 185
New Caledonia1,7451,589156
Country.1909.1908.Increase in 1909.
 £££
Brazil1,2691,127142
Malta16827141
Christmas Island137 137
Singapore15735122
Banks Island34825494
British East Africa47542
Switzerland632736
Torres Island29 29
Fanning Island37829
West Indies30327
Straits Settlements19 19
British Guiana12 12
Norway261511
Turkey7 7
Orange River Colony17116
Penang936
Mexico716
Rhodesia31265
Burmah1055
Java514
Sumatra3 3
Syria3 3
Bombay74713
Egypt972
Azores2 2
Bolivia1 1
West Indies (Foreign)1 1
Reefs Island1 1
Cyprus1 1
Mauritius211
Peru1 1
Uruguay4,376231,304226,928
New South Wales1,052,3711,254,983202,612
Gibraltar8,25712,7524,495
Western Australia14,31417,6603,346
Fiji69,02172,1383,117
Chili922,3012,209
Philippine Islands1,6253,7582,133
Belgium10,95012,2211,271
New Britain2,0772,943866
Argentine Republic66781715
South Australia35,81336,124311
Surprise Island8481,015167
Austria-Hungary152300148
Italy197657
King Edward VII Land 3434
Transvaal Colony17320229
Japan13014818
Low or Paumotu Archipelago 44
Algeria 33
Seychelles 22

Principal Articles Exported to British Countries.

United Kingdom.—Apparel and slops, £2,212; bran, £4,152; butter, £1,534,233; cheese, £1,098,736; coals, £134,227: copra, £13,451; gold, £1,124,535; grain and pulse, £740,243; gum, kauri, £140,235; hair, £4,264; hides, £7,667; hops, £5,166; jewellers' sweepings, £2,284; lard, £1,694; leather, £31,529; meats, frozen—beef, £555,427; kidneys, £10,631; lamb. £1,811,281; sheep, £1,067,359; mutton joints, £60,867; pork, £335; veal. £911; rabbits, frozen in the skins, £63,981; hares, £214; salted beef, £5,995; meat, potted and preserved, £65,949; extract of meat, £7,618; preserved milk, £1,875; phormium fibre, £201,495; tow, £12,253; sausage-skins, £64,536; grass and clover seeds, £59,525; silver, £47,295; skins, sheep and rabbit, £601,986; tallow, £547,351; mutton stock and oleomargarine, £91,635; tanning bark, £3.290; timber, £13,491; whalebone, £1,930; wool, greasy, £4,654,217; scoured, £745,343; slipe, £541,014; washed, £32,539.

New South Wales.—Animals—horses, £24,316; sheep, £5,725; bacon and hams, £972; bran, £3,233; butter, £3,149; cheese, £1,044; coals, £21,366; cordage, £1,006; frozen fish, £6,632; fish, potted and preserved, £1,972; fungus, £1,756; gold, £491,151; grain and pulse, £47,329; kauri-gum, £6,237; hair, £2,372; hides, £53,915; hops, £5,253; horns and hoofs, £1,769; frozen pork, £2,385; meat, potted and preserved, £3,135; onions, £6,205; phormium fibre, £32,432; tow, £1,860; rugs, £2,321; grass and clover seed, £5,332; skins, sheep and rabbit, £27,603; pumice stone, £1,744; timber, £185,640; twine, £11,161; wool, greasy, £10,367; woollen manufactures, £1,638.

Victoria.—Animals—horses, £25,729; sheep, £1,590; bran, £2,768; cheese, £1,398; coals, £3,770; frozen fish, £11,057; fish, potted and preserved, £2,041; gold, £391,357; grain and pulse, £10,668; kauri-gum, £2,339; hides, £90,904; hops, £905; leather, £2,650; frozen pork, £797; meat, potted and preserved, £1.517; preserved milk, £769; oysters, £2,179; phormium fibre, £56,123; tow, £3,017; rugs, £918; sausage-skins, £1,229; seeds, grass and clover, £14,559; skins, £4,335; pumice stone, £1,778; tallow, £1,277; timber, £95,785; twine, £5,577; wool, £7,863.

South Australia.—Bacon and hams, £692; hides, £1,229; potted and preserved meats, £1,099; phormium fibre, £5,339; timber, £24,493.

Western Australia.—Coals. £4,485; potted and preserved meats, £5,380; timber, £1,162.

Queensland.—Grain and pulse, £2,436; hides, £543; timber, £999.

Tasmania.—Living sheep, £326; coals, £3,277; oysters, £126; grass and clover reeds, £6,141; timber, £4,706.

Fiji.—Animals, living—horses, £2,698; cattle, £423; pigs, £369; sheep, £3,194; apparel and slop's. £2,971; bacon and hams, £2,023; bags and sacks, £2,169; beer, £594; bran, £2.964; butter, £5,076; cheese, £645; coals, £4,281; grain and pulse, £672; salted beef, £1,071; potted and preserved meats, £15,184; potatoes, £1,480; rugs, £1,024; timber, £4,230; wooden-ware, £2,982.

Canada.—Kauri-gum, £2,345; hides, £19,819; phormium fibre, £2.150; skins, £23,923; wool, £28,760.

British Columbia.—Hides, £41,682; onions, £2,827; phormium fibre, £802; skins, £49,366; wool, £6,857.

Cape Colony.—Butter, £33,243; cheese, £854; grain and pulse, £24,516; potted and preserved meats, £1,107.

Natal.—Butter, £55,561; cheese, £2,191.

Bengal.—Horses, £990.

Madras.—Grain and pulse, £1,078.

Ceylon.—Grain and pulse, £1,209; silver, £133,195.

Gibraltar.—Frozen beef, £5,119; frozen mutton, £3,136.

Hong Kong.—Fungus, £9,670.

Principal Articles Exported to Foreign Countries.

United States of America.—Kauri-gum, £375,126; frozen meat, £11,813; potted and preserved meat, £1,350; phormium fibre, £8,351; grass and clover seed, £1,345; skins, £93,147; tallow, £6,961; wool, £179,268.

Germany.—Kauri-gum, £24,111; minerals, £4,128; sausage-skins, £2,034; grass and clover seed, £2.571; wool, £43,791.

Belgium.—Kauri-gum, £1,770; wool, £8,456.

France.—Wool, £46,694.

Uruguay.—Sheep, living, £831; grass and clover seed, £1,331.

Brazil.—Frozen lamb, £1,015.

South Sea Islands.—Animals, living—cattle, £2,383; horses, £402; pigs, £1,205; sheep, £1,263; apparel and slops, £928; arms and ammunition, £509; bacon and hams, £1,268; bags and sacks, £2,197; beer, £500; biscuits, £4,920; boats, £1,052; bran, £1,760; butter, £7,550; carts, drays, &c., £2,265; cement, £694; coals, £12,665; cordage, £1,778; cotton piece-goods, £4,415; drapery, £888; fish, potted and preserved, £3,623; flour, £2,236; grain and pulse, £1,933; hardware, £1,231; iron and steel, £5,863; salted beef, £12.248; potted and preserved meats, £33,177; preserved milk, £1,456; kerosene, £7,344; oils, other kinds, £1,675; potatoes, £918; rice, £1,046; rugs, £1,193; saddlery, £961; soap, £6,773; specie, £15,000; spirits, £1,089; sugar, £5,559; tea, £917; timber, £8.202; tinware, £1.536; tobacco, £1.277; woodenware, £5,646.

Re-exports.

Owing to the geographical position of New Zealand its re-export trade is insignificant, and has varied but slightly in amount year by year with the exception of 1907, when the re-exports of merchandise were valued at £278,503, or less than 1 ½ per cent. of the total exports, excluding specie.

Exports of British, Foreign, and other Colonial Produce (excluding Specie).

 £
1894136,402
1895127,966
1896122,571
1897144,955
1898124,850
1899123,682
1900168,009
1901179,350
1902136,860
1903133,734
1904136,963
1905138,539
1906152,134
1907278,503
1908180,675
1909173,215

New Zealand Produce exported: Value for Twenty Years.

The value of the export during twenty years, 1890-1909, is shown in a table giving the principal items of domestic produce exported each year. The most important commodities included under the heading “Other New Zealand Produce” are coal, silver, minerals, fish, oysters, fungus, kauri-gum, timber, bacon and hams, salted and preserved meats, tallow, sheep, rabbit, and other skins, pelts hides, sausage-skins, and live-stock.

Exports of New Zealand Produce.

Calendar Year.Wool.Gold.Frozen Meat.Butter and Cheese.Agricultural Produce.ManufacturesOther N.Z. Produce.Total.
 ££££££££
18904,150,599751,3601,087,617207,687.1,289,864547,9471,393,6879,428,761
18914,129,6861,007,1721,194,724236,933894,467420,3571,516,7559,400,094
18924,313,307951,9631,033,377318,2041,035,637367,6771,345,7039,365,868
18933,774,738915,9211,085,167354,271716,546345,6361,365,1648,557,443
18944,827,016887,8651,194,545366,483317,655224.9581,26,6269,085,148
18953,662,1311,162,1811,262,711378,510326,029188,7821,409,8898,390,156
18964,391,8481,041,4281,251,993411,882572,355198,0811,309,7499,177,333
18974,443,144980,2041,566,286553,122495,175197,6011,360,7359,596,267
18984,645,8041,080,6911,698,750539,466410,677253,8051,695,79510,324,988
18994,324,6271,513,1802,088,856713,617913,678378,0661,867,71611,799,740
19004,749,1961,439,6022,123,881969,7311,230,565549,3421,992,93213,055,249
19013,699,1031,753,7842,253,2621,121,0911,532,386425,1421,905,69212,690,460
19023,354,5631,951,4262,718,7631,369,3411,045,986755,2322,302,28813,498,599
19034,041,2742,037,8323,197,0431,513,065744,845823,3582,480,77514,838,192
19044,673,8261,987,5012,793,5991,565,946559,243896,3622,125,31014,601,787
19055,381,3332,093,9362,694,4321,613,728428,280882,9602,408,86115,503,530
19066,765,6552,270,9042,877,0311,901,237270,542988,2642,766,71317,840,346
19077,657,2782,027,4903.420,6642,277,700162,9671,073,7023,163,33719,783,138
19085,332,7812,004,7993,188,5151,954,601265,730572,3272,575,77715,894,530
19096,305,8882,006,9003,601,0932,744,770976,170504,9523,323,16319,462,936

The preceding table shows that the value of the exports of New Zealand produce increased steadily until 1908, when a slump in prices occurred. The recovery in 1909 stimulated export, bringing the total to nearly the level of that for 1907.

Value of Articles exported, 1908 and 1909.

A comparative statement of exports for the last two years is given below, showing the value of principal articles, being the produce or manufacture of the Dominion classified according to their nature:—

Value of Principal Articles exported, 1908 and 1909.

 Year 1903.Year 1909.Increase in 1909.Decrease in 1909.
 ££££
THE MINE.    
Coal85,846183,96198,115..
Gold2,004,7992,006,9002,101..
Silver and minerals188,875187,914..961
Total2,279,5202,378,77599,255..
THE FISHERIES.    
Fish19,79323,5933,805..
Oysters2,5732,939366..
Whalebone401,9301,890..
Whale-oil738240..498
Other326441115..
Total23,47029,1485,678..
THE FOREST.    
Fungus7,33611,5304,194..
Kauri-gum372,798552,698179,900..
Timber—Sawn and hewn375,235337,740..37,495
Other2,7463,9621,216..
Total758,115905,930147,815..
ANIMALSAND PRODUCE.    
Bacon and hams7,6445,022..2,622
Beef and pork (salted)11,12919,6788,549..
Butter1,171,1821,639,380468,198..
Cheese783,4191,105,390321,971..
Hides167,458216,63649,178..
Live-stock59,33774,37315,036..
Preserved meats78,496132,03353,537..
Frozen meat3,188,5153,601,093412,578..
Sausage-skins61,65769,2827,625..
Rabbit-skins66,52989,53323,004..
Sheep-skins and pelts518,696684,271165,575..
Tallow481,335648,452167,117..
Wool5,332,7816,305,888973,107..
Other26,26941,22014,951..
Total11,954,44714,632,2512,677,804..
    Agricultural Products.    
Bran and sharps6,15917,60911,450..
Chaff65,955637..65,318
Flour8623,2532,391..
Grain—    
    Barley12,27831,65619,378..
    Beans and peas21,41539,90318,488..
    Maize3928..11
    Oats108,997453,314344,317..
    Wheat344305,902305,558..
Hops6,32711,9125,585..
Oatmeal28330825..
Potatoes1,5752,8711,296..
Seeds (grass and clover)34,88194,41059,529..
Other6,61514,3677,752..
Total265,730976,170710,440..
MANUFACTURES.    
Apparel2,4653,426961..
Leather38,53032,338..6,192
Phormium fibre396,288306,973..89,315
Woollen-manufactures9,3728,192..1,180
Other manufactures125,672154,02328,351..
Total572,327504,952..67,375
Miscellaneous40,92135,710..5,211
Total exports (domestic produce and manufactures)15,894,53019,462,9363,568,406..
Specie242,28925,845..216,444
Re-exports180,675173,215..7,460
Total exports£16,317,494£19,661,996£3,344,502..

Quantities of Articles exported, 1908 and 1909.

The exports of New Zealand produce of manufacture for the last two years have also to be considered in relation to quantity, and the articles are again grouped in the next table according to the same classification as that used for purposes of comparing the values.

Quantities of the Principal Articles of New Zealand Produce exported.

Articles.Year 1908.Year 1909.Increase in 1909.Decrease in 1909.
* At 201b, to the bushel.
The Mine:—    
    Coal Tons100,502201,685101,183..
    Gold Oz.506,381506,371..10
    Silver Oz.1,731,3361,813,83082,494..
    Minerals Tons751260..491
The Fisheries:—    
    Fish Cwt.10,53413,2872,753..
    Oysters Doz.337,453382,93745,484..
The Forest:—    
    Fungus Cwt.2,9174,3711,454..
    Gum (kauri) Tons5,5308,2502,720..
    Timber (sawn and hewn) S.ft.84,554,41471,599,318..12,955,096
Animals and Produce:—    
    Bacon and hams Cwt.1,9841,364..620
    Beef and pork (salted) Cwt.9,01413,6874,673..
    Butter Cwt.229,971321,10891,137..
    Cheese Cwt.280,798400,607119,809..
    Hides No.178,865189,11510,250..
    Meats (preserved) Cwt.32,32158,45026,129..
    Meats (frozen) Cwt.2,120,3032,572,604452,301..
    Sausage-skins Cwt.14,03116,1882,157..
    Skins (rabbit) No.7,148,6257,533,137384,512..
    Skins (sheep) and pelts No.6,322,1167,515,4141,193,298..
    Tallow Cwt.372,520484,160111,640..
    Wool Lb.162,518,481189,683,70327,165,222..
Agricultural Products:—    
    Bran and sharps Tons1,2505,0493,799..
    Chaff Tons13,142150..12,992
    Flour Tons90294204..
    Grain, barley Bush.48,375209,437161,062..
    Grain, beans and peas Bush.90,751181,51790,766..
    Grain, maize Bush.154135..19
    Grain, oats Bush.972,8965,133,4734,160,577..
    Grain, wheat Bush.1,3851,419,2171,417,832..
    Hops Cwt.1,5183,1071,589..
    Potatoes Tons206594388..
    Seeds (grass and clover) Bush*86,218400,629314,411..
Manufactures:—    
    Ale and beer Gal.19,40211,466..7,936
    Cordage Cwt.1,5041,242..262
    Leather Cwt.6,0075,550..457
    Phormium fibre Tons17,40314,318..3,085
    Soap Cwt.5,7306,7501,020..

A favourable season, combined with a rise in prices, produced the results shown above. The quantities of wool, frozen meat, and cheese exported are the largest yet recorded in any previous year.

Wool exported and used locally.

The quantity of wool exported in 1909, as previously shown, was 189,683,7031b., valued at £6,305,888—an increase of 27,165,222 lb., on the quantity exported in the previous year, and of £973,107 on the value. The annual production of wool for the last twenty years, taking the exports for the twelve months immediately preceding the commencement of shearing, and adding thereto the quantity used in the Dominion for manufacturing purposes is shown in the next table, but no addition has been made for wool on sheep-skins exported, nor for loss in scouting and washing.

Year ending 30th September.Quantity exported.Quantity purchased by Local Mills.Total.
 Lb.Lb.Lb.
1890102,522,1852,979,293105,501,478
1891108,619,4732,918,073111,537,546
1892110,860,0503,388,954114,249,004
1893119,643,8742,629,855122,273,729
1894128,480,4572,476,155130,956,612
1895129,333,7693,299,132132,632,901
1896128,309,6733,989,934132,299,607
1897134,410,9553,298,469137,709,424
1898150,401,3993,763,831154,165,230
1899143,644,2034,258,505147,902,708
1900144,829,5153,223,392148,052,907
1901143,064,7894,629,924147,694,713
1902155,652,5634,203,312159,855,875
1903160,919,6935,294,652166,214,345
1904141,031,6995,191,451146,223,150
1905146,889,7673,651,343150,541,110
1906152,765.2324,372,472157,137,704
1907164,006,5794,116,722168,123,301
1908163,930,7224,779,198168,709,920
1909187,619,1815,202,821192,822,002

From these figures it appears that the quantity of wool used by local mills, and exported, excluding that on skins, has increased by over 80 per cent. during the period covered by the table.

The percentages of greasy, scoured, and washed wool to the total quantities exported during the last ten years are:—

Years.Greasy.Scoured and Sliped.Washed.
Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.
190078.6220.101.26
190178.2520.611.14
190273.8224.261.92
190376.4722.151.38
190479.8718.931.20
190582.0916.821.09
190682.2516.910.84
190783.5915.870.54
190881.6017.351.05
190982.4017.090.51

Export of Rabbit-skins.

Prior to 1878 rabbit-skins were a very small item in the exports, but in that year the number sent out of the Dominion amounted to 3,951,209. Ten years after (1888) the export had risen to 11,809,407, from which it increased to 17,041,106 in 1893, the greatest number as yet exported in a year. From 1895 the fall was rapid, and the export for 1898 only reached 6,607,934 skins. In 1908 and 1909 there was a considerable increase.

The figures for the years 1893 to 1909 are quoted:—

Year.Number of Rabbit-skins exported.
189317,041,106
189414,267,385
189515,229,314
189610,828,612
18978,099,334
18986,607,934
18997,891,648
19005,690,893
19017,112,008
19026,139,794
19036,101,899
19046,103,930
19058,831,107
19065,454,738
19075,513,900
19087,148,625
19097,533,137

From the foregoing it will be seen that the importance of the export has very much diminished since 1893. The fall, represented in money value, has been:—

Year.Value of Rabbit-skins exported.
 £
1893138,952
1894998
189585,022
189665,599
189747,472
189851,607
189981,118
190041,689
190157,046
190252,566
190340,727
190440,843
190566,983
190650,686
190753,757
190866,529
190989,533

While the amount of money received for this product is less than in some of the earlier years shown, it may be a satisfactory result. as seeming to indicate some abatement of the rabbit pest. The increase for 1905, 1908 and 1909 is probably due to the more vigorous enforcement of the laws relating to the destruction of rabbits. Large quantities of frozen rabbits are now exported, and are alluded to in the remarks on the frozen-meat industry.

Export of Sheep-skins and Pelts.

These form a more important article of export at the present time than the rabbit-skins, though in the year 1889 the position was the reverse as regards value in money. In that year the number of sheep-skins and pelts sent away from New Zealand was 1,964,281, against 7,515,414 in 1909. The value increased from £110,608 in the former to £684,271 in the latter year. The numbers exported for the last ten years are quoted:—

Year.Export of Sheep-skins and Pelts. No.
19004,669,430
19014,601,531
19026,144,680
19037,142,531
19046,037,460
19054,931,191
19066,551,228
19077,016,744
19036,322,116
19097,515,414

Export of Tallow.

Besides wool and meat, tallow is largely exported, and for the year 1889, 159,020 cwt. were sent away, the export during 1909 being 484,160 cwt. The latest ten years show the following results:—

Tallow exported.

Years.Cwt.£
1900367,780368,473
1901335,360351,710
1902424,060550,131
1903396,940517,871
1904322,480357,974
1905318,942347,888
1906378,400455,026
1907414,880560,965
1908372,520481,335
1909484,160648,452

Frozen Meat exported.

Frozen meat takes second place among the exports of New Zealand produce. In 1909, 2,572,604 cwt., valued at £3,601,093, were shipped. The total export for each year since the commencement of the trade has been:—

Year.Lb.
18821,707,328
18839,853,200
188428,445,228
188533,204,976
188638,758,160
188745,035,984
188861,857,376
188973,564,064
1890100,934,756
1891110,199,082
189297,636,557
1893100,262,453
1894114,827,216
1895127,018,864
1896123,576,544
1897157,687,152
1898173,798,576
1899208,972,624
1900206,621,072
1901208,045,264
1902239,518,384
1903266,408,800
1904214,253,648
1905189,356,608
1906226,856,784
1907263,738,496
1908237,473,936
1909288,131,648

Included among the frozen meats exported there are considerable quantities of rabbits and hares, the number and value of which, for the last ten years, were as follows:—

Year.Rabbits.Hares.
Number.£Number.£
19006,501,997154,07512,260781
19014,830,669114,55242,2023,261
19024,776,914116,99623,4211,888
19034,452,82999,5958,145493
19043,788,57686,4228,509509
19052,807,24260,2988,173484
19062,517,60054,2104,993253
19073,325,94171,9044,706481
19082,654,06157,1604,231348
19092,973,75663,9833,987218

To ascertain the total value of the meat export in 1909 it is necessary to take into consideration, with the amount of £3,601,093, value of frozen meat before stated, £17,720 for frozen fish; also the value of preserved meats, £132,033; of salted beef and pork, £19,678; and of bacon and hams, £5,022.

Gold exported.

The quantity of gold exported in 1909 was 506,371 oz., a decrease of 10 oz. on the quantity exported in 1908.

The total quantity of gold entered for duty to the 31st December, 1909, which may be reckoned as approximately the amount obtained in New Zealand, was 19,231,474 oz., of the value of £75,540,803. For fuller information, see special section on mining.

Grain and Pulse exported.

The value of the grain and pulse exported in 1909 was £832,149. The exports for 1908 and 1909 were made up as under:—

 1908.1909.
Bushels.£Bushels.£
Wheat1,3853441,419,217305,902
Oats972,896108,9975,133,473453,314
Barley48,37512,278209,43731,656
Maize1543913528
Peas and beans90,75121,415181,51739,903
Rye and unenumerated7711508,1471,346
Total quantity and value1,114,332£143,2236,951,926£832,149

Compared with the previous year, the quantity and value exported in 1909 shows a considerable increase.

It will be seen by the figures given below that there is no regular export of wheat from New Zealand. Unless there is a rise in price, consequent on a general shortage, it is found more profitable to consume any surplus grain on the farm and export other products.

Year.Wheat exported. Bushels.
18904,467,026
18922,460,774
1894228,904
1896453,123
189810,090
18992,901,676
19002,867,069
19012,301,092
1902194,671
190371,700
1904813,535
1905967,151
190661,199
19071,374
19081,385
19091,419,217

The imports of wheat during 1898 exceeded the exports by upwards of 50,000 bushels, but from 1899 to 1906 the imports were practically nil, the small quantity introduced being for seeding purposes only. In 1909 the import was 66,097 bushels, of which 33,562 bushels came from New South Wales, 30,730 bushels from Victoria, and 1,773 bushels from South Australia.

The quantity of oats exported in 1891 and succeeding years was as follows:—

Year.Export of Oats. Bushels.
18914,052,414
18923,830,444
18941,963,288
18962,247,053
1898816,210
18993,520,734
19005,818,648
190110,514,924
19025,185,812
19034,956,330
19042,693,417
19051,076,916
1906734,997
190736,693
1908972,896
19095,133,473

Of the above total shipped in 1909, New South Wales received 441,127 bushels, the United Kingdom 4,510,779 bushels, Victoria 95,356 bushels, Queensland 23,842 bushels, Madras 12,883 bushels, Ceylon 13,637 bushels, and the Sandwich Islands 14,142 bushels.

The export of this cereal, like that of wheat, depends upon the conditions of supply in other countries.

Butter and Cheese exported.

The total export of butter and cheese in the past twenty years, and the quantity of each commodity sent to the United Kingdom, is tabulated:—

Year.Total Export of ButterButter Exported to the United Kingdom.Total Export of Cheese.Cheese Exported to the United Kingdom.
 Cwt.Cwt.Cwt.Cwt.
189034,81626,57940,45131,043
189139,43028,98939,77029,565
189253,93041,50941,49330,000
189358,14952,36346,20141,567
189460,77158,84555,65554,540
189557,96455,19476,74373,369
189671,35360,09271,37258,692
189799,00279,84977,68367,681
189896,80180,81468,71141,412
1899136,086121,50269,44040,901
1900172,583165,871102,84981,908
1901201,591170,903104,29474,510
1902253,998170,20774,74650,325
1903285,106249,01674,78064,661
1904314,360299,17184,52682,046
1905305,722282,27588,56285,653
1906320,225306,739131,206129,321
1907328,441314,081236,833234,517
1908229,971211,242280,798276,212
1909321,108301,693400,607398,619

Of the butter exported in 1909, 301,693 cwt., value £1,534,233, were shipped to the United Kingdom; 25 cwt., value £134, to Victoria; 594 cwt., value £3,149, to New South Wales; 26 cwt., value £142, to Tasmania; 947 cwt., value £5,076, to Fiji; 16,554 cwt., value £88,804, to Cape Colony and Natal; 1,214 cwt., value £7,550, to the South Sea Islands; 5 cwt., value £32, to Norfolk Island; 50 cwt., value £257, to British Columbia.

Of the cheese exported, 398,619 cwt., value £1,098,736, were sent to the United Kingdom; 215 cwt., value £1,044, to New South Wales; 376 cwt., value £1,398, to Victoria; 53 cwt., value £198, to Queensland; 11 cwt., value £82, to the other Australian States; 1,067 cwt., value £3,045, to Cape Colony and Natal; 192 cwt., value £645, to Fiji; 31 cwt., value £114, to Bengal; and 39 cwt., value £114, to South Sea Islands.

Phormium fibre exported.

Phormium fibre, of which 14,318 tons (excluding 2,974 tons of tow), valued at £306,973, were exported in 1909, shows a decrease in quantity and value, on comparing these figures with those for 1908, when the quantity sent away was 17,403 tons, valued at £396,288.

The market price of phormium fibre is influenced by the supply of Manilla hemp. The raw material is abundant in this country, but the present cost of treatment must be reduced by the introduction of more economical methods, and royalties demanded by the owners of flax-lands adjusted in proportion to prices, otherwise the industry is likely to give way to its more cheaply produced competitor.

Kauri-gum exported.

The export for 1909 (8,250 tons) is greater than that of the previous year by 2,720 tons. The value was £552,698, or an average of £66 19s. 10d. per ton. Full information as to the uses of this resin and the kauri-gum industry generally was given in a special article in Part III of the Year-book for 1900. It embraces interesting matter from the report of the Royal Commission which investigated the whole subject in 1898.

Exports, 1909.

Articles exported.Quantities.Value in Sterling.
Produce and Manufactures of the Dominion.British, Foreign, and other Colonial Produce and Manufactures.Produce and Manufactures of the Dominion.British, Foreign, and other Colonial Produce and Manufactures.Total.
Acid—  £££
    Acetic lb...37..33
    Unenumerated 1b..378..1414
Agricultural implements....198358556
Alkali—     
    Soda, Carbonate, and bicarbonate cwt.210514041
    Soda, caustic cwt...2..22
Ambergris lb.4..46..46
Animals, living—     
    Bees No.....12..12
    Birds No.41..40..40
    Cattle, horned No.299..3,453..3,453
    Dogs No.27117910189
    Goats No.2..3..3
    Horses No.1,602555,6119055,701
    Lizards No.4..8..8
    Pigs No.630..1,588..1,588
    Poultry No.1,073..246..246
    Sheep No.6,987..13,233..13,233
Apparel and slops No.....3,4264,5417,967
Arms, ammunition, and explosives—     
    Cartridges No.3,500110,75017399416
    Detonators No...8,000..1717
    Dynamite lb...1,305..7272
    Firearms No.1765275280
    Fuse coils..1,086..2424
    Powder, blasting lb...100..77
    Powder, sporting lb...250..1717
    Shot cwt..6..1323
    Other explosives lb..497..2828
Bacon and hams—     
    Bacon cwt.569..2,169..2,169
    Hams cwt.795..2,853..2,853
Bags and sacks—     
Cornsacks doz...28,025..4,1464,146
    Unenumerated doz.2,185602533163696
    Bagging and sacking......2222
Basketware....16667
Beer gal.11,4663,2021,4597392,198
Belting, other than leather......433433
Beverages, non-alcoholic—     
    Aerated and mineral waters....45859517
    Coffee-essence......77
    Fruit-juices, sweetened....551570
    Fruit-juices, unsweetened gal.2451,93814133147
    Unenumerated....671986
Bicycles and tricycles No.1732140231371
    Materials for....82,5512,559
    Motor-bicycles No...1..4040
Biscuits—     
    Fancy and other kinds lb.20,8731,32044740487
    Ships', plain cwt.5,94625,30265,308
Blacking......226226
Blacklead......44
Blue lb...3,208..9999
Boats No.1031,0584421,480
    Materials for....34..34
Bones tons24..149..149
Books....5,7093,7059,414
Boots and shoes doz. prs.424201831,1011,284
Bran tons4,775..16,458..16,458
Brass—     
    Tubing or stamped work in the rough cwt...7..3535
    Scrap161..250..250
Bricks—     
    Building No.8,900..25..25
    Fire11,225..91..91
Brushware and brooms....40178218
Butter cwt.321,103..1,639,380..1,639,380
Candles lb.1253,86748387
Canes and rattans......1010
Canvas....6250256
Caramel lb...560..77
Cards, playing packs..744..1515
Carpeting and druggeting......1,0711,071
Carriages, &c.—     
    Carriages No.20244147488
    Carts, drays, and wagons20512,357152,372
    Motor-cars and cycles..8..3,0503,050
    Motor vehicles, bodies for..3..252252
    Motor-vehicles, chassis for..2..990990
      Materials for....201,2551,275
    Perambulators and go-carts No.4115116
        Materials for....1681,1561,324
Cement barrels1,1301,1274345981,032
Chains cwt...56..5757
Cheese cwt.400,607..1,105,390..1,105,390
Chinaware....1401402
Clocks No.1253276693
Coal tons201,685105183,961110184,071
Cocoa and chocolate lb...6,399..601601
Coffee—  £££
    Raw lb.4,59793414336179
    Roasted lb.2,7102,004149121270
Coke tons22..23..23
Combs......1010
Confectionery—     
    Chocolate in plain trade packages lb.461,61637376
    Chocolate in fancy packages......865865
    Unenumerated lb8,0491,76820257259
Copper—     
    Nails cwt...1..55
    Pig, bar, and sheet cwt.......11
    Scrap cwt.140..337..337
Copra tons4843168,1945.25713,451
Cordage cwt.1,2427072,1831,5643.747
    Iron and steel cwt...30..6262
Cork, cut......8481
Cotton piece-goods—     
    Butter and cheese-cloth......610610
    Leather-cloth......1010
    Unenumerated....156,0286,043
Cotton—     
    Waste cwt...3..66
    Raw lb...2,016..6565
Drapery....1872,9383,125
    Lace and laces, n.o.e.......556556
    Ribbons and crape......131131
    Tailors' trimmings......115115
Drugs, chemicals, and druggists' res—     
    Anhydrous ammonia......1212
    Baking-powder....29..29
    Carbide of calcium tons..222931
    Chemicals, n.o.e.....21159180
    Cream of tartar..122..44
    Glycerine, refined....59..59
    Gums......66
    Insecticides......168168
    Medicinal preparations and drugs....2311,4491,680
    Medicinal preparations, &c., containing over 50 per cent. of proof spirits lb...372..8686
    Medicinal barks, leaves, &c......11
    Phosphorus......77
    Sheep-dip....“229..229
    Vanilla-beans lb...8,246..031931
    Washing-powder......6161
    Unenumerated....677107784
Dyes....38184
Earthenware....68869937
Engine-packing....10302312
Essences, flavouring—     
    Spirituous gal...31..4040
    Unenumerated....516
Essential oils lb...55..1212
Fancy goods....7374,4785,215
    Curiosities....163140303
Feathers lb.8,413..192..192
Felt sheathing......5959
Fire-engines No...106..3535
Fireworks......1616
Fish—     
    Dried cwt.40365274126
    Frozen cwt.12,083..17,720..17,720
    Ova No.507,000..395..395
    Potted and preserved lb.130,356164,5245,8264,1309,956
Fishing-tackle....203757
Floorcloth and oilcloth......6060
Flour tons29483,253703,323
Foods, animal—     
    Chaff150..6371638
    Unenumerated....2011202
Foods, farinaceous—     
    Arrowroot lb...330..44
    Infants and invalids....26971
    Macaroni and vermicelli lb...854..2323
    Maizena and cornflour lb.806,1241128129
    Sago and tapioca cwt...16..1616
    Unenumerated....1872189
Fruits—     
    Bottled and preserved doz.307921148319467
Fruits, dried—     
    Currants lb...4,482..6060
    Pigs, dates, and prunes lb...18,849..160160
    Raisins lb...11,052..146146
    Unenumerated lb.2046,1276142148
Fruits, fresh lb.9,53270,475141220361
Fungus cwt.4,371..11,530..11,530
Furniture and upholstery....1,2969862,282
    Kapok cwt...7..1919
Furniture and other polish....24648
Furs......611611
Gelatine and isinglass lb.695616163450
Glass—     
    Bottles, empty....5186191
    Broken cwt.14,576..1,758..1,758
    Window sup. ft...8,072..8686
    Mirrors......44
    Plate, bevelled, and silvered......1010
Glassware....29923952
Glue and size cwt.30711172119
Glycerine (crude) cwt.198..356..356
Gold oz.506,371352,006,9001432,007,043
Grain and pulse—     
    Barley bush.209,437..31,656..31,656
    Beans and peas bush.181,51724939,9034339,946
    Maize bush.135..28..28
    Oats bush.5,133,473..453,314..453,314
    Rye bush.6,811..950..950
    Wheat bush.1,419,217..305,902..305,902
    Unenumerated bush.1,33628739673469
    Ground, unenumerated centals1386110238140
Grease cwt.411153853
Grindery, unenumerated......8989
Gum, kauri tons8,250..552,698..552,698
    New Caledonian tons..1..7878
Haberdashery....3475478
    Buttons......2727
    Sewing cotton, silks, and thread......9898
Hair cwt.1,094..6,907..6,907
Hardware....6372,8853,522
Hats and caps doz.3028246318364
Hatters' materials......133133
Hay and straw tons31..136..136
Hides No.189,115..216,636..216,636
Honey lb.22,684..628..628
Hops cwt.3,107..11,912..11,912
Horns and hoofs tons280..2,943..2,943
Hose, canvas, indiarubber, &c.......3333
Hosiery....6465081,154
Indiarubber goods......1,4471,447
Indiarubber, old cwt.596..927..927
Ink—     
    Printing lb...1,533..187187
    Writing gal...3..22
Instruments, musical—     
    Harmoniums and organs No...6..130130
    Pianos..38..1,8081,808
    Unenumerated....5152157
    Materials for......5959
Instruments, other kinds—     
    Optical......1616
    Scientific......208208
    Surgical and dental....142,3682,382
    Surveying....40407447
    Unenumerated......2020
Iron and steel—     
    Angle-iron......33
    Bar, bolt, and rod tons36038764802
    Bolts and nuts cwt.1382125329282
    Castings for ships....19122141
    Galvanised manufactures....22292314
    Hoop tons......22
    Pipes and fittings tons838217658875
    Pig tons..1..55
    Rails tons..10..7777
    Sheet and plate tons11101323
    Sheet, galvanised, corrugated cwt...3,414..3,1063,106
    Sheet, galvanised, plain..287..393393
    Staples, fencing..13..1414
    Tanks No.1828133652685
    Wire, fencing, barbed tons..26..419419
    Wire, fencing, plain tons..5..6868
    Wire netting......284284
    Iron, unenumerated tons..1..3535
Jams, jellies, and preserves lb.46,12512,231717247964
Jellies, concentrated..1,222..5858
Jewellery....2368370
Jewellers' sweepings....2,6402652,905
Lamps....9543552'
Lard cwt.1,571..1,939..1,939
Lead—     
    Pigs and bars cwt...18..2323
    Sheet cwt...894..723723
Leather cwt.5,5508832,3382,84335,181
    Manufactures......6767
Lime bush.2,988121901191
Linen piece-goods......126126
    Hessians and scrim......44
Linseed centals34..25..25
Machinery—     
    Agricultural....5631,9796,542
    Ploughs and harrows....79511590
    Cash-registering No.24720807827
    Dairying....5716601,231
    Dredging....2,2341,5193,753
    Electric....112,2202,231
    Engines, gas and oil No.11110731741
    Engines, gas and oil, for motor-cars No...1..3535
    Engines, boilers for No.1..10..10
    Flour-milling......5050
    Knitting and sewing No...137..552552
    Mining....1,3564831,839
    Printing....5729101,482
    Sheep-shearing......397397
    Woollen-milling....2580105
    Unenumerated....1,4095,0416,450
    Materials for, and parts of....200268468
Malt bush.4..2..2
Manures—     
    Bonedust tons11..78..78
    Unenumerated26200989
Marble, dressed......5050
Matches and vestas—     
    Wax gross boxes1513631821
    Wooden gross boxes..7,149..587587
Mats and matting....12630156
Meal, oaten centals578..308..308
Meats—     
    Beef, frozen cwt.486,424..565,418..565,418
    Beef salted cwt.13,682..19,665..19,065
    Kidneys, frozen cwt.6,466..10,631..10,631
    Lamb, frozen carcases = cwt.3,299,310..1,817,026..1,817,026
= cwt.1,039,540
    Mutton, frozen carcases = cwt.1,793,644..1,070,606..1,070,606
= cwt.897,601
    Mutton (joints), frozen = cwt.51,484..63,169..63,169
    Poultry, frozen pairs92..23..23
    Pork, frozen cwt.1,223..3,517..3,517
    Pork, salted cwt.5..13..13
    Veal, frozen cwt.984..911..911
    Rabbits, frozen in the skins No. = cwt.2,973,756..63,983..63,983
= cwt.84,782
    Hares, frozen in the skins No. = cwt.3,987..218..218
= cwt.313
    Other kinds, frozen = cwt.3,787..5,614..5,614
    Potted and preserved = cwt.58,4502132,0338132,041
    Extract lb.54,770..7,622..7,622
    Unenumerated cwt.100..229..229
Metal, manufactures of—     
    Anchors No...40..2525
    Meters......101101
    Pumps....168251419
    Railway and tramway plant......800800
    Rivets and washers cwt...1..22
    Typewriters No...73..1,1781,178
    Unenumerated....4,22910,92315,152
Metal, old cwt.24,844..6,979..6,979
Milk, preserved lb.91,68065,2743,0141,2314,245
Millinery....21176197
Minerals—     
    Auriferous ore tons182..2,450..2,450
    Antimony2..60..60
    Copper-ore5..100..100
    Manganese ore6..29..29
    Scheelite-ore58..4,263..4,263
    Unenumerated7..140..140
Mouldings and panels....80633839
Mustard lb...86..55
Nails cwt.1745417436453
Naphtha, wood gal...66..77
Nuts—     
    Almonds lb...17..11
    Walnuts2111527714
    Unenumerated26311,2598427435
Oakum cwt...1..22
Oars No...42..1818
Oils—     
    Castor gal...38..66
    Cod-liver..10..55
    Colza..301..4848
    Cocoanut1062511314
    Fish, penguin, and seal..2,874..231231
    Linseed..1,792..267267
    Mineral, kerosene..172,712..7,4687,468
Mineral, other kinds..29,860..1,8831,883
    Neatsfoot4,594..497..497
    Whale3,840..240..240
    Unenumerated, bulk..2,081..224224
    Unenumerated, in vessels under 1 gallon gal.  5154159
Oilmen's stores....3203206
Onions cwt.38,22027910,38717610,563
Oysters doz382,937..2,939..2,939
Paints and colours—     
    Ground in oil cwt.1340130529559
    Mixed, ready for use cwt.764731601,6161,776
    Unenumerated cwt.9116539287326
Paper—     
    Bags cwt.30312722274
    Butter-paper cwt...3..77
    Printing cwt...151..180180
    Wrapping cwt.25262220136356
    Writing cwt.2346136142
    Unenumerated cwt.3710541367
Peas, split cwt...8..1010
Peel, candied and drained lb...1,120..4040
Perfumery—     
    Perfumed spirits gal...20..3333
    Toilet preparations....35151186
    Unenumerated......1515
Phormium tons14,318..306,973..306,973
    Tow tons2,974..17,485..17,485
Photographic goods....40866906
    Plates for photo-lithographic work......2525
    Cameras and lenses....4180184
    Sensitised surfaces......6565
Pickles doz.6771211940
Pictures....1,3705891,959
Picture frames....5..5
Pitch cwt.43161675172
Plants and shrubs....65010660
Plate and platedware....521,3861,438
Pollard and sharps tons274..1,151..1,151
Portmanteaux and travelling-bags....448
Potatoes tons594..2,871..2,871
Printing materials—     
    Stereotypes and matrices......33
    Type and materials, n.o.e.....31362393
Provisions—     
    Eggs doz.4,838..346..316
    Unenumerated....3,6655234,188
Putty cwt..1..22
Rags cwt1,716..1,927..1,927
Resin cwt..1..11
Rice cwt..1,592..1,1751,175
Rugs....6,2332356,468
Saddlery and harness....1,1781481,326
Saddlers' ironmongery......1111
Salt tons2189141150
Saltpetre cwt.2..3..3
Sauces gal.15833944217261
Sausage-skins cwt.16,188..69,282..69,282
Seeds—     
    Grass and clover71,54183194,4102,09596,505
    Unenumerated....1,2593771,636
Ship-chandlery....6670136
Silks......107107
Silver oz.1,818,830..180,872..180,872
Skins—     
    Calf and other kinds No.144,689..27,663..27,663
    Rabbit No.7,533,137..89,533..89,533
= lb.1,211,795
Sheep, with wool No.1,096,980..241,533..241,533
= lb.8,338,022
Sheep, without wool No.6,419,334..442,738..442,738
= lb.17,746,124
Soap—     
    Common cwt.6,750..6,92816,929
    Unenumerated....82108190
Specie—     
    Gold......20,23520,235
    Silver......5,6105,610
Specimens illustrative of natural science....1,481..1,481
Spices—     
Ground lb.84..4..4
Spirits—     
    Bitters, cordials, and liqueurs gal...86..113113
    Brandy gal...618..391391
    Geneva and gin, unsweetened gal...1,248..492492
    Methylated gal.235189
    Bum gal...807..181181
    Whisky gal...4,704..2,0222,022
    Spirits of Wine gal...10..11
Starch lb.1284,77228991
Stationery....1,0711,3762,447
    Apparatus, appliances, &c., for educational purposes....104959
    Bookbinders' materials......132132
    Cardboard boxes, materials for......1111
    Handbills, circulars, &c. lb.1,056462281745
Stone—     
    Building tons16..12..12
    Dressed or polished, granite or other stone....31..31
    Greenstone cwt.134..890..890
    Grind, mill, oil, or whet....6..23
    Pumice tons1,567..3,907..3,907
    Wrought....16723
Sugar—     
    Refined lb.854,4304,4805,728345,762
    Golden syrup cwt.6..6..6
    Molasses and treacle23..21223
Tallow tons21,521..556,620..556,620
    Mutton stock, oleomargarine2,687..91,832..91,832
Tanning materials—     
    Bark392..3,29013,291
    Unenumerated....132033
Tar....31417
Tarpaulins and tents....3964103
Tea lb...58,141..3,2823,282
Textile piece-goods....422,6352,677
Textiles, made up....9168177
Timber—     
    Logs, hewn sup. ft.10.869..56..56
    Pests No.80..5..5
    Sawn, undressed sup. ft.70,722,15439,856327,241321327,562
    Sawn, dressed sup. ft.866,29524,78710,44324910,692
    Unenumerated....65430684
Tin—     
    Block cwt...2..1010
    Scrap cwt.....48..48
    Sheet cwt...410..400400
Tinware....1,6531341,787
Tobacco—     
    Manufactured lb...36,814..3,6033,603
    Cigars lb...1,957..1,0821,082
    Cigarettes lb...5,390..1,8031,803
Tobacco-pipes......239239
Tools and implements—     
    Axes and hatchets......4242
    Engineers' machine tools....4103107
    Spades, shovels, and forks......1818
    Unenumerated....19630655
Turpentine gal...106..1616
Twine....45212257
    Binder cwt.8,66443415,92178116,702
    Nets and netting....144660
Umbrellas and parasols....17..17
Varnish gal.147036357363
Vegetables, fresh, dried, and preserved....114366480
Vinegar gal.100146163551
Watches No.13522228230
Wax, paraffin lb...918..2323
Whalebone cwt.62..1,930..1,93
Whiting and chalk..6..22
Wine—     
    Australian gal...258..131131
    Sparkling..567..1,1811,181
    Other kinds10868269358427
Wooden ware....9,2372,04111,278
Wool—     
    Greasy lb.156,299,401..4,950,411..4,950,411
    Scoured15,977,110..750,404..750,404
    Slipe16,431,956..572,534..572,534
    Washed975,236..32,539..32,539
Woollens....1,4411,2482,689
    Blankets pairs444..518..518
Yams......2828
Zinc—     
    Perforated sheet cwt...6..66
    Spelter94217652767
Miscellaneous—     
    Goods, manufactured....6726921,364
    Goods, unmanufactured....2,639982,737
Parcels-post....33,071..33,071

A table is appended giving details of goods forwarded in the year 1909 to the Cook and other Pacific Islands annexed to New Zealand These do not appear as exports from the Dominion, being merely part of the internal trade or transactions between one portion of the country and another.

Articles.Quantities.Value.
  £
Apparel and slops 2,021
Arms, ammunition, &c.—  
    Firearms75 number124
Bags and sacks2,721 doz.817
Biscuits—  
    Fancy and other kinds4,025 lb.105
    Ships', plain1,908 cwt.2,020
Boots and shoes91 doz. pairs335
Butter125 cwt.725
Carts17 number141
    Materials for 141
Cement979 barrels465
Chinaware 131
Cordage, iron and steel138 cwt.318
Cotton piece-goods 1,972
Drapery 1,108
Lace, laces, ribbons, and crape 311
Drugs and chemicals, &c.—  
    Chemicals, n.o.e. 167
    Druggist sundries, &c. 167
Fancy goods 210
Fish, potted and preserved18,890 lb.585
Flour177 tons2,014
Furniture 381
Haberdashery 162
Hardware 931
Hats and caps 114
Hosiery 179
Iron and steel 1,888
Matches1,546 gross boxes247
Meats, frozen, salted, and preserved1,992 cwt.4,262
Milk, preserved13,452 lb.286
Nails471 cwt.451
Oils14,671 gal.756
Provisions, n.o.e. 834
Rice311 cwt.228
Rugs 269
Saddlery and harness 175
Silks 301
Soap, common1,038 cwt.1,013
Specie, gold 325
Spirits523 gal.243
Stationery 150
Sugar, refined1,764 cwt.1,383
Tea3,385 lb.202
Textile piece-goods, n.o.e. 131
Timber, sawn, undressed91,802 sup. ft.836
Timber, sawn, dressed34,003408
Tinware 534
Tobacco8,133 lb.651
Woodenware 5,775
Miscellaneous 3,212
Total value of goods shipped to the Islands £40,204

Chapter 31. SECTION VI.—TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION.

NEW ZEALAND'S insularity, ruggedness of form, length of coastline, and numerous ports, combine to render carriage by water necessary, convenient, and economical; while a large and increasing trade attracts and engages the services of a fleet of first-class merchantmen for both home and oversea transport.

Internal traffic is by means of roads and railways, very few of the rivers being navigable for any distance by cargo-carrying vessels. The mountainous nature of the country and the abundant rainfall renders the construction of roads and railways difficult and costly, but in spite of this drawback, and considering how recently settlement began, it may truly be said that the country is well supplied with excellent facilities for internal transport, while the works under construction and contemplated will open up considerable areas of unoccupied lands, and amply provide for the needs of a large population. There are two cable services connecting New Zealand with the other countries of the world. Postal and internal telegraphic communication, controlled by the State, is provided abundantly and cheaply. Telephone exchanges have been established by the Postal Department in most of the centres of population, and the chief towns on the main telegraph routes are connected for long-distance conversations.

Shipping.

The demands of a rapidly growing external trade have, during the past ten years, attracted the service of vessels of largely increased tonnage. In 1900 the steam-vessels entered inward from the United Kingdom with cargoes numbered 55, with an average of 3,603 tons net register, and in 1909 the number was 88 vessels, averaging 4,576 tons.

In 1900 the total number of oversea steam-vessels entered in ward was 371, with a total net register of 728,581 tons, an average for each vessel of 1,964 tons. In 1909 the oversea steamers entered numbered 445, with a total of 1,186,393 tons net, an average of 2,666 tons per vessel. In the former year the number of oversea sailing-ships entered was 245, with a total of 126,051 tons, as against 160 ships and 77,542 tons in 1909.

The number of oversea vessels entered and cleared, their aggregate net tonnage and crews, classified into British, colonial, and foreign, during each of the past ten years, is as follows:—

VESSELSENTERED, 1900–1909.
Year.Total Number.British.Colonial.Foreign.
Vessels.Tons.Crews.Vessels.Tons.Crews.Vessels.Tons.Crews.Vessels.Tons.Crews.
1900616854,63223,791156392,3947,183393392,51914,1356769,7192,473
19016881,063,27429,724175448,6887,713441461,72916,06372152,8575,948
19026381.089,17930,264172496,2038,871395429,46715,30571163,5096,088
19036171,102,06430,600145455,7417,799403478,41916,49769167,9046,304
19016291,154,56931,478149495,6678,548410496,42716,90170162,4756,029
19056271,139,41031,429130462,8518,005423500,46717,18774176,0926,237
19066291,243,65232,528152548,1429,212408542,27118,04269153,2395,274
19076451,254,26631,425194636,45611161400548,91618,1365168,8042,128
19086581,361,04732,681193684,14411486419629,42820,3784647,475817
19096051,263,93531,487155587,23510349407633,81320,3924342,887746
VESSELSCLEARED, 1900–1909.
Year.Total Number.British.Colonial.Foreign.
Vessels.Tons.CrewsVessels.Tons.Crews.Vessels.Tons.Crews.Vessels.Tons.Crews.

NOTE.—Coasting-vessels are not included in the above table.

1900613825,27523,481149368,2416,978397388,43614,1536768,5982,350
19016911,075,90630,028177462,1797,954441458,99416,10673154,7335,968
19026111,048,77029,294152447,3517,983385137,48915,17174103,9306,140
19036081,113,16530,660141462,1227,890401485,33716,50366165,7066,267
19046201,144,76431,049146487,9618,341403493,27016,65971103,5336,049
19056271,141.55231,219130465,1718,039421500.37116,94176170,0106,239
19066311,238,21432,237149538,4948,775413545,02618,17369151,3945,289
19076151,225,38230,840185625,00610,864383537,23417,9184753,1422,058
19086561,331.30531,865194682,35711,196408594,84219,7345434,106935
19095961,253,87830,986152572,3849,958406641,05520,3453810,439683

Shipping entered and cleared from and to various Countries.

Particulars of the number and net tonnage of vessels entered and cleared between New Zealand and various countries during the years 1900 and 1909 are given below:—

ENTERED.
Country.1900.1909.
Steam.Sailing.Steam.Sailing.
No.Tonnage.No.Tonnage.No.Tonnage.No.Tonnage.
United Kingdom59199,3192425,83394407,69355,661
New South Wales164283,92611835,982188385,44810742,318
Victoria4482,21743,16953139,26453,544
Queensland411,86782,193........
South Australia....118,63967,53142,686
Western Australia....11,498815,02033,273
Tasmania32,798154,17555,971154,594
Fiji3029,823....2143,075  
Norfolk Island24101673862  
Cape Colony38,8441919,829........
Natal26,1202937....1800
Bengal37,226....621,628....
British Columbia........412,956  
France....1993....1695
Germany....33,042........
United States of America—        
    East Coast1637,72996,1171857,3651923
    West Coast1327,107....1333,6631762
Pacific Islands2524,5842510,5121836,349125,990
Other countries36,61143,065819,56956,296
        Totals371728,581245126,0514451,186,39316077,542
CLEARED.
Country.1900.1909.
Steam.Sailing.Steam.Sailing.
No.Tonnage.No.Tonnage.No.Tonnage.No.Tonnage.
United Kingdom67234,1404756,558107455,50811,591
New South Wales149245,64511437,898190425,3589041,812
Victoria5797,9903615,91477170,9473317,951
Queensland....61,430414,8571289
South Australia....72,390811,36221,008
Western Australia....295412,993....
Tasmania128251,02449,17282,061
Fiji2018,90514862241,50711,047
Norfolk Island3477....4916....
Cape Colony49,36364,921....11,099
Natal1226,41253,727........
British Columbia........13,768....
United States of America—        
    East Coast....85,509....1923
    West Coast1326,632........22,142
Chili............11,205
Pacific Islands2726,268226,3911833,7861810,272
Other countries11,959....12,304....
        Totals354688,073259137,2024371,172,47815981,400

Oversea Shipping.—Tonnage at various Ports, 1900 and 1909.

The net tonnage of oversea shipping entered and cleared at the various ports during the years 1900 and 1909 is given in the next table. Vessels arriving from abroad are recorded at the first port of call, and those departing oversea are cleared at the port from which they finally sail:—

Port.1900.1909.
Entered.Cleared.Entered.Cleared.
 Tons.Tons.Tons.Tons.
Auckland323,429222,265554,811330,870
Kaipara6,49938,8085,31133,101
Poverty Bay2,4354,2893,7615,739
New Plymouth....3,619 
Wanganui1,2216802,7496,452
Wellington213,874277,503399,028478,093
Napier16,4266,2093,5778,769
Wairau........
Picton217..2,1515,361
Nelson3,048..1,5742,185
Westport7,2546,84615,79734,388
Greymouth8025313,25815,155
Lyttelton67,633104,58436,03588,499
Timaru13,18024,8568,6354,947
Oamaru15,3412,412650..
Dunedin81,26619,50058,57268,866
Bluff102,007116,792164,407171,453
            Totals854,632825,2751,263,9351,253,878

Coastwise Shipping.

As already remarked, the extensive coastline and numerous harbours of New Zealand facilitate travelling and the distribution of goods by sea. The total tonnage of coastwise shipping, as shown below, includes that of oversea vessels which, after entry at the first port of arrival, proceed to other ports within the Dominion for the purpose of delivering and loading cargo, each movement, until the final sailing, being recorded as coastwise shipping.

SHIPPING COASTWISE, 1900.
 Entered. Tons.Cleared. Tons.
Sailing-vessels300,376300,480
Steam-vessels6,610,4776,608,675
SHIPPING COASTWISE, 1909.
 Entered. Tons.Cleared. Tons.
Sailing-vessels241,974244,554
Steam-vessels11,734,44211,757,094
TONNAGEENTEREDANDCLEAREDATVARIOUS PORTS, 1900 AND 1909.
Port.1900.1909.
Entered.Cleared.Entered.Cleared.

*Approximate.

Auckland692,622761,365965,1931,210,043
Onehunga115,418115,270161,155159,862
Russell39,34539,34560,86958,701
Thames133,358133,720118,407113,289
Coromandel38,500*38,500*22,34622,474
Whangarei92,31292,312143,934139,658
Whangaroa45,37745,57350,80550,359
Mongonui23,62623,62628,15628,156
Hokianga8,6818,68130,02119,060
Whangape....8,5627,398
Kaipara48,82214,80236,5539,098
Tauranga26,18026,18049,66249,051
Poverty Bay351,357350,383700,424694,264
New Plymouth173,021173,021208,527208,527
Waitara44,63344,43499,577103,275
Patea10,15910,15916,49116,465
Wanganui112,336117,810154,771151,395
Foxton18,01018,01027,74227,042
Wellington1,350,3951,263,3552,376,8742,327,777
Napier440,053440,640816,544815,045
Wairau14,87714,87718,04118,041
Picton252,092252,591449,928444,052
Nelson227,505231,227403,877404,456
Westport336,000337,409607,867585,420
Greymouth199,032200,213339,461328,594
Hokitika2,8802,8053,3373,412
Lyttelton1,116,4941,071,5452,094,9432,044,146
Timaru253,037243,340468,926466,730
Oamaru120,387133,316181,617182,267
Dunedin449,649515,012925,201918,952
Invercargill and Bluff172,433182.372406,605394,639
Chatham Islands2,2622,262....
            Totals6,910,8536,909,15511,976,41612,001,648

Registered Vessels.

The number and tonnage of the registered vessels belonging to the several ports on the 31st December, 1909 (distinguishing sailing-vessels and steamers), was as under:—

Registered Vessels, 31st December, 1909.
Ports.Sailing-vessels.Steam-vessels.
Vessels.Gross Tonnage.Net Tonnage.Vessels.Gross Tonnage.Net Tonnage.
Auckland15814,50513,26913617,4569,469
Napier6365352232,4551,520
Wellington243,9783,8114110,6725,676
Nelson8195191122,1061,033
Lyttelton226,2255,974123,2211,275
Timaru21,6491,5771942488
Dunedin3714,46014,02792150,25990,662
Invercargill51,007962101,119554
            Totals26242,38440,163327188,230110,677

Quarantine.

The quarantine laws are administered by the public health officers, under authority of “The Public Health Act, 1908.” The Act provides for the proclamation of infected places in or beyond the Dominion, and every ship arriving at a New Zealand port from or after having touched at an infected place is liable to quarantine, and this liability extends to every person on board such ship. No person or goods are allowed to be landed from an infected ship, except at the appointed quarantine-ground, and any restrictions that may be deemed necessary to prevent the spread of infection may be enforced by the health officers. Heavy fines may be inflicted for any breach of these laws.

A medical practitioner may be appointed to take charge of passengers and crew of a ship liable to quarantine, and the owners or agents of the ship are liable for the cost of such attendance. It is the duty of the owners or agents of the ship to supply the passengers with such wholesome provisions and medicines as the medical man in charge directs or requires. All expenses incurred in connection with the disinfection or destruction of infected goods are a charge against the ship.

Regulations under the Act direct the manner by which the ship and the quarantine quarters must be disinfected, and the precautions to be taken by those on board the ship. Suspected ships are liable to the same precautions as those infected, and healthy ships—i.e., those on board which there has been no case of infectious disease—though they have sailed from or touched at an infected port, or have communicated with an infected ship, are liable to fumigation if directed by the Health Officer, and the method of mooring is set out.

No vessel may be admitted to pratique between the hours of sunset and sunrise, unless under exceptional circumstances.

Railways.

The history and progress of railways in New Zealand was specially described in the Year-book of 1894, as was also the line partly built by the New Zealand Midland Railway Company. An account of the line lately belonging to the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company was published in the Year-book for 1895.

In the year 1860 a contract was let for the construction of the first New Zealand railway. Up to the year 1870 there were only 46 miles of railway in operation. In that year the construction of railways came to be part of the public-works policy just then initiated, and the Railways Act of 1870 authorised certain lines to be made and surveys of others. In 1876 the abolition of the provinces placed the earlier-constructed railways in the hands of the General Government. At that time there were 718 miles open for traffic.

In December, 1908, the Government acquired by purchase the railway between Wellington and Longburn, eighty-four miles in length, completed in 1886 by the Wellington-Manawatu Railway Company. The entire railway system, with the exception of a few miles of private lines used for specific purposes, such as the carriage of coal, timber, or stone, is now owned and controlled by the State.

The length of Government railways open on the 31st March, 1910, was 2,717 miles, of which 1,144 were situated in the North Island and 1,573 in the South Island.

The sections of the North Island lines consist of the Kawakawa, 8 miles; Whangarei, 23; Kaihu, 17; Gisborne-Waikohu, 23 miles; and the North Island main line and branches, 1,073 miles. The South Island sections comprise the South Island main line and branches, 1,323 miles; Westland, 138; Westport, 30; Nelson, 48; Picton, 34 miles. The estimated total cost of construction to 31st March, 1910, was £28.513,476 (besides £1,807,715 spent on unopened lines), and the average cost per mile of open line £10,494.

The following statement shows the number of miles of Government railways open, the number of train-miles travelled and of passengers carried, and the tonnage of goods traffic, for the past twenty years:—

Year.Length open.Train-mileage.Passengers.Season Tickets issued.Goods and Live-stock.*

* The equivalent tonnage for live-stock has been given.

† The average number of miles open for traffic during the year was 2,704.

     Tons.
1890–911,8422,894,7763,433,62913,8812,134,023
1891–921,8693,010,4893,555,76416,3412,122,987
1892–931,8863,002,1743,759,04416,5042,258,235
1893–941,9483,113,2313,972,70117,2262,128,709
1894–951,9933,221,6203,905,57828,6232,123,343
1895–962,0143,307,2264,162,42636,2332,175,943
1896–972,0183,409,2184,439,38743,0692,461,127
1897–982,0553,666,4834,672,26448,6602,628,746
1898–992,0903,968,7084,955,55355,0272,744,441
1899–19002,1044,187,8935,468,28463,3353,251,716
1900–19012,2124,620,9716,243,59382,9213,461,331
1901–19022,2355,066,3607,356,136100,7783,667,039
1902–19032,2915,443,3337,575,390118,4313,918,261
1903–19042,3285,685,3998,306,383129,9194,259,217
1904–19052,3746,107,0798,514,112140,4534,185,468
1905–19062,4076,413,5738,826,382147,9894,415,166
1906–19072,4586,755,4549,600,786165,5044,824,563
1907–19082,4747,051,2749,756,716185,1745,070,176
1908–19092,6827,458,23610,457,144192,5475,135,408
1909–19102,717†7,889,16611,141,142199,3715,490,018

The traffic in local products for the past twenty years was:—

Year.Wool.Timber.Grain.Minerals.Horses and Cattle.Sheep and Pigs.
 Tons.Tons.Tons.Tons.Number.Number.
1890–9187,701153,078528,683828,07944,9991,313,155
1891–9285,888170,521442,277873,89947,6181,117,253
1892–9396,842169,910523,637884,03146,5901,359,860
1893–94101,340183,192411,191864,53851,5731,394,456
1894–95103,328198,578388,556857,91752,0751,563,213
1895–9699,363213,132374,699878,65950,7661,893,058
1896–9798,958257,825423,8881,032,25247,2562,016,437
1897–98103,055313,073427,4481,048,86854,8712,399,379
1898–9997,396310,266420,0711,147,35366,2262,552,745
1899–1900104,621334,677764,0331,218,69876,5372,559,836
1900–190196,519380,803772,5711,366,24184,2892,463,250
1901–1902101,878427,153813,3451,443,79295,3842,780,019
1902–1903116,309436,008718,3761,604,426.115,1983,883,177
1903–1904101,316509,712820,4531,744,323122,0643,826,646
1904–1905107,625493,327732,4801,806,360126,5753,490,752
1905–1906116.086534,533772,2581,938,548136,3193,441,387
1906–1907128,161567,835770,7062,135,446150,8014,776,223
1907–1908120,593616,892739,5682,319,913169,1744,719,087
1908–1909137,916582,860793,7932,342,048179,0085,329,115
1909–1910151,051523,8451,044,4682,486,121196,9835,253,692

The revenue for the year 1909–10 amounted to £3,249,790; and the total expenditure to £2,169,474. The net revenue—£1,080,316—was equal to a rate of £3.80 per cent. on the capital cost; the percentage of expenditure to revenue was 66.76. The earnings on some of the lines ranged as high as £13 5s. 1d. per cent.

The particulars of the revenue and expenditure for the past twenty years are given:—

Year.Passenger-fares.Parcels, Luggage, and Mails.Goods and Livestock.Rents and MiscellaneousTotal.Expenditure.Net RevenuePercentages of Expenditure to Revenue.Percentages of Revenue to Capital Cost.

* The rate of interest earned has been computed on cost proportionately to the time during which the lines taken over by the Working Railway's Department within the financial year were earning revenue. Thus a considerable length of the North Island Main Trunk and the whole of the Wellington-Manawatu lines earned revenue for the Department during only a portion of the year 1908–9, while the total cost of construction or purchase is included under that head.

NOTE.—For 1895–96 and subsequent years the railways have been credited with the value of services performed for other Government departments, and debited with the value of work done for the railways by other departments.

 £££££££%£s.d.
1890–91353,59338,997690,77938,3321,121,701700,703420,99862.472811
1891–92301,61711,795671,46937,5501,115,431700,517408,91463.342159
1892–93390,61944,801707,78538,3161,181,521732,141449,38061.97310
1893–94402,01945,206686,46939,0981,172,792735,358437,43462.702179
1891–95385,14943,270683,72638,7061,150,851732,160418,69163.622146
1895–96389,23454,736698,11540,9561,183,041751,368431,67363.512160
1896–97410,16058,084774,16343,7511,286,158789,054497,10461.353310
1897–98433,43060,872837,58944,1171,376,008857,191518,81762.303410
1898–99475,55366,418882,07745,6171,469,665929,737539,92863.263510
1899–00515,02068,488985,72354,6601,623,8911,052,358571,53364.80385
1900–01544,97672,7121,051,69457,8541,727,2361,127,847599,38965.30398
1901–02621,01979,5611,110,57563,4311,874,5861,252,237622,34966.80386
1902–03625,69887,2731,189,10171,9661,974,0381,313,415630,62368.05361
1903–04704,660110,1511,293,16972,6612,180,6411,438,724741,91765.983118
1904–05738,158115,0511,277,97678,0462,209,2311,492,900716,33167.58360
1905–06780,873142,6421,346,03874,1512,349,7041,621,239728,46569.00349
1906–07832,053151,9131,498,68681,9482,624,6001,812,482812,11869.06391
1907–08912,978176,8761,582,32889,7562,761,9381,949,759812,17970.59368
1908–091,011,658187,0401,630,704100,1242,929,5262,114,815814,71172.19327
1909–101,171,040192,5851,772,547113,6183,249,7902,169,4741,080,31666.763160*

The revenue per (average) mile of railway open during the year was £1,203, and the expenditure £803; equal to 8s. 3d. and 5s. 6d. per train-mile respectively.

The total number of miles travelled by trains was 7,889,166.

In addition to the above railways, there were 29 miles of private lines open for traffic on the 31st March, 1910.

Australasian Railways.

Government railways open for traffic in Australasia:—

Country.Year endedAverage Miles open.Train-miles Run.Cost of Construction and equipment of Open Lines.Gross Receipts.Working-expenses.Percentage of Net Revenue to Cost.Number of
Locomotives.Vehicles.
Passenger.Goods and Livestock trucks and vans.

* Includes 7½ miles private lines worked by Government.

† State railways only.

    £££%   
Queensland30 June, 19093,4447,391,33223,395,3222,103,1191,227,0983.744284878,721
New South Wales30 June, 19093,56010,074,14447,612,6665,028,4502,952,8244.3679892515,067
Victoria30 June, 19093,39711,290,57842,486,3234,178,1242,409,4394.165031,26511,528
South Australia30 June, 19092,0274,955,77915,337,4631,652,043953,5514.553434716,521
Western Australia30 June, 19091,9714,102,10211,016,8371,508,436973,8714.853153306,793
Tasmania30 June, 1909*4701,029,119†4,003,839280,036204,1271.90781831,637
New Zealand31 Mar., 19102,7047,889,16628,513,4763,249,7902,169,4743.804651,14017,220

In addition to the Government lines open for traffic in 1909, New South Wales had 265¼ miles of private railway; South Australia, 58 miles; Western Australia, 638½ miles (partly used for timber conveyance); Queensland, 367¾ miles; Tasmania, 204¼ miles, 7½ miles of which are worked by Government; and New Zealand, on 31st March, 1910, 29 miles.

Postal and Electric Telegraph.

There were 2,194 post-offices in New Zealand at the end of 1909.

The number of letters and letter-cards, post-cards, books, and pattern-packets, newspapers, and parcels posted and delivered during the year, compared with the number posted and delivered in 1908, was as under:—

 Total posted and delivered.Increase.
 1909.1908.
Letters and letter-cards186,926,337175,440,11111,486,226
Post-cards14,188,64213,866,515322,127
Books and pattern-packets50,047,92849,242,841805,087
Newspapers42,561,64141,358,9131,202,728
Parcels2,161,6341,790,647370,987

The average number of letters, &c., posted per head of the population in each of the past seven years was,—

 1903.1904.1905.1906.1907.1908.1909.
Letters and letter-cards70.3873.4076.0982.1386.4691.3795.98
Post-cards1.682.433.385.716.636.586.32
Books and parcels21.8021.6224.9023.9723.8226.4626.29
Newspapers17.2018.2319.8719.0419.5620.1420.48

The facilities afforded for the transmission of parcels through the Post Office to places within and without the Dominion have proved of much convenience to the public. The regulations admit of parcels up to 11 lb. in weight being sent to almost all the important countries of the world.

The following table shows the number of parcels exchanged with the United Kingdom, the Australian States, &c., in 1909 and 1908:—

Country.Number of Parcels.
Received.Despatched.
 1909.1908.1909.1908.
United Kingdom and foreign countries via London77,48178,30112,29311,353
United States5,6815,6021,1541,165
Vancouver595518335336
Victoria8,2988,7743,3753,569
New South Wales12,49912,4195,0085,103
South Australia525504491514
Queensland720677785669
Tasmania551527782721
Western Australia378399507521
Samoa1014165110
Fiji146123519468
Ceylon4323908984
Uruguay  9689
Cape Colony425431167144
Natal94100245230
India1,021994280252
Tonga1012151111
            Totals108,866109,78526,44225,439

The declared value of the parcels received from places outside the Dominion was £279,684, on which the Customs duty amounted to £52,540 13s. 8d.

The number and weight of parcels *dealt with from 1900 to 1909 are given below:—

1900.1901.1902.1903.1904.1905.1906.1907.1908.1909.
* “Dealt with” means the total posted plus the foreign received.
Parcels, No.233,456273,442291,670327,629357,504392,017448,171801,937970,1531,148,471
Weight, lb.794,994928,2371,034,3421,161,5841,279,7071,386,7231,638,2312,863,9093,367,1163,903,227

Money-orders and Postal Notes.

The number of offices open for the transaction of money-order business at the end of 1909 was 637.

During 1909, 538,740 money-orders, for a total sum of £2,307,592 18s., were issued at the various post-offices. The money-orders from places beyond New Zealand and payable in the Dominion numbered 35,375, for the amount of £143,699 10s. 4d.

The number of offices open for the sale of postal notes at the end of 1909 was 792: 1,414,752 postal notes were sold, value £454,138. Commission amounted to £6,519 10s. 8d.

The notes paid numbered 1,404,946, value £445,376 19s. 6d.

Mail Services.

Estimated cost on account of the Peninsular and Oriental and Orient Mail Service for the year 1909:—

 £s.d.
Payment to P. and O. and Orient Lines10,78484
Transit charges across Australia2,030710
Transit charges across Europe4,38985
Mail-services to Australia15,00010
 £32,20457

The average number of days in 1909 within which the mails were delivered between London and each of the undermentioned ports in New Zealand was:—

 P. and O. Line.Orient Line.
London to—  
    Auckland37.2338.56
    Wellington38.1938.78
    Christchurch39.0439.15
    Dunedin38.1238.44

Electric Telegraph.

The first Government telegraph-lines in New Zealand were constructed by the provincial authorities.

The Canterbury Provincial Government opened a line between Christchurch and Lyttelton in the beginning of the year 1863. On the 12th February, 1864, the Southland Provincial Government opened a line between Invercargill and the Bluff. The General Government subsequently acquired both the above-named lines, and further established communication by wire between Dunedin and Invercargill, also Dunedin and Christchurch, on the 25th May, 1865.

Messrs. Driver and McLean, merchants, of Dunedin, erected a private line between Dunedin and Port Chalmers, which was opened to the public in 1861, and acquired by the General Government some time after the opening of through communication between Lyttelton, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Bluff, referred to above.

There were 10,901 miles of telegraph-line open at the end of March, 1910, carrying 31,788 miles of wire. 7,846,890 telegrams were transmitted during the year; of these, the private and Press messages numbered 7,757,128, which, together with telephone exchange and other telegraph receipts, yielded a revenue of £391,510 4s. 10d.

There were thirty central telephone exchanges and one hundred and twenty-three sub-exchanges on the 31st March, 1910. The number of connections increased from 26,833 in March, 1909, to 29,681 in March, 1910. The subscriptions to these exchanges during the financial year amounted to £144,298 2s. 9d.

The capital expended on the equipment, &c., of the several telephone exchanges up to the 31st March, 1910, was £683,786 11s. 1d.

Pacific Gable.

The cable, opened for traffic between New Zealand and Australia and Fiji on the 9th April, 1902, was completed to Bamfield, Vancouver Island, on the 31st October following, and opened for international business on the 8th December, 1902.

The route is from Doubtless Bay, New Zealand, to Vancouver, Canada, via Norfolk Island, Fiji, and Fanning Island. The Australian connection is at Norfolk Island. The deep-sea portion of the Vancouver-Fanning Island cable is stated to be the longest in the world. Following the opening of the cable a much faster service between New Zealand, America, and Europe has resulted.

Chapter 32. SECTION VII.—VITAL STATISTICS.

Births.

THE number of births registered during 1909 was 26,524, or 27.29 in every 1,000 persons living. The number is 584 in excess of that for the year 1908, an increase of 2.25 per cent., but the rate lower by 0.16 per thousand. From 1882 until the year 1899 there was a regular fall in the rate. The births registered in a year numbered 19,846 in 1884, and, after falling to 17,876 in 1892, have risen to the number first stated above.

The number of male children born during 1909 was 13,502, and of female children 13,022.

The following table shows the number registered, the birth-rate calculated on the total population, and comparison with the average rate for 1882–1886 taken as 100. Indications of a gradual increase are apparent, the improvement since 1899 being 8.64 per cent. on the rate per 1,000 in that year.

Births, Number and Rate.
Year.Total Number of Births Registered.Birth-rate.Year.Total Number of Births Registered.Birth-rate.
Per 1,000 of Population.Compared with Rate in 1882–1886 taken as 100.Per 1,000 of Population.Compared with Rate in 1882–1886 taken as 100
1882–188619,41035.40100189818,95525.7473
    189918,83525.1271
188719,13532.0991190019,54625.6072
188818,90231.2288190120,49126.3474
188918,45730.0785190220,65525.8973
189018,27829.4483190321,82926.6175
189118,27329.0182190422,76626.9476
189217,87627.8379190523,68227.2277
189318,18727.5078190624,25227.0876
189418,52827.2877190725,09427.3077
189518,54626.7876190825,94027.4577
189618,61226.3374190926,52427.2977
189718,73725.9673    

A declining birth-rate is noticeable in many civilised countries, and attention has been drawn by statisticians and political economists to the serious consequences that may result. That fertility among women in New Zealand has decreased, from whatever causes, further facts will tend to show.

Taking the number of married women in New Zealand at what may be considered the child-bearing ages (i.e., from 15 to 45 years, inclusive) as shown by each census since 1878, and for the same years the number of legitimate births (excluding plural) registered, the birth-rate per 1,000 married women of the above-stated ages is easily found, and is shown to be steadily declining. In 1878 the rate was 337 per 1,000, in 1896 it had fallen to 252, in 1901 to 244, and in 1906 to 228; or, in other words, in 1878 one married woman of the ages specified in every three gave birth to a child, while in 1906 the rate was less than one in four. The figures for each census year are given below.

Birth-rates (Legitimate) per 1,000 Married Women at Child-bearing Ages for each Census Year, 1878 to 1906.

Year (Census).Number of Married Women between 15 and 45 Years of Age.Proportion per Cent. of Married Women in the Female Population aged 15 to 45 Years.Number of Legitimate Births (Confinements).Birth-rate per 1,000 Married Women of from 15 to 45 Years of Age.
187850,99563.5017,196337.2
188157,45859.7618,003313.3
188662,70453.1918,532295.5
189163,16548.1217,455276.3
189669,80744.1217,596252.1
190179,40643.3019,355243.8
190699,21146.1522,352227.6

Another table is given, showing for a period of twenty-five years the numbers of married women at quinquennial groups of age belonging to the full term 15 to 45 years, with the proportions that those numbers bear to every 100 married women living at 15–45. These proportions are found to have diminished appreciably at the earlier ages, 15–20 and 20–25; but the effect of this lesser number of wives at the earlier ages in reducing the birth-rate would not be serious. It is, however, undoubtedly a fact that to have a growing proportion of wives at the earlier productive ages is the best position, but it is not the one which obtains at present in New Zealand.

Married Women under 45 Years of Age, given according to Age-groups, as at the Censuses of 1881, 1891, 1901, and 1906; with the Proportion in each Group for every 100 of the Whole.
Age-groups.Married Women under 45, excluding Chinese.
Numbers at Census.Proportions per Cent.
1881.1891.1901.1906.1881.1891.1901.1906.
15–201,2337507779282.141.190.980.95
20–258,9968,86210,05312,15315.6614.0312.6612.37
25–3013,13314,54017,92324,03022.8623.0222.5724.47
30–3512,65614,57619,61723,02522.0323.0824.7023.44
35–4011,81112,95916,85421,45320.5520.5121.2321.84
40–459,62911,47814,18216,62216.7618.1717.8616.98
Totals57,45863,16579,40698,211100.00100.00100.00100.00

The average number of children to a marriage may be ascertained by comparing the number of legitimate births for a series of years with the marriages, but commencing with the marriages in the year preceding that for which the first number of births is taken. Calculating in this way the figures for the twenty-year period 1890–1909 show a decline from 4.87 to 3.13 as below:—

Year.Marriages.Legitimate Births.Proportion of Births to every Marriage solemnised in the Preceding Year.
18893,632....
18903,79717,6754.87
18913,80517,6354.64
18924,00217,2834.54
18934,11517,5144.37
18944,17817,8244.33
18954,11017,7114.24
18964,84317,7784.32
18974,92817,9113.70
18985,09118,1543.68
1899..18,0663.54
18995,461....
19005,86018,6403.41
19016,09519,5543.34
19026,39419,7343.23
19036,74820,8353.26
19046,98321,7373.22
19057,20022,6003.24
19067,59223,1203.21
19078,19223,9373.15
19088,09424,8353.03
1909..25,3013.13

If the average result be taken out for the tea years 1890–1899, it will be found to represent 4.22 births to a marriage. Dealing similarly with the figures for 1900–9 the result is an average of 3.22, so that regarded annually or decennially there is a decided fall to be observed.

In March, 1901, New Zealand had 86,806 children living under the age of five years, and in April, 1906, the number was 102,745, an increase of 15,939, or 18.35 per cent., although the population at all ages increased in the quinquennium by only 14.99 per cent. Between 1891 and 1896 the increase was only 455, or 0.55 per cent., while between 1886 and 1891 the children living under five years actually decreased in number by 3,624, the increase of population of all ages (8.33 per cent.) being less than between 1891 and 1896 (12.24 per cent.), 1898 and 1901 (9.86 per cent.), or 1901 and 1906 (14.99 per cent.). The number of children under one year to the total population at all ages, and the proportion per 1,000, according to the results of five censuses, was:—

 Total Population (all Ages).Children under One Year.Children under One Year per 1,000 Population.
Census 1886578,48218,35531.73
Census 1891626,65816,44326.24
Census 1896703,36017,07024.27
Census 1901772,71918,38123.79
Census 1906888,57822,28925.08

Thus, in 1886, with a population of 578,482 persons, there were 18,355 children under one year, against 22,289 children of that age in 1906, with a population of 888,578 persons.

The births registered in 1885 were 19,693, against 23,682 in 1905. The birth-rate fell from 34.35 per 1,000 of the population in 1885 to 27.22 in 1905.

Deducting 1,599, the number of deaths of children under one year registered in 1905, from 23,682, the number of births for that year, leaves 22,083, or within 206 of the living children under one year at the time of the last census.

New Zealand had in 1880 the highest birth-rate in Australasia (40.78); in 1900 the case was reversed; but in 1909 the New Zealand rate was higher than that of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.

Although New Zealand had in 1900 the lowest birth-rate in Australasia, the rate for 1909 was higher than the average for the Commonwealth 26.40 per 1,000 of population.

The movement over ten years is calculated as under:—

Birth-rates per 1,000 of Population.
Country.1900.1901.1902.1903.1904.1905.1906.1907.1908.1909.
Queensland30.2128.5327.8924.6227.1325.9226.3126.9826.9927.52
New South Wales27.4327.7827.2025.4126.8126.7927.1227.2226.8627.26
Victoria25.8225.7725.2324.4624.6524.8325.1425.1624.7124.55
South Australia25.7825.3924.8523.4324.7023.8223.5423.8224.5924.57
Western Australia31.4630.3430.2730.2630.3330.2930.0129.4029.2528.06
Tasmania28.2528.6029.2328.6229.6029.3329.8229.5030.9029.86
New Zealand25.6026.3425.8926.6126.9427.2227.0827.3027.4527.29

A table is given in the Seventy-first Annual Report of the Registrar-General of England of such interest that it is reproduced here:—

Legitimate-birth Rates.

Country (Arranged in order of rates in 1900–2).Proportion of Legitimate Births per 1,000 Wives aged 15–15 Years.Increase (+) or Decrease (–) per cent. in Fertility during 20 Years.
Approximate Periods.
1880–2.1890–2.1900–2.
European Countries—    
    The Netherlands347.5338.8314.6– 9.5
    Norway314.5306.8302.8– 3.7
    Prussia312.6307.6290.4– 7.1
    Ireland282.9287.6289.4+ 2.3
    German Empire310.2300.9284.2– 8.4
    Austria281.4292.4283.7+ 0.8
    Scotland311.5296.4271.8– 12.7
    Italy276.2..269.4– 2.5
    Sweden293.0280.0269.0– 8.2
    Switzerland284.1274.0265.9– 6.4
    Denmark287.1278.1259.1– 9.8
    Spain257.7263.9258.7+ 0.4
    Belgium312.7285.1250.7– 19.8
    England and Wales286.0263.8235.5– 17.7
    France196.2173.5157.5– 19.7
Australian Commonwealth—    
    Tasmania..311.0256.4..
    Queensland329.0320.6252.8– 23.2
    Western Australia323.9338.82464.– 23.9
    South Australia326.5307.5235.0– 28.0
    New South Wales337.8298.5234.3– 30.6
    Victoria299.2297.8226.8– 24.2
New Zealand322.1277.5243.2– 24.5

A further table shows the declining birth-rate, and the increase in the marriage-rate, in the United Kingdom.

Birth and Marriage Rates is the United Kingdom, 1886, 1891, 1896, 1901, 1906, and 1908.

Year.Mean Population.Births.Marriages.
Number.Rate per 1,000 of Population.Number.Rate per 1,000 of Population.
188636,313,5821,145,57731.5241,1806.6
189137,802,4401,148,25930.4275,9707.3
189639,599,0721,152,14429.0296,0897.5
190141,550,7731,162,97528.0313,3517.5
190643,661,0921,170,62226.8325,8427.5
190844,546,8221,173,75926.3337,5937.2

The above figures are taken from the report of the Registrar-General of England (71st number), published in 1909.

The birth-rates for ten years in Great Britain and certain countries of the European Continent are also given from the same source. The decline is steady and continuous, Ireland, where the rate is very low, being the least affected:—

Birth-rates in European Countries, 1899 to 1908.
Countries.Number of Births per 1,000 of Mean Population.
1899.1900.1901.1902.1903.1904.1905.1906.1907.1908.
Hungary39.339.337.838.836.737.035.736.036.036.3
Austria37.337.336.637.035.235.533.734.933.8..
Italy33.933.032.633.31.732.832.531.931.533.4
German Empire35.835.635.735.133.934.133.033.132.3..
Netherlands32.031.532.331.831.631.430.830.430.029.7
Scotland29.829.629.529.229.228.728.127.927.027.2
Norway30.729.929.629.028.828.127.426.726.326.2
England and Wales29.128.728.528.528.427.927.227.126.326.5
Belgium28.828.929.428.427.527.126.125.725.3..
Sweden26.427.027.026.525.725.825.725.725.525.7
Switzerland28.928.629.128.727.727.727.427.426.8..
Ireland23.122.722.723.023.123.623.423.623.223.3
France21.921.422.021.721.120.920.620.619.720.2

Sexes of Children born.

The figures show that during each year there has been a preponderance of births of male children. It would appear, however, that this excess of male births is not sufficient to compensate for the heavier mortality which occurs among that sex. Of the total population in 1871 there were 70.52 females to every 100 males, but in 1909 the proportion of the females to 100 males had risen to 88.89.

Year.Number of Births ofProportion of Births of Males to every 100 Females.
Males.Females.
18889,6419,261104.1
18899,5148,943106.4
18909,2938,985103.4
18919,3778,896105.4
18929,1018,775103.7
18939,3108,877104.9
18949,4729,056104.6
18959,4939,053104.9
18969,5119,101104.5
18979,6009,137105.1
18989,6159,340102.9
18999,7249,111106.7
190010,1079,439107.1
190110,47110,020104.5
190210,65310,002106.5
190311,21710,612105.7
190411,76211,004106.9
190512,10911,573104.6
190612,39711,855104.6
190712,83512,259104.7
190813,36912,571106.3
190913,50213,022103.7

Twin Births.

There were 265 cases of twin births (530 children) and 1 case of triplets registered in 1909. The number of children born was 26,524; the number of mothers was 26,257: thus, on an average, one mother in every 99 gave birth to twins, against 90 in 1908, 102 in 1907, 114 in 1906, and 97 in 1905.

The proportion of plural births per 1,000 of all births during the past five years, was:—

Year.All Births.Plural Births.Plural Births per 1,000 of all Births
190523,68224510.35
190624,2522158.87
190725,0942449.72
190825,94028611.03
190926,52426610.03

Illegitimacy.

The births of 1,223 children were illegitimate: thus 16 in every 1,000 children born were born out of wedlock, against 13 in 1908.

The following table shows the ages of mothers of illegitimate children born during 1909:—

Age.Number of Mothers.
14 years5
15 years9
16 years34
17 years63
18 years89
19 years146
20 years101
21 years103
22 years85
23 years89
24 years83
25 years59
26 years50
27 years41
28 years39
29 years35
30 years31
31 years26
32 years19
33 years18
34 years13
35 years10
36 years14
37 years15
38 years17
39 years2
40 years1
41 years6
42 years6
43 years4
Unspecified1
 1,214

The total number of illegitimate children born during the year was 1,223, including 9 cases of twin births.

The proportion of illegitimate births per 1,000 unmarried women—i.e., spinsters and widows—at the reproductive ages, covering a period of twenty years, is shown:—

Year.Unmarried Women aged 15–45 Years.Illegitimate Births.Illegitimate-birth Rate per 1,000 Unmarried Women.
188656,27760210.70
189168,9906389.25
189689,7228349.30
1901105,4209378.89
1906116,5061,1329.72

The rate in New South Wales for 1905 was 16.24 per 1,000 unmarried women, in Victoria the rate was 10.31 for 1901, while in England and Wales the rate was as low as 8 for the year 1908. The average proportion of illegitimate births in Scotland in three years was 13.4 per cent., but in Ireland the extremely low average of 3.8 per cent. obtained.

The rates of illegitimacy in Australasia are quoted. That for 1908 in New Zealand was less than in any of the Australian States.

Proportion of Illegitimate Births in every 100 Births.

Year.Queensland.New South Wales.Victoria.South Australia.Western Australia.Tasmania.New Zealand.
18995.977.155.493.954.916.084.40
19006.407.015.914.244.825.434.63
19015.937.165.583.983.885.944.57
19026.046.605.514.363.965.364.46
19036.766.715.734.184.695.614.55
19046.897.125.744.014.365.824.52
19057.007.375.614.374.195.524.57
19067.687.045.584.004.785.784.67
19077.317.045.624.103.895.864.61
19087.456.895.764.334.354.974.26

These figures show the proportion of illegitimate births to every 100 births for New Zealand to be fairly steady during the period 1899–1908.

The figures in the next table give the percentages of illegitimate births to the total births in a number of foreign countries.

Country.Illegitimate Births per Cent.
Germany8.7
Switzerland4.4
Denmark10.1
Portugal11.4
Austria12.6
Hungary9.6
France8.9
Belgium6.4
Netherlands2.2
Sweden12.3
Norway6.8
Italy5.5

The Legitimation Act.

An important Act was passed in 1894 and re-enacted in 1908, entitled the Legitimation Act, which makes provision for the legitimation of children born before marriage on the subsequent marriage of their parents. Under this Act any child born out of wedlock, whose parents afterwards marry, is deemed to be legitimised by such marriage on the birth being registered in the manner prescribed by the Act. For legitimation purposes Registrars must register a birth when called upon to do so by any person claiming to be the father of an illegitimate child; but such person is required to make a solemn declaration that he is the father, and that at the time of the birth there existed no legal impediment to his marriage with the mother of the child. He has also to produce the evidence of his marriage. It will thus be seen that registration becomes the test of legitimacy. The following is the number of legitimations in each year, and the total to 1909, since the Act came into force:—

Year.Number of Children Legitimised.
189411
189568
189656
189748
189859
189941
190062
190147
190296
190365
190487
190584
1906125
1907114
1908119
1909129
        Total1,211

The Act came into operation only during the latter end of 1894, which fact accounts for the small number of legitimations shown for chat year.

Maternity Homes and the Registration of Nurses and Midwives.

There are four maternity homes now open for the use of the public, one at each of the principal centres. The St. Helens Hospital at Wellington was opened in June, 1905; that at Dunedin in October, 1905; that at Auckland in June, 1906; and that at Christchurch, in April, 1907. During the year ended 31st March. 1910, a total of 875 confinements had taken place in the four hospitals, and 328 confinements had been attended by the institution nurses outside the hospitals, as compared with 806 and 322 confinements respectively during the previous twelve months. These institutions are a development of the policy begun by legislation in 1901, when the Nurses Registration Act was passed, followed in 1904 by the Midwives Act, the latter providing that after a certain date only those midwives who were duly registered would be qualified to practise on their own account.

On 31st March, 1910, the number of registered midwives was 1,155. Of these 283 are trained and certificated, the remainder having satisfied the Registrar that at the date of the passing of the Act they had been for at least three years in bona fide practice as midwives, and that they bear a good character.

The maternity hospitals are not intended in any sense to be charitable institutions, and it is expected that they will be self-supporting.

There is a maternity hospital attached to the Medical School at Dunedin, which also serves as a training-school for medical students. During the year ended 31st March, 1910, there were 143 births in this institution.

Charitable Maternity Homes are established at Auckland, Otahuhu, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, and Invercargill for the reception of unfortunate girls. The Salvation Army have similar institutions at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin.

The receipts and expenditure of the four St. Helens Maternity Hospitals and of the Dunedin Medical School Hospital for the years ended 31st March. 1909 and 1910, were as follows:—

Receipts.
 1908–9.1909–10.
 ££
From Government2,8822,147
From local authorities250250
Payments by patients3,0333,100
Other receipts740874
        Total receipts6,9056,371
Expenditure
Maintenance5,4535,323
Buildings858296
Administration340290
Other expenses238454
 6,8896,363

The managers or trustees of the private maternity hospitals are not obliged to publish accounts, nor do they generally make public their financial operations.

The Nurses Registration Act provides that every person who has attained the age of twenty-three years and is certified as having had three years' training as a nurse in a recognised general hospital, together with systematic instruction in theoretical and practical nursing from the medical officer and the matron of that hospital, and who passes the prescribed examination, is entitled to registration. During the year ended 31st March, 1910, there were 112 candidates for the final examination in medical and surgical nursing, and 100 passed. At the end of the year there were 879 names on the register.

Births and Birth-rates in the Four Chief Cities.

The total number of births registered as occurring in the four chief centres and suburbs in 1909 was 7,463, as against 7,276 for the previous year. The birth-rates last year were:—

 Birth-rates per 1,000 of Mean Population.
Auckland City29.73 
Auckland City and seven suburban boroughs 27.46
Wellington City26.62 
Wellington City and three suburban boroughs 26.42
Christchurch City28.55 
Christchurch City and three suburban boroughs 27.65
Dunedin City28.34 
Dunedin City and six suburban boroughs 26.26

By the inclusion of the suburbs the rate is lowered in each case. Excluding suburbs, Auckland has the highest rate, Christchurch next highest, Dunedin and Wellington following. The birth-rate for the Dominion last year was 27.29 per thousand. Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin are thus over the average, and Wellington below it.

The birth-rates for two of the central boroughs last year show a fall when compared with 1908. In Auckland the rate fell from 30.56 to 29.73, in Wellington from 27.60 to 26.62, but rose in Christchurch from 28.43 to 28.55, in Dunedin from 25.48 to 28.34. The rates for five years, 1905 to 1909, are:—

 Births per 1,000 of Population.
 1905.1906.1907.1908.1909.
Auckland (without suburbs)30.0629.9629.6330.5629.73
Wellington29.7227.8527.5327.6026.62
Christchurch29.7028.1930.4728.4328.55
Dunedin23.9028.9625.6925.4828.34

Marriages.

A marriage may be solemnised after the delivery to the minister or Registrar who officiates of a certificate issued by a Registrar authorising such marriage, and if any persons knowingly and wilfully intermarry without such certificate the marriage is null and void; and no clergyman or minister of any denomination is empowered to solemnise marriages until his name has been placed on the Registrar-General's list of officiating ministers for the year.

Registrars of Marriages are prohibited by law from issuing certificates for the marriage of minors without the consent of the parents or lawful guardians, if there be any in New Zealand. If a declaration is made in any case that there is no such parent or lawful guardian resident in the Dominion, then a certificate may be issued after the expiration of fourteen days following the date on which the notice of intended marriage was given.

Marriage with a deceased wife's sister in New Zealand was legalised in the year 1880, and an Act was passed in the year 1900 which legalised marriage with the brother of a deceased husband. This Act is retrospective, including in its provisions marriages between such parties which had previously been solemnised as well as those contracted after the statute was passed, and declaring all these to be valid, and the issue born prior or subsequent to the passing of the Act to be deemed born in lawful wedlock.

The measure was reserved for the signification of her late Majesty's pleasure. The Royal assent has since been given, and the Act came into force in New Zealand by Proclamation dated the 22nd May, 1901.

The marriages for 1909 show a decrease on the number for the previous year. The number was 8,094, or 245 less than in 1908. The rate per 1,000 of the population was 8.33 as against 8.82 in 1908. 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 fourteen years:—

MARRIAGES, NUMBER AND RATE.
Year.Total Number of Marriages Registered.Marriage-rate.
Per 1,000 of Population.Compared with Rate in 1882–1886 taken as 100.
1882–18868,6636.68100
18873,5635.9789
18883,6175.9789
18893,6325.9389
18903,7976.1292
18913,8056.0490
18924,0026.2393
18934,1156.2293
18944,1786.1592
18954,1105.9489
18964,8436.85103
18974,9286.83102
18985,0916.91103
18995,4617.28109
19005,8607.67115
19016,0957.83117
19026,3948.01120
19036,7488.23123
19046,9838.26124
19057,2008.28124
19067,5928.48127
19078,1928.91133
19088,3398.82132
19098,0948.33125

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 four census years:—

Year of Census.Proportion of Unmarried per 1,000 of TotalProportion of Marriages per 1,000 of the
Males.Females.Marriageable Men.Marriageable Women.Marriageable Persons.Total Population
1891246.2267.846.2248.1047.146.04
1896264.2308.349.1147.0948.086.85
1901278.3330.653.5649.9651.697.83
1906295.8326.954.0955.1554.628.48

A comparison of the marriage-rate for each State of the Australian Commonwealth with New Zealand over a series of years is given. For the Commonwealth as a whole the rate in 1901 was 7.32, and in 1909 it was 7.82 per 1,000.

MARRIAGES PER 1,000 OF THE POPULATION IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.
Year.Queensland.New South Wales.Victoria.South Australia (Proper).Western Australia.Tasmania.New Zealand.
18917.187.397.697.318.006.636.04
18926.676.776.646.517.296.516.23
18935.916.405.996.266.345.516.22
18945.706.205.986.096.245.436.15
18956.236.356.005.886.835.325.94
18966.056.596.486.208.455.886.85
18976.056.726.365.4610.736.236.83
18986.036.666.536.189.896.296.91
18996.786.897.016.249.896.377.28
19006.887.386.966.5010.277.717.67
19016.667.736.986.369.667.767.83
19026.367.547.006.549.837.558.01
19035.726.896.296.219.327.578.23
19045.937.236.806.868.837.558.26
19056.037.447.246.948.487.628.28
19066.737.657.307.068.707.828.48
19077.627.867.737.988.067.868.91
19087.308.007.427.847.597.888.82
19098.048.117.348.007.378.118.33

The improved rate for New Zealand is higher than the rate for the European countries given in the table following, with one exception.

MARRIAGES IN EVERY 1,000 OF THE POPULATION OF EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, 1908.
Hungary9.1
Italy8.3
German Empire (1907)8.2
France8.1
Belgium (1907)8.0
Switzerland (1907)7.8
Austria (1907)7.5
England and Wales7.5
Denmark7.4
Netherlands7.2
Spain7.2
Scotland6.5
Sweden6.1
Norway6.1
Ireland5.2

Condition of Contracting Parties.

Of the marriages contracted in 1909, those between bachelors and spinsters comprised 91 per cent. The number under each heading for the ten years 1900–9 is stated below:—

Year.Marriages contracted betweenOf Divorced Persons (included previously).Of Minors (included in previous columns).
Bachelors and Spinsters.Bachelors and Widows.Widowers and Spinsters.Widowers and Widows.
19005,29618428793531,114
19015,54918027195841,164
19025,803199292100761,150
19036,133198305112861,189
19046,365210307101871,351
19056,582196316106871,347
19066,925265286116981,329
19077,4992313351271281,427
19087,6222543441191291,515
19097,3752303571321521,452

Divorced men and women have been classified as bachelors or spinsters: 65 divorced men and 87 divorced women were married during the last year.

Included amongst spinsters in 1909 are thirteen married women, and amongst the bachelors three married men, who elected to go through the form of marriage with other persons under the protection of the provisions of section 224, subsection (5), of the Crimes Act, which reads, “No one commits bigamy by going through a form of marriage if he or she has been continually absent from his or her wife or husband for seven years then last past, and is not proved to have known that his wife or her husband was alive at any time during those seven years.”

The total number of marriages solemnised 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. Twenty-five marriages in which both parties were Maoris were contracted in 1909 in terms of the Act: 12 by Registrars, 5 by clergymen of the Church of England, 1 by a Presbyterian minister, 2 by Roman Catholic ministers, and 5 by ministers of the Church of the Latter-day Saints.

Bachelors and Spinsters in New Zealand.

The results of three censuses in respect of the number of bachelors of 20 years and upwards, and spinsters of 15 years and upwards, show some interesting features. In 1891 there was an excess of bachelors over the spinsters amounting to 3,497 men. But by 1896 not only had the preponderance of the male element been lost, but an excess of spinsters over bachelors was reported amounting to 1,786 women, while in 1901 this excess had risen to 3,572 women. The census of 1906 disclosed the fact that there was a considerable excess of bachelors, amounting to 9,633. This result, no doubt, is largely due to the arrival from abroad of numbers of young men who have settled in New Zealand.

It is noticeable how differently the numbers for the provincial districts have been affected by the process in operation. An excess of bachelors was preserved in Auckland, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson, and Westland from 1891 to 1906. In Canterbury, however, an excess of spinsters was found in 1891 of 2,516, which increased to 3,997 in 1896 and to 4,918 in 1901, but decreased to 2,117 in 1906; while in Otago an excess of 773 spinsters in 1891 increased to 2,066 in 1896, diminished in 1901, when there were 1,899 more spinsters than bachelors, and again in 1906, when the number of spinsters was 954 greater than the number of bachelors. These two important districts of the South Island have lost large numbers of bachelors by departures to the North Island. The following table exhibits the particulars for each provincial district:—

Provincial Districts.Census, 1891.Census, 1896.Census, 1901.Census, 1906.
Excess of Bachelors over Spinsters.Excess of Spinsters over Bachelors.Excess of Bachelors over Spinsters.Excess of Spinsters over Bachelors.Excess of Bachelors over Spinsters.Excess of Spinsters over Bachelors.Excess of Bachelors over Spinsters.Excess of Spinsters over Bachelors.
    Total excess3,497....1,786..3,5729,633..
Auckland156..703..521..3,383..
Taranaki121..524..805..754..
Hawke's Bay1,337..1,142..425..1,151..
Wellington2,129..637..32..4,389..
Marlborough644..183..158..532..
Nelson1,486..580..637..1,550..
Westland900..501..666..935..
Canterbury..2,516..3,997..4,918..2,117
Otago..773..2,066..1,899..954
Chatham Islands15..7..1..10..
Kermadec Islands..2............

Ages of Persons Married.

Of the persons married in 1909, 143 bridegrooms and 1,309 brides were under 21 years of age. Of the bridegrooms, two were between 16 and 18, and six between 18 and 19. Of the brides, nine were between 15 and 16, and thirty-seven were 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.

The following are the proportions of men and women married at each age-period to every 100 marriages in the years 1891, 1901, and 1909:—

Age.1891.1901.1909.
M.F.M.F.M.F.
Under 21 years1.5520.791.9317.161.7616.17
21 and under 2526.9943.9924.9439.9722.3935.49
25 and under 3036.1922.97137.0826.8938.6727.90
30 and under 4025.948.7227.1212.7328.2316.04
40 and under 506.442.716.042.445.613.12
50 and under 602.260.661.770.572.090.83
60 and under 700.550.160.920.240.830.35
70 and upwards0.08..0.20..0.370.10
MEAN AGEAT MARRIAGE.
Year.Mean Ace of Bridegrooms.Mean Age of Brides.
189529.9025.05
189629.7425.28
189729.6225.21
189829.9525.30
189929.8625.48
190029.9125.29
190129.7225.54
190229.8925.63
190329.8925.84
190429.6025.44
190529.6525.75
190629.7625.97
190729.8326.07
190829.8626.11
190930.1126.40

The average age of bridegrooms has remained fairly constant during the period, but there is a gradual increase in the average age of the brides. In England the mean age of those whose ages were stated was (in the year 1908) 28.78 years for men, and 26.61 years for women. Thus the average age at marriage in New Zealand would appear to be higher for men, but lower for women, than in England.

The proportion of bridegrooms under 21 is much greater in England than in New Zealand, and the proportion of brides under 21 somewhat lower.

In England, in 1908, of every 1,000 bridegrooms whose ages were stated, 40 were under 21 years of age, and of every 1,000 brides 140 were under 21 years of age. In New Zealand, in 1909, the proportions were 18 bridegrooms and 160 brides of similar ages in every 1,000 married:—

Year.Bridegrooms under 21 in every 100.Brides under 21 in every 100.
18901.8922.75
18921.6220.14
18941.4419.53
18961.9619.51
18981.5718.13
19001.6717.34
19011.9317.16
19041.7317.61
19051.8016.90
19061.6515.86
19071.6015.82
19082.1216.05
19091.7616.17

The ages at which persons may contract binding marriages are the same as in England—12 years for females and 14 for males. Marriage may be contracted at earlier ages than those stated, but would be voidable at the discretion of either of the parties upon reaching the age of 12 or 14, as the case may be, and without the necessity of proceedings in Court.

Although in New Zealand the age at which girls may legally marry is as above, nevertheless, by the criminal law, to unlawfully carnally know a girl under the age of 16 years is now a punishable offence. The age of consent was raised from 15 to 16 by statute passed in 1906.

Occupations of Bridegrooms.

The bridegrooms married during 1909 are given below according to their occupations, arranged in the classification used at the census of 1906. This is the first time such information has been presented in this book.

Occupations and Ages of Bridegrooms, 1909.
Occupation.Total Bridegrooms.Age Groups.
Under 20.20–2425–4445–6465 and Upwards.
Professional class486..80378253
Domestic class19835812413..
Mercantile class1,38363061,004634
Engaged in transport and communication8128230545263
Engaged in manufacturing1,21110319837378
Engaged in building and construction5895169391186
Industrial workers imperfectly defined1,32714361895516
Agricultural and pastoral class1,69412911,27810123
Working in mines and quarries272..7019012..
Other primary producers71..18503..
Independent means18....864
Occupations not stated33151764
                    Totals8,094481,9075,71736161

Marriage Register signed by Mark.

Of the men married in 1909, 20, or 2.47 in every 1,000, and of the women 29, or 3.58 per 1,000, signed the register by marks.

The illiteracy of the people, as measured by the proportion of married persons who affix marks instead of signatures to the marriage register, has greatly decreased of late, having fallen since 1881 from 32.04 per 1,000 among men to 2.47 per 1,000, and from 57.98 per 1,000 to 3.58 per 1,000 among women. This is shown by the following table:—

PERSONS IN EVERY 1,000 MARRIED WHO SIGNED BY MARK.
1881.1891.1901.1906.1907.1908.1909.
Male32.0413.934.593.161.461.802.47
Female57.9816.826.233.423.052.253.58

The numbers upon which the above rates are worked are small, and they should not be used as a basis for any conclusion as to the education of the people as a whole.

Marriages by Ministers of various Denominations.

The following table shows the proportions of marriages by ministers of the principal denominations in the past five years:—

Denomination.Percentage of Marriages.
1905.1900.1907.1908.1909.
Church of England24.2424.9324.3824.9624.27
Presbyterians26.4325.7526.2326.3725.72
Methodists16.7614.9414.9514.5814.84
Roman Catholics10.2211.1211.2211.0210.93
Other denominations6.756.307.997.847.97
    By Registrars15.6010.9615.2315.2316.27
 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00

The above figures must not be taken as a true indication of the religions of the parties married, as it does not necessarily follow that both parties are members of the church whose officiating minister performed the ceremony, and persons married by Registrars may belong, in greater or lesser proportion, to any of the denominations.

Number of Ministers.

The number of names on the list of officiating ministers under the Marriage Act is (May, 1910) 1,301, and the denominations to which they belong are shown hereunder:—

            Denomination.No.
Specified in statute— 
    Church of England394
    Presbyterian Church of New Zealand296
    Roman Catholic Church217
    Methodist Church of Australasia in New Zealand187
    Congregational Independents30
    Baptists40
    Primitive Methodist Connexion50
    Lutheran Church9
    Hebrew Congregations5
Not specified in statute— 
    Church of Christ21
    Free Methodist Church of New Zealand4
    Latter-day Saints3
    Salvation Army22
    Catholic Apostolic Church4
    Unitarians2
    Brethren2
    Others15
                Total1,301

Deaths.

The deaths in 1909 numbered 8,959, a rate of 9.22 in every 1,000 persons living, as against 9.57 in 1908. This is below the average of the previous ten years, 9.90 per 1,000.

The following table shows the number of deaths, and the death-rate per 1,000 of the living population: also a comparison with the average rate for 1882–86:—

Year.Total Number of Deaths.Death-rate.
Per 1,000 of Population.Compared with Rate in 1882–86 taken as 100
1882–865,94410.84100
18876,13710.2995
18885,7089.4387
18895,7729.4487
18905,9949.6689
18916,51810.3595
18926,45910.0693
18936,76710.2394
18946,91810.1994
18956,8639.9191
18966,4329.1084
18976,5959.1484
18987,2449.8491
18997,68010.2494
19007,2009.4387
19017,6349.8190
19028,37510.5097
19038,52810.4096
19048,0879.5788
19058,0619.2786
19068,3399.3186
190710,06610.95101
19089,0439.5788
19098,9599.2285

The death-rates of males and females for the last ten years are shown separately in the next table, and also the number of male deaths to every 100 female deaths:—

Year.Deaths per 1,000 of the Total Population.Deaths of Males to every 100 Females.
Males.Females.Total.
190010.338.439.43123
190110.808.719.81124
190211.649.2310.50126
190311.439.2410.40124
190410.648.379.57127
190510.188.249.27124
190610.408.089.31129
190711.819.9810.95118
190810.628.389.57127
190910.188.149.22125

Males of tender years are more delicate than females, and, later in life, more liable to accident. These disadvantages are partly compensated by the preponderance of male births, but the tendency of the natural increase is towards an equalisation in the numbers of the sexes.

For the purpose of considering the mortality in New Zealand more closely than can be done by means of crude death-rates, it is desirable to ascertain the rates at different age-periods of the population. The abnormally high rate in 1907, due to prevalence of epidemic diseases, is strikingly illustrated by comparison with the average for the previous five years.

DEATH-RATES PER 1,000 LIVING AT VARIOUS AGE-PERIODS.
Ages.Average, 1902–6.1907.1908.1909.Decrease per cent. in 1909, compared with 1902–6.
Under 5 years21.7527.1420.3818.7713.70
5 years and under 10 years2.072.151.761.965.31
10 years and under 15 years1.641.841.641.3517.68
15 years and under 20 years2.642.852.032.2315.53
20 years and under 25 years3.693.803.423.0816.53
25 years and under 35 years4.554.734.374.432.64
35 years and under 45 years6.306.226.248.71+ 6.51
45 years and under 55 years10.3510.4110.479.735.99
55 years and under 65 years20.2620.1718.0617.9711.30
65 years and under 75 years47.0647.9344.7542.629.43
75 and upwards124.65145.45132.36125.91+1.01
All ages9.8110.959.579.226.01

Besides advantages of climate New Zealand possesses a population younger in age constitution than that of most other countries, conditions favourable to a low rate of mortality. Another table is given comparing death-rates at twelve age-periods for 1908 with chose of England and Wales. Here the extremely low rate of mortality among children under five years of age is remarkable, and the difference at some of the groups at the more advanced ages is considerable. The New Zealand rate for males is higher than that for females at all groups excepting 10–15. 25–35, and 85 and upwards, while for England and Wales the female rate equals that for males at 5–10 and 10–15 years, and is lower in every other instance.

DEATH-RATE PER 1,000 PERSONS LIVING, ACCORDING TO SEX, FOR THE YEAR 1908, COMPARED WITH ENGLAND AND WALES.
Ages.Deaths per 1,000 Persons living.
New Zealand.England and Wales.
Males.Females.Males.Females.
Under 5 years22.618.144.536.6
  5 years and under 10 years1.91.63.23.2
10 years and under 15 years1.61.71.91.9
15 years and under 20 years2.21.82.72.5
20 years and under 25 years3.53 33.73.1
25 years and under 35 years4.24.55.44.5
35 years and under 45 years6.95.59.17.4
45 years and under 55 years11.78.916.412.8
55 years and under 65 years18.517.533.025.0
65 years and under 75 years43.139.570.357.7
75 years and under 85 years123.4108.3137.8124.3
85 and upwards240.9240.2303.7286.4
All ages10.68.415.713.7

Perfect accuracy in comparing one country with another can only be attained by the use of what is termed an “index of mortality.” The proportions of the living vary in regard to the different age-groups, and the ordinary death-rate—which is calculated on the population as a whole—does not afford a true means of judging of the relative healthiness of the places compared. But by taking a population like that of Sweden, and applying the percentage at each age-group to the death-rates, a standard of health or index of mortality can be arrived at. This has been done for New Zealand, in accordance with a resolution of the Statistical Conference held at Hobart in 1902, and the result is expressed in tabular form.

Index of Mortality in New Zealand for 1909.
Ages.Estimated Mean Population, 1909.Number of Deaths, 1909.Death-rate per 1,000, 1909.Percentage of Population of Sweden, 1890 (Standard).Index of Mortality in New Zealand per 1,000.
Under 1 year24,3921,63466.992.551.71
1 and under 20 years357,4221,0112.8339.801.13
20 and under 40 years367,4311,5384.1826.961.13
40 and under 60 years153,9311,51410.0319.231.93
60 years and upwards68,6083,23247.1111.465.40
            Totals971,7818,9599.22100.0011.30

A similar calculation for the States of the Australian Commonwealth has been made for 1908. The results, when compared with the actual rates, exhibit to what degree the age-constitution of the population effects the death-rate. The figures for New Zealand are also given.

 Year 1908.
 Index.Actual.
New South Wales13.8810.16
Victoria15.2412.53
Queensland14.5610.34
South Australia13.159.84
Western Australia15.8010.86
Tasmania15.3411.71
New Zealand11.679.57
COMPARATIVE DEATH-RATE FOR THE PERIOD 1899 TO 1909.
Country.1899.1900.1901.1902.1903.1904.1905.1906.1907.1908.1909.
* Excluding the Northern Territory.
New Zealand10.249.439.8110.5010.409.579.279.3110.959.579.22
Queensland12.0711.7311.8812.0812.3810.1110.479.5610.3510.349.79
New South Wales11.8211.1611.7511.9711.6510.6510.169.9210.5810.109.84
Victoria14.2812.7513.2213.4012.9011.9212.1012.4211.6612.5311.24
South Australia*12.1410.6411.1111.7910.7110.2210.1410.349.729.849.37
Western Australia13.7612.9213.3613.6312.6011.9110.8311.8711.1710.869.98
Tasmania12.2511.0510.5211.0011.9211.0410.2911.2411.1411.7110.00
England and Wales18.218.216.916.215.416.215.215.415.014.7..
Scotland18.118.517.917.216.616.915.916.016.216.1..
Ireland17.719.617.817.517.518.117.117.017.717.6..
Denmark17.316.815.814.614.714.115.013.514.214.5..
Norway16.715.814.913.814.814.314.813.714.214.3..
Sweden17.716.816.115.415.115.315.614.414.614.9..
Austria25.625.324.024.723.823.725.022.422.6....
Hungary27.226.925.427.026.124.827.824.825.224.8..
Switzerland17.719.318.017.217.617.817.917.016.8....
German Empire21.522.120.719.520.019.619.818.218.0....
Netherlands17.117.817.216.315.615.915.314.814.615.3..
France21.121.920.119.519.219.419.619.920.219.0..
Italy21.923.822.022.222.421.121.920.820.722.6..

Considering the range of this statement New Zealand is conspicuous as showing the lowest death-rate. The rates for the principal Australian States are a little higher, but, generally speaking, far below those for the United Kingdom or the European Continental States mentioned in the table.

Ages at Death.

The deaths occurring during 1909 are tabulated below in single ages up to five years, and from thence in groups, showing males and females separately:—

Ages.Males.Females.Total.
    Under 1 month469325794
    1 month and under 3 months160125285
    3 months and under 6 months151107258
    6 months and under 12 months172125297
                    Total under 1 year9526821,634
    1 year126116242
    2 years5659115
    3 years393675
    4 years192541
                    Total under 5 years1,1929182,110
    5 years and under 10 years9698194
  10 years and under 15 years6365128
  15 years and under 20 years13083213
  20 years and under 25 years173146319
  25 years and under 30 years201193394
  30 years and under 35 years221175396
  35 years and under 40 years222207429
  40 years and under 45 years187159346
  45 years and under 50 years210139349
  50 years and under 55 years240160400
  55 years and under 60 years271178449
  60 years and under 65 years295178473
  65 years and under 70 years436286722
  70 years and under 75 years468272740
  75 years and under 80 years461217678
  80 years and under 85 years234128362
  85 years and under 90 years9476170
  90 years and under 95 years402767
  95 years and under 100 years11718
100 years..11
105 years1..1
                    Totals5,2463,7138,959

The average age at death of persons of either sex, in each of the ten years 1900–9, was as follows:—

 Males.Females.
190040.31 years36.14 years.
190141.64 years37.68 years
190241.07 years34.88 years
190339.56 years35.43 years
190441.47 years38.44 years
190543.03 years39.13 years
190644.39 years39.35 years
190740.43 years36.66 years
190842.50 years39.14 years
190942.76 years38.78 years

The average expectation of life at each year of age has been compiled from a table given in a paper on the rates of mortality in New Zealand which was published by Mr. George Leslie. This is the most up-to-date information procurable.

The table shows, on comparison with New South Wales figures (Coghlan's), that at birth the expectation of life to the male infant in New Zealand is considerably greater than in that State, the figures being 54.44 years (N.Z.), against 49.6 (N.S.W.), and for females 57.26 and 52.9.

At 21 years of age the expectation in New Zealand for males is 43.77 years, against 41.35 (N.S.W.), and for females 45.59, against 43.62.

At age 45 the comparison is, for males. 25.23 years (N.Z.), 23.27 (N.S.W.); females, 27.46 years (N.Z.), against 25.34 (N.S.W.).

At the age of 70, the limit of a normal life, the figures for New Zealand are—males 9.18 years, females 10.23, against 8.64 for both sexes in New South Wales.

Expectation of Life in New Zealand.
Age.Average Duration of Life: Years.Age.Average Duration of Life: Years.Age.Average Duration of Life: Years.
Male.Female.Male.Female.Male.Female.
  054.44457.2603532.82934.954  709.48110.227
  159.10261.2143632.05434.215  718.9889.673
  259.16961.2203731.28233.475  728.5049.130
  358.62660.6473830.51132.734  738.0358.604
  457.92459.9343929.74431.990  747.5868.095
  557.16759.1484028.97931.243  757.1607.614
  656.39658.3434128.22030.493  766.7587.164
  755.60657.5204227.46529.739  776.3796.742
  851.79156.6804326.71528.981  786.0226.349
  953.95655.8254425.97128.221  795.6835.982
1053.09454.9534525.23127.458  805.3625.636
1152.21254.0694624.49926.694  815.0555.312
1251.31553.1804723.77325.927  824.7655.005
1350.42552.2944823.05525.163  834.4894.714
1449.53951.4154922.34424.399  844.2294.439
1548.66350.5455021.63623.640  853.9824.180
1647.80349.6905120.93222.885  863.7473.935
1746.96048.8475220.23122.135  873.5253.705
1846.13948.0165319.53021.392  883.3133.487
1945.33647.1985418.83620.655  893.1103.283
2044.55146.3935518.15019.926  902.9143.089
2143.77545.5935617.47819.202  912.7232.905
2243.00544.8035716.82218.485  922.5252.731
2342.23544.0215816.18317.776  932.3232.564
2441.46343.2445915.56017.077  942.1012.400
2540.68442.4746014.94916.386  951.8432.238
2639.89941.7086114.34815.705  961.5532.082
2739.10840.9466213.75415.037  971.2471.931
2838.31940.1876313.17014.386  980.9601.774
2937.52639.4316412.60013.752  990.6771.600
3036.73638.6786512.04613.1351000.5001.424
3135.91937.9286611.51212.534101...1.195
3235.16537.1816710.99411.945102...0.889
3334.38436.4386810.48611.365103...0.500
3433.60535.695699.98110.792   

Birthplaces.

TABLE SHOWING THE BIRTHPLACES AND AGES OF THE PERSONS (MALES AND FEMALES) WHO DIED DURING THE YEAR 1909.
Birthplace.Ages.
Under 1010–2020–3030–4040–5050–6060–7070 and upwards.Totals.
                British.         
Australasia—         
    New Zealand2,2723005404912561245684,047
    Queensland12641......14
    New South Wales361411910111074
    Victoria37922382093111
    South Australia1113654..21
    Western Australia11....1......3
    Tasmania..176117111053
    Australia (State not stated)....11342314
United Kingdom—         
    England and Wales159531351523134789152,070
    Scotland44243762122245480978
    Ireland..1124269135231356846
Other British possessions2..411013102969
                Foreign.         
Austria..161....3112
Denmark......52381230
France......1..17514
Germany....1346123763
Italy........214613
Norway......3153517
Sweden....21..451224
United States of America..111..561327
China....2..268624
Other foreign....477671647
At sea2....3413114
Unspecified..72647555872109374
                All ages2,3043417138256958491,1952,0378,959

Occupations of Deceased Males, 1909.

The occupations of males who died during 1909, arranged according to the census classification, are shown in the following table:—

Occupations.Number of Deaths of Males.Age-groups.
Under 15.15 and under 20.20 and under 25.25 and under 45.45 and under 65.65 Years and upwards.
                CLASS I.—PROFESSIONAL.       
General Government11....1226
Local Government2..........2
Defence2......2....
Law and order29....351110
Religion16......1510
Officer benevolent institution2......11..
Health36..439911
Literature12....1173
Civil, mechanical engineering, architecture, and surveying22......2416
Education23......8510
Fine arts3........12
Music6......15..
Amusements7....1321
                Total Professional171..49355271
                CLASS II.—DOMESTIC.       
Hotelkeepers and assistants47....119189
Others engaged in providing board and lodging10......154
House servants37....38215
Coachmen and grooms13....1273
Laundrymen3......3....
Others engaged in domestic service6......141
                Total domestic116....5345522
                CLASS III.—COMMERCIAL.       
Banking and finance11......434
Insurance and valuation9......225
Land and household property trade9......333
Books, publications, and advertising2......1..1
Paper and stationery5..1..121
Textile fabrics12..1..523
Dress25....31075
Animal food36....110916
Vegetable food7....1114
Groceries, drinks, narcotics, and stimulants25..21886
Living animals6....141..
Hay, corn, &c.3..........3
Timber3......1..2
Wood, coal, &c.6......022
Ironmonger5....1112
Kauri-gum dealer2........11
Merchants, shopkeepers, &c.48..11102115
Dealers and hawkers14......455
Agents, brokers, &c.21......669
Accountants, clerks, &c.92..57263915
Commercial travellers, salesmen35....41858
Other mercantile persons10....1153
Chance events2......1..1
                Total commercial388..1022119123114
        CLASS IV.—TRANSPORTAND COMMUNICATION.       
Railway traffic46..3315187
Tramway5......5....
Road75..36252516
Sea and river traffic117..27393237
Postal serviceS......35..
Telegraph and telephone service9..1..431
Delivery of parcels, &c., by hand7..1..132
        Total transport and communication267..1016928663
                CLASS V.—INDUSTRIAL.       
Books and publications25..23596
Musical instruments3......1..2
Prints, pictures, and art materials2......11..
Ornaments, minor art products, &c.2........11
Watches, clocks, and scientific instruments5....12..2
Engines, machines, tools, &c.13..21424
Carriages and vehicles10......154
Harness, saddlery, and leatherware14..11246
Ships, boats, and equipments16........610
Furniture18..23427
Building-material (wood)40..1411717
Chemicals and by-products4........22
Dress69..21201333
Fibrous materials3......111
Animal food8......62..
Vegetable food31....341410
Groceries, drinks, narcotics, and stimulants8....1322
Wool-scouring, soap, and candles6........24
Marble, clay, cement, glass, &c.12....1..38
Precious metals7......331
Metals, other63..22172022
Fuel, light, &c.7..2..41..
Building and construction—       
    Builders and contractors29......5717
    Stonemasons13....1138
    Bricklayers14..12254
    Carpenters110..47182160
    Plasterers6..1....41
    Painters and glaziers35..11121011
    Plumbers11..11315
    Others4....1..12
    Roads, railways, and earthworks11......272
Disposal of the dead1..........1
Disposal of refuse1........1..
Other industrial workers—       
    Mechanics, manufacturers3......21..
    Engineers, engine-drivers60..11272110
    Machinists, machine hands5....1121
    Contractors, managers32......81113
    Miller, mill hand, &c.14..1..454
    Labourers undefined616..1539131177254
    Others12..2..514
                Total industrial1,343..4175310378539
CLASS VI.-AGRICULTURAL, PASTORAL, AND MINING PURSUITS, ETC.       
Agricultural719..1417100177411
Pastoral69..43142028
Bees, fisheries, and wild animals16....3364
Forestry23....2984
Kauri-gum diggers32..226715
Mines and quarries271..165251161
    Total agricultural, pastoral, &c.1,130..2133184269623
                CLASS VII.—INDEFINITE.       
Independent means, &c.109......21394
Dependent relatives (including persons under 20 years of age with no specified occupation)1,3951,35144........
Dependent upon the State or upon public or private support42....25..35
Undefined or unknown285....115040184
                Total indefinite1,8311,35144135753313
            Total deaths (all occupations)5,2461,3511301738311,0161,745

Deaths and Death-rates of the Four Principal Cities and their Suburbs.

In the earlier annual reports on the vital statistics of the four chief towns the central boroughs alone were dealt with, particulars respecting the suburbs not having been obtained. But this omission was held to be a grave defect, as the suburban death-rate may differ much from the death-rate at the centre. Steps were therefore taken early in 1895 to collect statistics of the suburban boroughs as well as of the four chief cities. As regards Auckland and Christchurch, the whole of the area usually recognised as suburban has not yet been brought under municipal government, and the statistics given below do not deal with such portions as still remain in road districts. The omission, however, is not very important, for there are in either case quite enough suburbs included within borough boundaries to give a fair idea of the death-rate of greater Auckland and greater Christchurch. As further boroughs are formed the vital statistics will be made to include them.

The total number of deaths registered for the four centres in 1909 was 2,603—viz., 2,123 in the cities, and 180 in the suburbs.

By including the suburbs the death-rate for last year is lowered at all of the four centres. The rates for the year are:—

 Death-rates per 1,000 of Mean Population.
Auckland City11.25 
Auckland City and seven suburban boroughs 9.30
Wellington City9.35 
Wellington City and three suburban boroughs 9.11
Christchurch City9.48 
Christchurch City and three suburban boroughs 9.33
Dunedin City11.55 
Dunedin City and six suburban boroughs 9.95

If the deaths for the cities, including suburban boroughs, be compared for five years, it will be observed that the rates for 1909 are substantially lower than those for 1905.

 Deaths per 1,000 of Population.
 1905.1906.1907.1908.1909.
Auckland (including suburbs)10.529.9011.4310.419.30
Wellington (including suburbs)10.219.1911.289.109.11
Christchurch (including suburbs)10.8911.2514.379.529.33
Dunedin (including suburbs)10.1211.3512.0210.509.95

If the number of deaths of infants under one year be excluded the mortality above that age is found to have been for 1908 and 1909 in the following ratio to the 1,000 living:—

 1908.1909.
Auckland (including suburbs)8.077.60
Wellington (including suburbs)6.836.89
Christchurch (including suburbs)7.667.60
Dunedin (including suburbs)8.668.67

The degree of infantile mortality is perhaps best shown in the proportion of deaths of children under one year of age to every 100 births. For 1903 and 1909 the proportions at the chief centres are.—

 1908.1909.
Auckland (including suburbs)3.196.18
Wellington (including suburbs)8.178.42
Christchurch (including suburbs)6.786.28
Dunedin (including suburbs)7.454.86

The percentage of deaths of children under 5 to the total number of deaths is—in Dunedin, 13.13; in Christchurch, 22.35; in Auckland, 23.71; in Wellington, 29.53.

Mortality at Four Centres, excluding Suburbs.

Excluding suburbs, and dealing with the deaths at all ages in the four cities or central boroughs only during the past five years, the rates for 1909 are found to be lower than in 1905.

 Deaths per 1,000 of Population.
 1905.1906.1907.1908.1909.
Auckland (excluding suburbs)12.1512.5113.3812.4311.25
Wellington (excluding suburbs)10.559.4511.459.189.35
Christchurch (excluding suburbs)10.7611.1214.729.709.48
Dunedin (excluding suburbs)11.1312.7012.9811.9311.35

Omitting the deaths of infants under one year, and calculating the rate on the population of one year of age and upwards, a decrease on the previous year is shown at Auckland and Christchurch.

The average rate of five years is also given:—

 Deaths per 1,000 of Population, excluding Infants under One Year of Age.
 1908.1909.Average of Five Years.
Auckland (excluding suburbs)10.119.309.84
Wellington (excluding suburbs)7.107.297.66
Christchurch (excluding suburbs)8.107.958.99
Dunedin (excluding suburbs)10.1310.4010.33

The percentage of deaths of children under 1 year to births in the four centres excluding suburbs is next shown for the years 1903 and 1909 compared with the average rate for the five years 1905–9.

 Deaths of Children under One Year to every 100 Births.
 1908.1909.Average of Five Years.
Auckland (excluding suburbs)8.627.519.21
Wellington (excluding suburbs)8.248.489.14
Christchurch (excluding suburbs)6.436.178.29
Dunedin (excluding suburbs)8.095.107.59

Vital Statistics of Australasian Capitals, 1908.

The vital statistics of the two chief cities, with their suburbs, of Australasia show that the death-rate in Wellington (N.Z.) for 1908 was lower than that of either of those principal towns for the same year.

Capital Cities (including Suburbs).Estimated Mean Population.Births.Deaths.Excess of Births over Deaths
Total Number.Rate per 1,000 of Population.Total Number.Rate per 1.000 of Population.
Melbourne513,60013,01523.947,48613.775,529
Sydney584,64014,86125.426,03610.328,825
Wellington72,3222,00827.766589.101,350

Orphanhood of Children.

Although this subject is not one of general interest, it may be desirable to summarise two of the tables published in the “Statistics of New Zealand.”

The first table shows, for the five years 1905–9, the total number of men who died at each year of age from twenty upwards; the number of married men stated in the registers as having died (a) childless, (b) leaving children; and the number and ages of the children living at the time of the father's death.

NEW ZEALAND, 1905–9.
Ages of Married Men at Death.Number of Married Men who diedNumber and Ages of Living Issue.
Childless.Leaving Children.Under 55 to 10.10 to 15.15 to 20.21 and over.Not specified.Totals.
20 to 301017426225......11298
30 to 4020571395562221227..881,904
40 to 501919797469189558003302423,991
50 to 002041,4453456481,1281,6003,1954067,322
60 to 651201,002531393777894,0772095,644
65 and upwards8125,319641875481,26825,6351,09328,795

The number and ages of the youngest orphan children left by married men who died during the five years 1905–9 is stated below.

NUMBER AND AGES OF YOUNGEST LIVING CHILDREN LEFT BY MARRIED MEN WHO DIED, 1905–9.
Ages of Married Men at Death.Number of Married Men who died leaving Children.Number and Ages of Youngest Living Children.
Under 5.5 to 10.10 to 15.15 to 20.21 and over.Not specified.
20 to 301741633......8
30 to 40713537116253..32
40 to 50979433241151692461
50 to 601,44523527431929622992
60 to 651,002367416727441635
65 and upwards5,319451042675164,175212

Infantile Mortality.

Subjoined is a classified statement of the deaths of infants under one year during 1909, with the ratio of the deaths in each class to the 1,000 births during the year:—

Year.Sex.Under 1 Month.1 and under 3 Months.3 and under 6 Months.6 and under 12 Months.Total under 12 Months
NUMBEROF DEATHS.      
1909Male469160151172952
Female325125107125682
DEATHSTO THE 1,000 BIRTHS.      
1909Male34.7411.8511.1812.7470.51
Female24.969.608.219.6052.37

Seventy-one out of every thousand of male children born, and fifty-two of every thousand females, are found to have died before attaining the age of one year. The mortality was thus one in fourteen of male children and one in nineteen of females in New Zealand, where conditions are far more favourable to infant life than in Australia, at least as far as relates to the cities.

It will also be seen from the figures that the chances of living during the first year of age are greater for female than for male infants. Thus, during the year 1909 there were—

100 deaths of males to 72 deaths of females under 1 month of age;

100 deaths of males to 81 deaths of females from 1 to 3 months of age;

100 deaths of males to 73 deaths of females from 3 to 6 months of age;

100 deaths of males to 75 deaths of females from 6 to 12 months of age

100 deaths of males to 74 deaths of females under 12 months of ago.

Dealing with the results for ten years, the deaths of infants under one year are in the large proportion of three-fourths of the total deaths under five, as might be expected, the first year being the tenderest period. (See notes to tables.)

DEATHS OF INFANTS UNDER ONE YEAR, AND PROPORTION TO BIRTHS.
Year.Deaths of Infants under 1 Year of Age, (Totals for each Year, and Means of 10 Years.)Total Births registered in each Year, and Mean of 10 Years.Proportion of Deaths of Infants under 1 Year to every 1,000 Births.
Under 1 Month.1 Month and under 3 Months.3 Months and under 6 Months.6 Months and under 12 Months.Total under 12 Months.
19006072882932311,46919,54675.2
19016102722922891,46320,49171.4
19026653443133901,71220,65582.9
19036923463673651,77021,82981.1
19046692603563311,61622,76671.0
19057142852903101,59923,68267.5
19067172472442981,50624,25262.1
19077634465005192,22825,09488.8
19088102423473621,76125,94067.9
19097942852582971,63426,52461.6
Means of ten years7043013263441,67523,08072.6

NOTE—The total number of deaths of infants for the period included in the table is: 16,758.

DEATHS OF CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS AND PROPORTION TO DEATHS AT ALL AGES
Year.Deaths of Children under 5 Years of Age. (Totals for each Year, and Means of 10 Years.)Total Deaths at all Ages for each Year, and Mean of 10 Years.Deaths under 5 Years: Per Cent. of Mortality at all Ages.
Under 1 Year.1 Year and under 2 Years.2 Years and under 3 Years.3 Years and under 4 Years.4 Years and under 5 Years.Total Deaths under 5 Years.
19001,4692059364581,8897,20026.24
19011,4632088568521,8767,63424.57
19021,71230711892612,2908,37527.34
19031,770275126111642,3468,52827.51
19041,6161698363431,9748,08724.41
19051,5991769761461,9798,06124.55
19061,5061778758371,8658,33922.36
19072,22835016594492,88610,06628.67
19081,76123110388452,2289,04324.64
19091,63424211575442,1108,95923.55
Means of ten years1,67523410778502,1448,42925.44

NOTE.—The total number of deaths included in this table of children under 5 years is 21,443.

Although 16,758 infants (under one year) were lost to the Dominion by death during the decade, and, including these, 21,443 children under five, the third table shows more satisfactory results for New Zealand than for New South Wales or Victoria in the matter of the preservation of infant life. Dealing with averages of five years, in New Zealand only 71.5 infants under one year are found to die out of every 1,000 born, against 80 in New South Wales and 83 in Victoria.

Year.Proportion of Deaths of Infants under 1 Year of Age to every 1,000 Births.
New Zealand.New South Wales.Victoria.
190471.082.477.9
190567.580.683.3
190662.174.592.9
190788.888.572.6
190867.975.286.1
Means of five years71.580.282.6

The following table shows the infant mortality in Wellington, Sydney and Melbourne.

Year.Wellington and Suburbs.Sydney and Suburbs.Melbourne and Suburbs.
Total Births.Deaths of Infants under 1 Year.Proportion of Deaths of Infants under 1 Year to 1,000 Births.Total Births.Deaths of Infants under 1 Year.Proportion of Deaths of Infants under 1 Year to 1,000 Births.Total Births.Deaths of Infants under 1 Year.Proportion of Deaths of Infants under 1 Year to 1,000 Births.
19041,47914195.3013,2151,30098.4011,8861,10292.70
19051,71516596.2013,7691,23089.3011,9441,13394.80
19061,75312671.8813,9841,17684.1012,3731,404113.47
19071,893223117.8014,3341,38096.2712,8601,10285.69
19082,00816481.6714,8611,22982.7013,0151,28098.35
Means of five years1,77016492.6614,0331,26390.0012,4161,20496.97

The infantile mortality in 1908 for a number of countries is given by the Registrar-General of England.

DEATHS OF CHILDREN UNDER ONE YEAR TO 1,000 BIRTHS.
Country.Deaths per 1,000 Births.
Chili320
Hungary199
Ceylon183
Jamaica175
Prussia173
Servia153
Italy (1907)155
Japan (1907)151
Belgium (1907)132
Netherlands125
Switzerland (1907)121
England and Wales120
Finland (1907)112
Scotland (1907)110
Denmark (1907)106
Ireland97
Victoria86
Western Australia85
Sweden (1907)77
New South Wales76
Tasmania75
Queensland70
South Australia70
New Zealand68
Norway (1907)67

Here, of European countries, Prussia, which has a birth-rate of 33 to 37 per 1,000 of population, shows an infantile mortality of 173 per 1,000 births; while New Zealand, with a birth-rate of 27 per 1,000 of population, loses only 68 infants per 1,000 births. So that, whatever may be the faults of ignorance or wilfulness in this country, from a statistical point of view it would appear that far better conditions obtain than elsewhere.

The principal causes of mortality in children under one year for New Zealand are given, with the numbers of deaths for five years from such causes. Premature birth stands first in order of importance, diarrhœa and enteritis next, followed by marasmus or debility. Here it is seen how much mortality is attributed to these causes according to the medical certificates.

DEATHS OF CHILDREN UNDER ONE YEAR.—CAUSES, 1905–9.
Causes.Number of Deaths from each Cause.Percentage of Total.
1905.1900.1907.1908.1909.1905.1906.1907.1908.1909.
Whooping-cough21720731280.131.139.291.761.71
Convulsions969084761076.005.983.774.326.55
Bronchitis and pneumonia20717026914816812.9511.2912.088.4010.28
Diarrhœa and enteritis28523255741824917.8215.4025.0023.7415.24
Premature birth36033735938834722.5122.3816.1122.0321.24
Marasmus, &c.25826730326425616.1417.7313.6014.9915.67
Other causes39139344943647924.4526.0920.1524.7629.31
        Totals1,5991,5062,2281,7611,634100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00

Infant-life Protection.

It is unlawful for any person to take charge of an infant under the age of six years, for the purpose of nursing or maintaining it apart from its parents or guardians, for a longer period than seven consecutive days, unless such person is licensed as a foster-parent.

Provision is made by law for the granting and revocation of licenses, and for the method of payment of maintenance-money. No payment is to be made to or received by a foster-parent except in pursuance of an agreement approved by the Secretary to the Education Department, and if default be made in payment under the agreement the amount due, or part thereof, may be paid by the Secretary, and shall be recoverable as a debt due to the Crown. When and so long as any money so recoverable remains unpaid, the Secretary shall have and may exercise the powers of a guardian until the child attains the age of fifteen years. Provision is also made for the inspection of foster-homes, and in case of the removal or death of foster-children. The Act applies to any adopted infant in the same manner and to the same extent as if no such adoption had taken place. The Department of Education is the authority by whom the Act is to be administered.

In a recent report the Registrar-General of England remarked “that a well-devised system of early notification of births, legalised and worked in conjunction with the present registration system on the one hand, and with sanitary administration on the other, might, along with other motive forces, serve as a most effective and lasting barrier with which to stem the tide of infant mortality.” The Notification of Births Act was passed accordingly in England, and the New Zealand Legislature in 1907 introduced provisions for early notification allowing seventy-two hours after birth if in a city or borough, or twenty-one days in any other case.

Causes of Death.

The classification of causes of death was made in 1908 for the first time in New Zealand according to the Bertillon Index of Diseases. This system has been adopted by the Commonwealth of Australia and the principal European and American countries. It is highly desirable for comparative purposes that uniformity of statistical method should obtain when possible.

The new system differs materially from that hitherto in use, and comparisons of certain cause's of mortality prior to 1908 are impossible owing to changes in the classification of minor diseases.

This applies more particularly to diseases of the digestive, nervous, respiratory, and circulatory systems. There are, however, certain principal causes of deaths which are unaffected and retain their comparative value, such as cancer, tubercular diseases, typhoid fever, whooping-cough, measles, influenza, scarlet fever, diabetes, appendicitis, liver and puerperal diseases, suicide, and old age.

A comparison of the causes of deaths in 1908 and 1909 arranged according to an abridged classification, the percentage of each group to the total deaths, and the proportion per 10,000 persons living, is given in the following table:—

Class.Number of Deaths.Proportion to Total Deaths.Proportion per 10,000 living.
1908.1909.1908.1909.1908.1909.
 Total.Total.Per Cent.Per Cent.  
I. General diseases2,2062,18724.4024.4123.3422.50
II. Diseases of the nervous system and of the organs of special sense93092010.2810.279.849.47
III. Diseases of the circulatory system1,2511,36913.8315.2813.2414.09
IV. Diseases of the respiratory system8307849.188.758.788.07
V. Diseases of the digestive system1,04284311.529.4111.038.67
VI. Diseases of the genito-urinary system and adnexa3874074.284.544.094.19
VII. Puerperal condition1191351.321.511.261.39
VIII. Diseases of the skin and of the cellular tissue37500.410.560.390.51
IX. Diseases of the organs of locomotion38250.420.280.400.26
X. Malformations47640.520.710.500.66
XI. Infancy7166767.927.557.586.96
XII. Old-age5865566.486.216.205.72
XIII. Violence6737787.448.687.128.00
XIV. Ill-defined causes1811652.001.841.911.70
                Totals9,0438,959100.00100.0095.6892.19

The next table shows the number of deaths from each principal cause for the five years 1905–9, and the proportion per 10,000 of the population.

Cause.Number of Deaths.Proportion per 10,000 of Mean Population.
1905.1906.1907.1908.1909.1905.1906.1907.1908.1909.
Typhoid fever45485390550.520.540.580.950.57
Measles8121011926:0.090.131.100.200.27
Scarlet fever10182560260.110.200.270.630.27
Whooping-cough32630742410.030.293.340.440.42
Influenza7013222364470.801.472.430.680.48
Tuberculosis of the lungs4965566126075385.706.216.666.426.05
Other forms of tuberculosis1821642442322122.101.832.652.452.18
Cancer5666236746577116.516.967.336.957.32
Diabetes79104871001040.911.100.951.061.07
Simple meningitis1191381301361311.371.541.411.441.35
Convulsions of children under 5 years of age116106104961311.331.181.131.021.35
Apoplexy2992723303413163.443.043.593.613.25
Pneumonia4254445724534584.894.966.224.804.71
Gastritis and enteritis3793355184783624.363.745.645.063.73
Diarrhœal diseases128973141981021.471.083.422.201.05
Cirrhosis of liver40444252470.460.490.460.550.48
Appendicitis53698681660.610.770.930.860.68
Bright's disease and acute nephritis2422412682632612.792.692.922.782.69
Violence, suicide89831021031181.020.931.111.091.21
Violence, accident5255756115706606.036.426.656.036.79
Other causes4,1874,2524,6634,4014,497     
            Totals8,0618,33910,0669,0438,95992.6693.11109.5295.6992.19

For purposes of comparison with previous years it is necessary to confine attention to certain special causes of death. Diseases of the circulatory system, though numerous, are avoided, owing to the fact that in former years it has been the practice, when the cause of death was certified as heart disease with another possibly fatal complaint the latter has been preferred. Under the new system the reverse is the case. The number of deaths occurring from bronchitis is similarly affected. Hydatids, formerly grouped under the heading “Parasitic,” are now assigned to the location of the disease. These and many other changes in the classification must be borne in mind when comparisons with former years are sought.

Typhoid Fever.—Deaths from this cause numbered 55 in 1909, against 90 in the previous year, the average for five years being 58.

Measles.—There was an outbreak of this complaint in 1907, causing 101 deaths. In 1909 only 26 deaths were recorded.

Scarlet Fever.—The number of deaths from scarlet fever in 1909 was 26. The average annual mortality for the ten years 1900–9 was 35.

Whooping-cough.—There were 41 deaths in 1909, 12 in 1908, 307 in 1907, and 26 in 1906.

Influenza.—This was less prevalent in 1909 than in any other year of the period shown, only 47 deaths being recorded.

Tuberculosis.—Deaths from phthisis numbered 588 or 6.05 per 10,000 of the population, against 607 deaths or 6.42 per 10,000 in 1908, and 612 deaths or 6.66 per 10,000 in 1907. The average for the past ten years was 582, or 6.8 per 10,000.

Year.Deaths from Phthisis.Rate per 10,000.
19005777.56
19015967.66
19026177.73
19035706.95
19045987.08
19054965.70
19065566.21
19076126.66
19086076.42
19095836.05

Reference to the following table will show that 340 persons known to have been born in the Dominion died during 1909 from phthisis, a proportion of 5.58 per 10,000 of the estimated native-born white population, and 163 persons resident for fifteen years or over succumbed to the disease.

DEATHS FROM PHTHISIS, 1909.
Length of Residence in the Dominion.Age at Death.
Under 5 Years.5 to 1010 to 15.15 to 25.25 to 35.35 to 45.45 to 55.55 to 65.65 to 75.75 and upwards.Total.
                    MALES.           
Under 1 month............2...............2
1 to 6 months.........1311.........6
6 to 12 months.........111............3
1 to 2 years.........241...1......8
2 to 3 years............221.........5
3 to 4 years.........171............9
4 to 5 years.........13...............4
5 to 10 years............8221......13
10 to 15 years.........1531.........10
15 to 20 years...............321......6
20 to 25 years.........123...1......7
25 years, and upwards............48161512459
Not known............66482...26
Born in Dominion42...496134822...162
              Totals42...57108653529164320
                    FEMALES.           
Under 1 month.................................
1 to 6 months...............2............2
6 to 12 months............1...............1
1 to 2 years............1...............1
2 to 3 years.................................
3 to 4 years............1...............1
4 to 5 years.........1...2............3
5 to 10 years............441.........9
10 to 15 years......1222...1......8
15 to 20 years.........3..................3
20 to 25 years............213.........6
25 years and upwards............671199...42
Not known.........341213...14
Born in Dominion117487638421...178
        Totals118579757211313...268
        Totals of both sexes5381142051225642294588

Phthisis is now known to be and is treated as an infectious preventable disease caused by the Bacillus tuberculosus, which is communicable in many ways. Certain constitutions are far more predisposed than others to receive this bacillus, especially under conditions of life unfavourable to robust health, when a nidus is formed for the development of the bacillus. The Government has established a sanatorium for consumptives at Cambridge, in the Waikato, and further institutions are contemplated. There are sanatoria for the treatment of this disease in connection with some of the public hospitals.

The mortality from all forms of tuberculosis for the past ten years has ranged from 7.79 to 10.05 per 10,000 of the population, and the percentage of total deaths from all causes has fluctuated during the same period between 8.41 and 10.44.

DEATHS AND DEATH RATES FROM TUBERCULOSIS AND PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL DEATHS, 1900–9.
Year.Mean Population.Number of Deaths from Tubercular Diseases.Rate per 10,000.Percentage of Total Deaths from all Causes.
1900763,5947529.8510.44
1901777,9687759.9610.15
1902797,79380210.059.58
1903820,2177699.389.02
1904845,0227999.469.88
1905370,0006787.798.41
1906895,5947208.048.63
1907919,1058569.318.50
1908945,0638398.879.28
1909971,7848008.238.93
AGES OF PERSONS WHO DIED FROM TUBERCULAR DISEASES, 1909.
Ages.Male.Female.Total.
Under 5 years403171
  5 years and under 10101121
10 years and under 1551116
15 years and under 20303262
20 years and under 25484593
25 years and under 305865123
30 years and under 356348111
35 years and under 40443781
40 years and under 45362965
45 years and under 50191635
50 years and under 55241034
55 years and under 6025631
60 years and under 659817
65 years and under 70151025
70 years and under 75549
75 years and under 80415
80 upwards1..1
            Total deaths436364800

In comparison with England and Wales and the States of the Australian Commonwealth the deaths from tuberculosis per 1,000 of the population was lower in Queensland and New South Wales than in New Zealand.

DEATH-RATES FROM TUBERCULOSIS AND PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL DEATHS, 1908.
 Death-rates (per 1,000) from Tuberculosis.Percentage of Total Deaths.
England and Wales1.5810.80
New South Wales0.317.96
Victoria1.149.15
Queensland0.737.02
South Australia1.0610.80
Western Australia0.958.75
Tasmania0.968.17
New Zealand0.899.28

Cancer.—There were 711 deaths assigned to this cause in 1909, a proportion of 7.32 per 10,000 persons, the average number and rate for the five years 1905–9 being 646 and 701 respectively. Deaths of males numbered 383 and of females 328. The death-rate from cancer is not so great as that from tubercular diseases, but its increasing tendency is a matter of grave concern.

NUMBER OF PERSONS WHO DIED FROM CANCER, THE PROPORTION PER 10,000 PERSONS LIVING, AND THE PERCENTAGE OF ALL DEATHS.
Year.Deaths from Cancer.Total Deaths, all Causes.Deaths from Cancer per 10,000 of Living Persons.Percentage of Total Deaths clue to Cancer.
19004307,2005.635.97
19015157,6346.626.75
19025368,3756.726.40
19035828,5287.106.82
19045718,0876.767.06
19055668,0616.517.02
19066238,3396.967.47
190767410,0667.336.70
19086579,0436.957.27
19097118,9597.327.94

The part of the body mostly affected among males is the stomach, and among females the generative and mammary organs.

CANCER: SEATOF DISEASE.
Seat of Disease.Males.Females.Total.
Mouth, lip, tongue, throat, neck811899
Stomach11038148
Intestines, rectum9067157
Kidneys, bladder, urethra, &c.23326
Liver454590
Female genital organs..7272
Breast..4646
Other organs343973
                Totals383328711

Ninety-five per cent. of the deaths were at the ages 35 years and upwards, and 57 per cent. at the ages 60 years and upwards.

AGESOF PERSONSWHODIEDFROM CANCER, 1909.
Ages.Males.Females.Total.
Under 5 years314
  5 years and under 10112
10 years and under 151..1
15 years and under 201..1
20 years and under 25224
25 years and under 30257
30 years and under 354913
35 years and under 4052227
40 years and under 4562733
45 years and under 50232952
50 years and under 55424082
55 years and under 60443478
60 years and under 65523587
65 years and under 706649115
70 years and under 757237109
75 years and under 80452570
80 years and upwards141226
            Totals383328711

The proportion of deaths from cancer to the 1,000 persons living in some of the principal European countries as shown below leads to the conclusion that there is a general tendency to increase.

CANCER DEATH-RATESPER 1,000 LIVINGINSOME PRINCIPAL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.
Country.Average 1901–5.Years.
1906.1907.1908.
Switzerland1.801.321.25 
The Netherlands0.971.011.021.03
England and Wales0.860.920.910.92
Scotland0.840.940.96 
Victoria0.740.750.800.79
Ireland0.690.790.760.76
New Zealand0.670.700.730.70
South Australia0.670.740.700.68
Prussia0.650.700.730.74
New South Wales0.640.680.700.67
Queensland0.570.550.650.51
Tasmania0.560.520.630.67
Italy0.550.620.610.64
Spain0.440.480.470.50
Western Australia0.450.590.500.52
Hungary0.390.400.420.43

Diabetes.—There were 101 deaths in 1909, a rate of 1.07 per 10,000, the average for the last live years being 95 and 1.03 respectively.

Simple Meningitis.—This disease caused 131 deaths in 1909, equal to the average of the past five years.

Convulsions of Children.—It would appear that the mortality from this cause shows a decreasing tendency, although the rate, measured by the total population, was exceptionally high in 1909. The proportion of deaths per 10,000 children living under 5 years of age was 11.52 in 1905 and 11.65 in 1909.

Apoplexy.—The average number of deaths from this cause during the past five years was 312, and the rate per 10,000, 3.39. Last year the number of deaths was 316, and the rate 325 per 10,000.

Pneumonia.—There were 458 deaths in 1909, against 453 in 1908, and 425 in 1905. Excepting occasional fluctuations due to exceptional climatic conditions, the rate per 10,000 remains fairly constant at about 4.9.

Gastritis and Enteritis and Diarrhæal Diseases.—Although shown separately in the table, it may be advisable to consider these causes together. The number of deaths recorded in 1909 was 464, a rate of 4.78 per 10,000, as compared with an average of 582 and 6.35 respectively for the past five years.

Cirrhosis of Liver.—There were 47 deaths in 1909, as compared with an average of 45 for the five years 1905–9.

Appendicitis.—There were 66 deaths ascribed to this cause in 1909, the average number for five years being 71.

Bright's Disease and Nephritis.—Of the 261 deaths last year 209 were certified as Bright's disease and 52 as acute nephritis. The rate per 10,000 living for 1909 was 269. against an average of 2.77 for the last five years.

Puerperal Diseases.—In 1909 the deaths certified to these causes numbered 135. Included in the number were: Accidents of pregnancy, 31; puerperal septicæmia, 33; other accidents of childbirth, 71. The number of deaths to every 1,000 confinements for each of ten years is shown.

Year.Deaths of Mothers to every 1,000 Confinements.
19003.84
19014.39
19025.33
19035.86
19044.66
19054.22
19063.91
19074.62
19084.64
19095.14

Violence.—The deaths from external violence, apart from suicide. numbered 660 in 1909—males 528, females 132. The rate per 10,000 living was 603 in 1905, 6–42 in 1906, 6–65 in 1907, 6–03 in 1908, and 6–79 in 1909. Drowning caused 35 per cent, of the total, and 36 per cent, of the male deaths by accident. The various forms of accidental deaths in 1909 are shown in the following table:—

Accidental Deaths, 1909.

Cause of Death.Males.Females.Total.
Fractures25833
Shooting19120
Other, accidental injuries20815223
Burns, scalds302555
Insolation112
Electric shock1..1
Accidental drowning18945234
Inanition112
Inhalation of noxious gases14317
Other accidental poisoning101020
Other external violence302353
            Total deaths528132660

Suicide.—The suicidal deaths in 1909 were 118—males 96 and females 22. The rate per 10,000 living was 1.21 in 1909, against an average of 1.07 for the past five years. The means most frequently resorted to by males was shooting, and by females, poison and drowning. The following table shows the means of self-destruction employed:—

SUICIDES, 1909.
Mode of Death.Males.Females.Total.
Poison12618
Hanging or strangulation10414
Drowning19827
Firearms33836
Cutting-instruments18119
Other modes4..4
                Total suicides9622118

Vaccination.

The vaccinations registered for the ten years ending 1908 are shown hereunder. This is the latest information available, no accurate record of the operations in 1909 having been kept by the public health authorities.

Year.Total Vaccinations registered of Children under 14 Years of Age.Vaccinations of Children under 1 Year of Age.Number of Births registered.Proportion of Successful Vaccinations of Children under 1 Year of Age to Total Births. Per Cent.
19083,3461,24925,9404.82
19075,3281,96125,0947.81
19063,6021,81024,2527.46
19053,8182,07923,6828.78
190418,3682,32322,76610.20
190311,6835,56621,82925.50
19028,7632,61120,65512.64
19013,7681,98420,4919.68
19004,5253,15119,54616.12
18995,1333,37918,83517.94

The number of successful vaccinations of children registered in 1908 was 3,346, against 5,328 in 1907. The fall prior to 1902 was consequent on the alteration of the law relating to vaccination in England, and subsequently in this Dominion, while the increase shown for the three years 1902–4 was no doubt due to a slight visitation of small-pox from abroad, which caused one death in 1903.

Five children out of every hundred burn in 1908 are shown to have been successfully vaccinated in that year. The last three years show a position even lower than that which obtained in 1901 as regards vaccination of infants. The procedure under the new law as to vaccination is similar to that previously in force. The Registrar issues a notice when a birth is registered, with forms for certificate as to the result of vaccination attached. Vaccination is still compulsory, if exemption is not secured in four months from date of birth. But everything is now subject to the provisions of the “exemption clause,” which is the main feature, and governs the rest. Any parent or custodian who has conscientious objections—believing that vaccination would be injurious to the child's health—can apply for a certificate of exemption to a Magistrate or Registrar of Births; and, when the child's parent or guardian is resident outside of a borough, the application may be made to and certificate granted by a Justice of the Peace.

Twenty-two thousand nine hundred and five exemption certificates were issued from the 13th October, 1900, to the end of the year 1908. Of these 3,807 belong to the year 1908, when, as before stated, the successful vaccination of children under one year of age amounted to 1,249, or 4.82 per cent. of births.

When no exemption certificate is obtained, the law now allows to the parent twelve months instead of six from date of birth in which to vaccinate, and a similar period from date of taking charge of child in case of a custodian. There are penalties for not vaccinating, as before. One conviction for neglecting to vaccinate a child removes liability until the child is four years of age.

The figures given above do not include Maoris vaccinated, nor vaccinations of adult persons other than Natives.

Hospitals and Charitable Institutions.

Administration.

Prior to the abolition of provinces the hospitals of the Dominion were supported mainly out of provincial revenues. After that event the expenditure for hospitals was for the most part charged against the revenue of counties and municipal corporations, until October, 1885, when “The Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1885” (re-enacted in 1908), came into force.

Under this Act that portion of New Zealand included within the three principal islands—the North, South, and Stewart Islands—was divided into thirty-six hospital districts, each consisting of one or more counties with the interior boroughs and certain town districts having a population of five hundred or more, presided over by thirteen Hospital Boards, twenty-three combined Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards, and six Charitable Aid Boards.

“The Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1909,” is described in the preamble as “An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to public hospitals and charitable institutions, the distribution of charitable aid, and the establishment of private hospitals.” All previous enactments relating to these matters are repealed.

The main provisions of the Act are thus briefly described: The distinction between Hospital Boards and Charitable Aid Boards has been abolished, and every Board now possesses the double function of maintaining hospitals and administering charitable relief. The Board consists of representatives of the various contributory local districts, counties, boroughs, town districts, and in some instances road districts, as the case may be, lying within the hospital district.

Representation on the Board is proportionate to the population and the value of the rateable property in the contributory district, the total number of members of any Board not to be less than eight or more than twenty. The representatives are elected by the electors of the local authority of the contributory district, casual vacancies being tilled by nomination by the local authority itself. Small contributory districts may be combined, and return a representative in common. The representatives of each contributory district retire at every general election of the local authority of that district, and their places are filled by an election held at the same time as that general election. This arrangement preserves the continuity of the Boards by securing the retirement of groups of members at different times, and also avoids the expense of a separate and special election. All property in connection with the purposes of the Act, including hospitals for infectious diseases, is vested in the Boards, excepting that belonging to certain hospitals, four in number, and six charitable institutions, which are specifically exempted on the ground that they are self-supporting so far as the local authorities are concerned.

The revenues of the Boards accrue from the following sources:—

  1. Bents and profits of land and endowments.

  2. Voluntary contributions and bequests.

  3. Contribution from local authorities.

  4. Subsidies from the Consolidated Fund as follows:—

    1. Ten shillings in the pound on all devises or bequests, provided the subsidy shall not exceed £500 in respect of the estate of any single testator.

    2. Twenty-four shillings in the pound on voluntary contributions other than bequests.

    3. Pound for pound on contributions by local authorities in respect of capital expenditure, and in respect of other expenditure on a sliding scale, the amounts ranging from 12s. 3d. in the pound when the capital rateable value of property in the district exceeds £450 per head of the population, and the rate of levy per head is not under 4s., to 24s. 3d. when the value per head is less then £100 and the levy per head less than 2s.

The amount to be contributed by the local authorities is determined by estimating the expenditure for the ensuing year, including any deficiency brought forward, and deducting from the amount so ascertained the probable revenue from all sources excepting contributions from local authorities; the balance must be provided by the contributory bodies either out of their ordinary revenues or by special rates. Should any body fail to pay the required contribution, the amount due may be deducted from any subsidy or grant payable by the Government to the said local authority. The revenues of the Boards are thus secured absolutely.

When funds are required for the purpose of acquiring land as a site for any building, or for erecting, adding to, or altering any building, the contributory authority may raise the amount required by way of loan from the Government Advances Board, repaying the loan by instalments.

Provision is made by which the contributory authorities may demand an inquiry if they consider the proposed expenditure is unnecessary or extravagant, and if such contention is upheld an amended estimate and fresh apportionment must be made.

The Inspector-General of Hospitals has the general administration of the Act under the direction of the Minister of Public Health, and is intrusted with authority to inspect institutions within the meaning of the Act at any time he may think fit. If a Board fails or refuses to perform any duty imposed by the Act, the Inspector-General may by direction of the Minister take the matter in hand and remedy it, charging the Board with any expense incurred in so doing.

The Dominion is divided into thirty-six hospital and charitable aid districts, each containing one or more local districts—i.e., boroughs or counties, with any subdivision of the latter.

Public Hospitals.

Information relating to the public hospitals in the Dominion for the year ended 31st March, 1910, compared with the previous corresponding period is given in the following table:—

 1908–9.1909–10.Increase.
Number of institutions54562
Stipendiary medical staff73807
Nursing staff—   
    Trained nurses18521025
    Probationers43645216
Domestic staff41543722
Number of beds2,5022,689187

It is provided by the Act that, except in case of emergency, the hours of employment of nurses, probationers, and dressers in any hospital shall not exceed fifty-six in any one week.

The number of patients under treatment, the number who died, the percentage of deaths, and the average number of patients per diem for each of two years is shown below.

 Year ended 1909.31st March, 1910.
Number of patients under treatment19,65321,108
Number who died during the year1,5711,685
Percentage of deaths of patients treated7.997.75
Average number of patients per diem1,5661,710

Outdoor relief was also given in 1908–9 to 12,790 persons, and in 1909–10 to 13,745 persons; but in some cases the records are not complete, so that the figures do not represent the full number of such patients.

The amounts received on account of and the amounts expended in maintaining the various hospitals for the two years ending 31st March, 1909 and 1910, were—

 Year ended 1909.31st March, 1910.
 ££
Revenue—  
        Government contributions100,25589,007
        Contributions by local authorities73,71482,094
        Voluntary contributions17,11020,752
        Payments by patients32,38237,541
        Other receipts24,32114,494
 247,782243,888
Expenditure—  
        Maintenance and administration170,812171,450
        New buildings and additions55,83761,870
        Other expenses10,1544,268
 236,803237,588

The amounts contributed by the General Government and local authorities represent 3s. 8d. per head of the population in 1908–9 and 3s 6¾d. per head in 1909–10.

Private Hospitals.

The Private Hospitals Act, which came into force on the 1st January, 1907, is now superseded by “The Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1909,” which provides for the licensing, management, and inspection of private hospitals. All such institutions must be licensed, and every application for a license must be accompanied by a statement giving full description of the house proposed to be used, number of patients, and class of cases proposed to be received. The licensee shall state whether it is in respect of a lying-in private hospital or a surgical and medical private hospital, or if for both classes of cases, and no private hospital shall be used for any purpose other than that in respect of which the license is granted and purposes reasonably incidental thereto.

For every private hospital there must be a resident manager, either the licensee or some person appointed by the licensee, and in every case the manager must be a legally qualified medical practitioner or a registered nurse in the case of a surgical and medical hospital, or a registered midwife in the case of a lying-in hospital, or a registered nurse and midwife, or a registered nurse having as resident assistant a registered midwife in the case of a hospital licensed for both purposes. No license shall be granted in respect of a house not previously licensed until such house and annexed buildings have been approved by the Inspector-General of Hospitals, and no addition shall be made to any private hospital until it has been so approved. No license shall be granted until the character and fitness of the applicant have been proved satisfactory, and the license must be renewed on the 1st January of each year.

In every private hospital there must be kept a register of patients showing particulars as to name, age, abode, and date of reception of each patient, date when such patient left, or in the event of death the date thereof, name of medical practitioner attending, and such other details as may be prescribed. Inquiry may be made at any time as to the management and conduct of any such private hospital, and if such inquiry prove unsatisfactory the license may be revoked, and no new license shall be granted to the person whose license is so revoked, for a period of five years.

Provision is made for the visitation and inspection of private hospitals in the same manner as for public institutions of the like nature.

The Governor may from time to time make such regulations as are necessary for carrying the. Act into effect, and substantial penalties are provided for breaches of its provisions.

Mental Hospitals.

There are seven public mental hospitals in the Dominion, maintained wholly or in part out of the public revenue. There is also one private hospital, licensed by the Governor for the reception of the mentally afflicted.

The number of patients under treatment at the end of 1909 was 3,549, consisting of 2,083 males and 1,466 females. These numbers include Maoris, of whom there were 24 males and 14 female patients. Excluding the Native race the number of first admissions and rate per 10,000 of population for each of the past five years was as follows:—

FIRST ADMISSIONSAND RATEPER 10,000 OF POPULATION, 1905–9.
Year.Number of First Admissions.Proportion per 10,000 of Population.
Males.Females.Total.Males.Females.Total.
19052961984946.434.845.68
19063232065296.814.895.91
19072851844695.854.265.10
19083542455997.065.526.34
19093432235666.664.805.82
Means of five years3202115316.564.885.75

The Inspector-General of Mental Hospitals, in a recent report, points out that one of the probable causes tending to increase the number of admissions is the recognition that these institutions are not places for mere segregation, but for the active treatment of persons of unsound mind, thus a greater number of persons in the earlier and more hopeful stages of their malady are received. The number of patients remaining at the close of each of the past five years, and the proportion per 10,000 of the population, excluding Maoris, is shown in the following table:—

NUMBERREMAINING, 1905–9.
Year.Number remaining at Close of Year.Proportion per 10,000 of Population.
Males.Females.Total.Males.Females.Total.
19051,8171,2613,07838.8830.3834.88
19061,8791,2933,17239.0130.2834.91
19071,8851,3193,20438.2630.1934.47
19081,9691,4063,37538.5831.2235.13
19092,0591,4523,51139.5631.3935.72
Means of five years1,9221,3463,26838.8630.6935.02

The number of Maoris admitted as patients to the mental hospitals is small. These and the number remaining at the close of each of the past five years are shown below:—

MAORISADMITTEDANDREMAINING, 1905–9.
Year.Admitted.Remaining at Close of Year.
Males.Females.Males.Females.
19051041915
1906622113
1907422412
1908742811
1909942414

The Maori population can be ascertained only once in five years, when a census is taken. Applying the number at the last census to the means of the above five years, it is found that the ratio of admissions is 218 per 10,000 of the Maori population, and of those remaining 7.58 per 10,000.

Dealing with patients of all races, the next table gives the average number resident, those who were discharged as recovered, and those who died, during the period 1905–9:—

Year.Average Number Resident.Discharged as recovered.Died.
Number.Per Cent. of Average Number Resident.Number.Per Cent. of Average Number Resident.
19053,0282708.922147.07
19063,0882839.162317.48
19073,1362999.542327.39
19083,24032610.062226.85
19093,37434910.342046.05
Means for five years3,1733059.602216.97

The system of caring for and treating the insane is practically the same in New Zealand as in New South Wales, so that the following comparisons may be made, remarking that in the latter State sunstroke is a frequent cause of admission. The figures are for the year 1908:—

 New South Wales.New Zealand.
Number of admissions969733
Proportion per 1,000 of population0.600.78
Number discharged as recovered or relieved467348
Proportion per cent. of average number resident8.7110.74
Number who died402222
Proportion per cent. of average number resident7.506.85

Although the proportion of admissions to population is higher in New Zealand than in New South Wales, the proportion discharged is also greater and the death-rate is lower, seeming to indicate, at any rate on the results of the year, that a greater number of patients in the earlier stages of or suffering from milder forms of mental disease are admitted to the hospitals in the Dominion than to those in New South Wales.

The total expenditure on maintenance of mental hospitals (not including the cost of new buildings and additions), receipts from patients and for sale of produce, &c., and the average net cost per annum for each patient during the past five years, was as follows:—

Year.Total Expenditure.Receipts from Patients, Sale of Produce, &c.Net Expenditure.Average Net Expenditure per Patient.
 ££££s.d.
1905104,74821,49183,25727182
1906107,16926,39680,77326106
1907109,59030,34979,241251110
1908116,47431,66684,80826108
1909118,37735,08983,2882504

The total expenditure out of the Public Works Fund for buildings and equipment from 1st July, 1877, to 31st March, 1910, was £584,926.

A license, renewable every twelve months, may be granted to enable a private mental hospital to receive patients for treatment. Stringent conditions are attached to the issue of such licenses, which may be revoked after seven days' notice. The Inspector-General has wide powers in the regulation and control of private institutions, which are placed practically on the some footing as public mental hospitals in regard to inspection and other matters. There is only one licensed private institution in the Dominion, that at Wakari, established in 1882. Particulars of admissions, discharges, deaths, and patients remaining, for the last five years are as follows. These figures are included in the tables given above:—

PRIVATE MENTAL HOSPITAL (included above).
Year.Admissions.Discharges.Deaths.Patients remaining at End of Year.
19051717..44
19062118542
19071914344
1908129..47
19091821..44

The amount of sleeping-accommodation provided in each of the public mental hospitals is shown in tabular form, giving separately the number and cubic contents of the sleeping-rooms intended for one person only, and of the dormitories occupied by several inmates conjointly, together with the number of patients actually in the hospitals on the 31st December, 1909:—

Sleeping-rooms for One Person only.Dormitories for more than One Person.
Number.Aggregate Number of Cubic Feet.Inmates (Patients) on 31st December, 1909.Number.Aggregate Number of Cubic Feet.Inmates (Patients) on 31st December, 1909.
Auckland127114,02412733319,269620
Wellington6250,624621484,234148
Porirua6964,6986918355,528626
Nelson3025,3413016105,081172
Hokitika3728,5593711112,199158
Christchurch8169,6518138266,200546
Seacliff226178,90422661354,524603
            Totals632531,8016321941,597,0352,873

At Ashburn Hall, Wakari, there are seventy-eight rooms, each for one person only, with an aggregate cubic content of 77,461 ft.

Charitable Institutions.

As previously remarked, State charitable institutions are administered by combined Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards, who also distribute outdoor relief. There are six separate institutions having legal recognition, including the Salvation Army, which receive Government grants. Most of the aged needy are provided with old-age pensions of £26 per annum, but many of these old people prefer to enter a public home, where they are better cared for and at less cost than could be possible with individuals. In these cases the pension is received by the officers of the Board, as payment for the maintenance of the pensioner, but a proportion is handed over to the latter to be expended as he or she may choose.

Where public and private charitable organizations operate side by side independently of each other there is sure to be an overlapping in the collection of funds and the distribution of relief. The Inspector-General of Charitable Institutions has taken steps to endeavour to secure co-operation between public and private charities, in order to avoid any duplication in future. The following table shows the receipts and expenditure of Charitable Aid Boards and Separate Benevolent Institutions for the years ended 31st March, 1909 and 1910. Private charities are not included.

                Receipts.1908–9.1909–10.
 ££
From Government49,41351,950
From Local authorities40,77442,290
Voluntary contributions3,52010,184
Payments on account of persons relieved14,63415,050
From other sources10,2365,470
                Totals118,577124,944
                Expenditure.  
On Indoor relief54,84054,004
On New buildings and additions13,17210,506
On Outdoor relief37,53839,260
On Administration6,6716,890
Other expenses5972,320
            Totals112,818112,980

Of the payments on account of persons relieved £11,015 was received from old-age pensioners after allowing for the refunds mentioned above. The amount expended during each of the past ten financial years and the cost per head of population is next shown.

Year.Total ExpenditureExpenditure per Head of Population.
 £s.d.
1900–179,8732
1901–288,8492
1902–393,1582
1903–489,23222
1904–593,3392
1905–6103,27324
1906–7102,8662
1907–8104,4172
1908–9112,8182
1909–10112,98024

Capital expenditure is included, and this, being variable, would cause some fluctuation in the rate per head of population.

Auckland Sailors' Home.

There is a Sailors' Home at Auckland for the use of seafaring men resident in or visiting the town. The late Edmund Costley having left a large sum for charitable purposes, it was resolved to employ the bequest in building and endowing an institution where sailors might be received without distinction of race or religious belief, and board, lodging, and refreshments provided for them, together with such instruction and amusements as might tend to promote their social comfort and general welfare.

The Home, built in 1887, has room for thirty-five inmates, who are charged 15s. a week for board and lodging. It is managed by a council of eight members elected by the subscribers to the institution. The late Primate of New Zealand, who first originated the scheme, was Life President.

Orphan Asylums.

There were in 1909 four orphan asylums in the Dominion, one maintained by a District Hospital Board, one by the Church of England authorities, and two by clergy of the Roman Catholic Church; three of them receiving, at the charge of the State, orphan, destitute, and other children committed to them by a Stipendiary Magistrate.

Exclusive of the children so committed, 15 male and 50 female orphans were received during the year 1909, and 56 male and 91 female orphans remained as inmates at the end of the year.

Orphanages receiving committed children are, for that purpose, constituted “industrial schools.”

Sale of Food and Drugs.

In order to make better provision for the sale of food and drugs in a pure state, the Sale of Food and Drugs Act was passed by the Legislature, and came into operation on the 1st January, 1908.

The Act is administered by the officers of the Public Health Department, and provides for the analysis, by public analysts, of any article of food or drink, or of any drug, which may be soly, offered for sale, or exposed for sale, and for the inspection of and place where there is any food or drug intended for sale. If any such article be proved to be unfit for human consumption, or likely to cause injury to health if consumed, heavy penalties may be inflicted on the person or persons responsible.

Stringent measures are provided for the prevention of adulteration of food, drink, or drugs, and for the inspection of places where such things are manufactured or packed. The selling of light-weight bread is an offence under the Act, as is also the taking-back of bread after it has been in the possession of the purchaser for more than an hour.

Any person may, on payment of the prescribed fee, together with the cost or the sample, require any authorised officer to purchase a sample of any food or drug and submit the same for analysis.

Regulations under the Act were published in the New Zealand Gazette on the 20th February, 1908.

Chapter 33. SECTION VIII.—LAW AND CRIME.

Civil Cases.

THE number of actions commenced, cases tried, judgments entered, and the amount for which judgments were recorded in the Supreme and District Courts during the ten years 1900–9 was as follows:—

Supreme and District Courts: Civil, Jurisdiction.
Year.Number of Actions commenced.Cases tried.Judgments recorded.
With Jury.Without Jury.Number.Amount.
     £
10004695311216332,726
10015674010217046,900
19025796013918424,845
19035954918713832,146
19046346318514948,771
19056546222115550,031
19065997324018944,955
19077035719717747,872
19088497024322573,687
19098706722226791,638

It would appear that the greater number of cases are settled out of Court, the actions tried representing an average of only 37 per cent. of those commenced.

The ordinary civil jurisdiction of Magistrates' Courts is limited generally to claims not exceeding £100, but extended jurisdiction is exercised by some Magistrates, the limit being £200. Justices of the Peace may hear and decide civil cases when the sum in dispute does not exceed £20. The number of plaints issued, cases tried, amount sued for, and amount for which judgment was recorded in those Courts during the ten years 1900–9 is shown in the following table:—

Year.Plaints entered.Cases tried.Amounts sued forA mounts for which Judgment entered.
   ££
190028,38919,816286,719167,224
190130,30219,136315,528175,604
190228,14017,027320,719159,133
190328,74416,571285,793157,766
190434,23019,569335,147179,829
190537,15720,161379,941202,923
190640,54023,381419,198236,643
190742,56124,435429,379232,306
190842,87727,578529,271232,932
190952,45629,782597,831326,040

These figures show a marked increase in both the number of litigants and the amount sued for. It would appear that the practice of using the Courts as media for the collection of small debts is growing. In 1908 the civil cases brought before County Courts and Courts of Petty Sessions in Victoria numbered 32,726, the total amount sued for being £384,197. The limit of jurisdiction is £500 in the former and £50 in the latter Courts.

Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal is composed of any two or more Judges of the Supreme Court, “with the Chief Justice or, in his absence, the senior Judge presiding. The decision of the Court must be in accordance with the opinion of a majority of the Judges present. Certain proceedings may by order of the Supreme Court be removed to the Court of Appeal. The decision of the Court of Appeal is final as regards the tribunals of New Zealand, but the Court may, in civil proceedings, give leave to either party to appeal to the Privy Council. In criminal cases any party aggrieved by the judgment of the Supreme Court or any conviction or order removed into such Court, or on appeal against any such order, may appeal to the Court of Appeal. The number of cases brought before this Court and the judgments thereon for the past five years will be seen in the following table:—

Year.Crown Criminal Cases.Civil
Number.Convictions affirmed.Appeals.Cases removed.
Number.Allowed.Number.Judgments for Plaintiffs.Judgments for Defendants.
1905521331072
1906422610651
190766167752
1908951561384
1909741671596

Two civil cases removed to the Court, one in 1905 and one in 1908, were not proceeded with.

Bankruptcy.

Under “The Bankruptcy Act, 1908"—a consolidation of the then existing laws—a person may seek the protection of the Bankruptcy Court by filing a petition with a declaration of insolvency, or one or more creditors may petition the Court to have a debtor declared insolvent. The Dominion is divided into four districts for administrative purposes, each district being in charge of a Government officer styled the Official Assignee, who is assisted by deputies stationed at the principal business centres. The number of adjudications on petitions by debtors and creditors and the number of discharges from bankruptcy granted during the past five years was as follows:—

Year.Adjudications onDischarge from Bankruptcy granted.
Petitions by Debtors.Petitions by Creditors.
19052673768
190630542103
190730248107
190835452105
190941259122

Private assignments and compositions are not registered, and particulars respecting this class of insolvency are not procurable.

The following table shows the total number of petitions, the amount of the unsecured assets, the amount of debts proved, and the amount paid in dividends and preferential claims for the years. 1900–9:—

Year.Number of Petitions in Bankruptcy.Debtors' Statements of Assets. excluding Amounts secured to Creditors.Amounts realised by Official Assignees.Amount of Debts proved.Amounts paid in Dividends and Preferential Claims.
  ££££
190030477,68953,415141,80037,411
190122258,65849,78184,45230,358
190220561,60439,386110,99529,406
190320446,76723,70188,01917,618
190425786,09443,514125,39228,103
1905304100,81347,798146,33228,150
1906347106,37650,761192,92735,448
190735077,69859,849158,66342,459
1908406200,44767,018199,06947,800
1909471204,18771,351259,01744,110

Of the bankruptcies in 1909: in 22 cases the liabilities were-under £50; in 72, from £50 to £100; in 133, from £100 to £250; in 101, from £250 to £500; in 72, from £500 to £1,000; in 37, from £1,000 to £2,000; in 22, from £2,000 to £5,000; in 5, £5,000 and upwards. In seven cases no statements were filed.

Divorce.

In 1898 the Legislature of New Zealand passed a Divorce Act, and the signification of Her late Majesty's assent thereto was duly notified by His Excellency the Governor in a Proclamation dated the 1st April, 1899, bringing the Act into operation from the 1st June of that year.

This Act placed persons of either sex practically on an equality as regards petitions for dissolution of marriage; the same grounds, in substance, for a decree of divorce applying to man or woman.

Besides this important alteration of the law, the grounds for divorce are extended as under:—

  1. Adultery, on either side.

  2. Wilful desertion continuously during five years or more.

  3. Habitual drunkenness during four years and upwards on the part of husband, along with failing to support wife, or habitual cruelty; or habitual drunkenness for a like period and neglect, with unfitness to discharge her household duties on the part of the wife.

  4. Conviction, with sentence of imprisonment or penal servitude for seven years or upwards, for attempting to take life of petitioner.

Every decree for dissolution of marriage is in the first instance to be a decree nisi, not to be made absolute till after the expiration of such time, being not less than three months from the pronouncing thereof, as the Court shall by order from time to time direct.

The petitioner need not necessarily move to make absolute any decree nisi that may be pronounced

An amendment to the Act of 1904 was passed by the Legislature in 1907, and after having been reserved for the assent of His Majesty the King became law on the 9th May, 1908.

By this Act failure to comply with a decree for restitution of conjugal rights ceases to be a ground for divorce proceedings. On the other hand the following grounds have been added, viz.:—

“That the respondent has been convicted of the murder of a child of the petitioner or respondent.”

“That the respondent is a lunatic or person of unsound mind, and has been confined as such in any asylum or other institution or house in accordance with the provisions of the Lunatics Act for a period or periods not less in the aggregate than ten years within twelve years immediately preceding the filing of the petition, and that the respondent is unlikely to recover from such lunacy or unsoundness of mind.”

It is provided that where the ground of the petition is lunacy or unsoundness of mind, the Solicitor-General shall take such steps as he may consider necessary in the interests of the respondent.

A decree for a judicial separation may be obtained either by the husband or wife on the ground of adultery, or of cruelty, or of desertion without cause for a period of two years.

All enactments of the General Assembly of New Zealand relating to divorce, judicial separation, restitution of conjugal rights, and summary separation, prior to 1908, were consolidated in that year, and re enacted under the title of “The Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act, 1908.”

The petitions for divorce in 1909 under the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act, were 242 in number, being 35 more than those for 1908: 163 decrees for dissolution of marriage were granted. The proceedings under the Act for the years 1900–9 were as follows:—

Year.Divorces.Judicial Separation granted.Nullity of Marriage.
Petitions for.Decrees.Petitions for.Decrees.
19001108531..
1901136101111
190212990..31
1903134124334
190113499242
1905163114..21
1906171125166
1907192147132
1908207171321
1909242163..32

In previous issues of the Year-book, owing to a defect in the returns, the number shown of petitions and decrees for dissolution of marriage included petitions and decrees for nullity of marriage and restitution of conjugal rights. The foregoing table excludes these causes which, during the period under review, were as follows:—

Year.Petitions forDecrees for
Nullity of Marriage.Restitution of Conjugal Rights.Nullity of Marriage.Restitution of Conjugal Rights.
19001......
19011111
1902341..
19033948
190441829
1905217111
1906630620
1907330221
190821119
19093221

In the year 1897 there was one application for restitution of conjugal rights, but it is only since 1901 that this means of establishing a ground for divorce has been resorted to with frequency. As before stated, disobedience of an order for restitution is no longer a ground of petition for dissolution of marriage.

The Act of 1898 has evidently operated in the direction of increasing largely the number of petitions and decrees for dissolution of marriage or judicial separation.

The proportion of petitions and decrees for dissolution of marriage to the number of marriages was up till 1898 higher in New Zealand than in England and Wales, but lower than in New South Wales or Victoria. The full effect of the operation of the new law in New Zealand is now, however, being experienced.

As early as 1889 an Act was passed in Victoria to allow of divorces being granted for wilful desertion, habitual drunkenness with cruelty or neglect, imprisonment under certain circumstances of either party, and adultery on the part of the husband. This multiplication of the causes for divorce has largely increased the proportion of decrees in that State.

An Act of a similar tenor was passed in New South Wales in 1892, and brought into working in August of that year, under which, and an amending Act of 1893, in addition to adultery since marriage on the part of the wife, and adultery and cruelty on the part of the husband, petitions for divorce can now be granted in that State on any of the following grounds:—

Husband v. wife: Desertion for not less than three years; habitual drunkenness for a similar period; refusing to obey an order for restitution of conjugal rights; being imprisoned under a sentence of three years or upwards; attempt to murder or inflict grievous bodily harm, or repeated assaults on him within one year previously.

Wife v. husband: Adultery, provided that at the time of the institution of the suit the husband is domiciled in New South Wales; desertion for not less than three years; habitual drunkenness with cruelty or neglect to support for the same period; refusing to obey an order for restitution of conjugal rights; being imprisoned for three years or upwards, or having within five years undergone various sentences amounting in all to not less than three years; attempt to murder, or assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, or repeated assaults within one year previously.

To entitle either party to seek relief on these grounds, he or she must have been domiciled in the State at the time of instituting the suit for three years or upwards, and should not have resorted to the State for the purpose of the suit. When a wife seeks for a decree on the ground of three years' desertion, if she was domiciled in New South Wales when the desertion commenced, she shall not be deemed to have lost her domicile by reason of her husband having thereafter acquired a foreign domicile.

The divorces in New South Wales and Victoria since the divorce law has been altered in the direction of increasing the grounds for decrees are as under. With these are given the figures for New Zealand under the old law up to 1898, and according to the Act of 1898 up to 1908. The figures for New South Wales tend to show that on altering the law there was a large accumulation of cases to get, rid of, which increased the number of decrees to a degree which was not subsequently maintained.

 New South Wales.Victoria.New Zealand.
Year.Divorces.Divorces.Divorces
* Act of 1898 in force in New Zealand.
18933068525
18943138120
18953018518
189623410636
189724611733
18982478731
1899*23210546
1900*2199385
1901*25283101
1902*24510990
1903*206101124
1904*21614099
1905*176136114
1906*175123125
1907*223134147
1908*195151171

Criminal Cases.

Charges before Magistrates.

The number of charges heard before the Magistrates' Courts in 1909 was 37,472. Repeated charges against the same person are counted each as a distinct person. Of these charges, 570 were against persons of the aboriginal Native race, a decrease of 85 on the number for the previous year.

If the Maoris be excluded, the number of charges (exclusive of lunacy) in 1900 is found to have been 36,902, an increase of 616 upon the number for 1908; and the proportion per 1,000 of population was 37.97 and 38.40 in each year respectively.

Persons charged with lunacy and committed to mental hospitals have been excluded from the calculations for this and previous years shown, so that the figures now given will differ somewhat from those appearing in former issues of this book.

The figures, both numerical and proportional, covering a period of twenty-five years are subjoined:—

Charges before Magistrates.
Year.Number.Proportion per 1,000 of Mean Population.Year.Number.Proportion per 1,000 of Mean Population.
188522,29738.89190228,07635.19
188818,37030.35190330,75337.50
189116,71426.54190430,93436.60
189116,82024.76190530,74135.33
189719,39026.87190632,86636.70
189922,11329.48190736,85240.09
190024,08431.54190836,28638.40
190125,82533.20190936,90237.97

Summary Convictions.

The summary convictions in 1909 numbered 31,151, including 454 Maoris. 1,116 persons, 23 of whom were Maoris, were committed for trial or sentence at the Supreme and District Courts, an increase of 96 on the number committed in 1908.

Dealing with the summary convictions for all offences, the figures for 1905 and onward (excluding the Maoris) are:—

 SUMMARY CONVICTIONS.
Year.Number.Proportion per 1,000 of Mean Population.
1905—
        Offences against the person6480.74
        Offences against property1,8992.18
        Other offences22,44725.80
                      Totals24,99428.72
1906—
        Offences against the person6400.71
        Offences against property2,0502.29
        Other offences24,43827.29
                      Totals27,12830.29
1907—
        Offences against the person7520.82
        Offences against property2,1742.37
        Other offences27,53029.95
                      Totals30,45633.14
1908—
        Offences against the person7330.78
        Offences against property2,5252.67
        Other offences27,04228.61
                      Totals30,30032.06
1909—
        Offences against the person7720.79
        Offences against property2,2232.29
        Other offences27,70228.51
                      Totals30,69731.59

In dealing with the summary convictions in the Magistrates' Courts each offence is reckoned as a distinct person. The total number is from time to time swelled by the inclusion of breaches of statutes, the provisions of which give rise to fresh offences against the public welfare not strictly criminal, so that comparisons with past years are adversely affected.

The total of summary convictions for offences against the person (excluding Maoris) was 772 for the year 1909, which is a greater number than that for 1908 (733). Of these 772 summary convictions in 1909, the greater number (711) were on account of common and aggravated assaults, and there were 52 for attempt to commit suicide.

Of offences against property, theft not otherwise described is the most common, showing for 1909 1,512 summary convictions. There were besides 36 for specific kinds of theft, and 36 for housebreaking. Obtaining money and goods under false pretences caused 147 summary convictions, and wilful damage to property 463. These are the principal items only.

Under the heading “Other Offences” (those relating to good order included), drunkenness comes first with 10,697 summary convictions, of which 755 were in respect of females. Prohibition orders numbered 2,214, including 159 made against women. The subject of drunkenness is specially dealt with under a separate heading.

Further offences against good order include 3,320 summary convictions simply defined as “breach of by-laws,” and 1,978 for insulting behaviour, language, &c., and indecent, riotous, or offensive conduct. Also, 233 for assaulting or resisting police. Under “Vagrancy,” idle and disorderly persons show 524 summary convictions, rogues and vagabonds 349. The chief items only are referred to above.

Convictions in Superior Courts.

Of 93 persons (excluding the Maoris) convicted in the superior Courts during the year 1909 for offences against the person there were 3 females. Assault, with or without robbery, was of this class the offence which caused the most convictions, these amounting to 49 altogether, including wounding and shooting with intent. There were also 13 convictions for indecent assault, 10 for rape and carnal knowledge of young girls, 1 for attempt to commit rape, and 14 for other offences. For murder and manslaughter and attempts, 6 persons were convicted.

The convictions for offences against property were far more numerous than those against the person, amounting to 143, of whom 2 were females. Theft was the principal cause, showing 57 convictions, exclusive of burglary with robbery, for which 45 convictions were recorded.

Besides the above, there were 24 convictions for forgery and uttering, 12 for obtaining goods on false pretences and for receiving stolen goods, 2 for arson, 2 for uttering counterfeit coin, and 1 for wounding horses.

Outside of convictions for offences against person and property, 22 of a miscellaneous nature remain, making up a total of 258 convictions in the higher Courts, excluding 256 persons, other than Maoris, sent for sentence by Magistrates.

During the five years 1905–9 the number of persons convicted and sentenced in the Supreme and District Courts, and those who, on pleading guilty in the lower Courts, were committed to the Supreme Court for sentence was as follows:—

Superior Courts—Convictions, &c., 1905–0.
Year.Offences against the Person.Offences against Property.Other Offences.Total Convictions.Number committed for Sentence included in previous Columns.
19058930237428156
190610427033407167
190710431234450148
190812133842501232
190911735245514256

Where a Magistrate, after the preliminary hearing of an information, proposes to commit any accused person for trial for an indictable offence not punishable by death, the accused may plead guilty and be then sent to the Supreme Court for sentence without further trial. The offences committed by the 256 persons who elected to be so dealt with during the year 1909 were of the following nature: Offences against the person numbered 24, including assault, 8; bigamy, 5; and indecent assault, 4. Of 209 charges for offences against property the most numerous were: For theft, 72; breaking and entering and theft, 60; forgery and uttering, 56; false pretences, 9.

Punishments.

Including 30 Maoris, the convictions in the superior Courts, together with 256 sent from Magistrates' Courts for sentence, numbered 544 (persons). Particulars of sentences for these higher Courts, and of the punishments consequent on summary convictions in the lower Courts, are appended in two tables:—

Table showing the Sentences of Criminals tried and convicted in the Supreme and District Courts during Five Years.
Punishments.1905.1906.1907.1908.1909.

* Including 11 Maoris.

† Including 26 Maoris.

‡ Including 31 Maoris.

§ Including 31 Maoris.

∥ Including 30 Maoris.

Death..11..1
Imprisonment with or without hard labour349350369399454
Pined107111610
Imprisonment with whipping..1221
Released on probation5456657645
Held to bail, or awaiting pleasure of Court2016323732
Sent to industrial school..2121
              Totals*433†433‡481§532∥544
Table showing the Punishments inflicted consequent on Summary Convictions in Magistrates' Courts during Five Years.
Punishments.1905.1906.1907.1908.1909.
N.B.—Maoris have been excluded from this table.
Fine13,58113,51717,88416,63916,996
Imprisonment in lieu of fine2,0913,4761,7142,2852,102
Peremptory imprisonment1,9312,0892,1732,0432,220
Recognisance781007396135
Whipping3456445890
Other7,2797,8908,5689,1799,154
              Totals24,99427,12830,45630,30030,697

Habitual Criminals and Offenders

In 1906 provision was made by law for the detention and control of habitual criminals and offenders. Habitual criminals comprise those persons previously convicted on indictment of the following offences: (Class I) sexual offences, abortion; (Class II) wounding, robbery, burglary and housebreaking, theft, false pretences, extortion, forgery, and mischief. On two previous convictions for any offence in Class I or four previous convictions in Classes I and II, the Court may order as part of the sentence that the person is an habitual criminal, whether such previous convictions took place within or out of New Zealand, and either before or after the coming into operation of the Act. Habitual offenders comprise all persons previously convicted on at least six occasions as idle and disorderly persons, rogues and vagabonds, or incorrigible rogues, and persons previously convicted as above under Classes I and II and convicted summarily of any offence punishable by not less than three months' imprisonment, provided such persons have been previously summarily convicted at least six times of any offence punishable by not less than three months' imprisonment.

Any prison or other suitable place may be set apart as a reformatory prison for the detention of habitual criminals and offenders, a separate part being set aside for women. Every habitual criminal or offender shall be detained during the pleasure of the Governor, but may apply to the Supreme Court or a Judge thereof for a recommendation of discharge on the ground of having sufficiently reformed, or for other good and sufficient reason. The Governor upon granting such discharge may order that so long as the person remains in New Zealand he shall report his name and address to some Probation Officer, for a period not exceeding two years, at stated times, either personally or by letter. Should such person fail to report himself as directed, he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding twenty pounds or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months. If during the period of probation he is convicted of failure to report himself, or of any indictable offence punishable on summary conviction by three months' imprisonment, the Court may direct that in addition to the punishment imposed for the offence he shall be recommitted to a reformatory prison, but if during the period of probation he be not so convicted he shall cease to be an habitual criminal or offender.

Any person detained in a reformatory prison shall be employed in some description of labour, and wages according to the scale prescribed by regulations shall be credited to him and applied either wholly or in part to maintaining his wife and family, if any, during the period of his detention, and the balance, if any, paid to him upon his release.

Provision is made for the maintenance and management of reformatory prisons and the control of those detained therein.

A wing of the New Plymouth Prison has been selected as a reformatory, sufficient accommodation being thus provided for the anticipated necessities of the next few years. The following is the number of prisoners committed to the reformatory during each year since the inception of the system:—

Year.Males.Females.Total.
19071..1
1908314
190916319

Drunkenness.

“The Licensing Act, 1908,” is a consolidation of the laws regulating the sale of intoxicating liquor previously in force. For administrative purposes the Dominion is divided into districts, for each of which a committee, elected by the popular vote, is charged with the duty of granting or refusing the issue of licenses for the sale of drink, and the inspection through the police of licensed houses. The sale of drink is prohibited absolutely on Sundays, and also upon the day of a parliamentary election between the hours of noon and 7 pm. Application for renewal of licenses must be made annually, and the committee may refuse such renewal on the grounds of misconduct of the licensee or that the premises occupied are unfit for the purpose. For certain breaches of the law a license may be cancelled or a licensee may be disqualified from again holding a license in the Dominion.

The number of convictions for breaches of the licensing laws by publicans and for selling liquor without a license during the past five years was as follows:—

 Convictions for
Year.Breaches of Licensing Laws by Publicans.Selling Liquor without a License.
19059567
1906114120
190720758
190815898
1909179156

The charges against publicans include selling liquor after hours or on Sundays, failing to admit the police promptly, allowing drunkenness on premises, supplying prohibited or intoxicated persons, failing to keep light burning in front of premises, &c.

The number of convictions for drunkenness and drunkenness with disorderly conduct recorded during 1909 was 9,942 against males, and 755 against females. There is no information available as to the exact number of distinct persons dealt with, but it is estimated to be about 7,500. The following table shows the number of convictions for drunkenness recorded and the proportion per 1,000 of the population of each sex, excluding Maoris, during the past ten years:—

Convictions for Drunkenness, 1900–9.
Year.Convictions recorded against.Per 1,000 of Population.
Males.Females.Total.Males.Females.Total.
19006,3469067,25215.782.519.50
19017,0311,0018.03217.192.7110.32
19027,3319138,24417.452.4210.34
19037,9378458,78218.322.1810.70
19048,6489279,57519.342.3311.32
19057,8758508,72517.092.0810.03
19068,5618599,42018.042.0110.52
19079,37481210,18619.241.8811.08
19089,89271710,60919.731.6211.23
19099,94275510,69719.291.6811.01

Among the New-Zealand-born population of European descent there is evidence of less drunkenness than among persons who have come from abroad. At the census of 1906, out of the total population of New Zealand over 15 years of age, 55.75 per cent. were found to have been born here; while the proportion of the convictions for drunkenness of New-Zealand-born Europeans to the total convictions was in the year 1909 about 22 per cent. only.

Repeated charges against the same person are included in the totals shown above, and it is estimated that the number of distinct persons brought before the Court for this offence was not more than 70 per cent. of the total charges. Forty-three per cent. of the persons charged in 1909 had convictions previously recorded against them for drunkenness in either that or previous years.

Any person who has been three times convicted for drunkenness within the nine months immediately preceding any conviction for drunkenness may be declared an habitual drunkard. A Magistrate may, in addition to or in lieu of a penalty, commit an habitual drunkard to any institution authorised by the Governor to receive and detain such persons for any period not being less than twelve months. The law provides for the discharge of inmates, their good conduct, discipline, and punishment for offences during their detention, and for the proper inspection of such institutions.

A calculation of the amount of alcoholic liquor consumed per head of the total population is generally used to illustrate the increase or decrease of consumption. It is with this intention that the table of average consumption is given below.

Consumption of Beer, Wine, and Spirits per Head of Population (including and excluding Maoris).
 Including Maoris.Excluding Maoris.
 Beer.
Gal.
Wine.
Gal.
Spirits.
Gal.
Beer.
Gal.
Wine.
Gal.
Spirits
Gal.
19058.7770.1240.6959.2120.1300.730
19069.0850.1360.7349.5690.1430.773
19079.6490.1510.76610.1500.1590.806
19089.6890.1500.75710.1790.1580.795
19099.2560.1360.7059.7100.1430.740

It would appear that during the period covered by the table the consumption of alcohol has increased, the comparative falling off for the last year being no doubt due to weakness in purchasing power brought about by depression of trade. The quantity of each kind of alcoholic liquor used in the Dominion during the past five years was as follows:—

 Beer for Consumption. Gals.Wine for Consumption. Gals.Spirits for Consumption. Gals.
19058,014,430113,189634,827
19068,570,460128,120692,324
19079,328,710146,179740,936
19089,619,380149,115751,602
19099,436,240138,704719,137

According to the Commonwealth Statistician the average consumption per head of alcoholic liquors in Australia during 1908 was,—

 Spirits.
Gal.
Per Head.
Wine
Gal.
Per Head.
Beer.
Gal.
Per Head.
New South Wales0.750.59.96
Victoria0.6012.35
Queensland0.8910.98
South Australia0.519.08
Western Australia1.1017.92
Tasmania0.559.20

The average annual consumption in the United Kingdom for the period 1902–6 was—spirits, 1 gallon per head; beer, 29½ gallons per head; and wine, one-third of a gallon per head.

Crime amongst Maoris.

The average number of convictions of Maoris brought before Magistrates' Courts since 1895 is shown in the following table:—

Summary Convictions of Maoris.
Period.Average Number.
1891–1895296
1896–1900337
1901–1905372
1906542
1907445
1908552
1909454

These numbers apply only to the Maoris residing in the main Islands of the Dominion. As the Maori population is considered to be practically stationary in number, it would appear that, as far as minor offences are concerned, criminality is on the increase.

The number of convictions in the higher Courts exhibits the extent of serious crime amongst the Native race. Persons who pleaded guilty in the lower Court and were remanded to the Supreme Court for sentence have been included.

Year.Maoris convicted or sentenced in Supreme Court forTotal.
Offences against the Person.Offences against Property.Miscellaneous Offences.
1905410418
1906520126
1907526..31
1908620531
1909621330

Of the Maoris convicted or sentenced in 1909, 5 were charged with offences against females, 16 with housebreaking and theft, 5 with forgery and uttering, and 2 with perjury. One female is included in the number.

Police.

The strength of the Police Force in New Zealand on the 31st December, 1909, was 775, consisting of 9 inspectors, 7 sub-inspectors, 4 station sergeants, 82 sergeants, 622 constables, 34 detectives, and 17 acting-detectives. There were also 19 district constables, 9 Native constables, 4 matrons, and 4 surgeons. The proportion of police to population is 1 to every 1,330 persons. The police at the four chief centres numbered 348, being 112 at Auckland, 103 at Wellington, 70 at Christchurch, and 63 at Dunedin. The remaining members of the Force (427) may be deemed as belonging to the country.

The expenditure (exclusive of the cost of buildings) on the whole Police Force for the year ended the 31st March, 1910, amounted to £170,140, and the cost per head of population 3s. 3½d., as against 4s. 5d. in Victoria, and 5s. 9½d. in New South Wales.

The Police Provident Fund, established in 1899, provides for payment of annual allowances to members of the Force who retire from service on superannuation or by reason of mental or bodily infirmity. The fund is supported by contributions from members and certain fines and penalties hitherto paid to the Reward Fund, and any deficiency is guaranteed to be paid by the State.

On the 31st March, 1910, there were 3 ex-inspectors, 21 ex-sergeants, 55 ex-constables, 5 ex-detectives, and 2 widows on the fund, their aggregate annual allowance being £8,231. The balance to credit of the fund on the above date was £32,204. This fund has since been merged in the Public Service Superannuation Fund.

Prisoners in Gaol.

The total number of prisoners received in the different gaols during the year 1909 was 5,289 (males 4,746, females 543) as compared with 5,090 (males 4,626, females 464) in 1908, counting each admission as a distinct person. This number includes 837 men and 70 women awaiting trial, 86 men and 4 women acquitted or discharged after trial, 3,823 men and 469 women under sentence, but excludes 125 debtors and lunatics.

Persons imprisoned for non-payment of fine or costs have been included among the total admissions. In most cases the original offence would be trivial and the duration of imprisonment brief, so that a distinction should be made. The number of this class received into gaol during 1909 was 1,082 males and 152 females.

The number of persons in gaol (including Maoris) at the end of each of the past ten years and the proportion per 10,000 of population is given in the next table:—

Prisoners in Gaol (31st December).
YearNumber of PrisonersProportion per 10,000 of Population.
Undergoing Sentence.On Remand and awaiting Trial.Total.Undergoing Sentence.Total in Confinement.
1900527415686.867.39
1901661527138.399.05
1902602516537.458.08
1903688517398.268.88
1904701497508.178.75
1905760508108.619.18
1906833588919.179.80
1907791568478.549.14
1908815648798.489.15
1909950950..9.22

Of the prisoners previously convicted received in 1909, 543 men and 38 women had been convicted once; 424 men and 40 women twice; 1,499 men and 345 women three or more times: making a total of 2,466 men and 423 women.

Besides the returns from the Prisons Department, a separate card for each admission is furnished for every gaol. Such cards as show convictions are arranged alphabetically according to name of prisoner, and where several are found referring to the same person, all are thrown out but one; then the number of cards retained equals the actual number of distinct convicted prisoners received in the various gaols during the year. In 1909 this number (excluding Maoris) was 3,159, an increase of 150 on the number in 1908. These figures do not include children committed to the industrial schools simply on the ground that they are neglected or destitute.

In classifying the offences a prisoner convicted of more than one offence during the year is reckoned once only, under the heading of the principal offence—e.g., a prisoner convicted three times of drunkenness, twice of vagrancy, and once of theft is counted only once, under the heading Offences against Property. Debtors and lunatics received into gaol are omitted. The figures under the heading “Drunkenness” do not represent the full number of persons punished for that offence, the punishment usually being by fine.

The following tables show the number of distinct persons (exclusive of Maoris) received into gaol after conviction during 1909, classified according to nature of offence, age, and birthplace:—

Ages of Distinct Convicted Prisoners received into Gaol during 1909.
Ages.Nature of Offence.Total.
Against the Person.Against Property.Drunkenness.Other Offences.
Under 15 years11....2
15 and under 20 years85233396
20 and under 25 years3014232138342
25 and under 30 years38146112201497
30 and under 40 years61220278338897
40 and under 50 years27116282278703
50 and under 60 years1035193177415
60 years and over61510977207
            Totals1817271,0091,2423,159

BIRTHPLACESOF DISTINCT CONVICTED PRISONERSRECEIVEDINTO GAOLDURING 1909.

Birthplace.Nature of Offence.Total. 
Against the Person.Against Property.Drunkenness.Other Offences.
England and Wales32150291282755
Scotland1554141114324
Ireland1349205156423
New Zealand823382194571,096
Australian States228460125291
Other British possessions312141847
China11..1719
Other countries13397973204
          Total1817271,0091,2423,159

The number of distinct persons (exclusive of Maoris) imprisoned after conviction, in the past twenty years, counting one offence only when the same person was imprisoned more than once, with the proportion per 10,000 persons living, is added:—

Distinct Persons imprisoned after Conviction.
Year.Prisoners.Proportion per 10,000 of Population.
18902,39738.61
18912,11333.55
18922,16433.69
18932,11131.92
18941,95528.78
18951,93027.87
18961,93627.11
18971,88425.84
18981,98226.92
18992,12528.33
19002,11627.71
19012,34530.14
19022,39630.03
19032,84234.65
19042,89634.27
19052,79632.14
19062,96633.12
19073,09133.63
19083,00931.84
19093,15932.51

It must be understood that the actual number of imprisonments was much in excess of the figures given, as many persons were several times imprisoned, either for offences differing in kind or for repetitions of the same offence. Thus, persons returned as imprisoned for larceny underwent other imprisonments for drunkenness, &c. Some returned as convicted of drunkenness were several times in gaol during the year for the same offence, or for another, such as assault, riotous or indecent conduct, &c. Often there were several charges preferred against the same person at the one time, of which the most serious followed by conviction has been selected.

Expenditure on Gaols and Prisoners.

The gross expenditure on the gaols (exclusive of the cost of buildings) for the year ended the 31st December, 1909, was £37,887; and the net expenditure, after deducting credits, was approximately £28,800.

Crime amongst New-Zealand-born.

While the New-Zealand-born formed at the last census 68 per cent. of the whole population, excluding Maoris, they contributed in 1909 only 35 per cent. of the prisoners received in gaol. Of the New-Zealand-born population, however, a large number are under fifteen years of age, a period of life at which there are very few prisoners; and therefore another comparison is necessary. It is found that the New-Zealand- born over fifteen years formed 56 per cent. of the total population above that age; but, as before stated, New-Zealanders constituted only 35 per cent. of the total number received in gaols.

The number of New-Zealand-born distinct prisoners (excluding Maoris) received for the year 1909—1,096 persons—is found to be 111 more than the number for 1908. Of the number received in 1909, 72 were under twenty years of age. As before stated, the plan adopted in preparing the foregoing tables is to count each prisoner only once, and to exclude all who are not convicted prisoners, besides dealing only with the number received during the year, instead of with the full number in gaol, which would, of course, include those brought forward from the previous year. The comparative results for a series of years given by this method are held to be more valuable than those brought out by one which includes prisoners merely awaiting trial, and continual repetitions of the same individuals.

Tree-planting by Prisoners.

There are now three tree-planting prison-camps established—viz., Waiotapu and Waipa Valley in the North Island, and Hanmer Springs in the South Island. There were 133 prisoners at these camps at the end of 1909, and a considerable amount of planting, clearing, fencing, and other work was carried out during the year.

Children's Courts.

An Act to make better provision for the hearing of charges against juvenile offenders was passed in 1906. Where a juvenile offender, meaning any person under sixteen years of age, is brought before the Court, the constable in charge of the case must make a special report to the Magistrate, who fixes a special hour for the hearing of the charge, notice of which is given to the parents of the child, and also, if the Magistrate thinks fit, to any religious or charitable organization or any public institution which interests itself in the care of children. If the offender is under arrest he must either be at once admitted to bail or given into the charge of some person willing to receive him and produce him when required, or the constable in charge may arrange for him to be taken care of pending the hearing, but in no case is the offender to be allowed to remain in a gaol or lock-up pending the hearing unless his safe custody cannot otherwise be provided for. On the hearing of the charge the Magistrate may order out of Court all persons excepting any counsel, solicitor, witness, parent, or guardian, or newspaper representative, or any person representing any institution or organization interested in the reform of juvenile offenders. Any Magistrate may, if he thinks fit, in lieu of recording a conviction against a child, even if the charge be proved, admonish him, and may order him or his parents to pay any costs or damages incurred by or through the offence.

The Stipendiary Magistrates at the four chief centres of population have reported on the operation of the system during 1909. The following table shows the number of cases dealt with, and how they were disposed of:—

Casks brought before Children's Courts, 1909.
City.Summoned or apprehendedWithdrawn or dismissed.Convicted.
Discharged.Sent to Industrial School.Whipped.Otherwise punished.
Auckland12486910127
Wellington1263316626..
Christchurch11039194426
Dunedin1115933469

The advantages of hearing charges against juveniles apart from ordinary offenders are unanimously agreed upon, but there appears to be a wide diversity of opinion among the Magistrates as to the mode of punishment. Whipping, inflicted by an officer of the Court, was ordered mostly as punishment for housebreaking and theft, the number of children charged with these offences being 52 at Auckland, 43 at Wellington, 24 at Christchurch, and 42 at Dunedin. The numbers discharged without conviction also exhibit in a striking manner the different point of view taken by each Magistrate regarding the method of dealing with youthful offenders.

First Offenders' Probation Act.

Eighty persons were placed on probation in the year 1909, as against 133 in 1908. Of these, 23 were discharged after satisfactorily carrying out the conditions of their licenses, 9 were rearrested, 2 absconded, 1 was permitted to leave the Dominion, and 45 remained under the supervision of Probation Officers.

Of the 2,193 persons placed on probation since October, 1886, no less than 1,862 had by the end of the year 1909 been discharged after satisfactorily carrying out the conditions of their licenses, 131 had been rearrested and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, 1 committed suicide, 4 died, 53 absconded, 2 were permitted to leave the Dominion, and 140 remained fulfilling the conditions of their terms of probation.

The amount of costs which the various Courts directed to be paid during the year 1909 was £291 13s. 3d., of which £193 Os. 3d. has been actually paid.

Inquests.

It is the duty of a Coroner or Deputy Coroner, or, in their absence, a Justice of the Peace, to inquire into the manner of death of any person who is killed or drowned, or dies suddenly, or in prison, or while detained in a mental hospital, and an inquest must be held on the body of every person executed to certify that the sentence was duly carried out.

The jurisdiction of a Coroner extends throughout the Dominion, but he is not compelled to hold any inquest at a greater distance than twenty miles from his residence; but the duties of a Deputy Coroner or Justice of the Peace are in each case strictly limited to the above radius. A Coroner may, if he thinks fit, take an inquest either by himself or by a jury of not less than four nor more than six, unless specially directed by the Attorney-General to summon a jury. A post-mortem examination of a body may be ordered by a Coroner, and, if considered advisable, an analysis. Jurors need not view the body, but the Coroner is exempt from this duty only when it is certified by a medical man that the deceased died of an infectious disease.

Any person interested may, by permission of the Coroner, attend an inquest personally or by counsel, and may examine and cross-examine witnesses. When a verdict of murder or manslaughter is returned against a particular person the Coroner may issue a warrant to apprehend and take the accused before a Justice. It shall also be the duty of the Coroner, in case of such a verdict, whether charging any person or not, to send a copy of the verdict and all depositions to the Attorney-General, who may take such steps as he deems desirable.

Jurors are entitled to payment at the rate of 8s. per day of more than four hours, or 4s. for less than four hours. Witnesses are allowed 6s. for each day and 4s. for each night of absence from home.

The number of bodies on which inquests were held in 1909 was 1,249, including 31 Maoris. In 960 cases the bodies were of males, and in 289 of females.

The inquests on suicidal deaths in 1909 show an increase on the number for the previous years. The figures for each of the last ten years were:—

 Inquests on Suicides.
Year.Males.Females.Total.
1900521163
1901711384
190269574
19039115106
19048916105
1905732396
19068515100
1907947101
19088715102
19099422116

The verdicts given at the inquests held in 1909 may be classified as under:—

Nature of Verdict.Inquests on Persons.
Males.Females.Total.
Accident47999578
Disease and natural causes372161533
Intemperance9413
Homicide527
Suicide9422116
Not classed112
 9602891,249

Of the accidental deaths, drowning is the most fatal form. The verdicts show that 227 bodies were found drowned, giving a percentage of 39.27 on the accidental deaths from all causes.

Fire Inquests.

In case of fire, causing the destruction of any building, ship, or merchandise, or any stack of grain, pulse, or hay, or any growing crop, a Coroner may hold an inquiry into the cause of such fire, the procedure being similar to that of inquests into cause of death.

The inquests on fires held during 1909 numbered 22. In 6 cases the verdict was incendiarism; in 2 cases accidental; in 1 there was insufficient evidence; and in 13 no evidence was forthcoming.

Gaming and Lotteries.

The Gaming Act is designed to suppress gambling by confining all betting to racecourses. It contains provisions for the closing of “tote” shops and for the declaration by the Supreme Court of “common gaming-houses” on the affidavit of a Superintendent or Inspector of Police showing reasonable grounds for suspecting that any premises are used as a common gaming-house or as a means of access thereto or exit therefrom. Notice of such declaration is advertised and gazetted, served on the owner or occupier, and posted up on the premises.

There are also provisions for determining any such declaration on proof that the premises are not used as a common gaming-house or in conjunction therewith. The Act provides penalties for carrying on business in, the continued use of, and being found on the premises during the currency of the declaration, and includes a club, in certain cases, in the term “common gaming-house.”

Constables have power of entry over the premises, and may use such force as may be necessary. To obstruct or give warning of the approach of a constable in the performance of his duty is an offence. Any game of chance is made an unlawful game, and the definition of “occupier” is extended. The Gaming Act is made to apply to lotteries whether promoted in New Zealand or elsewhere.

Street betting is punishable by a fine of not less than £20 or more than £100 for the first offence, and by imprisonment not exceeding three months for a second or any subsequent offence. Money paid to bookmakers for bets made in a street may be recovered, and betting on any sports ground is made penal. In prosecutions for betting with an infant, the defence that the infant was an “agent” will not now avail. Betting in factories is made an offence.

A constable on duty, or person acting under instructions from any Superintendent or Inspector of Police, is not deemed an offender or accomplice in the commission of any offence against the Gaming Act.

Racing clubs must not accept any totalisator investment by telegram or telephone. The publication is prohibited of dividends (except on the racecourse), and racing tips and the “double” totalisator is abolished. The totalisator must be closed not later than the time advertised for the starting of a race. Racing clubs authorised to use the totalisator are required to license bookmakers.

The number of charges laid in the Magistrates' Courts for breaches of the gaming laws, and how such charges were disposed of, is shown for five years in the following table:—

Year.Number of Charges.Cases dismissed.Committed for Trial.Convictions recorded.
1905223511171
19061905410126
1907240545181
1908305701234
190927547..228

Chapter 34. SECTION IX.—METEOROLOGY.

Temperature, Rainfall, Atmospheric Pressure, and Wind throughout New Zealand, as observed at Sixteen Stations, for the Year 1909.

THE OBSERVATIONSWERETAKENAT 9.30 A.M.
Stations and Months.Temperature in Shade.Rainfall.Mean Height of Barometer.Prevailing Wind.
Highest.Lowest.Wet Days.Fall.
 ° Fahr.° Fahr.No.Inches.Inches. 
Auckland (lat. 36° 50’ S.; long. 174° 50’ 4” E.: alt. 125 ft.)—
    January77.050.0131.8829.95SW, NE.
    February81.056.0  30.17E, S.
    March77.552.0164.0430.03SW, NE.
    April72.044.0111.2030.13NW, SE, S.
    May70.042.0184.7230.11NE. SW, S, NW
    June65.044.0223.2430.09SW, NE.
    July62.042.0215.4629.97NE, NW, S.
    August63.539.0227.1329.90NW, NE, SW.
    September65.539.0203.5329.94NE, SW, W, NW.
    October68.544.5163.6829.81SW, NW, W.
    November74.048.5163.4429.84SW, NW.
    December77.554.5100.7929.91SW, NE, S.
Rotorua (lat. 38° 9’ S.; long. 176° 15’ E.; alt. 925 ft.)—
    January84.036.0113.46 NE, SW, W.
    February82.044.020.06  
    March84.022.0126.65 SW, NE.
    April72.034.082.88 SW, W, NW.
    May71.032.0155.47 SW, NE.
    June60.029.0133.62 SW, NE
    July61.027.0158.96 SW, NE.
    August62.027.01812.86 SW, N, S.
    September67.027.0144.21 SW, NE.
    October73.033.093.96 NW, SW, N.
    November80.037.0123.45 SW, NW.
    December84.045.083.77 SW, N.
Stations and Months.Temperature in Shade.Rainfall.Mean Height of Barometer.Prevailing Wind.
Highest.Lowest.Wet Days.Fall.
 ° Fahr.° Fahr.No.Inches.Inches. 
Gisborne (lat. 38° 30’ S.; long. 178° 3’ E.; alt. 20 ft.)—
    January89.043.040.5729.802NW, NE, W.
    February84.048.094.8130.157S, NE.
    March85.047.0147.8630.042SE, NE, S.
    April80.037.0115.0630.080NW, W, S.
    May71.034.0164.9230.086NW, SW.
    June70.032.0150.6130.007NW.
    July66.031.0174.7130.110S, NW, NE.
    August67.029.0124.3229.995NW, S.
    September70.034.0146.6830.090NW, S.
    October75.038.0113.2829.925NW, SE, SW.
    November87.041.0125.6229.925NW, SE.
    December92.051.01454229.881SE, S, NW.
Waihi (lat. 37° 24’ S.; long. 175° 35’ E.: alt. 370 ft.)—
    January82.037.0174.06 W, NE.
    February82.240.080.21 E, SE, SW.
    March81.038.01920.00 SE, W.
    April72.029.0155.25 SE, W.
    May70.028.0206.87 N, W.
    June64.029.0215.72 W, NW.
    July62.525.02316.59  
    August63.524.02716.57 W, SW.
    September65.625.02215.63 E, W.
    October71.333.5225.24 W.
    November79.735.0165.05 E, W.
    December83.846.0173.26 E, W.
Meeanee (lat. 39° 32’ 38” S.; long. 176° 53’ 20” E.; alt. 14 ft.)—
    January84.041.090.8229.832E, N, W, NW.
    February80.046.063.6030.183SW, NE.
    March79.242.4119.1630.064NE, SW.
    April76.036.261.6230.099SW, W, NW
    May71.034.0135.8530.009SW, W.
    June70.529.2100.3029.998W, N.
    July65.430.0123.9530.125SW, W, N.
    August65.227.292.0829.994N, W, SW.
    September72.631.0142.9230.086N, SW.
    October75.837.5132.5129.862N, S, SW, W.
    November83.039.8143.2229.927SE, N, E, NW.
    December82.646.894.1829.884N, NE, S.
Stations and Months.Temperature in Shade.Rainfall.Mean Height of Barometer.Prevailing Wind.
Highest.Lowest.Wet Days.Fall.
 ° Fahr.° Fahr.No.Inches.Inches. 
    New Plymouth (lat. 39° 3’ 35” S.; long. 174° 4’ 58” E.; alt. 200 ft.)—
    January75.040.0245.40 W, NW.
    February82.047.020.24 SW, SE, NE.
    March81.045.0115.54 NW, SE.
    April83.042.0125.69 W, SW.
    May79.041.0143.26 NE, SE.
    June72.040.0167.82 SW, NE.
    July72.038.02012.64 NE.
    August83.035.0237.00 SW, NE.
    September74.035.0175.30 SE, N.
    October73.043.0194.78 W, SE, N.
    November76.043.0183.60 W, N.
    December82.048.0151.50 W, N.
Moumahaki (lat. 39° 46’ 6” S.; long. 174° 42’ 36” E.; alt. 270 ft.)—
    January77.042.3154.25 NW, W, N.
    February78.241.020.35 SE, W.
    March75.742.1104.77 SE, N.
    April72.933.2124.94 W, NW, N.
    May68.636.1132.49 N, NE, W.
    June65.934.0194.53 N, W. NE, NW.
    July62.530.9195.40 N, NE.
    August69.232.6196.14 N, W.
    September67.932.614568 N, S, W.
    October70.340.8134.32 N, W.
    November71.142.772.84 W, S.
    December77.042.283.36 SE, NW, W, NE.
Weraroa (lat. 40°37’ 30” S.; long. 175° 17’ 13” E.; alt. 115 ft.)—
    January76.538.0164.42 NW.
    February80.441.050.62 N.
    March79.039.0141.70 S.
    April71.032.5154.95 NE, NW.
    May70.233.0102.01 NE, E.
    June62.329.0215.96 NW, S.
    July62.027.8194.73 NE, E, NW.
    August66.529.6245.61 N, NE, S, NW.
    September73.430.0155.09 N, NW, S.
    October72.834.6224.62 N, NE, NW.
    November78.037.5152.88 N, NE, W
    December80.239.082.21 W N, NE.
Stations and Months.Temperature in Shade.Rainfall.Mean Height of Barometer.Prevailing Wind.
Highest.Lowest.Wet Days.Fall.
 ° Fahr.° Fahr.No.Inches.Inches. 
    Wellington (lat. 41° 16’ 25” S.; long. 174° 46’ 20” E.; alt. 110 ft.)—
    January74.044.0133.0629.801N, S.
    February74.851.062.9930.180N, S.
    March75.045.2153.7630.042N, S.
    April67.038.294.1530.038N, NW.
    May65.241.2132.1630.061N, S.
    June60.240.01425029.938N, NW, S.
    July61.837.2236.4530.069N, S.
    August66.036.0195.4629.968N, NW.
    September65.037.0142.6130.057N, NW. S.
    October65.040.0152.7529.881N, NW, S.
    November71.042.01112229.893N, S.
    December75.248.081.7729.860N, S.
Nelson (lat. 41° 16':17” S.; long. 173° 18’ 46” E.; alt. 34 ft.)—
    January82.043.0154.31 SW, NE
    February82.050.020.09 E, SW, NW.
    March76.045.0124.17 E, SW.
    April74.032.0101.93 SE, SW.
    May65.037.0135.27 SW, NE.
    June63.033.0124.33  
    July60.033.0157.43 SE, S, SW
    August64032.0187.01 SW, S.
    September66.035.0114.24 SE, SW.
    October71.036.0125.11 SW.
    November78.041.091.20 SW, E, W.
    December84.048.081.70 N. SW, NE, NW.
Hokitika (lat. 42° 41’ 30” S.; long. 170° 49’ E.; alt. 12 ft.)—
    January74.039.02217.2029.778SW, NW.
    February83.049.031.1930.174SW, N.
    March82.043.064.3230.052SW, NW.
    April69.032.01011.3730.045NW, E. SW.
    May66.035.0187.8530.043SW, NW.
    June62.033.01719.1429.925E, NW.
    July60.030.01413.4929.999E, NW.
    August76.530.01912.2629.918E, NW.
    September70.033.0137.1730.033E, NW.
    October68.035.01513.7629.875SW, NW.
    November73.039.5153.5729.924SW, NW.
    December75.046.099.7429.894SW, NW.
Stations and Months.Temperature in Shade.Rainfall.Mean Height of Barometer.Prevailing Wind.
Highest.Lowest.Wet Days.Fall.
 ° Fahr.° Fahr.No.Inches.Inches. 
    Christchurch (lat. 43° 31’ 50” S.; long. 172° 33’ 9” E.; alt. 25 ft.)—
    January84.435.3215.1529.720NE, SW.
    February84.842.260.5630.186NE, SW.
    March82.140.496.4630.024NE, SW.
    April75.631.062.3729.952NE, SW.
    May71.030.6131.6130.020NE, SW.
    June67.626.6121.8229.844SW.
    July63.722.7141.7330.035SW, NE.
    August68.025.2112.4129.873SW, NE, E, NW.
    September74.625.9111.1930.034NE, SW.
    October77.532.6136.1829.810NE, SW.
    November80.837.3112.2029.869NE, SW.
    December86.343.383.6229.819NE, NW.
Hanmer (lat. 42° 31’ S.; long. 172° 50’ E.; alt. 1,220 ft.)—
    January85.033.0167.48 NW, SW, SE.
    February84.043.581.18 SW, NW, SE.
    March90.032.0113.49 SW, NW, SE.
    April74.727.571.33 NW, NE, SW.
    May68.530.2113.04 NW, SW.
    June70.027.091.29 NW, SW.
    July63.021.0132.91 NW, SW.
    August64.021.0153.79 NW, SW.
    September69.026.551.78 NW, SW.
    October72.527.5124.82 NW, SW.
    November76.035.272.81 NW, SW.
    December83.539.0165.23 NW, SW.
Lincoln (lat. 43° 32’ 16” S.; long. 172° 38’ 59” E.; alt. 42 ft.)—
    January85.532.5185.4829.729NE, SW.
    February86.343.950.8030.176NE, SW.
    March88.241.5114.3929.994NE, SW.
    April77.234.152.8529.930NE, NW, SW.
    May71.234.781.2230.016NE, SW.
    June68.625.2111.7029.837NE, SW.
    July63.024.3121.3030.018NE, SW.
    August68.226.1101.9429.886NE, SW.
    September75.228.371.5730.039NE, SW.
    October77.331.975.2229.816NE, SW.
    November82.036.992.5229.864NE, SW.
    December86.044.872.8229.816NE, NW.
Stations and Months.Temperature in Shade.Rainfall.Mean Height of Barometer.Prevailing Wind.
Highest.Lowest.Wet Days.Fall.
 ° Fahr.° Fahr.No.Inches.Inches. 
    Dunedin (lat. 45° 52’ 11” S.; long. 170° 31’ 7” E.; alt. 300 ft.)—
    January81.040.0214.2929.678W, SW.
    February85.044.051.7330.104SW, N, W.
    March79.038.0154.7929.960W, SW, NE.
    April70.036.074.3729.846SW, W.
    May65.036.070.9829.947SW, N. E.
    June68.032.0174.1629.860SW, W, NE.
    July57.031.072.6429.964SW, NE.
    August61.034.083.9329.791W, SW.
    September65.032.0112.7429.982SW, W, N.
    October70.035.0163.7529.773W, SW.
    November78.040.0132.8829.480W, N.
    December87.044.041.9529.767W, NW.
Chatham Islands (lat. 43° 52’ S.; long. 176° 42’ W.; alt. 200 ft.)—
    January70.044.0153.31 NW, W, SW, N.
    February69.047.070.95 SE, S, NW.
    March69.043.0135.73 N, SW, NE, E.
    April65.036.0133.96 NW, SW, W.
    May63.034.0172.34 NE, SW.
    June59.037.0245.27 N, W, SW.
    July58.034.0213.04 SW, NW.
    August61.032.0214.82 NW, SW, N.
    September58.032.0112.80 SW, NW.
    October62.037.0176.45 SW, NW, N.
    November64.038.0175.06 E, SW.
    December69.046.0124.21 E, SE, SW, NW.
SIXTEEN STATIONS: COMPARATIVE TABLE: YEAR 1909.
Stations.Temperature in Shade.Rainfall.Mean Height of Barometer.Prevailing Wind.
Highest, and Date.Lowest, and Date.Days on Which rain fellGreatest Fall, and Date.
 ° Fahr.° Fahr.No.Inches.Inches. 
Auckland81.0, 15 Feb.39.0, 18 Aug., 3 Sept.1851.98, 18 Mar. SW, NE, NW, W
Rotorua840, Jan., Mar., Dec.22.0, 31 Mar.1372.63, 1 Aug. SW, NE, NW, W
Gisborne92.0, 18 Dec.29.0, Aug.1493.56, 5 Sept.30.013NW, SE, NE, S.
Waihi83.8, 18 Dec.24.0, 9 Aug.2276.87, 29 Mar. W, E, SE, N.
Meeanee84.0 13 Jan.27.2 13 Aug.1262.46 18 Mar.30.013N, SW, W, E.
New Plymouth83.0, 26 April, 16 Aug.350, 18 Aug., 3 Sept.1912.56, 16 July W, NE, SE, NW.
Moumahaki78.2, 5 Feb.30.9, 13 July1511.98, 29. Mar. N, W, SE, NE, NW.
Weraroa80.4, 2 Feb.27.8, 14 July1841.64, 23 April NW, NE, N.
Wellington75.2, 6 Dec.36.09 Aug.1602.11, 10 April29.982N, S, NW.
Nelson84.0, 27 Dec.32.0, 25 April, 3 times Aug.1371.87, 7 May SW, SE, E.
Hokitika83.0, Feb.30.0, 10 July, twice Aug.1613.20, 24 Jan.29.971SW, E.
Christchurch86.3, 31 Dec.22.7, 14 July1353.16, 30 Mar.29.932NE, SW, E, NW.
Hanmer90.0, 9 Mar.21.0, 14 July, 8 Aug.1301.95, 30 Mar. SW, NW.
Lincoln88.2, 10 Mar.24.3, 14 July1102.55, 22 Oct.29.926NE, SW, NW.
Dunedin87.0, 23 Dec.31.0, 7 July1311.83, 30 Mar.29.846SW, W, NE, N
Chatham Islands70.0, 5 Jan.32.0, 21 Aug., twice Sept.1882.04, 23 Nov. SW, KW, N, W.
MEAN MONTHLY and ANNUAL TEMPERATURE and RAINFALL of New Zealand, from Monthly Means of Eighteen Second-class Stations, for the Years 1905 and 1906.
 Jan.Feb.Mar.April.May.June.July.Aug.Sept.Oct.Nov.Dec.Averages and Totals.
Annual.             
North Island—
    Mean temperature61.462.460.356.353.349.248.849.451.755.257.361.355.6° Fahr.
    Rainfall, in points (100 = 1 in.)25626929432151852456829342740941928445.85 in.
    Days with rain11.19.09.713.714.816.017.612.917.214.514.610.7162 days.
South Island—
    Mean temperature57.858.857.251.648.244.443.341.948.152.054.958.451.7° Fahr.
    Rainfall, in points (100 = 1 in.41737531032340549045025747438437927145.39 in.
    Days with rain14.310.411.314.712.213.515.311.015.012.313.010.7154 days.

The following table, compiled from information published in the Statistical Abstract for the Colonial Possessions of the United Kingdom, shows the shade temperature for each month in New Zealand and other British States and Colonies. The figures given are the means of four years (H signifies highest, and L lowest):—

British Possessions (Stations and Height in Feet above Sea-level where known).Jan.Feb.March.April.May.June.July.Aug.Sept.Oct.Nov.Dec.Year.
H.L.H.L.H.L.H.L.H.L.H.L.H.L.H.L.H.L.H.L.H.L.H.L.H.L.
 °F.°F.°F.°F.°F.°F.°F.°F.°F.°F.°F.°F.°F.°F.°F.°F.°F.°F.°F.°F.°F.°F.°F.°F.°F.°F.
New Zealand—
    Wellington (140)7845784776447043663862345933623465376941743375447833
Queensland—
    Brisbane (130)9264936391618554805076427539784185469150945797619739
New South Wales
    Sydney (155)9259895884597951724867116339704277458848875494579439
Victoria—
    Melbourne(91)101489947994586407437643762326834743481409444964510132
South Australia—
    Adelaide (140)108191065010048894578406738653674397941864196451014810836
Western Australia—
    Perth (47)10750102539852965781407038703773388042834293481005110737
Tasmania—
    Hobart (100)9145944593417538713761345933663372357735924086439433
Natal—
    Durban (150)9963956191609458895286498848914996509153975798599949
Cape Town—
    Royal Observatory (37)9454905192498645804276397437763783398644894890529437
Hong Kong—
    Observatory (110)7347784677498458896891739174917492709066825579499146
Straits Settlements—
    Singapore (30)8870907091719173907390729072897289718971897189709170
Mauritius—
    Royal Alfred Observatory (179)8469847184708270806277607559755977628062826684688459
Canada—
    Toronto (350)47–345–35167122783186448846894782417127561345–189–3
    Montreal (187)45–1442–134406924813287438850865081397027591143–118814
    St. John (N.B.) (116)49–746–74746222693381427949774873376026561649–381–7
    Halifax (122)50–146–350106322733283398448844980366929602151384–3
    Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (38)47–643–94756020703177398049794975396630581947180–9
    Winnipeg, Manitoba (764)34–3732–3749–2576882209035874091348630731753–1639–2991–37
    Victoria, British Columbia (10)511455226030672973387639794376447138643555301237914
    St. John's, Newfoundland (125)48–650–850116115712776338141794278336524621951981–8
Barbados—
    Joes River (430)8167816783698470847185728470857085718571847083698567
Bahamas—
    Military Hospital7763796879678469897288738978897387758677827077678963
Jamaica—
    Kingston (60)9163906390629168917092719571937392709369916790639562
Trinidad (130)8667876888698870897086718671867089708870877085698967

Chapter 35. SECTION X.—LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES.

Counties, Boroughs, etc.

FOR purposes of local government New Zealand is divided into counties and boroughs, the counties being, for administrative purposes in some cases, subdivided into road and town districts, and certain of the latter, those having a population of over five hundred, possess powers independent of county control.

Counties are constituted by special Act, but two or more existing counties may, by Proclamation, be united to form one county. Boroughs are constituted by Proclamation, and must possess a population of not less than one thousand, but must not exceed in area more than nine square miles, nor must any point be distant farther than six miles from another. Any locality not exceeding two square miles in area, outside a borough, and wherein there are not less than fifty householders, may be proclaimed a town district. A road district may comprise any portion of the area of the county within which it lies, and may be created by special order of the council of such county. Harbour Boards are formed by special Act, and in some cases possess rating powers over areas already included within counties and boroughs. Special districts, with limited powers, may be constituted for specific purposes such as river protection, drainage, water-supply, &c., within the areas wherein such services are required.

Although the boroughs, of which there were 110 in March, 1909, lie geographically within the counties, yet by the law they are not considered as part of them. On the 31st March, 1909, the counties numbered 107. The number is increased from time to time as need is found by the subdivision of existing districts. In the year 1878 there were only 63 counties. There were, however, 190 road districts (five without Boards) in existence in March, 1909, and 53 town districts. One of these latter is the special Town District of Rotorua, the affairs of which are administered by officers of the General Government. Besides the above there were 35 river protective districts (excluding Inch-Clutha, in Bruce County, which is also a road district), 4 drainage districts (Christchurch, Dunedin, Hobson's Bay Watershed, and Auckland Suburban), 3 water-supply districts (one without Board), and 38 land drainage districts under the Land Drainage Act (two without Board). The Harbour Boards numbered 33, excluding Coromandel, Kawhia, Port Robinson, Kaikoura, Fortrose, and Half-moon Bay, for which the County Councils of Coromandel, Kawhia, Cheviot, Kaikoura, Southland, and Stewart Island act as the Harbour Boards, also New River and Port Molyneux, for which the Invercargill Borough Council and the Clutha River Board act as Harbour Boards.

These bodies levied rates in the financial year 1908–9 to the amount of £1,390,698, of which £970,225 consisted of general rates, and £420,473 special and separate rates. The sum of £83,157 was raised by licenses, and £28,038 by other taxes, making £1,501,893 altogether, which sum is equivalent to £1 11s. 6d. per head of the mean European population. In the year 1907–8 the local taxation was £1 11s. 8d. per head, or 2d. more than in 1908–9.

It will be seen from the table following that revenue derived from rates increased from £460,303 in 1889–90 to £1,390,698 in 1908–9. Revenue from Government has increased in the same period (twenty years) from £139,320 to £223,410. Receipts which cannot be classed as “revenue” were £206,688 in 1889–90, against £1,440,746 in 1908–9; but these figures vary from year to year according to circumstances, such as large operations by way of construction of works, for which money has to be specially raised.

The receipts (distinguishing revenue from other sources of income) and expenditure of the various local bodies, with the amount of rates collected, and the amount of indebtedness on account of loans for each of the past twenty years, are shown in the following table:—

LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES.—RATES, RECEIPTS EXPENDITURE, AND LOANS, 1889–90 TO 1908–9.*
Year ended 31st March.Receipts of Local Bodies.Expenditure of Local Bodies.†Outstanding Loans of Local Bodies (excluding Government Loans, for which see the following Columns).Government Loans to Local Bodies.
Revenue fromReceipts not Revenue.Total Receipts.Outstanding Debentures under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act.Net Indebtedness in February of each Year under Local Bodies’ Loans Acts (including Debentures under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, converted).
Rates.Licenses, Fees, Rents, and other Sources.Government.Total Revenue.

*The figures for the Harbour Boards (excepting Wellington, the period being for the year ending 30th September, 1908, and the Coromandel, Fortrose, Half-moon Bay, and Horse-shoo Bay, New River, Port Robinson, and Riverton Harbour Boards, the figures for which are for the year ended 31st March, 1909) included are for the calendar years ended three months previous to the financial years.

† Not including balances, deposits, or amounts paid to sinking funds and for redemption of debentures.

 ££££££££££
1890460,303568,405139,3201,168,028206,6881,374,7161,476,5405,978,0599,76319,603
1891463,581518,757144,0081,126,346236,9021,363,2481,381,3206,042,6934,317367,715
1892488,824584,274109,0221,182,120214,1241,396,2441,400,4676,081,9344,245449,532
1893508,157573,161136,5151,217,833340,5381,558,3711,482,5486,203,8693,465525,173
1894551,412547,560134,2711,233,243623,0381,856,2811,589,1246,614,8242,685547,679
1895581,868545,629138,2281,265,725328,7981,594,5231,584,5186,685,5102,015621,903
1896592,903581,966156,1801,331,049269,1451,600,1941,627,0796,737,5781,442667,451
1897598,526586,590178,4481,363,573246,9191,610,4921,636,7166,793,3981,077709,282
1898644,552608,436182,1661,435,154304,6451,739,7991,733,0166,834,361712742,530
1899685,769642,280178,4381,506,496385,3681,891,8641,778,5746,963,254347789,618
1900714,151695,988152,0441,562,183372,0281,934,2111,960,0737,057,350 810,192
1901734,023751,046168,7851,653,854825,0392,478,8932,250,5727,563,069 902,769
1902800,471948,983170,0111,819,495775,4322,594,9272,528,0927,839,695 1,046,645
1903846,716897,328156,2541,900,298966,0872,866,3852,867,5068,217,196 1,266,002
1904950,1501,029,550176,5192,156,2191,142,5953,298,8143,230,7128,898,910 1,401,752
19051,019,4311,088,587166,6352,274,6531,350,6313,625,2843,497,32110,018,242 1,526,353
19061,151,2191,223,138169,0102,543,3671,326,5973,869,9643,601,50610,718,051 1,580,494
19071,233,0491,386,459192,9322,812,4401,227,4734,039,9133,897,51511,616,048 1,647,273
19081,356,2571,548,479202,1863,106,9221,410,9944,517,9164,491,11312,532,334 1,691,083
19091,390,6981,710,712223,4103,324,8201,440,7464,765,5664,800,71113,303,622 1,839,017

The indebtedness of local governing bodies on account of outstanding loans has increased in twenty years from £5,978,059 to £13,303,622, exclusive of moneys borrowed from Government. which represented a further indebtedness of £1,839,017 at the end of March, 1909.

Taxation by Local Bodies.

TABLE showing the Revenue of Local Governing Bodies derived from Rates. Licenses, and other Taxes during the Year 1908–9.

Local Bodies.Rates.Licenses.Other Taxes.Total.
General.Special and Separate.

* For year ended 31st March, 1909.

† Wellington Harbour Board, for year ended 30th September, 1908; Christchurch Drainage Board, Dunedin Drainage and Sewerage Board, and Hobson's Bay Watershed Sewage Board for the year ended 31st March, 1909.

† Wharfage duos, charges, fees, tolls. &c., £633,616 13s. 8d., and rents and other sources. £68,483 3s. 8d., have not been classed as taxation.

§ Equal to £1 11s. 6d. per head of the mean European population of the Dominion for the financial year 1908–9.

 £s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.
Counties*386,4166480,62718118,22215213,04497498,31192
Boroughs*353,28969307,76514458,116131111,908113731,08063
Town Boards*13,410592,0501993,837181,77410621,072178
Road Boards*110,271141017,3361411980931,28183131,87073
River Boards*7,2511601,96000      9,214160
Land Drainage Boards*8,056773,090182      11,14759
Harbour Boards†52,54379         52,54379‡
City and Suburban Drainage Boards†37,6121261,916174      39,559910
Water-supply Boards*1,340745,723122   281527,092148
      Totals970,225410420,17214983,1570028,0371491,501,89214

Of the total taxation by rates, amounting to £1,390,698, 30 per cent. was levied on the unimproved value, and 70 per cent. on the capital or annual value of rateable properties.

RECEIPTS and EXPENDITURE, 1908–9.

A summary of all the transactions for the year 1908–9 is given on pages 115 to 119. The total revenue of the local bodies for the financial year was £3,321,820, and they further received a sum of £1,110,716 which could not properly be termed “revenue,” making altogether a grand total of receipts amounting to £1,765,566. The rates formed 12 per cent. of the revenue proper. Licenses, rents, and other sources yielded 51 per cent., and 7 per cent. was granted by the General Government.

While the revenue proper of the counties amounted to £673,590, of which those bodies raised £167,014 by way of rates, the Road Boards’ revenue was only £171,426, out of which £127,608 represented the result of their rating. The boroughs had the far larger revenue of £1,517,515, including £661,055 of rates, and their receipts under the heading of licenses, rents, and other sources amounted to the considerable sum of £809,535. In the matter of receipts from Government, of which a table is printed on the next page, the counties received the bulk of the money.

The details of amounts received, representing Government support to the various bodies, are stated in the following table:—

LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES.—RECEIPTSFROM GOVERNMENT, 1908–9.
 Counties.Boroughs.Town Boards.Road Boards.River Boards (excluding Inch-Clutha, also Road Board).Land Drainage Boards.Harbour Boards.Drainage Boards.Totals.
 £s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.
Rates on Crown and Native lands1341762729   13126            1751211
One-third receipts from land sold on deferred payment and from perpetual lease29,8141752628501963,70963            33,661510
One-fourth of rents from small grazing-runs1,70369      48024            2,18391
Timber and flax royalties18,64632      1,38421            20,03053
Goldfields revenue and gold duty20,6695826,268191144166132            47,1051411
Subsidies on rates70,9353818,7641811,94318821,9541911            113,59904
Fees and fines919182731172161083427   0136      1,70321
Other receipts1461681,1061963,45233246119            4,952114
Total Revenue Account143,9709246,925215,4656528,049107   0136      223,41119
Loans from Government under                           
Loans to Local Bodies Acts87,88701059,3291351,4000014,252005,000009,72500      177,593113
Grants for special works, &c.122,1981039,208156175007,2531264771175791110      139,89118
Total receipts front Government353,05603115,4611107,0406549,555315,47711710,30554      540,895178
Financial Year ended 31st March, 1909.
Counties.Boroughs.Town Boards.Road Hoards.River Boards (excluding Inch-Clutha, also Road Board).Land Drainage Boards.Water-supply Boards.Christchurch Tramway Hoard.

* For amounts under various heads see preceding table; also for specification of loans under Loans to Local Bodies Acts, and special grants, which are here included with “Receipts not revenue.”

† Including expenses of management.

‡ For rates of interest see page 421.

NOTE.—The return of receipts and expenditure in this summary represents the net receipts and expenditure of the year, exclusive of credit and debit balances, bank overdrafts, deposits, amounts paid to sinking funds, and for redemption of debentures.

 £s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.
Receipts:—                        
    Revenue from—                        
        Rates467,04445661,0551115,46156127,608999,21416011,147597,063196   
        Licenses, rents, and other sources63,575159809,534131110,66812813,321857,230188807054092496,818117
        Government*142,9709246,925215,4656528,049107            
        County      1405105,4464150150850      
            Total revenue673,590941,517,51417131,735105174,425121016,4969811,9621127,47311096,818117
        Receipts not revenue276,35177775,3671905,12617030,2201866,4375523,14616360171   
            Total receipts949,94116112,292,88216136,86275204,64611422,93315135,1081287,833181196,818117
Expenditure:—                        
        Public works740,0781421,113,0020523,725510146,000658,2158522,59811114,433171155,608851
        Charitable aid and hospitals59,8368750,2831131,308799,86447            
        Management85,925121102,222264,86519617,137901,5076101,8850055291   
        Other expenditure97,9751111,028,9151088,05318826,3391887,6291294,3781772,18771120,430121
            Total expenditure983,8151692,294,42841037,953119199,34118817,3528028,862967,173141176,03900
Liabilities (includes loans, excepting those from Government)322,058607,785,76910432,24982105,0040928,45813224,46014721,671182451,382210
Loans (excluding loans under Roads and Bridges Construction Act and the Loans to Local Bodies’ Acts‡56,534007,016,9260025,9670070,6400027,3500017,3200021,20000435,60000
Financial Year ended*Totals-all Local Bodies
31st March, 1909. City and Suburban Drainage Boards31st December, 1908.Harbour Boards

* Wellington Harbour Board for year ended 30th September, 1908; and Christchurch-Drainage Board for year ended March, 1909.

†See note to table on previous page.

‡Not including loans from Government, amounting to £1,839,017, repayable by instalments.

§ For rates of interest see page 421.

 £s.d.£s.d.£s.d.
Receipts:—         
    Revenue from—         
        Rates39,55991052,513791,390,697197
        Licenses, rents, and other sources60000702,0991741,705,06611
        Government†      223,41083
        County      5,645911
            Total revenue40,159910751,643513,324,8191810
        Receipts not revenue65,74064257,9941261,440,746411
            Total receipts105,8991021,012,6371774,765,56639
Expenditure:—         
        Public works64,324910591,306332,769,29367
        Charitable aid and hospitals      121,297122
        Management7,64318871,96940293,709110
        Other expenditure20,55818390,9411091,616,410128
            Total expenditure101,5261021,054,2161824,800,710133
Liabilities (includes loans, excepting those from Government)586,0860115,274,27310614,631,414145
Loans (excluding loans under Roads and Bridges Construction Act and Local Bodies’ Loans Acts‡579,210005,052,8150013,303,62200

The expenditure of the local bodies amounted to £4,800,710. In the counties the cost of management, including salaries, travelling-expenses, rent, printing and advertising, collection of rates or tolls, legal expenses, and sundries, was £85,926. The Borough Councils expended in the same way £102,222, and the Road Boards £17,137.

The percentages borne by the cost of management to the total receipts and total expenditure were:—

Cost of Management per Cent. OfTotal Receipts.Total Expenditure.
Counties9.08.7
Boroughs4.54.5
Road Boards8.48.6

Harbour Boards.

The amount of receipts and expenditure for each of the Harbour Boards for the year ended 31st December, 1908 (excepting Wellington, the accounts for which were made up for the year ending 30th September, 1908, and Coromandel, Fortrose, Half-moon Bay and Horseshoe Bay, Kaikoura, Kawhia, New River, Port Robinson, and Riverton, to 31st March, 1909), also the liabilities at date of balancing, including outstanding loans, have been tabulated as follows:—

Harbour Boards.ReceiptsExpenditure (excluding Amounts paid to sinking Fun and for Redemption of Debentures).Liabilities (excluding Loans from Government).
Revenue fromReceipts not Revenue.Total Receipts.Works and Maintenance.Other Expenditure, Interest, &c.Out of Loan.Total Expenditure.
Wharfage Dues, Charges, Fees, Tolls, &c.Rents and other Sources.Total Revenue.

(a) Including Admiralty subsidy, £3,000.

(b) Public works.

(c) Coromandel County Council is the Harbour Board.

(d) Southland County Council is the Harbour Board.

(e) No transactions.

(f) Stewart Island County Council is the Harbour Board.

(g) Kaikoura County Council is the Harbour Board.

(h) Kawhia County Council is the Harbour Board.

(i) Government grant.

(j) Including Government grant, £250.

(k) Public works, £9,185 19s. 8d.; office expenses, £170.

(l) Invercargill Borough Council is the Harbour Board.

(m) Clutha River Board is the Harbour Board.

(n) Cheviot County Council is the Harbour Board.

* Including rates: Gisborne, 4417 9s. 11d.; Napier, £23,495 15s.; New Plymouth, £9,108 19s. 2d.; Oamaru, £11,357 14s. 8d.; Timaru, £7,662 15s. 10d.; Wairoa £500 13s. 2d.

 £s.d.£s.a.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.
Auckland79,29079319,42911798,719194(a)87,1481010185,80810249,43151149,682137(b)121,45518220,56912779,64000
Bluff21,629643,175181124,805531437324,94812623,09014811,28866   34,3791276,959184
Coromandel(c)3747   3747   374725146      25142466
Fortrose(d)   10001000   1000               
Foxton(e)                              
Gisborne16,373511,9142718,287789419318,3826119,85715712,830180   22,688137204,024164
Greymouth22,128667,301171029,4304435,0000064,430445,709181114,680107(b)64,801151185,19255322,094154
Half-moon Bay and Horseshoe Bay(f)8370   8370   8370501255393   104183442
Havelock13436   13436   13436336380139   11400   
Hokitika196899121921,109711300001,4097116819984790   916897,38519
Kaikoura (g)8901810731009648105,500006,461810630178421163(b)5,000006,05213112,06143
Kawhia (h)190136011019146500024146108516093(b)221901931683000
Lyttelton58,0961052,83110960,928121983361,1264523,0575127,05975   50,716126270,902168
Mokau12218356185179168   179158151510101910   252158960
Motueka7751226315183973(i)500001,3397321042568711   77812178195
Napier35,091141027,84210862,9341164455463,379101025,1044429,5281510(k)9,35519363,9881910507,942811
Nelson3,0373464718103,685224,7441508,429172   3,31941(b)7,04461010,363101157,8461311
New Plymouth14,313191113,4140427,728031853027,9133316,1007814,9721310   31,13316213,49426
New River(1)9684027613111,24617116661481,9131272481041,73010   1,97811417,825119
Oamaru8,06411714,82914022,894571,2000024,094571,5126913,9531310(b)26241015,72855374,403172
Opunake(e)                              
Otago72,8541910,2841983,1383640,456133123,59410927,06812280,97377(b)13,50000121,541199741,17649
Patea4,3321975021614,835158971524,93310103,1001242,30404   5,40412828,81959
Port Molyneux(e)(m)                              
Port Robinson(n)166199   1601996181715198310118   19956   
Riverton9588188151128447   2478613114913   2351441,90000
Thames1,8777185272842,15069   2,150696191841,618178   2,26816010,0511810
Timaru23,7458310,03518433,781675760534,3577010,5826119,92468(b)3,9921334,498140327,3681211
Tokomaru Bay(e)                              
Tolaga Bay(e)                              
Waikokohu2374718075417120019441811431717218559   50321134954
Waimakariri4400306109350109   350109347210217111   56413112,018127
Wairau143156   143156   14315677612193   128169   
Wairoa1,056515201421,576193   1,57619394315471011   1,6531655,03500
Waitara2,2271527543112,98110121102,9811011,7581136971311   2,456522,734171
Wanganui12,0691601,42116913,4911368,20215321,0918912,9543115,1021811(b)8,1090026,16621044,824148
Wellington165,766163.3,632176169,39913972,4741710241,87411754,09260131,77451133,74937219,615156621,31827
Westport65,720130   85,720130   85,72013054,9788336,796110   91,774193650,80000
Whaingaroa2814244146325188   32518824768103174   351402000
Whakatane322129   322129   322129116035286   3631462500
Whangarei1,248178976111,34647   1,3464788516427171   1,31218787130
            Totals633,616138*121,026115751,64351257,9941261,012,637177321,183106462,7401411267,2921291,054,2161825,274,273106

Loans of Local Bodies.

In a table on the next page will be found a summary of the amounts raised by loan, classified according to the rates of interest paid, distinguishing loans raised in New Zealand from those raised abroad. It will be noticed that the amount raised abroad (£5,517,700) is now less than that raised in New Zealand (£7,785,922). Figures for twenty consecutive years on page 422 show that the operations have been such as to leave the total outside indebtedness somewhat less in March, 1909, than it was in 1902, while on the other hand the inside indebtedness has increased steadily. The lowest rate of interest paid in 1909 was 3 ½ per cent., but the large sum of £2,755,455 was raised at 5 per cent., and £1,689,513 at 6 per cent., while £62,000 bore interest as high as 7 per cent.

LOANSOF LOCAL BODIES, MARCH, 1909.—NET INDEBTEDNESSAND ANNUAL CHARGE.
Amount of Debentures and Stock in Circulation.Amount of Accrued Sinking Fund.Net Indebtedness.Annual Charge (excluding Exchange and Commission).
Interest.Sinking Fund.Total.
* Repayable by annual instalments of £102,765, representing 4 ¼ per cent. per annum on £1,080,519, 4 per cent. per annum on £72,073 and 3 ½ per cent. per annum on £1,464,543, the amount inscribed to let February, 1909. Repayments on the amount inscribed (42,617,135, including £89,878 debentures under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, exchanged) would be £3,458,080. The actual repayments to date are £1,011,553 leaving £2,440,527 to be paid by way of interest and sinking fund, on a present indebtedness of £1,839,017.
 ££££££
Counties56,5341,67854,8562,6148613,475
Boroughs7,016,926425,8836,591,043318,92943,796362,725
Town Boards25,96748325,4841,2031441,347
Road Boards70,6402,32468,3163,1224173,539
River Boards27,3503,62623,7241,3005641,864
Water-supply Board21,2003,78317,4121,0152001,215
Harbour Boards5,052,845598,1254,454,720239,74633,748273,494
Drainage Boards596,56076,925519,63529,7512,19131,942
Christchurch Tramway Board435,6006,381429,21918,6502,17820,828
Totals13,303,6221,119,21312,184,409616,33084,099700,429
Inscribed debt of Local Bodies under the Loans to Local Bodies’ Loans Acts (including inscribed stock exchanged for debentures under “The Roads and Bridges Construction Act, 1882”)1,839,017* 1,839,017*  102,765
Totals15,142,6391,119,21314,023,426  803,194

Loans of Local Bodies, raised within and without New Zealand.

TABLE showing the Amount of Indebtedness of Counties, Boroughs, Town, Road, River, Water-supply, Christchurch Tramway Boards, and Drainage Boards, as on the 31st March, 1909, and of Harbour Boards as on the 31st December, 1908, classified according to the Rates of Interest paid, distinguishing Loans raised in the Dominion from those raised elsewhere. (See note.)

Local Bodies.No Interest.3 ½%3 ¾%4%4 ¼%4 ½%4 ¾%5%5 ¼%5 ½%6%7%Total.

* Including £45,500 at 4 ⅜ per cent.

† Including £3,000 at 5 ¾ per cent.

NOTE.—Not including loans from Government, amounting to £1,839,017, repayable by instalments.

Loans raised in the Dominion.
 £££££££££££££
Christchurch Tramway Board    380,60055,000      435,600
Counties   1,400 40,700 13,198900386  56,534
Boroughs25,0004,000 1,400,090130,0781,987,491*208,050517,24418,00020,000†154,4732,0004,466,420
Town Boards     21,554 3,913  500 25,967
Road Boards   13,9005,00046,600 5,100  40 70,640
River Boards   3,200 18,000 650  500 22,350
Water-supply Board     9,000 12,200    21,200
Harbour Hoards  60,000978,025814,403234,770 173,450 30,000  2,290,645
Drainage Boards   25,00026,800327,440 15,200 2,120  396,560
        Total raised in Dominion25,0004,00060,0002,421,6151,356,8782,740,555*208,050740,95518,90052,456†155,5132,0007,785,922
Loans raised outside the Dominion.
Boroughs   1,025,000838,700307,000 332,000 35,000552,80060,0002,550,500
River Boards          5,000 5,000
Harbour Boards   300,0003,500  1,682,500  776,200 2,762,200
Drainage Board          200,000 200,000
Total raised outside Dominion   1,325,000242,200307,000 2,014,510 35,0001,534,00060,0005,517,700
Total Loans raised
Christchurch Tramway Board    380,60055,000      435,600
Counties   1,400 40,700 13,198900336  56,534
Boroughs25,0004,000 2,425,080368,7782,294,491*208,050849,24418,00055,000†707,27362,0007,016,926
Town Boards     21,554 3,913  500 25,967
Road Boards   13,9005,00046,600 5,100  40 70,640
River Boards   3,200 18,000 650  5,500 27,350
Water-supply Board     9,000 12,200    21,200
Harbour Boards  60,0001,278,025817,900234,770 1,855,350 30,000776,200 5,052,845
Drainage Boards   25,00026,800327,440 15,200 2,120200,000 596,660
            Total loans raised25,0004,00060,0003,746,6151,599,0783,047,555*208,0502,755,45518,90087,456†1,689,51362,00013,303,622

Indebtedness and Interest Charge of Local Bodies, excluding Government Loans.

Year ended 31st March.Indebtedness.Interest.Average Rate.
 £££
18936,203,869340,5835.49
18946,814,824357,1355.40
18956,685,510358,2925.36
18966,737,578361,3065.36
18976,793,398363,3525.35
18986,834,361363,5695.32
18996,963,254363,9155.23
19007,057,350367,0195.20
19017,563,069385,9595.10
19027,839,695396,4605.06
19038,217,196409,2384.91
19048,898,910439,8794.94
190510,018,242487,1451.86
190610,718,051515,1884.81
190711,616,048548,3874.72
190812,532,334587,5644.69
190913,303,622616,3304.63

Gross Loan Indebtedness of Local Bodies.

Year ended 31st Mar.Raised in New Zealand.Raised Abroad.Borrowed from Government.Total.
 ££££
1890908,6095,069,450338,6576,316,716
1891985,1145,057,579384,7806,427,473
18921,027,4845,054,450468,2496,550,183
18931,129,7195,074,150546,0496,749,918
18941,198,7745,416,050550,3647,165,188
18951,261,9605,423,550623,9187,309,428
18961,276,5035,461,075668,8937,406,471
18971,336,6985,456,700710,3597,503,757
18981,343,1615,491,200743,2427,577,603
18991,478,1545,485,100789,9657,753,219
19001,579,0505,478,300810,1927,867,542
19012,052,2695,510,800902,7698,465,838
19022,287,5955,552,1001,046,6458,886,340
19032,880,5965,336,6001,266,0029,483,198
19043,369,4105,529,5001,401,75210,300,662
19053,479,6425,638,6001,526,35310,644,595
19065,250,5515,467,5001,580,49412,298,545
19076,145,5485,470,5001,647,27313,263,321
19087,246,8345,285,5001,691,08314,223,417
19097,785,9225,517,7001,839,01715,142,639

From the above tables it will be seen that the total amount owing was, on the 31st March, 1909, £13,303,622. But, against this, accrued sinking funds to the value of £1,119,213 were held, leaving a net debt of £12,184,409, exclusive of moneys borrowed from the General Government and repayable by annual instalments.

The total annual charge (excluding exchange and commission) stood at £700,429, of which £616,330 was for interest, and the remainder, £84,099, contributions to sinking fund accounts.

Of the total net indebtedness in 1908–9 the debt of the Borough Councils, £6,591,043, formed the largest item, while the Harbour Boards owed £4,454,720.

On referring to the comparative table on the previous page, a great advance in the outstanding loans of local governing bodies will be noticed. Between 1900 and 1909 the gross indebtedness increased from £7,867,542 to £15,142,639, an addition of £7,275,097 or 92 per cent. during the ten years. During the same period the population advanced at the rate of 28 per cent., and the value of land and improvements (1898–1909) from £138,591,347 to £271,516,022, or at the rate of 96 per cent. in twelve years.

The aggregate interest-charge for the year under review was £616,474, and £275,998 of this was payable on loans raised outside the Dominion. The average rate of interest payable to bondholders was £4 12s. 7d. per cent. These figures do not include interest payable on loans from Government.

While the average rate of interest on the above-mentioned debt is found to be less than 5 per cent., nearly three millions were raised at 5 per cent., and one million and three-quarters at 6 per cent. or over.

The Local Bodies’ Loans Acts.

“The Local Bodies’ Loans Act, 1908,” empowers local authorities to raise special loans for and in connection with the construction of public works or the establishment or purchase of any business which they may legally undertake. The consent of the ratepayers must first be obtained by means of a poll, and a majority of three-fifths of the total number of valid votes recorded is required to carry the proposal, except in the case of a borough, when a bare majority will suffice.

There are, however, certain loans for which a poll need not be taken, such a loan raised for repayment of overdraft or other liabilities lawfully incurred for any purpose for which a special loan may be raised; for redemption, conversion or consolidation of existing loans; for undertakings authorized by special Acts; or where a majority of the ratepayers in number and in capital value of property of any district containing not more than one hundred ratepayers consent in writing to the proposal. As security for repayment of principal and interest a local authority may pledge all or any of its property, revenues or funds, excepting Government grants, and must levy an annually recurring special rate to provide for interest or interest and sinking fund. In certain cases the annual charge may be paid out of the general fund Where a loan is raised for the benefit of any particular portion or legal subdivision of a local district, the special rate may be levied on the rateable property within such portion or subdivision only.

Loans are raised by issue of debentures bearing interest at a rate not exceeding 5 per cent. per annum, the debentures to be in form as set out in a schedule to the Act.

Special provision is made for borrowing by local authorities of mining districts. Loans may be raised for public works within a mining district, and a special rate on all mining privileges not already rateable must be levied as security for the annual charge. Goldfield revenue may be pledged as collateral security. If the work proposed is the supply of water the sum raised in any one year must not exceed £15,000.

“The Local Bodies’ Loans Amendment Act, 1908,” provides that after the passing of this Act, in respect of every loan raised under the principal Act by a local authority, the Public Trustee shall be the Commissioner of the sinking fund, and he shall, at his own discretion, invest the money of the fund in securities issued by the Government of New Zealand, and not in securities of any other kind.

Under the provisions of “The New Zealand State Guaranteed Advances Act, 1909,” a local body may, after taking the necessary steps in compliance with “The Local Bodies’ Loans Act, 1908,” obtain a loan from the State Advances Department for a period not exceeding thirty-six and a half years, interest and principal to be paid by half-yearly instalments. The rate of interest charged is to be the same as the rate at which the money was raised by the Advances Department, but it is not anticipated that such rate will be less than 3 ½ per cent or greater than 4 per cent.

Prior to taking the necessary formal steps to raise a loan the local body may make preliminary application to the Board in order to ascertain if the amount would be granted and if the terms proposed are suitable, and the Board may approve or reject such application or propose other terms at its discretion. A provisional approval shall not constitute an agreement on the part of the Board to grant any loan nor affect its right to impose any conditions on the grant. Such provisional approval shall lapse unless an application for the loan so approved is made within six months of the date of approval.

A commission fee of one half per cent shall be payable to the Superintendent of the Advances Department by the local authority to whom the loan is granted, to cover administration expenses. Payment of interest and principal must be secured by a special rate calculated to produce an amount ten per cent greater than the periodical payments as they fall due.

The provisions of the Amendment Act of 1908 in respect of sinking funds do not apply to loans granted to local authorities by the Advances Board.

Municipal Franchise.

“The Municipal Corporations Act, 1908,” deals with the franchise in the case of boroughs, and provides that, in addition to the persons who are already entitled to be enrolled, every person shall be so entitled who possesses the freehold or residential qualifications stated in the Act.

The possession of the freehold qualification is defined as being the beneficial and duly registered owner of a freehold estate in land of the capital value of not less than £25, situated in the borough, notwithstanding that any other person is the occupier thereof, or part thereof, under any tenancy.

A rating qualification may be possessed by any person whose name appears for the time being as the occupier of any rateable property within the borough.

Every person is deemed to possess a residential qualification within a borough if he is, and for at least three months last past has been, a residential occupant within such borough as a tenant of a tenement the rental of which is not less than £10 per annum, or as a subtenant or joint tenant of a tenement the rental of which is at the rate of not less than £10 per year for each of the several subtenants or joint tenants.

No person may be entered in the burgess lists in respect of more qualifications than one; but any person who has more than one qualification may select the one in respect of which he wishes to be entered.

In the case of husband and wife, any qualification possessed by one of them is deemed to be possessed by each.

No person enrolled on a burgess roll has more than one vote, and no person enrolled by virtue of the residential qualification can vote on any proposal relating to loans or rates.

Local Authorities Superannuation Funds.

An Act of the General Assembly, passed in 1908, authorises any local authority to establish a superannuation fund for the benefit of its employees. Two or more bodies, whether of the same or different descriptions, may unite for this purpose. The Act prescribes the method by which the fund may be established, scale of contributions, and the computation of retiring-allowances. The solvency of every fund must be guaranteed by the local authority or authorities establishing the same, and the funds are to be vested in the Public Trustee. Statements of accounts and membership must be submitted to Parliament annually, and an actuarial examination of the fund made every third year of its existence. Subject to regulations made by Order in Council, every fund shall be administered by the local authority by which it is established.

Subsidies to Local Authorities.

By annual appropriation of Parliament a subsidy is paid out of the Consolidated Fund to the local authority of each county, road district, and town district in respect of the general rates (exclusive of rates payable by Natives) levied for the year ending on the 31st March, and actually collected on or before the 30th June ensuing next after the expiry of that year, according to the following scale:—

Counties.

Wherein there are no road districts—

Not exceeding £1,00010s. in the pound.
Exceeding £1,0005s. in the pound.

Provided in the latter case no lesser sum than £500 nor greater sum than £2,500 shall be paid in any one year. Wherein there are road districts—

Not exceeding £50010s. in the pound.
Exceeding £5005s. in the pound.

Provided in the latter case no lesser sum than £250 nor greater sum than £500 shall be paid in any one year.

If the Counties Act is not in full force within a county, this subsidy is paid to the Board of each road district; if the Act is in full force, then the subsidy is paid to each Road Board and to the County Council in equal parts. If any road district does not collect rates the county, if it collects rates within such district, may claim the subsidy on its behalf.

Subsidy is paid to a County Council on general rates collected on such portions of the county as lie outside of road or town districts—

Not exceeding £50010s. in the pound.
Exceeding £5005s. in the pound.

Provided in the latter case no lesser sum than £250 nor greater sum than £500 shall be paid in any one year.

No greater sum in all than £2,500 shall be paid in any year in respect of any county and its road districts.

Town Districts.

When the general rates collected do not exceed £7505s. in the pound.
When the general rates collected exceed £7502s. 6d. in the pound.

Provided in the latter case no lesser sum than £187 10s. nor greater sum than £450 shall be paid in any one year.

Boroughs.

By authority of the Municipal Corporations Act, subsidies are paid annually to Borough Councils in respect of general rates, as follows:—

Not exceeding £7505s. in the pound.
Exceeding £7502s. 6d. in the pound.

In the latter case no lesser sum than £187 10s. nor greater sum than £450 shall he payable in any one year.

No subsidy is paid on any part of general races expended by Borough Councils in contributing to the funds of any other local authority not receiving subsidy.

Upon application, any local authority may be granted an advance of 75 per cent. of the subsidy payable on the amount of rates collectible for the year then current.

Where any local authority has adopted the system of rating on the capital value or the unimproved value, no subsidy shall be paid on any amount collected which exceeds the product of a rate of ¾d. in the pound on the capital value of rateable property. If the rate is levied on the annual value, no subsidy shall be paid on any amount exceeding that produced by a rate of 1s. in the pound.

Rating-powers of Local Authorities.

System of Rating.

The system of rating is upon the basis that 1s. in the pound on the annual value is deemed to be equivalent to ¾d. in the pound on the capital value of any rateable property, or shat the annual value of any rateable property is equal to 6 per cent. on the capital value of such property. Rating on the unimproved value must be so adjusted as to equal as nearly as may be, but not to exceed, in producing-capacity, the limit of rating-power on the capital or annual value, as the case may be.

The system of rating on the unimproved value does not apply to water rates, gas rates, electric-light rates, sewage rates, or hospital and charitable-aid rates, which may be levied on the annual or capital value only.

Rateable Value.

The annual value is deemed to be the letting-value less 20 per cent. in case of houses, buildings, and other perishable property, and 10 per cent. of land, but in no case less than 5 per cent. of the value of the fee-simple. The capital value is deemed to be the selling-value of the land, including improvements, at the time of valuation. The unimproved value is deemed to be the selling-value of the land at the time of valuation, excluding the value of any existing improvements.

Maximum Rating-power.

Boroughs.

General Hate.—Two shillings in the pound on the annual or 1 ½d. in the pound on the capital value of all rateable property, or its equivalent on the unimproved value. In divided boroughs the rate levied may vary in different wards, but must not in any case exceed the above limit.

Separate Rates for Special Works.—Three-farthings in the pound in any one year on capital, or 1s. in the pound on the annual, or its equivalent on the unimproved, value of the rateable property.

Water-supply.—Ordinary supply 10s. per annum where the annual value does not exceed £12 10s., 7 per cent. on the first £100 in excess of £12 10s., 6 per cent. on the second £100 of such value, 5 per cent. on the third £100, and 4 per cent. on so much of such value as exceeds £300. Half rates on stores or warehouses, and all land and buildings to which water can be but is not supplied, situate within 100 yards from any part of the waterworks. The rate or charge for extraordinary supply may be fixed by the Council.

Lighting Streets and Public Buildings.—Sixpence in the pound on the annual value.

Sanitation.—Sixpence. in the pound on the annual value, or a uniform annual fee may be levied in lieu of a race, provided the total proceeds of such fee shall not exceed the proceeds of such rate.

Library.—One penny in the pound on the annual value.

Hospital and Charitable Aid.—A rate sufficient to produce the amount of the contribution for which the borough may be liable.

Harbour.—Any Council appointed a Harbour Board may, for the purpose of constructing or maintaining harbour-works, levy a rate not to exceed in any one year ⅜d. in the pound on the capital value.

Special rates for the purpose of producing interest, or interest and sinking-fund, upon any special loan are not limited by statute. No special loan may be raised without the consent of a majority of the ratepayers affected.

Counties.

General Bate.—In counties where there are no road or town districts 3d. in the pound, or where there are road or town districts 3d. in the pound in outlying districts, and in all other parts of the county 1½d. in the pound on the capital value of rateable property, or its equivalent on the unimproved or annual value.

Separate Bates within any Biding of the County or within such portion of the County as is defined in a Special Order.—The total amount of general and separate rates together must not exceed the amount of the maximum general rate.

Special Works Rates.—Three-farthings in the pound on the capital value or its equivalent as aforesaid.

Sanitation.—One halfpenny in the pound on the capital value, or a uniform annual charge the total proceeds of which must not exceed the total product of such rate.

Water-supply.—A County Council undertaking the supply of water for purposes of irrigation or domestic use has power to levy special rates for payment of interest on and repayment of money borrowed for such purpose, and such rates may be levied either on a uniform scale or graduated according to the classification of lands. A fixed charge may be made for water supplied, and such charge may be estimated to cover interest and sinking fund on loans.

Drainage.—Three-halfpence in the pound on the capital value or its equivalent over the whole or any part of the county, to secure interest and repayment of money borrowed.

Harbour—A Council exercising the powers of a Harbour Board may levy special rates for the construction and maintenance of harbour-works, such rate not to exceed in any one year ⅜d. in the pound on the capital value or its equivalent.

Bridge Bate, for Reconstruction of Bridges.—One farthing in the pound on the capital value of all rateable property in the whole or any part of the county.

Library.—One penny in the pound on the annual value or its equivalent in cases where the library is managed by the Council.

Hospital and Charitable Aid.—A rate sufficient to produce the amount of the contribution for which the county may be liable.

Special rates to provide interest, or interest and sinking fund, on loans are not limited by statute as to amount.

Road Boards.

General Rate.—Three-halfpence in the pound on the capital value or its equivalent on the unimproved value, or 2s. in the pound on the annual value, as the case may be. In the event of a receiver being appointed, the power is extended by ⅜d. in the pound if the Counties Act is suspended, or 3/16;d. in the pound if the Act be in force, upon the capital value.

Separate Rates (in Subdivided Road Districts).—May be levied over any or every subdivision of the district, but must not, together with the general rate, exceed the limit of 1 ½d. in the pound on the capital value or its equivalent.

Special Rates for Particular Works.—Three-farthings in the pound on the capital value over the whole or any portion of the district.

Water-supply for Domestic Use.—According to the scale prescribed by the Municipal Corporations Act for boroughs. This applies only to certain Road Boards specially authorised.

Irrigation.—Where the Counties Act is not in operation or suspended, two or more adjoining road districts may amalgamate fertile purpose of forming a water-supply district with the full rating-powers of such districts. Any Road Board which had constructed water-races or irrigation-works prior to 1891 may continue to exercise in this respect the same rating-powers as a County Council.

Library.—One penny in the pound on the annual value or its equivalent. Only where the public library is managed by the Road Board.

Hospital and Charitable Aid.—A rate sufficient to produce the amount of the contribution for which the Board may be liable.

Harbour.—Should a Road Board be declared a Harbour Board it may, by consent of the ratepayers, levy a special rate for the construction or maintenance of harbour-works, such rate not to exceed in any one year ⅜d. in the pound on the capital value, or its equivalent.

Special rates to provide interest, or interest and sinking fund, on loans are not limited by statute as to amount.

Town Boards.

General Rate.—Three-halfpence in the pound on the capital value, or its equivalent on the unimproved value, or 2s. in the pound on the annual value.

Separate Rate.—For special works in any particular portion of the district, not to exceed 1s. in the pound on the annual value, or its equivalent, in any such portion.

Library.—One penny in the pound on the annual value or its equivalent. Only where the public library is managed by the Town Board.

Hospital and Charitable Aid.—A rate sufficient to produce the amount of the contribution for which the Board may be liable.

Special rates for interest, or interest and sinking fund, on loans may be levied in the same manner as for boroughs.

Harbour Boards.

For any purpose connected with a harbour, or for interest, or interest and sinking fund, on loans, a rate not to exceed ¾d. in the pound on the capital value, or its equivalent on the annual or unimproved value.

Water-supply Boards.

Special rates—not limited by statute as to amount—for payment of interest and to provide for the redemption of loans, may be levied either upon a uniform scale or graduated according to the classification of lands. A fixed charge, estimated to cover interest and sinking fund on loans, may be made for water supplied.

Drainage or Irrigation Boards.

General Rate.—Three-halfpence in the pound on the capital value or its equivalent, leviable either on a uniform scale or graduated according to the classification of lands in the district.

Special rates—not limited by statute as to amount—may be levied to secure the interest and provide a fund for the repayment of loans.

River Boards.

General Rate.—Three-halfpence in the pound on the capital value or its equivalent, leviable either on a uniform scale or graduated according to the classification of lands in the district.

Separate rates shall not, together with the general rates levied, exceed the amount limited in respect to general rates.

Special rates—not limited by statute as to amount—may be levied to secure the interest and provide a fund for the repayment of loans.

Fire Boards.

Borough Councils, County Councils, Road or Town Boards within a fire district may, in order to raise the amount required to be contributed to the Fire Board, levy a separate rate, on the value of the buildings only, within the fire district.

Rabbit Boards.

General Rate.—Three-sixteenths of a penny in the pound on the capital value or its equivalent of all rateable property within the rabbit district, the proceeds of such rate to be expended in the destruction of rabbits.

Rabbit-proof Fencing Boards.

General Rate.—One farthing in the pound on the capital value of all rateable property in the district under the control of the Board.

Special rates—not limited by statute as to amount—may be levied to secure the interest and provide for repayment of loans.

Small Birds Nuisance.

Borough Councils, County Councils, Town Boards, and Road Boards in counties where the Counties Act is suspended or not in force, are empowered to raise funds for the destruction of injurious birds by levying a general rate not exceeding 1/16;d. in the pound on the capital value or its equivalent on the annual or unimproved value.

Public Health.

A separate rate not exceeding £d. in the pound on the capital value or its equivalent may be levied by any local authority over the whole or any portion of the district, for payment of expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of the Public Health Act.

Recurring Rate.

Where the local authority is authorised to make a special rate providing for the annual or half-yearly charges on a loan, such special rate shall be made a continuing rate for a period of years equal to the currency of the loan.

Increase of Rating-power authorised where Revenue lost in consequence of the Reduction or Prohibition of Licenses.

Every local authority which suffers loss of revenue from license fees under the Licensing Act, in consequence of the reduction or

prohibition of licenses in the district, may make good such loss by an equivalent sum to be levied and collected by an increase of the general rate in the district.

Rates on Native Lands.

The full amount of rates (including special) may be levied on Native land—

  1. Of which there is a European occupier;

  2. That is situate in a borough or town district or within ten miles of any part thereof;

  3. That is situate within five miles of any Government or county road;

  4. That has been at any time acquired by purchase, lease, or in any other way for valuable consideration from any person or from the Crown;

  5. That has at any time been liable for full rates;

  6. That is incorporated under Part II of Division II of “The Native Land Court Act, 1894.”

All other Native land shall, if the title thereto has been ascertained, be liable for half the amount of the rates levied, or, if the title has not be ascertained, shall be exempt from all rates.

Rating of Mining Properly in the South Island.

All mining property held by an occupier in any borough, town district, or county within a mining district in the South Island is liable to be rated by the local authority in the same manner as other rateable property in the district, but subject to special provisions of “The Rating Act, 1908.”

Rating on Unimproved Value.

A special article on this system of rating (which it is optional with local governing bodies to adopt or not) is given in Part III of this issue.

The results, as shown by notifications in the New Zealand Gazette, of proposals to levy rates on the” unimproved value of land are given in full.

TABLESHOWINGTHE RESULTOF POLLSTAKENONTHE PROPOSALTO RATEONTHE UNIMPROVEDVALUE, TO 31STMARCH, 1910.
Date of Poll.Result of Poll.Votes recorded.
ForAgainstInformal.

(a) For rescission.

(b) Proposal to rescind the adoption of the Act rejected. Poll taken 6th June, 1904. For rescission, 176; against, 415; informal, C.

(c) Proposal to rescind the adoption of the Act rejected. Poll taken 3rd May, 1904. For rescission, 116; against, 148.

(d) Proposal to rescind. Poll taken 28th August, 1907. For rescission, 108; against, 161; informal, 5. Proposal rejected.

(e) Proposal to rescind. Poll taken 4th May, 1906. For rescission, 300; against, 402. Proposal rejected.

(f) Proposal to rescind the adoption of the Act rejected. Poll taken 28th June, 1909. For rescission, 219; against, 373; informal 14.

(g) Now part of Christchurch City.

(a) Road district not now in existence.

(b) Illegal, not in accordance with provisions of Rating Act.

(c) Now part of Wellington City.

(d) Proposal to rescind the adoption of the Act rejected. For proposal, 23; against, 38; informal, 3.

(e) Fox rescission.

(f) Proposal to rescind the adoption of the Act rejected. For proposal, 85; against, 124; informal, 2.

(g) Including Whangamomona County, since constituted.

(h) Now part of Christchurch City. (i) Road district not now in existence.

* Now poll taken under Act of 1900.

(a) Including Woodville, Waipukurau, and Dannevirke Counties, since constituted.

(b) Poll taken prior to coming into operation of section 2 of “The Local Government Voting Reform Act, 1899”; less than one-third of ratepayers voted, and proposal consequently rejected. The county has since been subdivided and absorbed in other counties.

(c) New poll taken under Act of 1900. Proposal to rescind rejected; poll taken, 9th March, 1906. For proposal, 213; against. 228.

Akitio County16 Feb., 1905Carried112323
Ashburton Borough14 Jan., 1903Rejected1021994
Auckland City7 Aug., 1901Rejected7531,697 
Avenal Borough7 Dec., 1904Carried48102
Awatere Road District3 May, 1905Carried1468 
Awhitu Road District25 Jan., 1907Carried23151
Balclutha Borough7 July, 1902Carried6033 
Birkenhead Borough9 Feb., 1910Rejected1932483
Blenheim Borough17 June, 1903Carried22464 
Buller County10 Sept., 1904Carried302845
Campbelltown Borough14 Sept., 1904Carried101866
Castlepoint County8 Nov., 1905Carried5645 
Castlepoint County (a)8 Nov., 1905Carried4119 
Cheviot County6 Oct., 1898Carried16541 
Christchurch City30 June, 1902Carried596512 
Clyde Town District22 Feb., 1907Carried68121
Dannevirke Borough27 Feb., 1907Carried3089413
Devonport Borough (a)30 Oct., 1900Carried356109 
Eastbourne Borough8 Aug., 1906Carried7824 
Eketahuna Borough16 Sept., 1907Carried889 
Eketahuna County1 Feb., 1900Carried149211
Featherston Town Board11 May, 1908Carried101141
Feilding Borough16 April, 1901Carried268561
Foxton Borough20 June, 1902Rejected53984
Foxton Borough Carried104363
Gore Borough7 July, 1901Carried122675
Grey Lynn Borough20 Mar., 1901Carried140712
Greymouth Borough23 Feb., 1898Carried214481
Hamilton Borough (a)13 Feb., 1901Carried7752 
Hastings Borough14 July, 1902Rejected25026515
Hastings Borough30 Aug., 1905Rejected31437421
Hastings Borough11 Feb, 1909Carried3232466
Hawera Borough (a)8 April, 1903Carried12991
Heathcote Road District14 Mar., 1905Rejected13540314
Hobson County14 Feb., 1905Carried2271968
Hokianga County11 Mar., 1899Carried109256
Hokitika Borough5 May, 1901Carried212531
Hunua Road District5 April, 1899Carried602 
Inangahua County14 May, 1898Carried284112
Invercargill Borough (a)(a)5 June, 1901Carried3861744
Kaiapoi Borough7 Sept., 1905Rejected8325116
Kairanga County14 Jan., 1905Carried142542
Karori Borough4 April, 1898Carried9331
Kawhia County21 Nov., 1905Carried967 
Linwood Borough (g)30 May, 1901Carried276380
Lower Hutt Borough12 Oct., 1901Carried94684
Mackenzie Town District19 Feb., 1910Carried143 
Manawatu Road District(a)6 Jan., 1900Carried10510 
Maori Hill Borough25 Jan., 1904Carried11927 
Maraetai Road District2 June, 1900Carried16  
Mareretu Road District(a)28 June, 1902Carried24  
Masterton Borough29 Aug., 1901Carried2211396
Masterton County1 Sept., 1906Rejected2432453
Matamata County13 Nov., 1909Rejected1562718
Mataura Borough27 Mar., 1907Rejected17581
Mauku Road District2 July, 1904Rejected23391
Melrose Borough(a)3 Mar., 1898Carried236406
Miramar Borough30 Nov., 1905Carried117451
Mosgiel Borough27 Feb., 1902Rejected58871
New Brighton Borough27 Feb., 1908Carried133762
New Plymouth Borough16 Mar., 1905Rejected1673134
Ngaruawahia Town District27 Feb., 1909Carried1615 
Normanby Town District(a)15 Nov., 1897Carried82563
North-east Valley Borough12 Jan., 1905Carried202172 
North-east Valley Borough (a)30 Mar., 1908Carried354185 
North Invercargill Borough(a)1 April, 1903Carried107242
Onslow Borough20 Mar., 1901Carried1408 
Opotiki County15 April, 1909Carried45371
Pahiatua Borough19 June, 1897Carried136381
Pahiatua County27 June, 1901Carried350313
Palmerston North Borough5 Mar., 1897Carried402123
Papakura Road District10 Mar., 1900Carried301 
Pelorus Road District31 Mar., 1900Carried9841 
Petone Borough6 Nov., 1901Rejected1001344
Petone Borough23 Mar., 1905Carried311112 
Piako County22 Aug., 1908Carried22859 
Picton Borough Rejected27731
Picton Borough30 July, 1903Carried47389
Raglan County23 Nov., 1901Carried*116852
St. Albans Borough13 Feb., 1902Carried35021815
St. Kilda Borough28 Nov., 1907Rejected1522231
South Invercargill Borough2 Feb., 1902Carried106541
Southland County1 Mar., 1902Rejected919574 
Spreydon Road District16 May, 1901Rejected141574
Stratford County(a)29 June, 1901Rejected399232
Stratford Borough23 July, 1902Rejected137641
Sumner Borough21 Nov., 1901Rejected9119 
Sydenham Borough(a)14 Mar., 1901Rejected353193 
Taihape Borough13 Nov., 1908Rejected30681
Takaka County2 Sept., 1905Carried136405
Taratahi-Carterton Road District(a)26 Aug., 1897Carried26153 
Tauranga County9 Feb., 1901Carried90132
Temuka Borough17 Jan., 1908Rejected1181765
Timaru Borough10 Oct., 1900Rejected932465
Timaru Borough18 April, 1905Rejected372440 
Waimarino County23 Sept., 1903Carried4313 
Waimate Borough2 Feb., 1901Carried2356114
Waimate County1 Nov., 1900Carried368162 
Waipawa County(a)2 Feb., 1898Carried462283
Wairarapa North County(a)8 Nov., 1899Rejected3316810
Wairarapa South County23 Oct., 1902Carried1878 
Wairoa Borough21 Mar., 1910Carried7921 
Wanganui Borough17 Dec., 1903Rejected3033312
Wanganui East Borough20 May, 1909Rejected162189 
Weber County19 Mar., 1909Carried78101
Wellington City11 Nov., 1901Carried1,261591 
West Harbour Borough18 April, 1904Carried62302
Westport Borough19 April, 1901Carried2801637
Whangarei Borough27 Sept., 1905Rejected1662262
Winton Borough29 Nov., 1901Carried39311
Woodville Borough21 Mar., 1898Carried17571
Woolston Borough24 June, 1902Carried(a)2521907

A county having decided to levy rates on the unimproved value makes it compulsory for all interior Town and Road Boards, excepting certain Town Districts having a population of 500 or over, to adopt the same system of rating. But in counties where the Counties Act is suspended, or where a general rate is not levied, the ratepayers of any Road or Town Board may take a poll on the question. It is also permissible for any Town Board within a county not rating on the unimproved value to adopt that system for the purpose of levying Town Board rates, the decision to do so having been carried by vote of the ratepayers. The date of the polling did not, in some instances, allow of a rate on the unimproved value being struck for the year ended 31st March, 1909.

Rates Collected in Counties, Boroughs, Town and Road Districts, 1908–9.

The amount of general and special rates collected, the capital value of rateable property, and the system of rating in force by the various local authorities during the financial year ended 31st March, 1909, is shown in the following tables. The amount shown as capital value of all rateable properties represents the total value, including the various subdivisions. The population shown for each of the minor divisions is already included in the parent district.

Rates collected in Counties, 1908–9.

[System of rating: U. represents rating on the unimproved value, C. on the Capital value, and A. on the annual value.]

Counties and their Subdivisions.Population Census 1906Amount collected during the Year forCapital Value of all Rateable Properties.System of Rating.
General Rates.Separate and Special Rates.
* No rates levied.
  £££ 
Mangonui2,801788 231,162C.
Whangaroa801323 74,240C.
Hokianga2,5141,192 314,345U.
Bay of Islands2,6921,307 395,135C.
Hobson4,7244,502193694.533C.
Whangarei6,9062,2941,339834,417C.
    Kamo Town District315118  C.
    Hikurangi Road District 72  C.
    Kaurihohore Road District12159  C.
    Mangakahia Road District11651  C.
    Maungakaramea Road District292103  C.
    Maunu Road District804382  C.
    Marua Road District336114  C.
    Otonga Road District38354  C.
    Parua Road District27690  C.
    Ruarangi Road District7853  C.
    Waikiekie Road District21197  C.
    Waipu Road District598163  C.
    Waipu North Road District22083  C.
    Whareora Road District10744  C.
    Waipu River District 171  C.
Otamatea2,9212,479535564,021C.
    Mangawai Road District27886  C.
    Mararetu Road District148144  C.
    Matakohe Road District447218  C.
    Raupo Land Drainage District 292  C.
Rodney4,1851,5491,108517,103C.
    Albertland North Road District4819  C.
    Albertland South Road District26596  C.
    Komokoriki Road District7929  C.
    Mahurangi East Road District13432  C.
    Matakana East Road District12336  C.
    Matakana West Road District236110  C.
    Puhoi Road District481192  C.
    Warkworth Road District789265  C.
    Wharehine Road District8976  C.
Waitemata6,4332,6163,200830,140C.
    Kaukapakapa Road District484187  C.
    Pukeatua577111  C.
Eden18,875  3,942,535 
    Arch Hill Road District1,952498178 A.
    Avondale Road District1,4891,064123 C.
    Eden Terrace Road District2,3387091,058 C.
    Epsom Road District1,5911,684374 C.
    Mount Albert Road District3,5831,6803,014 C.
    Mount Roskill Road District883490500 C.
  Mount Wellington Road District1,08451065 C.
    One-tree Hill Road District1,9151,96174 C.
    Orakei Road District2545  C.
    Panmure Township Road District21744  C.
    Point Chevalier Road District902193  C.
    Remuera Road District3,0822,9393,466 C.
    Tamaki West Road District41543645 C.
    Manukau Water-supply District  4,037 C.
    Manukau13,480  2,719,310 
    Papakura Town District35910735 C.
    Pukckohe Town District390409  C.
    Awhitu Road District416181  U.
    Drury Road District453289  C.
    Howick Town Road District2357413 C.
    Hunua Road District255217  U.
    Karaka Road District31460  C.
    Mangere Road District771582  C.
    Manurewa Road District298177  C.
    Maraetai Road District14253  U.
    Mauku Road District45829480 C.
    Maungatawhiri Road District244109  C.
    Mercer Township Road District24557  C.
    Opaheke Road District367271  C.
    Otahuhu Road District1,302591  C.
    Pakuranga Road District278308  C.
    Papakura Road District396451  U.
    Paparata Road District35518662 C.
    Paparoa Road District195103  C.
    Papatoitoi Road District188215  C.
    Pokeno Road District362216  C.
    Pollok Settlement1096817 C.
    Pukekohe East Road District1,064561  C.
    Pukekohe West Road District845584584 C.
    Tamaki East Road District579526  C.
    Turanga Road District227181  C.
    Waipipi Road District1,044607233 C.
    Wairoa Road District860692  C.
    Waiuku Road District592556127 C.
    Aka Aka Land Drainage District 20626 C.
    Pukekohe Land Drainage District 30  C.
Coromandel2,8411,191138223,381C.
Ohinemuri5,89555676598,780C.
Thames4,2862,198 402,185C.
West Taupo     
Piako5,15811,527621,409,523C.
Matamata (new county)     
    Morrinsville Town District375134  C.
    Hungahunga Land Drainage Dist. 140  C.
Waikato3,7321,415 1,294,819C.
    Cambridge Road District7821,124  C.
    Huntly Road District 377  C.
    Kirikiriroa Road District1,4152,178  C.
    Tamahere Road District386423  C.
    Whangamarino Road District623565118 C.
    Eureka Land Drainage District 130  C.
    Fencourt Land Drainage District 74  C.
    Hillside Land Drainage District 169  C.
Waipa4,2993,5571,0651,052,570C.
    Kihikihi Town District2704931 C.
    Leamington Town District32582  C.
    Ngaruawahia Town District420167  C.
    Te Awamutu Town District530148  C.
    Newcastle Road District527336  C.
    Pukekura Road District1,092578  C.
    Rangioahia Road District553595  C.
    Tuhikaramea Road District127246  C.
    Mangahoe Land Drainage District 71  C.
    Ngaroto Land Drainage District 2524 C.
    Ohaupo Land Drainage District 5714 C.
    Te Rapa Land Drainage District 103  C.
Raglan2,2823,5351,1401,055,189U.
    Raglan Town District18073   
Awakino (no rate struck)389  263,110 
Waitomo (1908)1,226552 404,205C.
Ohura (new county)     
Kawhia688477 147,399U.
    Kawhia Town District15530  U.
East Taupo (no rate)509    
Rotorua (no rate)2,657    
Turanga1,9992,766624606,486U.
    Te Puke Road District585213  U.
Whakatane1,0151,173138465,017C.
Rangitaiki Land Drainage District 204226  
Opotiki9961,270 335,548C.
Waiapu85810,217321,711,363C.
Waikohu (new county)7,173903804,746,331C.
Cook15,7623,139
    Aroha Road District57   C.
    Ormond Road District492   C.
    Patutahi Road District589 40 C.
    Pouawa Road District178   C.
    Taruheru Road District486   C.
    Titirangi Road District98   C.
    Waimata Road District393 35 C.
Gisborne Harbour District     
Clifton2,8373,573587688,657C.
New Plymouth Harbour District     
Taranaki7,9116,3848512,037,917C.
    Barrett Road District58531732 C.
    Carrington Road District40642092 C.
    Egmont Road District678516193 C.
    Elliott Road District276191  C.
    Frankley Road District29925333 C.
    Hurford Upper Road District5976  C.
    Mangorei Road District293147  C.
    Moa Road District2,7911,7111,559 C.
    Oakura Road District36511448 C.
    Okato Road District42110987 C.
    Omata Road District410754 C.
    Tataraimaka Read District1695489 C.
    Waitara West Road District75843399 C.
    Waiwakaiho Road District359207219 C.
    Werekino Road District42126  C.
New Plymouth Harbour District     
Hawera3,1855,6402,8891,888,266C.
    Normanby Town District383198  U.
    New Plymouth Harbour District     
Waimate West1,5711,8647101,191,188C.
    Manaia Town District44121060 C.
    New Plymouth Harbour District     
Eltham3,9867,424 1,484,513C.
    Kaponga Town District278123' C.
    Eltham Land Drainage District 93151 C.
Egmont2,8853,507 951,611C.
    Opunake Town District406171  C.
    Parihaka Road District1,7171,2691,168 C.
New Plymouth Harbour District     
Stratford5,1877,2925,1181,248,978U.
    Manganui Road District1,829225118 U.
    Now Plymouth Harbour District     
Whangamomona725866163204,265U.
    New Plymouth Harbour District     
Patea3,1234,5118372,176,901C.
    Waverley Town District471160  C.
    Patea West Road District891 50 C.
Waitotara-Momohaki Road District382 67899C.
Waitotara3,4144,7981781,202,992C.
Waimarino2,4871,088163905,330U.
Wanganui3,83363961,649,282C.
    Kaitoke Road District702461  C.
    Kaukatea Road District209274  C.
    Mataongaonga Road District1,027519  C.
    Mangawhero Road District4081,34391 C.
    Purua Road District997683  C.
    Wangaehu Upper Road District1,4901,5641,074 C.
Rangitikei7,73814,0011,2393,947,918C.
    Lethbridge Town District245114  A.
    Bull's Town District49221693 A.
Kairanga3,6815,1181,5612,128,543U.
    Mangaone River District  75 U.
    Aorangi Land Drainage District 264457 C.
    Manawatu Land Drainage District 2,680285 U.
    Makerua Land Drainage District 141117 C.
    Sluggish River Land Drainage District 467130 C.
Kiwitea3,0344,9161,9571,574,247C.
Oroua3,6984,3201,6091,590,768C.
    Halcombe Town District276121  A.
Pohangina1,7974,4022,009811,500C.
Manawatu4,0075,6111,3611,699,683C.
    Rongotea Town District31822538 C.
    Horseshoe Land Drainage District 551  C.
    Moutoa Land Drainage District 15267 C.
Horowhenua4,0728,2192,4712,765,015C.
    Otaki Road District1,52071937 C.
Wairoa1,4494,4763412,336,695C.
    Wairoa Harbour District     
    Napier Harbour District 1,143   
Hawke's Bay6,89516,6688745,776,238C.
    Clive River District 958  C.
    Pukahu River District 424  C.
    Taradale River District 217  C.
    Napier Harbour District 9,462   
Waipawa3,2456,0854932,164,375U.
    Napier Harbour District 2,555   
Woodville2,0362,8613721,066,180U.
Dannevirke4,8165,6351,5311,834,021U.
    Ormondville Town District41372  U.
Waipukurau4501,651271430,604C.
Patangata1,8436,3251,0642,757,982C.
    Kaikora North Town District268236  A.
    Oero Road District2931,552  C.
    Patangata Road District259247  C.
    Porangahau Road District4541,197  C.
    Tamumu Road District216   C.
    Wallingford Road District207549  C.
    Wanstead Road District146   C.
    Waipawa River District 196  C.
    Napier Harbour District 3,767   
Weber5932,571 350,955U.
Pahiatua3,6727,7092,9381,691,401U.
Akitio1,3942,0531,508721,440U.
Castlepoint5612,676297583,544U.
    Castlepoint River District 39  U.
Eketahuna2,0341,9561,425692,485U.
Mauriceville1,0891,206314406,889C.
Masterton3,7236,1594,1032,391,685C.
Wairarapa South2,7344,2651,2621,484,200U.
Featherston2,1637,1821,1302,346,123C.
    Ahikouka River District 87  C.
    Kahutara River District 60  C.
    Waiohine River District 232  A.
    Wairarapa South River District 59  C.
Makara5,4702,061142725,407C.
Hutt6,6621031,543,088C.
    Plimmerton Road District6976  C.
    Hutt River District 5401,176 C.
    Sounds1,098    
Marlborough7,287  3,158,580 
    Havelock Town District267109164 C.
    Awatere Road District1,2663,075  U.
    Omaka Road District1,6991,395  C.
    Pelorus Road District1,43193713 U.
    Picton Road District877597  C.
    Spring Creek Road District817598  C.
    Wairau Road District9301,489  C.
    Pukaka River District 205  C.
    Spring Creek River District 527  C.
    Wairau Lower River District 1,700338 C.
Kaikoura1,7472,436 818,023C.
    Kaikoura River District 184  C.
Collingwood1,211855 164,049C.
Takaka1,547948299230,626U.
Waimea7,7856,516 1,488,704C.
Buller5,4583,3531,182542,383U.
Inangahua4,6386,100826359,381U.
Murchison     
Grey5,6921,6881,166390,855C.
Westland4,1171,760 393,664C.
Amuri1,4062,1952551,296,403C.
Cheviot1,6052,31150918,757U.
    Mackenzie Town District17640  U.
Ashley11,306  5,515,695 
    Amberley Town District341102  C.
    Ashley Road District6511,218  C.
    Cust Road District609470  C.
    Eyreton Road District1,4491,688  C.
    Eyreton West Road District370272  C.
    Kowai Road District1,7541,795  C.
    Mandeville & Rangiora Road Dist2,3581,841  C.
    Oxford Road District1,9571,717398 C.
    Waipara Road District1,8174,871  C.
    Mandeville & Rangiora River Dist 546  C.
    Waimakariri-Ashley Water-supply District 1,3403,027  
Selwyn34,378 5,85310,016,709C.
    Southbridge Town District40369  C.
    Avon Road District4,1912,46250 A.
    Courtenay’ Road District2,3151,277  C.
    Ellesmere Road District3,4292,274  C.
    Halswell Road District1,3051,083  C.
    Heathcote Road District4,2634,049407 C.
    Lake Coleridge Road District203385  C.
    Lincoln Road District1,2281,160182 C.
    Malvern Road District679313  C.
    Malvern Last Road District633140  C.
    Malvern South Road District521161  C.
    Rakaia Road District856497  C.
    Riccarton Road District6,4863,724713 C.
    Spreydon Road District2,3321,629  U.
    Springs Road District1,8941,247  C.
    Taitapu Road District354431  C.
    Templeton Road District2,5611,191  C.
    Waimakariri Upper Road District725105  C.
    Waimakariri South River District 682   
    Ellesmere Land Drainage District 840  C.
    Sefton–Ashley Land Drainage Dist. 177235 C.
    Christchurch Drainage District 3,805   
Akaroa3,1551,928471,957,771C.
    Akaroa and Wainui Road District1,2601,500  C.
    Le Bon's Bay Road District27542477 C.
    Little River Road District8551,192  C.
    Okain's Bay Road District510720  C.
    Pigeon Bay Road District255688  C.
Mount Herbert470966 314,553C.
Ashburton9,7443,6708366,600,902C.
    Anama Road District402725  C.
    Ashburton Upper Road District2,0191,290  C.
    Coldstream Road District384590  C.
    Longbeach Road District1,1731,024  C.
    Mount Hutt Road District1,4971,225  C.
    Mount Somers Road District808568  C.
    Rangitata Road District618876  C.
    South Rakaia Road District1,6171,085  C.
    Wakanui Road District1,226966  C.
    Ashburton Forks River District 7   
Geraldine5,0272,4218732,220,264C.
    Geraldine Road District2,2431,977   
    Mount Peel Road District549957  C.
    Temuka Road District2,2352,491  C.
    Orari Upper River District 601  
    Timaru Harbour District 1,802   
Levels6,1347,3092082,183,289C.
    Timaru Harbour District 1,696   
Mackenzie1,9393,773 993,805C.
    Timaru Harbour District 707   
Waimate6,5109,4708633,740,030U.
    Wainono Land Drainage District 8193 U.
    Oamaru Harbour District     
    Timaru Harbour District 1,961   
Waitaki9,6138,0011813,238,071C.
    Oamaru Harbour District     
Waihemo1,8061,386 548,504C.
Waikouaiti4,1192,313 721,472C.
Peninsula1,701  446,468 
    Otago Heads Road District223144  C.
    Peninsula Road District556445  C.
    Portobello Road District794633  C.
    Tomahawk Road District128107  C.
Taieri6,8826,7033381,703,574C.
    Outram Town District4314682 C.
    Taieri Land Drainage District 1,0201,219 C.
Bruce4,6754,7441,2821,244,733C.
    Mount Stuart Road District (1908)491230  C.
    Clutha6,1747,0601,7481,515,359C.
    Clinton Town District418111  A.
Tuapeka6,1135,748 1,220,288C.
Maniototo3,0041,919 709,649C.
Vincent4,3002,149119461,974C.
Lake2,1031,600159259,643C.
Southland23,89224,1458,5345,812,648U.
    Benmore–Limehills River District 1556 U.
    Dipton River District  57 U.
    Dipton Upper River District 72  U.
    Lochiel River District 1233 U.
    Makarewa–Hedgehope River Dist.  167 U.
    Winton River District 7710 U.
    Winton Upper River District 3924 U.
    Winton West River District 3553 U.
    Pyramid Block Land Drainage Dist. 2346 U.
    Waimumu Stream Land Drainage District 67  U.
Wallace7,7616,9388912,051,486C.
Fiord*54    
Stewart Island28858830,355C.
    Chatham Islands*197    
  526,981110,583148,265,055 

The total population of each county is given, including the subdivisions, and the population of subdivisions is shown again separately. For some of the Harbour Boards it was found impossible to allocate the amount of rates collected in each local district, the rating powers of these Boards being exercised independently over an area covering portions of several local rating districts.

Although the capital value of all rateable property is shown, it must be pointed out that some of the North Island counties contain large areas of Native land upon which no rates are collected. Much of this land is rateable, but the difficulty of collecting the amount levied has hitherto been found insuperable. The figures, however, show the potentialities of the local authorities, assuming that this difficulty was removed.

Rates collected in Boroughs, 1908–9.

[System of rating: U. represents rating on the unimproved value, C. on the capital value, and A. on the annual value.]

Borough.Estimated Population.Number of Rates-payers.Amount collected during the Year forCapital Value of all Rateable Properties.System of Rating.
General Rates.Separate and Special Rates.
   £££ 
Whangarei3,0005001,6641,193282,209C.
Dargaville1,050226425 119,264U.
Northcote1,116268579584144,184A.
Birkenhead1,350322749374162,339A.
Devon port6,3001,1032,3516,214757,802U.
Auckland42,7486,71123,51455,2128,887,167A.
Grey Lynn7,0001,3502,4983,498761,792U.
Newmarket2,6003631,6253,011290,867A.
Parnell5,6006742,5164,459676,606A.
Mount Eden8,7002,4092,6143,241883,984A.
Onehunga4,0006851,4301,375403,699A.
Thames3,7509202,811108236,953A.
Te Aroha1,06523359938073,443A.
Waihi5,8501,410830 354,375A.
Hamilton2,0005501,878872393,702U.
Cambridge1,400319870823191,872A.
Tauranga1,50045830810295,759A.
Gisborne7,0001,2008,3805,181903,268A.
    Gisborne Harbour District      
Waitara1,22031283673133,037C.
    New Plymouth Harbour District      
New Plymouth5,2008002,9496,5421,096,547A.
    New Plymouth Harbour District      
Inglewood1,160293821730134,578C.
    New Plymouth Harbour District      
Stratford2,3006151,7121,582318,527U.
    New Plymouth Harbour District      
Hawera2,3004752,6361,623408,519U.
    New Plymouth Harbour District      
Eltham1,5003471,6601,161274,871C.
Patea90028147116756,251A.
Wanganui9,0001,8507,9873,0131,212,451A.
Wanganui East1,300315895 277,255A.
Marton1,5003201,580649140,743A.
Taihape1,600250733699130,303C.
Feilding3,3001,1002,5433,434564,350U.
Palmerston North11,6501,4208,4218,1161,930,466U.
Foxton1,430271843536146,457U.
Levin1,5004651,372 224,478C.
Hastings5,0001,2676,2641,640735,360A.
    Napier Harbour District  1,263   
Napier10,4591,3065,42312,1691,570,991A.
    Napier Harbour District      
Waipawa1,050185806484199,962U.
    Napier Harbour District  5,284   
Dannevirke3,5008502,5152,313660,140U.
Woodville1,20044257455298,263U.
Eketahuna80025149095147,412U.
Pahiatua1,3604601,2571,445204,092U.
Masterton5,5001,6485,6544,8991,059,380U.
Carterton1,4076207291,432245,317C.
Greytown1,122246705486141,804A.
Lower Hutt4,0001,0748,0473,3231,425,853U.
Petone7,2001,0265,3893,5131,189,920U.
Onslow1,4005081,426843419,896U.
Wellington69,3578,67085,26152,75517,116,735U.
Karori1,2505503,3923,372525,227U.
Eastbourne750340533141164,889U.
Miramar1,4006464,590 776,679U.
Picton995316621492128,938U.
Blenheim3,3517512,1041,131395,288U.
Nelson8,4551,7505,70414,4241,074,729A.
Richmond67515532022494,871C.
Motueka1,25021651766142,734C.
Westport4,0001,2002,6682,275371,618U.
Greymouth5,1008302,5271,947492,461U.
Brunner1,10021427538020,072A.
Kumara90030013614224,277C.
Hokitika2,100625779783166,292U.
Ross60035013213817,809C.
Rangiora1,7503801,073 208,189C.
Kaiapoi1,804593686 100,185A.
Christchurch55,6511031737,00115,8729,560,295U.
    Christchurch Drainage District  17,3361,917  
Woolston3,2007692,1631,740360,386U.
    Christchurch Drainage District  598   
Sumner1,5005001,6601,528346,065U.
New Brighton1,150733563775121,470U.
    Christchurch Drainage District  130   
Lyttelton4,1506352,195 799,535A.
Akaroa56012828145568,108C.
Ashburton2,8505812,450 411,128A.
Temuka1,680420723405136,572C.
    Timaru Harbour District  103   
Geraldine1,25035029435798,292C.
    Timaru Harbour District  77   
Timaru7,6001,4504,52411,2661,611,762A.
    Timaru Harbour District  1,134   
Waimate1,7004501,032740204,487U.
Timaru Harbour District  156   
    Oamaru Harbour District      
Oamaru6,0001,2502,6964,781651,010A.
    Oamaru Harbour District      
Hampden (1908)38012049 22,097C.
    Oamaru Harbour District      
Palmerston South80023237210967,894C.
Waikouaiti700210236 76,803C.
Port Chalmers2,1406209323,034273,970A.
North-east Valley5,0101,4603,121720511,213U.
    Dunedin Drainage and Sewerage District  617   
Maori Hill2,5005121,327191294,232U.
    Dunedin Drainage and Sewerage District  100   
West Harbour1,650520476657165,947U.
Dunedin38,5484,95924,83019,3516,778,604A.
    Dunedin Drainage and Sewerage District  13,670   
Roslyn0,0001,2802,7022,746851,287A.
    Dunedin Drainage and Sewerage District  402   
Mornington4,6509142,5106489,269A.
    Dunedin Drainage and Sewerage District  400   
St. Kilda3,1008501,0611,981406,846A.
    Dunedin Drainage and Sewerage District  585   
Green Island1,500391197 42,766A.
Mosgiel1,530346676811185,874A.
Milton1,400235848 154,470A.
Kaitangata1,68233046214894,344A.
Balclutha1,260290511345116,605U.
Lawrence1,159255666300103,193A.
Roxburgh49094192 28,916A.
Tapanui50080191 20,789A.
Naseby4151278712227,218A.
Cromwell68014528142739,305A.
Alexandra1,00028043441746,436A.
Arrowtown4401131484615,414A.
Queenstown67524223412154,198A.
Gore3,5007922,3771,490394,304U.
Mataura1,100251553183132,248A.
Winton500134160 51,394U.
Invercargill8,0001,4006,5188,8431,363,429U.
North Invercargill987430342 87,522U.
South Invercargill2,4007811,004995190,598U.
East Invercargill1,130330487243111,044A.
Avenal4501262264168,659U.
Gladstone55022037074103,407A.
Campbelltown1,700450986142191,999U.
Riverton1,000236384 57,538A.
 488,141 395,114309,68380,696,503 

Rates collected by the Gisborne, Wairoa, Napier, New Plymouth, and Oamaru Harbour Boards over the various boroughs situate within the Harbour Districts cannot be allocated to the respective boroughs, as the rates are levied and collected over the Harbour Districts as a whole, and no record is kept of the amounts received from each borough.

Rates collected by Town Boards with independent Powers of Administration, 1008 9.

(System of rating: U. represents rating on the unimproved value, C. on the capital value, and A. on the annual value.]

Town Districts.Estimated Population.Number of Rate-payers.Amount collected during the Year forCapital Value of all Rateable Properties.Systems of Rating.
General Rates.Separate and Special Rates.
   £££ 
Hikurangi600882092336,584C.
Helensville700132219 29,913A.
Ellerslie1,155100315183109,897C.
Frankton70015225817285,305C.
Huntly1,000122351 106,654C.
Opotiki925246344 59,504C.
Fitzroy700235747 116,909C.
    New Plymouth Harbour District      
Gonville1,000450878 220,122C.
Ohakune600199    
Hunterville65018728423167,857C.
Clyde (Wairoa)840240571 106,902C.
    Wairoa Harbour District      
Taradale940178603 130,738C.
    Napier Harbour District      
Waipukurau830196741 187,329U.
    Napier Harbour District      
Martinborough79029455662688,937C.
Featherston69018440410264,862C.
Upper Hutt86436173082191,863C.
Johnsonville1,000407460 151,398C.
Hampstead1,500375325 128,685C.
Tinwald500162233 76,515C.
Pleasant Point520138103 37,932C.
    Timaru Harbour District  26   
Bay1,300308754 183,998C.
Wyndham527156272 49,184A.
Otautau70018138312863,208C.
 19,031 9,7661,5472,294,296 

The preceding remarks as to the allocation of rates collected by Harbour Boards apply to this table. The next table shows the total amount of rates collected by various Harbour Boards not included in any of the foregoing tables.

Rates collected in certain Harbour Districts during the Year 1908–9 not included in the Foregoing Tables.

District.Local Authorities.Amount of Rates collected.
General.Separate and Special.
  ££
Gisborne Harbour District 417 
 Gisborne Borough  
 Cook County  
Wairoa Harbour District 501 
 Wairoa County  
 Wairoa Borough  
Napier Harbour District 16,949 
 Wairoa County  
 Hawke's Bay County  
 Waipawa County  
 Patangata County  
 Waipawa Borough  
 Taradale Town District  
 Waipukurau Town District  
 Kaikora North Town District  
New Plymouth Harbour District 9,109 
 Taranaki County  
 Egmont County  
 Hawera County  
 Stratford County  
 Clifton County  
 Waimate West County  
 Whangamomona County  
 Waitara Borough  
 New Plymouth Borough  
 Inglewood Borough  
 Stratford Borough  
 Hawera Borough  
 Fitzroy Town District  
Oamaru Harbour District 11,358 
 Waitaki County  
 Waimate County  
 Waimate Borough  
 Oamaru Borough  
 Hampden Borough  
  38,334 

Chapter 36. SECTION XI.—LICENSES AND LOCAL OPTION.

Licenses and Licensed Houses.

DURING the year ended the 31st March, 1909, 2,135 licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors were granted. Of these, 1,364 were publicans’ and accommodation licenses, 6 New Zealand wine, 68 packet, 28 bottle, 148 wholesale, and 521 conditional licenses. The fees paid amounted to £49,017, and formed part of the revenue of the local governing bodies of the districts in which the licenses were issued. Particulars are given in the following table:—

NUMBEROF LICENSESGRANTEDDURINGTHE YEAR 1908–9, ANDTHE AMOUNTOF FEESPAIDTO LOCAL BODIESTHEREFOR.
Licenses.In Counties.In Boroughs.In Town Districts.Total.
Publicans’ licenses495635291,159
Accommodation licenses200 5205
        Total licensed houses695635341,364
New Zealand wine licenses 6 6
Bottle licenses 28 28
Packet licenses1255168
Wholesale licenses91381148
Conditional licenses428885521
        Total licenses granted1,144950412,135
Amount of license fees paid to local bodies£16,674£31,140£1,203£49,017

The average number of persons to each licensed house in counties and boroughs respectively for 1908–9 is next shown:—

 Number of Licensed Houses.*Population.Number of Persons to each Licensed House.

* I.e., houses holding publicans’ or accommodation licenses.

†Including only such districts as do not now form part of counties.

Counties695429,824618
Boroughs635488,141769
Town districts†3419,031559
        Totals1,364936,996687

In 1907–8 the number of licensed houses in counties was 704, those in boroughs 630, and those in town districts 30, giving a total of 1,364 houses, the same number as in 1908–9. The average number of persons to a licensed house increased from 679 in 1907–8 to 687 in 1908–9.

The annual fees paid for licenses are—

* Between the hours of six in the morning and ten at night. For an eleven-o'clock license an additional £5 must be paid.
(1.) For a publican's license—£
            (a.) Within the limits of a borough or town district40*
            (b.) Outside the aforesaid limits25
(2.) For a New Zealand wine license1
(3.) For an accommodation license, a sum to be determined by the Licensing Committee, not exceeding20
(4.) For a packet license— 
            (a.) For a vessel exceeding 50 tons register10
            (b.) For a vessel not exceeding 50 tons register5
(5.) For a wholesale license20
(6.) For a conditional license, according to duration of license, a sum not exceeding30

The approximate capital value of the licensed houses in the counties was stated at £771,237 for certain of the boroughs at £1,142,864, and for the town districts at £65,146. There was, besides, an annual value of £130,614 for other licensed houses in the boroughs, which, capitalized at 6 per cent., would represent £2,176,900. The capital value of all licensed houses would therefore be about £4,156,147.

The total number of persons engaged in or connected with the sale or manufacture of wine, spirits, beer, cordials, &c., was returned at the census of 1906 as under:—

 Males.Females.Persons.
Hotelkeeper1,2692201,489
    Relative assisting1328831,015
    Manager, clerk12622148
Hotel servant1,4992,6194,118
Manager, secretary, steward, servant of club-house15525180
Barman, barmaid307396703
Wine, spirits, ale, merchant47 47
    Assistant12113
    Relative assisting213
    Clerk, book-keeper, accountant, traveller, storeman, carter973100
    Cordial, &c., merchant, salesman5 5
Brewer, bottler2041205
    Manager, clerk, traveller948102
    Relative assisting, apprentice4 4
    Cellarman, assistant, carter, &c.3811382
Maltster and assistants94 94
Wine-maker, bottler9 9
Cordial, &c., maker2571258
    Clerk, book-keeper, traveller, assistant21610226
    Relative assisting718
Totals4,9174,1929,109

Local Option.

Each electoral district constituted in New Zealand for the election of a member of the House of Representatives is a licensing district, and electors for the House of Representatives are also electors under the licensing Laws. The three electorates of the cities of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin in each case form one electorate for the purpose of taking a local-option poll.

The local option poll is taken in every district on the same day as the general election of members of the House of Representatives. The main questions for the decision of the voters are,—

  1. Whether the number of licenses existing in the district shall continue.

  2. Whether the number shall be reduced.

  3. Whether any licenses whatever shall be granted.

The voter may vote for one or two of these proposals, but no more.

The method of determining the result of the poll in each district by the Returning Officer is as follows:—

  1. If the number of votes recorded in favour of the continuance of existing licenses is an absolute majority of all the voters whose votes were recorded, the proposal is deemed to be carried, and the licenses continue until the next poll, subject to certain provisions in special cases.

  2. If the number of votes recorded in favour of a reduction in the number of licenses is an absolute majority of all the voters whose votes were recorded, the proposal is deemed to be carried, and supersedes the proposal for continuance of licenses. The Licensing Committee then reduces publicans’ licenses by not less than 5 per cent. or more than 25 per cent. of the total number existing, excluding forfeitures. Provision is made that when a reduction vote is carried the licenses shall be reduced by one at least when the total number does not exceed ten, two when not over thirty, and three at least when the licenses exceed thirty.

  3. If the number of votes recorded in favour of the proposal that no license shall be granted is not less than three-fifths of all the voters whose votes were recorded, the proposal is declared to be carried, and supersedes the proposal for reduction and for continuance, and no licenses can be granted.

  4. If none of the proposals respecting licenses is carried by the prescribed majority the licenses continue as they are until next poll, subject to certain provisions in special cases.

If, as the result of a previous decision, there be no licenses existing in a district, the questions submitted to the electors of such district shall be whether licenses be restored or not restored, but a three-fifths majority in favour of restoration is needed in order to carry that issue.

Should the results of a census prove that the population of a district has increased by 25 per cent. since the previous census, then a proposal as to whether there shall be an increase of licenses granted or not shall be submitted to the electors. Should the proposal for increase receive a three-fifths majority additional licenses may be granted at the rate of one license for every 700 people of such increase in the district.

Prior to 1904 when, upon appeal, a poll was declared void in any district, the then existing conditions as to licenses remained undisturbed until the next ensuing general election. As a result of this the carrying of “no-license” in a district was generally followed by a petition for the voiding of the poll. In the above year provision was made that, in case of such an event, a fresh election should at once follow, so that now, unless the majority on either side is an extremely narrow one, and likely to be reversed by the rejection or inclusion of doubtful votes, or by an error in count, the advantage of upsetting a poll is problematical.

The result of the poll taken on the 17th November, 1908, as made up from returns received from the officer in charge of the poll in each licensing district, is as follows:—

District.Number of Electors on Roll.Votes recorded forNumber of Valid Votes recorded.Number of Voters who recorded Votes (including informal).Result of Poll.
Continuance.Reduction.No-license.Men.Women.Total.
Bay of Islands5,4952,1431,5001,9454,1452,7341,4864,220Continuance carried.
Marsden5,9671,8912,1072,5394,4842,7271,8154,542No proposal carried.
Kaipara5,8012,2242,0582,3874,6403,0981,6534,751No proposal carried.
Waitemata7,7282,4712,9673,3695,9413,2962,7390,035No proposal carried.
Auckland West25,7458,2559,66910,39518,94110,3049,00319,307Reduction carried.
Auckland Central
Auckland East
Grey Lynn        See below.
Eden8,1792,2493,9084,0576,4303,3663,1826,548No license carried.
Parnell8,6332,6623,4083,6466,5093,2793,3436,622Reduction carried.
Manukau0,9352,2593,1393,4045,7253,0552,7725,827Reduction carried.
Franklin5,6621,8682,1292,4704,3642,6291,8124,441No proposal carried.
Thames5,5092,0772,0472,3774,5082,6701,9194,589No proposal carried.
Ohinemuri6,9322,0352,2993,3335,4083,3742,1075,481No-license carried.
Waikato7,3692,8772,4783,1616,0663,5672,6386,205No proposal carried.
Tauranga6,4572,3402,3512,8605,2183,1582,1305,294No proposal carried.
Bay of Plenty6,7762,9211,4512,2695,2823,6711,7015,372Continuance carried.
Gisborne8,7133,2582,7003,7497,0364,2922,8317,123No proposal carried.
Hawke's Bay7,8443,0561,5012,4865,8633,6532,3295,982Continuance carried.
Napier8,4633,4122,5613,0176,5273,6832,9946,677Continuance carried.
Waipawa6,2962,1871,9462,7244,9112,8672,1435,010No proposal carried.
Pahiatua5,4901,7951,3732,2884,1642,5581,7014,259No proposal carried.
Masterton7,0512,1112,5223,2875,4233,1142,3855,499No license carried.
Wairarapa6,5322,2821,8012,7825,1013,1562,0855,241No proposal carried.
Taumarunui7,0012,5421,1821,9214,5633,4251,2524,677Continuance carried.
Egmont5,7791,9581,7032,6744,6722,3972,4204,817No proposal carried.
Taranaki6,5622,3542,1272,8525,2372,7282,5245,252No proposal carried.
Patea6,2442,3281,9972,6214,9702,9482,1195,067No proposal carried.
Stratford5,9602,1591,5092,3984,5872,7791,8924,671No proposal carried.
Rangitikei6,3802,4428671,7974,2512,9131,4364,349Continuance carried.
Wanganui8,4972,9272,4113,5526,5503,6063,0756,681No proposal carried.
Oroua6,2902,3611,5592,3914,7762,7932,0674,860No proposal carried.
Palmerston7,2362,8221,7252,5595,4602,9302,6355,565Continuance carried.
Manawatu6,2302,2081,5522,4534,6972,8391,9724,811No proposal carried.
Otaki5,4001,8111,3111,9703,9562,4971,5194,016No proposal carried.
Hutt7,7882,3902,8513,6196,0363,4192,6996,118No proposal carried.
Wellington North27,2397,9798,37810,07218,51110,2398,64218,881No proposal carried.
Wellington Central
Wellington East
Wellington South8,3082,2413,4664,0546,3813,3873,1356,522No-license carried.
Wellington Suburbs8,6312,4483,5084,3346,8793,6743,2206,894No-license carried.
Nelson7,3212,7722,6812,9265,8943,0262,9525,978No proposal carried.
Motueka5,0751,7781,2371,6383,5002,0981,4453,543Continuance carried.
Buller6,6102,4282,1493,0145,5133,5222,0765,598No proposal carried.
Grey7,1353,1171,5882,4165,6143,5192,2275,746Continuance carried.
Westland6,2103,2061,3441,9575,2573,3982,1595,557Continuance carried.
Wairau6,5932,6821,9902,7225,4423,2182,3325,550No proposal carried.
Hurunui5,7142,3751,1831,7644,1782,6681,5951,263Continuance carried.
Kaiapoi6,4632,4002,6633,0025,4102,8392,6635,502No proposal carried.
Avon8,2572,9643,0223,5406,5743,2733,3816,654No proposal carried.
Riccarton7,4032,8842,4182,9035,8303,1562,7775,933No proposal carried.
Christchurch North25,7589,8048,74710,14120,27210,04210,51720,559No proposal carried.
Christchurch East
Christchurch South
Lyttelton7,8033,0652,7733,2746,4243,3943,1266,520No proposal carried.
Ellesmere6,8622,3831,6592,2164,6322,6152,1134,728Continuance carried.
Selwyn5,5862,4741,5032,0414,5692,9481,6694,617Continuance carried.
Ashburton        See below.
Geraldine6,0222,0932,1722,6824,8122,9271,9854,912No proposal carried.
Timaru7,9662,9522,7583,4656,4773,4633,1176,580No proposal carried.
Waitaki6,1142,1762,0852,7294,9042,9661,9904,956No proposal carried.
Oamaru        See below.
Tuapeka5,5141,9471,3832,2114,1982,6371,6824,319No proposal carried.
Chalmers6,4632,1552,5822,9515,1302,7782,4295,207Reduction carried.
Dunedin North26,8278,77210,91211,68620,63310,26110,65920,920 
Dunedin West
Dunedin Central
Dunedin South8,8473,2503,7214,0837,3763,8603,6217,481Reduction carried.
Taieri5,9061,8072,4162,7614,6372,6712,0534,724Reduction carried.
Bruce5,9931,8722,4382,9884,8972,6612,3124,973No-license carried.
Clutha        See below.
Mataura        See below.
Wakatipu5,5552,3131,2911,7824,0652,7411,4394,180Continuance carried.
Wallace5,7962,3751,7562,3504,7313,0351,7894,824Continuance carried.
Invercargill        See below.
Awarua5,7892,2242,0302,4274,6522,7881,9214,704No proposal carried.
            Totals4,96,704175,671162,562203,481383,833219,324171,410390,734 
No-license Districts. License to be restored. License be not restored.    Licenses be not restored.
Grey Lynn8,9922,050 5,0767,1263,6093,7987,407No proposal carried.
Ashburton6,8943,085 2,6365,7213,3772,4685,845No proposal carried.
Oamaru6,4891,946 2,8494,7952,6062,3114,917No proposal carried.
Clutha5,077931 1,8392,8201,1721,7082,880No proposal carried.
Mataura5,7942,013 2,5444,5572,6412,0244,665No proposal carried.
Invercargill7,0532,394 3,0465,4402,8252,6805,505No proposal carried.
            Grand total537,003188,140162,562221,471414,292235,554186,399421,953 

From the foregoing table it will be seen that 175,671 votes were recorded in favour of continuing existing licenses—not including six districts, Grey Lynn, Clutha, Ashburton, Oamaru, Invercargill, and Mataura, where the vote (12,469) was for restoration of the licenses cancelled at the polls taken in previous years—162,562 for reduction, and 221,471 for no-license (including 17,990 votes cast for non-restoration in the Grey Lynn, Clutha, Ashburton, Oamaru, Invercargill, and Mataura districts).

In thirty-four of the sixty-eight licensing districts no proposal was carried, in fifteen the majority of the voters was in favour of continuance, in seven reduction, in six no-license was carried, and in six non-restoration was carried. In thirty-eight of the districts—Marsden, Kaipara, Waitemata, Auckland, Parnell, Manukau, Franklin, Thames, Waikato, Tauranga, Gisborne, Waipawa, Pahiatua, Wairarapa, Egmont, Taranaki, Patea, Stratford, Wanganui, Oroua, Manawatu, Hutt, Wellington, Buller, Wairau, Avon, Christchurch, Lyttelton, Geraldine, Waitaki, Kaiapoi, Dunedin, Dunedin South, Chalmers, Timaru, Taieri, Tuapeka, and Awarua—a majority of the votes polled was for no-license, but not in sufficient number to make up the three-fifths required to carry that issue. Of the total number of persons who voted (421,953, including those whose votes were informal), 235,554, or 55'82 per cent., were men, and 186,399, or 44.18 per cent., were women. Compared with the polling in the year 1905, this shows a numerical increase of 13,880, or 6.26 per cent., on the part of the men, and 11,656, or 6.67 per cent., on the part of the women.

A comparison with 1896, 1899, 1902, and 1905 of the votes recorded and the number of persons who went to the poll is shown in the next table:—

Year.Number of Persons on Rolls.Votes recorded forNumber of Persons who recorded Votes (including informal).
Continuance.Reduction.No License.Males.FemalesTotals.
1896339,230139,58094,55598,312151,235108,663259,898
1899373,744142,443107,751118,575160,959120,863281,822
1902415,789148,449132,240151,524180,294138,565318,859
1905476,473182,884151,057198,768221,674174,743396,417
1908537,003188,140162,562221,471235,554186,399421,953

Chapter 37. SECTION XII.—REPRESENTATION, THE ELECTORAL LAW, AND THE GENERAL ELECTION OF 1908.

Representation.

FOR purposes of the representation of the people in the House of Representatives New Zealand is at present divided into seventy-six districts, with one member for each. The districts are adjusted every five years upon a population basis, each having, as nearly as possible, the same number of inhabitants.

In computing the population for electoral purposes an addition of 28 per cent. is made to the country population—i.e., all persons living outside towns of 2,000 inhabitants and over. The total population (other than Maoris), with the addition aforesaid having been ascertained, is then divided by the number of members and the quotient thus obtained forms the quota. Inasmuch as it would be difficult to divide the country into a given number of districts all having exactly the precise quota of population, the law permits the Commissioners to make an allowance of 550 persons by way of addition to or deduction from the population of rural districts, and of 100 in case of city electorates, and a proportionate number for districts where the population is partly city and partly rural, so that more consideration can be given to community of interest, facilities of communication, and topographical features in constructing the districts.

The boundaries of the proposed districts are then gazetted, and objections to such proposals may be lodged with the Commissioners who consider and decide any objections before coming to a final determination.

The census is the only means of ascertaining correctly the distribution of the people, and for this reason is essential to the work of dividing the Dominion anew into electorates of even population. The internal movement of the people cannot be ascertained correctly except by a census, though, when a country is insular, the natural increase (excess of births over deaths) added to the excess of arrivals over departures gives a fairly correct estimate of increase of population for the whole area.

An instance of the effect of the census in adjusting the representation of the people for Parliament is afforded by the figures relating to the North and South Islands for successive census years,—

     North Island.    South Island.
At the census of 1891    30 members    40 members.
At the census of 1896    31 members    39 members
At the census of 1901    34 members    36 members
At the census of 1906    38 members    38 members

The districts have been again defined on the basis of the population as shown by the census taken in April, 1906, with the result that the South Island now returns only 35 members as against 11 for the North Island.

These districts are, as before stated, for purposes of European representation. But the Dominion is again divided into four districts for purposes of Maori representation, under the electoral law, each district having one Native member elected by the Maoris; making the House of Representatives consist of 80 members altogether—76 Europeans and 4 Maoris.

The Electoral Laws.

General Provisions.

Every male, registered as an elector, is qualified to be a member of Parliament for any electoral district, provided he is not an undischarged bankrupt, a Civil servant, or has not entered into, or is directly interested in, any contract with the Government exceeding the value of £50. Except in case of a dissolution in the meantime a general election of members of the House of Representatives is held every three years.

All male or female adults who are natural born or naturalised British subjects, and who are not debarred by law, may be registered as electors, provided they have resided twelve months in New Zealand, and three months immediately preceding registration in the district wherein they desire to be enrolled, and no person may be registered for more than one district. The electoral rolls are compiled annually up to a fixed date, and if necessary, supplementary rolls, containing additions to and amendments of the general rolls, are prepared immediately before an election. Rights or permits to vote may be issued to seamen or other persons who may be absent, at the time of an election, from the district wherein they are enrolled, to enable them to record their votes for such district. Seamen's rights remain in force for twelve months, but an absent voter's permit is available for one specified occasion only.

Elections are conducted by Returning Officers, one for each district, on the authority of a writ issued by direction of the Governor, and which specifies the day upon which the election shall be held. The Returning Officer appoints a deputy, and each candidate may appoint a scrutineer for every polling-place within his district. Every precaution is taken to guard against undue influence being used or interference with electors on the polling-day. Within seventy days after the declaration of the poll each candidate must render a true account to the Returning Officer of all expenses incurred in connection with his candidature, and such expenses must not exceed a total of £200. Petitions against the return of candidates are tried before two Judges of the Supreme Court, and their decision is final. Persons found guilty of corrupt or illegal practises are liable to heavy penalties.

For Maori representation every adult Maori is entitled to vote in the district where he or she resides, without registration, and every male elector is qualified to become a member of Parliament for any Maori Electoral District. Writs are issued fixing the date of the elections;

Returning Officers, Deputy Returning Officers, and polling-places are appointed as in the case of European elections. Candidates are nominated in public meeting, and a show of hands is taken separately in favour of each candidate, when the person who receives the greatest show of hands is declared to be elected, unless any candidate demands that a poll be taken. Voting-papers are issued by the Returning Officer, on application, at any time from the date of nomination to the closing of the poll, and each elector desiring to vote must, on the day appointed, present his voting-paper, at the same time stating the name of the candidate for whom he wishes to vote, and his own name. These particulars are written upon the paper, and signed by the Returning Officer or his deputy and a witness. Candidates may appoint scrutineers. Precautions are taken to preserve order and sobriety on the election-day, and a penalty of £5 may be inflicted upon any person found guilty of supplying intoxicating liquor to a Maori on that day.

Second Ballot.

In October of the year 1908 the Second Ballot Act was passed, under which the principle of an absolute majority of votes is adopted, and applied to the election of any candidate for a seat in the House of Representatives.

By this system a candidate must secure more than half of the valid votes recorded. If no candidate receives an absolute majority of votes as the result of the first ballot, the second ballot becomes necessary, and is taken between the two candidates who have received the highest number of votes, all others being excluded. The date for taking the second ballot is fixed as the seventh day after the close of the poll on the first ballot, excepting in ten electorates, where the difficulties of communication necessitate an interval of fourteen days being allowed.

The candidate who at the second ballot receives the higher number of votes is declared to be elected. There are provisions for deciding procedure when an equal number of votes is polled by both candidates, the Returning Officer giving a casting-vote; also as to recounts and election petitions.

The Act does not at present apply to the election of representatives of the Maori race, but the. Governor is empowered to at any time, by Order in Council, bring the second ballot into operation as regards Maoris.

At the general election held on 17th November, 1908, in twenty-three electoral districts the candidate who polled the greatest number of votes failed to secure an absolute majority of all the votes polled. As the result of a second ballot fifteen of these candidates were elected and eight defeated. The total number of votes recorded in these districts at the first ballot, including 3,015 informal, was 133,752, or 78 per cent. of the number on the rolls, and at the

second ballot 126,404 valid votes and 403 informal were recorded, being 74 per cent. of the total roll number. Thus there was a decrease of 6,945 votes, and if to these be added 6,601 votes of electors who voted upon the second occasion only it is found that 13,546 persons who recorded their votes at the first failed to do so at the second ballot.

The General Election of 1908.

For European Representatives.

[Polling-day 17th November, 1908; number of polling-places, 2421.] Dealing with the population of both sexes, it is found that the total number of persons on the rolls was 537,003. The number of persons who voted, or who went to the poll, was 428,648, or 79.82 per cent. of the number on the rolls, a smaller proportion than obtained in 1905—viz., 83.25 per cent.

Date of General Election.Estimated Total Adult Persons.Number on Rolls.Proportion per Cent. of Adult Persons registered as Electors.Number of Persons who voted.Proportion per Cent. of Persons on Rolls who voted.

* Excluding figures for three electorates in which there was no contest.

† Including 4,974 informal votes.

‡ Including 5.468 informal votes.

§ Including 4,596 informal votes.

1893319,010302,99794.98220,08275.25*
1896356,658339,23095.11258,25476.13
1899386,146373,74496.79279,33077.59*
1902429,385415,78996.83318,859†76.69
1905500,108476,47395.28396,657‡83.25
1908538,950537,00399.64428,648§79.82

Dealing with men only, the number on the rolls was 294,073. The males who voted in 1908 were 238,534, or 81.11 per cent. of those on the rolls, against 84.07 per cent. in 1905.

Date of General Election.Estimated Total Adult Males.Number of Men on Rolls.Proportion per Cent. of Adult Males registered as Electors.Number who voted.Proportion per Cent. of Males on Rolls who voted.

* Excluding figures for three electorates in which there was no contest.

† The number on the rolls was in excess of the estimated adult male population at the date of the election.

‡ Including informal.

1893179,539193,536129,79269.61*
1896197,002196,92599.96149,47175.90
1899214,773210,52998.02159,78079.06*
1902233,602229,84598.39180,294‡78.44
1905273,175263,59796.49221,611‡84.07
1908295,446294,07399.54238,534‡81.11

The number of women who voted, 190,114, is 78.26 per cent. the females on the rolls, while in 1905 there were 175,046 who voted, giving the higher proportion of 82.23 per cent.; so that there is no evidence of a greater willingness on the part of the females to go to the poll.

Date of General Election.Estimated Total Adult Females.Number of Women on Rolls.Proportion per Cent. of Adult Females registered as Electors.Number who voted.Proportion per Cent. of Females on Rolls who voted.

* Excluding figures for three electorates in which there was no contest.

† Including informal.

1893139,471109,46173.4890,29085.18*
1896159,656142,30589.13108,78376.44
1899171,373163,21595.24119,55075.70*
1902195,783185,94494.97138,565†74.52
1905226,933212,87693.80175,046†82.23
1908243,504242,93099.76190,114†78.26

Result of General Election, 1908.

Electoral District and Name of Candidate.Number of Votes recorded.
First Ballot.Second Ballot.
For each Candidate.Total.For each CandidateTotal.
Bay of Islands,—
    Reed, V. H.2,241   
    Johnson, J. C.1,980   
  4,221  
Marsden,—
    Mander, F.2,381   
    Harrison, J.1,677   
    Soule, M.416   
  4,474  
Kaipara,—
    Stallworthy, J.2,510   
    Harding, A. E.2,227   
  4,737  
Waitemata,—
    Phillipps, L. R.2,947 3,426 
    Napier, W. J.2,038 2,526 
    Wilding, H. W.674   
    Wake, T.273   
  5,932 5,952
Auckland West,—
    Poole, C. H.4,126   
    Thompson, R.2,671   
  6,797  
Auckland Central,—
    Glover, A. E.4,050   
    Kidd, A.1,510   
    Rosser, A.621   
  6,181  
Electoral District and Name of Candidate.Number of Votes recorded.
First Ballot.Second Ballot.
For each Candidate.Total.For each CandidateTotal.
Auckland East,—
    Baume, F. E.3,358   
    Richardson, W.2,262   
    Harle, J. N.374   
    5,994  
Grey Lynn,—
    Fowlds, G.4,035   
    Nicholson, O.3,146   
    Browne, J. U.57   
    7,238  
Eden,—
    Bollard, J.4,315   
    Shackelford, J. W.2,151   
    6,466  
Parnell,—
    Lawry, F.3,373   
    Moss, E. G. B.8,154   
    6,527  
Manukau,—
    Lang, F. W.2,995   
    Creamer, A. A.1,626   
    Morton, J. B.1,139   
    5,760  
Franklin,—
    Massey, W. F.2,781   
    McLarin, J. W.1,594   
    4,375  
Thames,—
    McGowan, J.3,005   
    Deeble, E.905   
    Mason, O.297   
    Isitt, F. W.124   
    4,331  
Ohinemuri,—
    Poland, H.2,078 2,884 
    Haselden, F. H.1,252 2,192 
    Way, R. F.725   
    Foster, J.268   
    Armstrong, H. T.256   
    4,579 5,076
Waikato,—
    Greenslade, H. J.3,290   
    Bell, A.2,819   
    6,109  
Tauranga,—
    Herries, W. H.3,269   
    Young, J. A.1,966   
    5,235  
Bay of Plenty,—
    Macdonald, W. D. S.2,413 2,650 
    Gow, J. B.1,968 2,204 
    Lundon, D.901   
    5,282 4,854
Electoral District and Name of Candidate.Number of Votes recorded.
First Ballot.Second Ballot.
For each Candidate.Total.For each CandidateTotal.
Gisborne,—
    Carroll, J.3,485 3,218 
    Darton, G. E.2,062 2,484 
    Clayton, W. L.1,454   
    7,001 5,702
Hawke's Bay,—
    Russell, Sir W. R.1,665 2,495 
    Dillon, A.1,460 3,199 
    Simson, H. I.1,076   
    Jull, A. E.745   
    Clapham, G. S.656   
    Thompson, T. J.158   
    5,755 5,694
Napier,—
    Brown, J. V.3,803   
    Fraser, A. L. D.2,768   
    6,571  
Waipawa,—
    Hall, C.2,507   
    Hunter, G.2,457   
    4,964  
Pahiatua,—
    Rosa, R. B.1,860 2,028 
    Cooper, J. C.1,240 1,764 
    Hawkins, W. H.1,114   
    4,214 3,792
Masterton,—
    Hogg, A. W.3,333   
    Hunter, J.2,085   
    5,418  
Wairarapa,—
    Buchanan, W. C.2,721   
    Hornsby, J. T. M.2,585   
    5,306  
Taumarunui,—
    Jennings, W. T.3,256   
    Bowater, W. T.1,406   
    4,662  
Egmont,—
    Dive, B.1,618 2,408 
    Wake, G. P.1,385 2,159 
    Wilkinson, C. A.1,013   
    Astbury, D. L. A.679   
    4,695 4,567
Taranaki,—
    Okey, H. J. H.2,849   
    Malone, W. G.1,554   
    Bellringer, C. E.856   
    5,259  
Patea,—
    Pearce, G. V.2,640   
    Major, C. E.2,388   
    5,028  
Electoral District and Name of Candidate.Number of Votes recorded.
First Ballot.Second Ballot.
For each Candidate.Total.For each CandidateTotal.
Stratford,—
    Hine, J. B.2,386   
    Symes, W.1,662   
    King, N.J.583   
    4,631  
Rangitikei,—
    Remington, A. E.2,242   
    Smith, R. W.2,084   
    4,326  
Wanganui,—
    Hogan, J. T.3,041 3,602 
    Hutchison, G.1,882 2,860 
    Mackay, C. E.1,710   
    6,633 8,462
Oroua,—
    Guthrie, D. H.2,417   
    Pleasants, O. G.1,476   
    Hornblow, R. E.926   
    4,819  
Palmerston,—
    Buick, D.2,701 2,803 
    Wood, W. T.2,656 2,722 
    Milverton, W.124   
    5,481 5,525
Manawatu,—
    Newman, E.2,231 2,636 
    Stevens, J.1,885 2,051 
    Frankland, P. W.347   
    Gardner, O.257   
    4,720 4,687
Otaki,—
    Field, W. H.2,024   
    Brown, B. P.1,931   
    3,955  
Hutt,—
    Wilford, T. M.3,764   
    Shortt, R. W.2,226   
    5,990  
Wellington North,—
    Herdman, A. L.2,824 3,716 
    Bolton, F. G.1,858 2,890 
    Izard, C. H.1,833   
    Bodley, H.131   
    6,646 6,606
Wellington Central,—
    Fisher, P. M. B.2,668   
    Hislop, T. W.2,525   
    5,193  
Wellington East,—
    Atkinson, A. R.2,412 3,022 
    McLaren, D.1,746 3,450 
    McLean, W.1,305   
    Winder, G.1,076   
    6,539 6,472
Electoral District and Name of Candidate.Number of Votes recorded.
First Ballot.Second Ballot.
For each Candidate.Total.For each CandidateTotal.
Wellington South,—
    Barber, W. H. P.2,617 2,896 
    Wright, R. A.2,362 3,454 
    Chapman, C. H.687   
    Forbes, W.407   
    Hogg, R.237   
    Murrell, J. M.91   
    Johnston, J. A.14   
    6,415 6,350
Wellington Suburbs,—
    Luke, J. P.2,204 3,887 
    Fitzgerald, J. E.1,908 2,737 
    Williams, R. B.1,367   
    Moore, F. T.644   
    Young, W. T.613   
    Braithwaite, J. W.54   
    6,790 6,624
Nelson,—
    Graham, J.2,906 2,896 
    Atmore, H.2,712 2,882 
    Moffatt, W. J.316   
    5,934 5,778
Motueka,—
    McKenzie, R.2,516   
    Smith, F. W. O.1,015   
    3,531  
Buller,—
    Colvin, J.3,183   
    Munro, F. F.2,186   
    McNamara, V. T.149   
    5,518  
Grey,—
    Guinness, A. R.3,407   
    Kerr, J.2,292   
    5,699  
Westland,—
    Seddon, T. E. Y.2,830   
    Michel, H. L.2,720   
    5,550  
Wairau,—
    Duncan, J.2,878   
    McArtney, R.2,626   
    5,504  
Hurunui,—
    Forbes, G. W.2,056 2,150 
    Clothier, O. F.1,357 1,553 
    Greenwood, G. D.509   
    Pulley, G. T.309   
    4,231 3,703
Kaiapoi,—
    Buddo, D.2,746   
    Moore, R.2,669   
    5,415  
Electoral District and Name of Candidate.Number of Votes recorded.
First Ballot.Second Ballot.
For each Candidate.Total.For each CandidateTotal.
Avon,—
    Russell, G. W.2,189 3,426 
    Tanner, W. W.2,172 2,884 
    Jamieson, J.1,331   
    Sullivan, D. G.676   
    Smith, W. R.219   
    6,587 6,310
Riccarton,—
    Witty, G.3,741   
    Sheat, G.2,141   
    5,882  
Christchurch North,—
    Taylor, T. E.4,365   
    Gray, C. M.2,667   
    Ecroyd, R. J.405   
    7,437  
Christchurch East,—
    Davey, T. H.3,497   
    McCombs, J.1,771   
    Cooke, F. R.506   
    Boxshall, C.469   
    6,243  
Christchurch South,—
    Ell, H. G.3,500   
    Thorn, J.2,227   
    Allison, C.832   
    6,559  
Lyttelton,—
    Laurenson G.3,682   
    Thacker, H. T. J.2,789   
    6,471  
Ellsmere,—
    Rhodes, R. H.2,730   
    Rennie, G.1,828   
    Rowell, F.96   
    4,654  
Selwyn,—
    Hardy, C. A. C.2,476   
    Ivess, J.2,093   
    4,569  
Ashburton,—
    Flatman, F. R.2,310 2,267 
    Nosworthy, W.1,347 3,014 
    Jones, D.1,325   
    Gobbe, J. D.406   
    Maslin, W. S.276   
    5,670 5,281
Geraldine,—
    Jeffries, W.1,971 2,249 
    Buxton, T.1,908 2,341 
    Williams, W. H.965   
    4,844 4,590
Electoral District and Name of Candidate.Number of Votes recorded.
First Ballot.Second Ballot.
For each Candidate.Total.For each CandidateTotal.
Timaru,—
    Craigie, J.2,610 3,349 
    Campbell, W. D.2,478 2,969 
    Koller, J. T.1,259   
    Mahoney, J.133   
    6,460 6,318
Waitaki,—
    Steward, Sir W. J.2,490   
    Smith, P. H.2,161   
    Harris, J.161   
    4,812  
Oamaru,—
    Duncan, T.2,735   
    Mitchell, J.2,122   
    4,857  
Tuapeka,—
    McPherson. J. A.1,552 1,781 
    Scott, R.1,453 2,478 
    Chapple, W. A.1,301   
    4,300 4,259
Chalmers,—
    Allen, E. G.2,556 2,409 
    Clark, E. H.2,463 2,635 
    Barr, W.102   
    5,121 5,044
Dunedin North,—
    Barclay, A. R.3,284 3,376 
    Thomson, G. M.3,066 3,382 
    Green, I.532   
    6,882 6,758
Dunedin West,—
    Millar, J. A.4,785   
    Munro, J. W.2,338   
    7,123  
Dunedin Central,—
    Arnold, J. F.4,045   
    McDonald, J.2,533   
    6,578  
Dunedin South,—
    Sidey, T. K.4,292   
    Douglas, R. R.2,462   
    Fleming, W.587   
    7,341  
Taieri,—
    McKenzie, T.2,591   
    Johnson, J. T., jun.2,070   
    4,661  
Bruce,—
    Allen, J.2,837   
    Mosley, J.1,444   
    Tyndall, A. W.646   
    4,927  
Electoral District and Name of Candidate.Number of Votes recorded.
First Ballot.Second Ballot.
For each Candidate.Total.For each CandidateTotal.
    Clutha,—* Malcolm. A. S.2,318   
    Isitt, F. W.519   
    2,837  
Mataura,—
    Anderson, G. J.2,508   
    McNab, R.2,142   
    4,650  
Wakatipu,—
    Fraser, W.2,646   
    Martin, A.1,495   
    4,141  
Wallace,—
    Thomson, J. C.2,971   
    MacPherson, D.1,625   
    Ward, B.40   
    4,636  
Invercargill,—
    Hanan, J. A.3,119   
    Paape, A. A.2,271   
    5,390  
Awarua,—
    Ward, Rt. Hon. Sir J. G.3,069   
    Morris, W. A.886   
    Snowball, A.595   
    4,550  

Occupations of Members of House of Representatives.

The occupations of European members show that farmers or run-holders furnish more members than any other class. There were twenty-five of these (besides three given as “settlers”) returned in 1908. There were eight barristers or solicitors, and six journalists. The number of members returned in 1902, 1905, and 1908 was seventy-six, against seventy in 1896 and 1899:—

Occupations.1896.1899.1902.1905.1908.
Professional—
    Scientist1
    Minister of religion1
    Law student1
    Secretary, Y.M.C.A.11
    Barrister, solicitor591098
    Journalist98556
    Mining advocate, interpreter, lecturer, teacher34131
    Chemist111
Domestic—
    Hotelkeeper1
Commercial—
    Insurance manager11
    Land-broker, estate agent 232
    Auctioneer112
    Director of financial company1111
    Native agent111
    Stationer, bookseller, draper, grocer, butcher3G532
    Merchant, iron-merchant, timber-merchant32435
    Storekeeper12221
    Commission agent, clerk, accountant, commercial traveller32332
Transport and Communication—
    Coach-proprietor1
Industrial—
    Tailor, shoemaker, dyer22331
    Mill - owner, ship-rigger, builder, metallurgical engineer, mine-manager42221
    Railway employee11
    Blacksmith11
    Mechanical engineerL
    Painter1
    Builder and contractor1
    Secretary, Workers' Union1
    Printer, newspaper-proprietor212
    Farmer1113121616
    Sheep-farmer, runholder, grazier, stock-owner147959
    Contractor33331
Others—
    Settler, gentleman, &c.87587

A summary of the population, number of electors on the rolls, and the total number of votes recorded at each of the last six general elections is next given:—

Year.Total Population at Last Census.Total Number of Electors on Rolls.Number of Votes recordTotal Number of electors who recorded their votes.
For Members elected.For Candidates defeated.Total.

* The difference between these totals is owing to the fact that 13,540 persons who voted at the first ballot refrained from doing so on the second occasion, and 4,596 votes were rejected as informal.

1893626,359302,997153,663149,413303,076220,082
1896703,119339,230184,929174,475359,404258,254
1899703,119373,744202,324185,305387,629279,330
1902772,504415,789235,083181,879416,962318,859
1905772,504476,473216,378173,811390,189396,657
1908883,376537,003233,328177,178410,506*428,648*

Previous to the general election of 1905 the cities of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin each formed a single electorate returning three members, consequently every elector on the rolls of these places could exercise one vote for each of three candidates. The total of votes recorded was therefore greatly in excess of the number of persons who voted. In 1903 these cities were divided into single electorates, each returning one member, so that now in no case may any elector vote for more than one candidate.

In the succeeding table will be found a statement giving the results of each general election since the year 1853 for purposes of European representation.

General Elections for European Representatives held from the Year 1853.

ParliamentDate of General Election.Number of Names on Roll of Electors.Number of Members returned.Number of Members returned unopposed.Numbers of Votes recorded (or of Voters recording Votes).Population at end of Year.Average Number of
Persons to each Member.Persons to each Elector.Electors to each Member.

* Information not obtainable.

1 Including 100, the estimated number in Akaroa district, for which there is no return

2 Including 800, the estimated number in the electorates of Town of New Plymouth Grey and Bell, and Omata, for which districts there are no returns.

3 Electors for the Electoral District of “The Otago Goldfields” not included.

4 Men and women.

5 Voters recording votes.

First18531 5,93437**30,0008115.1160
Second18552 10,32437**37,1921,0053.6279
Third186113,46653**79,7111,5045.9254
Fourth18663 33,33872**190,6072,6475.7463
Fifth187147,27574**248,4003,3575.3639
Sixth187561,75584**375,8564,4746.1735
Seventh187982,271841443,776463,7295,5215.6979
Eighth1881120,972911169,985500,9105,5054.11,329
Ninth1884137,686911174,672564,3046,2014.11,513
Tenth1887175,410915111,911603,3616,6303.41,928
Eleventh1890183,171706136,337625,5088,9363.42,617
Twelfth18934 302,9977034 5 220,082672,2659,6042.24,328
Thirteenth18964 339,23070 4 5 258,254714,16210,2022.14,853
Fourteenth18994 373,7447034 5 279,330756,50510,8072.05,339
Fifteenth19024 415,78976 4 5 318,859807,92910,6311.95,471
Sixteenth19054 476,47376 4 5 396,657882,46211,6111.96,269
Seventeenth19084 540,75376 4 5 428,648960,64212,6401.87,066

For Maori Representatives.

(Polling-day, 2nd December, 1908; number of polling-places, 344.)

Of a Maori population amounting to 47,731 persons at the census of 1906, 16,476 voted at the general election held in December, 1908, an increase of 431 on the number who voted at the election of 1905. In 1893 the voters numbered 11,269, or 1,739 persons fewer than in 1896, when 13,008 Maoris recorded their votes, while at the general election held in December, 1899, the number of Maoris who voted was 13,628, in 1902 it was 14,271, and in 1905 the number who voted was 16,045.

The number of votes recorded in the several districts for each candidate were:—

 Number of Votes recorded.
Electoral Districts
and
Names of Candidates.
For each Candidate.Total.
Northern Maori:
    Hone Heke1,468 
Hare te Rangi    423 
  1,891
Eastern Maori:
    Apirana Ngata4,740 
    Tiki Paaka1,730 
  6,470
Western Maori:
    Henare Kaihau2,375 
    Pepene Eketone1,618 
    Te Heuheu Tukino1,375 
    Hema te Ao1,178 
    Eruera te Kahu728 
  7,274
Southern Maori:
    Tame Parata358 
    Teone Hopere Wharewitu Uru351 
    Charles West21 
  730

Chapter 38. SECTION XIII—MANUFACTORIES AND WORKS.

Remarks on Summarised Results.

IN regard to the returns of manufactories and works, it is necessary, as a preliminary, to repeat the statement made at last census as to what has been included.

Whereas up till the time of the census of 1901 the term “factory" was rather held to moan an establishment where manufacture was carried on wholesale, where machinery was employed, and where several hands worked together, in the returns of 1901 and 1906 a “factory" has been interpreted to mean any concern where two or more persons work together at making articles for disposal, wholesale or retail, and without reference to machinery being used or not. Thus these returns include certain industrial workers (and their production) where two or more are found together, with manufactories to supply the wholesale traders or making for export. But the attempt has been made to approximate the census results to those of the Labour Department, according to special direction. The totals for the industries do not include mining, quarrying, and the fisheries, which are dealt with separately.

Manufactories and Works, 1906 and 1901.

 April, 1906.March, 1901.Increase, 1901–6.
 No.No.No.

* Omitting Government Railway Workshops and Government Printing Office.

Number of establishments*4,1863,680506
Hands employed—
    Males44,94636,2928,654
    Females11,41310,555858
Totals56,35946,8479,512
 1905.1900.1900–5.
Wages paid—£££
    To males3,979,5932,972,1931,007,400
    To females478,026330,454147,572
Totals4,457,6193,302,6471,154,972
 H.p.H.p.H.p.
Horse-power60,33539,11321,222
     April, 1906.    March. 1901.    Increase, 1901–6.
Total approximate value of—£££
    Land    3,264,862    1,980,428    1,284,434
    Buildings    3,851,902    2,575,679    1,276,223
    Machinery and plant    5,392,522    3,852,457    1,540,065
Totals    12,509,286    8,408,564    4,100,722

Under the beading “Hands employed,” the increase was from 46,847 in 1900 to 56,359 in 1905, or at the rate of over 20 per cent. in five years. This increase, it will be observed, is mainly on the male side. The returns show a decrease of females employed in clothing and boot and shoe factories, besides woollen-mills, matchmaking, and a few others, which brings the net increase in this sex down to 8 per cent.

The wages paid in the factories or industrial works dealt with in the census returns were returned for 1905 at £4,457,619, and for 1900 at £3,302,647, the increase on the total sum being at the rate of 35 per cent.

The average amount of wages paid to male hands in 1905 was £88 10s. 11d., and £81 17s. 11d. in 1900; for females, £41 17s. 8d. against £31 6s. 2d. in 1900. Tested in this way the wages of both would seem to have increased substantially. It must be remembered that these are not adult wages, but those of persons of all ages, male and female distinctly.

The increase for the year 1906 over 1901 in the horse-power stated in the returns was 21,222.

The approximate value of the land used for purposes of the factories was returned as £3,264,862 in 1906, against £1,980,428 in 1901. The value of the lands used for mining is not included in the above figures, and the value of Crown lands has been omitted throughout.

A very large increase will be found in the value of machinery and plant, from £3,852,457 in 1901 to £5,392,522 in 1906, being at the rate of 39.98 per cent. Somewhat of this result is what might be expected, considering the ever increasing use and improvement in machinery that is proceeding with time. The value of the buildings also increased from £2,575,679 to £3,851,902, or 49.55 percent.

Value of Manufactures or Produce (Output).

 1905.1900.Increase in 5 Years.
Value of all manufactures or produce (including repairs)£££
    23,444,235    17,853,133    5,591,102

This increase is at the rate of 31.31 per cent. for the quinquennium, a very satisfactory rate of progress, taking all the manufactories and works collectively.

The development is analysed in the following statement, which includes nearly the whole increase, and has been worked down to a limit of £20,000 to show the main features. The factories or works in connection with our great primary industries, agricultural. pastoral, timber, and flax, include the greater part of the money.

Principal Increases, Census 1906.

 £
Meat freezing and preserving works, with boiling-down1,093,654
Butter and cheese factories1,046,489
Sawmills, sash and door factories860,077
Grain-mills375,802
Printing and bookbinding establishments (not Government)363,542
Flax-mills354,316
Gasworks96,353
Ham and bacon curing establishments94,373
Brick, tile, and pottery works94,320
Furniture and cabinet making87,161
Coach building and painting works78,741
Woodware and turnery factories72,673
Lime and cement works62,533
Agricultural-implement factories61,647
Electric-lighting works58,796
Sugar-boiling and confectionery works50,055
Fruit-preserving and jam-making39,940
Woollen-mills37,966
Aerated-water factories37,750
Hosiery-factories36,323
Chemical-works30,556
Grass-seed dressing28,789
Tinware factories28,563
Biscuit-factories27,487
Bone-mills and manure-works26,260
Ship and boat building yards20,761

The addition of the figures for the total value of manufactures is not absolutely justified to the fullest extent of the amount shown (twenty-three and a half million pounds sterling); hut the degree of repetition of value is not so great as to prevent the total given being of great help in judging of development. No doubt the above amount

is over the fact, because, for instance, some of the butter made is included in returns for meat-freezing establishments, as well as in the butter-factory returns; timber cut is valued under sawmilling, and some again in the furniture-making line. Also, leather is valued in the tanning returns, and some part of it again in the boot and saddlery items. A certain amount of duplication is unavoidable. This is admitted in the accounts of industrial statistics of the United States of America and elsewhere.

The total increase in value of manufactures for the period 1900–5 (£5,591,102) is not so large as that stated previously for 1895–1900, when the sum was £7,600,000; but the latter represented the rise from a period of depression, which is not the case in respect of the later period.

Where decreases have been found in the returns these may be referred to in a comparative statement which follows.

Particulars relating to individual industries clearly show that quantities have risen, as well as the value of manufactures, so that the development is not merely a question of market prices, but of actual output.

Value of Materials operated upon.

This information was given in case of most industries, but important estimates bad to be made to obtain completeness. The sum arrived at for the year 1905 is £13,163,692. The difference between this amount and the total value of all the manufacture and produce (with repairs) may be termed the net value of the manufacture in a sense, and duplications on account of the articles of any one kind becoming materials operated upon for another sort would be eliminated. But to arrive at any approximate notion of profit £4,457,619 spent in wages ought further to be deducted, and also interest and depreciation on £12,509,286 invested in land, buildings, machinery, and plant, together with taxes, insurance, and other incidental expenses.

Industries in Provincial Districts.

All the various industries for which returns were received in 1906 are given in the statement below, which thus enumerates completely the manufactories and works in operation, specifying the provincial districts in which they are situated:—

Industries in Provincial Districts.

Manufactories, Works, &c.Number of Industries in Provincial Districts.Total Number of Industries.
AucklandTaranaki.Hawke's Bay.Wellington.Marlborough.Nelson.Westland.Canterbury.Otago.
Animal food—
    Meat freezing and preserving works84351 16937
    Ham and bacon curing establishments6724 5 111752
    Fish curing and preserving works11  21 11521
    Butter and cheese factories576919515931635264
    Condensed-milk factories        22
Vegetable food—
    Grain-mills4211136 222877
    Biscuit-factories5  2 1 1312
    Fruit-preserving and jam-making works8 21 2 3824
    Sugar-boiling and confectionery works8 211 1 7736
    Sugar-refining works1        1
    Baking-powder factories3  1   3 7
Drinks, narcotics, and stimulants—
    Breweries82513925131572
    Malthouses2 111 58422
    Colonial-wine making10 43 212 22
    Aerated-water factories238722 2142819123
    Coffee and spice works1  2 2 3513
    Tobacco-manufactories1      1 2
    Sauce, pickle, and vinegar factories5  9 214627
    Ice-factories2        2
Animal matters (not otherwise classed)—
    Soap and candleworks6 24 1 4219
    Glue-factory1      1 2
    Sausage-skin factories1 22   5212
    Boiling-down works7223   2319
    Bone-mills and manure - works31 2   2816
Working in wood—          
    Cooperages4426   5122
    Sawmills, sash and door factories833428981559421867444
    Woodware and turnery factories93113   4939
Vegetable produce for fodder—
    Chaff-cutting establishments81 3 3 24847
    Grass-seed-dressing establishments1212   91025
    Paper-manufacture—
    Paper-mills         3
    Paper bag and box factories4  2    28
    Gasworks10239 224638
    Electric-lighting works14 2 1 3213
Processes relating to scone, clay, glass, &c.—
    Lime and cement works5 1  311920
    Brick, tile, and pottery works2677292722223125
    Monumental masonry4114 2 5623
    Glass-works   4     4
    Electro-plating works1  2     3
    Pumice-works1        1
Metals other than gold or silver—
    Tinware-factories17419 2 111054
    Iron and brass foundries, boiler-making, machinists, &c.161511 34131871
    Heel and toe plate factories1      113
    Engineering-works181212 4 61861
    Range-making works5  2   1311
    Spouting and ridging factories9  4   1216
    Lead-headed-nail works1  1     2
Books and publications—
    Printing and book-binding offices4714135411253756239
Musical instruments—
    Musical-instrument factories1      113
Ornaments, minor art products, and small wares—
    Toy-factories1      1 2
    Picture-frame makers   6   5314
    Basket and perambulator factories5 17   7626
    Cork-cutting1        1
    Lapidaries        33
Equipment for sports and games—
    Billiard-table factories1  2   1 4
Designs, medals, type, and dies—
    Rubber-stamp making 1 1    13
Ammunition—
    Ammunition-factory1        1
    Machines, tools, and implements—
    Agricultural - implement factories2232   91129
    Brush and broom factories5  2   2211
    Cutlery-factory        11
Carriages and vehicles—
    Coach building and painting works3814154121332631183
    Cycle-factories51319 91411897
Harness, saddlery, and leather-ware—
    Saddlery and harness factories2297241711421106
    Whip-thong factories1  1     2
    Portmanteau-factories4  2   118
    Tanning, fellmongering, and wool - scouring establishments133121654 271999
Ships, boats, and their equipment—
    Ship and boat building yards19  3   2630
    Graving - docks and patent slips2  1   227
    Block and pump factories2        2
    Sail, tent, and oilskin factories3217 217629
Furniture—
    Furniture and cabinetmaking48139402462723172
    Venetian-blind works1  3   149
    Mattress-factories3  4   2211
    Wool rug and mat making   1    23
Chemicals and by-products—
    Varnish-manufactories1       12
    Ink-manufactories        22
    Starch-manufactories        22
    Chemical-works2  3  111017
    Hæmatite-paint factories     1  23
    Sheep-dip factories  21   1 4
    Match-factories   1    12
    Blacking-factories   1   2 3
Textile fabrics—
    Woollen-mills1 11   3410
    Flock-mills   1    23
    Cleaning and dyeing works4  5   1313
Dress—
    Tailoring establishments6010186942125371308
    Dressmaking and millinery establishments5114176911928977338
    Shirt-making establishments5  6   6522
    Corset and belt manufactories       2 2
    Clothing and waterproof factories7  6   6423
    Boot and shoe factories261 18 1 151172
    Hat and cap factories6 13   1516
    Hosiery-factories   2 1 3410
Fibrous materials—
    Rope and twine works3 11   2310
    Bag and sack factories       123
    Flax-mills75344112138876240
    Returns not included in above11122041 181269
    Totals, census 1906885247214846682291126968894186
    Totals, census 190175226716070761198786488093680

The provincial districts, arranged according to the number of industries belonging to each, specified in the last census returns, stand as under:—

 Number of Industries, excluding
Mines and Quarries.
1906.
Otago889
Auckland885
Wellington846
Canterbury696
Taranaki247
Nelson229
Hawke's Bay214
Westland112
Marlborough68

Details of the Principal Industries.

The principal industries returned at the census of 1906, and particulars relating thereto, are given in detail in the following table. These industries are arranged in classes according to their nature.

Nature of Industries.Total Number of Industries.Number of Hands employedWages paid.Amount of Power employed (Horse-power).Value of all Materials used or operated upon during 1905.Value of all Manufactures or Produce(including Repairs) for the Year 1905.*Approximate Value of Land (excluding Crown), Buildings, Machinery, and Plant.
Males.Females.Total.Males.Females.Total.

* For information as to quantities manufactured or produced, see special tables in Census volume. Value of output, wages, &c. not shown where the number of establishments is so small that particulars might be identified.

† For full particulars respecting these industries see special tables in Census volume.

‡ The value of the animals used for freezing was not included in any case in the returns furnished by managers, but an estimated amount has been added on this account. A similar allowance was found necessary for butter.

§ Some portion of the value of butter manufactured which is stated under “Butter and cheese factories” has been again included in the value of frozen produce.

* For information as to quantities manufactured or produced, see special tables in Census volume. Value of output, wages, &c., not shown where the number of establishments is so small that particulars might be identified.

† For full particulars respecting these industries see special tables in Census volume.

‡ Value of manufactures at Government Railway Workshops not included (£427,341 in 1905), to maintain true comparisons with previous census results.

§ Value of manufactures at Government Printing Office not included (£83,556 in 1905), to maintain true comparisons with previous census results.

* For information as to quantities manufactured or produced, see special tables in Census volume. Value of output, wages, &c., not shown where the number of establishments is so small that particulars might be identified.

† For full particulars respecting these industries see special tables in Census volume.

‡ Value of manufactures at Government Railway Workshops not included (£427,341 in 1905), to maintain true comparisons with previous census results.

§ Value of manufactures at Government Printing Office not included (£83,556 in 1905), to maintain true comparisons with previous census results.

NOTE.—Two or more distinct industries were carried on at some establishments. In such cases particulars of power, hands, and plant employed, and wages paid, unless stated separately for each branch of industry, have been treated as belonging to the most important work.

Animal food—    £££H.p.£££
    Meat freezing and preserving works†373,157333,190277,2711,321278,5929,4983,672,002‡4,891,322§1,476,782
    Ham and bacon curing establishments†522101422420,7291,49322,222532186,375253,93778,966
    Fish curing and preserving works†2110331066,801286,829 13,40428,10920,372
    Butter and cheese factories†2641,456281,484130,442681131,1233,7592,062,2152,581,639616,266
    Condensed-milk factories*2382058   50   
Vegetable food—           
    Grain-mills†77534654056,98834757,3353,188835,4771,058,686411,558
    Biscuit-factories†1237920858723,31010,57133,881389110,396225,476121,366
    Fruit-preserving and jam-making works†241741373117,9564,24712,20315566,39498,03242,317
    Sugar-boiling and confectionery works†3630426757121,4707,94029,4108489,055138,63583,752
    Sugar refining works*1228 223   675   
    Baking-powder factories7187251,1521661,818 12,26516,3524,785
Drinks, narcotics, and stimulants—           
    Breweries†727201173191,97333592,308703187,799572,579334,931
    Malthouses2290 908,673 8,6735973,05874,807
    Colonial-wine making†22501511,539521,59143,6039,96524,792
    Aerated-water factories†1235632358648,83877949,61730771,371189,561166,470
    Coffee and spice works1366541206,7861,3148,10020842,32260,75836,095
    Tobacco-manufactories*25813   5   
    Sauce, pickle, and vinegar factories†271151042198,2412,92211,1635531,46656,32644,982
    Ice-factories*22 2   10   
Animal matters (not otherwise classed)—           
    Soap and candle works†192152323821,05979421,853277119,260178,55668,566
    Glue-factory*213215   36   
    Sausage-skin factories12151 15111,069 11,069416,69737,0456,807
    Boiling-down works†1970 705,324 5,32412725,45137,22326,825
    Bone-mills and manure-works16216 2168,156 8,15619651,72266,55843,755
Working in wood—           
    Cooperages†2211421169,409949,50315819,37038,12426,736
    Sawmills, sash and door factories†4449,098139,111834,371556834,92713,278206,644§2,128,7661,204,843
Iron and brass foundries, boiler-making, machinists, &c.†711,814241,838144,340702145,0421,221173,685376,527284,875
    Heel and too plate factories*39110   7   
    Engineering-works†‡611,846221,868166,8051,191167,9961,109223,365437,036249,901
    Range-making works11230 23022,481 22,4817422,37664,27133,461
    Spouting and ridging factories16158115916,0512816,0799451,95473,75630,245
    Lead-headed-nail works*26 6       
    Books and publications-           
    Printing and bookbinding offices†§2393,2386603,898374,87225,940400,8121,520272,8571,067,827920,022
Musical instruments—           
    Musical-instrument factories*311 11   7   
Ornaments, minor art products, and small wares—           
    Toy-factories*229 29   5   
    Picture-frame makers14331342,4671102,57728,43816,29616,775
    Basket and perambulator-factories26121271489,0737939,8661216,78834,10317,190
    Cork-cutting*14 4       
    Lapidaries*34 4   8   
Equipment for sports and games—           
    Billiard-table factories425 252,504 2,504174,70110,4177,263
Designs, medals, type, and dies—           
    Rubber-stamp making*35 5   3   
Ammunition—           
    Ammunition-works*126104130   40   
Machines, tools, and implements—           
    Agricultural - implement factories29788579378,80124179,04241991,043199,74195,467
    Brush and broom factories1199551547,5972,0839,6806216,33136,34515,657
    Cutlery-factory*13 3   4   
Carriages and vehicles—           
    Coach building and painting works†1831,465 1,465116,204 116,204395122,384294,818251,717
    Cycle-factories†974361645230,07375830,8319437,09275,99183,666
Harness, saddlery, and leatherware—           
    Saddlery and harness factories†1065143054440,8721,34142,2131372,662140,813108,674
    Whip-thong factories*24 4       
    Portmanteau-factories84519642,8007913,59166,45912,0648,930
    Tanning, fellmongering, and wool-scouring establishments†991,33421,336102,41888102,5069801,201,3181,836,310182,682
Ships, boats, and their equipment—           
    Ship and boat building yards†30237 23720,889 20,8898852,07066,57214,722
    Graving-docks and patent slips724 243,946 3,9461,630 12,327447,420
    Block and pump factories*21 1       
    Sail, tent, and oilskin factories†2997661638,3422,86311,205 23,30345,32132,692
Furniture—           
    Furniture and cabinet-making†1721,435931,528130,7593,825134,584706157,484328,185239,375
    Venetian-blind works9332351,831931,92454,3097,1809,476
    Mattress-factories11521533,434533,487318,93517,89229,735
    Wool, rug, and mat making*310919   6   
Chemicals and by-products—           
    Varnish manufactories*213114       
    Ink-manufactories*2314       
    Starch-manufactories*220525   40   
    Chemical-works17103751789,7432,73312,47616256,30895,39086,181
    Hæmatite-paint factories*35 5   19   
    Sheep-dip factories47 7426 42661,7894,2843,402
    Match-factories*229177206   34   
    Blacking-factories*33811   31   
Textile fabrics—           
    Woollen-mills†107158341,54968,81236,224105,0361,945206,847397,348307,759
    Flock-mills*312113   18   
    Cleaning and dyeing works133016462,6277643,391221,11610,33216,155
Dress—           
    Tailoring establishments3081,2331,7642,997123,50991,578215,087 244,191578,416372,026
    Dressmaking and millinery establishments338183,0213,039562112,804113,366 181,201331,268269,000
    Shirt-making establishments22253743992,05912,89614,9551241,36275,83231,680
    Corset and belt manufactories*2 1111       
    Clothing and waterproof factories†233751,5391,91438,04567,516105,561135154,655308,94390,641
    Boot and shoe factories†721,5186882,206142,82628,669171,495328269,664501,065153,991
    Hat and cap factories16831542378,7147,66616,38015019,81738,36947,010
    Hosiery-factories†10303443743,23018,73021,9604642,05267,58836,697
Fibrous materials—           
    Rope and twine works†10195 19513,964 13,96448368,775100,75370,095
    Bag and sack factories*372936   12   
    Flax-mills†2404,076 4,076227,460 227,4603,087185,894557,808355,840
    Values for industries of which less than four of any one sort were found in the returns    61,54115,16976,710 653,646843,002215,749
    Returns not included in above6930813344123,9965,34629,3425350,976146,64391,549
Totals census 19061,18614,94611,41356,3593,979,593478,0264,457,61960,33513,163,69223,444,235‡§12,509,286
Totals, census 19013,68036,29210,55546,8472,972,193330,4543,302,64739,1137,749,77017,853,1338,408,564

The succeeding statement shows the most important industries in operation in 1906, ranged in order of the values of their output for 1905, and compared with the results obtained for the years 1900, 1895, 1890, and 1885:—

 Total Value of all Manufactures or Produce, including Repairs.
 1905.1900.1895.1890.1885.
 £££££
Meat freezing and preserving and boiling down works4,928,5453,834,8911,652,2751,464,659543,878
Butter and cheese factories2,581,6391,535,150501,274150,95743,094
Sawmills, sash and door factories2,128,7661,268,689898,807832,9591,177,713
Tanning, fellmongering, and wool scouring establishments1,836,3101,888,1071,237,2521,026,349634,915
Printing establishments (not including Government Printing Office)1,067,827704,285389,124354,559273,886
Grain-mills1,058,686682,884874,656991,812754,830
Iron and brass foundries, boiler-making, machinists, &c. (not including Government Railway Workshops)877,834924,171302,815403,635368,919
Clothing and boot and shoe factories810,008871,658638,512570,315514,506
Breweries and malthouses645,637659,298418,830380,849421,197
Tailoring establishments578,416301,356   
Flax-mills557,808203,49232,546234,26620,059
Woollen-mills397,348359,382302,423279,175194,311
Gasworks386,920290,567199,025178,947194,653
Dressmaking and millinery331,268312,436   
Furniture and cabinetmaking328,185241,02485,327131,314162,375
Coach building and painting294,818216,077143,969139,660128,346
Grass-seed dressing270,028241,239   
Ham and bacon curing253,937159,56486,02283,43558,799
Biscuit-factories225,476197,989118,979127,14747,784
Brick, tile, and pottery works216,550122,23066,14056,83091,797
Agricultural-implement factories199,741138,094102,054144,472111,823
Aerated-water factories189,561151,81198,60991,69194,098
Soap and candle works178,556158,649152,298155,714130,745
Saddlery and harness factories140,813147,62663,73537,347 
Chaff-cutting139,060169,31378,49763,23654,440
Sugar-boiling and confectionery188,63588,58033,23517,24817,130
Tinware factories127,15098,58763,72314,2978,500
Woodware and turnery110,22537,55218,2769,050 
Lime and cement works107,67545,14215,88119,41616,928
Rope and twine works100,75887,86352,40076,71156,413
Fruit-preserving and jam making98,03258,09236,10827,25532,292
Chemical-works95,39064,83475,32041,56834,283
Electric lighting82,03023,234   
Cycle-factories75,99165,04718,8175,6551,301
Shirt-making75,83275,879   
Spouting and ridging factories73,756112,69123,76233,14025,478
Hosiery-factories67,58831,2659,3575,6506,200
Ship and boat building68,57245,81125,23335,84756,132
Bone-mills and manure-works66,55840,29812,2464,6288,337
Coffee and spice works60,75845,62874,33964,02498,234
Sauce, pickle, and vinegar factories56,32638,08213,4176,4073,145
Sail, tent, and oilskin factories45,32144,85430,16631,08325,574
Hat and cap factories38,36925,64110,90221,62813,695
Cooperages38,12437,52119,23311,54011,862
Sausage-skin factories37,04530,67413,47210,582 
Brush and broom factories36,34521,13123,36313,3407,786
Monumental masonry35,99322,313   
Basket and perambulator factories34,10317,94211,9207,3814,375
Fish curing and preserving works28,10925,17310,29219,53712,182
Mattress-factories17,89216,2961,850  
Baking-powder factories16,35218,16310,1535,6374,120
Picture-frame making16,2965,771   
Graving-docks and patent slips12,3277,2645,4229,000 
Portmanteau-factories12,0645,483 2,889 
Paper bag and box factories11,94114,2177,6984,497 
Billiard table factories10,417    
Cleaning and dyeing works10,3327,8557,53013,6674,510
Colonial-wine making9,96510,3308,9633,4563,626
Other industries in respect of which the value of the manufactures was less than £8,000, and sundry1,006,232803,938468,113359,376237,108

The order of the principal industries, ranged according to the number of hands employed, is as follows:—

 Number of Hands.
     1906.    1901.    1890.    1891.
Sawmills, sash and door factories    9,111    6,812    4,059    3,266
Clothing and boot and shoe factories    4,120    5,322    4,500    3,233
Flax-mills    4,076    1,698    647    3,204
Iron and brass foundries, machinists, &c. (excluding Government Railway Workshops)    3,936    3,590    1,642    1,787
Printing and bookbinding establishments (excluding Government Printing Office)    3,898    3,134    2,351    2,569
Meat freezing, preserving, and boiling-down works    3,260    2,282    2,037    1,568
Dressmaking and millinery establishments    3,039    2,888  
Tailoring establishments    2,997    1,621  
Woollen-mills    1,549    1,693    1,416    1,175
Furniture and cabinetmaking factories    1,528    1,310    496    585
Butter and cheese factories    1,484    1,188    576    269
Coach building and painting works    1,465    1,185    807    678
Tanning, fellmongering, and wool-scouring establishments    1,336    1,963    1,629    1,199
Brick, tile, and pottery works    1,254    838    455    494
Gasworks    954    572    295    249
Breweries and malthouses    821    827    560    563
Agricultural-implement factories    793    586    581    528
Biscuit-factories    587    667    425    331
Aerated-water factories    586    452    347    261
Sugar-boiling and confectionery works    571    305    69    53
Saddlery and harness factories    544    652    266    184
Grain-mills    540    515    419    499
Tinware-factories    473    337    289    93
Cycle-factories    452    395    125    31
Shirt-making establishments    399    531  
Hosiery-factories    374    282    133    51
Fruit-preserving and jam-making works    311    172    193    117
Woodware and turnery factories    304    156    81    51
Lime and cement works    280    184    79    98
Soap and candle works    238    232    190    209
Ship and boat building yards    237    211    108    145
Hat and cap factories    237    117    72    112
Sugar-refining works    228    256    160    110
Ham and bacon curing establishments    224    196    123    84
Sauce and pickle factories    219    151    74    44
Bone-mills and manure-works    216    47    46    25
Match-factories    206    183    121 
Chaff-cutting works    197    266    212    205
Rope and twine works    195    192    150    222
Chemical-works    178    95    114    55
Sail, tent, and oilskin factories    163    231    143    124
Spouting and ridging factories    159    261    90    100
Brush and broom factories    154    128    92    81
Sausage-skin factories    151    98    56    73
Basket and perambulator factories    148    118    76    63
Ammunition-works    130    105    90    80
Coffee and spice works    120    78    119    81
Electric-lighting works    118    52  
Monumental masonry    118    81  
Paper-mills    116    98    84    48
Cooperages    116    138    76    53
Pish curing and preserving works    106    137    75    140
Paper bag and box factories    100    81    86    35
Grass-seed-dressing establishments    92    60    7 
Portmanteau-factories    64    22    13    14
Condensed-milk factories    58    33    10    2
Mattress-factories    53    55    15 
Colonial-wine making    51    59    53    24
Cleaning and dyeing works    46    51    58    48
Bag and sack factories    36    6    22    14
Venetian-blind works    35    51    45    29
Picture-frame makers    34    22  
Starch and soda factories    25    32    27    13
Baking-powder factories    25    29    19    27
Billiard-table factories    25    7    2 
Graving-docks and patent slips    24    32    29    64
Industries employing under 20 hands    675    679    255    173

Chapter 39. SECTION XIV.—OCCUPATION OF LAND; AND LIVESTOCK.

THE occupation of land must not be confused with ownership,* because there are large parcels of lands held which are unused and unoccupied. Neither can lands occupied be properly compared with the returns of Crown lands alienated or in process of alienation, for certain lands have passed into the hands of Europeans which were never made waste lands of the Crown.

The figures in the following tables relating to occupation of land and live-stock, with the exception of sheep, are those for 1908–9. The Agricultural Department did not collect the usual statistics for the season 1909–10.

The area of land in occupation during 1908–9 has been returned by the Department of Agriculture at 88,201,349 acres, including Crown lands leased for pastoral purposes only, or 610,061 acres in excess of the area for the preceding year.

Tables are given showing the numbers and acreages of holdings, grouped according to size, for the last five years in which the Department of Agriculture has compiled the information.

In 1895 the holdings of over 1 acre in extent, as returned to the Registrar-General, numbered only 46,676. Holdings occupied by Maoris were excluded, besides holdings of exactly 1 acre, also gardens and orchards attached to residences.†

* The latest information in reference to ownership of land which is available gives figures up to the 31st March, 1906. It is contained in Parliamentary Return B.-17A of the year 1907, and states the total number of owners of land (town and country holdings of all sizes) to be 128,019. The most important figures (showing ownership of productive land) are those of freeholders outside boroughs and town districts, and excluding holdings of under 5 acres. These figures are:—

NEW ZEALAND OWNERS (OVER 5 ACRES).
Year 190615,068
Year 190243,735
Year 189238,985
Year 188937,432
Year 188634,450
Year 188330,764

Three tables are appended to this section showing freehold lands hold on 31st March, 1900, classified according to area and value.

† At the census of April, 1906, the actual number of persons described in the census schedules as having occupations necessitating their occupying holdings of land was 43,438, This number includes 29,927 farmers, 3,903 runholders, 1,107 market-gardeners, 132 horticulturists or gardeners, 7,172 dairy-farmers, 467 fruit-growers, 30 vignerons, 323 poultry-farmers. 33 bee-farmers, and 44 others.

Occupied Lands: Holdings.

[This and the succeeding statement deal with the full extent of occupied land, including Crown pastoral leases.]

Sizes of Holdings.Number of Holdings.
1904–5.1905–6.1906–7.1907–8.1908–9.
1 acre to 10 acres, inclusive19,52919,78720,45521,18621,927
10 acres to 50 acres, inclusive11,51811,74512,01212,14712,360
50 acres to 100 acres, inclusive7,5407,5627,7677,7607,780
100 acres to 200 acres, inclusive9,8229,95010,25110,09810,206
200 acres to 300 acres, inclusive6,4086,5316, 8206,8276,831
320 acres to 640 acres, inclusive7,0437,2197,4977,6027,828
640 acres to 1,000 acres, inclusive2,6092,7502,9363,0113,202
1,000 acres to 5,000 acres, inclusive3,3183,4973,6823,8164,090
5,000 acres to 10,000 acres, inclusive395408415436458
10,000 acres to 20,000 acres, inclusive225237248247235
20,000 acres to 50,000 acres, inclusive177166167153151
50,000 acres and over9690888484
 68,68069,94272,33873,36775,152

The holdings are shown to have increased by the number of 6,472 since 1904–5.

The total acreage of occupied land for each of the last five years is shown:—

Occupied Lands: Acreages.

Sizes of Holdings
in Acres.
1904–5.1905–6.1906–7.1907–8.1908–9.
 Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.
1 to 10 inclusive79,13679,92681,33986,87088,749
10 to 50 inclusive321,444324,375328,657340,498346,453
50 to 100 inclusive590,962591,209599,236604,567611,622
100 to 200 inclusive1,497,0781,514,0841,514,2421,533,0481,544,963
200 to 320 inclusive1,665,2851,692,8241,742,1231,764,9031,769,875
320 to 640 inclusive3,214,4733,306,4753,390,7623,491,7283,582,822
040 to 1,000 inclusive2,129,0932,220,1492,354,8912,425,0282,618,008
1,000 to 5,000 inclusive6,523,9516,955,3107,212,5877,677,6248,088,931
5,000 to 10,000 inclusive2,700,2252,874,5622,822,0302,994,8203,193,571
10,000 to 20,000 inclusive3,265,8563,278,4983,536,3343,365,1323,234,480
20,000 to 50,000 inclusive5,317,9695,273,4724,911,9774,870,7721,781,801
50,000 and over9,199,6829,056,5768,884,2958,409,2988,343,074
 36,511,15437,167,46037,408,47337,564,28838,204,349

Of a total of 75,152 holdings shown above, 42,067, or 55.98 per cent., were from 1 to 100 acres in extent; 52,273, or 69.56 per cent., were from 1 to 200 acres; and 59,104, or 78.65 per cent., were from 1 to 320 acres in size. The total number over 320 acres was only 16,048, or 21.35 per cent. of the whole, thus indicating a considerable degree of moderately close settlement, although the area of the holdings over the 320-acres limit necessarily shows as very large in a table which includes the Crown pastoral leases.

The extent of land occupied as shown in the returns according to tenure is tabulated for each provincial district. The acreage in the last column of the statement is apparently short of the actual facts, judging from the figures shown in the table of “Crown Tenants,” as given in the report of the Surveyor-General. The difference lies in what has been returned for Crown pastoral leases to the agricultural-statistics collectors and the areas on which rent is paid given by the Lands Department.

Occupation of Land: Tenure.
Provincial Districts.Total of Holdings.Freehold.Leased from Individuals or Public Bodies.Leased from Natives.Held from Crown under Different Tenures.
 Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.
Auckland6,859,9524,281,572401,072619,7101,557,598
Taranaki1,249,504648,731188,836117,453294,484
Hawke's Bay3,006,7091,790,927260,028551,984403,770
Wellington4,284,5332,596,539538,753474,820674,421
Marlborough2,458,752819,47357,80544,1901,537,284
Nelson2,201,339979,09093,40718,3061,110,536
Westland666,78262,15621,8863,924578,816
Canterbury6,558,9422,707,742929,28260,7652,861,153
Otago—
        Otago portion7,776,3651,559,919425,91811,3175,779,211
        Southland portion3,141,4711,378,046611,2674,4991,147,659
               Totals38,204,34916,824,1953,528,2541,906,96815,944,932

Arranged according to the number of holdings, the provincial districts stand in order as under:—

Auckland21,690 holdings.
Otago14,672 holdings.
Canterbury11,858 holdings.
Wellington11,410 holdings.
Taranaki5,520 holdings.
Hawke's Bay3,767 holdings.
Nelson3,623 holdings.
Marlborough1,689 holdings.
Westland923 holdings.

The occupied holdings of the North Island now considerably outnumber those of the South Island, the numbers being—North Island, 42,387; South Island, 32,765. For the year 1899–1900 the returns showed 30,109 holdings for the South Island, against 32,376 for the North.

The full details of holdings and acreages, classified according to size, for the year 1908–9 will be found in the following table:—

Occupation of Land: Number and Area of Holdings (including Crown Pastoral Leases).
As compiled by the Department of Agriculture.

TABLE showing for the Year 1908–9 the Occupied Holdings and the Acreages (including Crown Pastoral Leases) in Groups of Sizes, according to the Provincial' Districts.
Provincial Districts.Total of Holdings.1–10 Acres, inclusive.over 10–50 Acres, inclusive.Over 50–100 Acres, inclusive.Over 100–200 Acres, inclusive.over 200–320 Acres, inclusive.Over 320–640 Acres, inclusive.Over 640–1,000 Acres, inclusive.Over 1,000–5,000 Acres, inclusive.Over 5,000–10,000 Acres, inclusive.Over 10,000–20,000 Acres, inclusive.Over 20,000–50,000 Acres, inclusive.Over 50,000 Acres.
Auckland: Area in acres6,859,95224,177104,838192,128465,389511,359975,264713,3382,067,397659,375416,357478,779251,551
                    Number of holdings21,6906,5503,5752,3973,0361,9552,1128661,0559531144
Taranaki: Area in acres1,249,5044,52025,61066,588201,262166,928132,198159,310349,20916,10827,271....
                    Number of holdings5,5209118358391,36565351319820222....
Hawke's Bay: Area in acres3,006,7096,40517,57124,55452,91052,602232,698149,228667,364473,717510,976566,203352,981
                    Number of holdings3,7671,3026473193552002981863267041203
Wellington: Area in acres4,284,53314,67746,69391,396235,459243,618579,379427,1511,325,201514,702403,178152,982250,097
                    Number of holdings11,4103,4571,7291,1711,5319521,255531670752964
Marlborough: Area in acres2,458,7521,8235,4809,69325,46629,441109,80481,695429,426140,035219,009649,146751,734
                    Number of holdings1,6894742051271731142381011942215215
Nelson: Area in acres2,201,3393,70019,33035,90865,68184,810175,891176,649372,08190,696118,395320,499737,696
                    Number of holdings3,62388469645445132838619519612886
Westland: Area in acres666,7827723,8706,79818,06429,34342,54021,95150,306103,515279,67658,78751,160
                    Number of holdings92329012891115114952825151921
Canterbury: Area in acres6,558,91215,69162,26984,473189,417250,962511,174357,9671,298,797419,567404,181800,9962,160,448
                    Number of holdings11,8583,9072,2391,0941,2679671,13644565867292524
Otago—
        Otago portion: Area in acres7,776,36510,74439,77766,467164,387210,359424,504297,5791,047,939617,880573,7761,238,8393,084,114
                    Number of holdings8,9982,7551,4808641,11081193035650677413731
        Southland portion: Area, acres3,141,4716,24021,01533,617126,928190,453396,370233,140481,208151,976281,661515,570703,293
                    Number of holdings5,6741,3978264248037378652962582320187
            Totals Area in acres38,204,34988,749346,453611,6221,544,9631,769,8753,582,8222,618,0088,088,9313,193,5713,234,4804,781,8018,343,074
Totals Number of holdings75,15221,92712,3607,78010,2066,8317,8283,2024,09045823515184

Ownership of Land.

From the tables following it will be seen that of the total area of New Zealand (66,861,440 acres) there was held as freehold on 31st March, 1906, more than eighteen million and a half acres of rural lands. The balance is in the hands of owners of urban lands, the Grown, Native owners, local bodies, church, education, friendly societies, and other public bodies. The number of freeholders of country lands (i.e., exclusive of those in boroughs and townships), with the area held, and the capital and unimproved values of same on 31st March, 1906, is as follows:—

Size of Holdings in Acres.Number of Owners.Total Area.Capital Value.Unimproved Value.
  Acres.££
5 and under 32035,2003,394,75331,228,14820,377,057
820 and under 6405,1072,299,64614,318,11910,082,449
640 and under 1,0001,8621,475,8598,472,1075,931,751
1,000 and under 2,0001,5532,142,80711,065,7107,963,977
2,000 and under 5,0008642,618,60811,555,3338,479,100
5,000 and under 10,0002781,955,3487,001,0425,176,287
10,000 and under 20,0001291,817,5626,192,1674,669,180
20,000 and under 30,000401,002,8162,910,6302,182,823
30,000 and under 40,00014474,8221,299,027948,764
40,000 and under 50,0008353,100510,849447,160
50,000 and under 100,00012833,0001,005,416789,584
100,000 and under 150,000........
150,000 and under1223,242331,985240,642
                Totals45,06818,591,56395,890,53367,288,774

In addition to the above there were 82,951 owners of town lands having a capital value of £65,881,225.

Number of Freeholders (exclusive of those in Boroughs or Townships) with Sizes of Holdings.
Sizes of Holdings, in Acres.Number of Freeholders in
1883.1886.1889.1892.1902.1906.
5 and under 32025,40728,52131,32432,21134,80035,200
320 and under 6402,6952,9823,1893,5534,7855,107
640 and under 1,0009311,0431,0351,1431,5801,862
1,000 and under 2,0008169169069921,3691,553
2,000 and under 5,000465509507566775864
5,000 and under 10,000203220221208260278
10,000 and under 20,000141151134148123129
20,000 and under 30,000494350454040
30,000 and under 40,000233126302114
40,000 and under 50,00011513998
50,000 and under 100,000192518201812
100,000 and under 150,00022242..
150,000 and over227631
                Totals30,76434,45037,43238,93543,73545,068

Previous to the year 1906 the areas of freehold lands under 10,000 acres were not classified, but it is possible to compare the areas above that quantity as held in 1889 and 1906. Still excluding lands in the hands of Native owners, local bodies, church, education, friendly societies, and other public bodies, the figures are:—

 1889.1906.
Area in acres.Acres.Acres.
10,000 and under 20,0001,911,1541,817,562
20,000 and under 30,0001,221,8291,002,816
30,000 and under 40,000921,435474,822
40,000 and under 50,000570,646353,100
50,000 and under 75,000723,459490,507
75,000 and under 100,000522,590342,493
100,000 and under 150,000241,423..
150,000 and over1,389,664223,242

It would appear from the above that there has been a reduction in the total held in areas of 10,000 acres and over of 2,797,658 acres during the period 1889–1906. Purchases by Government contributed to this result, but only to the extent of about one-third, voluntary subdivision accounting for the balance. The average area held by owners of 10,000 acres and upwards shows a steady decrease since 1889, as follows:—

 Average Area held.
Year.Acres.
188930,009
189229,924
190228,312
190623,061

Live-stock.

A comparative table is presented showing the increase in livestock since the year 1858. The figures are taken from the census as far as 1891, but for 1895–96 and following years the results of the enumeration made annually by the Department of Agriculture have been made use of.

Year.Horses.Asses and Mules.Cattle.Sheep.Goats.Pigs.Poultry.

* Not enumerated.

† Numbers for April, 1895, and years following.

* Not enumerated.

† Numbers for April, 1899, and years following.

185814,912122137,2041,523,32411,79740,734*
186128,275153193,2852,761,38312,19143,270236,098
186449,409339249,7604,937,27312,00561,276378,414
186765,715323312,8358,418,57911,964115,104676,065
187181,028397436,5929,700,62912,434151,460872,174
187499,859267194,91711,704,85314,276123,9211,058,198
1878137,768241578,43013,069,33814,243207,3371,323,542
1881161,736362698,63712,985,08511,223200,0831,566,114
1886187,382297853,35816,564,59510,220277,9011,679,021
1891211,040348831,83118,128,1869,055308,8121,790,070
1895–96237,4184261,047,90119,826,604†*239,778*
1896–97249,8134341,138,06719,138,493†*209,834*
1897–98252,8343931,209,16519,687,954†*186,027*
1898–99258,1155341,203,02419,673,725†*193,512*
1899–1900261,9314591,222,13919,348,506†*249,751*
1900–1266,2454801,256,68019,355,195†*250,975*
1901–2279,6724061,361,78420,233,099†*224,024*
1902–3286,9554641,460,66320,342,727†*193,740*
1903–4298,7144681,593,54718,954,553†*226,591*
1904–5314,3224481,736,85018,280,806†*255,320*
1905–6326,5374291,810,93619,130,875†*249,727*
1906–7342,6084511,851,75020,108,471†*242,2733,191,604
1907–8352,8324251,816,29920,983,772†*241,128*
1908–9363,2595191,773,32622,449,053†*245,092*
1909–10***23,480,707†***

The stock owned by Maoris in the year 1906, which is included above, comprised 252,404 sheep, 51,960 head of cattle, and 42,473 pigs. The number of horses is not specified, but is known to be large.

Table showing for each County in New Zealand the Number of Horses, Cattle, and Pigs in 1908, and of Sheep in 1909.
County.Horses, October, 1908.Cattle, including Calves, October, 1908.Dairy Cows, included in foregoing.Sheep, including Lambs, April, 1909.Pigs, October, 1908.
Mangonui2,76013,4152,78619,7802,046
Whangaroa8562,1651289,403764
Bay of Islands3,78718,0183,23637,9512,797
Hokianga3,90916,7492,8119,0521,887
Rodney2,82720,5845,15768,8881,588
Whangarei5,27340,04612,57334,9853,406
Otamatea2,20520,4364,51053,1041,505
Hobson2,25519,9123,28838,5161,203
Waitemata3,38315,2194,80345,8042,428
Eden6,5017,3133,8325,2271,855
Manukau9,94554,64122,835120,4639,034
Coromandel1,1446,8221,10121,746633
Thames1,3107,0102,9675,7571,345
Ohinemuri2,3339,4593,7048,4382,490
Waikato4,34926,72710,63457,9406,138
Raglan4,39932,1754,521126,4672,324
Waipa4,83333,36116,43941,6265,324
Piako5,61232,60212,396117,8455,914
Waitomo2,67917,1123,18374,1942,488
Kawhia9055,53198132,004543
Awakino7259,35225141,756183
West Taupo1,8547,4661,5456,7402,619
East Taupo and Rotorua2,0083,55782529,412993
Tauranga3,77223,7044,8407,5022,261
Whakatane2,51011,0233,55135,2092,278
Opotiki1,9819,0832,34757,6211,176
Waiapu4,82429,274796588,2233,454
Cook and Waikohu11,72498,1007,0881,402,2613,219
Wairoa4,81527,4472,261655,484893
Hawke's Bay9,33147,2295,4651,128,6592,249
Waipawa2,95716,4551,660379,748501
Waipukurau6843,35830670,28862
Dannevirke3,20120,4326,606249,5982,289
Woodville1,60414,7244,628102,3172,416
Patangata and Weber3,03737,6461,304788,645336
Clifton1,77218,3574,86071,2372,475
Taranaki5,11849,04823,59043,85310,011
Egmont2,94036,98917,97412,1005,538
Whangamomona5927,5741,58668,166439
Stratford2,94837,77621,024115,0628,102
Eltham2,45527,99017,57646,6148,176
Hawera4,62450,82528,24992,26911,683
Patea3,79829,3348,813267,6493,841
Waitotara2,48617,0683,930167,2651,558
Waimarino1,8625,7071,004131,0401,149
Wanganui4,49624,0053,652459,9631,142
Rangitikei7,82243,3427,365913,5803,150
Kiwitea2,66818,8564,178330,2931,572
Pohangina1,38912,4493,493151,9311,829
Oroua2,73715,1797,489162,8413,041
Kairanga3,92019,6868,601111,2784,477
Manawatu3,84622,11010,143144,7565,750
Horowhenua3,52925,1978,297138,5974,098
Hutt2,49410,2714,703138,954966
Makara1,8534,6662,76585,3881,605
Featherston3,49930,1655,361496,6562,851
South Wairarapa3,03429,1355,950192,1833,224
Masterton4,51332,9442,717574,3081,035
Castlepoint79713,22655172,85345
Akitio1,30817,5561,833223,515343
Pahiatua2,50621,7178,818231,0704,264
Eketahuna1,28511,1885,13591,4341,768
Mauriceville5204,7371,50279,643605
Marlborough5,76010,2963,174657,5501,636
Sounds3252,9471,131154,194847
Kaikoura1,4624,5011,392198,296663
Collingwood4544,0471,57712,550710
Takaka8693,5441,86441,2411,648
Waimea5,60911,9784,814271,3712,507
Buller7404,6501,7234,075737
Inangahua and Murchison1,1806,3971,53940,177852
Amuri2,0133,902526457,566179
Cheviot1,3552,694499192,101232
Grey1,1827,2082,02721,448896
Westland2,00914,4522,74422,425886
Ashley10,11616,5997,724874,7725,191
Selwyn18,50127,94616,370758,48614,309
Mount Herbert4791,812344236,649208
Akaroa2,50219,1855,4822,392
Ashburton10,4818,6633,763962,3492,908
Geraldine5,6907,3583,200673,2832,044
Levels4,5435,3152,4871,486
Waimate7,35610,7054,228650,9703,197
Mackenzie2,2773,334986471,260338
Waitaki8,17520,46710,169584,5734,023
Waihemo1,5523,9791,959135,821624
Waikouaiti1,8078,8545,39684,5641,589
Peninsula8725,6584,1084,898816
Taieri7,27222,0529,249203,5533,127
Bruce4,50211,2164,984217,1531,657
Clutha5,74516,1946,000358,8621,638
Tuapeka4,3807,0982,370445,498900
Maniototo2,8756,8981,525314,817300
Vincent2,6434,7351,308349,203562
Lake1,6853,971976206,679537
Southland22,84369,45128,5441,156,2477,919
Wallace and Fiord6,87120,2246,307522,2202,137
Stewart Island25252592,64519
                Totals363,2591,773,326536,62923,480,707245,092

Sheep.

The returns made to the Department of Agriculture show a smaller number of sheep for the year 1886 than the census figures given previously, because the account was taken later in the year. The particulars are given for that year, and each of ten years, 1900–9, distinguishing the number in the North from that in the South Island.

According to these returns, the flocks of the North Island increased from 5,285,907 sheep in the year 1886 to 12,193,211 in 1909, or at the rate of 131 per cent., while sheep in the South Island increased from 9,888,356 to 11,287,496, a gain of 14 per cent. in the same period. For the North Island the increase during the twenty-four years was 6,907,304 sheep, and in the South Island 1,399,140.

Year.North Island.South Island.Total.
18865,285,9079,888,35615,174,263
19009,998,1739,357,02219,355,195
190110,218,94510,014,15420,233,099
190210,286,34610,056,38120,342,727
19039,433,8319,520,72218,954,553
19049,203,9639,076,84318,280,806
19059,388,6059,742,27019,130,875
190610,009,73110,098,74020,108,471
190710,854,01810,129,75420,983,772
190811,632,20110,816,85222,449,053
190912,193,21111,287,49623,480,707

There was an increase of 4,125,512 in the total number of sheep between 1900 and 1909.

Of the provincial districts, that of Wellington had most sheep in 1909, Canterbury came next, and Otago occupied the third place. The Pull particulars, showing increases since 1908 to be general, with the exception of Marlborough, are given:—

Provincial District.No. of Sheep in 1909.No. of Sheep in 1908.Increase or Decrease.
Wellington4,997,5484,792,006205,542
Canterbury4,627,7694,487,218140,551
Otago4,580,7334,317,939268,794
Hawke's Bay3,380,7333,276,573104,166
Auckland3,097,9742,865,013232,961
Marlborough1,010,0401,016,811– 6,771
Nelson1,019,081953,01466,067
Taranaki716,950698,60918,341
Westland43,87341,8702,003
                Totals23,480,70722,449,0531,031,654
Number of Flocks, 1886, 1891, 1896, 1901, 1906, and 1909.
Size of Flocks.1886.1891.1896.1901.1906.1909.
Under 5006,0248,27212,02811,70011,79312,389
      500 and under 1,0001,1891,6912,6053,0593,4314,219
1,000 and under 2,0007479691,4602,8773,3404,435
2,000 and under 5,000532666892
5,000 and under 10,000263287340397394510
10,000 and under 20,000228239231189213227
20,000 and upwards1661691471389478
                Totals9,14912,29317,70318,36019,26521,858
 1901.1900.1909.
From 1,000 to 2,5002,1892,5583,391
From 2,500 to 5,0006887821,044
 2,8773,8404,435

The average size of the flocks is found to have been 1,659 sheep for 1886, 1,081 in 1896, and 1,074 in 1909.

The proportion of small flocks of sheep has increased very considerably, and with smaller flocks the rabbit difficulty should be easier to master than with large ones.

Crossbreds and other longwools comprise about 90 per cent. of the New Zealand flocks, the merino being less suited for freezing.

The number of the different classes composing the flocks in April, 1909, was as follows:—

Stud—
          Merino52,879
          Lincoln119,563
          Romney218,434
          Border Leicester98,887
          English Leicester105,412
          Shropshire32,550
          Southdown21,983
          Other breeds40,149
Flock—
          Crossbreds and other longwools20,922,045
          Merino1,868,805
 23,480,707

An interim return gives the number of sheep in New Zealand on the 30th April, 1910, as 23,792,947, an increase of 312,240 during the year. In the North Island the number was 12,616,335, and in the South Island 11,176,612, an increase of 423,124 in the North Island, and a decrease of 110,884 in the South Island.

The annual export and consumption of sheep during the last ten years has been:—

Year.Export of Frozen Mutton and Lamb, including Pieces at 60 lb to a Sheep.Live Sheep exported.Estimated Consumption in the Dominion: Carcases.Total
19003,055,1353,8401,800,0004,858,975
19013,400,1383,6681,831,0005,237,806
19024,084,57848,0471,901,0006,036,625
19034,922,62221,7631,942,0006,886,385
19044,017,8297,4301,993,0006,023,259
19053,605,59211,7292,050,0005,667,321
19064,274,63713,3242,137,0006,424,961
19074,850,55213,7622,175,0007,039,314
19084,404,9696,3172,233,0006,644,286
19095,189,0576,9872,295,0007,491,044

It has been estimated that the annual consumption of mutton in New Zealand is equivalent to 2.25 sheep per inhabitant, and that the number of sheep required in the present year (1910) for food will be about 2,354,000. (Maoris, for the purposes of this calculation, have been included.)

The number of breeding-ewes in April, 1908, was returned at 11,244,041, and in April, 1909, at 12,370,346, an increase of 1,126,305 for the year. Figures for ten years are given:—

Breeding-ewes.
19009,257,054
19019,906,616
19029,610,149
19039,071,751
19049,222,448
190510,079,184
190610,479,187
190710,736,846
190811,244,041
100912,370,346

Two important advantages that sheep-farming has in New Zealand are (1) the low cost of the production of mutton, and (2) the high percentage of natural increase. With regard to the high percentage of increase, there need only be cited a few average returns from well-known flocks to show what excellent lambings New Zealand farmers obtain under good management.

Lambing Returns.—Averages.
Locality.Breed of Flock.Breed of Rams.Breed of Ewes.No. of Ewes.Percentage of Lambs.Remarks.
North IslandLincolnLincolnLincoln7,51781.04Land merely surface - sown in English-grass pasture.
North IslandLincolnLincolnLincoln5,30185.05
North IslandLincolnLincoln⅞ Lincoln12,177100.00
North IslandRomneyRomneyRomney1,14196.17
North IslandLincolnSouthd'nLincoln2,03394.71
South IslandMerinoMerinoMerino14,76575.36Mountainous country in native pasture, unimproved.
South IslandMerinoB. Leic'strMerino4,23588.94
South IslandCross-bredB. Leic'strCross-bred8,62480.82In English-grass pasture.
South IslandHalf-bredB. Leic'strHalf-bred2,74782.79
South IslandB.Leic'strB. Leic'strB. Leic'str77890.77
South IslandLincolnLincolnLincoln45288.08
South IslandR. MarshR. MarshR. Marsh253111.46
South IslandE.Leic'strE. Leic'strE. Leic'str46493.34
South IslandShropshireShropshireShropshire16897.41
South IslandSouthd'nSouthd'nSouthd'n11496.87

The above returns are fair average ones, but much higher might have been shown if exceptional cases had been selected.

Sheep in Australasia.

The number of sheep in the several States of the Commonwealth of Australia and in New Zealand for the years 1900, 1905. and 1909 was as follows:—

 1900.1905.1909.
New South Wales40,020,50639,506,76446,187,678
Victoria10,841,79011,455,11512,937,983
Queensland10,339,18512,535,23119,593,791
South Australia5,283,2476,202,3306,898,450
Western Australia2,434,3113,120,7034,692,419
Tasmania1,683,9561,583,5611,728,653
New Zealand19,355,19519,130,87523,480,707
          Total for Australasia89,958,19093,534,579115,519,081

Sheep Flocks of the World.

The following figures show that the sheep flocks of the world have decreased considerably of late years, while the wool using population has increased rapidly. It is not possible in every case to obtain information for uniform years to compare with 1895, therefore the latest figures available have been used.

Country.Sheep.Wool-using Population.
1908.1895.1908.1895.
* Including Russia in Asia.
 No.No.Persons.Persons.
Europe*181,396,100198,194,214455,239,027396,387.000
Australasia115,519,081110,516,3315,439,3223,810,000
South America82,161,747102,847,13432,302,83928,867,000
North America62,405,26257,158,600112,384,00088,895,000
Africa43,971,21531,890,05213,569,8431,710,225
Asia18,133,37421,957,7521,140,600617,000
Other countries......50,000
                Total503,586,779522,564,083620,075,631520,336,225

Wool.

Wool is the most important product of New Zealand, the annual value of the export being about 33 per cent. of the value of all domestic produce exported. In the Customs returns quantities are given as greasy, scoured, washed, and slipe, but in the following table the quantity exported, including that on skins, together with the quantity used by local mills, is expressed in terms of greasy.

Year.Quantity exported and used by Local Mills.
 Lb.
1904181,433,545
1905171,681,579
1906189,496,201
1907207,769,762
1908200,546,558
1909223,919,028

The above figures must not be taken as the wool-clip for the season of the years shown, as the export for the calendar year covers portions of two seasons' clips, and there are other special circumstances, such as early or late shipments, to be considered.

The following interesting information as to the wool-clip of Australasia for the season ended 30th June, 1910, is extracted from “Dalgety's Annual Wool Review.” Referring to New Zealand, the Review remarks:—

In the North Island one of the most satisfactory features of the last season was the marked improvement shown in the classing and general get up of the clip. Especially was this the case with consignments from the smaller graziers, and the credit of this progressive step must in a great measure be given to the Technical Schools, under whose auspices wool-classing instruction has been inaugurated throughout the Dominion. There were instances, however, of clips having been very much overclassed, with resultant, division into many small lots, which of course is a serious fault, but it is anticipated that this will not be so frequent in the future.

As usual, the bulk of the offerings comprised Romney and Romney-Lincoln cross, the tendency being toward the former.

The South Island clip as a whole was one of the best ever grown in that part of the Dominion. The winter proved exceptionally mild, feed was very plentiful, and the sheep were in the pink of condition to withstand the cold period. With these most favourable conditions the growth of wool was so satisfactory that the fleeces were the most bulky produced for many years past. The general style of the wool was almost all that could be desired, the staple being of good length and generally sound, whilst a very large proportion of the wool was of splendid colour and in nice condition. The only fault which could be found with the wool from the South Island was that some of the clips showed a little weakness towards the butt of the staple, which defect was no doubt attributable to some severe weather experienced at lambing time. A large proportion of the Otago and Southland crossbreds and also of those grown in the North Island were so exceptionally clean and light in condition that they suited the Americans admirably, and splendid clean-washed yields are expected.

The oversea shipments from Australasia for the year ending 30th June, 1910, total 816,861,665 lb., as compared with 756,590,163 lb. in the previous year, to which must be added 16,750,000 lb. used by manufacturers in the Commonwealth and New Zealand. The following is the net production (for export) last season, as closely as it can be adjusted from Customs returns:—

 Bales.Lb.
New South Wales1,033,896341,185,680
Victoria319,809103,937,925
Queensland328,848107,533,296
South Australia137,30344,623,475
Western Australia69,25525,970,625
Tasmania32,3969,394,840
New Zealand513,136184,215,824
          Australasia2,434,643816,861,665

The average value per bale of all the wool sold in Australasia during the past twelve months was £13 12s. 2d., as compared with £11 6s. 10d. for the previous year, an increase of £2 5s. 4d. or 20 per cent. The average for 1907–8 was £13 0s. 2d. per bale.

The wool sold at local sales in New Zealand during the season 1909–10 amounted to 265,184 bales, or 52 per cent. of the total production, as against 207,989 bales sold in the same manner in 1908–9. The quantity of wool offered and sold last season in New Zealand was the greatest yet recorded. Owing to the good prices ruling and the splendid competition experienced many clips that had never previously been offered at the local auctions were submitted and disposed of. Hitherto the South Island centres have supported local selling to a larger extent than those of the North Island, but at the last season's sales Napier and Wellington made largely increased offerings. From information supplied by buyers the distribution of the wool was as follows:—

 Bales.
United Kingdom180,000
Continent of Europe40,000
United States and Canada25,000
Local manufacturers, &c.20,184
 265,184

The following table shows the importation of colonial wool into Europe and North America for several years:—

Year.Australasian.Cape.Total Colonial.Average Value per Bale.Total Value.
 Bales.Bales.Bales.££
18901,411,000288,0001,699,00014¾25,060,000
18952,001,000269,0002,270,0001124,970,000
19001,456,000140,0001,596,00013½21,546,000
19051,633,000209,0001,842,00015¾29,011,000
19092,296,000380,0002,676,0001540,140,000

The prices obtained last season in three of the most important wool-selling centres as shown in the next table will afford a good idea of the course of the market.

Description.Wellington.Christchurch.Dunedin.
February, 1910.November, 1909.Season 1909–10.Season 1908–9.Jan., Feb., 1910.December, 1909.
         Per lb.                Per lb.                Per lb.                Per lb.                Per lb.                Per lb.        
 d.        d.d.        d.d.        d.d.        d.d.        d.d.        d.
Merino—
          Super10½ to 11¼..12 to 13½10 to 12¼11¾ to 1410 to 12½
          Good....10½ to 11½9½ to 10½....
          Medium to good........9½ to 10½8½ to 9½
          Medium9½ to 10¼..9 to 108 to 9....
          Inferior....7½ to 96½ to 87¾ to 8¾6¾ to ¾
Half-bred—
          Super12¾12 to 13¼13½ to 15¼10½ to 12¼12½ to 14¾10½ to 12½
          Medium to good....11 to 12¾8½ to 1010½ to 128 to 10
          Medium11 to 12..........
          Inferior....8½ to 106½ to 89 to 106¼ to 7¾
Crossbred—
          Super11½ to 1211½ to 12¾12 to 14½8½ to 1112 to 13¾10½ to 13¼
          Good........10¾ to 11¾9 to 10¼
          Medium to good....9½ to 116¾ to 9....
          Medium9½ to 11¼8½ to 10½....9½ to 10½6¾ to 8¾
          Inferior7½ to 9½6¾ to 87½ to 95 to 6½7½ to 8½5 to 6½
Lincoln and Leicester—
          Super....10 to 11¾7 to 8....
          Medium and inferior....7½ to 9½5 to 6½....

The average rate of oversea freights was higher throughout the year ended 30th June, 1910, than during the previous season, when the exceedingly low rate of ¼d. per lb. for greasy wool per steamer to Europe obtained for practically the whole of the busy season. Rates per steamer during July, August, and September were ½d. for greasy and ⅝d. for scoured. In October there was an upward move from 9/16 d. for greasy and 11/16 d. for scoured to ⅝d. and ¾d. respectively, the last mentioned rates ruling in November and part of December; then the dearness of coal consequent upon the strike of coal-miners in New South Wales sent rates up to ¾d. greasy and ⅞d. scoured before the close of the year. Rates were reduced at the commencement of January to ½d. greasy and ⅝d. scoured, but subsequently rose to ⅝d. greasy and ¾d. scoured. In February rates dropped to ¼d. greasy and ⅜d. scoured, but from March until the end of June freights ruled steady at ½d. for greasy and ⅝d. for scoured.

Cattle.

The cattle as enumerated in 1908–9 for each provincial district are given in the next table, and show a decrease of 42,973 on the total number. All districts with the exception of Auckland and Marlborough share in the decline, which is no doubt due mainly to a greater area of grazing-land being devoted to sheep-farming:—

Provincial District.Bulls for Stud Purposes.Steers over Two Years Old.Cows and Heifers for Dairy Purposes.Cows and Heifers for Breeding Purposes.Cows and Heifers for Fattening.Steers and Heifers under Two Years not otherwise enumerated.Totals.
* Including heifers over two years old intended for dairying: 59,000 in 1907–8. and 54,988 in 1906–9. For number of dairy cows in each county see table on pages 498–500.
Auckland8,682118,847164,91084,87635,296178,245590,856
Taranaki5,47629,184133,8549,79513,11665,968257,393
Hawke's Bay2,38932,89025,36047,87514,43344,344167,291
Wellington6,29180,301104,99564,59628,16394,858397,204
Marlborough4633,0226,5977471,6885,22717,744
Nelson7375,30513,9322,1753,92511,13837,212
Westland3154,3905,5013,5041,6496,30121,660
Canterbury2,08212,61747,3742,5287,97228,341100,917
Otago—
          Otago portion2,15914,71351,9566,2215,40930,664111,122
          Southland portion1,57612,49937,1387,1194,45827,13789,927
          Totals, 1908–930,170313,768591,617*229,436116,109492,2261,773,326
          Totals, 1907–830,165320,587600,363*241,821100,933522,4301,816,299
            Increase5......15,176....
            Decrease..6,8198,74612,385..30,20442,973.

Out of a total of 1,773,326 cattle, the North Island is shown to have had 1,394,744, or 79 per cent., while the South Island had 378,582, or 21 per cent. The dairy cows and heifers intended for dairying in the North Island numbered 429,119, or 73 per cent., and in the South Island 162,497, or 27 per cent.

Of the cattle used or intended for stud or dairy purposes only there were 73,285 of pure breeds, viz.:—

Shorthorns40,949
Hereford7,449
Polled Angus5,910
Ayrshire3,638
Jersey6,501
Other breeds8,838
                Total73,285

In order to encourage dairy-farmers to improve the quality of their herds, the Government has from time to time imported purebred stud-bulls, which are located in different parts of the Dominion. A small fee is charged for the service of these animals.

Dairy-produce.

“The Dairy Industry Act, 1908,” is a consolidation of all previous legislation in force in New Zealand on the subject. The Act provides for the appointment of inspectors of dairy stock and factories or other places used for the manufacture of dairy-produce, and power is given to condemn or forbid their use. if necessary. The sale of unwholesome milk or other dairy-produce is prohibited, and provision is made for the inspection, grading, and shipping of all such produce exported. Provision is made for the framing of regulations for the registration of dairies, licensing of persons carrying on the manufacture or sale of the produce, registration of trade marks or brands, and for inspection and grading. A fine not exceeding £50 may be inflicted for any offence under this part of the Act.

Authority is given under Part II of the Act for Government advances to dairy companies, on the security of their assets, for the purposes of acquiring land, erecting buildings and machinery for carrying on the manufacture of dairy-produce. Loans are repayable by equal half-yearly instalments within fifteen years, and bear interest at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum.

Part III provides for the registration of co-operative dairy companies, and shareholders are protected in the event of certain contingencies.

The total quantity of butter exported during the year ending 31st March, 1910, was 36,071,840 pounds. The estimated consumption in New Zealand at twenty pounds per head of population per annum equals 20,512,740 pounds. Adding the quantity consumed locally to the quantity exported, the estimated total production of butter for the year would equal 56,584,580 pounds.

The estimated consumption of cheese for the year ended 31st March, 1910, allowing three pounds per inhabitant, was 3,076,911 pounds, and the total quantity exported was 49,480,144 pounds, making a total production of 52,557,055 pounds for the above period. An appreciable quantity of cheese is made at private factories and dairies of which no record has been obtained.

The number of butter and cheese factories in each provincial district as in April, 1910, with the output for the previous year, is next shown:—

Provincial District.Number of Factories.Skimming-stations.Output.
Butter.Cheese.Butter.Cheese
    Tons.Tons.
Auckland51181437,990½1,014½
Taranaki6059696,06210,853½
Hawke's Bay177181,020½566
Wellington3234935,174½4,188
Marlborough24 30409
Nelson967291265½
Westland31414239
Canterbury710321,777575
Otago855512,1146,126½
            Totals, 191018919441724,601½24,037
            Totals, 190919315241921,155½17,685
            Totals, 190819614743819.78215,514½
            Totals, 190721210946323,98910,312
            Totals, 19062118246022,466¼7,671
            Totals, 190529844822,108¼5,121
            Totals, 190428444420,7075,853½
            Totals, 190327238018,035¼5,038
            Totals, 190225427614,716½5,600½

Of the total number of factories, 9 were returned as “new" in 1910, in 26 cases the output was not stated. In addition to the above, there were 276 private dairies and 93 packing-houses registered.

Horses.

The increase in horses is shown for five census years:—

Census Years.Number of Horses.Numerical Increase.Increase per Cent.
1880187,38223,65812.63
1891211,04026,37812.50
1896237,418  
1901266,24528,82712.14
1906325,53760,29222.65

At the enumeration made in 1908–9 (October to January), the number of horses was found to have increased to 363,778 (including 519 mules and asses), for which particulars are given. It will be seen that the Provincial District of Auckland had by far the most horses. Otago and Canterbury following, Wellington taking fourth place.

Provincial District.Entires.Geldings.Mares over Two Years oldMares with Foal at Foot, or to foal this Season.Colts: or Fillies under Two Years old.Totals.
* Including 425 mules and asses in 1907–8, and 519 in 1908–9
Auckland1,09644,25330,31011,17614,134100,969
Taranaki1689,9498,8202,2173,09524,249
Hawke's Bay23811,2107,7312,8983,55625,633
Wellington55624,30419,4245,3446,99956,627
Marlborough623,0852,6536571,0907,547
Nelson1175,2594,4859181,45812,237
Westland511,3698744324703,196
Canterbury60226,66120,6055,1788,98662,032
Otago—
          Otago portion33917,30914,0533,4916,34641,538
          Southland portion17812,1879,4312,6015,35329,750
            Totals, 1008–93,407155,586118,38634,91251,487363,778*
            Totals, 1907–83,611149,762111,58236,90651,396353,257*
              Increase..5,8246,804..9110,521
              Decrease204....1,994....

Classified according to type, the numbers for the two years under review are:—

 1907–8.1908–9.
Thoroughbred9,4528,949
Draught137,653144,092
Other breeds (harness and saddle)189,263192,371
Ponies under 14 hands16,46417,847
Mules and asses425519
                Totals353,257363,778

Thoroughbred stallions, imported and owned by the State, are stationed throughout the Dominion, and are available to breeders at moderate fees.

The export of horses from New Zealand during the year 1909 was: To Victoria, 645; Fiji, 166; New South Wales, 675; Tasmania, 4; United Kingdom, 6; Bengal, 66; South Australia, 13; Norfolk Island, 1; and South Sea Islands, 26: a total of 1,602.

Pigs.

The figures given in the accompanying table are those compiled by the Agricultural Department, and for 1903–9 show an increase of 3,964 on the total number of pigs for the previous year—241,128. The Auckland Provincial District has more pigs than any other, Taranaki, Wellington, and Canterbury following in that order.

Number of Pigs in each Provincial District, 1908–9.

Provincial District.Boars.Sows over One Year old kept for Breeding.Sows under One Year old kept for Breeding.Barrows or Sows all Age kept for Fattening.Totals.
Auckland1,87210,2202,93356,87071,895
Taranaki1,0446,09331642,81250,265
Hawke's Bay2261,3383356,8478,746
Wellington1,0806,29779730,29844,472
Marlborough94547922,4133,146
Nelson1709332115,5516,865
Westland50300311,4011,782
Canterbury7203,95795926,43732,073
Otago—
          Otago portion4612,02435812,93015,773
          Southland portion2531,2013128,30910,075
          Totals, 1908–95,97032,9106,344199,868245,092
          Totals, 1907–86,17333,5136,118195,324241,128
          Increase....2264,5443,964
          Decrease203603......

Of boars for stud purposes, 2,746 were pure Berkshire, 538 pure Yorkshire, 265 other pure breeds, and 2,421 crosses.

Angora Goats.

The Government has introduced some pure-bred goats by way of encouraging the breeding of this animal. There are several privately owned flocks, and the production of mohair should be a profitable undertaking. The animals thrive on dry scrubby country. The number of goats in each provincial district in October, 1908, was as follows:—

Provincial District.Bucks.Does.Kids.Total.
Pure-bred.Cross-bred.Pure-bred.Cross-bred.Pure-bred.Cross-bred.
Auckland8871198305109111882
Taranaki2160551493053368
Hawke's Bay41..203..92..336
Wellington17113102245
Marlborough2110811151028265
Nelson381611517949130527
Westland3....2....5
Canterbury4143269864
Otago2..........2
                Totals2351726687863013322,494

Poultry.

Poultry-farming as an organized industry in New Zealand is as yet in its infancy, but as population increases and a better knowledge of the business is acquired it will no doubt assume the position it occupies at present in older countries. It can be conducted profitably as an adjunct to other branches of farming, particularly wheat-growing and dairying.

Experts are employed by the State for the purpose of giving instruction as to the best methods of breeding and rearing. Four breeding-stations have been established—at Ruakura, near Auckland; Moumahaki, near Waverley; Burnham, near Christchurch; and Milton, near Dunedin—where a limited number of students are received and instructed. No charge is made for teaching, but all other expenses must be borne by the student. Full particulars as to conditions, &c., are obtainable from the managers at the stations, or on application to the Department.

The annual output of poultry and eggs has so far been disposed of locally and to ocean-going steamers, the export being practically nil. An account was taken at the census of 1906 of the number of each kind of poultry kept at the time the record was obtained, with the following result:—

 Number.
Fowls2,784,269
Ducks281,999
Turkeys77,101
Geese44,300
Other kinds3,935
          Total3,191,604

No attempt has yet been made to ascertain the annual value of poultry products, but in New South Wales it is estimated at £1,202,000, in Victoria £1,547,000, and South Australia £399,349.

Bee-farming.

In order to encourage the above industry model apiaries have been established at Ruakura and Waerenga in charge of expert beekeepers, whose duties include the instruction of persons desirous of becoming students of bee culture.

Intending students should make application to the Department of Agriculture to be allowed to enter the above apiaries. There is no distinction as to sex nor limit as to age. The student must find and bear the expense of accommodation in the neighbourhood of the farm attended, and upon entering must sign an undertaking to attend regularly and observe the rules laid down by the instructor. At the end of the season students are examined, and if found competent to undertake commercial bee-keeping are given a certificate to that effect.

At the census of 1906 it was ascertained that there were at that time 15,396 bee-keepers and 74,341 hives in New Zealand. The output of honey for the previous year was stated at 1,003,940 lb. and of wax at 31,632 lb.

The quantity of honey exported during 1909 was 22,684 lb., valued at £628, the United Kingdom taking 20,216 lb., British Columbia 400 lb., Fiji 344 lb., South Sea Islands 272 lb., New South Wales 1,344 lb., Bengal 48 lb, and Singapore 60 lb.

Live-stock in Australasia.

The following gives the number of the principal kinds of livestock in Australasia for the year 1908–9:—

Country.Sheep.Cattle.Horses.Bigs.
New South Wales43,370,7972,955,884591,045215,822
Victoria12,545,7421,574,162424,903179,358
Queensland18,348,8514,321,600519,969124,749
South Australia6,952,499748,368235,13681,165
Western Australia4,097,324741,788116,79546,652
Tasmania1,728,053205,82739,88347,943
 April, 1908.Oct., 1908.Oct., 1908.Oct., 1908.
New Zealand22,449,0531,773,326363,259245,092

New Zealand thus takes second place in order for number of sheep, and third for the number of cattle.

Chapter 40. SECTION XV.—AGRICULTURE.

IN 1895 the duty of collecting agricultural statistics devolved upon the Department of Agriculture. The plan adopted is similar to that used in the United Kingdom, the account of land laid down in crop being made up at an early date, while estimates of produce are made after the results of threshing are known.

The Department did not collect full statistics for the season 1909–10, but the area under the principal grain and root crops was ascertained and an estimate made of the yields of grain. A summary of the particulars obtained at the collection made for the season 1908–9 and published in the previous issue of the Year-book is therefore shown. Remarks on the progress of agriculture in New Zealand, in respect of all its features in detail, are supplied in the special article devoted to the subject which appears in Section II of Part III.

Acreage and Estimated Yield in Principal Crops, 1910.

Provincial District.WHEAT.OATS.BARLEY.RYEGRASS.COCKSFOOT.
Acres.Yield per Acre, in Bushels.Total Bushels.Acres.Yield per Acre, in Bushels.Total Bushels.Acres.Yield per Acre, in Bushels.Total Bushels.Acres.Yield per Acre, in Bushels.Total Bushels.Acres.Yield per Acre, in Pounds.Total Pounds.
Auckland2,6003693,6002,0003876,0001,3004052,0001,2002833,000850140119,000
Taranaki1,0003636,0003,50042147,0001,2004551,000150304,50025017042,500
Hawke's Bay1,0003030,0008,00037296,0003,00042126,0006,00028168,00070150105,000
Wellington7,70031238,00015,00037555,0001,2005060,0002,5002460,0001,000140140,000
Marlborough7,50021157,5002,5003280,00012,00022264,0006502717,5501,000177177,000
Nelson1,2003036,0003,00040120,0003,0003090,00050201,00050017587,500
Westland..............................
Canterbury210,000275,670,000170,000335,610,00014,80035518,00014,00035490,00025,0001503,750,000
Otago and Southland80,000302,400,000173,000406,920,0005,00028140,00032,000351,120,00020015030,000
                Totals311,000288,661,100377,0003713,804,00041,500311,304,00056,550331,894,65029,5001514,451,000

The Counties of Waiapu and Cook are included in the Hawke's Bay District. The Counties of Amuri and Cheviot are included in the Canterbury District.

Number of Acres under Cultivation in each Provincial District, 1908–9.

Provincial District.In Grass or Clover, sown after Land ploughed.In Grass, surface-sown: Land not ploughed.In Hay, included in either or both of the Previous Columns.In Bare Fallow.In Grain-crops.In Green and other Crops.In Garden.In Orchard or Vineyard.Total in Grass, Crop, and Fallow.In Plantations of Forest Trees.Tussock or Native Grass, and Unimproved.
 Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.
Auckland740,3192,236,07416,69613,44320,562119,3754,47511,9743,146,22215,5183,698,212
Taranaki187,981758,38911,6302016,15030,074755742984,2921,286263,926
Hawke's Bay291,6221,508,7066,8621,37913,00360,5971,1412,1841,878,6324,4171,123,660
Wellington274,4932,670,80011,6421,86529,55089,9022,9813,4303,073,0215,8731,205,639
Marlborough104,473351,5586,00027219,88334,914268560511,9282,3771,944,447
Nelson143,810400,3049,3701,78214,35244,6666034,099609,6163,1481,588,575
Westland9,50481,9699673121,2995820893,0713573,708
Canterbury1,458,283534,11415,9777,649387,703377,4325,2673,2192,773,66725,3193,759,956
Otago—
          Otago portion835,898205,2766,85614,357152,429195,8822,7402,0951,408,6776,1036,361,585
          Southland port'n708,940121,01556711,17198,691194,1641,0677061,135,7541,0192,004,698
                Totals4,755,3238,868,20586,56752,150742,3251,148,30519,35529,21715,614,88065,06322,524,406
Acreage under Sown Grasses, and Cultivation generally, for each County, as on the 31st October, 1908.
Counties.In Sown Grasses, after having been ploughed.In Sown Grasses, not previously ploughed.Land broken up but not under Crop.Total under Crop.In Garden.In Orchard.Plantations of Forest Trees.
 Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.
Mangonui8,16136,454281,043861767
Whangaroa5478,174..14827912
Bay of Islands7,06044,8051051,7118430828
Hokianga1,47251,384191,76312842144
Rodney14,038102,2488311,8581111,28268
Whangarei25,196131,0722641,9191251,060333
Otamatea14,95483,7592967534622232
Hobson4,28268,9861197864915616
Waitemata28,33041,5572,5332,9853132,743257
Eden14,5655,4581107911,629576285
Manukau135,77694,8273,34724,1504681,2621,216
Coromadel3,54521,2994445748873
Thames5,8557,370161,1056935218
Ohinemuri14,72715,3964872,48227510125
Waikato77,23339,5961,06012,7131376163,635
Raglan24,480138,7812175,63746239140
Waipa77,64716,29140315,892137506425
Piako154,00332,9401,72525,824102381731
Waitomo9,08358,8703091,894112103205
Kawhia75035,3586277332212
Awakino52552,295..30973 
West Taupo12,9847,5698722,678211797
East Taupo & Rotorua2,40712,6211391,26218687,238
Tauranga37,90729,02345412,26386571337
Whakatane12,04426,139382,55984922
Opotiki15,95432,006..4,4207425
Waiapu1,209293,24122,402609789
Cook35,285748,555199,856248423248
Wairoa16,187355,8425115,688185137168
Hawke's Bay143,179362,92763726,7885921,5761,804
Waipawa41,833159,0246422,4561111021,409
Waipukurau10,58646,57364,2953522264
Patangata and Weber64,862358,5661515,1836879702
Dannevirke10,989145,368..6,298669827
Woodville3,98680,406102,8928417043
Clifton10,51888,086..3,05448185
Taranaki45,908106,6713710,615347329493
Egmont27,31677,2821453,1071445518
Whangamomona30266,242..5816531
Stratford3,859149,029114,487362335
Eltham10,02381,02632,766129088
Hawera46,27777,044..5,32611976291
Patea43,778113,00956,8113398355
Waitotara9,356100,8506304,499138177146
Waimarino1,06657,207551,361363620
Wanganui20,569189,947494,370191166525
Rangitikei57,319324,9138421,1682224891,165
Kiwitea5,317154,753354,22028100182
Pohangina1,16195,539..1,527101399
Oroua10,40387,8593337,69091233232
Kairanga17,38671,7981215,590419413324
Manawatu39,44774,6488218,015156201506
Horowhenua8,944122,09174,957321316217
Hutt3,812105,915181,352471168217
Makara1,58266,258..4451411690
Featherston39,809180,4106213,028140258935
Wairarapa South24,577214,1058410,15298143355
Masterton25,274301,77227313,301281184508
Castlepoint3,940111,172..5411821119
Akitio708140,4591297795273
Pahiatua1,672152,153_2,15581184151
Eketahuna1,33772,452301,183529169
Mauriceville81446,499160184330
Marlborough70,852184,60618250,0261914062,147
Sounds82892,92710375348436
Kaikoura32,79374,025804,3964370194
Collingwood1,82217,225436715632
Takaka12,35019,38371,731261265
Waimea36,302178,37749829,1773433,556293
Buller88411,361..147271381
Inangahua6,67536,895581,37988331
Amuri52,681111,7921,09114,464115522,190
Cheviot33,09625,26612411,7536981626
Grey5,23235,5023060729146 
Westland4,27246,467169429623
Ashley263,580163,6181,052113,7726274472,891
Selwyn285,66835,6202,008169,0602,4781,3327,377
Mount Herbert10,55622,737..7183091126
Akaroa10,954166,669..2,685100155246
Ashburton407,71055,5922,142225,6336654249,924
Geraldine135,00812,06664770,2442672482,190
Levels83,1945,12241553,7834332511,108
Waimate207,48546,0651,154105,357482206745
Mackenzie54,12226,62523123,88318565712
Waitaki179,86740,7891,27695,5136963031,374
Waihemo42,62219,06816112,294603688
Waikouaiti20,46950,531906,92190106114
Peninsula3,68613,214..1,4421184969
Taieri90,90219,3601,05027,378656341526
Bruce107,9894,75860742,64028362268
Clutha174,69438,0872,44962,426302166559
Tuapeka110,9948,62212142,047745992,335
Maniototo57,4422,33499128,75323540249
Vincent31,0341,6512,76016,199112311173
Lake16,1996,8624,85212,69811482348
Southland542,45949,60910,235226,181946621774
Wallace and Fiord166,42770,34993666,66510682244
Stewart Island541,057..91531
                Totals4,755,3238,868,20552,1501,890,63019,35529,21765,063

The extent of land in cultivation (including sown grasses and land broken up but not under crop) amounted to 15,614,880 acres. Of this area, land under artificial grasses comprised 87.25 per cent.; land under grain-crops, 4.75 per cent.; land under root and green crops, 7.35 per cent.; land in garden and orchard, 0.31 per cent.; and land in fallow, 0.34 per cent. Full details for the last twenty years are tabulated.

Number of Acres in Grass, under each Class of Crop, and in Bare Fallow, 1890 to 1909.
Year.In Grass or Clover, sown after Land ploughed.In Grass or Clover, surface-sown: Land not ploughed.In Hay, included in either or both of the Previous Columns.In Bare Fallow.In Grain-crops.In Green and other Crops.In Garden.In Orchard or Vineyard.Total in Grass, Crop, Fallow, Garden, and Orchard.In Plantations of Forest Trees.
 Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.
18903,027,9123,497,13745,889149,979826,505513,8938,56815,7718,039,76528,928
18913,250,5433,715,67544,045210,509703,329582,4399,81017,0478,489,35235,310
18923,327,7554,076,12646,652140,454769,778579,1129,60819,6278,922,46038,723
18933,611,3934,650,65261,811154,254753,091544,3559,76320,0859,743,59340,401
18943,865,3484,833,54960,740142,342669,850551,9629,95121,10910,094,11139,826
18953,908,5814,921,13656,614140,494560,179597,68610,26321,40110,159,74055,386
18964,254,9835,030,24796,81858,039674,850680,75017,74919,36210,735,98043,246
18974,308,7205,733,138109,46657,158688,297762,76216,92422,29111,589,29047,630
18984,123,3045,743,24567,86560,792727,038790,18416,17722,38711,483,12752,546
18994,065,8606,178,87975,62051,164892,468796,23516,93022,98312,024,51947,216
19004,337,5946,515,70868,23478,751745,685796,77316,89024,40112,515,80248,942
19014,425,7386,656,17468,02367,747721,325765,05117,41125,77712,679,22349,394
19024,695,2006,924,97862,98455,947634,879772,96717,68426,83613,128,49148,770
19034,558,3467,249,86969,34244,494736,683768,30817,63227,19113,402,52353,788
19044,607,1657,342,00677,16761,069705,443788,32117,51127,54113,549,05650,103
19054,741,7027,568,33778,81663,313661,926832,79617,17627,48213,912,73252,846
19064,779,7347,745,72780,74954,080648,805886,57918,91527,31014,161,15061,479
19074,815,1577,903,37470,20152,119649,003963,13418,39128,16914,429,34757,079
19084,958,2338,167,52080,43549,272647,5001,062,09218,58428,24414,931,44567,943
19094,755,3238,868,20586,56752,150742,3251,148,30519,35529,21715,614,88065,063

Wheat.

The wheat harvest of 1910 showed an estimated average yield of 28 bushels per acre, the crop realised being 8,661,100 bushels, against 8,772,790 bushels in 1909.

The estimated average yield per acre is 6¾ bushels below that of the previous season, an exceedingly liberal allowance having been made for the effects of high winds and dry weather in December, and the ravages of small birds and other pests.

The estimated area under wheat for threshing increased from 252,391 acres in 1909 to 311,000 acres in 1910, and the increase was general throughout the Dominion.

The area under wheat for grain, the estimated gross produce in bushels, and the average yield per acre for each of the last ten years were:—

Season.Land under Wheat.Estimated Gross Produce.Average Yield per Acre.
 Acres.Bushels.Bushels.
1900–1206,4656,527,15481.61
1901–2163,4624,046,58924.76
1902–3194,3557,457,91538.37
1903–4230,3467,891,65434.26
1904–5258,0159,123,67335.36
1905–6222,9656,798,93430.60
1906–7206,1855,605,25227.18
1907–8193,0315,567,13928.84
1908–9252,3918,772,79034.75
1909–10311,0008,661,10028.00

The following shows the area in wheat, and the estimated produce, in each State and the Commonwealth of Australia for the season 1908–9:—

State.Wheat-crop.
 Acres.Bushels.Bushels per Acre.
New South Wales1,394,05615,483,27611.11
Victoria1,779,90523,345,64913.12
Queensland80,8981,202,79914.87
South Australia1,693,50119,397,67211.45
Western Australia285,0112,460,8238.63
Tasmania29,103700,77724.08
          Total for Commonwealth5,262,47462,590,99611.89

The Wheat-crop of the World.

The official estimate of the wheat-crop of the world for the years 1905–6 to 1909–10 is as follows:—

The Wheat-crop of the World
(In Quarters of 480 lb., 000 omitted).
Country.1909–10.1908–9.1907–8.1906–7.1905–6.

* Including Slavonia and Croatia.

† Including Poland and Siberia.

 Qrs.Qrs.Qrs.Qrs.Qrs.
Austria6,8007,8006,3007,2006,750
Hungary*14,19020,80016,75025,90021,500
Belgium1,7501,7501,9501,7501,500
Bulgaria6,0005,5004,5005,1503,750
Denmark500500500500500
France43,50038,50047,50041,00042,000
Germany17,20017,27015,93518,00017,000
Greece750750750750750
Holland750600650600590
Italy19,00018,25021,00020,00020,000
Portugal500400400500500
Roumania7,0006,7005,35013,60012,750
Russia†97,60071,00063,67563,30079,000
Servia1,9001,7501,4001,8501,400
Spain13,00013,50012,75017,50011,000
Sweden700725725750620
Switzerland550500500500500
Turkey (in Europe)5,0005,0003,5005,0005,000
United Kingdom7,8006,7507,2507,5807,550
            Total for Europe244,490218,045211,385231,430232,660
Algeria4,0003,5003,8904,2502,700
Tunis1,0007501,2501,250750
Argentine Republic18,00020,15024,30019,10017,500
Australasia11,0009,5006,00010,0009,500
Asia Minor5,0004,0003,5005,0005,000
Canada21,00015,75010,50015,40013,500
Cape Colony500500500500500
Chili2,5002,5001,8001,7501,550
Egypt1,5001,2501,5001,5001,500
India35,37035,40027,75039,70040,000
Persia3,5003,5004,0003,5003,500
Syria4,0003,5003,0003,0002,500
United States of America92,00083,00079,00091,00085,000
Uruguay1,2501,2501,000800575
Mexico1,0001,0001,0001,000750
Japan3,0002,9002,8002,7452,250
            Total out of Europe204,620188,450171,790200,495187,075
            Grand totals449,110406,495383,175431,925419,735

Consumption of Wheat.

The normal yearly consumption of wheat per head of population in New Zealand has been estimated at 6 bushels, and the quantity required for seed at 2 bushels to the acre. On this basis the quantity needed during the year 1910 for human consumption and as seed for the season's crop is estimated to be 6,900,000 bushels.

The difficulty of correctly computing the consumption of bread-stuffs is shown by the great differences in the estimates arrived at.

The average quantity required per head of the population (exclusive of that used for seed) has been calculated at 6.3 bushels for Western Australia, and 5 bushels for Victoria, by statisticians in those States.

The following is the average annual consumption of wheat per inhabitant in some of the principal countries of the world:—

United Kingdom5.6 bushels.
Canada6.6 bushels.
France8.1 bushels.
Germany3.0 bushels.
Russia2.1 bushels.
Italy5.4 bushels.
United States4.5 bushels.

The English consumption during the last thirty years appears to have ranged from 5 ½ to 6 bushels per head of population.

Oats.

The estimated extent of land in oats sown for grain in 1910 was '377,000 acres, against 406,908 acres harvested in the preceding year. The breadth of land in oats for chaffing, ensilage, or feeding down with stock was not ascertained for last season.

The estimated yield per acre was, in 1910, 37 bushels, and in 1909, 4646 bushels, and the quantity of grain produced was 13,801,000 bushels and 18,906,788 bushels for each year respectively.

The oat-crop for 1909 in the States of the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand was as follows:—

 Acres.Bushels.Average per Acre.
New South Wales59,8811,119,11318.69
Victoria419,86911,124,94026.50
Queensland1,79738,81121.60
South Australia78,4941,280,23516.31
Western Australia59,461739,30312.43
Tasmania56,6541,946,01034.35
New Zealand406,90818,906,78846.46

Maize.

There is no information regarding this crop later than the season 1908–9 when there were 11,522 acres sown for grain, the yield being 713,838 bushels of corn, an average of 61.95 bushels per acre, and 2,571 acres sown for ensilage or feeding down with stock. Maize is grown only in the North Island, with the exception of a few acres. The Provincial District of Auckland had 12,350 acres; Hawke's Bay, 831 acres; Taranaki, 593 acres; and Wellington, 275 acres, in 1909. As considerable interest is taken in this crop, the group of counties where it is chiefly grown is stated—viz., Manukau, Whangarei, Mangonui, Bay of Islands, Hokianga, Tauranga, Whakatane, Opotiki, Waiapu, Cook, and Wairoa. Small acreages are found in nearly all the counties of the Auckland, Taranaki, and Hawke's Bay Districts.

Barley.

The estimated area under barley (for threshing) for the season 1909–10 was 41,500 acres, the crop being estimated at 1,304,000 bushels, an average yield per acre of 31 bushels. In 1909 the area under barley was 48,853 acres, and the yield 1,938,452 bushels, or 39.67 bushels per acre.

Rye.

There were 3,506 acres in rye, yielding 91,156 bushels, or at the rate of 26 bushels per acre, in 1909, against 2,958 acres and 70,702 bushels, the rate being 23.9 bushels per acre, in 1908. This is the latest information available.

Peas and Beans.

The area under peas for threshing in the season 1909 was 6,993 acres, yielding 299,162 bushels, or an average of 42.77 bushels per acre, against 8,416 acres and 242,245 bushels, or 28.78 bushels per acre, in the previous year.

Under beans there were 1,251 acres, giving a return of 52,116 bushels, the average being 41.65 bushels per acre, against 1.168 acres and 43,923 bushels (37.6 bushels per acre) in 1908. No returns were collected in 1910.

Potatoes.

The estimated area under potatoes was 30,500 acres in 1909–10, yielding approximately a return of 180,500 tons, or a rate of 6 tons per acre, against 29,919 acres in 1908–9, and 195,206 tons (or 5.28 tons per acre).

A comparison of the gross yield of potatoes with the amount exported in each of twelve years showed that for such period an average of 597 lb. per head of population was consumed. Allowing for waste, pig-feed, and seed, the average amount retained for human consumption was found to be 449 lb. a head.

Turnips, &c.

Turnips and rape form a most important crop in a sheep-breeding country such as New Zealand, and in 1892 the area of land under this crop amounted to 422,359 acres. The returns for 1898 gave only 470,582 acres, but for the 1909–10 season 749,585 acres (524,550 acres in turnips and 225,035 acres in rape) were set down as under these crops.

Hops.

There were 688 acres under hops in 1909, as against 865 acres last year. No account of the produce has been taken for some years, but in 1895 the yield was 7,556 cwt. In 1905 the total quantity used by the breweries amounted to 5,155 cwt. Of the land under hops in 1909, 654 acres were in the Waimea County and 20 in Takaka, both in the Provincial District of Nelson. The import of hops in 1909 amounted to 546 cwt., and the exports, the produce of the Dominion, to 3,107 cwt.

Tobacco.

The growing of tobacco does not progress in New Zealand. In 1889, 34 acres were being cultivated; in 1890, 25 acres; in 1891, 16 acres; in 1892, 6 acres; in 1893, 4 acres; in 1894, 4 acres; and in 1895, 5 acres, producing 1,599 lb. of dried leaf. Statistics of this crop have not been taken since 1895.

Gardens and Orchards.

The extent of land in garden was 19,355 acres, of which 14,622 acres were private gardens and 4,733 acres market gardens. In plantations of forest trees there were 65,063 acres.

There were 28,554 acres in orchard in 1909, an increase of 931 acres on the area so returned in the previous year, and 663 acres were returned as “vineyard,” as against 621 acres in 1908. No account of the produce of orchards has yet been taken. The fruit-crop is supplemented by a considerable import from the Australian States and Fiji.

Sown Grasses and Seeds.

New Zealand is essentially suited for grazing purposes. Wherever there is light and moisture English grasses thrive when the natural bush and fern are cleared off–in fact, the white clover gradually overcomes the fern; and, from the mildness of the winter season, there are few places where there is not some growth, even in the coldest months of the year. In all parts of the Dominion stock live, although in varying condition, without other food than such as they can pick up. Sown-grass land, as might be expected, heads the list of cultivations.

At the beginning of the year 1909 there were 13,623,528 acres under artificial grasses. Of these, 4,755,323 acres had been previously ploughed, presumably under grain or other crops, while 8,868,205 acres had not been ploughed. Much of the latter area was bush or forest land, sown down in grass after the timber had been wholly or partially burnt off.

The estimated area under ryegrass for seed in the season of 1909–10 was 56,550 acres, yielding 1,894,650 bushels of 20 lb., or a rate of 33 bushels per acre, against 50,126 acres and 1,630,615 bushels, an average of 32.53 bushels per acre, in 1909.

In cocksfoot it is estimated there were 29,500 acres, which yielded 4,451,000 lb., or an average of 151 lb. per acre, against 32,705 acres and 4,721,159 lb. (a rate of 144.35 lb. per acre) in the previous year.

Seeds for sowing pasture lands are used much as in Great Britain, the following being a common mixture: Perennial ryegrass, 25 lb. to 30 lb. per acre; cocksfoot, 2 lb.; alsike, 2 lb.; timothy, 3 lb.; cowgrass, 2 lb.; red clover, 2 lb.; white clover, 2 lb.; rape, 1 lb.: total, 39 lb. to 44 lb. per acre. Pastures are renewed at intervals of from four to eight years, according to the nature of the land.

The following shows the acreage in sown grasses in Australasia in 1908–9:—

 Acres.
New South Wales807,914
Victoria1,029,711
Queensland82,781
South Australia23,297
Western Australia10,265
Tasmania491,423
New Zealand13,623,528

It will be observed that the acreage of land under sown grasses is far greater in New Zealand than in the whole of Australia and Tasmania. When compared in size with the States of Australia, New Zealand is not large—about one-thirtieth of their total area—but in respect of grazing capabilities the relative importance of this country is much greater. Australia is generally unsuitable, owing to conditions of climate, for the growth of English grasses, and the amount of feed produced by the natural grasses throughout the year is very much less per acre than is obtained from the sown-grass lands in New Zealand; indeed, it may be said that the average productiveness of grass land is about nine times as great here as in Australia, or, in other words, that land in New Zealand covered with English grasses may be considered equal for grazing purposes to an area of Australian land about nine times as great.

In addition to the artificially sown pastures, the returns for 1909 show that 22,524,406 acres of unimproved land, including that in tussock or native grass, belonged to the occupied holdings, and were available for stock-feeding by the sheep-farmers and cattle-farmers.

Chapter 41. SECTION XVI.—MINING.

THE natural mineral resources of New Zealand are very great, and have exercised in the past a most important influence on the development and progress of the Dominion. Gold to the value of £75,540,803 was obtained up to the 31st December, 1909; the value of the produce for the year 1909 having been £2,006,900. In the earliest years the gold was obtained from alluvial diggings, but at the present time the greatest quantity is taken from gold-bearing quartz, which is distributed widely through several parts of the country, and thus there is a much better prospect of the comparative permanency of this industry than alluvial diggings alone could give.

The yield of silver to the end of 1909 amounted to £1,446,960 in value, the quantity mined in 1909 having been 1,813,830 oz., valued at £180,872.

Of other minerals, the value of the product to the same date amounts to £30,862,133, of which kauri-gum yielded £14,948,401, and coal, with coke, £15,514,950.

The quantities and values of precious metals and minerals obtained during the year 1909, and the total value of all mining produce since 1853, are:—

 1909.Total Value since 1853.
 Oz.££
Gold506,3712,006,90075,540,803
Silver1,813,830180,8721,446,960
 2,320,2012,187,77276,987,763
 Tons.  
Copper-ore510019,198
Chrome-ore....38,002
Antimony-ore26054,849
Manganese-ore62961,886
Scheelite-ore584,26340,171
Mixed minerals1,778 ¾7,446177,461
Coal1,911,2471,038,74215,490,083
Coke (exported)222324,867
Kauri-gum8,250552,69814,948,401
Shale....7,215
  £3,791,133£107,849,896

Mineral Production (Value) of Australasia to end of 1908.

The total value of mineral production for Australasia to the end of the year 1908 is shown in the following table:—

Country.Gold.Silver and Silver-load.Copper.Tin.Coal.Other Minerals.Total.
* Inclusive of kauri-Rum to the value of £14,395,703.
 £££££££
New South Wales56,319,73649,873,8289,703,2158,243,26156,632,25510,089,330190,861,625
Victoria282,321,433209,100213,179762,7571,635,729323,585285,465,783
Queensland68,277,1561,753,3146,313,0836,950,1504,121,4251,276,26288,691,396
South Australia2,785,852410,80726,626,845215,143..1,]40,82031,179,473
Western Australia85,004,290596,541773,838817,239617,76072,44087,882,108
Tasmania6,760,3085,149,8338,232,8789,760,456447,108466,78730,823,365
New Zealand73,533,9031,266,08819,098..14,451,34114,768,333*104,058,763
 575,008,67359,259,51151,882,13626,749,01277,905,61828,157,563818,962,513

Gold.

The discovery of metalliferous ore and minerals in New Zealand was made shortly after gold was found in Australia. It was not, however, until 1852 that the discovery of auriferous deposits was made generally known by Mr. C. King, at Coromandel, who obtained a small quantity of gold, intermixed with quartz, in a creek which now bears his name; but the hostility of the Natives prevented further discovery until 1862, when the district was proclaimed a goldfield.

In the South Island, small samples of gold were discovered in the Otago District in 1853, at a place known as the Fortifications, which is now in the West Taieri goldfield.

The first payable goldfield was at Collingwood, in the Nelson District, which was opened in 1857, and in that year 10,437 oz. of gold were produced. Owing, however, to the smallness of the population at that time, as well as to the great attraction presented by the Australian goldfields, very little attention was given to the gold discoveries in New Zealand. From 1857 up to 1861, when gold was discovered at Tuapeka, or Gabriel's Gully, in Otago, the produce of the Collingwood goldfield amounted only to 41,872 oz. of gold.

Early in 1861 gold was discovered near the Lindis River, but the general yield of gold from this portion of the Otago District has never been great. Shortly after the discovery of gold at the Lindis, Mr. Gabriel Read, formerly a digger on the Victorian goldfields, found gold in Gabriel's Gully, where the auriferous deposits were so rich and so easily worked that the discovery flashed like lightning throughout the whole of the Australian goldfields, then just beginning to be on the wane, and thousands of miners on the Australian soil quickly collected all their belongings, which in those days were easily carried, and came to New Zealand to try and better their fortunes. It may be mentioned that the first real discoverer of gold in payable quantities for working was Mr. Edward Peters, a native of Bombay, who, in 1858, found gold in the south branch of the Tokomairiro River, known afterwards as Woolshed Diggings, and who stated at that time that the ground was payable for working. showing a good sample of gold that he had obtained. After this he again found gold in a gully near the north bank of the Tuapeka River not far from the afterwards celebrated Gabriel's Gully, discovered at a later date by Mr. Gabriel Read. This discovery was made known in June, 1861, and by the end of December in that year 187,696 oz. of gold, representing a value of £727,321, had been produced from this locality alone; and the population of Otago had increased in six months from 12,000 to 30,000.

As soon as the rush set in to Gabriel's Gully, Weatherstone's, Munroe's, and Waitahuna Gullies were opened, and early in 1862 further auriferous deposits were found at Waipori and the Woolshed. Discoveries of smaller extent were afterwards found at Turnbull Gully, Deepdell Creek, Fillyburn, and Murphy's Gully.

In August, 1862, Messrs. Hartley and Reilly arrived at Dunedin with 1,047 oz. gold, which they had found by cradling and washing the sands on the beaches of the Clutha River, between the sites of the present towns of Clyde and Cromwell. As soon as this became known the excitement was so great that men left lucrative employment and comfortable homes to follow the life of a digger. Prices of agricultural produce and food of all descriptions went up, and the demand for teamsters to take goods and tools to this new Eldorado was so great that £120 per ton was paid for the carriage of goods from Dunedin; and on the arrival of the first wagon with flour, at Mr. Sheenan's station, nine miles from the diggings, it was surrounded by a crowd of miners from the field, when the whole of the flour was handed out and equally distributed to the crowd at 2s. 6d. a pannikinful. The demand for sawn timber was also so great that boards were stripped from drays and wagons and sold, the usual price for an empty gin-case being £5. Every one at that time was thoroughly satisfied with his earnings—the beaches along the river were literally strewn with golden sand. But this state of things did not last long. As soon as the snow on the mountains began to melt, the water in the river rose to a height of from 16 ft. to 20 ft., covering all the auriferous gravel-beaches, leaving those who had been working there in a very despondent state. By this time a large mining population had gathered on the field, and they turned their attention to the beds of the different streams and creeks flowing into the Clutha River, and almost immediately rich deposits of auriferous drift were discovered at Conroy's, Butcher's, Potter's, and Campbell's Gullies, also at Bannockburn, Cardrona, Arrow, Shotover, Skipper's, Nokomai, and the Nevis, all of which have largely contributed to the product of gold. Before the end of December, 1862, over 70,000 oz. of gold were forwarded by escort from Dunstan to Dunedin.

In March, 1863, and the following months, the Teviot, Benger, and Upper Manuherikia Goldfields were opened up, and in May of the same year another important find was made by Mr. W. Parker, at Hogburn, which afterwards led to further discoveries of auriferous drifts at Hill's Creek, Dunstan Creek, Kyeburn, Hyde, Hamilton's, Macrae's, and Mount Burster. This last place is at so high an elevation (nearly 4,000 ft. above sea-level) that the rich auriferous deposits existing there can be worked only for about six or seven months in the year.

Further discoveries have been made from time to time at Cambrian's, Tinker's, Matakanui, Round Hill, Orepuki, and, in recent years, at Mount Crifiel—the latter being 4,000 ft. above sea-level—where are found some of the oldest drifts that exist in the Otago District. Gold intermixed with platinum has also been found on the beaches of the Waiau River, south of Orepuki.

About the end of 1863 gold was found at Wakamarina, in the Marlborough District, where some very rich finds were obtained from the beds of the Deep Creek, Dead-horse Creek, and Wakamarina River. This field still continues to support a small number of miners.

Early in 1864 a patty of Maoris, while searching for greenstone—which was formerly used for making tomahawks and adzes, and is still highly prized as an ornament—found gold in the bed of the Greenstone River, on the west coast of the South Island. This discovery led to a large rush from other parts of New Zealand, and also from Australia.

As soon as the rush set in to the West Coast, the auriferous deposits at Waimea, Kanieri, Blue Spur, and Jones's (now known as Ross) were discovered, and these led to further discoveries in the Grey Valley, No Town, Red Jack's, Noble's, Orwell Creek, Antonio's, Maori Gully, Lyell, Charleston, and Brighton, the last extensive field opened up on the West Coast being Kumara.

Quartz-mining.

During the early period gold-mining operations were chiefly confined to alluvial drifts. This was especially the case in regard to the South Island, but in the North Island all the gold has been obtained from quartz lodes. In July, 1867, gold was discovered in a creek-bed at the Thames in pieces of quartz, and on the 10th August of the same year Messrs. Hunt, White, Clarkson, and Cobley found a very rich leader of auriferous quartz in the Kuranui Stream. This led to discoveries of large quantities of gold in the Shotover, Moanataiari, Long Drive, Caledonian, and other claims. The dividend from the Caledonian claim in one year amounted to about £657,000. Several years later gold-bearing lodes were discovered at Karangahake, Waitekauri, Waihi, Te Aroha, and Kuaotunu.

In 1872 the Reefton field was discovered, and since then quartz-crushing has steadily continued, and the industry supports a large population.

A number of auriferous quartz-mines have been working profitably for many years, and fresh bodies of valuable ore are being discovered from time to time. The gold-production of this district during 1909 was 58,775 oz., valued at £225,503.

The most important quartz-mining proposition worked in New Zealand is the Waihi Company's mine, situate about one day's journey south-east of Auckland. The company was registered in 1887, and has a paid-up capital of £500,000 in £1 shares, the bulk of which are held in London, the number on the New Zealand Register at the end of 1909 being 140,647, divided among 1,967 shareholders. The value of bullion produced since the inception of the company is £8,180,218, of which £4,308,680 was expended in working the mine and £413,599 in dividends on shares held in the Dominion. The value of gold and silver produced during 1909 was £959,594, and the working-expenses for the same period were £440,782. The number of men employed by the company in New Zealand on 31st December last was 1,471.

The quantity of ore treated and the value of bullion produced from the quartz-mines in each mining district of the Dominion during the years 1908 and 1909 is shown in the following table:—

District.Tons of Ore treated.Value of Bullion.
1908.1909.1908.1909.
   ££
Northern546,905573,4701,302,6651,301,002
West Coast95,156108,136160,156214,876
Southern12,24611,40014,19110,983
                Totals654,307693,0061,477,0121,526,861

Alluvial Mining.

For the second year in succession there has been an increase in the annual production from the alluvial mines of the Dominion, which is extremely satisfactory, as it was generally believed that this branch of mining was in a rapid state of decline. For this increase the extremely low working-cost of the hydraulic sluicing and elevating system of mining may be credited, for by this method ground containing an average of 1 gr. of gold per cubic yard will generally pay working-expenses.

The production from 280 alluvial claims, both large and small, amounted in value to £333,235; on some of these 110 hydraulic sluicing plants are at work in Otago; but, as most of these claims are privately owned, the gross amount of dividends paid is not known. Sixteen claims, however, the property of registered companies, paid £11,489 to their shareholders during the year. Among the most profitable of these dividend-paying claims may be mentioned the Mont d'Or (Ross, Westland), £2,400; Roxburgh Amalgamated (Otago), £2,187; and the Round Hill (Southland), £2,119.

Gold-dredging.

This system of alluvial mining, which had New Zealand for its cradle, although now adopted in other countries, has probably produced about eight millions and a half sterling of the total gold-production of this Dominion.

To enable dredge-mining to be carried out profitably, even when the ground to be operated upon is payably auriferous, it is necessary that a number of favourable conditions shall exist, the absence of any one of which may render unprofitable the undertaking. The presence of snags, or of large boulders, the hardness of the matrix surrounding the same, a hard and rough bottom from which the dredge-buckets are unable to clean up the gold, and in connection with paddock dredges the limited space of operations causing the gold to be stirred up and held in suspension in the muddy water, are all causes any one of which may render unprofitable an otherwise promising proposition. There is therefore no cause for surprise that the system of alluvial mining by hydraulic sluicing and elevating is now being applied whenever practicable in preference to the bucket-and-ladder dredge.

During 1909 the number of working dredges decreased by 12. At the end of the year there were 111 dredges at work, 37 of which, the property of registered companies, gave an average return of £8,856, and paid in dividends an average of £1,535 per dredge. The total value of gold produced during the year by dredging was £327,676, and the number of persons ordinarily employed was 893.

Gold Exported to 31st March, 1910.

The total quantity of gold entered for export during the years ending 31st March, 1910, and 31st March, 1909, for the several districts, and the total quantity and value of the gold exported from the 1st January, 1857, to the 31st March, 1910, are shown hereunder; but this does not necessarily include the whole of the gold produced, as no doubt much has been taken away from time to time by people who have evaded the duty, and a good deal has been used for industrial purposes:—

Table showing the Quantity and Value of Gold entered for Exportation from New Zealand for the Years ended the 31st March, 1909 and 1910, and the total quantity and value from January, 1857, to 31st March, 1910.
District.Year ending 31st March, 1910.Year ending 31st March, 1909.Increase or Decrease for Year ending 31st March, 1910.Total Quantity and Value from January, 1857, to 31st March, 1910.
Quantity.Value.Quantity.Value.
 Oz.£Oz.£Oz.Oz.£
Auckland298,0701,179,870277,1991,097,626+20,8714,940,34218,744,930
Wellington..........168706
Marlborough391552621,014-22390,230351,523
Nelson2,0338,1313,34113,363-1,3081,724,3036,836,063
West Coast93,795363,65986,256336,838+7,5395,528,05921,981,314
Canterbury..........99387
Otago109,273440,363122,398493,811-13,1257,062,22828,076,954
                Totals503,2101,992,178489,4561,942,652+13,75419,345,44975,991,877

It will be seen from the above table that there was last year an increase in the export of gold of 13,754 oz. on the figures for the preceding twelve months.

Of the total quantity of gold exported in 1909–10 Auckland contributed 59.23 per cent.; Marlborough, 001 per cent.; Nelson, 0.40 per cent.; West Coast, 18.64 per cent.; and Otago, 21.72 per cent.

Of the gold entered for exportation during the year ended the 31st March, 1910—viz., 503,210 oz., representing a value of £1,992,178—about 75 per cent. came out of quartz-mines; but, if the total yield of gold obtained be taken, the value of which to 31st March, 1910, is £75,991,877, about 30 per cent. came from quartz-mines and 70 per cent. from alluvial workings.

Gold-production of Australia and New Zealand.

The gold-yield of Australia and New Zealand (in fine ounces) for the years 1899, 1903, and 1908 was as follows:—

 1890.1903.1908.
 Fine Ounces.Fine Ounces.Fine Ounces.
New South Wales382,162254,260224,792
Victoria804,666767,347670,909
Queensland668,227668,546462,204
South Australia18,63321,2478,532
Western Australia1,470,6062,064,8031,647,912
Tasmania77,11159,89257,085
New Zealand356,231479,746471,970
                    Total3,777,6364,315,8413,543,404

The value is as follows: 1899, £16,046,363; 1903, £18,332,515; 1908, £15,051,413.

Gold-production of the World.

The following summary of the world's production of gold (in line ounces) is taken from a report furnished by the Director of the United States Mint:—

The quantity of gold produced throughout the world during 1908 greatly exceeded that for any previous year. The total compares with that for the years 1903–7 as follows:—

 Fine Ounces.
190821,378,481
190719,956,283
190619,471,080
190518,396,451
190416,804,372
190315,852,620

The total for the triennial period 1903–5 is 51,053,443 oz. of a value of £216,861,100, and that for the triennial period 1906–8 was 60,805,844 oz. of a value of £258,286,600, and for the six years the total production is 111,859,287 oz. of a value of £475,147,700.

The following table states the production in the principal countries for the three years 1906–8:—

 1906.1907.1908.
 Fine Ounces.Fine Ounces.Fine Ounces.
Africa6,547,9437,352,2288,055,430
Australasia3,985,6843,660,9113,547,210
North America6,043,6055,684,0436,032,662
South and Central America609,554673,171804,484
Russia943,1421,290,8541,357,027
India584,744502,307512,702
Japan and Corea243,417239,159287,126
China217,688217,688418,312
All other295,303335,922363,528
                Total19,471,08019,956,28321,378,481

The increase in the production from 1906 to 1908 is accounted for mainly by the Transvaal and Russia. South and Central America, Japan and Corea, and China have also shown larger outputs.

The whole of the gold-production is not converted into coin for currency purposes. The production is utilised first, in the active monetary circulation of the world; second, for hoarding purposes; and third, in the industrial arts. To arrive exactly at the amount under each heading is impossible. But the director of the Mint has through the consuls and others made the most searching inquiries, with the result that he estimates that the world's industrial consumption of gold in 1908 amounted to 5,514,557 ounces. The following comparison of the production and the industrial consumption for the years 1907 and 1908 is interesting:—

 1907.1908.
 Ounces.Ounces.
World's production19,956,28321,378,481
Industrial consumption6,532,8745,514,557
Otherwise used13,423,40915,863,924

The proportion of industrial consumption in 1907 was a little over 32 ¾ per cent., and in 1908 it was a little over 25 ¾ per cent. A considerable variation is shown, but in any case the quantity used industrially is very large. Of the balance it is impossible to say how much is accounted for by the practice of hoarding. It is equally impossible to arrive at the amount added annually to the monetary currency of the world. It may be anything between £40,000,000 and £50,000,000. Whatever may be the exact amount it is evident that the annual production of gold is easily absorbed.

Number of Gold-miners.

The total number of gold-miners employed in 1909 was 7,495, of whom 7,100 were Europeans and 395 were Chinese, as against a total of 8,685 for the previous year. In some places, more especially in Otago, Nelson, and on the West Coast, many of the miners do not depend entirely on mining, but employ a part of their time in farming and other pursuits.

From the figures given in the next table it will be observed that alluvial mining affords considerably less and quartz-mining more employment than was the case sixteen years ago. The falling-off in the number of Chinese miners indicates the exhaustion of the shallow ground.

Year.Alluvial Miners.Quartz-miners.Total.
Europeans.Chinese.Europeans.Chinese.Europeans.Chinese.
18937,2462,6562,295..9,5412,656
18987,0612,0395,098..12,1592,039
19035,5921,0213,597..9,1891,021
19083,8255104,338128,163522
19093,3733953,803..7,100395

Coal-Mining.

The extent of the coal-measures in New Zealand will make coal-mining one of the large industries, especially on the west coast of the South Island, where bituminous coal exists equal, if not superior, in quality to coal of the same class in any part of the world.

The progressive increase in the output of coal from 1878 to the end of 1909 is shown below:—

Year.Raised in New Zealand.Imported.Total raised in the Dominion per Annum.Exported (excluding Coal for Fuel by Ocean Steamers).Total Consumption of Coal within the Dominion.Yearly Increase in Consumption with the Dominion.
Total.Yearly Increase.
* Decrease.
 Tons.Tons.Tons.Tons.Tons.Tons.Tons.
1878162,218..174,148336,3663,921332,445..
1879231,21869,000158,076389,2947,195382,09949,654
1880299,92368,705123,298423,2217,021416,20034,101
1881337,26237,339129,962467,2246,626460,59844,398
1882378,27241,010129,582507,8544,245503,60943,011
1883421,76443,492123,540545,3047,172538,13234,523
1884480,83159,067148,444629,2756,354622,92184,789
1885511,06330,232130,202641,2652,371638,89415,973
1886534,35323,290119,873654,2262,862651,36412,470
1887558,62024,267107,230665,85012,951652,8991,535
1888613,89555,275101,341715,23627,678687,55834,659
1889586,44527,450*128,063714,50839,290675,21812,340
1890637,39750,952110,939748,33633,404714,93239,714
1891668,79431,397125,318794,11229,093764,01949,087
1892673,3154,521125,453798,76828,169770,5996,580
1893691,54818,233117,444808,99224,288784,70414,105
1894719,54627,998112,961832,50725,449807,05822,354
1895726,6547,108108,198834,85226,151808,7011,643
1896792,85166,197101,756894,60727,974866,63357,932
1897840,71347,862110,907951,62026,639924,98158,348
1898907,03366,320115,4271,022,46018,3481,004,11279,131
1899975,23468,20199,6551,074,88914,1461,060,74356,631
19001,093,990118,756124,0331,218,02336,6991,181,324120,581
19011,227,638133,648149,7641,377,40277,5631,299,839118,515
19021,362,702135,064127,8531,490,555110,6661,379,88980,050
19031,420,19357,491163,9231,584,11697,4611,486,655106,766
19041,537,838117,645147,1961,685,03456,5131,628,521141,866
19051,585,75647,918169,0461,754,80241,2571,713,54585,024
19061,729,536143,780207,5671,937,10362,7451,874,358160,813
19071,831,009101,473220,7492,051,75851,7901,999,968125,610
19081,860,97529,966287,8082,148,78358,1922,090,59190,623
19091,911,24750,272258,1852,169,43269,9362,099,4968,905

It will be seen from the above that, with the exception of 1889, there has been a steady increase in the output of coal year after year since records have been kept by the Mines Department. The yearly increase in output is principally due to the growing demand for consumption within the Dominion. During a period of thirty-two years the annual consumption of coal in New Zealand has increased to the extent of 1,767,057 tons.

The total output from the mines last year was 1,911,247 tons, as against 1,860,975 tons for 1908, an increase of 50,272 tons. The coal imported from other countries was 258,185 tons, against 287,808 tons in 1908, a decrease in the importation last year of 29,623 tons. The imports were 257,271 tons from New South Wales, 2 tons from Victoria, 106 tons from the United Kingdom, and 806 tons from South Australia. The total export of coal was 201,790 tons, of which 201,685 tons was New Zealand produce. The coal used by direct steamers trading between New Zealand and the United Kingdom has been treated as coal consumed within the Dominion, these steamers trading wholly between New Zealand and Great Britain. Taking, therefore, the output from the mines and the coal imported, there is a total of 2,169,432 tons, of which 69,936 tons were exported, leaving the consumption within the Dominion last year 2,099,196 tons, as against 2,090,591 tons for 1908, an increased consumption of 8,905 tons.

The quantity of coal produced in each district during the years 1909 and 1908, the increase or decrease in each case, and the total output to the end of 1909 is given in the following table:—

Name of District.Output of Coal.Increase or Decrease.Approximate Total Output of Coal up to the 31st December, 1909.
1909.1908.
(-) Decrease. (+) Increase.
 Tons.Tons.Tons.Tons.
Kawakawa and Hikurangi98,240112,826-14,5861,912,841
Whangarei, Kamo, Ngunguru, and Whauwhau36,71734,579+2,138701,459
Waikato192,827176,068+16,7592,367,184
Mokau6,4155,989+42669,582
Miranda13,72014,876-1,156102,242
Drury4515891381,040
Pelorus......711
West Wanganui12,7505,961+6,789142,777
Westport718,419671,716+46,7039,051,032
Reefton10,50210,694-192176,493
Greymouth380,071375,195+5,7765,469,135
Canterbury21,86621,788+78597,757
Otago286,997288,004-1,0076,790,275
Southland131,372142,690-11,3181,637,236
                Totals1,911,2171,860,97550,27229,019,764

As regards the quality of the coal, it cannot be surpassed. The late Sir John Coode, in his presidential address to the Institute of Civil Engineers, London, stated: “The bituminous coal found on the west coast of the South Island is declared by engineers to be fully equal, if not superior, to the best description from any part of the world.”

The quantity of each class of coal produced in 1909 and 1908 was:—

Class of Coal.Output of Coal.Increase or Decrease.Approximate Total Output of Coal up to the 31st December, 1909.
1909.1908.
 Tons.Tons.Tone.Tons.
Bituminous and semi-bituminous1,257,2331,205,21252,02117,054,379
Pitch5,47317,459-11,9861,976,603
Brown559,509539,14120,3688,709,329
Lignite89,03299,163-10,1311,279,453
                Totals1,911,2471,860,97550,27229,019,764

The number of coal-mines working during the year 1909, the hands employed, and the output is shown by the next table.

Number of Mines working.Number of Persons employed at each Mine.Number of Persons employed.Output of Coal during 1909.Average Output per Person employed.
Above Ground.Below Ground.Below Ground.Above and below Ground.
* Excluding private pits.
    Tons.  
1171 to 20 in each156294167,572570372
921 to 50 in each81218132,337607443
851 to 100 in each172419241,685577409
6101 to 250 in each330723464,000642441
4251 and upwards4161,378904,766657504
144..1,1553,0321,910,360....
12Private pits4..837....
156..1,1593,0321,911,247630*456*

The economy in large scale operations is well illustrated by the above table. The superior equipment of the large mines enables a greater average quantity per man to be produced.

State Coal-mines.

There are two collieries owned and worked by the State, one at Seddonville, the other at Point Elizabeth. The former is situated twenty-nine miles in a northerly direction from the Port of Westport, and connected therewith by a railway. The colliery contains a large quantity of excellent hard coal valuable for steam and household purposes, and during 1909 produced 74,181 tons. There is in this mine a considerable quantity of soft coal, suitable for the manufacture of briquettes, and a plant for this purpose has been erected at the port of shipment, producing an article of fuel highly recommended for household use.

The Point Elizabeth Colliery lies some five miles north of the Port of Greymouth, the connection being by a State-owned railway, and is equipped with a complete and up-to-date coal-mining and carrying plant. The coal mined is of excellent quality, containing but a small percentage of sulphur, and is largely used for steam-producing purposes on the Government railways. At the present time the mine is capable of an output of 1,500 tons per day if facilities for shipment were sufficient. During the past year 215,809 tons were won. Depots for the sale of coal to the public have been opened at Wellington, Christchurch, Wanganui, and Dunedin.

An area containing a large field of the best bituminous coal has been reserved for State coal-mines, and a second mine is now being opened up at Point Elizabeth and connected with the present railway.

World's Coal-production.

The total coal produced by the principal countries of the world, so far as can be ascertained, for the years 1904–8 was as follows:—

1904.1905.1906.1907.1908.
1,000 Tons.1,000 Tons.1,000 Tons.1,000 Tons.1,000 Tons.
* Metric tons of 2,204 lb.
British Empire:—
          United Kingdom232,428236,129251,068267,831261,529
          British India8,2168,4189,78311,14712,770
          Canada7,3707,7398,7179,3859,736
          Australian Commonwealth6,8547,4948,5969,68110,193
          South Africa3,2613,7094,1844,6794,938
          New Zealand1,5381,5861,7301,8311,861
          Other colonies and possessions111145150179218
Foreign Countries:—
          United States of America314,122350,821369,783423,896415,843
          German Empire*126,816121,299137,118143,186148,537
          France*33,50235,21833,45835,98936,874
          Belgium*22,76121,77523,57023,70523,678
          Austria-Hungary*11,86812,58513,47313,85013,875
          Russian Empire19,04218,38921,30221,00022,581
          Japan10,06211,59312,79113,71613,721

In the year 1886 the total production was 383 millions of tons, and in 1896 547 millions of tons.

Accidents.

During 1909 there were 7 fatal accidents in coal-mines, causing 7 deaths, and 17 non-fatal accidents, by which 23 persons were injured. Of the fatal accidents 4 were caused by falls in mines, and 3 in various ways. Of the non-fatal accidents 6 were caused by falls in mines, 2 by explosion of firedamp, and 9 from various causes—six underground and three on the surface. Of the average number of persons employed during the year (4,191) the fatalities were one in every 599, the proportion of persons injured was one in every 182, and of the two classes of accident together, one in every 140 persons.

Ironsands and Ores of New Zealand.

Almost every known variety of iron-ore has been discovered in New Zealand. At Parapara, near Nelson, immense quantities of brown haematite ore occur on the surface of the ground. When converted, the product is of the variety called white iron. Another deposit, about 60 ft. thick, is that on the west side of Mount Peel. This ore contains 56 per cent. of metallic iron, and has been traced a distance of three miles, beyond which point it is reported to swell out to as much as a mile in width. An extensive and valuable deposit (limonite and glauconite) occurs on the western slope of Mount Royal, Otago. It contains about 37 per cent. of the metal, and as regards both quality and position this deposit is of importance.

The following information on the ore deposits at Parapara is extracted from the Geological Survey Reports: The deposit occurs about a mile south-west of the Parapara River. About five miles north of this is the town of Collingwood, close to which is a mine which yields some of the best coal in New Zealand. A short tramway would enable the ore to be shipped in barges and taken to Collingwood, where there is every facility for the construction of a wharf, at which vessels of any size might lie. There is a large deposit of nearly pure crystalline limestone on the banks of the Parapara River, and the numerous streams in the neighbouring hills would give ample water-power if needed. It is estimated that the main deposit contains nearly 53 millions of tons of ore, but in the absence of any system of prospecting this estimate must not be regarded as in any way conclusive.

In the form of sand, the chief deposits are on the sea-shore of the west coast of both islands, the best known being that near New Plymouth. The Taranaki ironsand has been the subject of many experiments to determine the best method of smelting it. When mixed with clay and moulded in the form of a brick it has been readily smelted in the blast-furnace, and the iron produced is of excellent quality, suitable for steel-making processes. Cheap coal is obtainable from Mokau, a short distance from the ironsand deposits. A variety of articles have been manufactured from the product of the sand and submitted to experts, who have invariably expressed a favourable opinion as to quality and suitability.

Scheelite.

Scheelite, one of the principal ores of tungsten, is mined in Otago, at Macrae's Flat, Glenorchy, and Lake Wakatipu. During the year 1909 eight mines were at work, employing eighty persons, and producing 139 tons of concentrates. Milling and concentrating plants have been installed, and the product finds a ready market, principally in Germany.

The uses of tungstic acid are various. It is used as a mordant in calico-printing, as a constituent in some finer grades of paint, and renders clothing non-inflammable. Its greatest use, however, is in the manufacture of steel of the very highest grades, such as engineers' tool steel for turning-lathes, and steel for the inner tubes of big guns. It imparts to the steel great density, toughness, and hardness. Such steel is placed on the market by different makers under a variety of names—nickel tungsten steel, high-speed steel, self-hardening steel, &c. It has within the last few years revolutionised engineering methods.

The mineral occurs commonly in mica-schist and altered sedimentary rocks. At Macrae's it is found in bunches and stringers through the quartz. The value of the export from the mines since 1899 has been—

 £
19002,635
190183
19021,200
19031,439
1904791
19051,848
19063,407
190715,486
19086,055
19094,263

Cinnabar.

A bonus of 4d. per pound on the production of the first 100,000 lb. of quicksilver is offered by the Government. One third of the quantity must be produced before 31st March, 1911, and the remainder before 31st March, 1912. If there are several contributors to the output, the bonus will be divided amongst them.

A plant on a small scale has been erected near Karangahake for the purpose of treating the ore deposits in that neighbourhood, and the proprietors have notified their intention of claiming the bonus.

Mineral Oil.

Indications of the existence of petroleum have been found in the Taranaki, Gisborne, Grey, and Southland districts, and a considerable amount of prospecting has been done. At New Plymouth, Taranaki, the operations have been successful in producing approximately 100,000 gallons of crude oil, which is stored in tanks pending the erection of a refinery.

A bonus of 3d. per gallon is offered by the Government on the first 500,000 gallons of refined mineral oil produced in the Dominion, the bonus to be claimed before 31st March, 1913.

Phosphate Rock.

Fairly extensive deposits of phosphate rock have been discovered as a fringe to the limestone at Clarendon, near Milton, Otago. The Ewing Phosphate Company (Limited) has been formed, and operations of quarrying and burning on a commercial scale have been undertaken. After burning, the rock is crushed and chemically treated. The value of this phosphate as a fertiliser has been satisfactorily proved, and there is every indication of a growing industry in quarrying the rock and preparing it for use. With such a valuable material at our very doors, there is no doubt that in future the importation of phosphate manures will cease, or at least be greatly reduced, whilst the question of export is within the range of possibility.

Other Metals or Minerals.

Very little has been done to prospect and develop mines other than for gold and silver. The only exports last year of metalliferous products, excluding gold and silver, were 182 tons of auriferous ore, valued at £2,450, 58 tons of scheelite-ore, and small parcels of other minerals, representing an aggregate value of £7,042.

Kauri-gum.

The quantity of kauri-gum exported last year was 8,250 tons, as against 5,530 tons for 1908. Last year's produce (£552,698) gave an average value of about £66 19s. 10d. per ton, while for 1908 the average was £67 8s. 3d. per ton.

Schools of Mines.

Schools of Mines have been established in New Zealand at the principal mining centres, and are of great value for the education of mining and metallurgical students. In connection with these schools the Government offers four scholarships annually, one each for Otago and the west coast of the South Island, and two for the North Island. These scholarships, tenable for three years, are awarded to candidates who comply with the conditions and obtain the highest number of marks at the yearly examinations held in each December, and are of the value of £50 each per annum to successful candidates residing three miles or more beyond the town in which the school is situated, and of £30 each per annum to successful candidates residing within the three-mile limit. The Mines Department will furnish particulars to intending candidates. These scholarships do not apply to coal-mining subjects, but it is proposed to add two scholarships for coal-mining students.

The schools of mines annual examinations were held in December, 1909, and 100 students, from seven goldfields schools, presented themselves, and contributed 189 papers on some of the twenty subjects examined into. The standard of efficiency desired is to qualify the students for the Government examinations for mine-managers' and battery-superintendents' certificates of competency in New Zealand and other countries.

The amount expended by the Government on the schools since their inauguration to 31st March, 1910, was £58,422, including £13,803 paid to the school attached to the University of Otago.

Examinations.

Examinations are held annually of candidates for certificates as first-class and second-class mine-managers, battery superintendents, and dredge-masters. No candidate is permitted to present himself for examination unless he holds an authority from the Secretary to the Board of Examiners stating that his certificates of service have been accepted by the Board. All necessary information will be supplied by the Mines Department on application.

Prospecting.

Three diamond rock-drills, with boring capacity of 2,500 ft., 1,500 ft., and 1,000 ft., respectively, and one Keystone driller may be hired from the Mines Department on the following conditions: The hirer to take delivery of the plant at any place decided upon by the Minister of Mines. The hirer, prior to the delivery of the plant, to make a deposit of £50, and to find approved bond and security for the payment of all charges he may become liable for, and also for the due observance of the conditions. The plant to be returned in good order and condition, less wear and tear, to the Government Store, Wellington. Any loss or damage to the plant, other than that due to fair wear and tear, to be paid for by the hirer. A superintendent appointed by the Minister shall have sole control of the plant and the workmen employed, and the hirer must comply with his requests re housing and care of the plant. The wages of the superintendent will be paid by the Department in the first instance, but will be recovered monthly from the hirer. The hirer must also pay the cost of all carbons used in boring. All the working-expenses of the plant must be paid by the hirer direct.

Subsidies are granted by the State to assist parties of miners prospecting for gold in localities recommended by the Inspector of Mines and the Government Geologist. During the year 1909 the sum of £4,936 was thus expended in the various mining districts.

Arrangements have been made with the mining companies at the Thames by which the companies contribute £12,000 and the Government £5,000 to the cost of driving a prospecting tunnel at the 1,000 ft. level. Besides prospecting, this tunnel will serve to drain the whole goldfield.

Salient Features of the Economic Geology.

The salient features of the economic geology of New Zealand are thus described by Dr. James Mackintosh Bell, F.G.S., Director of the Geological Survey:—

Coal.

Distribution of Coal.—Perhaps in no country of the world is coal more generally distributed than it is in New Zealand, as it occurs in almost every pert of the Dominion—a fact which makes up for the narrowness of the coal-seams and the inextensiveness of the basins in which they lie. as compared with coal-deposits in other countries. The coal varies considerably in quality, both in regard to the amount of ash and the state of carbonation.

The coals of Kaitangata, Shag Point, and Nightcaps, which form fairly wide seams in Tertiary rocks in the south-eastern part of the South Island, are lignites of good quality. The seams which are so widely distributed in the hilly country west of the Canterbury Plains are all lignites, but not generally so highly carbonised as are the southern coals. The coals of Greymouth and Brunnerton, in the Westland District, and of Westport and Puponga, in the Nelson District, are bituminous coals of varying degrees of purity. The coals of the North Island, which are chiefly in the northern part, near Auckland and Whangarei, are in general intermediate in state of carbonation between the bituminous coals and lignites. No extensive seams of true anthracite have as yet been found in New Zealand, though there is a very small deposit in early Tertiary sediments at Cabbage Bay, in the Hauraki Peninsula, which owes its high percentage of fixed carbon to the metamorphism produced by the extrusion of flows of andesite. Some of the lignite seams of Canterbury also are said to be in part altered to anthracite, as a product of contact metamorphism.

Petroleum.

In many parts of the Dominion there is abundant evidence of petroleum, though in no locality can it be said to have been proven to exist in great quantity. It has been found and exploited to some slight degree at Kotuku, near Greymouth, in Westland; near Gisborne, in the Auckland District; and more especially at New Plymouth, in Taranaki, not far from the base of the lofty cone of Mount Egmont. In the last-mentioned locality the oil seeps out on the surface along the sea-shore and at a few places in the interior, and gas issues at many points along natural crevices. Boring operations have been conducted in this locality for a number of years, and an oil-bearing stratum has been struck at a depth of 2,400 ft. This stratum consists of a loosely consolidated marine sand underlying hard argillaceous sandstone, above which marine sands and clays, more or less hardened, extend to the surface. As far as is known, all the beds are disposed in almost horizontal attitude, the lowest being probably of Miocene age, the upper apparently Pliocene.

Iron-ore.

There are in New Zealand two very interesting deposits of iron-ore. The most important of these appears at Parapara, in the rugged Cape Farewell Peninsula, lying west of Golden Bay, in the South Island; while the other is visible on the shores of the Tasman Sea, near New Plymouth.

Parapara Deposits.—The rocks in which the Parapara ore occurs are meta-morphic, and consist of much corrugated hornblendic and feldspathic schists, sideritic limestones, and cherty quartzites. These have been tentatively classified as Silurian by Mr. Herbert Cox, formerly a geologist on the staff of the New Zealand Geological Survey. Uncomformably above this series of Palæozoic rocks lies a considerable thickness of coal-bearing strata—probably Early Tertiary—which consist of limestones, sandstones, grits, and coal-seams. Forming a mantle over much of the district are thick deposits of glacial gravels and boulder-clays. These usually contain more or less gold, and have afforded some rich bonanzas in the past where reassorted by stream action.

Structurally, the iron-ore appears to occur in a broad syncline composed of banded ferruginous cherts and quartzites. In intimate connection with the banded cherts are narrow beds of sideritic crystalline limestone, which is often rusty, due to the oxidation of iron-carbonate contained. The ferruginous limestones and banded cherts bear a striking resemblance to similar rocks so closely associated with the iron-ore bodies of the Lake Superior region in America. The soft, rusty, and much-decomposed banded cherts so common in many of the American ranges may occasionally be observed in the mass of the ore-body itself. The width of the actual ore-mass visible on the surface averages not less than 900 ft., though the iron-bearing horizon is much wider. Broken by several gullies filled with glacial débris, the ore-body outcrops in a north-westerly and southwesterly direction for nearly a mile and a half from the Parapara Inlet. Beyond this the iron-bearing horizon is known to extend much farther, and is said to contain several deposits of high-grade ore. Mr. George J. Binns, formerly Inspector of Mines for the New Zealand Government, estimates that in the large ore-body near Parapara Inlet there are not less than 51,835,000 long tons of iron-ore in actual outcrop, which could be removed in an open quarry.

The ore is in general a high-grade hydrous hæmatite, botryoidal, mamillary, and often porous in character. Apparently, manganese is a constant constituent. Phosphorus and sulphur are in general low, though there are small quantities of other impurities, principally lime, magnesia, alumina, and some silica. In places the ore contains rounded quartz pebbles, often in sufficient abundance to constitute a highly ferruginous quartz conglomerate. This conglomerate is apparently the result of glacial action, which was very effective in the past. It represents soft ore, which has been intensely comminuted by the pressure of the ice and mixed with its burden of quartz pebbles, to be subsequently recemented into the conglomerate now observable in the outcrops. The conglomeratic portion of the ore is auriferous, the gold apparently being derived from the same source as that in the quartz pebbles. In depth the quartz pebbles are lacking.

The origin of this extensive deposit of iron-ore is of considerable interest. Briefly stated, the ore has resulted from the concentration of iron-oxide by meteoric waters in the base of a synclinal trough having an impervious basement of schist. The waters had their burden of iron derived either directly or indirectly from the oxidation, partly of iron-carbonate, but more especially of the sulphides pyrite and marcasite.

New Plymouth Deposits.—The deposits of iron-ore occurring near New Plymouth, in the North Island, are of a very different character. They consist of magnetic iron-sands, all more or less titaniferous, which owe their concentration in thick beds along the sea-shore and inland for a mile or more to the action of the waves or wind. Beds of pure black sand of very fine grain are interstratified with beds of feldspathic quartz sand, containing considerable titaniferous magnetite, and with others practically free from iron. Sometimes the demarcation between the various beds is very abrupt and decided, again much more gradual. Considered longitudinally, the beds of pure black sand lense out, and are replaced by others in which the iron constituent is lacking or unimportant, and again the latter beds may be replaced by pure black sand. The black sand is supposed to consist of an intimate mixture of magnetite and ilmenite. It occurs very widely distributed, and, there can be no doubt, in very large quantities. It appears at very frequent intervals along the coast on either side of New Plymouth, from the mouth of the Waitara River as far south as the mouth of the Patea.

The black sand has apparently been derived in part from the disintegration of hornblende andesites and more basic volcanics—all rich in titaniferous magnetite—and in part from tufa, representing the comminuted equivalent of these volcanics. Volcanics and tufas carrying titaniferous magnetite have a wide distribution near New Plymouth around the volcanic cone of Egmont.

Copper.

Ores of copper are found in New Zealand at many localities, but there are no known deposits of any considerable size. There has recently been discovered a mineralised horizon, containing native copper, malachite, and other ores of copper, near the Kaipara Harbour, in the North Auckland peninsula. The country is but little explored, and the exact nature of the deposit has not yet been investigated.

Perhaps the best-known deposits of ores of copper are in a heavy mineralised zone stretching from D'Urville Island southward to the Aniseed River, in the neighbourhood of the Town of Nelson, in the South Island. The ore-bodies lie in small disconnected and generally parallel lenses disposed along the planes of stratification of the enclosing argillites, and occur close to the contact between the argillites and extensive sills or bosses of dunite. The most common ore is a cupriferous pyrite, in which the copper-content is generally low. On the surface the oxidation-products—malachite, azurite, chrysocolla, cuprite, and native copper—are occasionally encountered, and in one case (the Champion Mine) are important, giving very rich, though small, bodies above the water-level. Enriched sulphides are to be seen in some of the lower workings of the United Mine above the water-level, though the ore is more or less oxidized on the surface.

Gold.

In the past most of the gold of New Zealand was derived from placer deposits in various parts of the South Island, but more especially in the districts of Westland and Otago. The bonanzas, in general, occurred where morainic gravels had been reasserted by fluviatile or marine action. The amount of gold derived from this source is now much reduced, and the supply of the precious metal in New Zealand is to a greater extent obtained from quartz-reefs. All through the ancient crystalline schists and Palæozoic argillites and graywackes, which form such an important part of the strata of the South Island, quartz veins are common. Generally, these are disposed parallel to the stratification, but are sometimes in fissures transverse to the bedding-planes. Although quartz veins of this class are almost innumerable, many of them contain gold only in traces, and comparatively few yield it in payable quantities. The veins are in rocks which exhibit physiographically mature and sub-mature forms, and in consequence are in general merely the remnant of former veins, the upper and probably richer part having been removed in the extensive and varied denudation—sub-aerial and glacial—which the country has undergone.

At present much the most important centre of quartz mining in the South Island is at Reefton, where a number of mines are now working—the Globe, the Progress, the Wealth of Nations, the Keep-it-Dark, the Black water, etc. The ore filling the veins consists chiefly of quartz. This contains a great deal of pyrites, rarely chalcopyrite and arsenopyrite, and often stibnite. In all of the mines the values are very irregularly distributed in the quartz gangue, even near the surface, where the yield is usually higher than from the lower levels. Often not only may the ore-shoots terminate within the quartz mass in the direction both of the strike and dip of the vein, but the quartz gangue frequently itself lenses out and is replaced by comminuted gouge, to reappear either barren or with shoots of rich ore in the continuation of the line of reef. This occurrence of the quartz in patches is one of the most characteristic features of the veins at Reefton. The highest values are almost always along slaty selvages, which are frequently rusty, and where the quartz is of the character known as “magpie stone” by the miners. “Magpie stone” is simply quartz enclosing numerous small angular fragments of argillite of grauwacke, which are the prevailing country rocks of the district.

There is a small reefing area near the head of the Wilberforce and Arahura Rivers, known as the Westland Reefs district, in which a number of promising auriferous-quartz veins have recently been discovered, but which has been as yet very little prospected. Quartz-mining is carried on at Taitapu, in the Cape Farewell Peninsula, in reefs very much like those at Reefton. Quartz veins are also being worked at Skipper's, Arrowtown, Barewood, and various other places in Central Otago, though none is of important proportions.

The occurrence of the mineral scheelite in many of the quartz veins in Otago is interesting. The quartz with which it is associated is nearly always somewhat auriferous, and in places payably so. The scheelite sometimes appears in a decided band running through the quartz, or again intimately intermixed, with the appearance of a pegmatite. At Barewood, Glenorchy, and Macrae's, near Palmerston South, the mineral is found in sufficient quantity to pay for working.

Much more prominent than any of the centres of quartz-mining in the South Island, and of widely different character, are the goldfields of the Hauraki Peninsula of the North Island, which contain the mining centres of Coromandel. Thames, Karangahake, and Waihi, in addition to many less prominent mining localities. The output of gold from Coromandell is now comparatively small. At Thames the Waiotahi Mine yielded bullion to the value of £18,000 to £20,000 per month, but there is no other mine at present date giving large returns, though many rich bonanzas have been discovered in the past. The site of the Waihi Mine—one of the greatest gold-mines of the world—is a centre of immense economic importance as well as of scientific interest. At Karangahake is situated the Talisman Mine, which is now the second gold-producer in New Zealand.

The oldest rocks of the Hauraki Goldfield apparently consist of unfossiliferous argillites and grauwackes, which are probably very late Palæozoic or early Mesozoic. Uncomformably above these are late Cretaceous rocks containing unimportant coal-seams, which occur as widely separated isolated remnants in the northern part of the Hauraki Peninsula. On the denuded surface of these sedimentables have been disposed thick and wile distributed volcanic deposits, flows, breccias, and tuffs of andesitic character, above which are others of rhyolitic character. By far the most important veins of the Hauraki Peninsula are in the andesitic flow or in the fine-grained andesitic tuffs. Veins occurring in the coarse andesitic agglomerates and tuffs rarely carry much gold, while those appearing in the rhyolites are decidedly unimportant as compared with those in the andesites. A few relatively unimportant veins are found in the older sedimentary rocks. The andesites are often tremendously altered, especially near the veins. In fact, the rock in places has been changed to a mass of chlorite, epidote, sericite, calcite, quartz, and pyrite, giving the so-called propylite. There were evidently at least two periods of vein-deposition, much the more important apparently being the result of the andesite extrusion while the second period of vein-formation succeeded the outpouring of the rhyolites. Sinter-deposits, widely distributed throughout the Hauraki Peninsula, testify to the enormous extent of hydro-thermal activity in the past, and a few scattered hot springs show that it has not yet ceased. The veins are apparently mainly deposits by hot siliceous solutions, carrying a great deal of hydrogen-sulphide in pre-existing fissures, greatly enlarged by replacement of the wall-rock.

Of the payable veins of the Hauraki Goldfields there are two more or less distinct types—those which occur in decided and definite veins, in which the payable ore is contained chiefly in a well-demarcated ore-shoot, with considerable horizontal continuation, and with longitudinal extension from level to level; and those in which not only is the quartz of very irregular width, but the values are almost entirely in small disjointed patches, often of the enormous richness of “jewellery-shop” ores. Of the former class much the most conspicuous example is given by the more or less connected reefs worked in the Waihi Mine, at Waihi, though the Union, Amaranth, and Silverton veins at the same place, and the Talisman vein at Karangahake, are of the same class. Of the “jewellery-shop” class of veins, the reef-systems of the Hauraki, Kapanga, Royal Oak, and Tokatea Mines at Coromandel, and the reef-systems of the Kuranui-Caledonian, Moanataiari, and Waiotahi Mines at Thames, are good examples. The bonanzas of free gold in the veins of the Waiotahi type are apparently always at points where the vein is heavily mineralised with pyrite, with which is sometimes associated sphalerite, stibnite, and chalcopyrite, and occasionally native arsenic. The bonanzas frequently have an intimate connection with the faulting of the vein. The faults, formed subsequent to the original period of vein-deposition, may have determined the position of the bonanzas formed during a period of secondary enrichment of the vein, either by acting as barriers to migrating auriferous solutions, or by forming channels along which solutions came, reacting with those in the original vein-channel.

The great Waihi Mine is working on the complex system of branching reefs—the Martha, Welcome, Empire, Royal, and several smaller veins. Those reefs of the system which approach the surface show an oxidized capping of moderate though not of bonanza richness, which gradually is replaced in depth by sulphide ores. The gold is very rarely visible to the unaided eye, though a considerable portion exists as free gold. One of the most characteristic features of the reefs of the Waihi Mine system is the continuity of the “pay-ore,” both in horizontal and vertical extension. If there was any enrichment of these veins subsequent to the original deposition of the quartz, which seems very likely, it was probably by secondary solutions ascending along the reef-channels, excepting near the surface, where descending solutions gave a limited concentration. Some of the veins of the Waihi reef system are of immense size—the Martha reaches a width of 60 ft. on the surface, and at the levels opened at about 800 ft. beneath the surface it is, where widest, over twice that width. It is interesting to note that in general the veins of the Hauraki Peninsula show a diminution in the amount of gold in the electrum in passing from the northern to the southern portion of the field.

Very interesting evidence on the origin of gold and silver in quartz veins is given by certain hot springs in the centre of existing hydro-thermal activity in New Zealand—the Taupo volcanic zone. Sinter taken by the writer from the rim of a very ebullient spring at the Maori settlement of Whakarewarewa was found to contain, on analysis, silver to the amount of 4 oz. and 18 gr. per ton, and gold to the amount of 1 dwt. 4 gr. per ton. The sinter analysed was stained with sulphur, but showed no visible evidence of any sulphides. Analysis made from the sinter deposited in a wooden trough used to conduct water from the same spring at Whakarewarewa gave the following result in the precious metals: Gold, 12 gr.; and silver, 16 dwt. 3 gr. per ton.

The great geyser of Waimangu, which broke into action some years after the terrible Tarawera eruption of 1886, and remained active until November, 1904, deposited a blackish material, consisting chiefly of sulphides, but containing neither gold nor silver. Some mud obtained by Dr. Wohlmann, the Government Balneologist, from a hot spring in the sanatorium grounds at Rotorua gave the following somewhat remarkable analysis:—

Silica69.30
Alumina4.52
Iron-oxides2.00
Titanium-oxide0.58
Lime1.00
Magnesia0.10
Soda and potash1.30
Sulphur, combined1.40
Sulphur, free6.09
Organic matter10.01
Water3.70
 100.00

Microscopic examination of the deposit showed that it consisted mainly of quartz and amorphous silica, with a little feldspar. The mud also contained 5 gr. of gold and 6 dwt. 1 gr. of silver per ton. It is evidently not a deposit from the spring, but is merely a siliceous tufa impregnated by the thermal solutions.

Platinum.

Platinum has been found at many points in the South Island in the alluvial drifts, but never in sufficient qualities to be of any economic value, excepting where saved with gold. Platinum has been reported from the Queen of Beauty quartz reef at Thames, and also from an occurrence of massive pyrites at Coromandel. During the past season a number of platiniferous quartz veins were discovered by the writer near the Teremakau River, in the district of Westland, in the South Island, in close proximity to sheets of altered magnesian eruptives—apparently originally dunite, and situated parallel to the stratification of the enclosing phyllites. The quartz is somewhat vitreous, and in general very “hungry” in appearance. Iron-pyrite is fairly common, and iron-oxides derived from its alteration. In three analyses made of the platiniferous quartz the platinum was found to occur associated with silver, and always in the approximate ratio of 7 parts of silver to 1 of platinum. The following is a characteristic result, showing the amount of platinum and silver: Platinum, 3 dwt. 8 gr.; and silver, 1 oz. 4 dwt. 9 gr. per ton. It seems possible that the platinum and silver may exist in some mineralogical combination, though no data were obtained to substantiate this hypothesis.

An interesting product of metamorphism of the magnesian eruptives, near which the platinum-veins just described occur, is the mineral nephrite—the much-valued pounamu and tangiwai of the Maoris, and the precious “greenstone” of commerce. This mineral, which is apparently a massive actinolite or allied amphibole, occurs as segregations from a few inches to several feet in width in a talcose matrix—also a product of alteration of the magnesian eruptives. Many analyses made of the magnesian eruptives failed to show any platinum actually existing in them.

Tin.

Cassiterite has been found in the form of “stream-tin” in some of the streams amid the rugged hills of Stewart Island, and has been reported to occur actually in situ in granite.

Ores of antimony, lead, zinc, and several other metals have been discovered in New Zealand, but scarcely in sufficient quantity to deserve especial mention in this paper.

Much of the wild, mountainous country of the South Island, and the thickly wooded central and northern parts of the North Island, are still unexplored, and vast mineral wealth may yet be discovered in these areas of terra incognita.

Chapter 42. SECTION XVII.—LABOUR LAWS.

The legislation passed by the General Assembly of New Zealand prior to 1908 and termed the “labour laws” was consolidated in that year. A complete schedule of the Acts now in force relating to conditions of labour is given below, together with those statutes now repealed and incorporated in the existing laws:—

Acts in Force.Acts Consolidated.
Accident Insurance Companies Act, 1908Accident Insurance Companies Act, 1902.
Banking Act, 1908 (extracts)Bank Holidays Act, 1902.
Bankruptcy Act, 1908 (sections 112 and 120, re wages of employees)Bankruptcy Act, 1892 (sections 112 and 120).
Coal-mines Act, 1908 (extracts)Coal-mines Compilation Act, 1905.
Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1908. 
Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1909 (extracts). 
Companies Act, 1908 (sections 1 and 249, re wages of employees of companies that are being wound up)Companies Act, 1903 (sections 1 and 249).
Crimes Act, 1908 (sections 89 and 168, re conspiracy in trade disputes, re masters and apprentices)Conspiracy Law Amendment Act, 1894; Criminal Code Act, 1893 (sections 150 and 213).
Deaths by Accidents Compensation Act, 1908Deaths by Accidents Compensation Act, 1880; Legitimation Act, 1894 (section 6).
Factories Act, 1908Factories Act, 1901; Factories Amendment Act, 1905; Factories Act Amendment Act, 1906; Factories Act Amendment Act, 1907.
Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1908Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Acts Compilation Act, 1905.
 Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act, 1905; Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act, 1906.
Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act, 1908. 
Inspection of Machinery Act, 1908Inspection of Machinery Act, 1902; Inspection of Machinery Act Amendment Act, 1903.
Inspection of Machinery Amendment Act, 1908. 
Judicature Act, 1908 (section 100, re accidents compensation)Accidents Compensation Act, 1901.
Kauri-gum Industry Act, 1908Kauri-gum Industry Act, 1898; Kauri-gum Industry Act Amendment Act, 1899; Kauri-gum Industry Amendment Act, 1902; Kauri-gum Industry Amendment Act, 1903.
Labour Department and Labour Day Act, 1908Labour Day Act, 1899; Labour Department Act, 1903.
Land for Settlements Act, 1908 (section 16)Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900 (section 18).
Legislature Act, 1908 (section 123, re holiday on election day)Electoral Act, 1905 (section 115).
Licensing Act, 1908 (extracts)Licensing Act, 1881 (section 13); Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act Amendment Act, 1895 (section 10).
Master and Apprentice Act, 1908. (See also Crimes Act, section 168)Master and Apprentice Act, 1865.
Mining Act, 1908 (extracts)Mining Act Compilation Act, 1905; Mining Act Amendment Act, 1905.
New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act, 1909, sections 59 to 63, Advances to Workers. 
Police Offences Act, 1908 (sections 1 and 24, re combinations affecting supply of light or waterConspiracy Law Amendment Act, 1894.
Public Contracts and Local Bodies' Contractors Act, 1908 (extracts)Public Contracts Act, 1900.
Scaffolding Inspection Act, 1908Scaffolding Inspection Act, 1906; Scaffolding Inspection Act Amendment Act, 1907.
Servants' Registry Offices Act, 1908Servants' Registry Offices Act, 1895.
Shearers' and Agricultural Labourers' Accommodation Act, 1908Shearers' Accommodation Act, 1898; Agricultural Labourers' Accommodation Act, 1907.
Shipping and Seamen Act, 1908 (extracts)Shipping and Seamen Act, 1903; Shipping and Seamen Act Amendment Act, 1905.
Shops and Offices Act, 1908Shops and Offices Act, 1904; Shops and Offices Act Amendment Act, 1905; Shops and Offices Act Amendment Act, 1907.
Trade-unions Act, 1908Trade-union Act, 1878; Trade-union Act 1878 Amendment Act, 1896.
Wages Protection and Contractors' Liens Act, 1908Contractors' and Workmen's Lien Act, 1892; Threshing-machine Owners' Lien Act, 1895; Truck Act, 1891; Wages Attachment Act, 1895; Wages Protection Act, 1899; Workmen's Wages Act, 1893.
Workers' Compensation Act, 1908(This Act amends and repeals the Consolidated Act of 1908.)
Workers' Compensation Act Amendment, 1909. 
Workers' Dwellings Act, 1908Workers' Dwellings Act, 1905; Workers' Dwellings Act Amendment Act, 1905; Workers' Dwellings Act Amendment Act, 1906.

The most important of the labour laws both as affecting the employment of labour and from the economic point of view is the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act which was first passed in 1894; since that date it has been amended from time to time as new difficulties arose and had to be overcome. The Act, comprising one of the statutes consolidated in 1908, now stands as “The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1908,” with an amending Act of the same year entitled “The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act, 1908,” to be read with the principal Act. The main provisions are now as follows:—

Industrial Districts.—Under the regulations to the Act the Dominion of New Zealand is divided into eight industrial districts.

Registration of Industrial Unions and Associations.—Any society consisting of not less than three persons in the case of employers or fifteen in the case of workers in any specified industry or industries in an industrial district may be registered as an industrial union on compliance with the requirements for registration. Any two or more industrial unions of either employers or workers in any industries may form an industrial association, and register the same under the Act. Industrial Associations are usually formed for the whole or greater part of New Zealand, comprising the unions registered in the various industrial districts. Such registration enables any union or association—(1) To enter into and file am industrial agreement specifying the conditions of employment agreed upon. This agreement, which is binding on the parties to it, although required by the Act to be limited to a period of not more than three years, remains in force until superseded by another agreement or award of the Court of Arbitration, or until the registration of the union of workers concerned is cancelled. (2) In the event of failure to arrive at an industrial agreement to bring an industrial dispute before a Council of Conciliation set up for the purpose, and, if necessary, before the Court of Arbitration. (The constitution of Councils of Conciliation and of the Court of Arbitration is explained later in this article.) A Council of Conciliation has no compulsory powers, but is merely directed to endeavour to bring about a settlement. If a settlement is effected it may be filed as an industrial agreement. In most cases, however, it has been found that on arriving at a settlement through the Council of Conciliation the parties prefer to have the agreement made into an award of the Court of Arbitration, and in such cases the dispute is formally passed on to the Court for that purpose. If a complete settlement is not arrived at, the Council is required by the Act to refer the dispute to the Court of Arbitration which, after hearing the parties, may make an award, and any points of the dispute that have been agreed upon before the Council may be embodied by the Court into its award without any further reference. Such an award is, like an industrial agreement, binding on all the parties concerned, and also on any other employers subsequently commencing business in the same trade in the district. Pending the sitting of the Court of Arbitration to hear the dispute, it is the duty of the Council to endeavour to bring about some provisional agreement.

Under the previous Act power was given to any of the parties to a dispute when once filed for hearing by the Board of Conciliation for the district to refer the same to the Court of Arbitration direct without waiting for a hearing by the Board. This provision is now repealed, and the dispute must be heard by a Council of Conciliation before being referred to the Court of Arbitration.

Registration also enables a union or association to cite any party committing a breach of an award or industrial agreement before a Magistrate. Parties generally prefer, however, to hand over any such cases to one of the Inspectors of Awards appointed for the purpose.

Constitution of Conciliation Councils.—The Act provides for the appointment of not more than four Conciliation Commissioners to hold office for three years; three have been appointed and each of the eight industrial districts is placed under the jurisdiction of one of them.

When a dispute arises the union, association, or employer concerned notifies the Commissioner in the form provided, stating the nature of the dispute, the names of the respondents, and recommending, at its option, one, two, or three assessors to act as representatives on the Council to be set up. On receipt of the application the Commissioner notifies the respondents and calls upon them to similarly recommend an equal number of assessors to represent them. The assessors must, except in special cases at the discretion of the Commissioner, have been engaged in the industry. Councils of Conciliation are thus set up for each dispute as it arises.

Constitution of the Court of Arbitration.—The Court of Arbitration is appointed for the whole of New Zealand, and consists of three members, one of whom, the permanent Judge of the Court, possesses the same powers, privileges, &c., as a Judge of the Supreme Court. Of the other members, one is nominated by the various unions of employers throughout the Dominion, and one by the unions of workers, and their appointments are determined by a majority of the unions on each side respectively. Like the members of the old Boards of Conciliation they hold office for three years, and are eligible for reappointment. The Judge and at least one member constitute a quorum. All decisions of the Court are arrived at by the judgment of a majority of the members present at the sitting, or, if those members present are equally divided in opinion, the decision of the Judge is final. The Court has full power to deal with questions brought before it, and, except in the case of matters which may be ruled to be beyond the scope of the Act, there is no appeal from its decision.

Strikes and Lock-outs.—A strike or lock-out is illegal only if the parties concerned are bound by an award or agreement. If a strike takes place in any industry, each worker who becomes a party to the strike, and who is bound by an award or agreement, is liable to a penalty not exceeding £10, and in case of a lock-out each offending employer who is bound by an award is liable to a penalty not exceeding £500. For inciting, instigating, aiding, or abetting an unlawful strike or lock-out, or its continuance, a worker is liable to a penalty of £10, and a union, association (of employers or workers), or an employer £200. A gift of money or other valuable thing for the benefit of a party or union engaged in a strike is deemed to be aiding or abetting. There are special provisions in the case of strikes and lock-outs in industries affecting the supply of the necessaries of life, such as water, milk, meat, coal, gas, or electricity, or in the working of any ferry, tramway, or railway used for the public carriage of goods or passengers. In these industries, whether affected by an award or agreement or not, fourteen days' notice must be given within one month of an intended strike or lock-out, failing which each worker concerned is liable on summary conviction before a Magistrate to a maximum fine of £25 or an employer to a maximum fine of £500. The maximum penalty for inciting, aiding, or abetting in these cases is £25 for a worker and £500 for an employer or a union or association. Strikes and lock-outs in the industries concerned are forbidden during the hearing of a dispute by the Council or the Court of Arbitration.

A strike is now defined as the act of any number of workers who are, or have been, in the employment, whether of the same employer or of different employers, in discontinuing that employment, whether wholly or partially, or in breaking their contract of service, or in refusing or failing after any such discontinuance to resume or return to their employment, the said discontinuance, breach, refusal, or failure being due to any combination, agreement, or common understanding, whether express or implicit, made or entered into by the said workers with intent to compel or induce any employer to agree to terms of employment, or comply with any demands made by workers, or with intent to cause loss or inconvenience to any such employer in the conduct of his business, or with intent to incite, aid, abet, instigate, or procure any other strike, or with intent to assist workers in the employment of any other employer to compel or induce the employer to agree to terms of employment, or comply with any demands made upon him by any workers. A similar definition is, mutatis mutandis, given to a lock-out.

Breaches of the Act.—Breaches of awards and industrial agreements are punishable as follows: A union, association, or employer by fine not exceeding £100 for each breach; a worker by fine not-exceeding £5 for each breach. Penalties are recoverable at the suit of either an Inspector of Awards, or any party to the award or agreement by action in a Magistrate's Court, but there is a right of appeal to the Arbitration Court. Actions for the recovery of penalties must be commenced within six months after the cause of action has arisen.

“The Factories Act, 1908,” is another consolidation of former legislation. The Acts passed prior to 1901 dealt almost exclusively with the protection of working women and girls and boys; but the existing law takes cognisance also of the working-hours of men, and arranges for due payment of overtime work. The forty-five hour week, with restricted overtime, which must be paid for, is insisted on for women and boys, except in woollen-mills, where forty-eight hours are allowed; and if men are employed over forty-eight hours in one week, overtime must be paid. The wages of young persons, the statutory holidays (with payment therefor), the regulated hours of overtime, the sanitation and hygiene of factories, provision of fire-escapes, drinking-water, &c., are all carefully arranged for under this Act. The statutory half-holiday is fixed for Saturday, but may be altered to the day observed for shops on a poll of the electors of any local district. “Sweating” has almost disappeared in New Zealand through the restriction of subcontracts in the issue of textiles to be made up into garments. The Factories Act is probably one of the most complete and perfect laws to be found in the statute-book of any country, and is greatly appreciated by the workers, while the honest fair-dealing employer is himself protected thereby from the unscrupulous proceedings of the piratical competitor.

Any establishment wherein two or more persons work to produce articles intended for sale is a factory in New Zealand. All bakehouses, all laundries, all places wherein Asiatics are employed, and where machinery is used, are also factories, even if only one person is employed therein. This low limit is made mainly for the purpose of inspection, in order that the public should not be injured by tainted food or by clothing manufactured in filthy surroundings.

“The Shops and Offices Act, 1908,” is a consolidation of “The Shops and Offices Act, 1904,” with the amending Acts of 1905 and 1907. It is the result of legislative growth on “The Shops and Shop-assistants Act, 1894.” The Act regulates the hours of assistants in shops, not allowing them to exceed fifty-two hours a week or more than nine hours a day, with the exception of eleven hours on one day in the week, and overtime under warrant from the Inspector; overtime to be paid for. The shops are to be kept clean and well ventilated; certain sanitary conditions must be observed when persons of different sexes are employed in the same establishment. A weekly half-holiday is compulsory, the day to be chosen in each local district by the local authority, except where it is fixed by a poll of the electors. Compulsory closing of shops at any hour on other days is not insisted on unless under certain conditions whereby each trade in any district is allowed to settle its closing-hour by a majority vote, or closing of all shops may be effected by a majority vote of all shopkeepers. To all young persons wages of 5s. a week must be paid as a minimum, with an annual increase of 3s. per week until twenty years of age be reached. Overtime has to be paid for in both shops and offices, but some establishments, such as banks and shipping offices, are exempt. The hours of work in shops are subject to awards of the Arbitration Court. All assistants employed in hotels have a half-holiday on some working-day in each week.

The Employers' Liability Acts, which were designed to protect workers from accident arising through negligence, &c., on the part of employers or their agents, were repealed by “The Workers' Compensation Act, 1908.” It had been found that little practical advantage accrued to injured workers or their families under the Liability Acts, as most industrial accidents have nothing to do with negligence or shortcomings of employers; such accidents are the outcome of risks incidental to every branch of enterprise and manufacture. The Workers' Compensation Act does not imply a fault on the part of any individual; it only attempts to secure compensation for injury or death, so that the hardships necessarily ensuing in case of severe injury to a poor person may be minimised to the sufferer, and (in case of his death) to the family through the loss or disablement of the breadwinner. By means of the Workers' Compensation Act, the burden of industrial accident is borne by the profits of the business in which the accident occurred. To meet the difficulty of too great expense falling suddenly on an employer through his having to pay large compensation for accident, provision is made by “The Government Accident Insurance Act, 1908,” and by a State Department which insures employers against the risk of having to pay compensation for accident. There are also several private Insurance companies in the colonies which undertake these risks, and are regulated in some degree by “The Accident Insurance Companies Act, 1908.” The Workers' Compensation Act allows compensation up to £500 in case of death, or of total incapacity through accident; but the second schedule of the Act enumerates the ratio of compensation for certain injuries in comparison with total incapacity, thus: “Total loss of a leg, 75 per cent.; total loss of forefinger of the right hand, 20 per cent.,” &c. “Contracting out” is permitted—that is to say, another scheme of compensation may be substituted for those in the Act if it has been approved by the Arbitration Court; “The Deaths by Accident Compensation Act, 1908,” and “The Judicature Act, 1908,” also bear on this subject.

“The Wages Protection and Contractors' Liens Act, 1908,” is a consolidation of statutes previously known as “The Truck Act, 1891”; “The Contractors and Workmen's Lien Act, 1892”; “The Workmen's Wages Act, 1893”; “The Threshing-machine Owners' Lien Act, 1895”; “The Wages Attachment Act, 1895”; and “The Wages Protection Act, 1899.” The consolidated Act guards the interest of workers in the following directions:—

  1. It insures the payment of weekly wages unless there is a written agreement to the contrary.

  2. It permits attachment of moneys in hand of employers when wages are in arrears.

  3. It prohibits attachment of a worker's wages except in the case of any surplus exceeding £2 per week. (This, however, has been affected by section 20 of “The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act, 1908,” in which the surplus above £1 per week in the case of unmarried men may be attached by judgment in the Magistrate's Court.)

  4. It prohibits payment for wages being made in goods (truck) or in any other way than in money or by approved cheque.

  5. It entitles a contractor, or subcontractor, or worker to a lien on the lands or chattels of his employer upon giving due notice, and the employer must then retain in his hands sufficient of the contract-moneys to satisfy and guarantee payment of the claimant's dues.

  6. If the cost of threshing a crop is not paid to the workers employed in threshing it, the cost of threshing can be made a charge on the proceeds of the realisation of such crop.

  7. No deduction from workers' wages may be made for purposes of insurance against compensation for accident.

Liens to be imposed as security for miners' wages or earnings are dealt with under “The Mining Act, 1908” (extracts from), and “The Coal-mines Act, 1908” (extracts from).

“The Public Contracts and Local Bodies' Contractors Act, 1908” (extracts from), provides that in every contract let by a public body, such as His Majesty's Government, an Education Board, Harbour Board, municipality, &c., the contractor must observe such length for the working-day, and pay such rates to his employees for wages, overtime, holidays, &c., as are generally considered usual and fair in that locality, or as fixed by the Court of Arbitration for the industrial district, whether the contractor is or is not a party to the award.

Priority of payment for wages or salaries in preference to other debts is insured by “The Companies Act, 1908,” in the event of the winding-up of a company.

No wages or payments of any kind may be made to workers in a publichouse or other premises licensed for the sale of alcoholic liquors; penalties are provided under “The Licensing Act, 1908,” for any such payment.

“The Kauri-gum Industry Act, 1908,” regulates the conditions under which the fossil gum of the giant kauri-pine is dug and disposed of for sale. It specifies the different classes of settlers who may obtain licenses for digging gum, the varieties of licenses to sell and dig gum, and the particular lands on which the right to dig gum may be exercised.

“The Shearers' and Agricultural Labourers' Accommodation' Act, 1908,” entails on Inspectors the duty of inspecting shearing-sheds and homesteads on farms, runs, and stations throughout the Dominion. Proper sleeping-accommodation, ventilation, and sanitation must be provided both for the wandering workmen utilised during the early summer as shearers, and for the fixed farm-assistants who need wholesome dwellings the whole year round. If no provision is made, or if the accommodation is insufficient, formal notice has to be served on the owner or occupier in regard to the improvements to be effected, and, if the notice is disregarded or not fully complied with, the offender can be brought before a Magistrate and fined.

The licenses of registry offices for domestic or farm servants are regulated by “The Servants' Registry Offices Act, 1908.” This Act prevents friendless or uneducated servants from becoming the prey of unscrupulous persons so far as engagements for employment, &c., are concerned. Applicants for licenses as registry-office keepers have to pay a fee to the Government, and to present a certificate of good character. Proper ledgers and account-books, open to inspection, must be provided. Registry-office keepers are not allowed to keep lodging houses for servants, or have any interest in such houses.

“The Shipping and Seamen Act, 1908,” contains all the existing legal provisions affecting the protection of life at sea of both sailors and passengers. The Act regulates the appointment of pilots, ships' officers and engineers, the engagement and discharge of sailors, the ventilation, sanitation, &c., of ships, overloading vessels, and the number of duly rated hands to be engaged in proportion to tonnage. The Act endeavours to prevent injustice to the sailor as to advance-notes or payments in foreign money, and also specifies penalties to be inflicted for desertion, disobedience, &c.

“The Inspection of Machinery Act, 1908,” makes provision for the oversight of all machinery, boilers, &c., whether on land or water. It also provides for proper persons being in charge of machinery, &c., and for certificates of engineers and others in charge of engines and boilers.

“The Labour Department and Labour Day Act, 1908,” defines the statutory existence of the Labour Department. The duties of that Department are to administer the labour laws, and to furnish information on all industrial matters, while power is given to certain of its officers to collect statistics with the authority wherewith a Crown Commissioner is invested. “Labour Day” is a public holiday hereby fixed as being the second Wednesday in October of each year.

“The Master and Apprentice Act, 1908,” applies mainly to the indenturing of young persons to employers, such children being the offspring of destitute parents. In other respects the law of England is held to be the law governing the relations between master and apprentice in this Dominion, but this is tempered by awards of the Arbitration Court which allot the ratio of apprentices to journeymen engaged. Special sections of the Act apply to the punishment of apprentices for absenting themselves from duty, and to the fine of a master for neglecting or ill-using his apprentice.

“The Crimes Act, 1908,” in some sections relates to the proper care of apprentices by their masters; but this Act also refers to the position of legal and illegal combinations for trade purposes, and thus partly supersedes “The Conspiracy Law Amendment Act, 1894.” The real position, however, of combinations among employers or workmen in restraint of trade is more effectively dealt with by “The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act, 1908,” in which the practical control of strikes and lockouts (so far as workers are affected) is attempted with considerable minuteness of detail.

“The Trade-unions Act, 1908,” although unrepealed, is not of paramount importance, because most of the trade-unions have become industrial unions under the Arbitration Act, the few remaining on the Trade-union Register continuing to do so mostly on account of having friendly society benefits under their old rules.

“The Police Offences Act, 1908,” also contains certain restrictive measures dealing with conspiracy in regard to supply of light and water.

“The Scaffolding Inspection Act, 1908,” gives power for the appointment of Inspectors to examine scaffolding and gear used in the erection or repair of buildings, ships, &c., and to see that all due precaution is used for the prevention of accidents, and to insure safety of workers' lives and limbs.

“The Workers' Dwellings Act, 1908,” contains the provisions necessary to allow land to be acquired and set apart for the erection of homes for workers. The land is acquired under “The Land for Settlements Act, 1908”; the houses may not exceed £400 in cost; the applicant must not be in receipt of wages exceeding £200 per annum.

The Advances to Workers Acts are now merged in “The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act, 1909.”

Holidays for workers in the different trades are regulated generally under awards of the Arbitration Court, but by statute are referred to in the Factories, Shops, and other general Acts. Special enactments concerning them are to be found in “The Licensing Act, 1908”; in “The Legislature Act, 1908”; and in “The Banking Act, 1908.”

INDUSTRIAL CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION.

Arbitration Court.

The work of the Court during the year ended 31st March, 1910, may be summarised as follows:—

Work of the Court of Arbitration, 1909–10.

Cause.Number of Cases.
Awards made89
Enforcement of awards (cases conducted by Labour Department)35
Enforcements of awards (cases conducted by unions)7
Interpretation of awards41
Other decisions (amending awards, adding parties, &c.)75
Appeals from decisions of Stipendiary Magistrates in enforcement cases4
Application for awards refused4

One case in which proceedings were taken by the Labour Department was an action against seven shearers for taking part in a strike. Five of the offenders were fined £5 each; the other two men evaded the officers of the Court. Thirty-eight claims under the Workers' Compensation Act were also dealt with by the Court during the year.

The work of the Court is greatly relieved by the new method of taking cases for enforcement of awards before the Stipendiary Magistrates.

The following is the number of cases brought before Magistrates during the year ended 31st March, 1910:—

Cause.Number of Cases.
Enforcement of awards561
Enforcement of the law re strikes5
Enforcement of the law re lock-outs1
Applications for permits for under-rate workers4

Of 536 cases for breaches of awards in which the proceedings were taken by the Labour Department, 456 were decided in favour of the Department, seventy-five were dismissed, and five withdrawn. Of twenty-five cases conducted by unions, eighteen convictions were recorded, and seven cases were dismissed.

Councils of Conciliation.

“The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act, 1908,” under which Councils of Conciliation were established, came into force on 1st January, 1909, and Commissioners were appointed on the 26th day of the same month. Up to the 31st March, 1909, the number of industrial disputes brought under the notice of the Commissioners was nine. Four disputes were settled by mutual agreement, one was partly settled, one was referred to the Arbitration Court, and the remaining three were pending. The result of a complete year's operation of this method of dealing with industrial disputes, as reported by the Conciliation Commissioners, was as follows:—

Industrial Disputes dealt with by Conciliation Commissioners and Councils during the Year ended 31st March, 1910.

District.Total Number of Disputes dealt with.Number of Disputes.
Fully settled.Partially settled.Wholly referred to the Arbitration Court.
Northern and Taranaki321787
Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough and Westland232332
Canterbury, Otago, and Southland4227123
            Totals102672312

Partial settlements represent cases in which there was failure to agree on one or more of the points in dispute, and these undecided questions were referred to the Arbitration Court for judgment. The cases wholly referred to the Court are those in which no agreement could be arrived at.

Cost of Administration.

The cost of administration of the Act by the Arbitration Court and Councils of Conciliation during the year 1909–10 was £7,487, made up as follows:—

 £
Salaries of members of Arbitration Court2,800
Salaries of Conciliation Commissioners1,500
Salaries of Arbitration Court officers600
Fees paid to Assessors, Councils of Conciliation705
Travelling, &c., expenses of Arbitration Court1,526
Travelling, &c., expenses of Conciliation Commissioners220
Travelling, &c., expenses of Conciliation Assessors136
 £7,487

INDUSTRIAL UNIONS.

Returns of the number and membership of industrial unions of employers and workers are compiled for the calendar year. The number under each heading during the past six years is shown in the following table:—

NUMBER OF UNIONS, AND MEMBERSHIP, 1904–9.
Year.Unions of Employers.Unions of Workers.
Number of Unions.Number of Members.Number of Unions.Number of Members.
19041093,28227330,271
19051133,27626129,869
19061093,33727434,978
19071213,63031045,614
19081223,91832549,347
19091203,70230854,519

The apparent decrease in the number of workers' unions is due to the merging of the 34 branches of the Associated Society of Railway Servants into one union. The membership of workers' unions increased during the year 1909 by 5,172, and during the period 1904–9 by 24,248. Employers' unions decreased during the year in both number and membership.

In the next table the number of unionists in trade-groups is shown for the year 1909 compared with the number in 1903.

Membership of Unions in Trade-groups, 1903 and 1909.

Trade.Number of Members.
1903.1909.Increase.
Agriculture1,2353.4542,219
Building3,7176,2522,535
Clothing and textile3,1584,3191,161
Engineering and shipbuilding1,4413,0591,618
Food-supply2,2976,4734,176
Mining4,1455,093948
Printing7081,151443
Transport7,74916,2468,497
Other trades3,1908,4725,282
 27,64054,51926,879

CO-OPERATIVE PUBLIC WORKS.

The construction of public works under the co-operative system was adopted by the central government in 1891, and has continued to this date. Works such as railroad and ordinary road formation, requiring little skill, are specially adapted to the system, though artisan labour is employed in like manner.

The method is somewhat as follows: When a length of railway is to be constructed on the co-operative principle the formation-work is divided into sections, the size of which will depend upon the difficulty of the work. Plans and a simple specification of the work are prepared, also an estimate of the cost, based on the current rate of wages ruling in the district for similar work. The work, at a price of so much per unit of quantity or measurement, is offered to a party of men, who, if they accept, become the contractors. The work done is valued periodically and full payment made to the party, who divide the money among themselves in accordance with their own agreement. The engineers in charge of the works have a certain amount of discretion and control in respect of the character of the men employed, the progress of the work, hours of labour, &c. So long has the system been in use that the methods have become stereotyped, the workmen being as fully alive to their own interests as the engineers are to the interests of the State. Any dispute as to the value of the work is quickly settled upon the spot, and serious friction is unknown.

The number of men employed varies according to the supply of labour available and the amount of work to be performed. The number engaged during each month of the year ended 31st March, 1910, was as follows:—

Month.Roads Department.Public Works Department.Total.
April, 19094,2464,6168,862
May, 19093,5444,5188,062
June, 19092,5374,0686,605
July, 19092,0164,1856,201
August, 19091,5004,3075,807
September, 19091,1014,0165,117
October, 19091,0043,8164,820
November, 19091,0403,5324,572
December, 19099733,4214,394
January, 19108263,5554,381
February, 19101,0573,5574,614
March, 19101,2963,5624,858

The average number of men employed in each year was as follows:—

Year.Roads Department.Public Works Department.Total.
1891–92261527788
1892–932808421,122
1893–949331,0151,948
1894–951,1039622,065
1895–961,5727642,336
1896–971,4598542,313
1897–981,5528902,442
1898–991,6131,1942,807
1899–19001,8251,2433,068
1900–11,8202,0903,910
1901–21,8942,6734,567
1902–31,3191,7333,052
1903–41,4932,3053,798
1904–51,4072,1193,526
1905–63,4402,3455,785
1906–72,3934,6147,007
1907–82,1323,0005,132
1908–93,4824,0317,513
1909–101,7623,9295,691

LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

The total number of men for whom employment has been found by the Department of Labour up to the end of March, 1910, is given below. The statement also shows the number of persons dependent upon the men assisted:—

 Men.Dependants
June, 1891, to 31st March, 18922,5934,729
1st April, 1892, to 31st March, 18933,8747,802
1st April, 1893, to 31st March, 18943,3417,942
1st April, 1894, to 31st March, 18953,0308,883
1st April, 1895, to 31st March, 18962,8718,424
1st April, 1896, to 31st March, 18971,7184,719
1st April, 1897, to 31st March, 18932,0354,928
1st April, 1898, to 31st March, 18992,1154,759
1st April, 1899, to 31st March, 19002,1474,471
1st April, 1900, to 31st March, 19013,1245,432
1st April, 1901, to 31st March, 19021,8302,747
1st April, 1902, to 31st March, 19033,7045,934
1st April, 1903, to 31st March, 19042,8603,085
1st April, 1901, to 31st March, 19053,1303,425
1st April, 1905, to 31st March, 19066,7127,351
1st April, 1906, to 31st March, 19077,3934,187
1st April, 1907, to 31st March, 19086,3054,408
1st April, 1908, to 31st March, 190910,3917,510
1st April, 1909, to 31st March, 19108,50610,164
 77,679110,900

WOMEN'S BRANCH.

In each of the four chief centres of population—Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin—women's employment branches of the Labour Department were established in June, 1908. and in January, 1909, a branch was opened at Nelson. Each branch is in charge of an experienced female officer, and every assistance is given, free of charge, to women seeking employment. During the year ended 31st March, 1910, work was found for 571 married and 2,220 single women; making a total of 5,406 women assisted since the initiation of the system. In most cases the employment was domestic service.

WORKERS' DWELLINGS.

An Act of the General Assembly was passed in 1905 to authorise the purchase of land or of buildings for conversion into dwellings for workers having an income not exceeding £200 per annum, or the erection of new buildings for the same purpose. The cost of construction of new buildings is limited to £350 if built of wood or £400 if of brick, stone, or concrete. The area of land occupied by each dwelling must not exceed half an acre in the case of urban allotments, or one acre in the case of suburban allotments, or five acres in the case of rural allotments.

The Land Board for the district in which the dwellings are situated may dispose of the dwellings on a weekly tenancy or lease for fifty years with right of renewal, at a rental equal to 5 per cent. on the capital cost, 4 per cent. being interest on the outlay and 1 per cent. for depreciation, in addition to which the tenant pays the cost of insurance against fire; or the Board may dispose of the fee-simple to the lessee at the capital value, payment to be made in the following manner at the option of the purchaser:—

By cash at any time within twenty-five years, the rental in the meantime to be 5 per cent. on the capital value.

By monthly payments ever thirty-two years at the rate of 8 per cent. per annum on the capital value, being 5 per cent. for rent, 1 per cent. for depreciation, and 2 per cent. for capital value.

By monthly payments over forty-one years at the rate of 64 per cent. per annum on the capital value, being 4 per cent. for rent, 1 per cent. for depreciation, and 1½ per cent. for capital value.

By an insurance on the lessee's life for an amount equal to the capital value of the dwelling, the premiums being paid by the lessee and the policy handed over to the Land Board, which collects the amount of the insurance when it fails due.

The owner of a worker's dwelling must reside therein, but if valid reason is given, the Land Board may consent to sale, lease, or other disposition, and a lessee may at any time surrender his lease upon terms mutually agreed upon between the Land Board and himself.

The local authority within whose jurisdiction any workers' dwellings are situated may assume the control and management, subject to the consent of the Minister of Labour and the provisions of the Act.

On the 31st March, 1910, the number of houses erected was 127, of which nine were then unoccupied. The following table shows the average cost of the land and of the dwellings, including fencing, drainage, and water-supply, charge for administration and contingencies; also the average gross weekly rental, including insurance and local rates. The number of rooms excludes scullery, wash-house, and bathroom.

WORKERS' DWELLINGS OCCUPIED, 31ST MARCH, 1910.
Locality.Number ofAverage Cost ofAverage Gross Weekly Rental.
Dwellings.Rooms per Dwelling.Allotment.Dwelling.
   ££s.d.
Ellerslie and Otahuhu, Auckland5496432125
315114425128
Petone, Wellington205100435123
Wellington City34253444153
55221500159
46258539175
Sydenham and Addington, Christchurch6472430110
23580456118
2685503127
Windle, Dunedin20591407111

ADVANCES TO WORKERS.

The Superintendent of the State-guaranteed Advances Office is authorised to lend money, for the purpose of purchasing or erecting a dwelling, to any person employed in manual or clerical work who is not in receipt of an income of more than £200 per annum, and is not the owner of any land other than the allotment on which it is proposed to build. The sum advanced shall not exceed £450, nor may any advance be granted exceeding the value of the dwelling-house to be erected, or exceeding three-fourths of the value of the security in the case of freehold land, or three-fourths of the lessee's interest in the lease in the case of leasehold land. The advance is secured by a mortgage over the whole property.

The interest is payable half-yearly, together with an instalment of the principal, which by this means is fully repaid in thirty-six and a half years when the mortgage is released. Valuation fees and the cost of preparing and registering the necessary deeds are fixed by emulation on an exceedingly low scale, and are payable by the borrower.

The Advances Department will supply intending borrowers, free of charge, with complete plans and specifications of various types of buildings, costing from £200 to £650. The reason for including a type of building to cost £200 above the maximum authorised to be lent to workers is that an applicant may have some money saved and would wish to expend the amount on a better building than could be erected for the sum borrowed.

An explanation of the mode of procedure to be adopted by intending borrowers, together with examples and tables of repayments, is given in Part III of this volume.

The applications received for loans during the year ended 31st March, 1910, numbered 2,028, the aggregate amount required being £550,651. The advances actually granted during the year numbered 1,359 for an aggregate of £362,353. The tenures upon which these loans were made were:—

Tenure.Number of Loans.Aggregate Amount. £
Freehold1,172332,773
Leasehold18729,580
            Totals1,359362,353

The total number of loans and the aggregate amount authorised in each provincial district from the inception of the system to the 31st March, 1910, is as follows:—

Provincial District.Number of Applications.Amount of Advances Authorised.
  £
Auckland1,110256,275
Taranaki11427,045
Hawke's Bay23459,755
Wellington1,026275,875
Marlborough13634,460
Nelson11124,995
Westland13528,265
Canterbury900246,780
Otago—  
    Otago portion33887,285
    Southland portion11933,490
            Totals4,2531,074,225

One hundred and forty-eight grants, amounting to £41,900, were declined, so that the net authorisations numbered 4,105 for an aggregate amount of £1,032,325.

The total amount advanced to the end of the financial year was £870,005, and the net amount outstanding at the same date was £818,606, secured upon the following tenures:—

TenureNumber of Loans outstanding.Aggregate Amount outstanding. £
Freehold2,760773,531
Leasehold27545,075
            Totals3,035818,606

The following table gives particulars of the transactions since the passing of the Act on 29th October, 1906:—

ADVANCES TO WORK RS.—TRANSACTIONS DURING EACH FINANCIAL YEAR, 1907 TO 1910.
Transactions.1906–7.1907–8.1908–9.1909–10.Total to 31st March, 1910.
Loans raised£20,000185,000268,500350,000823,500
Applications receivedNo.1601,1501,7842,0285,122
Applications received, amount£42,920308,690472,989550,6511,375,250
Applications grantedNo.1071,0721,2201,8544,253
Applications granted, amount£27,875268,430307,495470,4251,074,225
Amount advanced£5,490203,978298,184362,353870,005
Amount repaid£..6,32518,89126,71351,929

The financial position of the Advances to Workers Office as on 31st March, 1910, is shown in the following table:—

ADVANCES TO WORKERS OFFICE: LIABILITIES AND ASSETS, 31ST MARCH, 1910.
Liabilities.£s.d.
Advances on account of loans703,50000
Advances from Settlers Branch120,00000
Accrued interest payable on account of advances5,98889
Suspense Account53142
Advances Suspense Account5,43726
Fire Loss Suspense Account8970
Sinking Fund Reinvestment Account1,552170
Reserve Fund1,51490
 £848,135185
Assets.£s.d.
Investment Account—
    Advances on mortgage870,00500
    Less repayments51,664411
 818,340151
Mortgage instalments receivable—Overdue264195
Interest receivable – Overdue1,2861611
Interest receivable—Accrued5,010170
Insurance Premiums Account738
Sinking Fund Account—Public Trustee6,28500
Cash in band and in bank at 31st March, 191017,350121
    Less unpresented cheques41059
 16,94064
 £848,135185

The sum of £1,552 17s., seated as “Sinking Fund Reinvestment Account,” has been transferred to the Public Trustee since the date of the balance-sheet. The accrued sinking fund, including the amount mentioned above, is £7,837 17s.

Chapter 43. SECTION XVIII.—CROWN LANDS.

A SUMMARY of the transactions during the year ended 31st March, 1910, will be found in the following table, which shows under all descriptions of tenure the number of selectors and the area selected:—

Nature and Tenure of Lands selected during the Year ended the 31st March, 1910.Number of Purchasers or Selectors.Area.
Ordinary Crown Lands— A.R.P.
    Town lands sold for cash17779327
    Suburban lands sold for cash75305011
    Rural lands sold for cash1048,233310
    Occupation with right of purchase307108,151336
    Lease in perpetuity41,01118
    Renewable lease348,553228
    Village settlement, cash81202
    Village settlement, renewable lease12115310
    Village settlement, occupation with right of purchase1010
    Mining Districts Land Occupation Leases602,067227
    Improved-farm special settlement22033,60500
    Small grazing-runs22,86700
    Pastoral runs681,057,602211
    Pastoral runs in mining districts under special regulations265,083331
    Miscellaneous leases and licenses55889,555326
Cheviot Estate—
    Cash1010
    Miscellaneous leases215310
Land for Settlements Acts—
    Cash16254128
    Renewable lease27488,430229
    Miscellaneous leases18520336
National Endowments—
    Renewable lease (ordinary)30381,05201
    Renewable lease (village settlements)32352121
    Renewable lease improved-farm special settlements396,399130
    Small grazing-runs43295,62700
    Pastoral runs44604,818031
    Pastoral runs in mining districts under special regulations456,861330
    Miscellaneous leases and licenses10929,426025
Endowments—
    Cash5130
    Occupation leases, Mining Act49000
    Renewable lease63,087231
    Small grazing-runs21,645321
    Pastoral runs225,59000
    Miscellaneous leases194,262115
            Totals2,6202,465,820317

Particulars of the number of Crown tenants at present holding lands under the several tenures, together with the yearly rental payable, are given in the next table.

TOTAL NUMBER OF CROWN TENANTS, with Area selected or held, and the Yearly Rent payable, as on the 31st March, 1910.
Tenure.Total Number of Tenants.Total Area held by such Tenants.Total Yearly Rental or Instalment payable

*North Island Main Trunk Railway endowment lands.

† Includes unregistered holdings.

* Includes unregistered holdings.

† Excludes £16,000 anticipated royalties.

‡ Monthly rent.

Ordinary Crown Lands— A.R.P.£s.d.
    Deferred payment3114,238324740110
    Perpetual lease47582,3780172,903155
    Occupation with right of purchase4,9481,691,01423476,890173
    Lease in perpetuity5,0821,433,3121646,61319
    Renewable lease*12719,6973141,35238
    Agricultural lease1652112922133
    Mining districts land occupation leases59123,515321,391180
Village settlements—
Deferred payment81631618110
    Perpetual lease981,450110197138
    Occupation with right of purchase326231414126
    Lease in perpetuity1,08222,7951123,99554
    Renewable lease*12180012947340
Village homestead special settlements—
Perpetual lease2594,3381659588
    Lease in perpetuity3469,1172181,067115
Special-settlement associations—
Deferred payment
Perpetual lease10669084840
    Lease in perpetuity653114,7830376,166116
Improved-farm special settlements—
Occupation with right of purchase47564,256262,88082
    Lease in perpetuity31939,8231132,978710
    Renewable lease*12550014149
    Small grazing-runs255468,30731217,956159
    Pastoral runs4636,944,76822335,105194
    Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations21539,14302980938
    Miscellaneous leases3,514663,01033814,43101
            Totals19,12111,688,424327216,668210
Cheviot Estate—
Lease in perpetuity11824,387226,42476
    Village-homestead special settlement922,48010870104
    Grazing-farms4945,782076,84052
    Pastoral runs11,6420019338
    Miscellaneous491,269320229175
            Totals30975,56122914,55841
Land for Settlements—
    Lease in perpetuity3,600663,364125194,096168
    Renewable lease655247,2330049,220196
    Lease in perpetuity (village)46438128333128
    Renewable lease (village)292168156
    Special-settlement associations112,1141916278
    Small grazing-runs111201,30803326,73944
    Pastoral runs2953238121130
    Miscellaneous2056,7230221,401153
            Totals4,6321,125,144311272,08547
National Endowment Lands—
    Renewable lease—
        Ordinary720196,7831289,122105
        Village settlement1019213142341910
        Village homestead special settlement681179172
        Improved-farm special settlement*4.87.74521475147
    Small grazing-runs4601,413,01602725,702141
    Pastoral runs2274,009,84023735,065118
    Pastoral licenses in mining districts under special regulations15225,25611753628
    Miscellaneous leases416173,9453151,47522
            Totals2,1305,827,59103972,222127
    Thermal Springs (Rotorua)3066,057022,158164
            Grand totals26,49818,722,779228577,69305
    Endowments (ordinary)860406,71031614,661170
Workers' dwellings—
    Ordinary Crown lands3660268951
    Land for settlements8214131188139

Tables I and II, which follow, exhibit the acreage of land taken up for settlement, and the number of holdings under each description of tenure. The lands held under pastoral license and miscellaneous leases, such as for timber and flax-cutting, coal-mining, &c., are not included in these tables. Tables III and IV show the total acreage taken up year by year since March, 1900, in each land district, and the number of holdings grouped according to size, the areas varying from less than one acre in extent to 1,000 acres and over.

The forfeitures and surrenders in respect of the lands taken up for settlement (excluding, as already remarked, pastoral and miscellaneous leases) for the last ten years were:—

1900–1354 holdings106,690 acres.
1901–2192 holdings75,368 acres.
1902–3329 holdings106,390 acres.
1903–4354 holdings105,625 acres.
1904–5180 holdings89,451 acres.
1905–6154 holdings36,698 acres.
1906–7324 holdings74,841 acres.
1907–8269 holdings50,810 acres.
1908–9189 holdings54,113 acres.
1909–10315 holdings118,142 acres.

Forfeited and surrendered lands are again thrown open for selection as soon as possible, and in the majority of cases are taken up again by fresh selectors within a short time.

A full description of the various tenures under which land is dealt with is given in the article entitled “The Land System of New Zealand,” in Part III of this book.

I.—COMPARATIVE TABLE SHOWING ACREAGE of LANDS SELECTED UNDER SETTLEMENT CONDITIONS (EXCLUDING PASTORAL RUNS, MISCELLANEOUS LEASES AND LICENSES, ENDOWMENTS AND THERMAL SPRINGS DISTRICT LEASES) DURING TEN YEARS ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1910.
1900–1.1901–2.1902–3.1903–4.1904–5.1905–6.1906–7.1907–8.1908–9.1909–10.
NOTE.—The forfeitures and surrenders for the years dealt with in the table were—for the year 1900–1, 106,690 acres; 1901–2, 75,368 acres; 1902–3, 106,390 acres; 1903–4, 105,625 acres; 1904–5, 89,451 acres; 1905–6, 36,698 acres; 1906–7, 74,841 acres; 1907–8, 50,810 acres; 1908–9, 51,113 acres; and for 1909–10, 118,142 acres. But it must not be supposed that these relate to the acreages taken up during the same years; on the contrary, forfeitures may have their origin in selections of long standing and various dates.
 Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.
Cash lands58,70327,29017,19422,48118,99111,13220,35728,51942,1778,874
Deferred payments..52................
Perpetual lease and small areas2,49910......127........
Occupation with right of purchase262,729128,893118,557146,953138,206157,432215,530187,799123,116108,152
Lease in perpetuity144,205116,125161,745194,515173,811158,019154,23798,367106,1841,011
Renewable lease..............70,535218,005178,036
Agricultural lease23283613218....84....
Mining Districts Land Occupation leases2,1232,5072,4344,9721,9141,1941,0443,0471,4902,068
Village settlement—
    Cash2210981402031712
    Occupation with right of purchase..1......41..3....
    Lease in perpetuity1,0824566195142081,9361,0122,302....
    Renewable lease..............1081,167468
Village-homestead special settlement3764691,512272111287173......
Special-settlement associations (lease in perpetuity)....5,761729223..4......
Special-settlement improved farms1,9301,6184,03219,4361,4595475,622410..40,005
Small grazing-runs and grazing-farms86,076112,947113,925144,78667,27168,587114,854226,75728,989298,494
            Totals559,774390,406425,824534,679402,413399,342512,853617,934521,145637,120
II.—COMPARATIVE TABLE SHOWING NUMBER OF SELECTORS OF LAND UNDER SETTLEMENT CONDITIONS (EXCLUDING PASTORAL RUNS, MISCELLANEOUS LEASES AND LICENSES, ENDOWMENTS AND THERMAL SPRINGS DISTRICT LEASES) DURING TEN YEARS ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1910.
1900–1.1902–21902–3.1903–4.1904–5.1905–6.1906–7.1907–8.1908–9.1909–10.
NOTE—The forfeitures and surrenders for the years dealt with in the table were—for the year 1900–1, 354 holdings; 1901–2, 192 holdings 1902–3, 329 holdings; 1903–4, 354 holdings; 1904–5, 180 holdings; 1905–6, 154 holdings; 1906–7, 324 holdings; 1907–8, 269 holdings; 1908–9, 189 holdings; and 1909–10, 315 holdings. See note to previous table as to the origin of these failures.
 No.No.No.No.No.No.No.No.No.No.
For cash362489374435371229447404371373
Deferred payments..1................
Perpetual lease and small areas31......1........
Occupation with right of purchase673447403402330388412354382307
Lease in perpetuity4895015738947517065974271934
Renewable lease..............168692611
Agricultural lease11323....3....
Mining districts land occupation leases53715297403026733660
Village settlement—   
    Cash35211910239153118
    Occupation with right of purchase..1..112..3..1
    Lease in perpetuity9633402114553272....
Village-settlement renewable lease..............1516844
Village-homestead special settlement730342384917......
Special-settlement associations....2942..1......
Improved-farm special settlement13..30106143463..220
Renewable lease (improved-farm special settlement)..................39
Small grazing-runs and grazing-farms35364558453451641045
            Totals1,7681,6321,6022,0531,5811,5361,6441,5891,8631,712
III.—LANDS TAKEN UP UNDER SETTLEMENT CONDITIONS DURING TEN YEARS ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1910 (EXCLUSIVE OF PASTORAL RUNS, MISCELLANEOUS LEASES AND LICENSES, ENDOWMENTS, AND THERMAL SPRINGS DISTRICT LEASES).*
Land District.1900–1.1901–2.1902–3.1903–4.1904–5.1905–6.1906–7.1907–8.1908–9.1909–10.
*See notes as to forfeitures and surrenders on previous tables I and II.
 Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.Acres.
Auckland201,35599,824153,559134,375120,351102,809166,315124,13986,34991,019
Hawke's Bay90,62571,90238,50599,15340,94955,21519,68630,03848,00240,369
Taranaki71,00023,94239,35369,23663,00535,50590,45345,43130,19252,831
Wellington48,53014,30013,26825,43253,13543,06364,58274,64625,55855,329
Nelson18,91829,38311,23716,98110,34022,17225,00945,203203,80935,569
Marlborough33,06364,62456,68133,33220,79554,03110,7115,2445,29310,859
Canterbury20,74411,57545,40178,3634,48713,41822,20817,56035,59929,904
Westland70927,2144,1124,09820,20215,81314,63312,3057,3136,526
Otago49,90123,46250,17651,78338,48729,98882,175250,84770,343298,341
Southland24,92924,18013,53221,92630,66227,32617,08112,5218,68716,373
            Totals559,774390,406425,824534,679402,413399,340512,853617,934521,145637,120
IV.—HOLDINGS TAKEN UP UNDER SETTLEMENT CONDITIONS DURING TEN YEARS ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1910 (EXCLUSIVE OF PASTORAL RUNS, MISCELLANEOUS LEASES AND LICENSES, ENDOWMENTS, AND THERMAL SPRINGS DISTRICT LEASES), CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO SIZE.
Size.1900–1.1901–2.1902–3.1903–4.1904–5.1905–6.1906–7.1907–8.1908–9.1909–10.
 No.No.No.No.No.No.No.No.No.No.
Under 1 acre158195182363246221262290381267
1 to 50 acres466553466467397383400404462421
51 to 250 acres522471496624450444432382414585
251 to 500 acres333244237322280256222227276221
501 to 1,000 acres181110157190131158201157237137
1,001 acres and upwards10959648777741271299381
            Totals1,7691,6321,6022,0531,5811,5361,6441,5891,8631,712

Chapter 44. SECTION XIX.—LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS AND ADVANCES TO SETTLERS.

A. FULL description is given, in a special article in Section I, Part III, of the objects and method of the Land for Settlements Act, under which the Government is authorised to purchase lands previously alienated for the purpose of subdividing and leasing in small areas

The report of the Board of Land Purchase Commissioners on transactions for the year ended the 31st March, 1910, states:—

During the year 122 estates (231,852 acres) were offered to the Government, and the Board of Land Purchase Commissioners recommended the purchase of fourteen estates, of an area of 48,287 acres.

The transactions for the year ended 31st March, 1910, comprised ten estates, and the total area purchased was 42,805 acres, for which £260,793 was paid, and £35,431 was expended on roads, workers' dwellings, and other contingencies. The estates completely purchased were situated in Hawke's Bay, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland.

Arrangements have been made since 31st March last for the purchase of one other estate, containing 591 acres, which will cost about £6,427.

Rents and interest received during the year amount to £269,164. The interest paid for the money borrowed is £217,164, leaving a balance for the year of £52,000. The credit balance in the account is now £202,497; and £221,372 has been paid to the Public Trustee as a sinking fund.

The total area of land acquired and paid for to the 31st March, 1910, is 1,238,096 acres, for which £5,407,792 was paid; and £471,126 has been spent on roads and in preparation for settlement.

The capital value of the estates acquired is thus £5,878,918.

Holders of leases in perpetuity under the Land Act may now convert their leaseholds into freeholds at a value agreed on at the time of conversion. Under this authority £10,217 was paid into the Land for Settlements Account in 1909–10, and £12,162 in 1908–9. Holders of renewable leases may pay up to 90 per cent. of the capital value of their leaseholds, and receive a proportionate reduction in rent. For this purpose £3,905 has been paid, and is a debt owing to the leaseholders.

The area of land selected during 1909–10, less forfeitures and surrenders, is 88,431 acres, and of this 59,826 acres were opened for selection for the first time during the year. The total area leased, excluding workers' dwellings, to the 31st March, 1910, to 4,632 tenants, is 1,125,145 acres. Of this, 663,803 acres is held under lease in perpetuity, 247,243 acres under renewable lease, 2,114 acres by special-settlement associations, and 211,985 under small-grazing-run leases and short tenures.

A summary of the transactions is as follows:—

 No.Acres.Prime Cost. £
Estates purchased at 31st March, 19091871,195,2915,146,999
Estates purchased during 1909–101042,805260,793
 1971,238,096£5,407,792

The Land for Settlements Account at the 31st March, 1910, stands as under:—

Dr.£
Loans current5,877,912
Rents, &c., received1,991,005
 £7,868,917
Cr.£
Purchase-money5,407,792
Incidental expenses488,112
Interest1,549,144
Sinking fund221,372
Balance202,497
 £7,868,917
NUMBER, AREA, AND COST OF ESTATES ACQUIRED TO 31ST MARCH, 1910.
Land District.Number.Area.Purchase-money.Incidental Expenses, Improvements, Roads, &c.
  Acres.££
Auckland27277,111449,15384,835
Hawke's Bay26193,4151,205,63180,754
Taranaki44,60979,3636,091
Wellington2660,824473,99963,112
Marlborough9114,979354,46345,851
Nelson224,34729,9752,748
Westland25,1258,3432,913
Canterbury64297,0821,626,03778,593
Otago30203,686967,45886,712
Southland756,918213,37019,517
            Totals1971,238,0965,407,792471,126
AREA OCCUPIED, ANNUAL RENTAL, AREA UNLET, AND RENTAL VALUE OF UNLET LANDS ON 31ST MARCH, 1910.
Area occupied.Annual Rent payable.Area unlet.Annual Rental Value of unlet Lands.
 A.R.P.£s.d.A.R.P.£s.d.
Auckland175,63203820,7495093,7651104,13961
Hawke's Bay191,16701759,98311217713012299
Taranaki4,3730173,51053153329303140
Wellington53,85601519,2631725,805311,50709
Nelson16,167091,7665108,04700359136
Marlborough109,93011620,0911662,45001419276
Westland5,02234542118....
Canterbury314,1160484,49652115313243158
Otago199,78703550,1211183232055811
Southland55,09022611,5551521,00201614680
            Totals1,125,142221272.08147111,8403337,07042
NUMBER OF SELECTORS, HOUSES, PERSONS RESIDENT, VALUE OF IMPROVEMENTS AND TOTAL AMOUNT ADVANCED TO SETTLERS FOR BUILDINGS, &c., UNDER THE LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACTS, AS ON 31ST MARCH, 1910.
District.Number of Selectors.Number of Houses on Holdings.Number of Persons resident on Holdings.Value of Improvements.Total Amount advanced to Selectors for Buildings, &c.
    £s.d.£s.d.
Auckland7985822,485784,260002,08050
Hawke's Bay6445132,221327,10800..
Taranaki424120210,11200337100
Wellington3663471,493142,8640o2,51000
Nelson2820759,65100..
Marlborough3752511,085170,329161..
Westland302110613,25020..
Canterbury1,3221,1254,997519,563852,760100
Otago7665872,354221,290186..
Southland26422499872,505185..
            Totals4,6353,71116,0162,270,935357,68850

THE LAND SETTLEMENT FINANCE ACT.

This Act was passed by the General Assembly on 24th December, 1909, and came into force on the 1st January, 1910. Regulations prescribing the mode of procedure and the forms to be used were published in the New Zealand Gazette of 3rd March, 1910.

The object of the Act is to enable parties or associations of intending land-purchasers to acquire freehold lands for subdivision among themselves, payment to be made through the issue of State-guaranteed debentures. The system is described more fully in Part III, Section I, of this volume. The following table shows the position of the negotiations under the Act from the inception of the scheme to 22nd September, 1910:—

LAND SETTLEMENT FINANCE.—ASSOCIATIONS FORMED AND THE POSITION OF NEGOTIATIONS TO 22ND SEPTEMBER, 1910.
Provincial District.Name of Estate.Number of Members.Area.Position of Negotiations.
   Acres. 
AucklandTainui5465Incorporated.
AucklandKomata South5661Incorporated.
AucklandEureka5824Incorporated.
AucklandPemberton5600Not approved.
AucklandHikutaia6856Negotiations proceeding.
AucklandMelrose5815Under consideration.
Hawke's BayKorokipo7672Incorporated.
WellingtonNikau Grange5672Incorporated.
WellingtonMoorfield6800Negotiations proceeding.
CanterburyBrookland5400Incorporated.

The principle of the scheme is generally admitted as good, but practical experience has disclosed a need for several amendments of the administrative clauses of the Act. A Bill has been laid before Parliament by the Minister of Lands for this purpose, and it is expected to become law during the current year.

GOVERNMENT ADVANCES TO SETTLERS.

A notable feature in the legislation of the year 1894 was the passing of the Government Advances to Settlers Act, a description of which, with its amending Acts, will be found in Part III.

During the year ended 31st March, 1910, applications for 4,131 loans were received, amounting to £1,539,150. The advances granted during the year numbered 3,201, aggregating £1,038,340. The number of borrowers and the sum actually advanced during the year, classified according to amount, was:—

Category.Number of AdvancesAmount advanced.
  £
Not exceeding £5002,302675,120
Exceeding £500, but not exceeding £1,000319227,010
Exceeding £1,000 but not exceeding £2,000103141,300
Exceeding £2,000 but not exceeding £3,0002151,690
            Totals2,715£1,095,120

The nature of the security upon which these advances were made was as follows:—

Security.Number Advances.Amount advanced.
  £
Freehold1,518637,430
Leasehold1,175437,315
Freehold and leasehold combined2220,375
            Totals2,745£1,095,120

The total loans authorised to the 31st March, 1910, classified according to provincial districts, are shown in tabular form:—

Provincial Districts.Number of Applications.Amount of Advances authorised.
  £
Auckland7,5562,343,103
Taranaki3,9421,750,769
Hawke's Bay1,386412,390
Wellington7,4192,773,793
Marlborough862354,930
Nelson430131,315
Westland608145,085
Canterbury2,495820,310
Otago—
    Otago portion1,797702,130
    Southland portion2,240811,440
            Totals28,73510,245,265

Of the total advances authorised, 3,013 applicants declined the grants (£1,219,990) offered them, so that the net advances to the 31st March, 1910, numbered 25,722, and amounted to £9,025,275.

The total sum raised by the Government for investment on mortgage is £5,623,800. Fourteen thousand five hundred and eight mortgagors are indebted to the Department to the extent of £5,667,633 in respect of principal moneys.

The advances outstanding, classified according to amount, are as follows:—

Category.Number of Advances.Amount outstanding.
  £
Not exceeding £50011,2612,280,513
Exceeding £500, but not exceeding £1,0002,1361,643,694
Exceeding £1,000 but not exceeding £2,0009551,326,670
Exceeding £2,000 but not exceeding £3,000156416,756
            Totals14,508£5,667,633

The nature of the security for the total amount of advances outstanding on 31st March, 1910, was:—

Security.Number of Advances.Amount outstanding.
  £
Freehold8,6864,160,187
Leasehold5,6161,383,777
Freehold and leasehold combined206123,669
            Totals14,508£5,667,633

The following table shows the transactions of the Advances to Settlers Office during each of the financial years ended 31st March, 1906–10, and the total transactions to the latter date.

ADVANCES TO SETTLERS.—TRANSACTIONS DURING EACH OF THE FIVE FINANCIAL YEARS 1906–10, AND THE TOTAL TO 31ST MARCH, 1910.
Transactions. 1905–6.1906–7.1907–8.1908–9.1909–10.Total to 31st March, 1910.
Loans raised£210,000150,000550,000903,600610,0005,623,800
Applications receivedNo.2,2882,4203,1834,4714,13135,998
Amount£949,432999,4611,668,1352,050,2521,539,15014,163,147
Applications grantedNo.2,0542,0982,9553,0783,20128,735
Amount£786,735819,1901,355,4501,202,9951,038,34010,245,265
Amounts advanced£633,453767,7301,197,4161,493,8361,095,1209,343,660
Amounts repaid£261,381340,111568,655559,163545,5283,680,686

The total amount of loans raised does not include the sum of £120,000 borrowed by the Advances to Settlers Office and subsequently transferred to the Advances to Workers Branch.

The gross profits for the year ended the 31st March, 1910, were £50,685, and the cost of management £8,846, being 0.15 per cent., or 3s. per £100 on the capital employed. The net profits amounted to £41,833.

The liabilities and assets at 31st March, 1910, of the Government Advances to Settlers Office were:—

Liabilities.£s.d.
3-per-cent. loans redeemable 1st April, 192,000,00000
Sundry loans2,223,80000
Advances on account of loans1,520,00000
Accrued interest payable on deposits20102
Accrued interest payable on account of loans32,93300
Reserve Fund50,00000
Sinking Fund Reinvestment Account44,189188
Suspense Account3,49989
Advances Suspense Account31,75145
Fire Loss Suspense Account3,561116
Profit and Loss Account86,136146
 £5,995,89280
Assets.£s.d.
Investment Account—
    Advances on mortgage£9,343,66000
    Less repayments3,680,68662
 5,662,9731310
Mortgage instalments receivable—overdue4,659141
Interest receivable—overdue18,189143
Interest receivable—accrued44,457152
Bills receivable25107
Office Furniture Account202198
Insurance Premiums Account71710
Amounts transferred to Workers' Branch120,00000
Sinking Fund Account (Public Trustee)57,13800
Cash in hand and in bank£145,311127
Less unpresented cheques57,43800
 87,873127
 £5,995,89280

The sum of £44,189 18s. 8d. shown above as “Sinking Fund Reinvestment Account” represents the amount of sinking fund set up in accordance with the Government Advances to Settlers Act, 1908, and has been since the date of the balance-sheet paid over to the Public Trustee in compliance with section 30 of “The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act, 1909.” The total accumulated sinking fund, including the above amount, is £101,627 18s. 8d.

Chapter 45. SECTION XX.—ACCUMULATION, PRICES, AND WAGES.

BANKS OF ISSUE.

Each bank doing business in New Zealand has its private Act, the provisions of which govern the issue of notes by each respective bank, except the Bank of Australasia, whose Royal Charter is equivalent to an Act of the New Zealand Parliament. The deeds of settlement of the Bank of New Zealand and the private Act of the National Bank of New Zealand (Limited), provide that in the event of the assets being insufficient to meet the engagements no proprietor shall be responsible beyond the extent of twice the amount of his or her subscribed shares, only (that is to say) for the amount subscribed, and for a further additional amount equal thereto; and the private Acts of the same two banks contain the following clause: “That the total amount of promissory notes payable on demand, issued and in circulation within the Dominion, shall not at any time exceed the amount of coin, bullion, and public securities which shall for the time being be held by the same corporation within the Dominion; nor shall the proportion of coin be less than one-third part of the amount of the coin, bullion, and public securities so held by the said corporation within the Dominion.”

“The Banking Act, 1908,” consolidates the law of New Zealand relating to the general business of banking in the Dominion. The Act provides that the incorporation of banks by Royal Charter shall be as effectual within New Zealand as Acts of the General Assembly. The number of directors is prescribed, and authority given to any bank to increase its capital on a resolution of the shareholders. Transfers of shares on which there is any liability must be approved by the directors, or their duly appointed attorney or attorneys. The Governor may empower any bank to issue and circulate notes, subject to the provisions and restrictions contained in the charter or letters patent under which such bank is incorporated, all such notes to be payable in gold only at the office of the bank at the place of issue, such notes to be a first charge on all assets of the bank. Defacing bank-notes is an offence punishable by fine. Every bank trading in the Dominion is required to furnish quarterly statements of its business, for publication in the Gazette. A sworn copy of an entry in the books of a bank shall in all legal proceedings be evidence of such entry, and a bank is not required in any legal proceedings to which it is not a party to produce its books before a Court, unless ordered by a Judge, for special cause. Provision is made for bank holidays and for the destruction of cheques, drafts, bills of exchange, or promissory notes, after the expiration of ten years from the date or due date of such documents.

Part II of “The Bills of Exchange Act, 1908,” consolidates the law relating to cheques on a bank.

“The Companies Act, 1908,” with the exception of Part IX (as to companies incorporated outside New Zealand), and also of the provisions relating to branch registers, does not apply to companies formed within and carrying on business within the Dominion, but the whole Act applies to companies incorporated outside the Dominion.

“THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND ACT, 1903.”

This Act was passed in anticipation of guaranteed shares or stock issued under the authority of the Act of 1894, to the extent of two million pounds sterling, reaching maturity on the 19th July of the year 1904, and of the expiry of the term of currency of the debentures issued by the Assets Realisation Board (31st March, 1904). It also makes provisions under which the remaining liability of the proprietors of the Bank, under section 21 of “The Banking Act, 1861,” ranks as ordinary uncalled capital, and for the issue of fresh shares to the Government in lieu of the preferred shares originally issued to the Crown, but “afterwards repurchased by the Bank. Besides the above, the Act deals with other matters affecting the business of the Bank and the Assets Realisation Board.

Ordinary Shares.

Every ordinary share in the Bank is deemed to be a share of the nominal value of £6 13s. 4d., paid up to the extent only of the amount actually paid on account of instalments of the call in respect of such share, leaving a liability of the balance of instalments, and the further liability of £3 6s. 8d. per share, hut no more.

New Guaranteed Stock.

The guaranteed stock issued under “The Share Guarantee Act, 1894,” to the extent of two million pounds, matured on the 19th July, 1904, and has been redeemed by the Bank, and a new issue of guaranteed stock, representing the sum of one million pounds sterling, having a currency not exceeding ten years, has been made in lieu thereof.

Preference Shares.

The preferred shares, representing £500,000 new capital, issued under the authority of “The Bank of New Zealand and Banking Act, 1895,” and subsequently repurchased by the Bank, have been cancelled; and in lieu thereof the Government of New Zealand purchased 75,000 preference shares of the Bank, fully paid, representing £500,000 new capital. These shares rank for dividend purposes in priority to ordinary shares to the extent of 5 per cent. per annum (non-cumulative), and for dividends in excess of 5 per cent. they are entitled to only half the rate payable on ordinary shares; so that where, for example, the dividend on the ordinary shares is at the rate of 6 per cent. the dividend on the preference shares will be at the rate of 5½ per cent. The maximum rate of dividend payable on preference shares is 10 per cent., while that payable on ordinary shares is not limited. Otherwise the preference shares confer the same rights and privileges as ordinary shares.

Assets Realisation Board. (Since defunct; see last paragraph.)

The Act empowered the Assets Board, for the purpose of redeeming such of its debentures as might be outstanding at maturity, to issue fresh debentures, with currency of five years, for a sum not exceeding in all the face value of the residue of the outstanding debt, and bearing interest at a rate not higher than 3½ per cent. per annum.

The properties vested in the Assets Board were to be valued at appointed times, and the actual deficiency between such value and the amount of outstanding debentures ascertained. When the assets were found to be sufficient to meet liabilities, the Governor by Order in Council declared that the Board should cease to exist, its properties being handed over to the Bank, which thereupon was empowered to redeem all the outstanding debentures of the Board.

A Proclamation by the Governor in Council was published in a supplement to the New Zealand Gazette, dated 7th December, 1906, to the effect that valuations in the terms of the above provisions having been duly made and confirmed by the Valuer-General, the assets were found to be sufficient to meet the outstanding liabilities, and the Assets Realisation Board, from the 17th December, 1906, should cease to exist.

Other Provisions.

December and June, as the dates for holding the half-yearly and annual meetings, are substituted for February and August. Special provision for voting at elections of directors (by papers forwarded and returned through the post) is made, and the date of election of the chairman is altered from January to April.

“THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND ACT, 1904.”

The capital stock of one million pounds sterling issued by the Bank under authority of the Act of 1903, is to have priority, both as to capital and dividend, as against the assets of the Bank, over all existing shares of the Bank, whether preference or ordinary. Further provisions of this Act deal with the form in which the stock may be issued, the issue of fresh certificates on transfer, loss, or destruction of certificates or warrants, also as to the countersigning of certificates or warrants.

The appointment and term of office of Auditors is also dealt with.

There are five banks of issue trading in New Zealand, two of these institutions, the Bank of New Zealand and the National Bank of New Zealand, being incorporated by special Acts of the General Assembly of the Dominion. The Bank of New Zealand has branches in London, Australia, and Fiji, while its branches and agencies within the Dominion number 148, the other four banks having between them 165 such establishments, a total of 313, being an average of one bank to every 3,140 inhabitants, as against one bank to every 2,500 inhabitants in the Commonwealth of Australia.

The paid-up capital of the above banks, their reserve funds, the rate and amount of their last dividend as on the 31st December, 1909, was as follows:—

Bank.Paid-up Capital.Rate per Cent. per Annum of Last Dividend and Bonus.Amount of Last Half-yearly Dividend and Bonus.Reserve Fund.

*Interest on stock.

† For twelve months.

Bank of New Zealand—£Per Cent.££
    4-per-cent. stock guaranteed by Government of New Zealand1,000,0004*40,000* 
    Preferred shares subscribed for by Government of New Zealand500,00043,750710,998
    Capital payable by shareholders500,00010 and bonus 2½ per cent.62,500
Union Bank of Australia (Limited)1,500,00010 and bonus 4 per cent.105,0001,413,006
Bank of New South Wales2,500,00010125,0001,700,000
Bank of Australasia1,600,00012 and bonus 2 per cent.112,0001,676,900
National Bank of New Zealand (Limited)375,00010 and bonus 3 per cent.30,000421,036
 7,975,000  5,921,940

The development of banking in New Zealand since the year 1857 has been very great. Taking for each year the average of the four quarters' returns made by the banks of issue, the figures for 1857, 1870, 1880, 1890, 1900, 1908, and 1909 are:—

Year.Deposits.Advances.Assets.Liabilities.
 ££££
1857343,316..419,860432,494
18703,127,7694,547,2176,315,3543,819,670
18808,538,93511,300,40414,220,2759,550,177
189012,368,61014,096,44617,735,25913,356,598
190015,570,61012,084,74417,314,53516,964,582
190821,821,75322,495,57629,098,56723,611,903
190921,996,62120,386,36726,937,26523,728,326

In 1880 the deposits of these banks were £18 per head of the mean population; in 1890 they were £19.92 per head; in 1900 they were £2039, and in 1909, £22.51. The ratio of advances to deposits, which was 132.34 per cent. in 1880, reached its maximum in 1883, when it stood at 173.35 per cent. The proportion since that year fell, till in 1903 it was only 75.96 per cent. In 1904 the ratio stood at 82.10 per cent., in 1905 at 80.77 per cent. in 1906 at 79.54 per cent., in 1908 at 103.08 per cent., and in 1909 at 92.68 per cent.

In 1886 the average amount of advances made by the banks was £15,853,420, equal to £27.23 per head of the mean population. The advances gradually declined in amount and proportion to population until 1891, when they were in value £11,549,145, or £18.34 per head. In 1897 advances stood at £10,892,111, or £15.09 per head, which is the lowest average since the year 1872. From thence there was continuous rise both in amounts of advances and rates per head of population until 1908, for which year the figures were £22,495,576, or £23.80 per head. In 1909 they stood at £20,386,367, or £2098 per head. The discounts in 1908 amounted to £2,235,209, or £2.37 per head of mean population, and in 1909 to £1,928,178, or £1.98 per head. The largest amount of discounts in any year was £6,061,959 in 1879, a rate of £13.53 per head. From 1879 there was a fall year by year until 1896, when the sum was £1,756,791, or £2.49 per head, since when the ratio has fluctuated between £2.45 and £1.98 per head.

Liabilities.

The liabilities of the five banks, taking an average of the four quarters of each year since 1900, are shown in the next table. The figures which follow refer to the New Zealand business only.

Year.Notes in Circulation.Bills in Circulation.Balances due to other Banks.Deposits.Total Liabilities.
 £££££
19011,361,35551,29642,53616,034,84817,490,035
19021,375,78857,10736,40017,231,76818,701,063
19031,450,26756,16240,33619,011,11420,563,879
19041,468,16154,40945,82919,074,96020,643,359
19051,468,97777,05552,53320,545,60122,144,166
19061,574,25491,96954,54222,422,24324,143,008
19071,644,64597,72774,86523,517,11125,334,348
19081,615,10993,30081,74121,821,75323,611,903
19091,577,55793,58260,56521,996,62123,728,326

Assets.

The average assets, as shown below, for the periods corresponding to those above, include Colonial Government securities, which in 1909 amounted to £1,250,321.

Year.Coin and Bullion.Notes and Bills discounted.Debts due, exclusive of Bad Debts.All other Assets.Total Assets.
 £££££
19012,996,3151,896,86910,251,4663,277,59418,422,274
19023,201,8241,814,63910,933,1353,049,58218,999,180
19033,608,9411,893,80811,542,1852,868,61219,913,546
19043,896,1952,072,35612,578,8422,345,70320,893,096
19054,006,1082,125,51113,370,8852,268,02121,770,525
19064,593,9542,068,40414,580,9252,586,65023,829,933
19074,836,7182,014,84816,499,1973,233,47626,584,239
19084,840,9422,235,20918,937,5993,084,81729,098,567
19094,947,0961,928,17817,149,8542,912,13726,937,265

Deposits and Advances.

The total amount of deposits, the amount per head of population, the total advances, and the ratio of advances to deposits, taking the average of the four quarters for each of the past ten years, is as follows:—

Year.Deposits.Advances.
Total Amount.Per Head of Population.Total Amount.Ratio to Deposits.
 ££S.d.£Per Cent.
190015,570,6102071012,084,74477.61
190116,034,8482012213,106,90981.74
190217,231,7682112013,666,45779.31
190319,011,114233714,440,40375.96
190419,074,9602211515,661,25382.10
190520,545,6012312516,595,15680.77
190622,422,2432501017,833,64079.54
190723,517,11125111019,838,79984.35
190821,821,7532311022,495,576103.08
190921,996,6212210220,386,36792.68

SAVINGS-BANKS.

The number of post-offices open for the transaction of savings-bank business at the end of 1909 was 619.

There were 77,400 new accounts opened in the year, and 59,763 accounts were closed. The total number of open accounts at the end of 1909 was 359,714, or 1 in every 2.90 of the population.

The deposits received during the year amounted to £9,116,120, and the withdrawals to £9,409,320, the excess of deposits over withdrawals having thus been £111,800. The total sum standing at credit of all accounts on the 31st December, 1909, was £12,666,898, which gave an average of £35 4s. 3d. to the credit of each open account.

The number of open accounts (as on the 31st December) for five years are classified according to amounts at credit of each:—

 19021904.1906.1908.1909.
** Exceeding £500 and not exceeding £600, 1,343 depositors, exceeding £600, 964 depositors.
Not exceeding £2061,989187,631212,605244,459257,174
Exceeding £20 and up to £5025,52028,23133,31437,06938,998
Exceeding £50 and up to £10016,62118,36321,74824,02125,409
Exceeding £100 and up to £20014,65715,58317,75219,79020,577
Exceeding £200 and up to £3005,4735,6247,5858,5918,902
Exceeding £300 and up to £4001,6191,9182,8413,8724,259
Exceeding £400 and up to £5008609561,5061,9882,088
Exceeding £5007268581,3952,2872,307*
            Totals227,465259,164298,746342,077359,714

The following were the securities standing in the name of the Postmaster-General on account of the Post-Office Savings-Bank Fund on the 31st December, 1909:—

Description of Securities.Nominal Value.Value at Cost Price.
 £s.d.£s.d.
“The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1899,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.125,00000125,00000
“The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1900,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.2,200002,20000
“The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1900,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.54,3000054,30000
“The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1901,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.32,6000032,60000
“The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1901,” Debentures, 4 per cent.2,500002,50000
“The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1902,” Debentures, 4 per cent.2,700002,70000
“The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1902,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.125,00000125,00000
“The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1903,” Debentures, 4 per cent.167,90000167,90000
“The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1903,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.61,5250061,52500
“The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1906,” Debentures, 4 per cent.51,5500051,55000
“The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1906,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.500,00000500,00000
“The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1907,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.200,00000200,00000
“The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1908,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.50,0000050,00000
Canadian Debentures, 4 per cent.1,600001,65600
Canadian Debentures, 4 per cent.3,1421083,20578
Canadian Stock, 3 per cent.5,000004,80000
Canadian Stock, 2½ per cent.12,666151110,13389
The Cape of Good Hope Consolidated Stock, 3½ per cent.2000018613
“The Consolidated Loan Act, 1867,” Debentures, 4 per cent.13,0000012,48000
“The Consolidated Stock Act, 1884,” Debentures, 3£ per cent.194,20000194,20000
“The Consolidated Stock Act, 1884,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.283,50000283,50000
“The Consolidated Stook Act, 1884,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.165,00000165,00000
“The Dairy Industry Act, 1898,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.1,781001,78100
“The Defence and other Purposes Loan Act, 1870,” Debentures, 4 per cent.75,0000072,00000
“The Defence and other Purposes Loan Act, 1870,” Debentures, 4½ per cent.8,100008,10000
Dunedin Garrison Hall Debentures, 4½ per cent.5,000005,00000
“The General Purposes Loan Act, 1873,” Debentures, 4 per cent.5,200004,34200
“The Government Advances to Settlers Act, 1894,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.300,00000300,00000
“The Government Advances to Settlers Act, 1906,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.555,00000555,00000
“The Government Advances to Settlers Act, 1908,” Debentures, 4 per cent.12,9000012,964100
“ The Government Advances to Settlers Extension Act, 1901,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.80,0000080,00000
“The Government Advances to Workers Act, 1906,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.25,0000025,00000
“The Government Advances to Workers Act, 1906,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.205,00000205,00000
“The Government Loans to Local Bodies Act, 1886,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.231,50000231,50000
“The Government Railways Act, 1908,” and “The Finance Act, 1909,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.50,0000050,00000
Greymouth Harbour Board Debentures, 4 per cent.200,00000200,00000
Hamilton Borough Debentures, 4½ per cent.3,000003,00000
Hokitika Harbour Board Debentures, 4 per cent.2,980002,98000
“The Hutt Railway and Road Improvement Act, 1903,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.100,00000100,00000
“The Hutt Railway and Road Improvement Act, 1905,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.50,0000050,00000
“The Hutt Railway and Road Improvement Act, 1907,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.67,0000067,00000
“The Immigration and Public Works Loan Act, 1870,” Debentures, 4½ per cent.20,9000020,527100
“The Immigration and Public Works Loan Act, 1870,” Debentures, 4 per cent.175,30000168,37200
India Stock, 3½ per cent.216145213189
India Stock, 3 per cent.5213945150
Inscribed Stock, 3½ per cent.618,00000618,00000
Inscribed Stock, 3 per cent.2,260,4951112,244,582180
Irish Land Stock, 2¾ per cent.1000089150
“The Land for Settlements Act, 1908,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.76,1500076,15000
“The Land for Settlements Act, 1908,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.62,0000062,00000
“The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.741,06600741,06600
“The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900,” Debentures, 4 per cent.11,0500011,05000
“The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.1,100001,10000
“The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900,” Debentures, 3½ percent.10,6500010,65000
“The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.18,0000018,00000
“The Land for Settlements Acts, 1908,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.27,0000027,00000
“The Lands Improvement and Native Lands Acquisition Act, 1894,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.339,00000339,00000
“The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1908,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.785,00000785,00000
“The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1901,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.516,00000516,00000
“The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1908,” Debentures 3½ per cent.150,00000150,00000
“The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1908,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.225,00000225,00000
“The Maori Land Settlement Act, 1903,” Debentures, 4 per cent.7500075000
“The Maori Land Settlement Act Amendment Act, 1907,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.50,0000050,00000
New South Wales Stock, 3½ per cent.27,0000026,86500
New South Wales Stock. 3½ per cent.18,0000017,91000
“The New Zealand Consols Act, 1894,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.27,5900027,49650
Oamaru Borough Consolidated Loan, Debentures, 5 per cent.13,8000013,80000
Oamaru Harbour Board, Debentures, 5½ per cent.28,0000028,00000
Patea Harbour Board Debentures, 4½ per cent.20,8700026,87000
“The Post and Telegraph Act, 1908,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.200,00000200,00000
“The Railways Improvement Authorisation Act, 1907,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.110,00000110,00000
“The Reserve Fund Securities Act, 1907,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.800,00000800,00000
“The Scenery Preservation Act, 1903,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.40,0000040,00000
South Australian Stock, 4 per cent.1,7721621,86190
South Australian Stock, 3½ per cent.27,0000026,46000
“The State Coal-mines Act, 1908,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.130,00000130,00000
“The State Fire Insurance Act, 1903,” Debentures, 4 per cent.5000050000
“The State Fire Insurance Act, 1903,” Debentures, 3½ per cent.1,500001,50000
Thames Harbour Board Debentures, 4 per cent.10,0000010,00000
“The Public Revenues Act, 1908” (Treasury Bills), 3½ per cent.99,2000099,20000
Victorian Stock, 3 per cent.12,379191010,7081310
Wellington City Council Debentures, 4 per cent.100,0000099,00000
Wellington City Council Debentures, 4 per cent.25,0000024,50000
Wellington Harbour Board Debentures, 4¼ per cent.28,9000028,90000
Westport Harbour Board Debentures, 4 per cent.489,50000489,50000
            Totals12,335,88911012,301,772123

Most of this fund is invested in securities of the New Zealand General Government. Summarising the figures shows the investments to be:—

 £s.d.
In New Zealand Government securities11,293,707111
In local bodies' securities933,05000
In other securities109,131109
            Total£12,335,889110

There are five savings-banks not connected with the Post Office. The total amount deposited in them in 1909 was £1,168,735, of which the deposits by Maoris comprised £111. The withdrawals reached the sum of £1,169,654, or £919 more than the deposits. The total amount to the credit of the depositors at the end of the year was £1,398,511, of which sum £106 belonged to Maoris.

The deposits in the savings-banks of New South Wales on 31st December, 1908, of the other States of the Commonwealth on 30th June, 1909, and of New Zealand on 31st December, 1909, were as given below. The figures for Australian States are taken from the Official Year-book of the Commonwealth:—

State.Number of Depositors.Amount on Deposit at End of Year.Average Amount per Depositor at End of Year.Deposits to Credit per Head of Population.

*Inclusive of 4,607 depositors in school penny savings-banks.

† Inclusive of 4,590 depositors in school penny savings-banks.

  ££s.d.£s.d.
New South Wales431,72718,805,2804311211164
Victoria532,42514,101,7102699101910
Queensland106,6275,158,2194876919
South Australia*187,4826,347,271331711597
Western Australia77,7483,059,73839711158
Tasmania58,1451,605,919271258154
Commonwealth1,394,15449,078,137354111711
New Zealand408,77014,065,40934821463

Thus it would appear that in New Zealand the average amount to the credit of each depositor is lower and the amount per head of population higher than in the Commonwealth as a whole.

SUMMARY OF ALL DEPOSITS.

If the total deposits in the banks of issue at the end of the year be assumed to be equal to the average deposits for the four quarters of the year, then it may be affirmed that, exclusive of Government moneys, the deposits in the said banks of issue and in the two classes of savings-banks amounted at the end of 1909 to £34,826,547. In addition, there are the deposits with building societies, which in 1908 were £505,680, and it is known that there were also deposits with financial companies of which no particulars have been supplied. The ascertained deposits reach an average of £35 18s. 11d. per head of the population, exclusive of Maoris.

BUILDING SOCIETIES.

There were 109 registered building societies in operation on the 31st March, 1909. Of these, 73 were terminable societies, and 36 were permanent.

The dates upon which these societies close their accounts vary considerably within the year, but the figures given below may be taken as corresponding to the periods stated. The liabilities and assets of all the societies at the close of each of five financial years were as follows:—

LIABILITIES OF BUILDING AND INVESTMENT SOCIETIES, 1904–5 TO 1908–9.
Year.To Shareholders including Reserve Funds and Undivided Profits)Deposits.To Bankers and other Creditors.Total Liabilities.
 ££££
1904–51,195,195401,96836,1421,633,305
1905–61,316,205433,49043,4621,793,157
1906–71,429,254484,99177,9551,992,200
1907–81,588,606523,54493,6962,205,846
1908–91,731,567505,68089,7372,326,984
ASSETS OF BUILDING AND INVESTMENT SOCIETIES, 1904–5 TO 1908–9.
Year.Advances on Mortgage.Other Investments.Cash in Hand and on Deposit.Total Assets.
 ££££
1904–51,535,49734,58063,2281,633,305
1905–61,685,57437,25670,3271,793,157
1906–71,867,21344,54380,4441,992,200
1907–82,065,16356,98383,7002,205,846
1908–92,187,44443,50596,0342,326,983

JOINT-STOCK COMPANIES.

During the year ended 31st December, 1909, 290 joint-stock companies were registered, with a total nominal capital of £3,224,656, including 95 private companies, with a nominal capital of £648,015, and sixty-three mining companies, with a nominal capital of £1,191,300.

The following table gives the total number of companies and the aggregate nominal capital registered during each of the five years 1905–9:—

JOINT-STOCK COMPANIES REGISTERED, 1905–9.
Year.Number of Companies registered.Aggregate Nominal Capital.
 £ 
19052032,597,760
19062635,175,515
19072906,405,295
19082834,364,952
19092903,224,656

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

The Registrar of Friendly Societies received returns for the year 1909 from 567 central bodies, lodges, courts, tents, &c., having a membership at the end of the year of 64,428.

The total value of the assets of these societies was £1,266,297, of which the value of the sick and funeral benefit funds was £1,171,562.

The receipts during the year on account of the sick and funeral funds amounted to £187,031, and the expenditure to £119,053, of which the sick-pay to members reached the sum of £61,406. In addition to the sick-pay, the sum of £60,326 was paid out of the medical and management expenses fund for attendance given and medicine supplied to the members and their families.

The total membership and funds of the 567 district lodges, courts, and of the various orders at 31st December, 1909, was:—

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.—MEMBERSHIP AND FUNDS, 1909.
Name of Order.Number of Members.Total Worth of Funds.
 £ 
Independent Order of Oddfellows, M.U.22,018606,159
Independent Order of Oddfellows of N.Z.4,69271,246
National Independent Order of Oddfellows4784,936
British United Order of Oddfellows1532,544
Ancient Order of Foresters15,290314,880
Ancient Order of Shepherds951,287
United Ancient Order of Druids15,453147,744
Independent Order of Rechabites2,57360,864
Sons and Daughters of Temperance72316,501
Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society1,93720,141
Protestant Alliance Friendly Society of Australasia94317,573
Railway Employees' Benefit Society732,422
            Totals64,4281,266,297

The next table shows the progress of the Friendly Societies of New Zealand during ten years:—

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.—MEMBERSHIP AND FUNDS, 1900–9.
Year.Number of Lodges tabulated.Number of Members.Total Funds.Average Capital.
   ££s.d.
190044340,257766, 4801909
190144541,236804,75319104
190246243,409846,31519911
190346545,255883,75119107
190447947,302936,388191511
190550151,103996,22419911
190650053,7591,057,82119136
190751656,8171,118,21719137
190850558,5171,123,8861941
190956754,4281,266,29719131

The value of the various funds and the way in which they are invested will be seen by the following table. The funds include those of the central bodies.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.—FUNDS AND ASSETS ON 31ST DECEMBER, 1909.
Funds.Assets.
 £ £
Sick and Funeral Funds1,133,534Investments bearing interest—mortgages on freehold property912,676
Surplus Appropriation Funds, &c.38,029Bank deposits78,991
Management Funds, goods, &c.62,389Government and Municipal debentures40,735
Widow and Orphans' Funds11,045Other investments9,686
Distress, Benevolent Funds, &c.21,300Land and buildings153,557
  Cash not bearing interest46,594
  Other assets24,058
            Total1,266,297            Total1,266,297

Interest-bearing investments form 82 per cent. of the total assets, The net income from investments credited to the Sick and Funeral Funds during the year 1909 was £52,916, the average rate of interest earned being £4 18s. 8d. per cent., as compared with £4 14s. 3d. in 1908.

Particulars of the number of members, the amount of their accumulated capital, and the average capital per member of the friendly societies in Australasia, according to the latest published statistics, are arranged in order of membership:—

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES IN AUSTRALASIA.—MEMBERSHIP AND FUNDS.
State.Date of Return.Number of Lodges.Number of Members.Amount of Funds.Capital per Member.
    ££s.d.
Victoria31st Dec., 19081,422130,0481,887,89114104
New South Wales31st Dec., 19081,393123,2971,258,0231041
New Zealand31st Dec., 190956764,4281,266,29719131
South Australia31st Dec., 190050652,165743,7951452
Queensland31st Dec., 190841837,557461,2881258
Tasmania31st Dec., 190716918,954162,6438117
Western Australia31st Dec., 190825816,098134,054867

MORTGAGES.

In a return prepared for the House of Representatives it is stated that during the year ended 31st March, 1909, mortgages to the value of £17,889,525 were registered in the several land registration districts, while the monetary value of those paid off amounted to £9,022,103. Compared with a similar return for the year 1907–8 the mortgages registered show a decrease of £442,081, the total amount for the earlier year having been £18,331,606.

The amounts shown in the following tables do not represent the true amounts of advances secured by deed. In cases where the property mortgaged is situated in more than one registration district the deed is registered for the full amount in each district, thus there is some degree of duplication. On the other hand, mortgages are not all registered, such given in security for temporary loans, stock, and crop liens, bills of sale, and chattels transfers are not included in the figures.

The total amounts represented in the mortgages registered and paid off in each registration district during 1907–8 and 1908–9 were:—

District.1907–8.1908–9.
Mortgages registered.Mortgages paid off.Mortgages registered.Mortgages paid off.
 ££££
Auckland2,427,0931,436,7032,479,4681,165,498
Poverty Bay571,703448,595794,035400,679
Taranaki1,548,016865,6071,414,869739,839
Hawke's Bay1,718,7731,334,6121,445,736609,436
Wellington5,759,1223,679,6515,404,8702,589,986
Marlborough294,102110,929301,549165,822
Nelson344,760174,377371,078157,198
Westland78,99433,24477,85726,763
Canterbury3,295,7902,991,1783,469,0541,838,042
Otago1,374,7401,035,4051,363,197745,639
Southland918,523654,870767,812583,201
            Totals£18,331,616£12,765,171£17,889,525£9,022,103

Classified according to the various rates of interest, the amounts in the mortgage deeds registered during the two years were:—

1907–8.1908–9 

(a) Including £31,645 at 4¼ per cent.

(b) Including £755 at 4⅝ per cent.

(c) Including £30,200 at 5⅕ per cent.

(d) Including £12,000 at 5⅓ per cent.

(e) Including £800 at 6⅝ per cent.

(f) Including £2,000 at 4¼ per cent.

(g) Including £2,410 at 5⅓ per cent. and £2,730 at 5⅜ per cent.

(h) Including £1,500 at 6⅓ per cent.

(i) Including £200 at 63 per cent.

(j) Including £530 at 6⅘ per cent.

(k) Including £85 at 7¾ per cent.

(l) Including £900 at 8¼ per cent. and £600 at 8⅓ per cent.

££Rate of Interest.
8,234 free of interest.
165,524100,121at 4 per cent. or under.
2,597,170 ((a))1,494,136 f)at 4½ per cent.
388,767 (b)74,908at 4¾ per cent.
6,928,0275,307,438at 5 per cent.
88,705 (c)60,989at 5¼ per cent.
1,597,335 (d)2,817,869 (g)at 5½ per cent.
7,278136,265at 5¾ per cent.
2,067,5553,124,815at 6 per cent.
1,8028,200at 6¼ per cent.
175,524370,695 (h)at 6½ per cent.
1,000 (e)475 (i)at 6¾ per cent.
532,236667,690 (j)at 7 per cent.
41,18170,769 (k)at 7½ per cent.
299,809512,348 (l)at 8 per cent.
193,410201,235at 8½ per cent. and over.
3,238,0532,941,572at rates not specified.
£18,331,616£17,889,525 

Comparison of the foregoing with the amounts at the various rates of interest in the mortgages registered during 1895–96 shows the lowering of the rates that has taken place:—

Year 1895–96. 
£ 
26,285in small sums at less than 5 per cent.
833,226at from 5 per cent. to 5¼ per cent.
732,764at 5½ per cent.
116,600at 5¾ per cent.
1,372,261at from 6 per cent. to 6¼ per cent.
371,896at from 6½ per cent. to 6¾ per cent.
599,542at from 7 per cent. to 7¼ per cent.
111,651at 7½ per cent.
382,348at 8 per cent.
173,416in small sums, at rates above 8 per cent.
853,801at rates which are not specified.
£5,573,790 

LIFE ASSURANCE.

At the close of the year 1908 the following life assurance offices were represented in New Zealand:—

The Australian Temperance and General Mutual Life Assurance Society (Limited)

The Australian Mutual Provident Society.

The Australian Widows' Fund Life Assurance Society (Limited).

The Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society (Limited).

The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States.

The Mutual Life and Citizens' Assurance Company (Limited).

The National Mutual Life Association of Australasia (Limited).

The New York Life Insurance Company.

The Norwich Union Life Insurance Company.

The Yorkshire Insurance Company.

The Life Insurance Department of the New Zealand Government.

The Provident Life Assurance Company.

The New Zealand Government and the Provident are the only purely New Zealand institutions, six of the societies having their head offices in Australia, two in England, and two in the United States of America. One office, the Equitable of the United States, has ceased to issue policies in the Dominion. During the current year (1910) an amalgamation of the Mutual Life and Citizens' Company and the Australian Widows' Fund Society has been arranged whereby the latter becomes absorbed in the former.

Three of the Australian offices transact both ordinary life and industrial business, while the Provident of New Zealand confines its operations solely to the latter. The Mutual Life and Citizens' Company and the New Zealand Government Office have branches for assurance against accident.

The following table shows the total ordinary life-assurance business in force in the Dominion at the end of each of the ten years from 1899 to 1908:—

ORDINARY LIFE ASSURANCE.—NEW ZEALAND BUSINESS, 1899–1908.
Year.Number of Policies in Force, including Annuities.Amount insured.Annuities per Annum.Annual Premium Income, including Annuities.
  £££
189985,54021,762,15529,462679,124
190089,84922,629,25533,566709,100
190194,42923,567,42738,988743,709
190299,90824,697,80745,668789,925
1903104,98225,878,90949,080832,851
1904110,22727,074,17154,835873,588
1905114,55328,087,34960,583908,349
1906118,26529,036,04765,754935,068
1907122,92430,207,13471,291970,216
1908127,72131,447,10132,7591,005,984

Similar information to the above is given respecting the industrial business of the companies operating in New Zealand.

INDUSTRIAL ASSURANCE.—NEW ZEALAND BUSINESS, 1899–1908.
Year.Number of Policies in Force, including Annuities.Amount insured.Annuities per Annum.Annual Premium Income, including Annuities.
  £££
189921,066479,876..21,067
190024,562544,116..24,843
190126,111570,792..26,743
190227,418632,378..30,081
190330,714756,051..36,250
190434,364851,688..42,367
190536,502877,871..46,096
190640,613981,086..53,382
190743,8891,053,874..59,258
190849,4351,188,92088869,822

The increase in number of ordinary life policies issued during the ten years was 49 per cent., and in the industrial business the number of polices increased 135 per cent. in the period. Taking both classes of life assurance together the polices increased in number by 66 per cent. in the decennium, as compared with an increase in the total population of 27 per cent. during the same period. A statement of the income and outgo of all the companies operating in the Dominion further illustrates the large increase in the business for the ten years.

ORDINARY LIFE ASSURANCE.—NEW ZEALAND BUSINESS.—INCOME AND OUTGO.
Year.Receipts and Expenditure.Expenses of Management.
Total Receipts, excluding Transfers.Total Expenditure, excluding Transfers.Excess of Receipts.Total.Proportion to Premium Receipts.Proportion to Gross Receipts.
 ££££Per Cent.Per Cent.
1899991,703574,548417,155125,24818.8412.63
19001,034,561608,469426,092131,38919.0012.70
19011,094,062710,389383,673139,41619.1512.74
19021,159,457733,339426.118151,41419.6013 06
19031,191,779765,736426,043164,73520.1413.82
19041,263,257755,038508,219163,08118.9612.91
19051,329,378789,906539,472168,38918.7812.67
19061,382,262846,218536,044165,96718.0212.01
19071,427,033866,789560,244160,80816.8411.27
19081,488,975933,066555,909167,18816.7711.23

The general expense rate shows the decrease which might be expected to accompany the growing volume of the business, and in the premium expense rate there is even a more marked decline. Results under similar headings are given in the next table for industrial assurance.

INDUSTRIAL ASSURANCE.—NEW ZEALAND BUSINESS.—INCOME AND OUTGO.
Year.Receipts and Expenditure.Expenses of Management.
Total Receipts, excluding Transfers.Total Expenditure, excluding TransfersExcess of Receipts.Total.Proportion to Premium Receipts.Proportion to Gross Receipts.
 ££££Per Cent.Per Cent.
189920,52014,9645,55611,98564.2258.41
190023,45415,8317,62313,04360.9955.61
190126,04619,1986,84815,66265.4460.13
190226,87219,7967,07615,32559.3857.03
190332,17725,6756,50219,54763.8560.75
190438,28927,45510,83421,02158.0654.90
190544,38530,90813,47722,676561551.09
190649,14634,85014,29626,90458.4154.74
190755,46137,37918,08228,90354.2152.11
190877,89446,73431,16034,45556.2844.23

This class of business has only recently attained any magnitude in the Dominion. The expense rate is exceedingly high, as is common with industrial assurance, but the proportion to receipts. both premium and gross, shows a substantial fall.

LIABILITIES AND ASSETS.

The New Zealand liabilities of all the institutions in respect of their ordinary life business at the end of 1908 were as follows:—

 £
Life Assurance and annuity funds10,591,016
Depreciation, reserve, and other special funds100,009
Other liabilities113,590
            Total£10,804,615

At the same date the liabilities of the Provident Life Assurance Company and of the New Zealand industrial branches of the three Australian offices were:—

 £
Capital and funds140,666
Other liabilities2,257
            Total£142,923

The assets balance the liabilities in every case and are stated as follows:—

 Ordinary Assurance.Industrial Assurance.
 ££
Mortgages on property6,021,78252,040
Loans on policies1,744,1391,599
Government securities995,960..
Other investments1,201,52814,545
Cash84,05918,638
Other assets757,14756,101
            Total£10,804,615£142,923

ACCIDENT INSURANCE.

At the close of the year 1909 there were twenty-two insurance offices doing accident business in the Dominion. Returns of receipts and expenditure have been submitted by each office, excepting the Victoria, and the figures are given in the next table. In most cases the returns cover the year ended 31st December, 1909. The table only relates to the accident business transacted by the various offices within the Dominion.

ACCIDENT INSURANCE IN NEW ZEALAND.—RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURE, 1909.
Office.Receipts.Expenditure.
Premiums.Other Receipts.Total.Claims paid.Other Expenses.Total.
 £s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.£s.d.
Australian Temperance and General5151001120517201269938717851475
Australian Widows' Fund1,845141060501,905191029810051511481414
Colonial Mutual......145103145103......145103145103
Commercial Union14,011190......14,0111907,16316104,84919612,013164
Farmers' Co-operative944110......944110569132377128947510
Guardian601182......6011822088446191146787
Liverpool and London and Globe1,887109......1,88710994313101,022281,965166
London and Lancashire4,611129......4,6111292,2771141,600613,877175
Mutual Life and Citizens4,676131......4,6761311,0431852,217513,26136
National4,19862......4,19862712081,875512,58759
New Zealand68,22218S......68,22218836,49711721,63521058,132145
Norwich and London9,149111306509,4551614,1801743,945348,12608
Ocean34,242158......34,24215816,826101018,0508834,876186
Phœnix40432......404321017065213106631010
Queensland2,875131400003,27513151391,0651172,03154
Royal8,17695......8,176951,6214102,916414,5781811
South British33,64502......33,6450218,958269,57719528,536111
Standard5,067152......5,067152640091,621422,261411
Union1,212131......1,21213143413116171571,05296
Yorkshire1,288128......1,28812839610157257968158
Insurance Department of the New Zealand Government26,337072,1789728,51510212,3050107,181121119,986139
            Totals223,916863,092110227,008104106,53416181,274123187,80984

GOVERNMENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE.

The Accident Branch of the Government Insurance Department was opened in 1901. General accident business is undertaken, but the branch was opened more especially with a view to relieve employers of labour of the liability imposed upon them by “The Workers' Compensation for Accidents Act, 1900.” This Act greatly extended the liability of employers, and gave to a workman the right of compensation for all injuries arising out of, and in the course of, his employment, not attributable to his own serious and wilful misconduct.

This liability has been more or less extended by subsequent Acts, and under “The Workers' Compensation Act, 1908,” which came into operation on the 1st January, 1909, the scale of compensation is as follows:—

  1. Where death results from the injury and the workman leaves dependants wholly dependent upon his earnings, the compensation is one hundred and fifty-six times his average weekly earnings, but not to be less than £200, nor to exceed £500.

  2. If the dependants are only partially dependent upon the workman's earnings, the compensation is to be three times the value of the benefits they have received from the deceased worker during the previous twelve months, but not exceeding the amount payable under paragraph (a).

  3. In either of the above cases the employer is also liable for medical and burial expenses not exceeding £20, and an amount not exceeding this sum can be claimed where there are no dependants.

  4. Where a workman is totally incapacitated for work, he is entitled to a weekly payment of one-half his average weekly earnings, but the weekly compensation is not to be less than £1 in cases where the worker's earnings at the time of the accident are not less than 30s. per week, nor can the weekly payment exceed £2 10s., as any worker whose earnings are more than £5 per week is excluded from the benefits of the Act.

  5. Where the workman is partially incapacitated only, the compensation is one-half the loss of wages.

The compensation is payable from the date of the accident where the incapacity lasts for fourteen days or more, but if the duration of the incapacity is less than fourteen days, no payment is made for the first week.

Weekly payments are not to extend over a longer period than six years, and the aggregate amount is not to exceed £500.

Special provision is made in the case of wharf labourers, and also for increased compensation to persons under the age of twenty-one, who are permanently incapacitated.

Certain diseases due to the nature of the trade, such as anthrax, lead poisoning mercury poisoning, &c., are regarded as accidents.

If the accident occurs in the course of employment in or about a mine, building, factory, or ship, the compensation becomes a charge on the employer's interest in the property. In nearly all cases this charge takes precedence of all existing or subsequent charges or encumbrances howsoever created.

The Department's policies cover the full liability of an employer to his workmen under the Workers' Compensation Act, and the liability under common law to the extent of £500 per man.

The premiums are assessed On the wages, and vary from 3s. 6d. and 4s. 6d. per £100 of wages for the lightest occupations to 22s. per cent. for building trades, 49s. 6d. per cent. for coal-mines to cover accidents only, and 93s. 6d. per cent. for bushfelling.

Policies protecting mortgagees from loss through the charge of an injured workman taking precedence of a mortgage are issued at premiums varying from 1s. per cent. of the mortgage for small mortgages to 6d. per cent. for large mortgages.

Personal-accident policies are also issued securing amounts for accidental death and permanent total or partial disablement, and weekly allowances during temporary disablement.

The premium income and claims of the Accident Branch since the commencement of business have been as follows:—

Year.Premium Income.Claims
 ££
7th June to 31st December, 190111,8562,428
Year ending 31st December, 190214,1007,364
Year ending 31st December, 190324,38113,230
Year ending 31st December, 190423,76812,105
Year ending 31st December, 190523,97011,242
Year ending 31st December, 190620,81513,720
Year ending 31st December, 190721,47711,288
Year ending 31st December, 190820,89811,926
Year ending 31st December, 190926,33712,805

The funds, assets, and liabilities of the Government Insurance Department belonging to its Accident Insurance Branch are kept separate and distinct from the main life-insurance business, and powers are vested in the Governor to make regulations in regard to tables fixing rates of premium and other details for the conduct of the Accident Insurance Branch. The assets and liabilities on 31st December, 1909, were as follows:—

Liabilities.£s.d.
Accident Funds as per Revenue Account6,261165
Claims admitted (proofs not yet completed)11,50000
Commission18110
Premium and other deposits571111
Reserve for unearned premiums11,85200
Investment Fluctuation Reserve1,00000
Reserve Fund constituted under section 20 of the Government Accident Insurance Act, 190821,785011
 £52,640103
Assets.£s.d.
Mortgages on property47,71000
Overdue interest£3409
Outstanding interest due but not overdue18150
Interest accrued but not due66638
 718195
Agents' balances556174
Sundry accounts owing1,09797
Cash in hand and on current account2,557311
 £52,640103

FIRE INSURANCE.

There were twenty-six companies carrying on the business of fire insurance in the Dominion at the end of the year 1909, six of the offices being New Zealand institutions. Following is a list of the names of the companies:—

  • Alliance Assurance Company (Limited).

  • Australian Alliance Assurance Company.

  • Atlas Assurance Company (Limited).

  • Commercial Union Assurance Company (Limited).

  • Farmers' Co-operative Insurance Association of New Zealand (Limited).

  • Guardian Assurance Company (Limited).

  • Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company.

  • London and Lancashire Fire Insurance Company.

  • National Insurance Company of New Zealand (Limited), New Zealand Insurance Company.

  • Northern Assurance Company (Limited).

  • North British and Mercantile Insurance Company.

  • Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society (Limited).

  • Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation (Limited).

  • Phoenix Assurance Company (Limited).

  • Queensland Insurance Company (Limited).

  • Royal Exchange Assurance Corporation of London.

  • Royal Insurance Company (Limited).

  • South British Insurance Company (Limited).

  • Standard Fire and Marine Insurance Company of New Zealand (Limited).

  • State Fire Insurance Office.

  • Sun Insurance Office.

  • Union Assurance Society of London (Limited).

  • United Insurance Company (Limited).

  • Victoria Insurance Company (Limited).

  • Yorkshire Insurance Company (Limited).

STATE FIRE INSURANCE.

In the year 1903 an Act was passed “to establish a State Fire Insurance Office and to make other provisions for the insurance and protection of insurable property in New Zealand against loss or damage by fire.”

The statute provides for the establishment of an office to be administered by a General Manager appointed by the Governor, and for the necessary staff—not subject to the laws regulating the Civil Service.

There is provision for the constitution of a Board, to consist of the Minister of Finance, the General Manager, the Government Insurance Commissioner, and two other persons (not being in the Civil Service) appointed by the Governor. The latter hold office for two years, with eligibility for reappointment, and are to be remunerated according to appropriation lay Parliament.

In order to provide capital for the business, the Minister of Finance, on being authorised by the Governor in Council, is empowered to raise from time to time such sums as he thinks fit, not exceeding in the whole £100,000, any of which may, if found convenient, be raised in New Zealand.

In the event of such capital not being found sufficient, the Minister of Finance, on being authorised by the Government, is empowered to raise additional capital as required. To enable this to be done the General Manager must, if the Board approves, apply to the Minister for supplementary capital (not exceeding £20,000 at a time) to carry on business until the pleasure of Parliament is signified.

The rate of interest on debentures, scrip, or other security issued in respect of any sum raised under the Act may not be higher than 4 per cent.

For purposes of sinking fund, it is provided that at the expiration of every triennial period during the currency of securities the General Manager shall pay over to the Public Trustee one-half the net profits to the credit of a State Fire Insurance Sinking Fund Account. As soon as the Minister is satisfied that the accumulations of sinking fund will suffice to redeem the securities at maturity he is to notify the Public Trustee and the Manager, whereupon the payments of sinking fund cease, and subsequent accretions of interest are paid into Reserve Fund.

All moneys payable to the General Manager are to be paid to the credit of the State Fire Insurance Account, out of which shall be payable, without further appropriation than the Act under notice, all costs and expenses, salaries, fire losses, and other outgoings of the business—including interest payable on securities issued.

Provision is made for the General Manager, with consent of the Board, to buy, sell, or lease land, with or without buildings for the purposes of the office.

On the 4th January, 1905, the State Fire Insurance Office opened for public business, and at the end of that year the public support accorded resulted in insurances therein to the extent of £3,000,000. At the end of the year 1909 the amount at risk had increased to £8,233,761.

The office commenced business with premiums 10 per cent. less than the then current rates obtaining, and a little later, a further reduction took place in the rates on dwellings, and similar risks, which were lowered by 33⅓ per cent.

The premium income after deducting premiums on reinsurances during the five years 1905–9 was as follows:—

Year.Amount of Premium Income.
 £
190518,128
190620,962
190723,195
190826,657
190933,281

The premium rates have remained unaltered during the above years. Only £2,000 of the authorised capital has been raised, and the office has the sum of £10,000 invested in Government securities.

FOREIGN INSURANCE COMPANIES.

Every foreign company—i.e., a company registered or established out of New Zealand, and including a local company whose chief office is situate out of the Dominion—which proposes to commence in New Zealand the business of life insurance, whether conjointly or not with any other class of business, must deposit with the Public Trustee a sum of not less than £5,000 nor more than £50,000 in cash or approved securities. The amount of deposit is calculated on the total amount assured by current policies at the rate of £5,000 deposit for every £100,000 assured until the maximum deposit is reached.

A foreign company proposing to carry on fire and marine insurance business in the Dominion must first obtain from the Public Trustee a certificate in the form prescribed authorising the company to transact its business for a period of twelve months from the date of the certificate. The certificate is renewable annually provided the Public Trustee is satisfied that the company is financially sound.

Accident insurance or insurance business of any class not previously mentioned may be transacted in New Zealand by a foreign company, provided the company deposit with the Public Trustee the sum of £10,000 in cash or approved securities. If the company carries on a life assurance business as well as accident insurance the last mentioned deposit must be made in addition to that described in the first paragraph.

All cash deposited with the Public Trustee as deposit shall bear interest which is payable to the company making the deposit.

THE PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE OF NEW ZEALAND.

Constitution and Objects.

The Public Trust Office was constituted by “The Public Trust Office Act, 1872.” The original scope of the office and the powers of the Public Trustee have since been enlarged to enable the office to perform the various services and the Public Trustee to exercise the responsible and important functions for which “The Public Trust Office Act, 1908,” now provides the necessary authority.

The office is designed mainly to afford, at low rates of commission, a secure and convenient recourse in every case where a person residing either in New Zealand or abroad, and desiring to form a trust or appoint an agent or attorney in the Dominion, may be in doubt or difficulty as to the choice of a trustee, executor, agent, or attorney. The office is also designed to relieve those who may be appointed trustees of property in the Dominion, or who, after having accepted the trusts of such property, may, for various reasons, be unwilling or unable to undertake or continue the administration.

The appointment, however, of the Public Trustee, otherwise than to the administration of an intestate estate, is subject to the consent of the Board of the Public Trust Office; and the Public Trustee cannot under any circumstances accept an appointment jointly with any other person.

“The Public Trust Office Act, 1908,” itself affords in sections 12, 13, and 14, as clearly, succinctly, and comprehensively as any other form of words could do, a general idea of the object of the Public Trust Office, and of the nature of the business which the office may undertake. Those sections provide as follows:—

  • 12.

    1. Where the Crown, the Governor in Council, or the Governor, or a public officer, or a Court, Judge, public or private corporate body, or any person, now or hereafter can appoint a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, committee, agent, or attorney, any of such appointments may be made of the Public Trustee if he consents thereto.

    2. Subject to the express provisions of this Act, the duties and rights of the Public Trustee under any appointment shall be the same as if the appointment had been of a private person.

  • 13.

    1. With the consent of the Supreme Court or a Judge thereof—

      1. Executors, whether appointed before or after the coming into operation of this Act, may, unless expressly prohibited before or after taking out probate, appoint the Public Trustee sole executor; and

      2. Administrators, with or without a will annexed, whether appointed before or after the coming into operation of this Act, may, unless expressly prohibited, appoint the Public Trustee sole administrator.

    2. Trustees, whether appointed before or after the coming into operation of this Act, and whether appointed under a deed, deed-poll, or will, may, unless expressly prohibited, and notwithstanding the terms of the trust as to the number of trustees, appoint the Public Trustee (if he consents thereto) sole trustee in their place, without obtaining the consent of the Supreme Court or a Judge thereof.

    3. Executors whose duties continue in the nature of a trusteeship after their administration is closed shall, for the purposes of the last preceding subsection, be deemed to be trustees.

    4. Where there are more trustees, executors, or administrators than one, any one trustee or executor (whether before or after proving a will), or any one administrator, may apply to the Supreme Court or a Judge thereof to have the Public Trustee appointed sole trustee, executor, or administrator.

    5. All applications to the Supreme Court or a Judge thereof under this section may be by petition or in such other manner as may be prescribed by rules made under section thirty-one hereof; and the Court or Judge may, and is hereby given jurisdiction to, make such order as it or he thinks fit.

    6. Where to the appointment of a trustee, executor, or administrator the consent of any person is requisite, and such person refuses to consent to the Public Trustee being appointed, or where the person to consent is an infant, idiot, or lunatic, or a person of unsound mind, or is absent from New Zealand, or is under any other disability, then an appointment of the Public Trustee may be made without such consent if a Judge of the Supreme Court consents thereto.

    7. Where the Crown, the Governor in Council, the Governor, or any public officer, or any Court or Judge, or any corporate body, or association, or person, whether public or private, within or without New Zealand, desires to or can create any trust, then, unless expressly prohibited, the Crown (by the Governor), the Governor in Council, the Governor, or such public officer, Court, or Judge, corporate body, association, or person may, for the purposes of such trust, appoint the Public Trustee to be trustee upon such trusts and under and subject to such powers, provisions, and conditions as are expressed.

    8. Upon any appointment of the Public Trustee under this or the last preceding section, then by virtue of the appointment all property, rights, powers, and functions shall, without any conveyance or assignment, become thereby vested in the Public Trustee.

    9. The Public Trustee, when appointed or acting under this Act as trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, committee, agent, or attorney shall have the same rights and immunities as a private person acting in any of those capacities would have.

  • 14.

    1. On the death of any person domiciled in New Zealand, or who has property in New Zealand, who has died or hereafter dies in New Zealand or elsewhere intestate, the Public Trustee shall, if he thinks fit to apply therefor, be entitled to administration.

    2. The application may be made in any judicial district of the Court at the discretion of the Public Trustee.

    3. On such application no further proof of the death and intestacy of any person shall be required than an affidavit that, after due inquiries the Public Trustee is satisfied that such person died intestate.

    4. The Public Trustee shall be entitled as of right to such administration:

Provided that if some other person in New Zealand, who if it were not for this section would be entitled to such administration, applies for such administration, then the Court or Judge may grant administration to such person:

Provided also that it shall not be necessary for the Public Trustee nor shall the Court or Judge require him to give notice of such application to any such person.

The Security.—Capital Funds and Interest Guaranteed.

The Public Trust Office is a Department of the Government Service.

The good faith of the administration is guaranteed by statute, and the Dominion is pledged to maintain the integrity of capital funds placed in the Public Trust Office, either without any direction for investment, or to be invested at the option of the Public Trustee in any of the securities in which, unless expressly prohibited, he may invest all capital—that is, in any of the securities authorised by section 34 of “The Public Trust Office Act, 1908.”

  • 34. Unless expressly prohibited, the Public Trustee may invest all capital moneys—

    1. In the Government securities of the United Kingdom, or of any colony or dependency thereof, issued under the authority of the Parliament or other legislative authority, of the said kingdom, colony, or dependency respectively, and secured upon the public revenues thereof:

    2. In debentures issued by any local authority (being the Council, Board, or other governing authority of a city, borough, county, town district, road district, drainage district, harbour district, or river district) under any law now or hereafter in force, secured upon general or special rates, or upon real estate held in fee-simple free from incumbrances, or upon the rents and profits of real estate held in fee-simple free from incumbrances:

      Provided that no greater advance shall be made where the debentures are secured upon real estate than three-fifths of the value of such real estate; and if the debentures are secured upon rents and profits, then no advances shall be made unless such rents and profits are sufficient to pay two-thirds more than the annual interest payable in respect of the advance.

    3. In advances by way of mortgage on the security of any real estate held in fee-simple in New Zealand, and free from incumbrances, to an amount not exceeding three-fifths of the estimated value of such estate, according to a valuation approved by the Board:

    4. In fixed deposits in any bank of issue created or established by or under any Act of the General Assembly, or by Royal Charter, and carrying on business in New Zealand, or in the Post-office Savings-Bank, or other savings-bank established in New Zealand in accordance with any law affecting such banks.

It is guaranteed that on the capital funds arising from the estates in the office, and available for investment at the discretion of the Public Trustee, a common rate of interest will be paid, to be determined from time to time by Order in Council, and to be credited quarterly, free of all office charges of the Public Trust Office, to the properties from which the funds arise. Thus the funds are afforded a State guarantee—

  1. Against loss from investments in bad or insufficient securities;

  2. Against loss from delay in the investment;

  3. That the interest determined from time to time by Order in Council shall be regularly and punctually paid, free of all charges of the Public Trust Office.

The Public Trustee, in his official capacity, never dies, never leaves the country, and never becomes disqualified or involved in private difficulties, or distrusted. By his appointment as trustee, executor, administrator, agent, or attorney, the preparation of the numerous deeds, and the consequent expense, which might become unavoidable in the case of a private appointment, are rendered unnecessary.

The commissions and charges which the Public Trustee is authorised to levy for the services of the Public Trust Office are calculated to be no more than sufficient to meet the expense of maintaining the Department without loss.

Classifying the business as on the 31st March, 1909 and 1910, the results are:—

 1909.1910.
Number of Estates.Value of Estates.Number of Estates.Value of Estates.
  £ £
Wills and trusts1,5332,504,6141,7372,803,724
Intestate estates1,389370,4841,558397,640
Mental patients' estates1,128364,9851,238395,642
Native reserves94430,00094465,000
West Coast Settlement Reserves460940,0004601,100,000
Unclaimed lands34234,71237934,719
Local bodies' sinking funds691,166,00088217,042
Government sinking funds61,221,835
Pension funds4387,9884536,609
Miscellaneous funds..106,481..87,618
Office funds..54,303..58,458
Office premises..40,000..52,545
            Total5,019£399,5675,564£7,370,832

The capital funds of the Public Trust Office invested amounted, on the 31st March, 1910, to £3,196,138. The investments are as follows:—

 £
New Zealand Government securities337,968
Local bodies' debentures218,159
Mortgages of freehold properly2,587,466
Freehold property52,545
            Total£3,196,138

DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH.

The estimation of private wealth, hitherto made on the basis of deceased persons' estates finally certified for duty, has this year been abandoned. The reason lies in the existence of certain defects in the basis of the calculation. Under the New Zealand law relating to death duties previous to 1910 all estates under £100 net value, and those passing from husband to widow or wife to widower were exempt from taxation, and were excluded from the total value of estates passing at death.

An assumption that the average wealth possessed by the living is equal to that left by the dying is not altogether justifiable when no consideration is taken of age-constitution, and the average is applied to the total adult population, regardless of the fact that the younger and more numerous section do not possess the same amount of accumulated wealth as those at the more mature ages. The material requisite for the adoption of a method which will include these factors is being collected.

The number and value of estates finally certified for taxation during the seventeen years 1893–1909 is given below, but the table must be regarded as subject to the defects mentioned above.

Category.Number of Estates, 1893–1909.Aggregate Net Value on which Duty was paid.
£No.£
Under 50011,5612,423,624
£500 and under 1,0003,7352,671,086
£1,000 and under 2,0002,7083,827,800
£2,000 and under 3,0001,1502,811,398
£3,000 and under 4,0006642,297,590
£4,000 and under 5,0004341,944,714
£5,000 and under 7,5005733,510,717
£7,500 and under 10,0003282,819,109
£10,000 and under 15,0002983,643,313
£15,000 and under 20,0001722,980,194
£20,000 and over34519,115,910
Totals21,96848,045,455

PUBLIC PROPERTY.

The value of public lands and improvements thereon, including public buildings, but excluding lessees' interests, as shown in the table following is that returned by the Valuer-General. Government Railways, and other public works are taken at cost.

Public property—i.e., land and improvements not owned by individuals (1907–8, latest information available), exclusive of Government railways:—

VALUE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY. 
 ££
Crown lands21,511,653 
Local authorities' lands7,163,722 
Educational lands5,038,615 
Church and other lands3,555,271 
  37,269,261
Government railways, open and under construction, 31st March, 191030,321,191
Other public works—viz., telegraphs, lighthouses, harbours, and water-supply on goldfields5,750,000
            Total public property £73,340,452

In addition to the items enumerated above there must be taken into account the value of such public undertakings by local authorities as water-supply, lighting and power, tramways, and harbours. Excluding buildings, these works, apart from streets, footways or bridges, have cost approximately £8,800,000.

NATIVE PROPERTY.

The value of Native lands and improvements, exclusive of the value of lessees' interests, on 31st March, 1908, was £11,413,545. The area possessed by or reserved for the use of Natives is approximately 7,400,000 acres, some portion of which is under lease to Europeans, the rentals being paid to the Native owners.

PRODUCTION.

The value of the total production of New Zealand has been estimated for the year 1907–8, and the result is given. In regard to the last item, the amount has been arrived at by an indirect though recognised method, but it may be regarded as an approximation.

 1907–8.
 £
Agricultural and pastoral produce23,808,159
Mining produce3,775,835
Manufactures7,240,913
Miscellaneous (including fisheries and forestry)1,766,815
 £36,591,722
Value of building trade, industries not included in manufactories, and general labour (1905–6)6,838,380
            Total£43,430,102

WAGES AND PRICES.

The following tables show the average rates of wages ruling during the year 1909 at the chief centres of population in each provincial district, and the average prices of the principal articles of food and drink at the same localities for the same period. The figures are taken from returns furnished by police officers, the information being collected at the end of the year.

Description of Labour.Auckland.Taranaki.Hawke's Bay.Wellington.Marlborough.Nelson.Westland (Goldfield).Canterbury.Otago (Part Goldfield)
1. AGRICULTURAL LABOUR.         
Farm labourers:         
    With board, per week20/ to 25/25/ to 28/22/6 to 25/25/20/ to 30/20/ to 25/25/ to 30/20/ to 30/20/ to 30/
    Without board, per day7/ to 9/8/8/7/ to 8/7/ to 8/....7/ to 8/8/ to 8/6
Ploughmen:         
    With board, per week25/ to 30/25/ to 32/625/ to 35/25/ to 35/25/ to 30/30/..25/ to 30/25/ to 30/
    Without board, per day8/ to 10/8/8/8/ to 9/..8/..8/ 
Harvesters:         
    With board, per week30/ to 40/50/30/ to 48/30/ to 40/48/....40/ to 60/30/ to 45/
    Without board1/ per hour1/3 to 1/6 per hour1/ to 1/2 per hour1/ to 1/6 per hour10½d. to 1/per hour1/ to 1/3 per hour..1/ to 1/3 per hour1/ to 1/6 per hour
Men cooks on farms:         
    With board, per week20/ to 30/20/ to 25/25/ to 30/25/ to 40/25/ to 40/30/..20/ to 40/20/ to 40/
Female farm servants:         
    With board, per week10/ to 17/615/15/12/6 to 30/10/ to 20/15/ to 18/..15/ to 20/12/ to 20/
2. PASTORAL LABOUR.         
Shepherds, with board, per annum£65 to £85£65£65 to £78£65 to £90£65 to £90..£65£60 to £85£60 to £90
Stock-keepers, with board, per annum£60 to £80£65£78£65 to £80£90..£52 to £65£60 to £78£55 to £90
Station labourers:         
    With board, per week20/ to 25/20/ to 25/20/ to 25/20/ to 25/25/ to 30/25/20/ to 30/20/ to 25/20/ to 30/
Shearers, with board, per 100 sheep shorn17/6 to 20/20/20/ to 22/620/18/ to 20/....18/ to 20/16/8 to 20/
Men cooks on stations, with board, per week20/ to 30/20/ to 25/25/ to 35/25/ to 40/25/ to 50/25/20/ to 40/25/ to 40/20/ to 45/
3. ARTISAN LABOUR (per day, without board).         
Masons10/ to 14/12/ to 13/12/ to 13/412/ to 13/414/....11/ to 13/612/ to 14/
Plasterers12/ to 15/15/ to 16/12/ to 15/12/812/6 to 13/14/ to 15/16/12/12/ to 15/
Bricklayers12/ to 14/12/12/12/812/12/ to 14/11/8 to 14/12/12/ to 14/
Cabinetmakers10/8/ to 11/10/ to 11/10/ to 10/69/6 to 10/8/ to 12/10/ to 14/8/6 to 10/10/ to 12/
Carpenters10/ to 12/10/ to 11/10/ to 12/10/ to 11/810/ to 12/10/ to 11/11/8 to 14/10/ to 12/10/ to 12/
Boilermakers10/ to 11/10/10/9/6 to 11/10/ to 10/610/ to 12/11/ to 12/610/ to 11/10/ to 12/
Blacksmiths9/ to 10/10/10/ to 12/10/10/68/ to 11/11/ to 13/610/9/ to 11/
Tinsmiths8/6 to 10/10/9/ to 10/9/ to 10/10/9/2 to 10/10/ to 11/8/6 to 10/8/ to 11/
Wheelwrights9/4 to 11/9/6 to 10/10/ to 12/10/ to 11/810/9/2 to 11/10/ to 12/610/ to 12/9/ to 12/
Shipwrights10/ to 11/10/12/10/ to 10/810/..10/ to 12/10/810/
Plumbers9/6 to 11/10/10/ to 11/410/6 to 12/10/9/2 to 10/10/ to 11/9/ to 10/88/ to 11/
Painters10/9/6 to 10/9/ to 12/9/ to 10/9/4 to 10/10/ to 11/8/ to 11/10/9/ to 11/
Saddlers8/ to 9/8/ to 9/8/ to 10/7/ to 10/8/ to 10/9/ to 9/28/ to 9/28/ to 10/8/ to 10/
Shoemakers7/6 to 9/7/6 to 9/9/ to 10/8/ to 10/8/7/ to 9/8/ to 10/8/ to 10/7/ to 11/
Coopers8/8 to 10/10/9/410/....10/9/8/ to 10/
Watchmakers8/4 to 12/10/10/ to 11/68/6 to 12/10/ to 12/610/ to 12/611/8 to 12/10/7/ to 10/
4. SERVANTS.         
Married couples without family, with board, per annum£70 to £85£80£85 to £100£70 to £100£85 to £100£90£100£75 to £100£75 to £100
Married couples with family, with board, per annum£60 to £80£80£75 to £100£85 to £90£70 to £100..£90£75 to £90£65 to £90
Grooms, with board, per week20/ to 22/620/ to 25/25/ to 30/20/ to 30/25/ to 30/..20/ to 30/20/ to 30/20/ to 35/
Gardeners:         
    With board, per week20/ to 25/20/25/ to 30/25/ to 30/25/ to 35/....25/ to 45/20/ to 40/
    Without board, per day5/ to 8/7/ to 8/8/ to 10/8/ to 9/7/ to 8/7/ to 8/8/8/ to 10/8/
Cooks, with board, per week20/ to 50/30/20/ to 30/20/ to 30/20/ to 30/30/25/ to 30/20/ to 40/20/ to 45/
Laundresses, with board, per week20/ to 30/25/20/15/ to 30/20/..20/15/ to 25/15/ to 25/
General house servants, with board, per week12/6 to 20/15/15/ to 20/15/ to 20/12/6 to 15/17/615/ to 20/15/ to 20/12/6 to 20/
Housemaids, with board, per week12/6 to 25/15/15/ to 20/15/ to 20/12/6 to 20/20/15/ to 20/12/6 to 20/12/ to 20/
Nursemaids with board, per week5/ to 10/10/5/ to 12/67/6 to 15/10/6 to 12/6..10/8/ to 15/5/ to 18/
Needlewomen:         
    With board, per week10/ to 20/15/20/15/ to 20/15/..20/ to 30/15/ to 25/18/ to 20/
    Without board, per day (lunch always provided)4/3/5/3/6 to 5/4/ to 5/4/5/3/ to 5/3/ to 6/
5. MISCELLANEOUS.         
General labourers, without board, per day7/ to 9/8/ to 9/8/ to 9/8/8/ to 9/8/ to 9/8/ to 10/8/8/ to 10/
Stonebreakers, without board, per cubic yard2/9 to 4/4/63/62/9 to 3/6....4/ to 6/2/62/ to 3/
Seamen, with board, per month80/ to 160/150/130/120/ to 140/120/ to 180/100/ to 140/130/ to 180/140/ to 180/120/ to 160/
Miners, without board, per day8/ to 10/........10/ to 14/10/ to 14/..9/ to 10/
Engine-drivers, without board, per day8/ to 10/9/ to 10/8/4 to 10/8/ to 10/8/4 to 11/610/ to 12/10/ to 12/9/ to 12/8/ to 11/
Tailors, without board, per day8/4 to 10/9/28/ to 10/8/ to 10/9/2 to 10/9/2 to 10/10/ to 11/89/2 to 10/8/4 to 10/
Tailoresses, without board, per week25/ to 36/25/25/ to 36/21/ to 36/20/ to 35/25/ to 30/20/ to 30/25/ to 30/20/ to 35/
Dressmakers, without board, per week25/ to 36/20/20/ to 50/20/ to 30/20/ to 25/25/ to 36/20/ to 30/20/ to 30/20/ to 30/
Milliners, without board, per week30/ to 60/20/ to 40/20/ to 50/30/ to 50/50/30/ to 48/25/ to 60/20/ to 36/20/ to 40/
Machinists (sewing), without board, per week25/ to 35/25/17/6 to 30/25/ to 30/30/30/20/ to 30/20/ to 35/20/ to 27/6
Storekeepers, without board, per week48/ to 75/60/40/ to 70/60/ to 70/42/ to 60/50/60/ to 80/42/ to 84/40/ to 80/
Storekeepers assistants, without board, per week35/ to 48/40/ to 45/40/ to 50/25/ to 60/40/ to 50/40/48/ to 54/30/ to 57/30/ to 50/
Drapers' assistants, without board, per week27/6 to 48/40/ to 50/40/ to 60/40/ to 60/25/ to 60/48/ to 50/30/ to 70/40/ to 60/30/ to 80/
Grocers' assistants, without board, per week30/ to 50/40/ to 45/40/ to 60/45/ to 54/25/ to 50/48/ to 50/48/ to 80/45/30/ to 50/
Butchers, without board, per week42/ to 60/50/50/ to 60/40/ to 60/50/ to 60/57/ to 60/48/ to 60/50/ to 60/50/ to 70/
Bakers, without board, per week45/ to 60/45/ to 60/45/ to 60/45/ to 60/45/ to 60/55/ to 57/60/ to 70/45/ to 60/45/ to 70/
Storemen, without board, per week42/ to 60/50/48/ to 55/48/ to 60/45/ to 50/50/ to 60/50/ to 60/45/ to 66/42/ to 60/
Compositors, without board, per week46/8 to 65/50/ to 60/42/6 to 57/648/ to 65/45/ to 70/60/48/ to 70/50/ to 70/45/ to 70/
Sawmill hands, without board, per week42/ to 60/50/ to 54/48/ to 60/48/ to 66/48/ to 60/54/ to 60/60/48/ to 60/48/ to 60/
Flax-mill hands, without board, per week42/ to 66/48/42/ to 60/42/ to 60/42/ to 60/42/ to 60/50/ to 60/..36/ to 54/
AVERAGE PRICES OF PRODUCE, LIVE-STOCK, PROVISIONS, ETC., IN EACH PROVINCIAL DISTRICT OF NEW ZEALAND DURING THE YEAR 1909.
Articles.Auckland.Taranaki.Hawke's Bay.Wellington.Marlborough.Nelson.Westland (Goldfield)CanterburyOtago (Part Goldfield).
I. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE.         
Wheat per bushel (601b.)4/8 to 6/65/ to 6/5/3 to 5/64/2 to 5/35/ to 5/65/35/2 to 6/4/ to 5/34/3 to 5/6
Barley per bushel (471b.)4/3/6 to 4/63/ to 4/64/ to 4/63/ to 4/3/ to 4/4/ to 4/64/ to 5/4/ to 4/6
Oats per bushel (401b.)2/ to 3/62/6 to 4/32/7 to 2/102/3 to 3/2/ to 3/2/6 to 3/2/6 to 3/1/7 to 2/1/7 to 3/3
Maize per bushel (561b.)3/6 to 4/95/ to 5/64/6 to 5/94/ to 6/65/ to 6/5/ to 5/35/ to 6/64/ to 5/64/6 to 5/2
Bran per bushel (201b.)1/ to 2/1/ to 2/1/3 to 1/99d to 1/91/ to 1/31/ to 1/31/ to 1/39d. to 1/38d. to 1/3
Hay per ton60/ to 80/80/ to 110/40/ to 80/40/ to 100/50/ to 70/100/ to 120/100/50/ to 80/50/ to 85/
II. FLOUR AND BREAD.         
Flour, wholesale per ton of 2,000lb.220/ to 265/231/6 to 250/220/ to 277/6230/ to 255/235/ to 260/£11 10s.230/to 240/200/ to 240/210/ to 250/
Flour, retail per bag of 501b.6/6 to 7/37/ to 7/66/6 to 7/66/6 to 7/36/6 to 7/6/66/9 to 7/65/9 to 7/5/9 to 7/6
Bread per 4lb. loaf7d. to 8d.8d.7d. to 8d.6d. to 8d.7d. to 8d.7d. to 8d.7d. to 8d.6d. to 8d.7d. to 8d.
III. LIVE-STOCK AND MEAT.         
Horses, draught per head£20 to £40£20 to £30£18 to £40£20 to £45£20 to £45£35 to £10£40 to £45£25 to £50£20 to £40
Horses, saddle and harness per head£8 to £25£10 to £15£10 to £25£10 to £15£10 to £16£15 to £16£20 to £25£8 to £25£14 to £25
Cattle, fat per head120/ to 180/100/ to 150/120/ to 165/140/ to 170/100/ to 160/110/ to 170/150/ to 180/100/ to 240/100/ to 240/
Cattle, milch cows per head100/ to 160/120/ to 170/80/ to 160/100/ to 120/100/ to 140/100/ to 140/120/ to 160/100/ to 200/80/ to 180/
Sheep, fat per head14/ to 20/15/ to 25/10/ to 16/9/ to 16/12/ to 15/610/ to 20/16/ to 25/14/ to 20/10/ to 25/
Lambs, fat per head10/ to 13/14/9/ to 12/9/ to 12/610/ to 10/67/6 to 17/12/ to 16/12/ to 15/12/6 to 17/6
Butchers' meat:—         
    Beef per lb.3½d. to 5d.5d.4½d. to 6d.4d. to 5½d.4½d. to 6d.5½d. to 6d.5½d. to 6d.3d to 6d.3d. to 8d.
    Mutton per lb.3d. to 5d.3d. to 6d.3d. to 4d.3d. to 5d.3d. to 5d.4½d. to 6d.5½d. to 6d.3d. to 5d.3d. to 6d.
    Veal per lb.4½d. to 6d.4d. to 5d.5d.4d. to 6d.4d. to 5d.5d. to 6d.6d.3d. to 6d.3d. to 6d.
    Pork per lb.6d.6d.6d. to 6½d.6d. to 7d.4d. to 6d.6d. to 7d.6d. to 8d.6d. to 8d.6d. to 7d.
    Lamb per lb.4½d. to 7d.6d. to 7d.5d. to 8d.6d. to 8d.5d. to 7d.6d. to 7d.6d. to 7d.5d. to 7d.4d. to 8d.
IV. DAIRY-PRODUCE.         
Butter, factory made per lb.1/11/11/ to 1/31/1 to 1/21/ to 1/21/ to 1/21/1 to 1/31/11/1
Butter, fresh dairy per lb.10d. to 1/..10d. to 1/211½d.10d. to 1s.11d. to 1/11/ to 1/21/8d. to 1/
Butter, salt per lb.10d. to 1/9d. to 10d.9d. to 1/17d. to 1s.8d. to 10d.10d.10d. to 1/110d. to 1/8d. to 1/
Cheese, colonial per lb.7d. to 8d.8d.8d. to 9d.6d. to 3d.6d. to 9d.8d.7d. to 8d.5½d. to 8d.5½d. to 10d.
Cheese, imported per lb.1/3 to 1/61/2/ to 2/61/4 to 1/6..2/1/61/5 to 1/101/6 to 1/8
Milk per quart3d. to 4d.3d. to 4d.3d. to 4d.3d. to 4d.3d. to 4d.4d.4d. to 5d.3d. to 4d.3d. to 4d.
V. FARM-YARD PRODUCE.         
Geese per pair8/ to 15/8/ to 15/6/ to 9/7/ to 10/7/6 to 9/7/ to 10/9/ to 12/6/3 to 9/67/ to 12/
Ducks per pair5/6 to 7/5/ to 7/5/5/ to 7/65/5/ to 6/5/ to 8/4/ to 6/64/ to 7/
Fowls per pair3/ to 5/3/ to 4/63/ to 4/63/ to 5/63/ to 3/64/ to 5/64/ to 5/3/ to 5/3/ to 5/6
Turkeys per head5/ to 10/6/ to 7/5/ to 6/6/ to 10/5/ to 10/7/6 to 10/8/ to 10/5/6 to 7/65/ to 10/6
Bacon per lb.7½d. to 10d.9d. to 10d.8½d to 10½d8½d. to 11d.9d. to 10d.8½d. to 10d.8d. to 10d.7½d. to 10d.8½d. to 1/
Ham per lb.8d. to 11d.9½d to 11d9d. to 11d.9½d. to 1/9d. to 1/10d to 10½d9d. to 11d.8d. to 11d.10d. to 1/
Eggs per doz.10½d to 1/21/ to 1/21/1/ to 1/21/ to 1/31/2 to 1/61/611d. to 1/411/ to 1/6
VI. GARDEN PRODUCE.         
Potatoes, wholesale per ton110/to 160/120/90/ to 150/105/ to 150/70/ to 120/130/110/ to 140/70/ to 90/50/ to 90/
Potatoes, retail per cwt.6/6 to 9/6/65/ to 8/66/6 to 8/4/ to 6/67/ to 7/66/6 to 8/64/ to 5/3/6 to 6/
Onions per lb.1£d. to 3d.1½d. to 3d.1d. to 3d.1d. to 3d.1½d. to 2½d.2d. to 3d.2d. to 3d.1d. to 3d.1¼d. to 3d.
Carrots per doz. bnchs.8d to 1/61/ to 2/1/ to 1/61/ to 1/62/ to 3/1/6 to 3/2/ to 3/1/ to 3/6d. to 3/
Turnips per doz. bnchs.8d. to 2/1/1/ to 2/1/ to 1/62/ to 3/1/6 to 3/2/ to 3/1/ to 2/6d. to 3/
Cabbages per doz.1/3 to 4/1/ to 2/1/ to 2/61/ to 3/2/ to 4/1/6 to 3/2/ to 4/62/ to 3/1/ to 5/
VII. MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES.         
Tea per lb.1/4 to 2/1/6 to 2/1/6 to 2/1/6 to 2/1/9 to 2/1/61/6 to 2/1/3 to 2/1/6 to 2/
Coffee per lb.1/4 to 1/71/6 to 2/1/8 to 2/1/6 to 2/1/8 to 2/1/6 to 1/91/6 to 2/1/6 to 2/1/6 to 2/
Sugar per lb.2½d. to 3d.2½d.2½d. to 3d.2£d. to 3d.2½d. to 3d.2½d.2½d. to 3d.2¼d. to 3½d.2¼d. to 3d.
Rice per lb.2d. to 3d.2½d.2½d.to 3d.2d. to 3d.2½d. to 3d.2½d. to 3d.2d. to 3d.2d. to 2½d.2d. to 3d.
Salt per lb.1d.1d.1d.1d.1d.1d.1d.1d.1d. to 1½d.
Soap per cwt.14/ to 31/24/ to 27/20/ to 26/21/ to 30/12/6 to 23/20/ to 22/15/ to 24/18/ to 24/12/ to 29/
Candles per lb.6d. to 8d.7d.7d. to 8d.7d. to 8d.7d. to 8d.7d.7d. to 8d.6d. to 8d.5d. to 9d.
Tobacco per lb.5/3 to 6/5/6 to 6/5/6 to 6/5/3 to 6/5/3 to 6/65/95/6 to 6/5/ to 6/65/2 to 6/6
Coal per ton21/ to 32/42/ to 45/39/ to 45/32/ to 45/36/ to 50/20/ to 42/20/ to 28/32/ to 44/20/ to 37/
Firewood per cord12/ to 30/35/ to 36/13/ to 35/15/ to 48/21/ to 33/33/12/ to 18/32/ to 40/20/ to 40/
VIII. BEER, WINES, SPIRITS.         
Beer, colonial per hhd.80/ to 92/685/ to 90/60/ to 100/90/84/ to 130/80/ to 105/60/ to 90/75/ to 120/90/ to 135/
Beer, English, bottl'd per doz. qts.12/6 to 17/13/6 to 15/13/6 to 16/13/ to 16/613/ to 16/14/6 to 15/15/ to 16/12/ to 18/13/ to 18/
Brandy per gallon25/ to 42/24/ to 32/627/6 to 34/26/ to 33/25/ to 30/26/ to 27/626/26/ to 36/25/ to 36/
Rum per gallon26/ to 36/25/23/ to 30/24/ to 30/23/ to 30/24/ to 25/24/ to 26/24/ to 30/24/ to 30/
Whisky per gallon25/ to 36/23/9 to 30/25/6 to 30/25/ to 33/25/ to 30/25/ to 30/25/ to 26/25/6 to 35/21/ to 30/
Gin per gallon30/ to 33/17/6 to 35/24/ to 34/19/ to 29/24/ to 28/24/ to 30/21/ to 25/24/ to 30/21/ to 30/
Wine, Australian per gallon14/ to 15/13/ to 18/12/ to 22/615/ to 17/615/ to 21/16/15/ to 18/17/6 to 20/15/ to 24/
Wine, European per gallon15/ to 29/12/6 to 22/20/ to 30/16/6 to 23/20/ to 35/18/12/6 to 16/616/ to 40/18/ to 30/

HOUSE RENTS.

The rent of houses within a two-mile radius of the General Post-office at each of the four chief centres, and tenanted by workmen, is shown in a table below. These may be taken as the maximum rentals for the class of house needed by working-men with families, the prices ruling in the smaller towns and. in country districts being considerably less.

HOUSE-RENTS IN THE FOUR CHIEF CITIES.
House ofAuckland.Wellington.ChristchurchDunedin.
4 rooms, per week8/6 to 12/612/ to 21/10/ to 15/8/ to 14/
5 rooms, per week12/ to 15/14/ to 22/614/ to 16/11/ to 18/
6 rooms, per week15/ to 18/16/ to 25/16/ to 20/13/6 to 21/
7 rooms, per week18/ to 22/620/ to 27/620/ upwards15/ to 30/

The Government offers facilities for men with moderate incomes to obtain homes for themselves on easy terms. The system is described in this book under the heading “Labour Laws.”

Chapter 46. SECTION XXI.—GOVERNMENT VALUATION OF LAND.

PRIOR to the passing of “The Government Valuation of Land Act, 1896” (now incorporated in “The Valuation of Land Act, 1908”), there was an entire absence of uniformity in the system of making valuations of land for Governmental purposes. Each lending Department employed a separate set of local valuers for valuing mortgage securities. The Land-tax Department periodically employed a small army of temporary valuers when it required a new valuation of land for taxation purposes, and each local authority had its own particular method of making up its roll for the levying of rates.

All values required by the Government Departments mentioned below and by local bodies, whether for loan, taxation, or other purposes, are now made by valuers employed by the State. These valuers work upon the one system laid down by statutory enactment, and are responsible to the Government alone. They receive a regular salary, and when valuing for loan purposes are not dependent for their remuneration upon the good will of the person whose property they are valuing.

Under the existing law the Valuer-General is required to prepare valuation rolls, showing the selling-value of all land in the Dominion.

Briefly stated, the following are the chief purposes for which the roll values may be used:—

  1. As a basis on which loans may be granted by—

    1. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Office.

    2. The Public Trust Office.

    3. The Government Insurance Office.

    4. The Post Office.

    5. The Commissioners of Public Debt Sinking Funds.

    6. Such other public offices as the Governor from time to time directs.

    7. Trustees and investors.

  2. As a basis for the advancement of loans to local bodies by the State-guaranteed Advances Office.

  3. As a basis for the levying of land-tax and local rates.

  4. As a basis on which to assess stamp duty and duty on deceased persons' estates.

  5. For the guidance of the Land Purchase Board when acquiring land under the Land for Settlements Act or the Public Works Act on behalf of the Government.

  6. For the guidance of all who may desire to ascertain the selling-value of any piece of land for investment, mortgage, or other purpose.

In view of the many and diverse purposes for which the roll values may be used, it is of the utmost importance that these values should be neither above nor below the fair market price, and it is as much to the interest of the owner as it is to that of the Department that the “unimproved value,” “value of the improvements,” and “capital value” of every property should be accurately entered in the roll.

The Act states that the “unimproved value of any piece of land means the sum which the owner's estate or interest therein, if unencumbered by any mortgage or other charge thereon, and if no improvements existed on that particular piece of land, might be expected to realise at the time of valuation if offered for sale on such reasonable terms and conditions as a bona fide seller might be expected to require.”

There are few terms used in connection with land-valuation which are more imperfectly understood than the term “unimproved value.” Some interpret the term to mean the original value of the land at the time when it was in its unimproved state, while others understand it to mean the present value, assuming all the land in the district to be unimproved. Neither of these interpretations is correct. The increased value attaching to any piece of land due to the successful working of other lands in the district, or to progressive works effected by the State, the general prosperity of the country, high markets for produce, &c., forms portion of the unimproved value under the New Zealand law. Any increased value, however, which is represented by the improvements effected by the individual possessor does not form part of the unimproved value.

Land-tax is levied on the unimproved value, and so also are the local rates in districts where the rating on unimproved values system is in force. It is therefore particularly necessary that uniformity of unimproved values should be studied by the valuer, otherwise one owner would be rated unfairly in comparison with his neighbour.

The definition of “improvements” and “value of improvements” is as follows:—

  • “‘Improvements’ on land means all work actually done or material used thereon by the expenditure of capital or labour by any owner or occupier of the land, nevertheless in so far only as the effect of such work or material used is to increase the value of the land, and the benefit thereof is unexhausted at the time of valuation; but shall not include work done or material used on or for the benefit of land by the Crown or by any statutory public body, unless such work has been paid for by the contribution of the owner or occupier for that purpose: Provided that the payment of rates or taxes shall not be deemed to be a contribution within the meaning of this definition.”

  • “‘Value of improvements’ means the sum by which the improvements upon an owner's land increases its value: Provided that the value of improvements shall in no case be deemed to be more than the cost of such improvements estimated at the time of valuation, exclusive of the cost of repairs and maintenance.”

Subject to the limitations contained in the above definition, all buildings, fences, planting, draining, private roads and water-races, clearing, permanent grassing, and other work of a permanent nature effected upon land are improvements.

The valuer must be guided, when valuing details of improvements, by the terms of the above definitions, and it is necessary, therefore, that the limitations referred to should be considered in detail. Anything which can be valued as an improvement must in the first place be effected upon the land which is benefited by that improvement. A public road may be made by an owner for the purpose of increasing the value of his land. This road would not be valued as an improvement, as it is not on the land and is not included in the area which is valued. Were the road a private one, however, such as a farmer would make through his farm for the convenient working of his holding, it would be included in the total area valued, and would then be also valued as an improvement. Improvements can only be valued to the extent to which they increase the selling-value of the land. Sometimes an owner will expend his capital and labour injudiciously, and the result will prove detrimental to the land instead of being an improvement. Some lands hold grass better without being first ploughed than they do after the plough. The effect of ploughing in such cases would not be to improve the selling-value. Some improvements, such as ornamental shrubbery, orchards, lawns, vineries, &c., rarely increase the selling-value to the full extent of their cost, and are therefore valued accordingly.

The definition also states that no work can be considered an improvement if the benefit is exhausted at the time of valuation. The Government lends money on the security of improvements, and it is obvious that if exhausted improvements were included in the valuation the security would be a very poor one.

Draining and orchards are improvements which frequently become exhausted. As long as a drain is effective and acts as a drain it necessarily adds to the selling-value and is an improvement; but an open drain which was cut many years ago and has become filled in and grassed over, owing to the necessity for it having passed away, would be considered as exhausted.

From the foregoing it- will be seen that it devolves upon a valuer to ascertain carefully the condition of an improvement before estimating its value.

The expenditure of loan-moneys by the Crown or by public bodies is for the benefit of the community or district, and not for the exclusive benefit of any individual or holding.

It would be beyond the powers of any valuer to apportion the value of a public street, railway, telegraph-line, or, in fact, any public work amongst the different holdings which derived benefit from that work.

The amount at which improvements must be valued is defined by the Act as the sum by which they increase the selling-value of the land, provided that the value must not exceed the cost, although it may be below the cost. The cost of an improvement is not necessarily its selling-value, as its suitability and condition must be taken into consideration.

Machinery, whether fixed to the soil or not, is not an improvement, and it is not included in the capital value. The buildings containing the machinery would, however, be valued as an improvement.

“Capital value” is defined as follows:—

  • “‘Capital value’ of land means the sum which the owner's estate or interest therein, if unencumbered by any mortgage or other charge thereon, might be expected to realise at the time of valuation if offered for sale on such reasonable terms and conditions as a bona fide seller might be expected to require.”

The fair selling-value in the open market represents the capital value, but not necessarily the auction value or value derivable at a forced sale. The valuer is required to exercise special care in fixing the capital value at such a sum as will be fair to both the borrower and the lender should the property be offered as a security.

Uniformity of capital values is of the utmost importance. Land of similar quality and position should be valued uniformly, whether in a large or a small holding.

Ratepayers frequently complain that their rates will be unduly increased when values are raised. This is not a matter which the Department has any right to consider, however much it may sympathize. Its duties under the Act are to make a roll of selling-values for various purposes. The responsibility of fixing the rate for local rating purposes rests entirely with the local body, and, if the selling-values in a district are high, it is within the power of the ratepayers themselves to see that a moderate rate is struck.

It may not be out of place to mention the relative numbers of the land-tax and local ratepayers within New Zealand, from which it will be seen that the number of persons who are interested in the amount of rate annually struck by the local body far exceeds the number who are interested in the amount of land-tax annually fixed by Parliament. There are approximately 150,000 holders of land. The total number of land-tax payers is only 33,162, while practically every holder pays local rates.

The foregoing remarks apply when valuing land, whether it is leased or not; but in the case of lands which are leased on terms favourable to the lessee the valuer has, in addition, the important duty of determining what proportion of the value belongs to the owner and what proportion to the lessee.

The principle on which lessees' and sublessees' interests are to be determined is contained in “The Valuation of Land Act, 1908.”

Special provision is contained in the Act for adjusting the relative interests of owner and lessee year by year, and this adjustment will always be made by the Valuer-General on application.

When the values appearing on a roll become out of date a revision takes place, but before any revised values can take effect the district must be gazetted for revision by Order in Council. There is no fixed period between one revision and another. The necessity for revision depends upon whether or not the roll values are correct.

When a revision of a district is ordered, the valuer makes a thorough overhaul of the unimproved values as well as the values of improvements and capital values. During the period intervening between revisions the Valuer-General cannot alter the unimproved values of the roll entries unless the owner pays a fee to cover the cost and demands a revaluation of his property, or in case of an admitted error having taken place. During this intervening period, however, the Valuer-General may keep values up to date by adding the value of improvements which have been put on since the revision, or by deducting the value of those taken away.

If additional improvements have been effected to a property prior to the 31st March in any year, they can be rated for the then ensuing year commencing on the 1st April. If they have been effected after the 31st March, however, they cannot be rated until the 1st April of the following year. The same rule applies to changes in occupancy. The person who is occupier on the 31st March is placed on the roll for the rates for the ensuing year, but if a person enters into possession after the 31st March his name is not entered up until the 1st April succeeding the date of occupation. Rolls are thus corrected in respect to occupancy and improvements as at the 31st March in each year, but the unimproved values must remain until a complete revision is ordered by the Governor in Council. The local authority is empowered by the Act to amend its rating roll in respect to the occupancy of land, but cannot amend values on its own authority. When a property becomes subdivided the Valuer-General divides the existing value on the roll proportionately. No alteration is made in any entry on the roll without giving the owner and occupier due notice, in order that they may object, if necessary, but the omission to give such notice does not invalidate an assessment.

It has been said that roll values are used as a guide to Government Departments when lending money. On receipt of an application for a loan the lending Department is supplied with a copy of the existing roll value of the security. The lending Boards, however, usually require that the security should be again inspected by the valuer before they grant the loan. This necessitates a revaluation of the property, but such revaluation is not used for either taxation or rating purposes. Since the system came into force these revaluations for loan purposes have, in almost every case, exceeded the values entered on the roll.

When the values in a district have been revised the new roll is lodged for inspection at some public office, and an advertisement in the papers calls the attention of the public to the fact, so that every person interested may inspect it. At the same time every owner and occupier receives a notice showing at what value his property is entered. The omission to give notice, however, does not, as has been said, invalidate the assessment. The Department invites the fullest scrutiny of its rolls before submitting them to the Assessment Court. Persons whose names appear on the roll are invited to object if they are of opinion that the valuer has exceeded the selling-price, or for other sufficient cause. The fact that the new valuation will cause an increase in the amount of local rates or land-tax payable is not considered a sufficient cause. The Department does not fix the rate in either case, and any such objection can only be based on an assumption that the rate to be levied will be the same as previously. Neither is the fact that the new valuation shows an increase or decrease on the last valuation considered a sufficient ground of objection, as the selling-value may have increased or decreased since the last valuation was made, or the previous valuation may have been erroneous.

Objections to value can only be on the ground that the valuation does not represent the true selling-value, as that is the guide imposed by the Act. Of course, there are legitimate reasons for objection on other questions besides the question of value, such as errors in ownership, occupancy, area, or description, &c., which matters are always attended to and corrected without reference to the Assessment Court.

A frequent source of objection is that improvements are valued too high or too low. Before such an objection can be maintained it must be ascertained whether the capital value represents the fair and full selling-value. If, for instance, the capital value of a property is set below the true selling-value, the improvements will necessarily be valued in proportion. In such cases as this an increase in the value of improvements would only serve to increase the capital value, and would not reduce the unimproved value.

Objections to values are invariably referred to the valuer to enable him to review his valuation before the sitting of the Assessment Court, and the objector receives in due course a reply. If the objection has been allowed there is no necessity for the objector to appear at the Court. Should it be disallowed, he may carry it before the Court for consideration. Due notice of the sitting of the Court is given by advertisement, as required by the Act.

If on appeal to the Court the objection is allowed, the reduction is immediately carried into the roll. If, however, the owner is not satisfied with the Court's decision he may, under section 31 of the Act of 1908, within fourteen days of the hearing, require the Valuer-General either to reduce to the value which he considers to be the fair selling-value or else to purchase the property at that value.

On the other hand, section 30 of the 1908 Act provides that if the Valuer-General is of opinion that a Court has made an unfair reduction in a valuation, he may, also within fourteen days of the hearing, require the owner to consent to what he considers is the fair selling-value, or else he will acquire the property at that value on behalf of the Government.

Power is also given by section 18 of the same Act to an owner to appeal to the Supreme Court on questions of law. On all other questions the decision of the Assessment Court is, however, final.

There is still another course open to an owner who is dissatisfied with his value, and he may adopt it at any time without reference to the date of sitting of the Court. Section 36 of the Act provides that an owner, by paying the fee prescribed by regulation to cover the cost, may obtain a revaluation of his property, and in such case the roll must be amended pursuant to the result of such new valuation.

The following figures may be of interest to those who study the question of land-valuation:—

TABLE SHOWING CAPITAL AND UNIMPROVED VALUES OF LAND IN NEW ZEALAND.
Year of Valuation.Total Capital Values.Total Unimproved Value
 ££
187899,566,67962,573,868
1882101,000,000 
1895113,270,649 
1888111,137,71475,497,379
1891122,225,02975,832,465
1897138,591,34784,401,244
1902154,816,13294,847,727
1904182,796,241112,629,412
1905197,684,475122,937,126
1906218,422,552137,168,548
1907236,644,536149,682,689
1908253,440,172161,324,763
1909271,516,022172,759,948
1910277,630,083175,289,861
TABLE SHOWING NUMBER OF FREEHOLDERS OF LAND, OUTSIDE OF BOROUGHS AND TOWN DISTRICTS, CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO AREA HELD BY THEM.
Year.Holders of 5 Acres and under 100 Acres.Holders of 100 Acres and under 1,000 Acres.Holders of 1,000 Acres and under 5,000 Acres.Holders of 5,000 Acres and under 10,000 Acres.Holders of 10,000 Acres and under 20,000 Acres.Holders of 20,000 Acres and under 50,000 Acres.Holders of 50,000 Acres and over.Total Numbers of Holders.
188314,76614,2671,281203141832330,764
188617,07515,4711,425220151792934,450
188918,80516,7431,413221134892737,432
189219,36917,5381,558208148843038,935
190220,79920,3162,144260123702343,735
190620,90021,2692,417278129621345,068

The total number of freeholders, including owners of township lands, were as follows:—

In year 188371,240
In year 188680,527
In year 188984,547
In year 189291,501
In year 1902115,713
In year 1906128,019
In year 1909143,243
In year 1910 (approximately)150,000
N.B.—It should be noted that no leaseholders, Crown or otherwise, are included in the above numbers.

The result of the general valuation of land as in March, 1898, is given in the report of the Valuer-General presented to both Houses of Parliament. Since this general valuation revisions have been made, which bring the figures as corrected to represent the values on the 31st March, 1910. Comparative figures are here given for 1891 and 1910 showing the increase, and stating separately the unimproved value and the value of improvements:—

COMPARISON OF CAPITAL VALUES, 1891 AND 1910.
 1891.1910.Increase, 1891 to 1910.
 £££
Unimproved value75,832,465175,289,86199,457,396
Value of improvements46,392,564102,340,22255,947,658
            Totals£122,225,029£277,630,083£155,405,054

In the figures for the North and South Islands the relative degree of increase is exhibited:—

CAPITAL VALUES.
 1891.1910.Increase.
 £££
North Island57,441,115165,014,036107,572,921
South Island64,783,914112,616,04747,832,133
            Totals£122,225,029£277,630,083£155,405,054

The increase for the North Island of £107,572,921 represents an advance of 187.27 per cent. on the value of 1891, and that of £47,832,133 for the South Island, 73.83 per cent. The increase for the whole Dominion as shown is £155,405,054, or 127.14 per cent. The following statement gives the capital value of land and improvements in counties and boroughs* as for 1891 and 1910:—

CAPITAL VALUE OF LAND AND IMPROVEMENTS IN COUNTIES AND BOROUGHS.
 1891.1910.
 ££
Counties85,818,167177,701,619
Boroughs*36,406,86299,928,464
            Totals£122,225,029£277,630,083

The increase in the capital value of land with improvements in counties for the eighteen years is £91,883,452, or 107.06 per cent.; while that for boroughs* is £63,521,602, or 174.47 per cent. But the value of property in boroughs* was added to between 1891 and 1910 by the constitution of twenty-nine new boroughs, and the inclusion of twenty-three town districts, and that of the counties correspondingly reduced; so that the actual rate of increase in the value of country lands is higher than indicated by the above figures, and in urban lands considerably less. Comparisons for counties, boroughs, and town districts which under the provisions of the Town Districts Act do not form part of any county are given in the three tables next following; afterwards the gross capital value, and the capital value of rateable property in counties, town districts and boroughs, with an indication of the system of rating adopted by the local authorities for those districts. The rateable values can be used in connection with the information given in Section X, “Local Governing Bodies.”

The total valuations are given for counties, boroughs and town districts. The particulars for component parts of counties, being road districts and portions of outlying country, will be found in the Statistical Volume for 1909.

* Including in the term “boroughs” those town districts which, under the provisions of the Town Districts Act of 1908, are deemed not to form part of any county.

COUNTIES, 1891 AND 1910.

TABLE showing the CAPITAL VALUE of LAND, with IMPROVEMENTS (and distinguishing the UNIMPROVED VALUE of LAND), in each COUNTY in NEW ZEALAND according to the Results of the General Valuation made in 1891, and as at 31st March, 1910:—
County.Capital Value, Land and Improvements.Unimproved Value of Land (included in previous columns).
As in Year 1891.As at 31st March, 1910.As in Year 1891.As at 31st March, 1910.

(1) Exclusive of Borough of Whangarei and of Hikurangi Town District, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(2) Exclusive of Borough of Dargaville, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(3) Exclusive of Helensville Town District and of Borough of Northcote, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(4) Exclusive of Borough of Mount Eden and of Ellerslie Town District, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(5) Exclusive of Huntly Town District, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(6) Exclusive of Frankton Town District, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(7) Exclusive of Awakino County and part of Waitomo County and part of Ohura County, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(8) Formed part of Kawhia County.

(9) Formed part of Kawhia and Clifton Counties, and exclusive of part Ohura County.

(10) Formed part of Waitomo and Clifton Counties.

(11) Exclusive of Borough of Waihi, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(12) Exclusive of Borough of Te Aroha and part of Matamata County, which in 1691 formed part of county.

(13) Formed part of Piako and West Taupo Counties.

(14) Exclusive of County of Opotiki, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(15) Formed part of Counties of Whakatane and Waiapu.

(16) Exclusive of Opotiki Town District, which in 1691 formed part of Whakatane County.

(17) Exclusive of part of Matamata County and Taumarunui Town District.

(18) Exclusive of part County of Opotiki.

(19) Formed part of Cook County.

(20) Exclusive of Waikohu County, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(21) Exclusive of Borough of Wairoa, which in 1691 formed part of county.

(22) Exclusive of Taradale Town District and of a portion transferred to Rangitikei County, and including portion transferred from Borough of Hastings.

(23) Formed part of Waipawa County.

(24) Exclusive of County of Woodville, Dannevirke Borough, Dannevirke County, Waipawa Borough, Waipukurau County, and Waipukurau Town District, which in 1891 formed parts of Waipawa County.

(25) Formed part of Waipawa County.

(26) Formed part of Waipawa County.

(27) Exclusive of Weber County, which in 1891 formed part of Patangata County.

(28) Formed part of Patangata County.

(29) Exclusive of portions of Ohura and Waitomo Counties and portion of Waitara Borough, which in 1891 formed parts of Clifton County.

(30) Exclusive of Fitzroy Town District, Borough of Inglewood, portions of Borough of Waitara, and Egmont County, which in 1891 formed parts of Taranaki County.

(31) Formed part of the Counties of Taranaki and Hawera.

(32) Exclusive of Borough of Stratford and of Whangamomona County, which in 1891 formed part of Stratford County.

(33) Formed part of Stratford County.

(34) Formed part of Hawera County.

(35) Exclusive of the Borough of Eltham, County of Eltham, Waimate West County, and a portion of Egmont County, which in 1891 formed parts of Hawera County.

(36) Formed part of Hawera County.

(37) Exclusive of Gonville Town District, and a portion transferred to Wanganui Borough, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(38) Exclusive of Waimarino County and Borough of Wanganui East, and portion transferred to the Borough of Wanganui, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(39) Formed part of Wanganui County, and exclusive of Ohakune Town District.

(40) Exclusive of Hunterville Town District and Taihape Borough, and including part transferred from Hawke's Bay County.

(41) Formed part of Oroua County.

(42) Exclusive of Counties of Kiwitea, Pohangina, and Kairanga, which in 1891 formed parts of Oroua County.

(43) Including a portion transferred from Foxton Borough.

(44) Exclusive of Borough of Levin, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(45) Exclusive of Borough of Pahiatua, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(46) Late Wairarapa North County.

(47) Exclusive of Borough of Eketahuna, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(48) Exclusive of Featherston County, which in 1891 formed part of Wairarapa South County.

(49) Formed part of Wairarapa South County.

(50) Exclusive of Featherston and Martinborough Town Districts, which in 1891 formed part of Wairarapa South County.

(51) Exclusive of the Boroughs of Miramar and Eastbourne, and of the Town Districts of Johnsonville and Upper Hutt, and of Makara County.

(52) Formed part of Hutt County.

(53) Exclusive of County of Takaka, which in 1891 formed part of Collingwood County.

(54) Formed part of Collingwood County.

(55) Exclusive of Motueka Borough, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(56) Formed part of Inangahua County.

(57) Exclusive of Murchison County, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(58) Formed part of Ashley County.

(59) Exclusive of Waipara County, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(60) Formed part of Selwyn County.

(61) Exclusive of Tawera and Waimairi Counties, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(62) Formed part of Selwyn County.

(63) Formed part of Akaroa County.

(64) Exclusive of Mount Herbert and Wairewa Counties, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(65) Formed part of Akaroa County.

(66) Exclusive of Hampstead and Tinwald Town Districts, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(67) Exclusive of Levels County and Temuka and Geraldine Boroughs and Pleasant Point Town District.

(68) Formed part of Geraldine County.

(69) Exclusive of Bay Town District, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(70) Exclusive of portion of Green Island Borough, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(71) Exclusive of Otautau Town District, which in 1891 formed part of county.

(72) Exclusive of Borough of Mataura, Wyndham Town District, and a portion of Avenal Borough, which in 1891 formed parts of Southland County.

[* NO valuation made.]

 ££££
Mangonui196,158434,946152,151262,127
Whangaroa63,82587,01541,37953,083
Bay of Islands365,069530,406247,612343,569
Hokianga422,365673,592365,957542,476
Whangarei523,4201,219,207(1)316,003676,521(1)
Hobson325,974763,890(2)241,880474,304 (2)
Otamatea258,496606,093156,975360,453
Rodney293,235552,247173,313200,597
Waitemata632,0121,370,694(3)388,568865,258(3)
Eden2,002,6775,254,216(4)991,3802,883,843 (4)
Manukau1,385,3303,233,403664,2721,849,386
    Islands (Great and Little Barrier)55,28462,21242,57440,051
Waiheke, &c.71,34399,86140,21156,565
Waikato682,7741,418,010(5)282,655869,955(5)
Raglan357,9411,161,514280,945724,570
Waipa464,0861,654, 802(6)197,900959,513(6)
Kawhia354,269396,691(7)350,051276,952(7)
Awakino(8)346,340(8)260,874
Waitomo(9)1,105,925(9)785,904
Ohura(10)473,050(10)356,585
Coromandel217,120279,050166,483173,603
Thames253,013447,486168,442281,172
Ohinemuri204,704842,929(11)164,182611,067(11)
Tauranga282,723672,417172,078412,965
Piako689,384825,700(12)427,889488,257(12)
Matamata(13)767,249(13)489,212
Rotorua168,371702,307114,289530,692
Whakatane663,785670,246(14)548,221523,027(14)
Opotiki(15)890,952 (16)(15)656,403(16)
East Taupo301,681579,282292,106465,866
West Taupo235,997485,730(17)226,406442,523(17)
    Islands (Mayor and Motiti)*5,700*3,616
Waiapu472,5481,916,549(18)341,0621,333,096(18)
Waikohu(19)1,822,481(19)1,161,747
Cook1,885,8563,943,423(20)1,175,7122,665,696 (20)
Wairoa1,101,0722,582,288(21)786,0321,770,369(21)
Hawke's Bay3,673,8896,125,569 (22)2,558,5834,751,699(22)
Waipukurau(23)473,339(23)367,025
Waipawa2,178,8122,199,420(24)1,249,6951,559,820(24)
Woodville(25)1,071,523(25)698,497
Dannevirke(26)2,013,717(26)1,348,259
Patangata1,863,9363,342,710(27)1,154,9092,656,289(27)
Weber(28)482,094(28)279,883
Clifton441,325774.129(29)385,252485,107(29)
Taranaki969,5792,093,093(30)604,0911,217,032(30)
Egmont(31)1,405,962(31)837,066
Stratford560,3452,189,716 (32)447,5021,225,873(32)
Whangamomona(33)478,991(33)270,770
Waimate West(34)1,197,921(34)921,169
Hawera1,247,4361,942,390 (35)807,8871,459,279(35)
Eltham(36)1,513,222(36)1,063,012
Patea823,6752,299,132522,3221,549,508
Waitotara731,6681,641,509(37)460,8421,175,351(37)
Wanganui1,176,1061,722,035(39)830,5191,186,204(38)
Waimarino(39)1,352,485(39)(39)1,154,284(39)
Rangitikei1,475,4734,397,960(40)870,0912,980,124(40)
Kiwitea(41)1,625,202(41)1,055,475
Pohangina(41)867,847(41)551,403
Kairanga(41)2,143,651(41)1,606,527
Oroua2,268,8541,966,597(42)1,298,4171,447,863(42)
Manawatu810,1711,789,389(43)445,4161,271,563(43)
Horowhenua858,6482,829,716(44)551,2481,973,094(44)
    Islands (Kapiti, Mana, and Somes)*17,984*13,378
Chatham Islands*95,557*55,838
Pahiatua511,4001,723,681(45)331,6341,033,755(45)
Akitio(46)1,831,209755,240(46) 1,057,393438,583
Castlepoint589,306372,997
Eketahuna(47)707,452418,103(47)
Mauriceville439,919252,252
Masterton3,346,5902,163,154
Wairarapa South1,872,0351,514,179(48)1,104,0641,015,484(48)
Featherston(49)2,427,198(50)(49)1,759,488(50)
Hutt1,030,7451,762,543(51)520,0051,208,631(51)
Makara(52)895,765(52)475,606
Collingwood323,910243,697(53)223,376143,209(53)
Takaka(54)406,670(54)188,199
Waimea1,196,2262,074,024(55)740,6681,230,885(55)
Sounds171,095589,789124,480367,963
Marlborough1,837,6323,492,1791,344,1202,699,602
Kaikoura350,521963,172209,082716,658
Buller651,129899,938483,407600,687
Murchison(56)531,815(56)393,942
Inangahua874,948438,538(57)598,963262,360(57)
Grey861,890875,688670,528617,245
Westland1,048,1561,021,656964,461809,513
Cheviot486,765935,556413,852746,481
Amuri921,2211,477,421762,5181,177,256
Waipara(58)2,508,971(58)2,177,981
Ashley3,801,3413,868,533(59)2,861,0833,022,298(59)
Waimairi(60)3,070,397(60)1,766,579
Selwyn7,446,7568,837,867(61)4,897,4196,411,716(61)
Tawera(62)341,840(62)267,647
Mount Herbert(63)385,245(63)309,117
Akaroa1,109,3791,583,144(64)775,3161,266,643(64)
Wairewa(65)804,273(65)668,080
Ashburton3,630,3836,712,428(66)2,691,4665,457,176(66)
Geraldine3,257,6962,378,863(67)2,316,1831,928,761(67)
Levels(68)2,250,644(68)1,783,692
Mackenzie736,0211,024,567589,528796,729
Waimate2,462,4333,786,7141,968,5873,113,464
Waitaki2,709,3793,822,6542,060,6403,020,378
Maniototo449,650743,827358,342506,893
Waihemo417,887567,474277,792410,111
Waikouaiti602,015843,232309,077497,019
Peninsula414,146487,341(69)193,301292,775(69)
Taieri1,330,7181,633,305(70)931,5541,180,093(70)
Tuapeka938,7011,287,865642,394907,031
Bruce957,4381,299,812600,771948,756
Clutha1,151,0461,639,368772,3521,095,917
Vincent791,595557,432637,287371,027
    Islands (Quarantine and Goat)*3,454*900
Lake382,722396,525274,791286,443
Fiord*144,371*137,591
Wallace1,364,0162,382,590(71)943,7771,672,732(71)
Southland3,739,5137,164,149(72)2,446,8304,942,570(72)
Stewart Island85,021168,07579,690135,299
    Islands (Antipodes, &c.)*13,880*13,880

BOROUGHS, 1891 AND 1910.

TABLE showing the CAPITAL VALUE of LAND, with IMPROVEMENTS (and distinguishing the UNIMPROVED VALUE OF LAND), in each BOROUGH in NEW ZEALAND according to the Results of the General Valuation made in 1891, and as at 31st March, 1910.
Borough.Capital Value, Land and Improvements.Unimproved Value of Land (included in previous columns).
As in Year 1891.As at 31st March, 1910.As in Year 1891.As at 31st March, 1910.

(1) Formed part of Whangarei County.

(2) Formed part of Hobson County.

(3) Formed part of Waitemata County.

(4) Formed part of Eden County.

(5) Formed part of Ohinemuri County.

(6) Formed part of Piako County.

(7) Formerly Clyde Town District, and part transferred from Wairoa County.

(8) Part transferred to Hawke's Bay County.

(9) Formed part of Waipawa County.

(10) Formed part of Waipawa County.

(11) Formed part of Clifton County.

(12) Formed part of Taranaki County.

(13) Formed part of Stratford County.

(14) Formed part of Hawera County.

(15) Part transferred from Waitotara County.

(16) Formed part of Wanganui County.

(17) Formed part of Rangitikei County.

(18) Part transferred to Manawatu County.

(19) Part transferred to Wellington City.

(20) Formed part of Horowhenua County.

(21) Formed part of Pahiatua County.

(22) Formed part of Eketahuna County.

(23) Formed part of Hutt County.

(24) Formed part of Hutt County.

(25) Formed part of Waimea County.

(26) Value of railway-station (£80,000) included in 1891, excluded in 1910.

(27) Formed part of Selwyn County.

(28) Formed part of Selwyn County.

(29) Formed part of Selwyn County.

(30) Formed part of Geraldine County.

(31) Formed part of Geraldine County.

(32) Formerly Hawksbury Borough.

(33) Part transferred from Taieri County.

(34) Formed part of Southland. County.

* Amalgamated 10th January, 1910.

 ££££
Whangarei(1)318,318(1)159,666
Dargaville(2)122,149(2)67,224
Birkenhead77,532276,12142,333127,774
Devonport407,333979,172163,468359,923
Auckland4,934,28810,419,2362,471,4965,669,720
Parnell366,098758,721138,775310,943
Newmarket182,353408,02682,327203,314
Grey Lynn222,355860,127135,607381,740
Onehunga250,634647,677111,406312,845
Northcote(3)155,248(3)73,234
Mount Eden(4)1,542,383(4)722,668
Hamilton90,142760,73844,584453,918
Cambridge70,279218,59725,521111,510
Thames227,171274,83076,54794,992
Tauranga63,026105,85525,15346,885
Waihi(5)411,135(5)150,712
Te Aroha(6)88,127(6)34,739
Gisborne317,9891,813,709148,5111,122,732
Wairoa(7)239,379(7)149,088
Napier1,275,8531,770,821667,157810,902
Hastings372,4581,422,059(8)230,592933,992(8)
Dannevirke(9)696,043(9)379,538
Woodville102,226115,37357,85245,978
Waipawa(10)219,109(10)136,194
New Plymouth341,1171,222,748165,621726,107
Hawera84,834473,23137,914232,958
Patea43,37864,65712,00522,037
Waitara(11)193,479(11)88,879
Inglewood(12)150,552(12)67,434
Stratford(13)362,435(13)189,469
Eltham(14)296,857(14)167,057
Wanganui543,4031,729,568(15)290,3211,067,957(15)
Marton83,915147,14233,73662,719
Wanganui East(16)287,149(16)211,928
Taihape(17)208,115(17)106,920
Feilding146,881839,52068,119504,585
Palmerston North489,6182,105,544310,2931,140,285
Foxton85,743181,476(18)39,75579,782(18)
Onslow114,053513,486(19)78,803297,790(19)
Karori118,728561,297(19)74,595396,333(19)
Wellington—
    Onslow portion..228,609..134,358
    Karori portion..496,645..259,618
    City portion5,865,77816,208,9473,440,1829,635,588
    Melrose portion203,5172,642,565129,4291,364,040
Levin(20)260,885(20)128,392
Pahiatua(21)220,861(21)101,223
Masterton356,8601,176,342159,861572,019
Carterton88,650270,46231,315118,660
Greytown115,649147,35934,09557,595
Lower Hutt244,0751,531,245159,1781,017,720
Petone268,3581,359,295145,221757,362
Eketahuna(22)160,733(22)84,187
Eastbourne(23)172,002(23)108,091
Miramar(24)890,137(24)683,911
Richmond84,285132,74043,37576,050
Nelson942,3701,183,025389,397573,699
Picton88,195256,19741,189153,566
Blenheim378,943684,637167,481333,165
Motueka(25)169,159(25)89,048
Westport166,987688,08957,782381,175
Greymouth299,077592,285114,543167,488
Brunner115,89270,58216,16611,591
Kumara33,56534,1476,9455,806
Hokitika102,708225,56518,05480,188
Ross16,96122,9905,2505,722
Rangiora158,017236,58471,16186,736
Kaiapoi134,055184,30547,02359,260
Christchurch—
    Central Ward3,403,5666,454,5211,820,7703,110,068
    St. Albans Ward542,8221,670,215284,938628,580
    Sydenham Ward821,0601,677,021(26)333,876592,435(26)
    Linwood Ward(27)945,623(27)305,657
Woolston(28)411,386(28)172,461
New Brighton(29)197,440(29)92,568
Sumner102,145381,55560,264211,310
Lyttelton851,730932,400150,490265,210
Akaroa49,40778,35119,62824,449
Ashburton223,091452,51390,733201,925
Timaru442,8302,068,551151,6611,119,346
Geraldine(30)109,177(30)35,276
Temuka(31)195,864(31)65,612
Waimate75,399260,96118,75997,985
Oamaru612,571793,388279,113290,161
Hampden13,19526,4795,2299,682
Naseby24,18633,1832,4404,765
Palmerston51,18279,68216,77123,170
Waikouaiti(32)45,71683,82819,82339,382
Port Chalmers200,043309,86060,946104,990
West Harbour137,015183,58268,24075,893
North-east Valley276,835555,172130,271209,358
Maori Hill142,890378,17767,348165,615
Roslyn360,962916,897169,610354,041
Mornington284,875528,139125,414184,031
Dunedin—
    Leith, Bell, High, and South Wards4,193,4226,751,4112,124,4673,195,829
    Caversham Ward466,074749,841217,158274,795
    South Dunedin Ward223,534591,22182,609167,183
St. Kilda118,477520,70176,842171,371
Green Island36,962201,693(33)13,58560,165(33)
Mosgiel122,625209,27753,44178,424
Roxburgh20,12333,9633,1675,109
Lawrence79,066116,04818,58431,408
Tapanui16,15531,5602,5759,065
Milton76,207171,23014,01253,861
Balclutha53,210133,27314,54748,743
Kaitangata54,976103,33121,13331,297
Cromwell22,16845,3564,65810,726
Alexandra13,57852,3842,9559,973
Arrowtown24,58620,9095,0123,325
Queenstown65,15364,41513,52414,544
Gore142,708461,04566,171183,390
Mataura(34)151,128(34)48,495
Winton20,19560,1817,96521,303
Gladstone*26,5412,124,37713,825850,130
Avenal*15,2696,687
North Invercargill*28,29315,640
East Invercargill*42,99618,385
Invercargill*959,140517,879
South Invercargill79,526220,55842,81376,054
Riverton59,62668,63822,02417,944
Campbelltown97,380242,62749,43096,622

TOWN DISTRICTS, 1891 AND 1910.

TABLE showing the CAPITAL VALUE of LAND, with IMPROVEMENTS (and distinguishing the UNIMPROVED VALUE of LAND), according to the Results of the General Valuation made in 1891, and as at 31st March, 1910, for those Town Districts which, under the Provisions of “The Town Districts Act, 1908,” do not form Part of any County.
Town District.Capital Value, Land and Improvements.Unimproved Value of Land (included in previous columns).
As in Year 1891.As at 31st March, 1910.As in Year 1891As at 31st March, 1910.

(1) Formed part of Hikurangi Road District.

(2) Formed part of Huntly Road District.

(3) Formed part of Mount Wellington Road District.

(4) Formed part of Waipa County.

(5) Formed part of West Taupo County.

(6) Formed part of Waipukurau Road District.

(7) Formed part of Henui Road District.

(8) Formed part of Westmere Riding.

(9) Formed part of Waimarino County.

(10) Formed part of Rangitikei County.

(11) Formed part of Featherston County.

(12) Formed part of Hutt County.

(13) Formed part of Levels County.

(14) Formed part of Tomahawk Road District.

 ££££
Hikurangi(1)39,981(1)18,986
Helensville40,63933,3408,0287,678
Huntly(2)117,435(2)68,895
Ellerslie(3)187,398(3)98,805
Frankton(4)186,163(4)129,058
Opotiki35,655141,83614,39090,526
Taumarunui Township(5)23,883(5)16,343
Taradale82,711134,73750,57587,571
Waipukurau(6)200,639(6)135,088
Fitzroy(7)122,507(7)72,198
Gonville(8)273,942(8)168,847
Ohakune(9)44,899(9)31,535
Hunterville(10)76,266(10)33,600
Martinborough(11)106,028(11)36,737
Featherston47,18795,59913,64832,329
Johnsonville46,313242,67121,519155,138
Upper Hutt(12)£17,750(12)144,963
Hampstead60,563142,70427,78465,875
Tinwald49,42880,66725,19145,217
Pleasant Point(13)53,204(13)24,504
Bay(14)216,301(14)106,261
Otautau14,34075,2926,01529,366
Wyndham22,76359,4597,54417,166

COUNTIES, 1910.

TABLE showing—(1.) CAPITAL VALUE of LAND, with IMPROVEMENTS (and distinguishing the UNIMPROVED VALUE OF LAND), in each COUNTY in NEW ZEALAND. (2.) CAPITAL VALUE of RATEABLE PROPERTY, with IMPROVEMENTS (and distinguishing the UNIMPROVED VALUE of LAND), in each COUNTY, as at 31st March, 1910.
NOTE.—The rateable value of pastoral lands of the Crown is fixed, under section 2 of “The Rating Act, 1908,” at the annual rental capitalised at 6 per cent., and in some cases is more and in some cases loss than the assessed capital value of same. The rateable values which are shown below include, in some cases, Native lands which are liable for half rates only.
[System of rating: C.V. signifies capital value, and U.V. unimproved value.]
County and Riding.Gross Values.System of Rating.Rateable Values.
Capital Value (Land and Improvements).Unimproved Value of Land (included in previous column).Capital Value (Land and Improvements).Unimproved Value of Land (included in previous column).

* Counties Act not wholly in force.

* Counties Act not in force.

† Counties Act not wholly in force.

 ££ ££
Mangonui434,946262,127C.V.346,970184,355
Whangaroa87,01553,083C.V.76,49846,184
Bay of Islands530,406343,569C.V.403,826229,727
Hokianga673,592542,476U.V.344,427227,609
Whangarei1,219,207676,521C.V.1,134,337609,852
Hobson763,890474,304U.V.702,528425,940
Otamatea606,093360,453C.V.567,395330,748
Rodney552,247260,597C.V.529,099246,154
Waitemata1,370,694865,258C.V.1,304,674820,887
Eden5,254,2162,883,843*4, 985,7112,778,947
Manukau3,233,4031,849,386*3,117,1401,783,916
Islands—
    Great and Little Barrier62,21240,051..40,80432,856
Waiheke, &c.99,86156,565..85,08849,405
Waikato1,418,010869,955C.V.1,313,580797,939
Raglan1,101,514724,570U.V.1,110,148684,577
Waipa1,654,802959,513C.V.1,592,323936,343
Kawhia396,691276,952U.V.268,143158,436
Awakino346,340260,874*301,164216,633
Waitomo1,105,925785,964C.V.917,801612,918
Ohura473,050356,585C.V.349,274239,174
Coromandel279,050173,603C.V.220,205130,124
Thames447,486281,172C.V.364,119214,453
Ohinemuri842,929611,067C.V.615,227318,846
Tauranga672,417412,965U.V.608,643361,010
Piako825,700488,257C.V.778,979454,264
Matamata767,249489,212C.V.665,954390,733
Rotorua702,307536,692*367,106239,188
Whakatane670,246523,027C.V.472,654340,630
Opotiki890,952656,403C.V.550,546343,467
East Taupo579,282465,866*392,913281,052
West Taupo485,730442,523*211,912172,382
Islands (Mayor and Motiti)5,7003,616..2,2621,018
Waiapu1,916,5491,333,096C.V.1,750,4531,180,200
Waikohu1,822,4811,161,747C.V.1,673,5851,105,504
Cook3,943,4232,665,696C.V.3,663,2832,399,871
Wairoa2,582,2881,770,369C.V.2,384,4591,532,329
Hawke's Bay6,125,5694,751,699C.V.6,063,5834,722,670
Waipukurau473,339367,025U.V.460,278355,039
Waipawa2,199,4201,559,820U.V.2,065,5731,531,856
Woodville1,071,523698,497U.V.1,062,085692,083
Dannevirke2,013,7171,348,259U.V.1,973,0801,320,547
Patangata3,342,7102,656,289C.V.3,324,0282,642,835
Weber482,094279,883U.V.478,987278,543
Clifton774,129485,107C.V.694,643409,353
Taranaki2,093,0931,217,032C.V.2,045,7281,184,027
Egmont1,405,962837,066C.V.1,363,321809,125
Stratford2,189,7161,225,873U.V.2,047,9581,196,724
Whangamomona478,991270,770U.V.441,935237,695
Waimate West1,197,921921,169C.V.1,188,174918,620
Hawera1,942,3901,459,279C.V.1,911,3261,437,499
Eltham1,513,2221,063,012C.V.1,485,4201,041,585
Patea2,299,1321.549,508C.V.2,182,6791,461,611
Waitotara1,641,5091,175,351C.V.1,548,9991,095,456
Wanganui1,722,0351,186,204C.V.1,604,1451,074,591
Waimarino1,352,4851,154,284U.V.966,727777,035
Rangitikei4,397,9602,980,124C.V.4,265,5792,871,998
Kiwitea1,625,2021,055,475C.V.1,579,0141,015,329
Pohangina867,847551,403C.V.811,225488,179
Kairanga2,143,6511,606,527U.V.2,106,6541,591,673
Oroua1,966,5971,447,863C.V.1,954,7121,444,292
Manawatu1,739,3891,271,563C.V.1,694,9061,266,986
Horowhenua2,829,7161,973,094C.V.2,552,7071,914,441
Islands (Kapiti, Maria, and Somes)17,98413,378..10,4849,378
Chatham Islands95,55755,838..92,44653,614
Pahiatua1,723,6811,033,755U.V.1,693,6901,013,286
Akitio755,240438,583U.V.735,861422,898
Castlepoint589,306372,997U.V.585,725372,366
Eketahuna707,452418,103U.V.693,676408,427
Mauriceville439,919252,252C.V.420,055234,362
Masterton3,346,5902,163,154C.V.3,288,2482,127,502
Wairarapa South1,514,1791,015,484U.V.1,483,369993,445
Featherston2,427,1981,759,488C.V.2,343,6891,684,373
Hutt1,762,5431,208,631C.V.1,579,4861,106,094
Makara895,765475,606C.V.746,718442,494
Collingwood243,697143,209C.V.198,826106,112
Takaka406,670188,199U.V.356,276143,176
Waimea2,074,0241,230,885C.V.1,922,2951,122,116
Sounds589,789367,963*563,864343,667
Marlborough3,492,1792,699,6023,323,6842,538,369
Kaikoura963,172716,658C.V.825,886588,970
Buller899,938600,687U.V.523,639252,079
Murchison531,815393,942U.V.213,01382,343
Inangahua438,538262,360U.V.267,02188,486
Grey875,688617,245C.V.434,143209,372
Westland1,021,656809,513C.V.421,404228,794
Cheviot935,556746,481U.V.920,794740,295
Amuri1,477,4211,177,256C.V.1,402,3701,115,641
Waipara2,508,9712,177,981C.V.2,467,6132,093,988
Ashley3,868,5333,022,298*3,774,0722,959,110
Waimairi3,070,3971,766,579C.V.2,577,0201,491,627
Selwyn8,837,8676,411,716C.V.8,610,6465,977,999
Tawera341,840267,647C.V.334,451270,760
Mount Herbert385,245309,117C.V.378,215306,902
Akaroa1,583,1441,266,643C.V.1,569,7271,261,991
Wairewa804,273668,080C.V.792,450658,582
Ashburton6,712,4285,457,176C.V.6,647,0835,426,511
Geraldine2,378,8631,928,761C.V.2,359,4011,919,692
Levels2,250,6441,783,692C.V.2,236,8971,780,607
Mackenzie1,024,567796,729C.V.914,457699,718
Waimate3,786,7143,113,484U.V.3,642,2813,057,779
Waitaki3,822,6543,020,378C.V.3,755,9142,997,885
Maniototo743,827506,893C.V.713,564492,811
Waihemo567,474410,111C.V.562,718409,136
Waikouaiti843,232497,019C.V.731,609484,622
Peninsula487,341292,775*459,668289,071
Taieri1,633,3051,180,093C.V.1,599,5211,179,488
Tuapeka1,287,865907,031C.V.1,242,241882,590
Bruce1,299,812948,756C.V.1,280,926942,753
Clutha1,639,3681,095,917C.V.1,564,3971,052,000
Vincent557,432371,027C.V.522,642351,971
Quarantine and Goat Islands3,454900......
Lake396,525286,443C.V.279,420185,329
Fiord144,371137,591*14,06513,285
Wallace2,382,5901,672,732C.V.2,187,3691,503,068
Southland7,164,1494,942,570U.V.6,900,6234,739,086
Stewart Island168,075135,299C.V.32,59414,689
Islands (Antipodes, &c.)13,88013,880 676676
            Totals177,701,619124,560,720 165,285,618114,578,848

BOROUGHS, 1910.

TABLE showing—(1.) CAPITAL VALUE OF LAND, with IMPROVEMENTS (and distinguishing the UNIMPROVED VALUE of LAND). (2.) CAPITAL VALUE of RATEABLE PROPERTY with IMPROVEMENTS (and distinguishing the UNIMPROVED VALUE of LAND), in each BOROUGH in NEW ZEALAND, as at 31st March, 1910.
[System of rating: C.V. signifies capital value, U.V. unimproved value, and A.V. annual value.]
Boroughs.Gross Values.System of Rating.Rateable Values.
Capital Value (Land and Improvements).Unimproved Value of Land (included in previous column).Capital Value (Land and Improvements).Unimproved Value of Land (included in previous column).
 ££ ££
Whangarei318,318159,666C.V.306,023153,881
Dargaville122,14967,224U.V.117,99964,909
Birkenhead276,121127,774A.V.268,213123,679
Devonport979,172359,923U.V.841,278316,974
Auckland City10,419,2365,669,720A.V.9,261,5015,017,835
Parnell758,721310,943A.V.718,742294,659
Newmarket408,026203,314A.V.393,194193,774
Grey Lynn860,127381,740U.V.832,852363,580
Onehunga647,677312,845A.V.601,385287,095
Northcote155,24873,234A.V.150,23869,994
Mount Eden1,542,383722,668A.V.1,436,021690,548
Hamilton760,738453,918U.V.674,948391,778
Cambridge218,597111,510A.V.192,77297,602
Thames274,83094,992A.V.231,49886,190
Tauranga105,85546,885A.V.96,40542,819
Waihi411,135150,712A.V.382,627142,904
Te Aroha88,12734,739A.V.73,40328,500
Gisborne1,813,7091,122,732A.V.1,746,3591,089,981
Wairoa239,379149,088U.V.226,132141,622
Napier1,770,821810,902A.V.1,649,267774,585
Hastings1,422,059933,992U.V.1,372,561909,549
Dannevirke696,043379,538U.V.662,703363,222
Woodville115,37345,978U.V.100,29741,461
Waipawa219,109136,194U.V.202,861128,184
New Plymouth1,222,748726,107A.V.1,096,158659,689
Hawera473,2,31232,958U.V.431,180207,460
Patea64,65722,037A.V.56,53020,072
Waitara193,47988,879C.V.186,57785,679
Inglewood150,55267,434C.V.136,15959,338
Stratford362,435189,469U.V.327,460170,062
Eltham296,857167,057C.V.280,245158,055
Wanganui1,729,5681,067,957A.V.1,600,658979,914
Marton147,14262,719A.V.133,57959,844
Wanganui East287,149211,928A.V.284,777210,473
Taihape208,145106,920C.V.174,25588,351
Feilding839,520504,585U.V.765,519451,669
Palmerston North2,105,5441,140,286U.V.1,990,4271,077,239
Foxton181,47679,782U.V.162,13869,093
Onslow513,486297,790U.V.466,269282,929
Karori561,297396,333U.V.525,850366,641
Wellington—
    Onslow portion228,609134,858U.V.225,234133,083
    Karori portion496,645259,618U.V.441,100220,441
    City portion16,208,9479,635,538U.V.14,709,6008,387,657
    Kilbirnie portion2,642,5651,364,040U.V.1,048,050537,292
    Island Bay portionU.V.633,450376,751
    Ohiro portionU.V.938,366425,502
Levin260,885128,392C.V.239,472120,007
Pahiatua220,861101,223U.V.209,89997,925
Masterton1,176,342572,019U.V.1,079,018536,645
Carterton270,462118,660C.V.252,062112,695
Greytown147,35957,595A.V.138,25856,012
Lower Hutt1,531,2451,017,720U.V.1,443,737945,449
Petone1,359,295757,362U.V.1,244,680679,570
Eketahuna160,73384,187U.V.149,10879,746
Eastbourne172,002108,091U.V.168,926106,245
Miramar890,137683,911U.V.815,188624,737
Richmond132,74076,050C.V.125,95273,367
Nelson City1,183,025573,699A.V.1,074,954532,628
Picton256,197153,566U.V.223,446129,822
Blenheim684,637333,165U.V.630,552312,323
Motueka169,15989,048C.V.161,82187,388
Westport688,069381,175U.V.569,769304,225
Greymouth592,285167,488U.V.541,506151,652
Brunner70,58211,591A.V.20,0328,640
Kumara34,1475,806C.V.24,2843,771
Hokitika225,56580,188U.V.184,59764,193
Ross22,9905,722C.V.18,7934,753
Rangiora236,58486,736C.V.218,76782,489
Kaiapoi184,30559,260A.V.167,30556,575
Christchurch City—
    Central Ward6,454,5213,110,068U.V.5,806,8092,916,081
    St. Albans Ward1,670,215628,580C.V.1,643,735619,790
    Sydenham Ward1,677,021592,435C.V.1,561,141519,885
    Linwood Ward945,623305,657C.V.929,590300,494
Woolston411,386172,461C.V.392,066167,041
New Brighton197,44092,568C.V.192,74590,578
Sumner381,555211,310C.V.358,565200,625
Lyttelton932,400265,210A.V.305,18592,050
Akaroa78,35124,449C.V.72,32822,749
Ashburton452,513201,925A.V.411,128177,850
Timaru2,068,5511,119,346A.V.1,922,0411,047,956
Geraldine109,17735,276C.V.101,22233,211
Temuka195,86465,612C.V.167,80857,292
Waimate260,96197,985U.V.227,36289,490
Oamaru793,388290,161A.V.730,460273,349
Hampden26,4799,682C.V.22,2338,132
Naseby33,1834,765A.V.26,9834,245
Palmerston79,68223,170C.V.71,21721,474
Waikouaiti83,82839,382C.V.77,86638,467
Port Chalmers309,860104,990A.V.279,01097,660
West Harbour183,58275,893U.V.175,24272,623
North-east Valley555,172209,358A.V.537,315202,191
Maori Hill378,177165,615U.V.313,472136,940
Roslyn916,897354,041A.V.898,412349,006
Mornington528,139184,031A.V.510,089179,301
Dunedin City—
    Leith Ward1,504,155668,755A.V.1,400,630631,985
    Bell Ward1,549,550764,945A.V.1,363,450674,245
    High Ward2,719,4861,305,564A.V.2,397,6761,146,584
    South Ward978,220456,565A.V.913,970401,165
    Caversham Ward749,841274,795A.V.697,654254,975
    South Dunedin Ward591,221167,183A.V.572,881163,843
St. Kilda520,701171,371A.V.509,141169,661
Green Island201,69360,165A.V.192,70358,215
Mosgiel209,27778,424A.V.193,54774,664
Roxburgh33,9635.109A.V.30,0634,599
Lawrence116,04831,408A.V.101,25328,713
Tapanui31,5609,065A.V.28,7008,595
Milton171,23053,861A.V.158,71551,296
Balclutha133,27348,743U.V.124,15345,613
Kaitangata103,33131,297A.V.97,39629,985
Cromwell45,35610,726A.V.40,1319,338
Alexandra52,3849,973A.V.48,4689,435
Arrowtown20,9093,325A.V.15,3392,867
Queenstown64,41514,544A.V.51,35112,204
Gore461,045183,390U.V.420,089163,700
Mataura151,12848,495A.V.144,06144,499
Winton60,18121,303U.V.53,22418,997
Invercargill2,124,377850,130U.V.1,890,198739,140
South Invercargill220,55876,054U.V.215,50674,505
Riverton68,63817,944A.V.58,63916,679
Campbelltown242,62796,622U.V.225,33889,642
            Totals97,055,76349,112,455..88,533,23644,657,040

TOWN DISTRICTS.

TABLE showing—(1.) CAPITAL VALUE of LAND, with IMPROVEMENTS (and distinguishing the UNIMPROVED VALUE of LAND). (2.) CAPITAL VALUE of RATEABLE PROPERTY, with IMPROVEMENTS (and distinguishing the UNIMPROVED VALUE of LAND), as at 31st March, 1910, for those Town Districts which, under the provisions of “The Town Districts Act, 1908,” do not form Part of any County.
Town Districts.Gross Values.System of Rating.Rateable Values.
Capital Value (Land and Improvements).Unimproved Value of Land (included in previous column).Capital Value (Land and Improvements).Unimproved Value of Land (included in previous column).
 ££ ££
Hikurangi39,98118,986C.V.37,87318,508
Helensville33,3407,678A.V.30,7437,364
Huntly117,43568,895C.V.113,31564,775
Ellerslie187,39898,805C.V.169,11386,960
Frankton186,163129,058C.V.179,753123,623
Opotiki141,83690,526C.V.129,68583,150
Taumarunui Township23,88316,343U.V.20,48313,443
Taradale134,73787,571C.V.131,04786,616
Waipukurau200,639135,088U.V.186,613129,733
Fitzroy122,50772,198C.V.121,90371,998
Gonville273,942168,847C.V.249,638156,638
Ohakune44,89931,535U.V.37,13424,585
Hunterville76,26633,600C.V.70,19031,211
Martin borough106,02836,737C.V.100,92936,022
Featherston95,59932,329C.V.85,90030,650
Johnsonville242,671155,138C.V.224,773144,915
Upper Hutt217,750144,963C.V.209,897141,730
Hampstead142,70465,875C.V.131,68465,075
Tinwald80,66745,217C.V.77,69344,612
Pleasant Point53,20424,504C.V.48,12823,593
Bay216,301106,261C.V.212,296105,196
Otautau75,29229,366C.V.69,52127,906
Wyndham59,45917,166A.V.55,70716,207
            Totals2,872,7011,616,686A.V.2,694,0181,534,510

Chapter 47. SECTION XXII.—PUBLIC FINANCE.

Table of Contents

Subsection A.—Revenue and Expenditure of the General Government.

THE various Acts relating to the custody and administration of the public moneys and securities are now consolidated in “The Public Revenues Act, 1908.” All public moneys, excepting those payable to or received by the Post Office, the Government Insurance Office, the Government Accident Insurance Office, the Public Trust Office, the Commissioners of the Public Debts Sinking Funds, the New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Office, the State Fire Insurance Office, and the deposits under the New Zealand Consols Act, are paid into one account at the bank called the “Public Account,” and are carried to one or other of the following accounts or funds in the books of the Treasury—

  1. The Consolidated Fund.

  2. The Public Works Fund.

  3. Separate accounts or funds created under any special Act.

The main Consolidated Fund Account records the ordinary public revenue and expenditure. There are certain subsidiary accounts to this fund which come under the third head in the above-category. The Public Works Fund Account contains receipts from loans or aids from the Consolidated Fund and the expenditure on public works, immigration, or special services legally chargeable to that account.

The financial year commences on the 1st day of April and ends on the 31st day of March. The revenue of any financial year is the money received into the Public Account at the bank at Wellington within the year; the expenditure is the money paid at the Treasury within the year, and the money paid by imprestees, of which accounts are received at the Treasury within the year Imprests not accounted for at the end of a financial year are included in the accounts of the following year.

At the end of each financial year the Appropriation Acts lapse, but the Minister of Finance is authorised for a period of three months from the commencement of the next financial year to pay money in respect of any service, provided the amount does not exceed the unexpended balance voted for that purpose in the previous year, together with an amount equal to one-fourth of such vote.

The usual practice is for Parliament to meet at the end of June in each year, and vote supplies from month to month until the estimated expenditure for the year has been approved and the annual Appropriation Act is passed.

Claims for payment of moneys out of the Public Account must be audited at Wellington and certified as correct before payment can be made. This involves considerable delay in cases where the claimant resides far from the seat of Government, and it is proposed to adopt the post-audit system, excepting where the safety of transactions depends upon questions of title, such as purchases of land by the State or advances of State moneys on mortgage.

The total revenue and expenditure of the Consolidated Fund Account for the financial years ended the 31st March, 1901 to 1910, is shown in the following table, together with the excess of revenue for each year and the amount of such excess transferred to the Public Works Fund in the succeeding year:—

Year ended 31st March.Revenue.Expenditure.Excess of Revenue over Expenditure.Amount of Excess transferred to the Public Works Fund.
1901£ 5,906,916£ 5,479,704£ 427,212£ 500,000
19026,152,8415,914,915237,926500,000
19036,447,4356,214,019233,416200,000
19047,130,1176,434,281695,836350,000
19057,347,1976,635,902711,295600,000
19067,650,0987,122,340527,758500,000
19078,478,9567,774,926704,030775,000
19089,063,9898,213,965850,024800,000
19099,001,9868,785,513216,473800,000
19109,238,9178,990,922247,995 
Totals, 10 years76,418,45271,566,4874,851,9655,025,000

To the amount of excess revenue for the ten years must be added the sum of £605,351 brought forward from the financial year ended 31st March, 1900, making a total of £5,457,316. Deducting the total amount transferred to the Public Works Fund, there remains a balance of £432,316, which has been carried forward to the current year's account.

The total amount of excess revenue transferred to the Public Works Fund during the eighteen financial years ended 31st March, 1909, was £7,230,000. The Minister of Finance proposes to transfer £500,000 during the year ending 31st March, 1911.

Consolidated Fund—Revenue.

An analysis of the revenue received during each of ten financial years is made in the next table.

Consolidated Fund—Revenue, 1900–1 to 1909–10.

Year ended 31st March.Revenue derived fromTotal Revenue.
Taxation.Services.Crown Lands.Other Sources.
 £££££
19013,042,8902,356,973270,203236,8505,906,916
19023,113,0792,500,285249,619289,8586,152,841
19033,277,9642,661,332252,278255,8616,447,435
19043,649,6012,910,894247,842321,7807,130,117
19053,754,3793,014,212260,021318,5857,347,197
19063,841,5963,195,849260,789351,8647,650,098
19074,264,5553,558,616250,900404,8858,478,956
19084,645,7543,793,356289,603335,2769,063,989
19094,377,7614,047,034222,857354,3349,001,986
19104,245,8584,420,096269,730303,2339,238,917
Totals, 10 years38,213,43732,458,6472,573,8423,172,52676,418,452

Revenue under the head of “Taxation” includes Customs and Excise duties, land-tax, income-tax, bank-note issue, and totalisator taxes. Revenue from “Services” consists of Railway, Post and Telegraph receipts, and certain fees paid in return for special services. Revenue from “Crown Lands” includes proceeds of sales and rents. For the year ended 31st March, 1909, the income from National Endowments, £76,223, was held in the Deposit Account pending allocation to the purposes for which the endowments were created—viz., education and old-age pensions, and after deducting expenses of administration, surveys, roading, &c., the balance was brought to account and expended during the following year. The amounts shown as “Other Sources” include miscellaneous revenue and small amounts recovered in respect of expenditure of previous years which are classed as revenue although, strictly speaking, they do not come under that head.

The total revenue per head of population, and the amounts per head derived from taxation and from other sources, during the past ten years is shown in the following table:—

Revenue per Head of Population, Ten Years.

Year.Revenue per Head derived fromTotal Revenue per Head.
Taxation.Other Sources. 
 £s.d.£s.d.£s.d.
1900–13196314107144
1901–23198317107176
1902–34183190808
1903–44844418125
1904–54824448126
1905–64774698144
1906–741474135980
1907–8504415691510
1908–94111141709811
1909–1046105219811

Consolidated Fund—Expenditure.

Expenditure out of the Consolidated Fund is grouped under two main headings by the Treasury, “Permanent” and “Annual.” Permanent appropriations, as the name implies, are those fixed by special Acts of the Legislature. Annual appropriations are voted each year by resolution of Parliament, and include the cost of the business undertakings of the State. In the following table this grouping has not been adopted, as it is considered more desirable to show the growth of the main items of expenditure during the last ten financial years:—

Year ended 31st March.Amount expended onTotal Expenditure.
Working Railways.Post and Telegraph.Education.Interest, &c., on Public Debt.Other Expenses.
 ££££££
19011,145,089416,364481,0871,745,6161,691,5485,479,704
19021,280,997463,817539,3171,803,9391,826,8455,914,915
19031,357,385485,860566,5681,900,9791,903,2276,214,019
19041,451,954524,500588,8601,957,9631,911,0046,434,281
19051,471,844557,535653,2721,993,7291,959,5226,635,902
19061,594,954577,115714,0712,087,2042,148,9967,122,340
19071,850,047617,270813,5802,172,0922,321,9377,774,926
19081,963,428707,146843,3112,187,4192,512,6618,213,965
19092,120,987806,293874,8182,258,3652,725,0508,785,513
19102,168,189855,862936,8752,397,4622,632,5348,990,922
Totals, 10 years16,404,8746,011,7627,011,75920,504,76821,633,32471,566,487

Among the items included in “Other Expenses” is old-age pensions, which amounted to £197,293 in 1900–1 and to £362,195 in 1909–10. After deducting the amounts received by alienation of Crown lands the charges of the public debt are found to have absorbed 30.01 per cent. of the revenue in 1900–1 and 26.25 per cent. in 1909–10.

Consolidated Fund—Receipts and Expenditure during the year 1909–10.

The total receipts of the Consolidated Fund for the financial year 1909–10, including a balance of £184,321 brought forward from the previous year, were £9,423,238, and the total expenditure for the same period was £8,990,922, leaving a balance of £432,316 to carry forward. Treasury bills outstanding at the beginning of the year amounting to £250,000, and at the end of the year to £100,000, have been deducted from the balances in each case.

Consolidated Fund—Receipts, 1909–10.

From taxation— ££
    Customs 2,671,121 
    Excise 115,369 
    Land—
        Ordinary£417,668  
        Graduated220,044  
        Absentee4,558  
  642,270 
    Income-tax 316,835 
    Death duties 192,014 
    Bank-note-issue tax 35,487 
    Other taxes 272,762 
   4,245,858
From services—
    Railways 3,258,263 
    Postal 566,990 
    Telegraph 250,212 
    Telephone 144,298 
    Other services 200,333 
   4,420,096
Land revenue—
    Alienation 35,412 
    Rents, Crown lands 167,176 
    Net revenue from National Endowment lands (1908–9) 67,142 
   269,730
Miscellaneous  303,233
Total  £9,238,917

Taxation represented 45.96 per cent. of the total revenue for the year 1909–10, and services contributed 47.84 per cent. For the previous financial year the proportions were 48.63 per cent. and 44.96 per cent. respectively.

As previously explained, the amount shown as net revenue from National Endowment lands represents the money received from that source during the previous financial year. The method adopted is

to place the amount received under this head each year to a separate account, and, after deducting necessary expenses, to transfer the balance to the Consolidated Fund Account. Seventy per cent. of this balance is expended on education, and 30 per cent. on old-age pensions.

Consolidated Fund—Expenditure, 1909–10.

 ££
Charges of the public debt (excluding interest and sinking fund charges paid out of separate accounts) 2,397,462
Pensions and allowances—
    Old-age pensions362,195 
    Civil and military pensions and allowances51,806 
    Civil Service Superannuation Fund27,000 
  441,001
Payment to local bodies—
    Subsidies115,311 
    Endowments revenue90,924 
    Thirds and fourths rents of Crown lands29,657 
    Timber and flax royalties6,742 
    Other payments1,457 
  244,091
Public instruction—
    Elementary600,842 
    Secondary and higher98,284 
    Manual and technical61,168 
    Training of teachers29,791 
    Native schools28,133 
    Industrial schools24,923 
    School buildings68,528 
    Departmental and miscellaneous25,206 
  936,875
Judicial and legal—
    Administration of justice119,032 
    Police170,896 
    Prisons45,851 
  335,779
    Railways, working-expenses 2,168,189
Postal and Telegraph services 855,862
Defence (including naval defence, £100,000) 288,950
Other expenditure—
    Departmental1,274,318 
    Miscellaneous48,395 
  1,322,713
Total £8,990,922

A comparison of the revenue of the Consolidated Fund for the year 1909–10 with that for the previous year, the percentage of each item to the totals and the increase or decrease, as the case may be, is given in the following table:—

Consolidated Fund—Revenue for 1909–10, compared with 1908–9.

Head of Revenue.Revenue of Consolidated Fund.Increase or Decrease during 1909–10.*
1909–10.Per Cent. of Total.1908–9.Per Cent. of Total.NumericalPer Cent.

* Minus sign (–) signifies decrease.

Taxation—£ £ £ 
    Customs and Excise2,786,49030.162,917,46232.41–130,972–4.49
    Land642,2706.95604,9016.7237,3696.18
    Income316,8353.43321,0443.57–4,209–1.31
    Death duties192,0142.08260,2382.89–68,224–26.22
    Other taxes308,2493.33274,1163.0434,13312.45
Services—
    Railways3,258,26335.272,918,50732.42339,75611.64
    Postal566,9906.14544,6426.0522,3484.10
    Telegraph250,2122.71238,1042.6412,1085.08
    Telephone144,2981.56131,2491.4613,0499.94
    Other services200,3332.17214,5322.38–14,199–6.62
    Land revenue269,7302.92222,8572.4846,87321.03
    Miscellaneous303,2333.28354,3343.94–51,101–14.42
Totals9,238,917100.009,001,986100.00236,9312.64

The expenditure of the Consolidated Fund Account for the last two financial years is presented in the next table in similar form to the above.

Consolidated Fund—Expenditure for 1909–10, compared with 1908–9.

Head of Expenditure.Expenditure of Consolidated Fund.Increase or Decrease during 1909–10.*
1909–10.Per Cent. of Total.1908–9.Per Cent. of Total.Numerical.Per Cent.

* Minus sign (–) signifies decrease.

 £ £ £ 
Charges of the public debt2,397,46226.672,258,36525.71139,0975.76
Pensions and allowances441,0014.91413,2464.7027,7556.72
Payment to local bodies244,0912.71232,3022.6411,7895.07
Public instruction936,87510.42874,8189.9662,0577.09
Judicial and legal335,7793.73334,8303.819430.28
Railways, working expenses2,168,18924.122,120,98724.1447,2022.23
Postal and Telegraph services855,8629.52806,2939.1849,5696.15
Defence (including naval)288,9503.21233,9762.6654,97423.50
Other expenditure1,322,71314.711,510,69017.20–187,977–12.44
Totals8,990,922100.008,785,513100.00205,4092.34

The increase in the charges of the public debt is due to interest on new borrowings for public works and the Wellington–Manawatu Railway purchase. The law relating to the granting of old-age pensions was amended in 1908 and again in 1909 in the direction of relaxing the conditions under which the pension may be obtained, with the result that a number of persons previously debarred are now granted pensions. The increased expenditure under that head is mainly due to this fact. An increase of £60,000 towards the cost of maintaining the Australian Naval Squadron accounts for more than the extra charge for defence. The subsidy for that purpose is now £100,000 per annum.

Public Works Fund—Receipts and Expenditure.

The receipts of this account mainly consist of the proceeds of loans raised for the construction of public works. From time to time the fund has been aided by substantial transfers of surplus revenue from the Consolidated Fund Account. The receipts for the last ten years are shown in the next table.

Public Works Fund.—Receipts, Ten Years.

Financial Year.Amounts received.Total Receipts.
From Loans.Transfers from Consolidated Fund.Other Sources
 ££££
1900–1900,000500,0001,7881,401,788
1901–21,863,181500,0001,6152,364,796
1902–31,197,333200,0001,6171,398,950
1903–41,523,950350,0001,6641,875,614
1904–51,297,050600,00011,6331,908,683
1905–61,052,574500,0003,1941,555,768
1906–71,125,686775,00017,3951,918,081
1907–8l,029,600800,00016,4541,846,054
1908–92,813,790800,00014,4803,628,270
1909–102,091,090 2,6072,093,697

During the year 1908–9 the Wellington-Manawatu Railway was taken over by the Government, and a loan of £1,000,000 was raised for that purpose. In addition to the amount shown above, the sum of £2,205,000 was transferred during the years 1891–1900 from the Consolidated Fund Account to the Public Works Fund. The next table shows the expenditure each year since 1884 upon services which are charged to the Fund. As will be seen further on the whole of what may be termed public works are not included in this account.

Expenditure on Services provided for by the Public Works Fund.

Year.Immigration.Railways.Roads.Development of Goldfields.Telegraph Extension.Public Buildings.Lighthouses, &c.Other Services.Totals.
 £££££££££
1884–8557,148663,063317,0438,02925,799117,36134,033114,2511,338,727
1885–8611,675725,496335,9049,03236,01086,859133,975136,4351,475,386
1880–8712,454615,265278,6177,66518,95289,598148,705162,2281,333,484
1887–8815,598403,726219,5191,01022,98490,52976,825135,962966,159
1838–898,791272,077106,4405512,04734,59247,593132,344613,939
1889–90867289,57284,12628116,34635,4739,43446,362482,464
1890–911,823180,02071,28982116,29222,8192,66639,026334,756
1891–92817154,416101,6052,25727,77334,7917,34762,495391,501
1892–93242220,894105,5063,81129,24531,10111,20560,502462,506
1893–94343176,304147,4185,27216,12744,0326,58810,713406,797
1894–95101247,545164,8335,86519,22954,1903,1459,578504,486
1895–96Cr. 10197,105229,5319,34535,53876,5297,41019,639575,087
1896–97301207,231237,65010,50836,79170,57911,60026,683601,343
1897–9870351,600290,77733,11729,38473,5855,29581,715865,543
1898–99105374,141295,53417,35428,551107,26715,66277,713916,327
1899–1900385417,937285,53221,81526,771115,4279,026116,330993,223
1900–1214717,723315,79115,90750,101121,3646,51781,4041,309,021
1901–21401,333,941403,69015,32531,729145,60012,159200,6682,143,252
1902–3142759,753283,16924,21368,578197,45513,581167,5541,514,445
1903–4Cr. 7978,704361,84216,27847,227216,19210,863165,7281,796,841
1904–56,482811,994230,0126,25879,298116,6785,99097,4461,354,158
1905–68,7531,077,978360,76618,53377,186160,2144,946103,4431,811,819
1906–714,3531,326,792366,58111,064114,068226,9184,504104,6142,168,894
1907–89,1311,272,828331,1078,632155,491226,0356,86399,7972,109,882
1908–915,0772,278,327481,97632,859163,033285,52119,21787,8853,363,895
1909–1017,0021,279,807367,23018,598123,422276,94916,683116,7062,216,397

The receipts and expenditure of the fund, including the renewal of loans maturing, during the financial year ended 31st March, 1910, were as under:—

PUBLIC WORKS FUND—RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURE.
1909–10.
 ££
Receipts—  
Balance, 31st March, 1909 465,549
Proceeds of debentures issued under Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Acts550,000 
Sale of 3½-per-cent. stock412,000 
Temporary advance on security of debentures issued under “The Finance Act, 1909”1,000,000 
Proceeds of debentures issued under “The Finance Act, 1909”74,900 
Proceeds of debentures issued under “The Hutt Railway and Road Improvement Act, 1907”52,590 
Proceeds of debentures issued under “The Government Railways Act, 1908”1,600 
  2,091,090
Other receipts 2,607
  2,559,246
Debentures issued for redemptions and renewals (as per contra) 534,850
Total £3,094,096
Expenditure—
    Railways1,279,807 
    Roads367,230 
    Telegraph extension123,422 
    Public buildings276,949 
    Lighthouses, harbour works, and harbour defences16,683 
    Tourist and Health resorts14,507 
    Immigration17,002 
    Development of Goldfields18,598 
    Purchase of Native lands30,567 
    Departmental41,176 
    Charges and expenses of raising loans18,362 
    Miscellaneous12,094 
  2,216,397
    Debentures redeemed and renewed 534,925
    Balance, 31st March, 1910 342,774
Total £3,094,096

The expenditure on roads out of the Public Works Fund does not comprise all of the moneys spent under that head by the general Government. Since 1896–97 the sum of £429,416 has been expended on construction of roads to open up Crown lands out of the moneys raised for loans to local bodies. The amount charged each year to the account is as follows:—

EXPENDITURE OUT OF LOANS TO
LOCAL BODIES ACCOUNT ON CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS SINCE 1896–97.
Year.Amount expended.
£
1897–9818,770
1898–9916,972
1899–190031,363
1900–137,390
1901–231,979
1902–318,578
1903–425,753
1904–528,895
1905–638,801
1906–747,371
1907–838,524
1908–954,713
1900–1040,307
Total£429,416

The reading of lands purchased for closer settlement is made a charge upon the Land for Settlements Account, and is included in the value upon which the rentals of those lands are based. The reclamation by drainage and opening up by means of roads of an area of the Hauraki Plains is provided for out of moneys borrowed for that purpose and shown in a separate account.

Separate Accounts or Funds.

The accounts included under this heading in some cases comprise revenue of different kinds mixed up with loan-money, while others are merely records of transactions which of their nature cannot be considered as properly belonging to the Public Account. Among the former may be counted the State Forests and State Coal-mines Account, and among the latter the accounts of local bodies, which consist of revenue collected on behalf of and paid over to local authorities, and the Deposit Accounts, consisting partly of moneys

held in trust and partly of moneys held in suspense for various reasons. The transactions of these accounts or funds are shown in the following tables.

The Hauraki Plains Settlement Account.

An Act of the General Assembly passed in 1908, authorises the construction of works necessary for the drainage, reclamation, and opening up for settlement of a block of swampy land, part of the Hauraki Plains. The Act provides for borrowing the funds required to carry out the work, and that the future revenues of the land recovered shall be applied to the repayment of the moneys so raised. The transactions for the last two years and the total to date are given in the following table:—

HeadYear ended 31st MarchTotal to 31st 1910.
1909.1910.
Receipts—£££
    Transfer from Loans to Local Bodies Account12,00019,00031,000
    Advances made by the New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Office 10,00010,000
Total12,00029,00041,000
Expenditure—
    Reclamation, drainage, and road-construction11,67222,23533,907

Land for Settlements Account.

The operations of this account during each of the five financial years ended 31st March, 1906–10, and the total transactions to the latter date, are shown in the following table:—

Head.Year ended 31st March.Total to 31st March, 1910.
1906.1907.1908.1909.1910.
Receipts—££££££
    Loans raised473,725530,040390,690566,020915,7355,877,912
    Rents, &c.204,466227,548249,273276,480281,3591,991,005
Total receipts678,191757,588639,963842,5001,197,0947,868,917
Expenditure—
    Land purchases780,633117,328565,728339,630260,7935,407,792
    Roading, &c.47,42276,83747,96742,36735,431488,112
    Interest on loans162,760188,013209,061215,535217,1641,549,144
    Payments to sinking fund 50,16554,46557,96358,779221,372
Total expenditure990,815432,343877,221655,495572,1677,666,420

The annual contributions to the sinking fund are paid to the Public Trustee for investment. The amount accrued on 31st March, 1910, was £232,794.

Loans to Local Bodies Account.

Receipts.£
Proceeds, sale of debentures325,000
Refunds, unexpended balance of loans1,113
Total£326,113
Expenditure.£
Advances to local authorities245,357
Roads to open up Crown lands40,307
Transfer to Hauraki Plains Settlement Account19,000
Other expenditure525
Total£305,189

National Endowment Account.

Under “The Land Act, 1908,” the net revenues from certain areas of Crown lands are to be applied to educational purposes and to payment of old-age pensions in the proportion of 70 per cent. and 30 per cent. in each case respectively. From the gross revenue is to be deducted any expenditure which may be incurred in the construction of roads, and also any sums which by law have been appropriated to local authorities out of the rents. The method adopted in dealing with the funds is to keep a separate account of all receipts and disbursements during the financial year, and at the end of that period to allocate the balance to the purposes stated above. The transactions during the year ended 31st March, 1910, were,—

Receipts.£
Rents, &c.146,469
Total£146,469
Expenditure.£
Construction of roads4,975
Payment to local authorities, &c.85,633
Total£90,608

Other Accounts and Funds.

Treasury Bills Account.

Dr.£
Treasury Bills outstanding at beginning of year250,000
Issued during year900,000
Total£1,150,000
Cr.£
Treasury Bills renewed during year200,000
Paid off during year850,000
Outstanding at end of year100,000
Total£1,150,000

State Forests Account.

Receipts.£
Rents from lands set apart2,533
Timber royalties and miscellaneous receipts12,892
Contribution from Consolidated Fund10,000
Total£25,425
Expenditure.£
Expenses of nurseries, tree-planting and forest conservation22,187
Total£22,187

Scenery Preservation Account.

Receipts.£
Proceeds of Sale of Debentures10,000
Total£10,000
Expenditure.£
Purchase of land, survey, and incidental expenses5,776
Total£5,776

Local Bodies Account.

Receipts.£
Revenue received on account of local bodies—
    Fees, fines, &c.9,861
    Endowments of land, &c.18,841
    Goldfields revenue17,637
    Gold duty29,807
Counties separate accounts129
Advance Account—
    Amount repaid by local bodies20,217
Total£96,492
Expenditure.£
Revenue paid over to local bodies76,460
Counties separate account Advance Account—141
Sundry payments made on behalf of local bodies23,604
Total£100,205

This account deals with revenue collected for and paid over to local authorities, also sundry payments made on behalf of such authorities and refunded by them.

Deposit Accounts.

Receipts.£
Lodgments866,044
Total£866,044
Expenditure.£
Withdrawals862,028.
Total£862,028

This account consists of moneys to be applied to specific purposes under various Acts, collections on behalf of local institutions, and miscellaneous items in suspense.

Conversion Account.

Dr.£
3½-per-cent. Inscribed Stock—“issued for redemption of debentures772,500
Issued for conversion of debentures129,560
Issued for expenses of conversion10,000
Total£912,060
Cr.£
Debentures redeemed750,000
Debentures converted into 3½ - per - cent. Inscribed Stock—
    Amount converted127,000
    Premiums2,560
Expenses Account—
    Brokerage and commission12,348
    Stamp duty7,569
    Discount22,725
    Miscellaneous405
Total£922,607

Bank of New Zealand Act, 1903, Account.

Dr.£
Investment Account500,000
Total£500,000
Cr.£
75,000 preference shares issued by the Bank of New Zealand500,000
Total£500,000

Reserve Fund Account.

Dr.£
Investment Account800,000
Total£800,000
Cr.£
Securities (face value £863,876 17s. 11d.)800,000
Total£800,000

New Zealand Consols Account.

Dr.£
Cash in Deposit Account8
Investment Account478,565
Deposits inscribed during year 1909–109,078
Total£487,651
Cr.£
Consols redeemed77,527
Cash in Deposit Account7,359
Investment Account402,765
Total£487,651

State Coal-mines.

Receipts.£
Proceeds of sale of coal241,883
Proceeds of sale of debentures30,000
Refund of cost of construction of railway26,886
Total£298,769
Expenditure.£
Working - expenses and development260,551
Interest on debentures3,681
Total£264,232

Cheviot Estate Account.

Receipts.£
Rents from land13,212
Interest on investments1,136
Total£14,348
Expenditure.£
Interest on loan8,866
Roading, &c.85
Total£8,951

Maori Land Settlement Account.

Receipts. 
Nil. 
Expenditure.£
Purchase of land293
Expenses145
Total£438

The working account of the State coal-mines and trading account of the depots, and the capital account, are shown further on in this section.

Statement of Balances on 31st March, 1910.

The cash balances and investments of the foregoing accounts, as on 31st March, 1910, are shown in the following table:—

Account.Cash.Investments.Total.

* Against this Treasury Bills amounting to £100,000 are outstanding.

Cr.£££
Consolidated Fund, ordinary revenue532,316* 532,316*
State Forests17,775 17,775
State Coal-mines61,559 61,559
Scenery-preservation6,653 6,653
Local BodiesDr. 4,691 Dr. 4,691
Deposit Account196,831 196,831
Public Works Fund312,366 312,366
Hutt Railway and Road Improvement12,210 12,210
Railways Improvements18,197 18,197
Land for Settlements202,497 202,497
Maori Land Settlement4,300 4,300
Cheviot Estate58,810 58,810
Loans to Local Bodies23,876 23,876
Hauraki Plains Settlement7,093 7,093
National Endowment Account55,862 55,862
ConversionDr. 159 Dr. 159
New Zealand Consols7,359402,765410,124
Reserve Fund 800,000800,000
Bank of New Zealand (preference shares) 500,000500,000
Totals1,512,8541,702,7653,215,619

The Government Advances to Settlers, Advances to Workers, State Fire and Accident Accounts are not included in the above statement. These funds, as well as those of the Government Life Insurance Department, the Commissioners of the Public Debts Sinking Funds, and Public Trust Office, are administered directly by the Boards or Officials of the Departments concerned.

State Coal-mines.

STATEMENT showing the TRANSACTIONS in connection with the working of STATE COAL-MINES and DEPOTS for the Year ended 31st March, 1910.

Point Elizabeth Collier

Dr.£
Sales162,827
Stocks at mine and afloat1,643
 164,470
Cr.£
Stocks on hand, 1st April, 19093,301
Working-expenses67,900
Marine freights, wharfage, and railway haulage, &c.83,671
Depreciation3,159
 158,031

Seddonville Colliery.

Dr.£
Sales49,825
Stocks at wharf and afloat366
 50,191
Cr.£
Stocks, 1st April, 1909707
Working-expenses19,103
Marine freight, wharfage, and railway haulage, &c.28,926
Depreciation1,260
 49,996

Briquette Plant.

Dr.£
Sales4,489
 4,489
Cr.£
Stocks, 1st April, 1909360
Working-expenses3,460
Haulage and freight, &c.2,386
Depreciation767
 6,973

Wellington Depot.

Dr.£
Sales34,986
Stocks on hand1,020
 36,006
Cr.£
Stocks, 1st April, 19091,378
Purchase coal, coke, and wood24,756
Trading-expenses9,197
Depreciation161
 35,492

Christchurch Depot.

Dr.£
Sales31,236
Stocks on hand249
 31,485
Cr.£
Stocks, 1st April, 1909839
Purchase coal, coke, and wood22,190
Trading-expenses7,558
Depreciation302
 30,889

Wanganui Depot.

Dr.£
Sales9,667
Stocks on hand635
 10,302
Cr.£
Stocks, 1st April, 1909994
Purchase coal, coke, and wood6,745
Trading-expenses2,510
Depreciation83
 10,332

Dunedin Depot.

Dr.£
Sales10,753
Stocks on hand698
 11,451
Total all accounts£308,394
Cr.£
Stocks, 1st April, 1909980
Purchase coal, coke, and wood8,250
Trading-expenses2,488
Depreciation54
 11,772
 303,485
Profit4,909
Total all accounts£308,394

State Coal-mines and Depots.

RECEIPTS and EXPENDITURE for the Year ended 31st March, 1910.

Receipts.£    Expenditure.£
Cash in hand and Public Account at 31st March, 190918,047    Railway-extension Development and plant, No. 234,905
Sales of coal, &c.217,601    Mine, at Point Elizabeth18,990
Refund on account of Point Elizabeth Railway61,791    Wages, mines and briquette works78,401
Proceeds of sale of debentures30,000    Freight and haulage105,181
Miscellaneous61    Other expenditure65,536
      Balance, 31st March, 191054,487
 £357,000 £357,500

Liabilities and Assets as on 31st March, 1910.

Liabilities.£    Assets.£
Debenture loans130,000    Point Elizabeth Colliery No. 1— 
Sundry creditors22,957    Property60,021
Accrued interest2,275    Scores and stock on hand4,447
Debenture Sinking Fund12,200    Point Elizabeth Colliery No. 2— 
Reserve Fund6,000    Colliery property27,862
Balance50,501    Railway-extension1,357
      Seddonville Colliery— 
      Colliery property23,932
      Briquette plant14,568
      Stores and stock on hand3,248
      Hulks1,540
      Depots— 
      Property11,358
      Stocks on hand2,602
      Sundry debtors18,511
      Cash in hand and Public Account, less unpresented cheques54,487
 £223,933 £223,933

Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement.

“The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1909,” authorised the raising of sums not exceeding £1,000,000 altogether, by debentures or scrip, or by the creation or issue of inscribed stock, under the provisions of “The New Zealand Loans Act, 1908,” in the Dominion or elsewhere.

Pending the borrowing of the money authorised, funds may be obtained by the sale, &c., of short-dated debentures, bearing interest not exceeding 4½ per cent. per annum, and having a currency of not more than seven years.

All the money obtained under this Act is applied to the following purposes:—

1. Railways—£
    Railway-construction300,000
    Additional rolling-stock, &c., for open lines100,000
2. Land-settlement and goldfields-development— 
    Construction of roads, tracks, and bridges to open up backblocks, developing goldfields, and other work in connection therewith200,000
3. For other public works400,000
 £1,000,000

Subsection B.—Taxation.

Total Taxation.

ALL revenue collected by means of taxation is applied to general purposes. Customs duties on imported goods, excise duties on beer, and also on a few minor items, constitute the indirect taxation, land and income taxes, death duties, a tax on bank-note issues, duty on cheques and receipts for payments being the main source of revenue by direct taxation. Particulars of the collections during the past ten years, under the main headings, are shown in the following table:—

Year.Amount of Taxation derived fromTotal.
Customs and Excise Duties.Land-tax.Income-tax.Death Duties.Other Taxes.
 ££££££
1900–12,266,032294,584173,80982,803225,6623,042,890
1901–22,291,349312,835179,397110,621218,8773,113,079
1902–32,426,043296,062200,684118,003237,1723,277,964
1903–42,698,046334,991221,369142,917252,2783,649,601
1904–52,728,193352,854253,952174,805241,5753,754,379
1905–62,795,546385,756261,816127,174271,3043,841,596
1906–73,048,622447,342277,867191,509299,2154,264,555
1907–83,217,538537,846304,905246,032339,4334,645,754
1908–92,917,462604,901321,044260,238274,1164,377,761
1909–102,786,490642,270316,835192,014308,2494,245,858

The percentage under each heading to the total amount collected for each year is as under:—

Year.Proportion per Cent. derived from
Customs and Excise Duties.Land-tax.Income-tax.Death Duties.Other Direct Taxes.
 Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.
1900–174.479.685.712.727.42
1901–273.6110.055.763.557.03
1902–374.019.036.123.607.24
1903–473.939.186.063.926.91
1904–572.679.406.764.666.51
1905–672.7710.046.823.317.06
1906–771.4910.496.514.497.02
1907–869.2611.586.565.297.31
1908–966.6413.827.335.956.26
1909–1065.6315.137.464.527.26

Indirect Taxation.

During the year ended 31st March, 1910, the sum of £2,671,121 was collected, after deduction of drawbacks, for duty on imported goods, and £115,369 for excise duties, a total of £2,786,490. The amount of revenue derived from these sources for each of the past ten years is shown below.

Year.Customs Duties.Excise Duties.Total.
 £££
1900–12,180,86285,1702,266,032
1901–22,201,11690,2332,291,349
1902–32,335,64390,4002,426,043
1903–42,601,32596,7212,698,046
1904–52,631,98396,2102,728,193
1905–62,697,41198,1352,795,546
1906–72,941,040107,5823,048,622
1907–83,103,565113,9733,217,538
1908–92,801,248116,2142,917,462
1909–102,671,121115,3692,786,490

The increase for the period shown above is £520,458 or 22.97 per cent. There was a decrease in the collection for 1909–10 as compared with the previous year of 4.65 per cent., due to a diminution in the volume of imports.

Classification of Customs Duties.

Statistics of the various kinds of goods imported are only available for the calendar year, so that in order to present a classification of the duties levied on imports under separate headings it is necessary to adopt the figures for that period. The tables hereunder show the amounts collected at intervals of five years, 1891 to 1906, and for the years 1908 and 1909, also the proportion that each class bears to the total.

Amount of Customs Revenue, 1891–1906, 1908 and 1909.

Year.Amount of Duty derived fromTotal.
Foods and Non-alcoholic Drinks.Clothing and Textiles.Alcoholic Drinks and Tobacco.All other Articles.
 £££££
1891312,809276,072651,680320,1411,560,702
1896329,622322,947715,019400,2641,767,852
1901321,625434,112928,176512,8532,196,766
1906369,964610,8731,130,837787,4292,899,103
1908130,116621,7701,233,297917,9032,903,086
1909104,374562,2341,205,691781,3172,653,616

Percentage of each Class to the Total Duty collected.

Year.Percentage of Total Duty collected onTotal.
Food and Nonalcoholic Drinks.Clothing and Textiles.Alcoholic Drinks and Tobacco.All other Articles.
 Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.Per Cent.
189120.0517.6941.7520.51100
189618.6418.2740.4522.64100
190114.6419.7642.2523.35100
190612.7621.0739.0127.16100
19084.4821.4242.4831.62100
19093.9321.1945.4429.44100

There has been a great decrease during the past eighteen years in the duties levied on foods and non-alcoholic drinks. Of the total for 1909 classed under this heading the items confectionery, preserved fish, flour, bottled and preserved fruits, jams and jellies, sauces, cocoa and chocolate account for £57,423, or 55 per cent. of the duty collected.

Direct Taxation.

Revenue by direct taxation is partly derived from a land-tax, ordinary graduated, and absentee, levied on the unimproved value, and partly from a tax on all incomes above £300 per annum. The operation of these taxes is fully described in Part III of this volume. Death duties form the principal item of the total taxation collected by means of stamps. Particulars of the revenue derived from these sources during the past ten years are given in the next table.

Revenue derived from Direct Taxation, Ten Years.

Year.Revenue derived fromTotal.
Land-tax.Income-tax.Other Taxes.
Ordinary.Graduated.Absentee.
 ££££££
1900–1222,35371,406825173,809308,465776,858
1901–2233,54578,2141,076179,397329,498821,730
1902–3217,30777,832923200,684355,175851,921
1903–4232,77498,6813,536221,369395,195951,555
1904–5254,72694,7033,425253,952419,3801,026,186
1905–6277,144104,9493,663261,816398,4781,046,050
1906–7327,176125,9294,237277,867490,7241,215,933
1907–8346,166186,0005,680304,905585,4651,428,216
1908–9389,844209,2485,809321,044534,3541,460,299
1909–10417,668220,0444,558316,835500,2631,459,368

During the above period of ten years the total amount of revenue from direct taxation increased by £682,510 or 87.86 per

cent., land-tax increased by £347,686 or 118.03 per cent., income-tax by £143,026 or 82.29 per cent., and other taxes by £191,798 or 62.18 per cent.

The total number of land- and income-tax payers for each of the past ten years was:—

Number of Taxpayers.
Year.Land-taxIncome-tax.
1900–116,8885,656
1901–218,4686,556
1902–318,8697,589
1903–420,8658,258
1904–523,8958,934
1905–624,2468,993
1906–727,4029,540
1907–828,99110,420
1908–930,85510,839
1909–1033,16211,175

Land-tax payers increased by 16,274 or 96.38 per cent, and income-tax payers by 5,519 or 97.58 per cent. during the period shown.

Death Duties.

Estate Duty.

Under “The Death Duties Act, 1909,” an estate duty is levied upon the final balance of all property of a deceased person which is situated in New Zealand at his death in excess of the value of £500. In the case of any estate the final balance of which does not exceed £10,000, any interest acquired by the wife of the deceased up to the value of £5,000 is exempt from estate duty, but the rate of duty on the whole estate must be determined before the deduction is made. The following is the scale of duties:—

Net Value of Estate.Rate of Duty.
£500 but not exceeding £1,0001 per cent.
£1,000 but not exceeding £2,0002 per cent.
£2,000 but not exceeding £3,0002½ per cent.
£3,000 but not exceeding £4,0003 per cent.
£4,000 but not exceeding £5,0003⅓ per cent.
£5,000 but not exceeding £6,0003⅔ per cent.
£6,000 but not exceeding £7,0004 per cent.
£7,000 but not exceeding £8,0004⅓ per cent.
£8,000 but not exceeding £9,0004⅔ per cent.
£9,000 but not exceeding £10,0005 per cent.
£10,000 but not exceeding £12,0005⅓ per cent.
£12,000 but not exceeding £14,0005⅔ per cent.
£14,000 but not exceeding £16,0006 per cent.
£16,000 but not exceeding £18,0006⅓ per cent.
£18,000 but not exceeding £20,0006⅔ per cent.
£20,000 but not exceeding £25,0007 per cent.

On estates exceeding £25,000 the rate of duty progresses by one-third of one per cent. for each successive £5,000, but the maximum rate shall not exceed 15 per cent. Personal property of persons domiciled in New Zealand is liable to estate duty wherever situated.

Succession Duty.

Succession duty is payable by any person who acquires a beneficial interest in the estate of a deceased person either by will or intestacy, according to the following scale:—

  1. By wife, child, grandchild, or other descendant of deceased. If the value of the succession does not exceed £20,000 no duty is payable, but if the value is in excess of that amount a tax of 2 per cent. is levied on the total value, but the duty payable shall not be greater than the amount by which the succession exceeds £20,000.

  2. By husband, 2 per cent.

  3. By relatives in any degree more remote than the fourth, 5 per cent.

  4. In all other cases 10 per cent.

Excepting in the first case mentioned above, if the value of the succession exceeds £20,000, any such excess is charged with double the rate of the ordinary duty. Charitable trusts are exempt from succession duty.

Gift Duty.

A gift means any disposition of property which is made otherwise than by will, whether with or without an instrument in writing, without fully adequate consideration in money or its equivalent. The duty payable is as follows:—

  1. On a gift which together with the value of all other gifts made at the same time, or within six months previously or subsequently by the same donor to the same beneficiary, does not exceed the value of £500, no duty shall be charged.

  2. On gifts exceeding the value of £500, 5 per cent. Antenuptial marriage settlements and charitable gifts are exempt from duty.

Death duties are due and payable to the Commissioner of Stamps within six months from the death of the deceased, and gift duties at the time the gift is made.

Local Taxation.

Local governing authorities have power, under various Acts of the legislature, to impose taxes for general or special purposes. These powers are fully set out in Section X of this book. The

amount of revenue collected for local purposes during ten years is shown below.

Year.Local Revenue derived fromTotal.
General Rates.Special and Separate Rates.Licenses and other Taxes.
 ££££
1899–1900495,907218,24499,506813,657
1900–1490,789243,23599,114833,138
1901–2548,859251,61196,354896,824
1902–3581,463265,252103,197949,912
1903–4640,475309,675100,7861,050,936
1904–5704,315315,116101,9471,121,378
1905–6817,443333,777106,9051,258,125
1906–7889,711343,337105,4881,338,536
1907–8949,139407,119110,3401,466,598
1908–9970,225420,473111,1951,501,893

The period comprehended in the above table was marked by exceptional activity in local enterprise, the necessary funds being provided partly out of general rates, but mainly by borrowing, interest on loans and payments to sinking funds being secured in most cases by special rates. The increase in the amount of general rates collected during the ten years was £474,318 or 96 per cent., special and separate rates increased by £202,229 or 93 per cent., and total rates by £676,547 or 95 per cent. Licenses and other taxes show an increase for the ten years of £11,689 or 12 per cent.

Subsection C—Public Debt.

EARLY in the history of the settlement of New Zealand the necessity for financial assistance to open up the forest-clad, rugged country was made apparent. In the year 1856 the first Loan Act was passed by the General Assembly, and under that authority £500,000 was raised. In addition to the requirements for necessary initial public works the opposition to settlement by the Maoris, resulting in active hostilities, compelled considerable borrowing. At the conclusion of the Maori war the work of road and railway construction was mainly carried on under the administration of Provincial Councils, who exercised control over expenditure within their respective districts, the General Government being responsible for undertakings of a national character. Under this system of divided responsibility no general and comprehensive scheme of public works could be carried out.

Up to the end of the year 1870 the General Government had borrowed £4,543,316, while the debt of the Provincial Councils amounted to £3,298,575. In that year the General Government brought forward a public works and immigration policy, by which it was proposed to raise a loan of ten millions for the construction of main trunk railways, roads, and other public works of importance to the country as a whole, as well as for the promotion of settlement on a large scale, the expenditure to be spread over a period of ten years. This policy was accepted by the Legislature, and embodied in “The Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870.” The necessity for local railways and other works soon caused the original proposals to be exceeded and to a far greater amount than was at first contemplated. Broadly stated, the system of opening up the lands in advance of settlement was adopted, the State retaining the ownership and control of facilities for transport and communication.

In 1892 the General Government began the repurchase of lands already alienated. The money required for this purpose has been borrowed, but the rentals obtained by the leasing of the lands are

sufficient for the payment of interest and sinking fund on the amount raised. In 1894 the Advances to Settlers Act was passed, authorising the raising of loans for advances on the security of real estate. This was followed by the Advances to Workers Act in 1894. A considerable amount has been borrowed for these purposes, but both interest and sinking funds are derived from the special revenues, and thus are not a charge upon the Consolidated Fund. In order to assist local governing bodies to obtain money at low rates of interest the General Government has borrowed nearly four millions. Under this scheme the advances are repaid to the State by instalments.

The money composing the debt has been borrowed on the security of the public revenues. No portion of the public estate is pledged for payment of either principal or interest.

The Minister of Finance may raise loans when authorised by Parliament so to do, by the issue of debentures, or scrip, or stock, in New Zealand or elsewhere at his discretion, and may prescribe the mode and conditions of repayment of loans, the rates of interest (not exceeding the maximum rate fixed by the authorising Act), and the times and places of the payment of principal and interest respectively. Power is given to convert debentures or scrip into consolidated stock, and the Minister may specify the terms of conversion at the time when a loan is raised, or arrange that terms shall be subsequently agreed upon. For the purpose of paying off or renewing at maturity any debenture, scrip, or other security, new debentures or other securities may be issued and disposed of if necessary. The purposes for which loans have been raised may be classed under four heads, viz.:—

  1. Business undertakings of the State

  2. Investments

  3. Indirectly productive public utilities, and

  4. Unproductive.

The amounts expended on or allocated to each item included in the above category to the 31st March, 1910, are as follows:—

EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC DEBT.
(a.) Reproductive,—££
    Railways24,452,948 
    Telegraphs and telephones1,431,647 
    Lighthouses and harbours573,683 
    Tourist and health resorts131,507 
    State coal-mines130,000 
    State fire insurance2,000 
  26,721,785
(b.) Investments,—
    Purchase of land for settlements6,270,485 
    Purchase of Native lands2,279,567 
    Advances to settlers5,623,800 
    Advances to workers823,500 
    Loans to local bodies3,837,000 
    Investment of New Zealand consols410,124 
    Bank of New Zealand preference shares500,000 
    Reserve Fund securities800,000 
  20,544,476
(c.) Indirectly productive,—
    Roads, bridges, and land-improvement6,871,251 
    Immigration2,463,002 
    Development of goldfields and coal-mines857,598 
  10,191,851
(d.) Unproductive,—
    Public buildings5,240,251 
    Maori war2,360,000 
    Defence1,959,977 
    Scenery-preservation40,000 
    Deficiencies in revenue, charges, and expenses of raising loans, provincial liabilities, and miscellaneous expenditure7,832,305 
  17,432,533
Total £74,890,645

Only a portion of the expenditure of the Old Provincial Councils on railways became public debt. The total expenditure on railways of the Provincial and General Governments to the 31st March, 1910, was over thirty millions and a quarter sterling, which includes £1,104,281 spent by the Provincial Councils, £82,259 being for the Dunedin and Port Chalmers line.

In the above table any unexpended balances have been allocated to those purposes for which the loans were raised or to those purposes on which the money will be most probably expended. The proportion per cent. of each class to the total debt is as follows:—

Class.Amount.Percentage of Total.
 £ 
(a.) Reproductive expenditure26,721,78535.68
(b.) Investments20,544,47627.43
(c.) Indirectly productive expenditure10,191,85113.61
(d.) Unproductive expenditure17,432,53323.28
Total74,890,645100.00

The directly interest-earning portion represents 63.11 per cent. of the total debt, and is represented by assets which are of much greater value than the amount of borrowed money spent upon them, a considerable amount of surplus ordinary revenue having been expended from time to time on railways and other public services, as well as other moneys of the nature of special receipts.

The gross and net indebtedness of the General Government, amount of sinking fund accrued, and the rate of indebtedness per head of population, for each of the past twenty years, is given in the following table:—

31st March.Estimated or Census Population.Amount of Debentures and Stock in Circulation.Gross Indebtedness per Head of European Population.Amount of Sinking Fund accrued.Net Indebtedness.Net Indebtedness per Head of European Population.
  ££s.d.£££s.d.
1891626,65838,830,350611941,487,04237,343,308591110
1892637,47238,713,068601481,037,86237,675,2065920
1893656,18739,257,840591671,113,77038,144,0705827
1894676,74739,826,41558170951,92438,874,49157810
1895689,47540,386,96458116751,93239,635,0325799
1896703,18743,050,7806145778,89142,271,8896024
1397717,64944,366,61861165814,29443,552,32460139
1898731,71344,963,4246190881,90344,081,52160411
1899746,67346,938,00662173857,27946,080,72761144
1900758,61647,874,4526322944,37546,930,07761173
1901772,71949,591,24564371,033,49448,557,751621610
1902789,99452,966,447670111,128,81651,837,63165124
1903814,84255,899,019681202,313,23953,585,78065153
1904838,95457,522,215681142,457,88755,064,32865128
1905864,97159,912,00069542,508,36857,403,6326674
1906889,96862,191,040691772,520,56959,670,47167011
1907913,87364,179,04070472,902,49861,276,5426710
1908937,59766,453,897701762,928,93663,524,96167151
1909968,31370,938,53473523,156,98967,781,5457000
1910977,90671,890,6457516103,112,06571,778,58072139

Since the year 1901–2, in addition to the customary deduction made for sinking funds accrued, there has been included the reserve funds of the State-guaranteed Advances Office. The gross debt is further reduced by taking off the amount of Government securities in which the New Zealand Consols deposits are invested, as both amounts appear in the table of the public debt. £500,000, the value of the preference shares held by the Government in the Bank of New Zealand, is also deducted. During the financial year 1907–8 debentures were issued for £800,000 to purchase securities to be held as a reserve to meet any unexpected financial contingency. The cost price of these securities (£800,000) has been included in the amount shown above as sinking fund.

The increase of the public debt during 1901–10 was £3,952,111, as shown in the next table.

Allocation of Loans raised during 1909–10.

Directly reproductive works,—££
    Railways1,233,865 
    Telegraphs, lighthouses, tourist and health resorts148,879 
    State coal-mines30,000 
  1,412,714
Investments,—
    Advances to settlers and workers960,000 
    Purchase of land for settlements169,485 
    Purchase of Native lands29,527 
    Loans to local bodies725,000 
    New Zealand Consols9,078 
  1,893,090
Indirectly productive works,—
    Roads and bridges354,107 
    Development of goldfields, and immigration34,309 
 388,416 
Unproductive,—
    Public buildings266,984 
    Scenery-preservation10,000 
    Cost of loan-conversions47,060 
    Other works11,644 
  335,688
Total 4,029,938
Less debentures redeemed 77,827
Net increase £3,952,111

Increase of Debt, 1891–1910.

The financial year 1890–91 has been selected as the basis of comparison, because that year marks the beginning of a period during which the functions of the State have been widely extended, most notably as regards financial assistance to settlers and workers, the repurchase of alienated lands, the working of coalmines, and the establishment of State fire and accident insurance offices. In every department these new activities, as well as the old, have been directly successful, while the indirect benefits, though admittedly great, are incapable of measurement.

While the annual interest-charge per head of population has not increased during the past twenty years, the burden is more easily borne owing to the increased proportion of producers in the population, and also to the greater ability of the taxpayer. A considerable portion of the annual interest on the debt, although paid out of the Consolidated Fund, does not fall upon the whole taxpaying community, the net revenue of the railways being nearly sufficient to meet the interest on the money borrowed for their construction and equipment.

The increase of the gross public debt since the 31st March, 1891, amounts to £36,060,295. A schedule of items composing this sum is subjoined. It shows the purposes to which the money raised has been

or is being devoted. One of the largest items is £5,743,800 raised for advances to settlers, which represents investments by the Government bearing interest and lent on continually improving security, the principal being repaid by instalments. Other items which may be considered as interest-bearing investments are those under the heads “Land-settlement,” “Native-land purchases,” “Loans to local bodies,” “Lands improvement,” “N.Z. Consols,” “Advances to workers,” “Bank of N.Z. preferred shares,” and “Reserve Fund securities.” The item termed “Public works” includes moneys raised for railways, telegraphs, roads and bridges, and public buildings.

  £
Gross public debt, 31st March, 1910 74,890,645
31st March, 1891 38,830,350
Increase £36,060,295
 £ 
Native-land purchases796,242 
Land-settlement (including Cheviot)6,271,026 
Loans to local bodies3,578,100 
Lands improvement500,000 
Advances to settlers5,743,800 
Advances to workers703,500 
Bank of N.Z. preference shares500,000 
N.Z. Consols487,651 
District railways47,000 
Public works15,487,498 
Purchase Wellington-Manawatu Railway1,000,000 
Increase by conversions and redemptions875,077 
Sinking fund accretions1,777,000 
Naval and military settlers27,226 
Advances to dairy companies1,781 
State coal-mines170,000 
State fire insurance2,000 
Scenery-preservation40,000 
Reserve Fund securities800,000 
  38,807,901
Less Redemptions—
Consolidated Stock Act, 1884, debentures1,384,420 
Other debentures1,363,186 
  2,747,606
Net increase £36,060,295

Character of Stock.

The whole of the public debt as stated in the foregoing tables comprises inscribed stocks and debentures with varying periods of currency. Treasury bills issued in anticipation of revenue have not been included in the total. The following table shows the relative increase of the different classes of securities during the past ten financial years:—

Year ended 31st March.Inscribed Stock.Debentures.Total.Treasury Bills outstanding not previously included.
 ££££
190141,919,6687,671,57749,591,245700,000
190243,812,7509,153,69752,966,447700,000
190345,297,02210,601,99755,899,019700,000
190445,302,84212,219,37357,522,215700,000
190545,615,83914,296,16159,912,000700,000
190647,306,02914,885,01162,191,040700,000
190748,235,51415,943,52664,179,040550,000
190848,869,40517,584,49266,453,897400,000
190950,109,25720,829,27770,938,534250,000
191051,364,86823,525,77774,890,645100,000

Flotation of Loans.

Until comparatively recent years the large proportion of the productive power of the Dominion diverted to the construction of railways, roads, &c., and engaged in the preparation of land for farming necessitated the borrowing of capital from abroad; but of late the accumulation of savings, chiefly of small sums deposited in the savings-banks, has enabled the Government to raise considerable amounts from time to time locally. Australian investors have greatly increased their investments in New Zealand securities within the last seven year? The following table shows the amount raised in London, Australia, and New Zealand for each of the past ten years:—

PUBLIC DEBT, WHERE RAISED.
Year ended 31st March.Inscribed Stock.Debentures.Total.
London.New Zealand.London.AustraliaNew Zealand.
 ££££££
190141,460,279459,3893,037,000181,6004,452,97749,591,245
190243,344,426468,3243,085,700181,6005,886,39752,966,447
190344,824,466472,5563,067,900568,1006,965,99755,899,019
190444,828,566474,2763,220,276793,9008,205,19757,522,215
190545,140,105475,7344,239,5141,209,5508,847,09759,912,000
190646,829,178476,8514,081,8142,586,4508,216,74762,191,040
190747,757,279478,2353,830,5143,087,8509,025,16264,179,040
190848,390,956478,4492,767,7143,554,70011,262,07866,453,897
190949,630,684478,5735,000,4143,869,80011,959,06370,938,534
191050,954,744410,1246,778,9144,113,98512,632,87874,890,045

The percentage of the total debt raised in each of the markets as in 1901 and 1910 was—

Market.1901.
Per Cent.
1910.
Per Cent.
London89.7377.09
New Zealand9.9017.42
Australia0.375.49
 100.00100.00

This remarkable change in the relative positions of the State creditors may be partly ascribed to the ability of the mass of the wage-earning population in the Dominion to save, and to the general appreciation of the manner in which their savings are invested.

Dates of Maturity.

A summary of the loans outstanding on 31st March, 1910, showing the amounts falling due in each financial year, is given:—

Due Date:
Year ending
31st March.
Amount.
£

* Debentures not presented at du date.

1909*225
1910*1,247
19111,121,943
19122,366,991
19134,913,204
1914777,700
19152,118,265
19163,951,459
19171,585,890
191875,000
192078,000
1921807,700
19222,326,950
1923908,150
1924517,300
1925485,877
193029,150,302
194012,144,462
19453,059,165
19466,600,815
1948400,000
Temporary advances1,500,000
 £74,890,645

The sum of £1,500,000 shown above as temporary advances was obtained on the security of debentures issued under authority of “The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1909,” and “The Finance Act, 1909,” pending the flotation of a loan for that amount.

The amounts that have matured or will mature during the current financial year, with their due dates, are as follows:—

£ 
17,500    Due 30th June, 1910.
25,000    Due 1st July, 1910.
500,000    Due 1st September, 1910.
163,443    Due 1st January, 1911.
416,000    Due 1st March, 1911.
1,472    Debentures not presented.
£1,123,415 

Interest.

Of the total amount of outstanding public debt at the end of March, 1910, more than forty millions bore interest at the rate of 4 per cent., nearly twenty-three millions and a quarter at 3½ per

cent., and nearly ten millions at 3 per cent. The following are the rates of interest payable on the whole public debt:—

Rates of Interest.Amount at each Rate.
£
6 per cent.15,200
5 per cent.321,000
4½ per cent.52,900
4 per cent.40,028,404
3¾ per cent.1,507,700
3½ per cent.23,171,771
3 per cent.9,793,670
Total£74,890,645

The total amount of interest payable to bondholders on the full amount of the public debt as quoted above is £2,781,839, which gives an average rate of £3 14s. 4d. per £100. On the total public debt outstanding on the 31st March, 1891, the average interest charge was £4 10s. 3d. per £100. During the period 1891–1910, therefore, the average rate is found to have declined by 15s. 7d. per £100.

The foregoing refers to interest payable to bondholders only, and has nothing to do with sinking-fund requirements, which are included in the whole annual charge of the public debt.

The actual payments during sixteen years for interest and sinking fund out of the Consolidated Fund are shown in the following table, together with the rate per head of population and the percentage of ordinary and territorial revenue absorbed by the public-debt charges:—

Year ended 31st March.Amounts actually paid for Interest and Sinking Fund out of the Consolidated Fund.Rate per Head of Mean Population.Percentage of Revenue absorbed by Public Debt Charges.
Public Debt.Treasury Bills.Total
Interest.Sinking Fund.Total.Interest.

NOTE.—The alteration made in 1894–95 of the system which previously obtained in dealing with the drawing loan of 1867 has affected the comparison of the later figures with those preceding. The total amount actually paid for interest and sinking fund in 1889–90 was, under the old system, £1,897,602. The figures for each of the years ending March, 1890 to 1891 inclusive, will be found in the Year-book for 1899.

 ££££££s.d. 
18951,619,92557,9791,677,90438,9851,716,889210338.96
18961,602,93341,1831,644,11639,6591,683,77598436.96
18971,630,57741,8581,672,43537,0341,709,46928235.62
18981,608,69743,3801,712,07729,3361,741,41328134.28
18991,689,74944,6511,734,40033,0681,767,468271033.61
19001,674,61846,0731,720,69128,7031,749,39426631.07
19011,671,55246,3641,717,91627,7001,745,61625629.83
19021,722,81947,7241,770,54333,3961,803,93926229.80
19031,817,70150,4641,868,16532,8141,900,97927529.77
19041,875,37653,4081,928,78429,1791,957,96327427.89
19051,914,29654,9331,969,22924,5001,993,729261027.38
19062,006,53756,1672,062,70424,5002,087,20427727.52
19072,048,99097,3512,146,34125,7512,172,09228225.86
19082,085,01881,8422,166,86020,5592,187,41927324.15
19092,149,73991,4382,241,17717,1882,258,36527525.09
19102,282,18295,1242,377,30620,1562,397,46229025.95

The above amounts shown as interest and sinking fund do not comprise the whole of the interest and sinking fund paid by the Government in respect of moneys raised by way of loans. Thus, for loans raised under the Land for Settlements Acts, the Government Advances to Settlers and Workers Acts, and for the purchase of the Cheviot Estate, the interest, although made a charge upon the Consolidated Fund, is recovered from the receipts derived from the leasing of the lands, or from instalments paid by borrowers. The amount of interest thus charged and recovered during last year was £425,960 (under the Land for Settlements Acts, £217,406; Advances to Settlers and Workers Acts, £195,872; Cheviot Estate, £8,866; other amounts, £3,816). Such interest does not become a burden upon the taxpayer, and consequently is not included in the figures upon which the rate per head of mean population is calculated.

The amount actually paid for interest and sinking fund out of the Consolidated Fund during 1909–10 was £139,097 more than that for the previous year, and the rate of charge per head of population shows a slight increase.

Sinking Funds.

From time to time in the financial history of the Dominion sinking funds have been created in respect of various loans. Some of these funds have matured and been applied to their legitimate purposes; in other cases the pressing needs of the country justified their diversion to other and comparatively more useful purposes. Of the existing funds one, attached to a loan of £15,200 borrowed under “The Canterbury Loan Ordinance, 1862,” now amounts to £20,596, and one, to provide for a loan of £266,000, under “The New Zealand Loan Act, 1863,” amounts to £215,051. The first-mentioned loan matures partly in 1915 and partly in 1916, and the last-mentioned in 1914. More recently provision was made for the repayment of loans raised for local bodies and for war and defence purposes. The whole of these funds are vested, and will be available when required.

Another class of sinking fund may more correctly be termed an “internal reserve fund,” because the accumulations are immediately converted into capital, although kept apart in the accounts. These are funds belonging to the State-guaranteed Advances Office, consisting of an annual contribution out of the surplus revenue equal to 1 per cent. of the loan liabilities of the office in each financial year. On the 31st March, 1910, the following was the position of the various funds and reserves:—

Purpose.Amount accrued.
£
Under “The Canterbury Loan Ordinance, 1362”20,596
Under “The New Zealand Loan Act, 1863”215,051
Loans to local bodies753,209
War and defence loans168,109
State-guaranteed advances346,260
 £1,503,225

As a further set-off against the gross public debt, there is an investment of £500,000 in Bank of New Zealand preference shares, £800,000 in practically liquid securities held as an emergency fund, and £308,840 of New Zealand Consols invested in securities of the New Zealand Government. Adding these three amounts to the total of the funds previously enumerated, the deduction made in order to arrive at the net indebtedness may thus be stated:—

 £
Sinking funds1,503,225
Investment funds1,608,840
 £3,112,065

The nature of the investment of the accrued sinking funds, excluding the State-guaranteed Advances Fund, is shown in the following table:—

STATEMENT OF THE SECURITIES IN WHICH THE SINKING FUNDS OF THE SEVERAL LOANS WERE INVESTED ON THE 31ST MARCH, 1910.
 £s.d.
Investment in—   
    New Zealand 5-per-cent. Debentures3,47000
    New Zealand 4½-per-cent. Debentures1,70000
    New Zealand 4-per-cent. Debentures135,65100
    New Zealand 3¾-per cent. Debentures7,60000
    New Zealand 3½-per-cent. Debentures2,31000
    New Zealand 4-per-cent. Inscribed Stock129,754196
    New Zealand 3½-per-cent. Inscribed Stock24,82363
    New Zealand 3-per-cent Inscribed Stock19,80992
    New Zealand Consols, 4 per cent.13000
    New South Wales 3-per-cent. Inscribed Stock4,386184
    Victoria 3-per-cent. Inscribed Stock1,42941
    Tasmania 3-per-cent. Inscribed Stock6,645151
    Queensland 4-per-cent. Inscribed Stock1,43388
    Bank of New Zealand Guaranteed Stock, 4 per cent.4,80000
    Cape of Good Hope 3½-per-cent. Stock1,50000
    India 3½-per-cent. Stock7,76519
    Straits Settlement 3½-per-cent. Stock4,902126
    County of Tauranga 5-per-cent. Debentures6000
    Borough of Brunner 6-per-cent. Debentures99000
    Borough of Palmerston North 4½-per-cent. Debentures53000
    Borough of Patea 4½-per-cent. Debentures42000
    Borough of Tauranga 5-per-cent. Debentures20000
    Westport Harbour Board 4-per-cent. Debentures66000
    Waimakariri-Ashley Water-supply Board 5-per-cent. Debentures32000
 361,291154
    Mortgages1,10000
    In common fund, Public Trustee, at 4 per cent. (on account Loans to Local Bodies debentures, &c.)752,108170
    Cash balance, 31st March, 190942,464140
Total£1,156,96564

Of the total amount, £13,895 is represented by stock and debentures of the Australian States, and £14,168 by those of India, Africa, and Straits Settlement; £325,249 was invested in similar securities of the New Zealand Government; £3,180 in debentures of various local governing bodies; other securities, £4,800; £1,100 on mortgage; and £752,109 is in the hands of the Public Trustee.

New Sinking Fund.

The Minister of Finance, in his Budget of the current year, outlined a scheme for provision to repay the existing public debt, with application to future borrowings. This scheme has been embodied in “The Public Debt Extinction Act, 1910,” and consists in setting apart each year out of the revenue of the Consolidated Fund an amount, not being a fixed percentage for each loan, but based upon an actuarial calculation of the sum required to be invested each year at compound interest at 4 per cent. per annum for seventy-five years. For every loan raised in the future an additional proportional amount will be contributed to the fund to enable such new loan to be extinguished at the expiry of seventy-five years from the date of issue.

The fund is to be administered by a Board constituted under the Act, and must be invested in loans to settlers, to workers, and to local authorities. It is expressly forbidden to invest any of the moneys in New Zealand Government securities. If at any time the funds cannot be invested as above stated, the Board may purchase at or below par, and cancel, any New Zealand Government stock or debentures charged upon the consolidated revenue. In order to preserve the continuity of the fund it is provided that in the event of any stock or debentures being redeemed before the expiry of the seventy-five years there shall be paid annually out of the Consolidated Fund into the Sinking Fund Account a sum sufficient to compensate for the loss of earnings of the money so expended. There is also a provision that if the earnings of the fund should fall below 4 per cent., any deficiency must be made good out of the Consolidated Fund Account.

The accumulated sinking funds of the war and defence and local bodies' loans are to remain under the administration of the Public Trustee, as invested by him at present. The initial contribution to the new fund will require £140,500, and this amount will be provided as follows:—

 £
Present contributions of the Consolidated Fund to the war and defence loans and local bodies' loans92,308
Earnings of the accrued sinking funds of the war and defence loans and local bodies' loans36,800
Additional payment from the Consolidated Fund11,392
 £140,500

The annual payment will be increased, (a) for every new loan, by an amount needed to extinguish it in seventy-five years; (b) in case the fund at any time fails to earn 4 per cent., by an amount which will supply the deficiency.

The most prominent features of the scheme are the mode of investment, which is intended to prevent any improper use being made of the accumulations; the provision for preserving the continuity of the fund by the adjustment of the annual contributions;

and the automatic action of the fund whereby the total debt will be extinguished in seventy-five years from any date on which the liability exists.

Prices of New Zealand Stock.

The highest and lowest London prices for the New Zealand 4, 3½, and 3 per cent. stock, taken over a range of twenty years, are quoted:—

QUOTATIONS, NEW ZEALAND STOCK.
     4-per-cents.
(1929)
    3½-per-cents.
(1940)
    3-per-cents.
(1945)
Year.    Highest.    Lowest.    Highest.    Lowest.    Highest.    Lowest.
1890    109⅛    102¼    98⅝    93¼  
1891    107½    100    98¼    91⅛  
1892    106⅝    100    98    91½  
1893    107¼    97    97½    90  
1894    109⅞    105⅜    103½    96¼  
1895    113½    105⅝    107½    100    95¾    91
1896    118¼    106½    110⅜    101½    103½    90
1897    117    112⅜    111    104¾    102    99½
1898    116⅞    108    109⅞    103    101½    96½
1899    116½    105½    109    102    99¼    94¼
1900    113¼    109    106¾    103⅜    98½    95¼
1901    116⅜    110¾    109¾    104⅛    99½    93⅛
1902    113¼    109    109½    102⅛    97    93⅝
1903    110⅛    105    104¾    99½    96    88
1904    107½    104½    101½    96¾    90    86¼
1905    110¼    105¼    100⅛    97⅝    89⅞    89½
1906    110¾    104⅝    102½    98⅜    91¼    87¼
1907    108¾    103¼    101    98    89¾    84
1908    109⅝    105⅛    101    98¼    90½    85¾
1909    108⅜    104¾    99¾    97⅜    ⅜    85⅝

Public Debt of Australasia.

The following figures show the public debt of each State of the Australian Commonwealth on 30th June, 1909, and of New Zealand on 31st March, 1909:—

State.Fixed Debt.Floating Debt.Total Public Debt.Amount per Head of Population
Debentures.Inscribed Stock.
 £££££s.d.
New South Wales5,071,25081,168,7534,067,41690,307,4195657
Victoria5,607,94942,677,3886,381,86054,667,19742121
Queensland14,480,58028,665,4871,130,00044,276,0677803
South Australia2,931,40022,964,1084,540,67530,436,1837447
Western Australia412,80020,821,953717,00021,951,753801810
Tasmania2,714,2507,342,46378,20110,134,9145566
Total, Commonwealth31,218,229203,640,15216,915,152251,773,5335859
New Zealand20,829,27750,109,257 70,938,5347352

With the exception of Queensland each of the above States and New Zealand had accumulated sinking funds to set against the gross debt shown above, making in some cases an appreciable difference in the amount per head. The net indebtedness per head of population is as follows:—

 £s.d.
New South Wales5607
Victoria4209
Queensland7803
South Australia73310
Western Australia72142
Tasmania5376
        Commonwealth5766
New Zealand7000

In three States the net liability per head is greater than that of New Zealand.

Chapter 48. STATISTICAL VIEW OF FIFTY YEARS' PROGRESS IN NEW ZEALAND, 1860–1909.

I.—Population.

Year.Population (exclusive of Maoris and for Annexed Pacific Islands) on 31st December.Births.Deaths.Marriages.
Males.Females.Totals.   

NOTE.—Maori population excluded from above was 47,731 in 1906, and that of Cook and other Islands 12,340 persons

186045,39434,31779,7113,1461,092690
186161,06237,95999,0213,4411,109878
186279,68046,132125,8124,0641,2311,091
1863105,97858,070164,0485,1151,9831,485
1864106,58065,578172,1586,5012,9211,878
1865117,37673,231190,6077,4902,7571,908
1866125,08079,034204,1148,4662,5402,038
1867131,92986,739218,6688,9182,7022,050
1868134,62191,997226,6189,3912,6622,085
1869140,11297,137237,2499,7182,7211,931
1870145,732102,668248,40010,2772,7031,851
1871156,431110,555266,98610,5922,6421,864
1872162,404117,156279,56010,7953,1921,873
1873170,406125,540295,94611,2223,6452,276
1874194,349147,511341,86012,8444,1612,828
1875213,294162,562375,85614,4385,7123,209
1876225,580173,495399,07516,1684,9043,196
1877227,681180,937408,61816,8564,6853,114
1878240,627191,892432,51917,7704,6453,377
1879257,894205,835463,72918,0705,5833,352
1880268,364216,500484,86419,3415,4373,181
1881274,986225,924500,91018,7325,4913,277
1882283,303234,404517,70719,0095,7013,600
1883794,665246,212540,87719,2026,0613,612
1884306,667257,637564,30419,8465,7403,800
1885312,125263,101575,22619,6936,0813,813
1886317,646271,740589,38619,2996,1353,488
1887324,558278,803603,36119,1356,1373,563
1888324,948282,432607,38018,9025,7083,617
1889328,588287,464616,05218,4575,7723,632
1890332,557292,951625,50818,2785,9943,797
1891336,174297,884634,05818,2736,5183,805
1892345,146305,287650,43317,8766,4594,002
1893357,635314,630672,26518,1876,7674,115
1894363,763322,365686,12818,5286,9184,178
1895369,725328,981698,70618,5466,8634,110
1896376,987337,175714,16218,6126,4324,843
1897384,703344,353729,05618,7376,5954,928
1898392,124351,339743,46318,9557,2445,091
1899398,679357,826756,50518,8357,6805,461
1900403,628364,650768,27819,5467,2005,860
1901414,223373,434787,65720,4917,6346,095
1902425,908382,021807,92920,6558,3756,394
1903439,674392,831832,50521,8298,5286,748
1904453,992403,547857,53922,7668,0876,983
1905467,366415,096882,46223,6828,0617,200
1906481,651427,075908,72624,2528,3397,592
1907492,649436,835929,48425,09410,0668,192
1908510,329450,313960,64225,9409,0438,339
1909520,406462,520982,92626,5248,9598,094

II.—Land and Stock.

Year.Occupied and Cultivated Holdings over One Acre in Extent.Land (including Sown Grasses) under Cultivation.Live-stock.
Horses.Horned Cattle.Sheep.Pigs.

* Not ascertained.

 Number.Acres.    
1860      
1861 226,63128,275193,2852,761,38343,270
1862      
1863      
1864 382,65549,409249,7604,937,27361,276
1865      
1866      
1867 676,90965,715312,8358,418,579115,104
186811,932783,435    
186913,476997,477    
187010,2111,140,279    
187114,8741,226,22281,028436,5929,700,629151,460
187215,3041,416,933    
187315,8831,651,712    
187416,0921,943,65399,261494,11311,674,863123,741
187517,2502,377,402    
187618,7502,940,711    
187720,5193,523,277    
187821,0483,982,866137,768578,43013,069,338207,337
187923,1294,506,889    
188024,1474,768,192    
188126,2985,189,104161,736698,63712,985,085200,083
188227,3525,651,255    
188328,5876,072,949    
188429,8146,550,399    
188531,7636,668,920    
188633,3326,845,177187,382853,35816,564,595277,901
188734,7437,284,752    
188835,7477,670,167    
188938,1788,015,426    
189038,0838,462,495    
189141,2248,893,225211,040831,83118,128,186308,812
189242,7689,713,745  18,570,752 
189345,29010,063,051 885,30519,380,369 
189446,67610,128,076 964,03420,230,829 
189552,79010,698,809237,4181,047,90119,826,604239,778
189658,90411,550,075249,8131,138,06719,138,493209,834
189760,75911,444,563252,8341,209,16519,687,954186,027
189862,63911,984,606258,1151,203,02419,673,725193,512
189962,48512,474,511261,9311,222,13919,348,506249,751
190062,78612,636,035266,2451,256,68019,355,195250,975
190163,98213,083,971279,6721,361,78420,233,099224,024
190265,03413,357,700286,9551,460,66320,342,727193,740
190366,09213,504,004298,7141,593,54718,954,553226,591
190468,68013,868,074314,3221,736,85018,280,806255,320
190569,94214,114,925326,5371,810,93619,130,875249,727
190672,33814,382,787342,6081,851,75020,108,471242,273
190773,36714,884,617352,8321,816,29920,983,772241,128
190875,15215,566,308363,2591,773,32622,449,053245,092
1909****23,480,707*

III.—Trade.

Exports (the Produce of New Zealand).
Year.Wool.Grain.Frozen Meat.
Quantity.Value.Quantity.Value.Quantity.Value.
 lb.£Bushels.£Cwt.£
18606,665,880444,39255,68313,112  
18617,855,920523,7288,1182,518  
18629,839,265674,2266,6021,821  
186312,585,980830,4953,2381,160  
186416,691,6661,070,9973,580722  
186519,180,5001,141,76125,4476,076  
186622,810,7761,354,15232,6107,297  
186727,152,9661,580,608158,81126,986  
186828,875,1631,516,548632,556114,125  
186927,765,6361,371,230520,55696,441  
187037,039,7631,703,944854,399141,135  
187137,793,7341,606,1441,032,902164,087  
187241,886,9972,537,9191,058,480178,886  
187341,535,1852,702,471598,431136,832  
187446,848,7352,834,6951,162,782291,103  
187554,401,5403,398,1551,276,927231,417  
187659,853,4543,395,8162,172,098337,878  
187764,481,3243,658,9381,323,910276,452  
187859,270,2563,292,8072,112,214508,767  
187962,220,8103,126,4393,470,344660,557  
188066,860,1503,169,3005,540,445898,997  
188159,415,9402,909,7605,815,960986,072  
181265,322,7073,118,5544,310,984907,96115,24419,339
188368,149,4303,014,2116,723,3031,286,72487,975118,328
188481,139,0283,267,5275,489,635766,824254,069345,090
188586,507,4313,205,2754,597,645513,697296,473373,857
188690,853,7443,072,9713,523,324463,549346,055427,193
188788,824,3823,321,0744,126,836443,780402,107455,870
188883,225,7333,115,0085,101,167668,859552,298628,800
1889102,227,3543,976,3756,120,202985,224656,822783,374
1890102,817,0774,150,5998,287,0241,030,415898,8941,087,617
1891106,187,1144,129,6865,877,059676,3381,000,3071,194,724
1892118,180,9124,313,3076,625,525816,272869,6001,033,377
1893109,719,6843,774,7384,855,368583,397903,8361,085,167
1894144,295,1544,827,0162,434,295226,1831,025,2431,194,545
1895116,035,1703,662,1312,381,837215,7831,134,0971,262,711
1896129,151,6244,391,8482,941,821346,1971,103,3621,251,993
1897135,835,1174,443,1441,919,887235,4291,407,9211,566,286
1898149,385,8154,645,8041,045,980136,1201,551,7731,698,750
1899147,169,4974,324,6276,985,999721,8171,865,8272,088,856
1900140,706,4864,749,1969,529,8471,034,0141,844,8312,123,881
1901146,820,0793,699,10313,373,5151,285,8111,857,5472,253,262
1902160,419,0233,354,5635,865,562786,5482,138,5572,718,763
1903155,128,3814,041,2745,362,748533,8652,378,6503,197,043
1904144,647,3764,673,8263,775,978392,3461,912,9792,793,599
1905139,912,7375,381,3332,282,853294,5741,690,6842,694,432
1906154,384,5686,765,6551,006,825139,4742,025,5072,877,031
1907171,635,5957,657,278229,59353,2052,354,8083,420,664
1908162,518,4815,332,7811,114,332143,2232,120,3033,188,515
1909189,683,7036,305,8886,951,926823,1492,572,6043,601,093
Exports (the Produce of New Zealand).
Year.Butter.Cheese.Phormium Fibre.
Quantity.Value.Quantity.Value.Quantity.Value.
 Cwt.£Cwt.£Tons.£
18601,0266,6238103,535611,240
1861251264041,844243
1862Butter and cheese not separately given for years 1862 to 1865. The total export for this period was 617 cwt., value £2,9761326   
1863 13251    
1864 7170    
1865 375    
18662321,590136545996
186738192903621264,256
18681385323351,2405348,137
18692,70514,6792,3318,0402,02845,245
18703,43512,9952,7359,3275,471132,578
18714,34212,4261,6194,0234,24890,611
18721,6294,4621,3624,3793,98599,405
18737222,3421,9936,6256,454143,799
18743571,1681,3264,4082,03837,690
18751046604421,86263911,742
18768713,9108853,48889718,285
18775,20623,4584,99916,7131,05318,826
18783,10612,1113,0199,36862210,666
18793391,6311726284457,874
18802,7178,3507171,98389415,617
18812,4268,4963,0566,1121,30826,285
188211,26452,0883,55310,1302,04041,955
18838,86942,0202,5196,8922,01336,761
188415,76666,59312,34225,0741,52523,475
188524,923102,38715,24535,7421,06316,316
188623,175105,53716,42945,6571,11215,922
188717,01854,92123,91354,5621,57825,094
188829,995118,25236,68278,9184,04275,269
188937,955146,84026,55867,10517,084361,182
189034,816122,70140,45184,98621,158381,789
189139,430150,25839,77086,67515,809281,514
189253,930227,16241,49391,04212,793214,542
189358,149254,64546,20199,62612,587219,375
189460,771251,28055,655115,2034,67766,256
189557,964227,60176,743150,9091,80621,040
189671,353281,71671,372130,1662,96832,985
189799,002402,60577,683150,5172,76930,674
189896,801403,69068,711135,7764,85074,556
1899136,086571,79969,440141,81810,371184,411
1900172,583740,620102,849229,11115,906332,182
1901201,591882,406104,294238,68510,171195,728
1902253,9981,205,80274,746163,53920,852534,031
1903285,1061,318,06774,780194,99822,652595,684
1904314,3601,380,46084,526185,48626,936710,281
1905305,7221,408,55788,562205,17127,877696,467
1906320,2251,560,235131,206341,00227,779776,106
1907328,4411,615,345236,833662,35528,547832,068
1908229,9711,171,182280,798783,41917,403396,288
1909321,1081,639,380400,6071,105,39014,318306,973
Exports (the Produce of New Zealand).
Year.Gold.Gum (Kauri).Provisions Tallow, Timber, &c.
Quantity.Value.Quantity.Value.Value.
 Oz.£Tons.££
18604,53817,5851,0469,85152,795
1861194,234752,6578569,88848,437
1862410,8621,591,3891,10311,10777,835
1863628,4502,431,7231,40027,02752,105
1864480,1711,857,8472,22860,59059,089
1865574,5742,226,4741,86746,06082,729
1866735,3762,844,5172,53570,572116,901
1867686,7532,700,2752,68577,49189,294
1868637,4742,504,3262,69072,49351,361
1869614,2812,362,9952,850111,30780,197
1870544,8802,157,5854,391175,074212,044
1871730,0292,787,5205,054167,958338,335
1872445,3701,730,9924,811154,167396,976
1873505,3371,987,4252,83385,816412,660
1874376,3881,505,3312,56879,986397,762
1875355,3221,407,7703,230138,523285,715
1876318,3671,268,5592,888109,234351,731
1877366,9551,476,3123,632118,348469,670
1878311,4371,244,1903,445132,975573,735
1879284,1001,134,6413,228147,535484,150
1880303,2151,220,2634,725242,817544,973
1881250,683996,8675,460253,778574,880
1882230,893921,6645,533260,369921,290
1883212,899892,4456,518336,6061,121,257
1884246,392988,9536,393342,1511,116,799
1885222,732890,0565,876299,7621,154,819
1886235,578939,6484,920257,6531,058,552
1887187,938747,8786,790362,4341,085,468
1888229,608914,3098,482380,9331,274,780
1889197,492785,4907,519329,5901,606,828
1890187,641751,3607,438378,5631,440,731
1891251,1611,007,1728,388437,0561,436,671
1892237,393951,9638,705517,6781,200,525
1893227,502915,9218,317510,7751,113,799
1894221,614887,8658,338404,5671,112,233
1895293,4931,162,1817,425418,7661,269,031
1896263,6941,041,4287,126431,3231,269,680
1897251,647980,2046,641398,0101,389,398
1898280,1751,080,6919,905586,7671,562,834
1899389,5701,513,18011,116607,9191,645,313
1900373,6141,439,60210,159622,2931,784,350
1901455,5581,753,7847,541446,1141,935,567
1902507,8521,951,4267,430450,2232,333,704
1903533,3142,037,8329,357631,1022,288,327
1904520,3231,987,5019,203501,8171,976,471
1905520,4852,093,93610,883561,4442,167,616
1906563,8432,270,9049,154522,4862,587,453
1907508,2102,027,4908,708579,8882,934,845
1908506,3812,004,7995,530372,7982,501,525
1909506,3712,006,9008,250552,6983,112,465
Year.Exports (the produce of New Zealand).Imports.Coal-mines, Output from
Total Value.Total Value.From United States (included in previous Column).
 £££Tons.
1860549,1331,548,33318,474Prior to 1878, 709,931
18611,339,2412,493,81126,790
18622,358,0204,626,08289,806
18633,342,8917,024,674109,998
18643,050,6347,000,655109,222
18653,503,4215,594,97745,084
18664,396,0905,894,863129,300
18674,479,4645,344,60792,590
18684,268,7624,985,748117,326
18694,090,1344,976,12669,109
18704,544,6824,639,01560,497
18715,171,1044,078,19359,345
18725,107,1865,142,95190,657
18735,477,9706,464,687143,273
18745,152,1438,121,812191,539
18755,475,8448,029,172213,492
18765,488,9016,905,171192,287
18776,058,7176,973,418269,656
18785,784,6198,755,663432,572162,218
18795,563,4558,374,585438,399231,218
18806,102,3006,162,011238,011299,923
18815,762,2507,457,045343,645337,262
18826,253,3508,609,270463,493378,272
18836,855,2447,974,038419,250421,764
18846,942,4867,663,888348,557480,831
18856,591,9117,479,921401,532511,063
18866,386,6826,759,013337,322534,353
18876,551,0816,245,515298,736558,620
18887,255,1285,941,900323,069613,895
18899,042,0086,308,863342,436586,445
18909,28,7616,260,525355,395637,397
18919,400,0946,503,849361,795668,794
18929,365,8686,943,056381,627673,315
18938,557,4436,911,515379,378691,548
18949,085,1486,788,020394,691719,546
18958,390,1536,400,129394,233726,654
18969,177,3367,137,320492,840792,851
18979,596,2678,055,223628,044840,713
189810,324,9888,230,600800,411907,033
189911,799,7408,739,633775,309975,234
190013,055,24910,646,0961,061,8731,093,990
190112,690,46011,817,9151,415,2601,227,638
190213,498,59911,326,7231,318,9371,362,702
190314,838,19212,788,6751,441,3581,420,193
190414,601,78713,291,6941,527,9151,537,838
190515,503,53012,828,8571,438,5011,585,756
190617,840,34615,211,4031,405,7811,729,536
190719,783,13817,302,8611,425,5961,831,009
190815,894,53017,471,2841,643,9371,860,975
190919,462,93615,674,7191,166,0631,911,247

IV—Transport.

Year.Shipping.
Inwards.Outwards.Registered Vessels belonging to New Zealand.
Tonnage.Tonnage.Gross Tonnage.
1860140,276140,2938,527
1861197,986205,3509,144
1862301,365288,64710,825
1863419,935394,66515,189
1864426,004433,25322,573
1865295,625283,02024,484
1866330,303306,97926,787
1867309,568308,16923,240
1868277,105287,71024,539
1869250,731247,76425,990
1870273,151265,40726,743
1871274,643265,61827,107
1872300,302285,36623,963
1873289,297281,84730,035
1874399,296385,53338,935
1875416,727417,82042,025
1876393,180393,33444,401
1877388,568400,60942,479
1878456,490428,49346,965
1879473,940475,75264,457
1880395,675424,04166,316
1881420,134413,48772,387
1882461,285438,55176,196
1883494,926507,56584,903
1884529,188534,24292,696
1885519,700513,00095,887
1886502,572488,33194,196
1887489,754493,58394,027
1888526,435531,47886,132
1889602,634593,25287,411
1890662,769649,70598,907
1891618,515625,807102,068
1892675,223656,100101,156
1893615,604642,466100,388
1894631,100631,25099,588
1895672,951648,946100,988
1896614,097627,659105,553
1897686,899675,333119,713
1898765,255765,793126,113
1899811,183807,866129,583
1900854,632825,275137,767
19011,063,2741,075,906143,183
19021,089,1791,048,770147,822
19031,102,0641,113,165150,909
19041,154,5691,144,764157,334
19051,139,4101,141,552170,957
19061,243,6521,238,214180,124
19071,254,2661,225,382197,001
19081,361,0471,331,305228,399
19091,263,9351,253,878230,614
Year.Government Railways (Figures to 31st March following).Electric Telegraph.
Miles open for traffic.Miles under construction.Railways Receipts.Miles of Line.Number of Messages.Cash and Cash Values including Telephones.
   £  £
1860      
1861      
1862      
1863      
1864      
1865      
1866   69948,2319,114
1867   71487,43614,295
1868   1,471134,64726,224
1869   1,611173,74632,649
1870   1,887238,19527,422
1871   2,015369,08537,203
1872   2,312491,20544,669
1873145434 2,389637,94155,195
187420962121,1982,632844,30162,322
187554246472,0733,156993,32374,420
1876718427469,0515,1701,100,59980,841
18771,052251569,8983,3071,182,95585,589
18781,089142758,0963,4341,260,32492,433
18791,171284762,5723,5121,448,943112,351
18801,288192836,0773,7581,304,712100,023
18811,333187892,0263,8241,438,772101,566
18821,371171953,3473,9741,570,189102,378
18831,404224961,3044,0741,599,400102,958
18841,4791581,045,7124,2641,654,305101,482
18851,6131791,047,4184,4631,774,273112,778
18861,721171998,7684,5461,836,266115,666
18871,753169994,8434,6461,835,394116,211
18881,777163997,6154,7901,765,860104,116
18891,8091761,095,5694,8741,802,987106,462
18901,8421321,121,7015,0601,961,161110,697
18911,8691701,115,4325,3491,968,264117,634
18921,8861881,181,5225,4791,904,143103,813
18931,9481481,172,7925,5132,069,791112,466
18941,9931271,150,8515,8232,046,839114,510
18952,0141141,183,0416,2452,124,211123,112
18962,0181241,286,1586,2852,520,169129,635
18972,055921,376,0086,4842,696,233136,221
18982,0901131,469,6656,7362,960,738145,295
18992,1041111,623,8916,9103,469,631162,945
19002,2122081,727,2367,2493,898,128186,978
19012,2352121,874,5867,4694,167,981207,476
19022,2911941,974,0387,7494,559,304222,495
19032,3281752,180,6417,7794,965,197237,564
19042,3741732,209,2317,9445,159,745250,063
19052,4072222,349,7048,3555,640,219273,911
19062,4582082,624,6008,9536,396,332307,521
19072,4742552,761,9389,6567,042,923344,251
19082,6741882,929,52610,4047,425,693369,353
19092,7171983,249,79010,9017,846,890394,510

V.—Accumulation.

Year.Banks. (Average of Four Quarters.)Savings-Banks (Post Office and private). Post Office Money Orders issued.
Deposits.Assets.Liabilities.Number of Depositors.Balance to credit on 31st Dec.Number.Amount.
 £££ £ £
1860644,521992,082801,5881,10412,450  
1861882,7541,235,9521,097,1621,11422,921  
18621,596,4462,691,1172,092,4971,49629,7681,4106,590
18632,092,0904,028,7662,962,5852,37144,11711,58655,703
18642,480,3035,063,4583,343,1724,66994,24816,59178,556
18652,638,4145,455,2893,522,1464,30487,40017,23678,576
18663,097,4735,891,5324,010,1104,51391,86322,710108,779
18672,904,5945,947,1603,737,6956,579156,85524,473115,610
18683,102,7275,734,7453,838,2208,121243,61525,854118,211
18693,174,8316,231,4163,863,00610,103320,38328,427127,218
18703,127,7696,315,3543,819,67012,137388,80431,864140,454
18713,334,6725,871,8883,988,40014,275454,96636,291157,397
18723,919,8385,429,7474,628,81917,289597,00244,660191,009
18734,713,8067,267,7205,538,03021,807812,14452,351219,258
18745,564,4349,954,2166,490,50427,215943,75362,712263,164
18755,967,20510,987,1786,987,31830,310897,32673,712293,481
18766,238,47111,776,0707,221,39932,577905,14680,255310,268
18777,185,10612,992,1048,152,23035,709964,43090,672334,973
18788,960,36915,393,63010,031,00939,9261,043,204101,017368,255
18798,021,07316,054,2959,057,46342,679990,337117,999428,673
18808,538,93514,220,2759,550,17747,4621,148,992135,648465,405
18819,069,37714,863,64510,083,18861,0541,549,515135,556452,182
18828,945,34617,162,23410,015,27368,3581,832,047148,162499,368
18838,659,47717,794,7619,706,70073,5461,784,631172,556541,133
18849,643,21418,442,13910,691,59979,5141,926,759186,052572,666
188510,083,29618,811,56711,130,24485,7692,142,560188,622581,395
188610,579,71119,041,82711,603,19491,2962,133,861155,680547,755
188711,031,61418,799,84711,995,49597,4962,407,776159,579555,744
188811,155,77818,109,44412,108,353103,0462,691,693162,387555,996
188911,528,42417,652,91512,486,717110,5662,858,644172,076589,545
189012,368,61017,735,25913,356,598118,3443,137,023176,427602,077
189112,796,09816,814,51813,820,458126,8863,406,949195,239651,990
189213,587,06217,558,16814,623,335135,8273,580,544199,438694,847
18934,433,77718,255,53415,489,633147,1993,966,849210,957750,929
18943,927,21717,746,42114,930,791154,4054,066,594222,678776,783
189513,544,41518,159,78114,491,627163,5134,620,696243,497812,604
189614,490,82716,900,19915,520,431175,1735,065,864269,566902,160
189714,290,51217,276,77115,380,248187,9545,520,080293,659970,831
189814,143,22917,013,40415,299,058199,4645,746,887318,3701,020,241
189914,591,22317,190,43315,834,858213,1726,128,297344,6641,118,808
190015,570,61017,314,53516,964,582228,8836,665,344369,8341,214,853
190116,034,84818,422,27417,490,035245,0247,268,103405,9671,286,508
190217,231,76718,999,18018,701,063261,9487,876,877367,2071,277,059
190319,011,11419,913,54620,563,879280,0118,432,958396,3121,416,224
190419,074,96020,893,09620,643,3592975698,839,307407,7831,476,887
190520,545,60121,770,52522,144,166316,3769,773,954417,4411,541,712
190622,422,24323,829,93324,143,008341,11411,170,025439,0201,686,232
190723,517,11126,584,23925,334,348364,42212,825,063441,4871,773,591
190821,821,75329,098,56723,611,903388,94513,512,266488,0842,050,684
190921,996,62126,937,26523,728,326408,77014,065,410538,7402,307,593
YearInsurances in Force in the Government Life Insurance Department at End of Year.Old-age Pensions, 31st March of following Years.Friendly Societies from Which Returns Received.Public Trust Office.
No. of Policies.Sums Assured and Bonuses.No. of Pensions in Force.Amount represented.No. of Lodges, &c.No. of Members.Number of Estates.Amount represented.

* From here figures are for year ended 31st March.

  £ £   £
1860        
1861        
1862        
1863        
1864        
1865        
1866        
1867        
1868        
1869        
18705930,250      
1871454200,611      
18721,689625,421      
18732,634995,986    25717,500
18743,9531,453,496    29328,930
18754,9891,836,859    34742,163
18766,1532,282,129  898,56041259,720
18777,1492,716,907  888,82857567,675
18788,7113,251,220  1109,75962773,940
187910,2233,726,330  13813,16571396,315
188011,6564,171,504  17914,484770117,980
188112,4114,471,182  27218,634836150,750
188215,8925,273,164  27318,700911204,545
188319,9175,992,111  27518,8481,024317,680
188421,0036,224,571  28121,1441,082392,315
188523,2186,552,242  30222,7941,190457,620
188624,7157,053,276  29021,6791,293576,010
188725,4397,136,944  34724,9281,304715,860
188826,1687,362,488  35324,9381,483954,675
188927,2187,600,537  36526,0131,5611,130,960
189028,1027,807,792  35726,3791,6781,240,097
189129,2268,390,803  36427,3721,8251,252,625
189230,3168,580,817  37928,7541,9121,284,745
189331,7098,821,255  37229,7632,0221,450,918
189432,9079,232,543  36929,963**
189533,9689,345,229  37630,9052,0861,562,269
189634,7729,415,693  39231,8252,2361,806,953
189736,1749,857,010  38832,6702,3341,898,163
189837,84810,124,2277,443128,08241035,5012,4131,950,314
189939,36610,341,70211,285193,71843338,2022,4912,110,316
190040,36810,639,97812,405211,96544340,2572,6672,192,594
190141,29110,627,26312,776217,19244541,2362,8982,326,954
190242,40611,024,73412,481211,59546243,4083,0492,467,614
190343,11611,111,80711,926200,91546545,2553,3142,898,360
190444,19411,261,08011,770199,08147947,3023,4703,386,124
190545,13711,725,97712,582313,01850151,1033,6843,840,339
190645,98111,851,49113,257326,08453553,7593,9774,303,680
190746,94511,980,12313,569333,34055256,8174,2764,969,100
190847,03312,024,69914,396353,34353958,5174,7765,531,658
190948,01612,447,74815,320374,69956764,4285,0196,399,567

VI.—Education.

Year.Scholars at Primary Schools.Scholars at Secondary or High Schools.Scholars at Private Schools.New Zealand University Graduates (Direct Degrees).

* In addition to these there were in December, 1909, 4,308 children attending the Native Schools, nearly all maintained by the Government, and 918 at Industrial Schools and Orphanages.

† Including 2,163 scholars attending District High Schools, and 846 secondary pupils attending Technical Day Schools.

NOTE.—Statistics of schools and scholars not being complete for years prior to 1874, no figures are entered.

1860    
1861    
1862    
1863    
1864    
1865    
1866    
1867    
1868    
1869    
1870    
1871    
1872    
1873    
187438,215 3,237 
187545,562 7,316 
187651,9646549,357 
187756,2397169,992 
187865,0408689,206 
187975,5561,41710,234 
188082,4011,63111,238 
188183,5601,8199,987 
188287,1791,89910,002 
188392,4762,38411,255 
188497,2382,64212,203 
1885102,4072,65911,989103
1886106,3282,35812,497117
1887110,9192,24213,417145
1888112,6852,12013,893168
1889115,4562,14713,458199
1890117,9122,11713,626230
1891119,5232,20514,142279
1892122,6202,26214,456323
1893124,6902,25114,922366
1894127,3002,45414,627410
1895129,8562,52514,659464
1896131,0372,61413,947501
1897132,1972,70914,447546
1898131,6212,70614,782603
1899131,3152,72315,295641
1900130,7242,79215,555699
1901131,3512,89915,344757
1902132,2623,07215,624814
1903133,5683,72215,609869
1904135,4754,03816,378929
1905137,6234,06016,639992
1906139,3024,27017,1311,083
1907141,0714,19618,0881,157
1908147,4288,46918,3671,252
1909152,416*8,203†17,9301,327

PART III.—ARTICLES ON SPECIAL SUBJECTS.

Table of Contents

Chapter 49. SECTION I. THE LAND SYSTEM OF NEW ZEALAND.

William C. Kensington, I.S.O., Under-Secretary of Lands.

THE Crown lands of New Zealand are administered under “The Land Act, 1908,” and “The Land for Settlements Act, 1908,” together with the regulations made thereunder.

The distinguishing features of the present leasehold system involve the principle of State ownership of the soil, with a tenant right to recurrent terms of lease by the occupier. Between 1892 and 1907 a very large proportion of the Grown lands were disposed of on lease for 999 years. The rentals were based on the assessed value of the land at the time of disposal, without increase or recurring valuations, and gave a fixity of tenure practically equal to freehold, and which, like freehold, necessarily carried with it the power of sale, sub-lease, mortgage, or disposition by will. At the same time the improvements made in the soil by cultivation, &c., were secured to the tenant should he from any cause be obliged to forfeit or surrender his lease. This tenure was amended by “The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907,” which substituted a lease for sixty-six years (in the case of ordinary Crown lands) and thirty-three years (in the case of settlement lands), with a perpetual right of renewal for further successive terms. The former Acts of 1892, 1893, 1895, and 1907 are now consolidated in “The Land Act, 1908.”

When it is taken into consideration that, with few exceptions, the Crown lands are, in their prairie condition, incapable of immediate profitable use, the advantage to the settler of setting free his capital to develop the capabilities of the soil, rather than having to expend it in the purchase of a freehold, is very apparent.

The values placed on the Crown lands are, as a rule, low, for the State does not so much seek to raise a revenue directly therefrom as to encourage the occupation of the lands by the people; this occupation secures an indirect increased revenue, besides the other advantages resulting from a numerous rural population.

Again, underlying the whole of the New Zealand land system is a further application of the principle of “the land for the people"—viz., the restriction in area which any man may hold. This subject has been forced upon the attention the Legislature by defects in former systems, under which one individual with means at his command could appropriate large areas, to the exclusion of his less wealthy fellow-settler. Under existing conditions, where the price at which land is offered is definitely fixed, and where choice of selection is by ballot, every would-be settler has the same chance, and may hold under the Crown an equal area of land, except that by “The Land Act, 1908,” preference is given to “landless,” “married,” and “previously unsuccessful” applicants. The quantity that a selector may hold is so fixed as to encourage the class of moderate farmers, for up to the statutory limit the amount he may select is left almost entirely to himself. The Act defines the amount of land any one may hold at 640 acres of first-class land, 2,000 acres of second-class land, or 5,000 acres of third-class land. These limits apply to lands which are thrown open for optional selection, but in some cases, where the quality of the land is very good and the selectors many, the limit may by regulation be made smaller.

Part XIII of “The Land Act, 19,” deals with the limitation of area to be held by private persons, and tends to prevent the aggregation of estates of lands which may hereafter be acquired from the Crown. It distinctly limits such holdings to 5,000 acres, and gives power to inflict penalties for any evasion of the Act.

In addition to the many advantages offered by the renewable-lease tenure, the Land Act provides others, to meet the wants of different classes. The general rule is that ordinary Crown land thrown open for optional selection is offered to the public under three different tenures, the choice of which is left to the would-be settler.

The three tenures are:—

  1. Cash, in which one-fifth of the purchase-money is paid down at once, and the remainder within thirty days. The final title is not given until certain improvements have been made on the land.

  2. Lease with a purchasing clause, at a 5-per-cent. rental on the value of the land; the lease being for twenty-five years, with the right to purchase at the original upset price at any time after the first ten years and within twenty-five years, or to convert into a renewable lease.

  3. Renewable lease, at a rental of 4 per cent. on the capital value, the lease being for sixty-six years with perpetual right of renewal.

“Settlement" lands are opened only on renewable lease, the term being for thirty-three years instead of sixty-six years, and the rental 44 per cent. on capital value.

“The Land Act, 1908,” provides for a special class of settlement called small-farm associations, which found favour with the public to a very considerable extent during the first three years after the Act of 1892 came into force, but is now superseded to a large extent by the improved - farm settlement system. The small-farm association system provides that, where not less than twelve individuals have associated themselves together for mutual help, such an association can, with the approval of the Minister of Lands, select a block of land of not more than 11,000 acres, but there must be a selector to each 200 acres in the block. The extreme limit that one person may hold is fixed at 320 acres. Settlements of this class were formerly held on lease in perpetuity, in a similar way to lands under the same tenure when thrown open for optional selection, but this is now superseded by the renewable-lease tenure. The conditions of residence and improvement are the same. The system offers many advantages to the settler, so long as the blocks of land are judiciously chosen, having regard to quality of land, access, markets, and the probability of employment being obtained in the neighbourhood. In the eagerness to obtain lands on such easy terms these points have, in the past, not received sufficient attention by some of the associations, and in consequence they are not all successful. At present only a very small proportion of the remaining Crown lands is suitable for selection in this manner.

Under “The Land Act, 1885,” there was a somewhat similar system, but it allowed of the acquisition of the freehold. This was taken advantage of to a considerable extent by selectors under that Act.

The village-settlement system of New Zealand has excited much inquiry. This system provides for the setting apart and offering for optional selection of allotments of one acre in area or under, and for the opening under the renewable-lease tenure (formerly lease in perpetuity) of small farms between 1 and 100 acres in area. These settlements were designed to enable labourers to obtain homes for themselves and families in the immediate vicinity of their work, and gave bushmen, workers on the roads and railways, &c., an excellent chance of securing a holding upon which they could live, and which they could improve in their spare time. There has not been any great extension of this system in recent years.

The improved-farm settlement system was first begun in order to find work for the unemployed. Considerable areas of forest-clad Crown lands were set aside, and small contracts for the clearing, burning, and sowing these with grass were let to the men to whom it was intended to allot them. In most cases the farms are selected or balloted for in their primitive state, and the settler is for a time paid for the improvements he makes, or, in other words, the cost of converting forest lands into grass lands is advanced from time to time by the Government. In other cases a piece of forest land is taken in hand, and men are employed at fixed rates in felling, burning, and grassing. When so much grass is laid down as will give a good start, the land is opened for selection in sections of 50 to 200 acres and balloted for among the applicants. The farms are let on lease with a purchasing clause or on renewable lease (formerly lease in perpetuity) at a rental sufficient to cover the cost of clearing, &c., together with a fair rental of the land.

The size of holdings averages about 120 acres.

Full details as to the various tenures now in force, and the conditions to be complied with by selectors of Crown land, are given in the following pages.

Digest of the Land Laws

Administration.

The Crown lands are administered, under the authority of “The Land Act, 1908,” by the Hon. the Minister of Lands at Wellington, his executive officer being the Under-Secretary of Lands, who is the permanent head of the Department of Lands and Survey. For convenience New Zealand is divided into ten land districts, each being under the local direction of a Commissioner of Crown Lauds and a Land Board. The Commissioner's office is known as the principal land office, and in some of the larger districts there are one or more local land offices. It is with these land offices the selector has to transact all business, from the first consultation of the maps to the final receipt of the Crown title.

Land Board.

A Land Board consists of five members, of whom the Commissioner of Crown Lands for the district is ex officio chairman, three members nominated by the Governor, and one member elected by the Crown tenants of the district.

Land Districts and Principal Land Offices.

The names of the land districts and of the towns where each principal office is situated are, beginning with the most northerly and taking them geographically, as under:—

Land District.Town where Principal Land Office is situated.
AucklandAuckland.
MarlboroughBlenheim.
TaranakiNew Plymouth.
WestlandHokitika.
Hawke's BayNapier.
CanterburyChristchurch.
WellingtonWellington.
OtagoDunedin.
NelsonNelson.
SouthlandInvercargill.
HEAD OFFICEWellington.

Classification of Lands, &c.

Crown lands are divided into three classes:—

  1. Town and village lands, the upset prices of which are, respectively, not less than £20 and £3 per acre; such lands are sold by auction, or leased for ten or thirty-three years at a rent of 5 per cent. on the value of the land:

  2. Suburban lands, the upset price of which may not be less than £2 an acre; these lands are also sold by auction, or leased as aforesaid:

  3. Rural lands, which may be disposed of at not less than £1 per acre for first-class, 10s. an acre for second-class lands, and 2s. 6d. an acre for third-class lands; such lands may be sold or leased by auction, or sold or leased on application.

No rural section may be larger than 640 acres in extent if first-class land, 2,000 acres if second-class land, or 5,000 acres if third-class land, whether offered by auction or application.

Applicants.

Every applicant must be ac the age of seventeen years and upwards, and apply for Crown land solely for his own use and benefit, and not directly or indirectly for the use or benefit of any other person, whilst, including the land he applies for, he is not to be the owner, holder, or occupier under any tenure of more than one year's duration, either severally or jointly or in common with any other person or persons, of any land anywhere in New Zealand exceeding in the whole 5,000 acres of land computed as follows:—

  1. Every acre of first-class land is reckoned as 7 ½ acres;

  2. Every acre of second-class land is reckoned as 2 ½ acres;

  3. Every acre of third-class land is reckoned as 1 acre.

In cases where a ballot is required those applicants who are landless have preference over those who are not, and the decision of the Board as to which of the applicants are landless is final and conclusive. An applicant is deemed landless if he does not hold under any tenure such area of land, whether Crown land or not, as is in the opinion of the Board sufficient for the maintenance of himself and his family. In the case of a husband and wife (except when they are judicially separated), if either of them is not landless, neither of them shall be deemed to be landless.

The Board may also, with the approval of the Minister, on the opening of any land for public selection, set apart not more than one-third of such land as allotments in respect of which preference at any ballot shall be given to applicants who are landless, and who belong to any of the following classes:—

  1. Married men with children:

  2. Widowers with children:

  3. Widows with children:

  4. Married woman with children and judicially separated from their husbands.

And all such applicants shall rank equally with each other.

The Board may, in addition, with the approval of the Minister, on the opening of any land for public selection, set apart certain allotments in respect of which preference at any ballot shall be given to applicants who are landless, and have within the previous two years competed at least twice unsuccessfully at any other land-ballot, whether under “The Land Act, 1908,” or under “The Land for Settlements Act, 1908.”

The decision of the Board as to the rejection or preference of any applicant shall be final and conclusive.

Before taking a ballot or otherwise disposing of applications for land the Board may, in such manner as it thinks fit, inquire into all matters affecting an applicant's suitability or his right of preference, and may reject any applicant who refuses or fails to answer any inquiries as to such matters to the satisfaction of the Board.

Every person who in future is successful in any land-ballot, and subsequently transfers or subleases his land, shall be disqualified for the period of five years after the date of such disposition from taking part in any other land-ballot.

Mode of acquiring Crown Lands.

Crown lands may be acquired as follows:—

  1. By auction, after survey, in which case one-fifth of the price is paid down at the time of sale, the balance within thirty days:

  2. By application, after the lands have been notified as open for selection, in which case the applicant fills up a form (to be obtained at any of the Land Offices) and makes the declaration and undertaking required by the particular system he wishes to select under.

  3. Under special conditions, e.g., the Land Board, with the Minister's consent, may sell small areas of Crown lands under 5 acres in extent to religious bodies, or to owners of dairy-factories, cheese-factories, or creameries, also as sites for fruit-preserving works, without the applicants having to go to public competition, but no land can be so sold at a less price than £1 per acre.

All applications, whether for surveyed or unsurveyed lands, are deemed to be simultaneous if made on the same day, and, if there be more than one applicant for the same land, the right of selection is determined by ballot.

Lands thrown open for application may be either surveyed or unsurveyed, and those not selected the first day remain open.

The Optional System of Selection.

Lands for selection are notified as open for application on and after a stated day, and, at the option of the applicant, may be obtained on any of the three following tenures: (a) Freehold; (b) occupation with the right of purchase; (c) renewable lease.

(a.) Freehold.

If the land is surveyed, one-fifth of the price is to be paid down when the application is granted, and the balance within thirty days; or, if the land is not completely surveyed, the survey fee is deposited when the application is agreed to, and goes towards the purchase of the land; the balance must be paid within thirty days of notice that the survey is completed.

A certificate of occupation will issue to the purchaser on final payment, which will be exchanged for a Crown title so soon as the Board is satisfied that the following improvements have been completed, viz.—on first-class lands, up to £1 per acre; and on second-class lands, 10s. per acre. These improvements must be effected within seven years from the date of purchase.

(b.) Occupation with Right of Purchase.

Lands selected on this tenure are held under a license for twenty-five years. At any time subsequent to the first ten years, and before the expiration of the license, after having resided and made the improvements hereinafter described, the licensee can, on payment of the upset price of the land, acquire the freehold. If the land be not purchases, the license may be exchanged for a renewable lease.

The rent is 5 per cent. on the cash price of the land; if surveyed, a half-year's rent has to be paid at the time the application is approved, which represents the half-year's rent due in advance on the 1st day of January or July following the selection. If the land is unsurveyed, the cost of survey has to be paid, and is credited to the selector as so much rent paid in advance, counted from the 1st day of January or July following thirty days' notice of the completion of survey.

By “The Land Act, 1908” (section 116), the Commissioner of Crown Lands and Receiver of Land Revenue may, in their discretion, grant to any Crown tenant who is not in arrears with his rent a rebate not exceeding one-tenth of the instalment of rent paid within one month after the day appointed for its payment. This provision reduces the amount of rent payable by a licensee under this tenure to 4 ½ per cent. per annum, if paid promptly.

Residence and improvement of the land are compulsory, as hereinafter described.

(c.) Renewable Lease.

Lands selected on this tenure are leased for sixty-six years, with a perpetual right of renewal for further terms of sixty-six years, subject to revaluation at the end of each term, and to the conditions of residence and improvements described below. The rental is 4 per cent. on the cash price of the land, and applications are dealt with in the same way as under the previous tenure (b), but there is at no time a right to purchase the freehold.

Two or more persons may make a joint application to hold as tenants in common under either of the two last-named tenures.

The same concession as to rebate of rent for prompt payment applies as in the previous tenure—viz., a rebate up to 10 per cent.

If in any land district the Land Board deems any Crown land (from its inferior soil or inaccessibility) not likely to be immediately productive, they may, with the consent of the Minister, open it on terms that will allow the tenants to occupy the land rent-free for a term not exceeding the first ten years of the sixty-six years' lease.

Residence and Improvements.

Under the two last-mentioned tenures, the conditions as to residence and improvements are:—

RESIDENCE

  1. Must commence on bush or swamp lands within four years, and in open or partly open land within one year, from the date of selection:

  2. Must be continuous for six years on bush or swamp land, and for seven years on open or partly open land, on lands occupied with a right of purchase:

  3. Must be continuous for a term of ten years on renewable-lease lands.

The Board has power to dispense with residence in certain cases, such as where the selector is residing on adjacent lands, or is a youth or unmarried woman living with parents, and in a few other cases.

RESIDENCE implies the erection of a habitable house to be approved of by the Board.

The Governor has power to set apart certain areas of land which may be selected by persons who for a certain number of years may be represented by registered substitutes such as a near relation who shall reside upon it, in their place, and make the requisite improvements, subject to special regulations which the Governor shall lay down. It is especially enacted that these regulations shall not come into force until approved by both branches of the Legislature.

IMPROVEMENTS which must be made are as follows:—

The holdings must be improved to an amount equal to 10 per cent. of the value of the land within one year from the date of the license or lease; within two years must be improved to the amount of another 10 per cent.; within six years must be improved to the value of another 10 per cent., making 30 per cent. in all within the six years. In addition to the above, the land must be further improved to the value of £1 for every acre of first-class lands, 10s. for every acre of second-class lands, and 2s. 6d. for every acre of third-class lands.

Improvements may consist of reclamation from swamps, clearing of bush, planting with trees or hedges, cultivation of gardens, fencing, draining, making roads, wells, water-tanks, water-races, sheep-dips, embankments or protective works, or in any way improving the character or fertility of the soil; or the erection of any building, &c.; and cultivation includes the clearing of land for cropping, or clearing and ploughing for laying down with artificial grasses, &c.

Transfers and Dealings with Leases.

No lessee or licensee of Crown lands is entitled to transfer his interest therein, or to sublease his land, until he has resided continuously thereon for at least two years, and then only with the consent of the Minister and recommendation of the Land Board. But when by reason of special or unforeseen circumstance such disposition becomes, in the opinion of the Minister and Board, desirable, it may be permitted, although no such residence has taken place. This restriction does not apply to lessees of pastoral runs, nor to Crown tenants who selected laud prior to the 20th November, 1907.

A Crown tenant may, however, mortgage his holding without the above consent (in the case of ordinary Crown lands), but must obtain consent during the first five years of his tenancy in the case of settlement lands.

Special conditions apply in the case of a Crown tenant mortgaging under “The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act,” 1909 (vide section 50).

Every transferee or sublessee must make the same declaration as the original selector of the holding.

Lease-in-perpetuity.

This tenure was created by “The Land Act, 1892,” and repealed by “The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907.” It provided for a lease of 999 years, with no right of renewal, and no power for the lessee to acquire the freehold of his holding, whilst the rental was fixed at 4 per cent. on the prairie value of the land. No new leases under this tenure can now be granted, but existing leases are unaffected, save by the following amendments:—

A lessee can pay off up to 90 per cent. of the capital value of his land in sums of £10 at a time. By this means a settler may gradually reduce the rent he has to pay by saving his earnings in the prosperous seasons, and thus be better able to meet the losses which bad seasons may entail. So soon as he has paid up 33 per cent. of the capital value he is freed from all other covenants of his lease except the payment of rent and residence. The Land for Settlements Fund will benefit by all these payments (to be used for the purchase of further estates). In order that the territorial revenue shall not suffer to any appreciable amount by the payments made to Capital Account, it is to be credited with 4 per cent. on the total accounts so paid off.

Any holder of a lease in perpetuity may exchange his present lease for a renewable lease, and the lessee has the choice of electing whether the new rental shall be based upon the original capital value at time of selection or the present-day value (excluding the value of the improvements, which belong to the selector).

Lessees-in-perpetuity may also purchase the fee-simple of the land comprised within the leases at present-day value, determined by arbitration, but giving to the lessee the value of all his own improvements. Regulations under this section were published in the Gazette of 11th March, 1909.

Special-settlement Associations.

Under the existing regulations any number of persons, not less than twelve, may select and apply for a block of land of not less than 1,000 acres or more than 11,000 acres in extent, but the number of members must be such that there shall be one for every 200 acres in the block, and no one can hold more than 320 acres, except in swamp lands, where the area may be 500 acres.

The capital value of lands within a special settlement is fixed after survey by special valuation, but may not be less than 10s. an acre; the rental is not less than 4 per cent. on the capital value, and the tenure is a renewable lease.

Residence, occupation, and improvements are generally the same as already described, and applications have to be made in manner prescribed by regulations.

Exchange of Texture.

The holders of mining district land-occupation leases for twenty-one years have the right of exchanging them for renewable sixty-six years' leases, and such an exchange will enable the lessees to apply for an increased area. The holders of pastoral lands in mining districts under special regulations, have also the right, under certain conditions, to exchange their leases for renewable sixty-six years' leases with all their privileges.

Village Settlements.

Village settlements are disposed of under regulations made from time to time by the Governor, but the main features are as follow:—Such settlements may be divided into:—

  1. Village allotments not exceeding 1 acre each, which are disposed of either by auction among the applicants or by application, as already described, with option of tenure, the cash price being not less than £3 per allotment:

  2. Homestead allotments not exceeding 100 acres each, which are available on renewable lease at a 4-per-cent. rental on a capital value of not less than 10s. per acre.

Residence, improvements, and applications are the same as already described. The leases are exempt from liability to be seized or sold for debt or bankruptcy.

The Minister of Finance is empowered in certain cases to advance small sums for the purpose of enabling selectors to profitably occupy their allotments.

Small Grazing-runs.

Small grazing-runs are divided into two classes: First class, not exceeding 5,000 acres; second class, not exceeding 20,000 acres in area. The rental in both cases is not less than 2 ½ per cent. on the capital value per acre, but such capital value cannot be less than 10s. per acre. Small grazing-runs are leased for terms of twenty-one years, with right of renewal for other twenty-one years, at a rent of 2 ½ per cent. on the then value of the land. The runs are declared open for selection, and applications and declarations on the forms provided have to be filled in and left at the Land Office, together with the deposit of one half-year's rent, which represents that due on the 1st day of March or September following the selection.

No holder of a pastoral run, and no holder of freehold or leasehold land of any kind whatever, over 1,000 acres in area, exclusive of the small grazing-run applied for, may be a selector under this system; and only one small grazing-run can be held by any one person, except on the recommendation of the Land Board and with the approval of the Minister.

The lease entitles the holder to the grazing rights, and to the cultivation of any part of the run, and to the reservation of 150 acres round his homestead through which no road may be taken; but the runs are subject to the mining laws.

Residence is compulsory, if the run comprises bush or swamp land, within three years; if it is open land, within one year; and must be continuous to the end of the term, but may in a few cases be relaxed. Improvements necessary are as follow: Within the first year, to the amount of one year's rent; within the second year, to another year's rent; and within six years, to the value of two other years' rent: making in all a sum equal to four years' rental which must be expended within six years. In addition to these improvements, bush-covered first-class runs must be improved to an amount of 10s. an acre, and second-class bush-clad runs to an amount of 5s. an acre.

After three years' compliance with the conditions, a run may be divided amongst the members of the selector's family.

Pastoral Runs.

Pastoral country is let by auction for varying terms not exceeding twenty-one years; and, excepting in extraordinary circumstances, runs must not be of a greater extent than will carry 20,000 sheep or 4,000 head of cattle. Runs are classified from time to time by special Commissioners into: (1) Pastoral lands, which are suitable only for depasturing more than 5,000 sheep; (2) pastoral-agricultural lands, suitable for subdivision into areas of under 5,000 acres, which may be either let as pastoral runs, generally for short terms, or cut up for settlement in some other form. Leases of pastoral lands may not be resumed; leases of pastoral-agricultural lands may be resumed at any time after twelve mouths' notice, without compensation.

Except on the recommendation of the Land Board, and with the approval of the Minister of Lands, no one can hold more than one run; but, in case of any one holding a run of a carrying-capacity less than 10,000 sheep, he may take up additional country up to that limit.

Runs are offered at auction from time to time, and half a year's rent has to be paid down at the time of sale, being the amount due in advance on the 1st day of March or September following the sale, and the purchaser has to make the declaration required by the Act. All leases begin on the 1st day of March, and they entitle the holder to the grazing rights, but not to the soil, timber, or minerals; and the lease terminates over any part of the run which may be leased for some other purpose, purchased, or reserved. The tenant has to prevent the burning of timber or bush, except when it is intended to grass the land; in open country to prevent the growth of gorse, broom, or sweetbriar; and to destroy the rabbits on his run. With the consent of the Land Board, the interest in a run may be transferred or mortgaged, but power of sale under a mortgage must be exercised within two years.

“The Land Act, 1908” (section 237), provides that, with the consent of the Minister, the Land Board may permit the holder of any pasturage lease or license to do any one or more of the following things:—

  1. To cultivate any portion of his run for the purpose of growing winter feed for the stock depastured on the run;

  2. To plough and sow in grass any portion of his run not exceeding 3,000 acres;

  3. To clear by felling and burning bush or scrub any portion of his run, and sow the same in grass;

  4. To surface-sow in grass any portion of his run.

The holder of any such pasturage lease or license may, with the permission of the Land Board, bring such area of his run under crop as is sufficient for the use and maintenance of himself and family and his employees, subject to conditions to be prescribed by the Board as to cultivation thereof by means of a proper rotation of crops.

The powers so conferred on the lessee or licensee are exercisable only on the condition that he shall, on the termination of such lease or license, leave the whole of the area ploughed or cultivated properly laid down in good permanent grasses and clovers to the satisfaction of the Board.

In case it is determined again to lease any run on expiry of the lease, the new lease must be offered by auction twelve months before the end of the term, and if, on leasing, it shall be purchased by some one other than the previous lessee, valuation for improvements, to be made by an appraiser, shall be paid by the incoming tenant, excepting in the case of a rabbit-proof fence, which is to be valued separately, together with the value of the improvements authorised as above.

In the event of the then lessee or licensee not having become the purchaser, the Board shall, at least three months before the expiry of any such lease or license, proceed to have valued by arbitration all improvements consisting of necessary buildings, plantations, fences (other than rabbit-proof fences), and ditches for draining made on the lands the lease or license of which has been sold at auction as last aforesaid. Such valuation shall be based on the worth of the said improvements to the incoming tenant, or, in the case of a subdivision of the run, to the incoming tenants of the divided portions thereof.

The outgoing tenant may, however, where the run is not again offered for lease or license, remove fences, buildings, &c. Runs may also be divided with the approval of the Board.

Wood-pulp Industry.

In order to aid in the establishment of the wood-pulp industry for paper-making, the Governor was authorised to set apart land not suitable for close settlement or for leasing under the small-grazing-run system, of a total area not exceeding 50,000 acres, and this land may be disposed of by way of lease, in such areas and on such terms and conditions as have been fixed by special regulations; but no person shall be granted a lease over a greater area than 30,000 acres of such land, and no lease shall be for a longer term than twenty-one years or shall include any right of renewal. The full area of 50,000 acres was set apart by notice in the New Zealand Gazette, of the 13th February, 1908.

The right to utilise the water-power of any stream on the land so disposed of, and the right to cut, fell, remove, or in any way utilise any timber growing thereon, are provided for in the regulations published in the Gazette of the 8th April, 1909.

Any land so set apart, if situated within the boundaries of a mining district under “The Mining Act, 1908,” shall remain subject to the provisions of that Act.

Flax Leases.

The Land Board may, with the approval of the Minister, lease by auction, for growing, cutting, or removing flax, any area not exceeding 2,000 acres, for a term not exceeding fourteen years, at such upset yearly rental as may be determined by the Board.

On the expiration of this lease a renewal may be granted to the former lessee, without auction, for a further term not exceeding fourteen years, at a rental to be determined by the Board not sooner than twelve mouths nor later than six months before the expiration of the first term.

These provisions apply both to land under “The Laud Act, 1908,” and to land under “The Land for Settlements Act, 1908.”

Regulations giving full particulars of these leases were published in the New Zealand Gazette of the 1st April, 1909.

Settlement of Bush and Swamp Lands.

Section 127 of the Act provides liberal conditions for the selection and settlement of bush and swamp lands. Its provisions are:

Land so opened is divided into three classes—(a) heavy-bush lands, (b) light-bush or swamp lands, and (c) scrub land, according to the nature of the vegetation existing on the lands opened for sale or lease. On heavy-bush lands the selector, after payment of his first half-year's rent, is exempt from further rent for a period of four years, whilst no rate can be levied or collected by any local authority on the land for the same period; on light-bush lands or swamp lands three years' exemption from rent and rates is allowed, whilst residence for the first five years may be dispensed with on swamp lands; on scrub lands two years' exemption from rent and rates is given.

As before mentioned, section 194 provides that land not likely to be immediately productive may be opened for selection on renewable lease, and no rent shall be payable thereunder for such period (not exceeding ten years) as the Land Board and Minister of Lands shall determine. This provision may be used instead of those embodied in section 127.

National. Endowments.

Part VII of the Act provides for the setting apart of 7,000,000 acres of Crown land in New Zealand as a permanent endowment for the purposes of education and old-age pensions. In addition to this, it adds to such endowment any lands which, after the passing of “The National Endowment Act, 1907,” shall be taken up under renewable lease, or are now or shall be selected under lease as small grazing-runs under the provisions of Part Y of “The Land Act, 1908"; but it enacts that so soon as the endowment shall reach a total area of 9,000,000 acres, no more Crown lands shall thereafter become national endowment by virtue of the Act. It also expressly provides that in regard to all the lauds so set apart the fee-simple thereof shall not be parted with by way of cash sale, nor shall any such land be disposed of under occupation-with-right-of-purchase tenure.

A separate account (to be known as the National Endowment Account) is created, into which all revenue from the national endowment area shall be paid. From this revenue shall be deducted the cost of administration and all sums which have to be paid to any local or public authority under any existing Act. This enables the continuation of the payment of “thirds" and “fourths" to local bodies, and the payment of interest on loans raised under “The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1908.”

Of the balance of the revenue 70 per cent. is to be applied for the purpose of education, and 30 per cent. for the purpose of old-age pensions. The moneys payable for educational purposes shall be applied, without any further appropriation than the Land Act, towards payment of all amounts which, by any Act now in force or hereafter to be passed, are chargeable on the Consolidated Fund for educational purposes, whether higher, secondary, or primary, and whether general or technical. If there is any residue after these payments are made, it shall be devoted towards payment of general authorities for education.

Out of the gross area of the national endowment sites may still be set apart for all necessary public purposes, whilst power is also taken in section 267 to enable the Land Board to sell, with the Minister's consent, any portion of national endowment land (not exceeding 5 acres in any one case) as a site for any building to be erected for any educational, religious, charitable, or public purpose, or for any other purpose which, in the opinion of the Land Board and the Minister, renders such a sale expedient in the public interest. The purchase-money of land so sold shall be paid into the National Endowment Account.

Section 268 provides for the raising of any sum not exceeding £50,000 in any one year (in addition to sums which might be borrowed under. “The Local Bodies' Loans Act. 1908”) for the construction of roads and bridges through the national endowment lands, to render them suitable for settlement.

The Land for Settlements Acts.

In the earlier years of the settlement of New Zealand there were opportunities for men of capital and judgment to acquire large estates, and while there were plenty of good Crown lands to select from this was of great advantage when money was needed for administration and roads and bridges. These large estates employed hired labour, and most of them did little towards cultivating their lands, and consequently progress beyond the pastoral stage ceased in the districts in which they were situated. As the best lands in the course of years passed from the Grown, the country became a series of agricultural communities interspersed with large properties occupied by a manager and a few shepherds, and the people urged that they and their sons should be allowed to occupy these large estates instead of being compelled to go into inaccessible back country without roads or railways. To meet this the late Sir John McKenzie, then Minister of Lands, introduced into the Legislature in the session of 1892 a Bill intituled. “The Land for Settlements Act,” which authorised the purchase from private individuals of suitable properties for subdivision into farms, which was extended and embodied in “The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900.”

Under the provisions of this Act and the amending Acts, which are now consolidated into the Act of 1908 and amending Act of 1909, properties have been acquired, and divided into small farms, and were originally leased in perpetuity at a 5-per-cent. rental, on a capital value fixed at a rate sufficient to cover first cost, together with survey, administration, and roads (if required). But by section 45 of the Act a renewable lease for thirty-three years is substituted and the rent reduced to 4 ½ per cent. per annum, whilst each lease contains a perpetual right of renewal for further successive terms of thirty-three years on a rent to be determined by revaluation.

Lessees may pay off portions of the capital value of their land in sums of £10 up to 90 per cent. of the total capital value, whilst so soon as the lessee has paid up to 33 per cent. of the capital value he is freed from all other covenants of his lease except those providing for payment of rent and residence.

Lessees-in-perpetuity under the former Acts have the right of exchanging their leases for renewable leases under the present Act, the new rental being 4 ½ per cent. upon the original capital value at the time of selection or the present-day value (excluding the value of improvements.)

The usual process of acquisition is as follows: Whenever a property is offered to the Government, if it is so situated as to meet the object of the Act, a report on it is obtained from a Government officer, and, should his report be favourable, the question of purchase is then considered by a Board of Land Purchase Commissioners, composed of the Inspector (who is the permanent Chairman), three other Government officers (at present the Under-Secretary of Lands, the Surveyor-General, and the local Commissioner of Crown Lands), whose training and duties qualify them to advise the Government as to whether the purchase is a suitable one, and as to the price which should be given for the property, and a member nominated by the Government from residents in the district where the land to be dealt with is situated. It is only on the advice of this Board that the Government acts. In nearly all cases the properties acquired have been improved to a certain extent by fencing and buildings, and were situated in the neighbourhood of closely settled districts. The amount which may be expended per annum under the Act is £500,000. The Act also provides for the exchange of high-lying pastoral Crown lands for low-lying agricultural lands suitable for small holdings.

Lands may also be taken compulsorily in cases where the Board cannot agree with the owner as to price, &c., and where the Governor in Council decides to acquire the land for closer settlement. The amount payable to the owner is fixed by section 31 of “The Land for Settlements Act, 1908,” as follows: The unimproved value is that given in the valuation roll upon which the owner has been paying rates, plus 10 per cent. of the total value up to £50,000, and 5 per cent. on all amounts above that sum. The improvements are to be specially assessed under “The Valuation of Land Act, 1908,” as at the time when the requisition for the taking of the land is gazetted. To the total amount so ascertained as above is added another 2 per cent. by way of compensation for the compulsory taking. The owner of any estate acquired in this manner has the option of obtaining a lease o 400 acres of first-class land, or 1,000 acres of mixed classes (first, second, and third), from the Government without competition, prior to the opening of the estate for public application.

The acquisition of lands under the Land for Settlements Acts has proved beneficial in providing homes for a large class of men of moderate capital who shrink from the rough work of breaking in new country, or who, having accumulated capital (cash, stock, and implements), prefer open country near civilisation. Sons of farmers begin life near the old home, and help from there is given in many ways. The system also affords to the small-farmer class of the Old Country an opening for building up homes for themselves where their previous experience will be of use, instead of having to learn the methods adapted to a new and wild country.

Preference is given to landless and married people, and applicants who have been unsuccessful at former ballots, whilst all applicants have to satisfy the Land Board as to their means to stock and cultivate the property applied for and erect suitable buildings thereon. The Board, in fact, has a discretion as to who may become tenants.

When land acquired under this Act contains a homestead in the bona fide occupation of a tenant, the occupant may be granted, without competition, a lease of such homestead and land around it, but not exceeding 400 acres in area.

Portions of purchased estates not suitable for close settlement, may be opened as pastoral areas, while to enable such pastoral areas to be properly worked detached areas of low-lying lands may be added to the pastoral areas, although they may not be contiguous.

Land may be taken under the Act for workmen's homes and home farms within any borough having a population of not less than 1,000 persons, or within a radius of twenty miles from the border thereof. Such land may be set apart under “The Workers' Dwellings Act, 1908,” or leased to workers on the renewable-lease system in allotments not exceeding ½ acre for an urban, 5 acres for a suburban, and 10 acres for a rural allotment.

Regulations giving full directions to applicants under “The Land for Settlements Act, 1908,” were issued in the Gazette of 23rd March, 1909, and should be in the hands of every one before applying for lands thereunder.

Details of the operations under the Laud for Settlements Acts will be found in Part II of this work.

During the second session of 1909 a new departure was authorised by the passing of “The Land Settlement Finance Act, 1909.”

Land Settlement Finance.

The intention of this system is to promote closer settlement of land by enabling groups of purchasers to buy private freehold property for subdivision among them, and to raise the purchase-money by means of a loan guaranteed by the Government. For this purpose any five or more persons may by agreement form an incorporated land settlement association, and may purchase in the name of that association any estate consisting of not less than 250 acres. The agreement of purchase must comprise a scheme for the subdivision of the estate into allotments not less than 25 acres and not more than 500 acres in extent, and for the allocation of each of those allotments to one of the purchasers at a fixed price, provided the unimproved value of such allotment, together with the unimproved value of all other land of any description owned, held, or occupied by such purchaser in New Zealand, does not exceed £2,500. The agreement becomes operative only if it is confirmed by Order in Council in pursuance of a recommendation of the Board of Land Purchase Commissioners. On the confirmation of the agreement the incorporated association, acting through the Public Trustee as its agent, is empowered to raise the total purchase-money of the estate by the issue of debentures under the guarantee of the Government. On the completion of the purchase the estate is transferred to the association, and the several allotments are then transferred by the association to the individual purchasers. Bach purchaser gives a mortgage to the association to secure the purchase-money of his allotment, together with interest at such rate as is sufficient to meet the interest on the debentures and the incidental expenses of the association. The purchase-money of each allotment so secured by mortgage is payable by such instalments as the mortgagor chooses, not less than a specified amount in each year, and the balance must be paid in twenty years. All capital and interest moneys so paid to the association by the purchasers are expended in meeting the interest accruing due on the debentures, and the balance is accumulated in the bands of the Public Trustee as a sinking fund for the redemption of the debentures.

Each member of an association, in addition to paying the purchase-money of his allotment, will also have to pay a sum equal to one-half of 1 per cent. of the purchase-money of his allotment for the purpose of providing a fund out of which the expenses of managing an association can be paid, and possible future losses through default may be met.

Special commissioners are to be appointed, their duties being to assist in the formation of associations by helping to secure suitable land, and to afford information to intending settlers.

The title to any allotment is subject to the following restrictive provisions:—

  1. Every purchaser must possess the qualifications required by applicants for Crown land under Part III of “The Land Act, 1908.”

  2. Until at least one-third of the purchase-money has been paid off, a purchaser must reside on his allotment, and has no power to alienate or charge it.

  3. Transfers of any allotment are subject to the provisions of Part XIII of “The Land Act, 1908,” in the same manner as in the case of land now alienated in fee-simple by the Crown.

Fees payable to District Land Registrars under “The Land Transfer Act, 1908.”

For the bringing land under the provisions of this Act (over and above the cost of advertisements)—£s.d.
When the title consists of a Crown grant, and none of the land included therein has been dealt with020
When the title is of any other description and the value exceeds £300100
When the title is of any other description and the value exceeds £200 and does not exceed £300015 
When the title is of any other description and the value exceeds £100 and does not exceed £2000100
When the title is of any other description and when the value does not exceed £100050
Contribution to the Assurance Fund upon first bringing land under the Act,—   
In the pound sterling00
Other fees—   
For every application to bring land under the Act050
For every certificate of title on transfer where the consideration does not exceed £1000100
For every other certificate of title100
Registering memorandum of transfer, mortgage, incumbrance, or lease0100
Registering transfer or discharge of mortgage or of incumbrance, or the transfer or surrender of a lease050
Registering proprietor of any estate or interest derived by settlement or transmission0100
For every power of attorney deposited0100
For every registration abstract100
For cancelling registration abstract050
For every revocation order0100
Noting caveat0100
Cancelling or withdrawal of caveat, and for every notice relating to any caveat050
For every search020
For every general search050
For every map or plan deposited050
For every instrument declaratory of trusts, and for every will or other instrument deposited0100
For registering recovery by proceeding in law or equity or re-entry by lessor0100
For registering vesting of lease in mortgagee, consequent on refusal of Trustee in Bankruptcy to accept the same0100
For entering notice of marriage or death0100
For entering notice of writ or order of Supreme Court0100
Taking affidavit or statutory declaration050
For the exhibition of any deposited instrument, or for exhibiting deeds surrendered by applicant proprietor050
For certified copy, not exceeding five folios050
For every folio or part folio after first five006
For every notice to produce deeds or instruments056
For every outstanding interest noted on certificate of title050
When any instrument purports to deal with land included in more than one grant or certificate, for each registration memorial after the first020

Regulations.

All fees under the Act shall be due and payable in advance.

Where several properties are included in one form of application there shall be charged in respect of each property an application fee and a fee for bringing the land under the Act. Land included within one outer boundary shall be deemed one property for the purpose of this regulation.

In all cases a fee of one pound (£1) is hereby prescribed as the charge to be made for advertising notice of application; provided that, whenever it is necessary that unusual publicity shall be given to any application, the District Land Registrar may require payment of such additional sum as shall, in his judgment, be sufficient to defray the cost of such advertisements.

In all cases where application is made to bring land under the Act, and the certificate of title is directed to issue and is issued in the name of the applicant, the fees for bringing such land under the Act, with the exception of the “application fee,” may, at the request of the applicant, remain unpaid until such land is dealt with by him as registered proprietor. The District Land Registrar shall retain any such certificate of title until the fees due upon the same have been paid, and, until such payment, shall not register any dealing with the land included in such certificate of title.

Printed forms for use under the Act are supplied by the Stamp Department at a charge of one shilling each. Solicitors, land-brokers, and others having forms printed for their own use, and at their own expense, shall, on approval of such forms by the Registrar, be entitled to have the same sealed free of charge.

Purchase of Native Lands by Government.

Prom about the year 1823 (which is the date of the first recorded deed) until the 6th February, 1840, the date of the Treaty of Waitangi, lands in New Zealand were acquired by direct purchase from the Maoris by individual members of the white races. During the years 1837 to 1839, or about the time it became probable that the sovereignty of the islands would be assumed by the United Kingdom, the greater number of these purchases were made, and they extended to most parts of the country. These purchases are technically known as “the old land claims,” and their total number (including pre-emptive claims), as estimated by Commissioner F. Dillon Bell in 1862, was 1,376, covering an area of about 10,322,453 acres, out of which large area grants were recommended for 292,475 acres. These figures have been slightly added to since, but not to any very large extent. The large area shown above was reduced on survey to about 474,000 acres, situated principally to the north of Auckland. The difference in area between the amount granted to the purchasers and the total area surveyed became what are termed “surplus lands of the Crown.” It was held that the Native title had been fully extinguished through such purchases over the whole area surveyed; but, as by Ordinance No. 2 of 9th June, 1841, the claimants could not be granted more than 2,560 acres each, the balance became vested in the Crown on the assumption of the sovereignty, the Native title having been fully extinguished.

In many cases the titles did not issue to those to whom the land was awarded, as they were compensated by scrip issued by the Government, with the understanding that such scrip was to be exercised in the purchase of Crown lands in the neighbourhood of Auckland, to which place it was desirable—so soon as the capital was founded—to draw a population. The lands thus paid for in scrip became Crown lands, and these, together with the surplus lands, have from time to time been disposed of by the Crown and settled on. The amount of scrip, &c, issued up to 1862 was over £109,000.

On the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on the 6th February, 1840, the pre-emptive right was ceded to the Government, and consequently private purchase ceased. This remained the law until the passing of “The Native Land Act, 1862,” when the Crown relinquished its right of pre-emption, whilst at the same time the purchase of Native lands for the Crown did not abate, but continued side by side with the private purchases up to the passing of “The Native Land Court Act, 1894.”

“The Maori Lands Administration Act, 1900,” was a measure intended to restrain Natives from pauperising themselves in the future by parting with the freehold of the balance of their lands (about five millions of acres). Its main provisions were—

  1. Prohibition of further alienation of the freehold of Native lands, either to the Crown or private purchasers, except as to inchoate transactions at the date of the passing of the Act and certain limited areas which were then comprised in separate titles and held by not more than two owners.

  2. Leasing of Native lands through partly elected and partly nominated Councils possessing all the powers and, where authorised, exercising all or any of the functions of the Native Land Court.

  3. Advances to Natives to road and otherwise improve their surplus lands for their own use and occupation.

“The Maori Land Settlement Act, 1905,” amended the above. Whilst placing the power of dealing with their lands in the hands of the Maori owners through special Boards called “Maori Land Boards,” it restores to the Crown the right of purchasing Maori lands in certain districts, provided that the price to be paid was not less than that fixed by the Valuer-General as its value.

All dealings with Native land are now determined by the provisions of “The Native Land Act, 1909,” which consolidated and repealed most of the numerous previous Acts, and came into force on the 31st March, 1910.

From time to time since 1840 various sums were appropriated by Government or by Parliament for the acquisition of a Crown estate. Up to the date of passing of “The Native Land Act, 1862,” these operations were conducted by officers of the Government specially appointed, who, from a knowledge of the Maoris, their customs and disposition, were successful in securing large areas of land for settlement. It must be conceded that their operations as a whole were successful, and that the number of disputed cases arising out of their labours was exceedingly small. The Waitara purchase is, however, here excluded, for there were reasons of general policy affecting that sale which did not prevail in other cases. This purchase was the ostensible cause of the Native rebellion of 1860 and following years, but the motives which led to it were far deeper than the mere purchase of a few acres—there was a great principle at stake.

The difference effected in the mode of purchase by “The Native Land Act, 1862,” was this: Previously, the title of the Maoris who were to receive payment for the land was decided by the Land Purchase officers; but the Act quoted set up a Court, presided over by able Judges, who determined the titles, which were afterwards registered in a special Court. Purchases have since been effected with the registered owners.

It is difficult to obtain figures showing the actual area acquired by the Crown from the Maoris up to 1870, but in round numbers it was 6,000,000 acres in the North Island; whilst the whole of the South Island, with the exception of reserves for the original Native owners, was acquired prior to the passing of “The Native Land Act, 1862.” Stewart Island was purchased from the Native owners by deed dated 29th June, 1864.

The Native rebellion of 1860–69 brought Native-land purchases, for the time being, practically to a standstill.

The Immigration and Public Works Acts of 1870 and 1873 appropriated £201,000 and £500,000 respectively for the purchase of lauds in the North Island; and these amounts have, up to the 31st of March, 1910, been augmented by further annual appropriations from the public funds and other loan-moneys, covering altogether a total expenditure since 1870 of £2,072,322, with the following results: Area finally acquired in the North Island from Natives, from 1870 to 31st March, 1910, 8,004,851 acres.

The purchase of Native lands was continued under the provisions of “The Maori Land Settlement Act, 1905.” The expenditure on this account for the year ended 31st March, 1910, was £31,91. The areas acquired were as follows:—

 Area.
Auckland15,038 acres.
Hawke's Bay550 acres.
Total15,588 acres.

Chapter 50. “NATIVE LAND ACT, 1909.”

T. W. Fisher, Judge, Under-Secretary, Native Affairs.

THE Native lands of the Dominion are administered under “The Native Land Act, 1909,” and several other Acts which relate principally to the Thermal Springs district, reserves, townships, trust lands, &c., together with rules and regulations made thereunder.

The main feature of the present law is the widening of the avenue and facilitating the alienation and settlement of Native lands. Formerly the disposal of Native lands was more or less restricted, and in some cases absolutely prohibited. The Act of 1909 removes all restrictions and prohibitions on the alienation of land by a Native or on the alienation of Native land, with certain exceptions.

Under the Act the alienation of Native land may be effected in four different ways:—

  1. Private alienation by the owners themselves.

  2. Alienation by a Maori Land Board as the statutory trustee or agent of the owners.

  3. Alienation by a committee of management by the incorporated owners.

  4. Alienation in pursuance of a resolution of a majority of the owners assembled in a meeting called for that purpose by a Board.

The first of these methods is prohibited in cases where the land is owned by more than ten owners in common, unless the Board of the district thinks fit, in special cases, to permit such alienations. All private alienation requires confirmation by the Maori Land Board in the North Island, or by the Native Land Court in the South Island. Confirmation must be refused if the Native alienating would be left without sufficient land for his support. In the case of leases special provisions are made for securing compensation to the tenant for his improvements. Mortgages are not permitted (except in favour of the Public Trustee or Government) unless approved by the Governor in Council.

The second method of alienation is effected by a Maori Land Board, either as a statutory trustee or as the agent of the Native owners. In respect of the former the land is vested in the Board, and is to be disposed of by public auction or tender by way of lease or sale in equal proportions. In respect of the latter, the land is not vested in the Board, but is administered by it as agent for the owners. It may be leased by the Board to Natives only, and is inalienable by the owners themselves.

The third mode of alienation is that effected by elective committees of management of the Native owners incorporated by order of the Native Land Court in substantial accordance with the existing practice.

The fourth mode of alienation is in pursuance of a resolution of the assembled owners. A Maori Land Board may, summon a meeting of the owners of any Native land to consider proposals for its alienation. A resolution proposed at any such meeting is carried if the owners voting for it own a larger area of the land affected than those who vote against it. The resolution is then submitted to the Board for confirmation, and, if confirmed, will be carried into effect either by Order in Council, instrument of alienation executed by the Board on behalf of the owners, or by such other means as is appropriate to the nature of the resolution.

Any such meeting of assembled owners may in this manner do any of the following things:—

  1. Vest the land in the Board for sale or lease.

  2. Agree to incorporation by that Native Land Court.

  3. Carry into effect any proposed alienation—e.g., a sale or lease to a particular individual.

  4. Sell the land to the Crown.

To prevent the aggregation of large areas of Native lands a purchaser or lessee of Native land must make a declaration that the land applied for, together with all other land already held by him, does not exceed 3,000 acres of third-class land calculated as follows: First-class land as 7 ½ acres, and second-class land as 2 ½ acres, of third-class land. The class to which any lands belong shall be determined in accordance with the Act.

The Crown has power to acquire Native lands under Part XIX, “Native Land Act, 1909,” through the Native Land Purchase Board, which consists of the Native Minister, Under-Secretary Crown Lands, Under-Secretary Native Department, and Valuer-General.

Any area, negotiations for which are in contemplation for purchase by the Crown may, under section 363 of “The Native Land Act, 1909,” be prohibited from private alienation for the period of one year (subject to a further extension of six months from date of Gazette notice).

All surveys are undertaken by the Land and Survey Department, under authorities issued by the Judge of the Native Land Court or President of the Maori Land Board, and funds are provided (if necessary) as under:—

For the purpose of the purchase and settlement of Native land by the Crown, the Minister of Finance is empowered to raise loans not to exceed in all £500,000 in any one financial year, and if the full amount authorised is not raised within the year, the balance may be borrowed within the next year, in audition to the amount otherwise authorised for that year. The moneys so obtained may, under the Native Land Settlement Account, be applied to the following uses:—

The purchase or acquisition of Native land.

The survey of Native land.

The making of advances to Maori Land Boards for the construction of roads and bridges and otherwise opening up and preparing for settlement any Native lands under the control of the Boards, or for the purpose of discharging any mortgage or charge to which such land is subject. The advances to any one Board are limited to £50,000 in any one financial year, and are to be a charge on the land for the benefit of which the expenditure was incurred.

The revenue derived from the lands, together with interest and payments received, will be applied in the first place to the payment of interest and sinking fund on the advances, together with administrative and other necessary expenses; the balance to be paid to the Native owners, or invested for their benefit, as the Board decides.

Regulations as to procedure for alienations through the Maori Land Boards or Native Land Courts are notified on page 1717, New Zealand Gazette No. 50, 1910.

Maori Land Boards now comprise six districts, and their boundaries are notified on page 1713, New Zealand Gazette No. 50, 1910.

The Head Offices of the respective Boards are as under:—

Tokerau District Maori Land BoardAuckland.
Waikato-Maniapoto District Maori Land BoardAuckland.
Waiariki District Maori Land BoardRotorua.
Aotea District Maori Land BoardWanganui.
Tairawhiti District Maori Land BoardGisborne.
Ikaroa District Maori Land BoardWellington.

All communications should be addressed to the President.

As to alienation of the lands in the South Island, these are dealt with by the Native Land Court, and any communication in connection therewith should be made to the Registrar, Native Land Court, Wellington.

A Native owning Native land in severalty may upon application have his land declared European land by the Native Appellate Court if that body thinks fit.

No Native land can be willed to a European other than the wife or husband of the testator, or a European who would have been entitled had the deceased died intestate, or to a relative not more remote than the fourth degree.

“The Native Land Act, 1909,” repeals some seventy-one statutes or parts of statutes, but it does not affect the administration of the following classes of Native lands:—

  1. Native Reserves vested in the Public Trustee under “The Native Reserves Act, 1882,” “The West Coast Settlements Reserves Act, 1892,” or “The Westland and Nelson Native Reserves Act, 1887.”

  2. Lands subject to “The East Coast Trust Lands Act, 1892.”

  3. Lands subject to “The Thermal Springs District Act, 1908.”

  4. Native townships under “The Native Townships Act, 1895,” or “The Native and Maori Land Laws Amendment Act, 1902.”

  5. Lands vested in trustees for Natives under any Act.

Chapter 51. ADVANCES TO SETTLERS.

THE Advances to Settlers Office was established by an Act of the General Assembly passed in 1894. An administrative officer called the Superintendent was appointed early in the following year, and a Board set up to advise and co-operate with the Superintendent. Advances can only be granted with the consent of the Board.

The capital fund was limited to £3,000,000, which was to be raised within two years from the passing of the Act, at an annual rate of interest not higher than 4 per cent. The first issue of £1,500,000 realised £94 8s. 9d. per £100 stock. The minimum advance was fixed at £25, and the maximum at £2,500, repayable in thirty-six years and a half by half-yearly instalments of 3 per cent. on the amount borrowed.

An amending Act, passed in 1895, extended the time for raising the residue of the capital fund to three years from the coming into operation of this later measure.

A further amending Act, passed in 1896, raised the maximum advance to £3,000, and authorised the granting of fixed loans on freehold security for any term not exceeding ten years, interest to be at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum. In 1898 the time for raising the balance of the capital fund was extended for a further period of three years, and in 1899 the sum of £500,000 was raised on satisfactory terms.

In 1899 an amending Act was passed, providing, as an encouragement to the early payment of the prescribed interest on fixed loans and of interest and principal on loans under the instalment plan, that the rate of interest would be reduced to 4 ½ per cent. in lieu of 5 per cent. per annum if paid within the prescribed time. Provision was also made for the readjustment of loans in the manner described further on. The margin of security on fixed loans, originally one-half the value of the security, was narrowed to two-fifths, and in the case of loans on the instalment plan the margin was reduced to one-third on freehold security of first-class agricultural land. On other rural freeholds advances are authorised up to three-fifths of the value of the security, and in the case of leasehold lands up to one-half of the value of the lessee's interest in the lease. Power was given to the Board to grant loans under the instalment system on the security of urban or suburban lands, with limitation of amount to a maximum of £2,000 and a minimum of £25. On urban lands on which there are buildings, the amount of loan is not to exceed three-fifths of the value of the land apart from the buildings, plus one-half the value of the buildings apart from the land. On suburban lands on which there are buildings the loan is not to exceed one-half the value of the land apart from the buildings, plus one-half the value of the buildings separately. On urban or suburban lands having no buildings the loan must not exceed one-half the value of the land, and the loan must only be for the erection of buildings.

In 1901 the whole of the authorised capital fund had been raised and exhausted, while applications for advances were increasing, so an Act was passed to empower the borrowing of an additional £1,000,000 without restriction as to the time within which the money should be raised.

In 1905 the margin of security on leasehold lands was reduced from one-half to two-fifths, which had the effect of placing the leaseholder on the same footing as the freeholder in respect to obtaining advances.

The principal Act, with the various amendments, were consolidated into one measure in 1906, and the amount of the total capital fund was fixed at £5,000,000. This Act provided for the establishment of a reserve fund of not less than £50,000, and a sinking fund, the annual contribution to the latter to be 10 per cent. of the gross interest receipts.

Amendments were made in 1907 in the direction of keeping a separate banking account, and to enable advances to be made on additional leasehold lands.

The Act of 1906 and its amendments were consolidated in 1908 as part of a general scheme of consolidation. The total capital fund was increased to £6,000,000, and. by the removal of certain restrictions, lessees of lands purchased by the State under the Land for Settlements Acts were enabled more readily to obtain advances on the security of their interests.

In 1909 an office was established embracing the whole of what may he termed the Government investment departments. The advances to settlers system remains practically unaltered, but power is given to raise such sum or sums, not exceeding in the whole the sum of £1,500,000 in any one Financial year, as the Governor in Council from time to time authorises. If the total amount authorised is not raised within the year the balance may be raised at any subsequent period, in addition to the amount authorised to be raised during such subsequent period. The annual contribution to the sinking fund is altered to 1 per cent. of the total capital liability at the time of payment, and the fund is to be held by the Public Trustee and invested by him.

An amending Act of 1910 provides for the classification of securities into three grades for the purpose of determining the term for which an instalment loan may be granted. Previously all of these loans ran for the same period, thirty-six years and a half, but in future a distinction will be drawn and the term of the loan will depend on the character of the security.

The business of the office is the advancing of money in New Zealand on first mortgage of lands and improvements held under the following classes of tenure, free from all encumbrances, liens, and interests other than leasehold interests, that is to say:—

  1. (1.) Freehold land in fee-simple under “The Land Transfer Act, 1908.” (2.) Freehold land in fee-simple the title to which is registered under “The Deeds Registration Act, 1908.”

  2. Crown land held on perpetual lease under “The Land Act, 1885.”

  3. Crown land held under Part III or Part IV of “The Land Act, 1892,” or of “The Land Act, 1908.”

  4. Crown land held on lease as a small grazing-run under “The Land Act, 1885,” or under “The Land Act, 1892,” or “The Land Act, 1908.”

  5. Crown land held on agricultural lease under “The Mining Act, 1891.”

  6. Crown land held on lease (not being for mining purposes) under “The Westland and Nelson Coalfields Administration Act, 1877.”

  7. Native land held on lease under “The West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1881,” or under “The West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1892.”

  8. Land held on lease under “The Westland and Nelson Native Reserves Act, 1887.”

  9. Land held under “The Thermal Springs Districts Act. 1881,” or “The Thermal Springs Districts Act, 1908.”

  10. Educational and other reserves held under leases administered by the Land Boards.

  11. Crown land held by license on the deferred-payment system under Part III of “The Land Act, 1885.”

  12. Land held under lease from a leasing authority, as defined by “The Public Bodies' Leasing-powers Act, 1908.” or “The Public Bodies' Leases Act, 1908,” and providing for the payment by the incoming tenant of valuation for improvements made upon the land.

  13. Land held under lease from a Maori Land Board under “The Maori Land Settlement Act, 1905.”

  14. Crown lands held on lease for agricultural purposes under “The Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, 1894.”

  15. Crown lands held on license for residence-sites under “The Mining Act, 1891,” or “The Mining Act, 1905.”

  16. Crown lands held on lease under section 45, Part III, of “The Mining Act, 1898,” and section 45, Part III, of “The Mining Act, 1908.”

  17. Maori lands which have been transferred in trust for leasing to and are held under leases from a Maori Land Board under the powers contained in “The Maori Lands Administration Act, 1900,” and its amendments.

With regard to leasehold lands, a lease is not eligible if it provides for absolute forfeiture (without compensation) for breach of conditions, or if on the determination of the lease compensation is to be allowed for certain improvements only, and not for all improvements.

Loans can be granted only on the instalment system (fully described hereafter)—

  1. On all freeholds up to three-fifths of the value of the security: Provided that in the case of first-class agricultural freeholds loans may be made up to two-thirds of the value.

  2. On leaseholds up to three-fifths of the value of the lessee's interest in the lease.

The granting of advances and the determining of what shall be considered first-class agricultural land rests solely with the General Board of the office.

Where an advance is required for the purpose of erecting a building, the amount of the loan granted by the Board may either be paid over in one sum when the building or other improvements are completed, or, if the applicant desires it, be advanced in progress payments from time to time as the building or other improvements proceed. An inspection and report must be made by an officer of the Valuation Department prior to payment of any progress payment on account of the loan, and for each such inspection a fee of 10s. 6d. shall be paid by the applicant.

No loan of less than £25 or more than £3,000 can be granted. Applications for loans not exceeding £500 shall have priority over applications for larger sums. If the applicant has already obtained any advance under this Act, and is desirous of obtaining a further advance, either on the same security or on a separate security, the amount of the application, added to the amount of the advances already obtained, must not exceed £3,000.

The security which the applicant offers for the loan must consist of one or more holdings of the several classes of tenure above mentioned, and must, of course, be of the necessary value; and if the security is leasehold all the covenants and conditions of the lease, including the payment of rent, must have been regularly complied with.

In the case of an application for an advance on the security of an interest in land held under a lease or license issued from the Lands Department (and belonging to one or more of the classes of tenure lettered (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (i), (j), (k), (n), or (o), a notice of the application must be forwarded to the Commissioner of Crown Lands for the district in which the land is situated. The requisite form, and an envelope for forwarding it, may be obtained from any Postmaster in the Dominion.

All applications must be accompanied by a valuation fee according to the following scale:—

Advances to Settlers Scale of Valuation Fees.
 £s.d.
On an application' for a loan not exceeding £1000106
Exceeding £100 but not exceeding £250110
Exceeding £250 but not exceeding £5001116
Exceeding £500 but not exceeding £3,000220

Mortgages are repayable by half-yearly payments of principal and interest combined. They may also be repaid in whole or in part at any time. Interest is charged at the rate of 5 per cent., reducible to 4 ½ per cent. provided payment is made not later than fourteen days after due date, and no arrears in respect of instalments or other payments under the mortgage remain outstanding.

Lands eligible as security under the Act will be classified into three grades, according to regulations made for that purpose, and the period for which a loan may be granted will be determined as follows: On first-class security, thirty-six years and a half; on second-class security, thirty years; on third-class security, twenty years.

The Board shall decide to what class any particular security belongs, and such decision shall be final.

The following tables show, taking a loan of £100 as an instance, how much of each instalment is applied to repaying the principal, how much is in payment of interest, and the balance of principal remaining due after payment of the respective instalments until the loan is entirely repaid:—

Table A.—Term, thirty-six years and a half.

TABLEOF PRESCRIBED HALF-YEARLY INSTALMENTSOF £3 FOREVERY £100 OFTHE LOAN.
Half-year.Instalments apportioned thus:Balance of Principal owing.
On Account of Interest at 5per Cent.Oil Account of Principal.
 £s.d.£s.d.£s.d.
1st2100010099100
2nd299010393199
3rd29601069893
4th293010997186
5th29001109770
6th288011496162
7th28501179647
8th2810111195128
9th271001229506
10th27601269480
11th2720121093152
12th261101319321
13th26701359283
14th2630139911411
15th251001429109
16th25601469063
17th2520141089115
13th249015388162
19th24501578807
20th24001608747
21st23701658682
22nd2320161085114
23rd229017384141
24th224017883165
25th2111018182184
26th2160186811910
27th210019081010
28th20601968014
29th2001007914
30th119010678010
31st1190110761910
32nd118611675184
33rd118012074164
34th117512773139
35th1161013272107
36th116313971610
37th11581447026
38th1151141168177
39th114515767120
40th1131016266510
41st1132161064190
42nd112617663110
43rd11191836233
44th1111181160144
45th11041985948
46th197110557143
47th181011125631
48th1811111154112
49th173112952185
50th166113651411
51st158114449107
52nd149115347154
53rd1311116145193
54th13011704423
55th121117114244
56th111118114055
57th100119103857
58th019220103649
59th0181211134210
60th01710211311911
61st0160240291511
62nd01411251271010
63rd01392632547
64th012727522172
65th01152872087
66th0103299171810
67th090211015710
68th078212412156
69th065213710111
70th05121411770
71st03821644108
72nd02421781130
73rd00101130...

Table B.—Term, thirty years.

TABLEOF PRESCRIBED HALF-YEARLY INSTALMENTSOF £3 4s. 8D. FOREVERY £100 OFTHE LOAN.
Half-year.Instalments apportioned thus:Balance of Principal owing.
On Account of Interest at 5per Cent.Oil Account of Principal.
 £s.d.£s.d.£s.d.
1st210001489954
2nd297015198103
3rd292015687149
4th281001510961811
5th28501439628
6th28001689560
7th277017194811
8th27207693115
9th269071192136
10th264018491152
11th25100181090164
12th254019489170
13th2411019988173
14th24510387170
15th231110986163
16th234114851411
17th2210111084131
18th22312583108
19th21912118279
20th2121368143
21st2071418002
22nd20014878156
23rd119415477102
24th118915117043
25th118116774178
26th117517373105
27th116917117226
28th1160188701310
29th11541946946
30th1117110167145
31st11310110100637
32nd1131111764120
33rd1123112562197
34th111511336164
35th1107114159123
36th1991141157174
37th181111595017
38th180116854411
39th17111775274
40th162118650810
41st15211964894
42nd14220646810
43rd1322164474
44th12222642410
45th1112374013
46th10024837167
47th01810251035169
48th0179261133310
49th016728130159
50th01542942865
51st01412107251510
52nd01210211102340
53rd01172131201011
54th0103214517166
55th0810215101508
56th07621721230
57th06021889410
58th047301649
59th031317332
60th016332...

Table C.—Term, twenty years.

TABLEOF PRESCRIBED HALF-YEARLY INSTALMENTSOF £3 19s. 8D. FOREVERY £100 OFTHE LOAN.
Half-year.Instalments apportioned thus:Balance of Principal owing.
On Account of Interest at 5per Cent.Oil Account of Principal.
 £s.d.£s.d.£s.d.
1st210019898104
2nd2931105961911
3rd28611129589
4th27911111931610
5th261111299241
6th261113790106
7th253114588161
8th245115387010
9th23611628548
10th22711718377
11th21811808197
12th2091181179108
13th11991191177109
14th1189201175910
15th1179211173711
16th116823071411
17th115724169010
18th114625266158
19th11352636495
20th11232756220
21st111128759135
22nd191029105737
23rd187211154126
24th17421245202
25th16021384966
26th148215046116
27th133210543151
28th11102171040173
29th105219337180
30th0181130934173
31st017532331150
32nd0151133928113
33rd014335525510
34th0128370211810
35th011038818102
36th093310514199
37th07631221177
38th05831407137
39th0310315103179
40th01113179...

The mortgagor may pay to the Superintendent at any time the whole balance of principal owing, with interest to date of payment, and obtain a discharge of the mortgage on payment of the fee prescribed for such discharge.

The mortgagor may also from time to time pay to the Superintendent, in addition to the half-yearly payments, sums of £5 or a multiple of £5.

Money paid in advance by a mortgagor may be applied in one of the following methods, according as he directs:—

  1. It may be held on his behalf, and applied in payment of the half-yearly instalments (consisting partly of interest and partly of principal) as they fall due, until the deposit is exhausted.

  2. It may be applied at once in payment of as many future half-yearly instalments of principal (but not of interest) as it will cover, and, as far as such instalments are concerned, the corresponding interest will not be charged. On the next half-yearly date, however, the mortgagor will be required to continue his payment as before, the advance payment having the effect of reducing the period during which he would have to pay such instalments. For instance, a mortgagor has a loan of £100 under “A" above: on the due date of his eighth half-yearly instalment he pays, in addition to the amount clue, a stun of £5. This is applied in payment of his ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth instalments of principal—12s. 2d., 12s. 6d., 12s. 10d., 13s. 1d., 13s. 5d., 13s. 9d., 14s. 2d. (see table), making a total of £4 11s. 11d., and the corresponding interest—£2 7s. 10d., £2 7s. 6d., £2 7s. 2d., £2 6s. 11d., £2 6s. 7d., £2 6s. 3d., £2 5s. 10d.—is not charged. A balance of 8s. 1d. remains in his favour. Then on the next due date he has to make the half-yearly payment as usual (less 8s. 1d.), but, instead of being the ninth., it counts as the sixteenth instalment, and by this means the whole loan is repaid three years and a half earlier (seven half-yearly payments) than it otherwise would be.

  3. It may be applied to a readjustment of the loan as described in the next paragraph.

Readjustment of Loans.

On the due date of any instalment, after at least one-tenth of the loan has been repaid, by means of the half-yearly instalments or of moneys repaid in advance, or both, the mortgagor (provided he is not in arrear with any instalment or other payment due under the mortgage) may, with the consent of the Superintendent, readjust the loan by treating the balance of principal then unpaid as a fresh loan duly granted on that date for a fresh term. But no readjustment is allowed unless the balance of unpaid principal amounts to at least £100. Under this arrangement the mortgagor will be relieved of paying interest on the original amount of the loan, and will pay only on the balance of principal not repaid.

Valuation reports on the securities offered are made on behalf of the Department by expert land-valuers permanently employed by the Government Valuation of Land Department; and these reports, together with the corresponding valuations appearing in the district valuation rolls, prepared in accordance with the provisions of “The “Valuation of Land Act, 1908,” and reports from the Commissioners of Crown Lands in the case of Crown leaseholds, are considered by the General Board. Board meetings are held weekly, or as occasion requires, and the Superintendent is bound by the resolutions of the Board. A resolution is taken with regard to every application placed before the General Board, so that on the Board rests the responsibility of granting loans or of refusing to grant them.

Some applicants offer securities which are obviously not eligible; and in that event the valuation fees paid are returned, the securities are not reported on, and the applications do not go before the Board.

By arrangements made with the Post Office, mortgagors are enabled to pay their instalments and interest to the credit of the Superintendent at any money-order office, and free of all costs for remitting the money to Wellington. This is an arrangement at once convenient and economical for the large number of persons scattered all over New Zealand who have financial dealings with the Advances to Settlers Office. Loans may also be repaid in part or in full through the Post Office, and advances also are made through the Post Office.

The officials of the office are bound by declaration to observe secrecy respecting applications for advances, and are forbidden to give any information respecting the business of the Department except to officers appointed to assist in carrying out the provisions of the Act.

The Act provides penalties for persons employed in the business of the office taking any fee or reward from an applicant for a loan under the Act; for persons acting as valuers of land in which they have a pecuniary interest; and for persons who may attempt to bribe any one employed under the Act.

The balance-sheet and statement of operations will be found in Part II of this volume.

Chapter 52. ADVANCES TO WORKERS.

THE Government Advances to Workers Act was introduced and passed in the session of 1906. It is a measure designed to benefit workers throughout the Dominion, to encourage thrift, and to bring within the reach of all the opportunity of becoming their own landlords by acquiring homes for themselves on very easy terms, and at the same time it is expected to prove an important factor in the solution of the difficult rent problem.

The Act authorises the advance of money to workers desirous of providing themselves with homes on first mortgages on property held under any of the classes of tenure upon which advances to settlers are made (specified in the preceding article), free from all encumbrances, liens, and interests, other than leasehold interests.

  1. A worker is defined as a person of either sex engaged (whether as an employee or on their own account) in manual or clerical work, who at the time of making application for a loan is not in receipt of an income of more than £200 per annum, and is not the owner of any land other than the land which he offers as security for the loan for which application is made.

  2. A loan may be granted upon land to pay for a dwelling already erected, or upon vacant land only for the purpose of erecting a dwelling. Not more than £450 shall be granted to any one borrower; and an advance shall not be made exceeding three-fourths of the total value of the security in the case of freehold land, or three-fourths of the lessee's interest in the case of leasehold land. In no case shall an advance be granted which shall exceed the value of the dwellinghouse (existing or proposed to be erected), or to any applicants who do not take up their permanent residence on the security. A valuation fee of 7s. 6d. must accompany each application.

  3. The amount of the loan granted by the Board may either be paid over in one sum when the building is completed, or, if the applicant desires it, may be advanced in progress payments as the erection of the building proceeds. An inspection and report shall be made by an officer of the Valuation Department prior to any progress payment on account of the loan, and for each such inspection a fee of 7s. 6d. shall be paid by the applicant.

  4. Loans are granted only on the instalment system, and may be repaid or readjusted as in the case of a loan from the Advances to Settlers Branch. Interest is charged at the rate of 5 per cent., reducible to 4 ½ per cent., provided payment is made not later than 14 days after due date, and no arrears or other payment under the mortgage remain outstanding.

  5. Mortgages are prepared and completed free of charge to borrowers except the payment of cash disbursements which are deducted from the advance.

The term for which a loan may be granted will be either of three periods—viz., thirty-six years and a half, thirty years, or twenty years, according to the character of the security, repayment to be made by half-yearly instalments of principal and interest. These payments will be apportioned similarly to those of advances to settlers, Tables A, B, and C. In addition to this the repayments may be made in sums of £5 and upward, or the whole of the balance of principal may be repaid at any time without notice, interest being calculated up to the date of repayment only.

No procuration fee, commission, or charge for obtaining a loan should be paid to any person.

Any person desiring an advance should make a written application on the form provided for the purpose, a copy of which can be obtained from any Postmaster in the Dominion. The Postmaster will also supply an envelope in which the application may be forwarded and will afford to the applicant any explanation which may be required respecting the filling-in of the form. Application for a loan may also be made to representatives of the Valuation of Land Department who, together with Postmasters, alone act as agents for the office throughout the Dominion. No professional assistance is necessary, and no charge is authorised for the filling-in of the application form. The Department has no agents authorised to act on its behalf.

Chapter 53. THE LAND- AND INCOME-TAX ASSESSMENT.

General

IN New Zealand there is a combined land and income tax in force. The income-tax is, generally speaking, assessable on all income, with the exceptions of the rents or profits derived from the direct use or cultivation of land, and interest from mortgages of land. The reason for these important exceptions is that the income-tax is levied in conjunction with a land-tax and a graduated land-tax on the unimproved value of land, and a tax on the capital value of mortgages. The exemption from income-tax of income derived from land is therefore necessary in order to avoid duplicate taxation, on the principle that where the capital is taxed (as in land and mortgages) the income earned by such capital is exempt.

Process of Assessment.

All persons, firms, and companies deriving income in or from the Dominion are required to furnish full returns. The forms on which returns are required to be made are posted direct to taxpayers, and they may also be obtained at any money-order post-office.

Returns of income have to he made annually, and must be posted to reach the Commissioner s office in Wellington not later than the 1st June; they should contain particulars of all income liable to taxation actually earned during the year ending on the 31st March immediately preceding.

Returns of land and mortgages are made annually, and must be posted to reach the Commissioner's office in Wellington not later than the 1st May. The returns should contain particulars of all land and mortgages as owned at noon on the 31st March immediately preceding. The Commissioner must also be notified from time to time of sales or purchases of land and alterations in mortgages.

Income-tax assessments are made and the accounts posted about the 1st January; they are made payable about the 31st January, and a period of fourteen days' grace is allowed in which to make payment, after which 10 per cent. is added to the amount of the tax.

Land-tax assessments are made and the accounts posted about the 1st November; they are made payable about the 30th November, and, as in the case of income-tax, fourteen days are allowed in which to make payment, after which 10 per cent. is added to the amount of the tax.

Income-tax.

The following incomes are exempted: The income of—

  • The Crown;

  • The salary and emoluments of the Governor;

  • Local authorities;

  • Friendly societies in respect of business carried on within their circle of membership only;

  • Building societies;

  • Public charitable and public educational institutions;

  • Savings-banks;

  • Commissioners of General Government and local body sinking funds;

  • Religious societies, so far as the funds are devoted to the support of aged or infirm ministers or their families only;

  • Imperial pensioners, so far only as the amount of the pension is drawn from the Crown and charged with income-tax in Great Britain or some British possession;

  • Any co-operative dairy factory company, so far as income is derived from dairy-produce supplied by its own shareholders;

  • Public societies not carrying on business for pecuniary gain;

  • The owner of land in respect of the rent thereof, or the profits derived from the direct use or cultivation thereof;

  • A mortgagee of land.

The returns are revised and checked in the Commissioner's Office, all doubtful points are queried, erroneous deductions disallowed, and additions made where necessary. In addition to these checks, there are inspecting officers appointed to verify returns at the taxpayer's place of business. The Act provides special powers for examining all the books, &c., of a taxpayer. The Commissioner can at any time call for the production to the inspecting officers of all books, balance-sheets, and other evidence of the taxpayer's income; penalties are provided in the event of refusal to comply with the Commissioner's request. All officers of the Department are sworn to secrecy under severe penalties.

All persons, firms, companies, local authorities, Government Departments, and others having employees, furnish annual returns of the salaries, bonuses. &c., paid to their employees as remuneration for their services. These are compared with the individual returns of the employees.

All persons, firms, or companies paying interest on deposits, loans, &c., can be called on to furnish returns of such payments for the purposes of checking the returns of the recipients.

Penalties are provided for failure to make returns or for making incorrect or fraudulent returns.

Ordinary trading and manufacturing companies are assessed on the whole of the income derived, save that from exempted sources In addition to the return required they have also to furnish n true copy of their last balance-sheet as issued to shareholders.

Ranking companies are assessed on an arbitrary amount, arrived at by taking 15s. per cent. on the average assets and liabilities as shown by the quarterly statements published in the Government Gazette. This mode of assessment was instituted owing to the difficulty in arriving at an accurate assessment of the income of Foreign banks in New Zealand.

Loan, building, and investment companies are charged on the whole of their income, inclusive of the interest on money lent on mortgage, but are not charged land-tax on mortgages.

Fire, accident, and guarantee insurance companies are assessed only on the business done in New Zealand, and reinsurances with companies or underwriters outside New Zealand are not allowed as deductions from income.

Life-insurance companies are assessed only on the income from investments (other than investments in land or mortgages of land on which they pay land-tax).

Mining companies are assessed on one-half of the dividends paid annually to shareholders. (The other half is exempted, as being considered a return of the shareholders' capital.

Income from shipping.—Taxpayers are only assessed on that income derived from business originating in the Dominion, whether carried on outside New Zealand or not, hut not on income from business originating outside New Zealand.

Persons, land syndicates, or companies dealing in land are assessable on the gains or profits from such dealing, but not on such income as rents or interest on unpaid purchase-money. A similar principle applies to dealing in shares.

'Where a company has borrowed money on debentures secured on land, the debentures are deemed to be a mortgage up to the capital value of the land, and are assessed as a mortgage. If the amount of the debentures exceeds the capital value of the land, the income from this excess is liable for income-tax. The company is assessed as agent for the debenture-holders, and authorised to deduct the sum paid from the interest payable on the debentures.

The only income which is assessed at the source is that derived from public companies, either as dividends or interest on debentures. In all other cases income is assessed direct to the taxpayer, who has to make a return of income from all assessable sources (such returns do not, of course, include income from dividends of public companies or interest from mortgages and debentures).

What is deductible from Income.

Briefly put, the only deductions permissible are the losses, outgoings, and expenses actually incurred in the production of the income. No provisions or reserves against losses are allowed. The rules as to these are to be found in (more particularly) section 87 of “The Land and Income Assessment Act, 1908.”

It may be pointed out in this connection that in taxpayers' balance-sheets many sums are written off to Profit and Loss which are not allowed in a return of income.

An allowance is made for depreciation on plant, machinery, implements, &c., over and above the expenditure on repairs and renewals, to allow for which cannot be made good by repairs and renewals. The rate for this allowance has to be fixed by the Commissioner.

Obsolete machinery is also allowed for when the machinery has been actually discarded, and the loss definitely ascertained; the amount to be allowed is the actual loss on the machinery discarded, less any depreciation already allowed. Machinery superseded by something better but kept in reserve is not allowed for.

Taxpayers who occupy their own business premises are entitled to deduct a sum at the rate of 5 per cent. on the capital value of their interest therein. Mortgage-interest is not deductible.

All assessments are made in the office of the Commissioner. When assessments are completed, he serves each taxpayer with a notice of the amount on which he is assessed, and the amount payable thereon. The taxpayer then has the right to object to the assessment within a time specified, but the payment of the tax is not held over pending settlement of the objection. These objections are in the first instance dealt with by a Stipendiary Magistrate, with an appeal to the higher Courts on points of law.

Under the Amendment Act of 1907 an important alteration was made in the taxation of timber, flax, and minerals, which were previously liable to land-tax. The whole of the income derived from these sources is now assessable for income-tax, the value of such property being exempt from the payment of land-tax. It is found difficult to arrive at a fair valuation of such property for land-tax purposes, especially of minerals which are underground; but less difficulty is experienced in arriving at the annual income derived, and the new system will be found fairer alike to the taxpayer and to the Crown.

Special Exemption for Income-tax.

Each taxpayer, whether alone or in partnership, is allowed exemption up to £300. Life-insurance premiums on the taxpayer's own life are also allowed up to £50.

The £300 exemption is not allowed to absentees, nor to companies.

Principle of Graduation for Income-tax.

All incomes are exempt up to £300, with the exceptions previously mentioned. A person with a net income of £300 pays nothing, while one with an income of £350 pays tax on £50 only, and so on. Up to £700 the rate is 6d. in the pound, and it rises gradually to 1s. 2d. in the pound on incomes exceeding £2,300. The rates are shown in detail on page 736.

The Land-Tax.

The land-tax is assessed on the unimproved value of land—i.e., the capital value less the value of all improvements—so that there is an entire exemption of improvements on land from taxation.

Mortgages are deductible by the mortgagor for ordinary land-tax, and the mortgagee is charged with the amount so deducted.

An owner of land the value of which, apart from improvements, together with mortgages owing to him, does not exceed £1,500 (after deducting mortgages owing by him) is allowed an exemption of £500, but where such value exceeds £1,500 the exemption diminishes by £1 for every £2 that such value increases, so that no exemption is allowable when £2,500 is reached.

Owing to the deductions and exemptions allowable the number of land-tax payers is only 33,162, as compared with the number of landowners—150,000 (approximately) freeholders and 26,498 Crown tenants.

The valuations for land-tax are made by the Government Valuation of Land Department, which employs a permanent staff of expert valuers, and supplies the assessment rolls used by the Land and Income Tax Department.

The Act. contains a provision that in cases where the income from any land or mortgages, plus income from all other sources, is less than £200 per annum, and the owner is incapacitated by age or infirmity from supplementing such income, a further exemption may be allowed by the Commissioner upon his being satisfied that the payment of the tax would entail hardship on such owner. This discretionary power has been exercised in a considerable number of instances, especially in the case of widows and orphans with small means, and much hardship prevented.

All mortgages are assessed at their full nominal value, except where it is satisfactorily shown that owing to depreciation of the security or other cause such value has been diminished. In the case of mixed mortgages—that is, mortgages which are secured on both real and personal property—the amount of the mortgage chargeable with land-tax is taken to be the assessed value of the land included in the security, the interest derived from the balance of mortgage being liable to income-tax.

Native lands which are occupied by Europeans are subject to the ordinary land-tax, it being considered that, as such lands have benefited to some extent by the expenditure of public money, they should bear a proportion of the taxation. But, recognising that in some instances, where the interests of the Native owners are small, the collection of the tax might possibly entail some hardship, the Legislature decided that only half the usual rate should be collected on such lands. Graduated tax is not chargeable on Native land.

General Exemptions from Land-Tax.

All land* owned

* The term “land" under the Act includes mortgages of land.

  • By the Crown;

  • By local authorities;

  • By friendly societies;

  • By building societies;

  • By public, charitable, or public educational institutions not carried on for pecuniary profit;

  • By savings-banks;

  • By Commissioners of Public Sinking Funds;

  • By religious societies so far as the proceeds are devoted to the support of aged or infirm clergy or their widows or children.

All Native land not leased to or occupied by any person other than the Native owners.

The value of timber, minerals, and flax (the owners are now charged for income-tax on these).

The sites of:—

  • A place of worship for any religious society, or a place of residence for any of the clergy or ministers of such society;

  • A charitable or educational institution (other than a public charitable or educational institution hereinbefore exempt) not carried on exclusively for pecuniary profit: provided that this exemption shall not extend to more than 15 acres in the case of any one such institution;

  • A public library, athenaeum, mechanics' institute, public museum, school of mines, or masonic lodge;

  • A showground or place of meeting of any agricultural society;

  • A public cemetery or public burial-ground;

  • A public garden, public domain, public recreation-ground, or other public reserve;

  • A public road or public street;

  • A public railway, to the extent of the land actually used for permanent-way, and for yards, sheds, and buildings for the purposes of traffic only, but not further nor otherwise.

The mortgages* of banking companies, and loan building and investment companies whose head offices are in New Zealand. In the latter case the interest from mortgages is included in the income assessed for income-tax as explained previously.

* “Mortgages" include any unpaid purchase-money of land sold under an agreement of sale.

Graduated Land-Tax.

Rates of Graduated Land-tax.

Where the Total Unimproved Value of all the Land of any Taxpayer is not less thanAnd is less thanThe Rate of Graduated Land-tax on such Total Unimproved Value is
££ 
5,0007,000One-sixteenth of a penny in the pound sterling.
7,0009,000Two-sixteenths of a penny in the pound sterling.
9,00011,000Three-sixteenths of a penny in the pound sterling.
11,00013,000Four-sixteenths of a penny in the pound sterling.
13,00015,000Five-sixteenths of a penny in the pound sterling.
15,00017,500Six-sixteenths of a penny in the pound sterling.
17,50020,000Seven-sixteenths of a penny in the pound sterling.
20,00022,500Sight-sixteenths of a penny in the pound sterling.
22,50025,000Nine-sixteenths of a penny in the pound sterling.
25,00027,500Ten-sixteenths of a penny in the pound sterling.
27,50030,000Eleven-sixteenths of a penny in the pound sterling.
30,00035,000Twelve-sixteenths of a penny in the pound sterling.
35,00040,000Thirteen-sixteenths of a penny in the pound sterling.

At the value of £40,000 the rate is 8s. per cent., and for every additional £1,000 of unimproved value the rate is increased by one-fifth of a shilling. The rate reaches its maximum at £200,000, all estates of that value and over paying at the rate of £2 per cent. on the total unimproved value.

For and after the year ending the 31st March, 1910, the new progressive graduated scale over £40,000 was increased by 25 per cent. in the case of all land other than “business premises,” which term is defined as being “any piece of land included within the area of a building used for business purposes, together with such additional land as immediately adjoins the said building, and is used and occupied in connection therewith, and does not exceed in extent the area of the building itself.” A building is deemed to be used for business purposes “if it is exclusively or principally used, whether by the owner or by any occupier or occupiers, for the purposes of any business, trade, or industry.”

The graduated land-tax is increased by 50 per cent. in the case of absentees, and it is made clear that the absentee tax does not apply to companies. A person is deemed to be an absentee “unless he has been personally present in New Zealand for at least one-half of the period of four years immediately preceding the year in and for which he is assessed for graduated land-tax: Provided that no person who has acquired land in New Zealand within the said period of four years shall he deemed to be an absentee if he has been personally present in New Zealand for at least one-half of the period which has elapsed between the time when he first acquired any land and the commencement of the year in and for which he is assessed for graduated land-tax.”

If an absentee taxpayer is liable to be assessed for graduated land-tax jointly with another taxpayer who is not an absentee, they shall be assessed and liable jointly as if neither was an absentee, and the absentee taxpayer shall also he separately assessed and liable for absentee land-tax on his share of the property.

There are a number of clauses for preventing the evasion of the graduated land-tax, which may be shortly summarised as follows:—

  1. Life tenants are liable as if owners of fee-simple.

  2. Lessees are liable as well as the owners (except lessees of Crown, Native, or exempt land, and where lease has been in existence for more than five years prior to the passing of the Act of 1907). The lessee, however, is entitled to rebate in certain cases to the extent of the tax paid by the owner of the land leased.

  3. Shareholders are liable as if owners of the company's land in proportion to their interest in the paid-up capital, and are entitled to rebate in certain cases to the extent of the tax paid by the companies in respect of the share of the land.

  4. Two companies having practically the same shareholders are deemed one.

  5. Joint owners are assessable jointly as if the whole land was owned by a single person, and, in addition, the joint owners are liable for their interests in the joint estate taken in conjunction with any lands owned by them in severalty. The individual assessment is, however, entitled to a credit of the amount of tax paid in the joint assessments, so that graduated tax is not paid twice on the same land.

  6. Persons owning land in severalty but occupying it jointly are liable for graduated tax at the same rate as would be payable if they owned the lands jointly, in the proportions which the values of the lands, apart from improvements, so severally owned bear to one another; and if the said lands are occupied, worked, or managed by any one of such persons on behalf of all of them or on a joint account, or if they are worked or managed by any other person as trustee or otherwise on behalf of the owners, then joint occupancy shall have been established.

  7. Buyer in possession is liable, although conveyance has not been executed.

  8. Seller remains liable until 15 per cent. of the purchase-money is paid unless the Commissioner of Taxes is satisfied that the subdivision is bona fide. This does not apply except in cases of agreement for sale made five years before the passing of the Act of 1907, or made by a seller who does not own more than £40,000 land value.

  9. No disposition in such cases is to be effective so long as possession is retained.

  10. Equitable owners are liable as if legal owners.

  11. A trustee is liable as if beneficially entitled, excepting that when he is the owner of different lands in trust for different beneficial owners the graduated tax shall be separately calculated and assessed in respect of each trust, unless by reason of joint occupancy or for any other reason he is liable to be jointly assessed.

  12. No deduction is allowable on account of mortgage-money or unpaid purchase-money for graduated tax.

Church properties are exempted from graduated land-tax.

Rates of Tax.

Income-tax.

Persons and Firms.

* No exemption is allowed to companies.

Under £400 taxable balance (including exemptions, equals net income under £700)0/6 in the pound.
£401 to £600 taxable balance (including exemptions, equals net income £701 to £900)0/7 in the pound.
£601 to £700 taxable balance (including exemptions, equals net income £901 to £1,000)0/8 in the pound.
£701 to £800 taxable balance (including exemptions, equals net income £1,001 to £1,100)0/9 in the pound.
£801 to £900 taxable balance (including exemptions, equals net income £1,101 to £1,200)0/10 in the pound.
£901 to £1,000 taxable balance (including exemptions, equals net income £1,201 to £1,300)0/11 in-the pound.
£1,000 to £1,250 taxable balance (including exemptions, equals net income £1,301 to £1,550)1/0 in the pound.
£1,251 to £2,000 taxable balance (including exemptions, equals net income £1,551 to £2,300)1/1 in the pound.
Over £2,000 taxable balance (including exemptions, equals net income over £2,300)1/2 in the pound.
Companies.*
Under £250 taxable balance1/0 in the pound.
£1,251 to £2,000 taxable balance1/1 in the pound.
Over £2,000 taxable balance1/2 in the pound.
LAND-TAX.
Ordinary land-tax (on the unimproved value)1d. in the pound.
Graduated land-tax (in addition to ordinary land-tax)⅙d. in the pound. to £2 per cent.
Mortgages (on the capital value)¾d. in the pound.

Total Yield of Tax.

The income-tax for the year ending the 31st March, 1910, amounted to £316,835. In considering this result the many exempted sources of income already enumerated must be borne in mind. The land-tax yielded £642,270.

The net assessed income, after allowing all exemptions, was £7,440,683. For purposes of the ordinary land-tax the net assessed taxable value of land and mortgages, after allowing all exemptions, was £122,959,425.

The number of income-tax payers was 11,175. The number of land-tax payers was 33,162 The yields of tax and the number of taxpayers for the last thirteen years were as follows:—

 Land-tax Payers. Number.Land-tax paid. £Income-tax Payers. Number.Income-tax paid. £
 Number.£Number.£
1897–9813,132267,2864,588115,210
1898–9915,449298,0524,647115,480
1899–190015,892293,6275,088128,721
1900–116,888294,5835,656173,808
1901–218,468312,8356,556179,397
1902–318,869296,0627,589200,683
1903–420,865334,9908,258221,368
1904–523,895352,8548,934253,952
1905–624,246385,7558,993261,815
1906–727,659447,3429,540277,866
1907–828,991537,84610,420304,905
1908–930,855604,90010,839321,044
1909–1033,162642,27011,175316,835

System of Collection.

The tax may be paid at any postal money-order office, or direct to the office of the Commissioner of Taxes, Wellington. The cost of the collection of the income-tax for 1909–10, including cost of assessment, was 1.87 per cent., and for land-tax, including the cost of valuation of land, 3.11 per cent. The cost of collection of both taxes was 2.7 per cent.

Chapter 54. OLD-AGE PENSIONS.

ON the 26th June, 1894, a Committee of ten members of the House of Representatives was appointed to examine into and report upon the question of making provision for old age. The report of this Committee was brought up on the 27th September, 1894, and ordered to be printed. No particular scheme was recommended, but a suggestion was made that the Government should appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into the question.

On the 8th July, 1896, a Bill providing for the payment of old-age pensions was introduced by the late Right Honourable R. J. Seddon into the House of Representatives but lapsed in Committee on the 16th September.

Later in the same year, on the 14th October, a Registration of People's Claims Bill was introduced, the object being to ascertain the probable cost of establishing an Old-age Pension Fund. This Bill passed through all its stages in Parliament, and received the Governor's assent on the 17th October.

In 1897 an Old-age Pensions Bill was again introduced, and passed all its stages in the House of Representatives, but was thrown out at the second reading in the Legislative Council.

Still again, in 1898, an Old-age Pensions Bill was introduced, and this year succeeded in passing both Houses, receiving the Governor' assent on the 1st November, 1898. Under this Act the Registration of People's Claims Act of 1896 was repealed.

Amending Acts were passed in 1900, 1901, 1902, and 1905. Early in the session of 1908 a consolidating Act was passed, since which there have been further amending Acts in 1908 and 1909.

The original Act of 1898 provided for the payment out of the Consolidated Fund of a pension of £18 per annum, or 6s. 11d. per week, without contribution by the beneficiaries. This amount was, however, increased to £26 per annum (i.e., 10s. a week or £2 3s. 4d. a month) by the Amendment Act of 1905, which came into operation on the 1st September of that year.

The Act is administered by a Commissioner located at Wellington, who is responsible to the Minister of Finance. For the purposes of administration New Zealand is divided into seventy-three districts, each in charge of a Registrar. In the chief centres of population the duties are performed by officers specially appointed for the purpose, but otherwise they are undertaken by Clerks of Stipendiary Magistrates' Courts. All claims are investigated by Stipendiary Magistrates, who alone have the power to grant or refuse pensions.

The Act applies to all residents of New Zealand who fulfil the necessary conditions, except—

  1. Maoris who receive votes other than pensions out of the grant appropriated by “The Civil List Act, 1908.”

  2. Aliens.

  3. Naturalised subjects who have not been naturalised one year.

  4. Chinese or other Asiatics, whether naturalised or not, and whether British subjects by birth or not.

The qualifications of an applicant are briefly as follows:—

  1. He must have reached the age of sixty-five.

  2. He must have resided continuously in New Zealand for the past twenty-five years.

    NOTE.—Continuous residence is not interrupted by occasional absences not exceeding two years. Four years' absence is allowed where total actual residence is not less than twenty-five years. In the case of a seaman, continuous residence is not interrupted by absence on board a ship registered in New Zealand, provided ho establishes the fact that his home is in New Zealand.

  3. He must not during the past twelve years have been imprisoned for four months or on four occasions for an offence punishable by twelve months' imprisonment.

  4. He must not during the past twenty-five years have been imprisoned for five years for any offence.

  5. He must not during the past twelve years have deserted his wife and children.

  6. He must have lived a sober and reputable life during the past year.

  7. His yearly income must not reach £60.

  8. The net value of his accumulated property must not be £260 or over.

  9. He must not have deprived himself of property or income to qualify for a pension.

Each applicant must apply to the Registrar of the district in which he resides, and fill in a claim form. The Registrar proceeds at once to verify the applicant's statements, and the results of his inquiries are transmitted, with the form of application, to the Stipendiary Magistrate presiding at the nearest Court, when a date is fixed for the personal examination of the pensioner.

The Registrar is the only person outside the Magistrate who is authorised to appear at the investigation of a claim and to question an applicant.

The Magistrate has power, if he so chooses, to hear any case in camera, or to dispense with the personal attendance of the applicant, if he is satisfied that the documentary evidence in support of the claim is sufficient to establish it.

The Magistrate intimates his decision to the Commissioner, who, if the pension is allowed, issues a pension-certificate for the amount granted, without which no payment can be received.

Each pension is granted for twelve months, the first instalment being payable on the first day of the month following the date on which the Magistrate grants the pension. A fresh application is required to be made each year for a renewal of the pension.

Payment of the pension is made by twelve monthly instalments at the most convenient post-office.

Instalments are payable on the 1st of the month, but may be collected up to the 1st day of the month following, after which date the special authority of the Minister of Finance is required before payment can be made.

The full pension of £26 is reduced by—

  1. £1 for every complete £1 of income over £34.

  2. £1 for every complete £10 of net accumulated property.

If the applicant is married the joint pensions of a husband and wife must not exceed, with their total incomes added, the sum of £90.

Income is money, valuable consideration or profits derived by any means from any source, and includes free board and lodging up to £26 per annum, but not sick-allowance or funeral benefits paid by a friendly society.

The income chargeable is that derived during the twelve months preceding the date of application, the Magistrate having power to exempt all personal earnings earned at a rate not exceeding £2 a week, provided it is shown to his satisfaction that owing to loss of employment or any other cause such earnings have ceased.

Provision is made for inclusion in the computation of income of a sum not less than 10 per cent. of the net value of the home, including furniture and personal effects, of an applicant.

Net accumulated property is the capital value, after the deduction of legal encumbrances, of all real and personal property owned by an applicant other than homes, furniture, personal effects, life assurance policies, and annuities purchased from life assurance companies.

The net accumulated property of a husband or wife for pension purposes is half of the total net accumulated properties of both.

To ascertain whether a pensioner is entitled to a renewal of his pension, he is required each year, shortly before the expiry of the certificate held by him, to furnish the Registrar with a statement of his income during the past year, and also of his property. On receipt of this statement the Registrar proceeds to verify the contents, and then submits it to the Magistrate, who investigates it in the same manner as an original claim, the pensioner being required to attend at the discretion of the Magistrate. The decision of the Magistrate is notified to the Commissioner, who issues a fresh pension-certificate for the amount for which the pension is renewed, and authorises payment for another twelve months. The expired certificate is retained by the paying officer on payment of the final instalment, and forwarded to the Commissioner, by whom it is filed.

A pensioner may have any instalment paid at any post-office in New Zealand.

If a person is physically unfit to draw his pension in person, he may apply to the Commissioner to have an agent appointed to collect instalments. Any authority issued to such an agent holds good only for the pension-certificate for any one year, but it may be renewed each year when the pension itself is renewed.

Pensions granted to persons maintained in charitable institutions are paid to the governing bodies of the institutions, on production of an authority signed by the local Registrar. A fresh authority is required each month in these cases.

The instalments of a pension already granted to a person when committed to a mental hospital are payable to the superintendent of the mental hospital. An inmate of a mental hospital, however, cannot lodge an original claim for a pension.

The pension being for the personal support of the pensioner, it is absolutely inalienable, whether by way of assignment, charge, execution, bankruptcy, or otherwise howsoever.

No payment is made of an instalment which falls due while a pensioner is in gaol or out of New Zealand.

On the death of a pensioner the portion of the instalment accruing to date of death, together with any unpaid instalment then payable, may be paid if applied to defray funeral expenses, or, in the case of a charitable institution, towards cost of maintenance.

If the Commissioner has reason to believe that any pension has been improperly obtained, he may suspend payment and cause an inquiry to be held before a Magistrate, who has full power to act.

If during the currency of a pension-certificate a pensioner becomes possessed of property or income in excess of the amount allowed by law, the Commissioner may apply to the Magistrate to have the pension cancelled or varied.

A Magistrate has power on his own initiative to review any previous decision, and to cancel or amend any pension-certificate.

Any person who by a wilfully false statement obtains or attempts to obtain a pension to which he is not entitled is liable to six months' imprisonment, as also is any person who aids or abets such person.

It is an offence to receive any money in consideration of the procuring of a pension for any person; and it is also an offence to refuse to answer any question concerning any applicant or any statement contained in any application, the penalty being a fine not exceeding £10 in each case.

Where it has been found that a pensioner has been overpaid, and the Magistrate is of opinion that such overpayment was obtained by fraud, the pensioner is liable, in addition to imprisonment, to a penalty of double the amount paid in excess.

If on the death of a pensioner, or the wife or husband of a pensioner, it is found that he, or either of them, was possessed of property in excess of the amount allowed by law in respect to the amount of pension granted, double the amount of pension so overpaid may be recovered from the estate so found to be in excess.

If a pensioner is convicted of drunkenness or of any offence punishable by imprisonment for one month or more, the Magistrate has power to suspend his pension for any period from one month to six months for a first conviction. For a second conviction during any pension-year the law provides that the pension must be suspended for at least six months, but not more than twelve months. All orders of suspension under this head are inoperative as long as the pensioner is being maintained in any charitable institution, to the governing body of which instalments are made payable. The pension of any person deemed to be an habitual drunkard is at once cancelled. Subsequent to the date of a first conviction for drunkenness, all instalments are paid only to an agent, who is required to see that the pension is properly disbursed.

Any person otherwise qualified to receive a pension who owns property on which he resides, and which does not permit of the granting of a full pension, may qualify for the full pension by transferring the said property to the Public Trustee. The pensioner is permitted to reside on the property rent-free during his lifetime, but he must pay all rates and charges thereon. If a husband and wife, both being pensioners, are living together, and one dies, the survivor is permitted to continue to reside on the property. On the death of both pensioner and survivor, or where the pensioner is no longer entitled to a pension, the Public Trustee shall sell the property, and, after deducting from the proceeds of the sale the amount of pension paid as a consequence of the transfer of the property, together with his commission and interest at the rate of 4 per cent., shall pay the balance to the person or persons entitled thereto. Provision is made for a pensioner, or survivor, or next-of-kin paying such amounts as aforesaid at any time, with a view to obtaining a retransier of the property and obviating a sale.

Two registers are kept in the office of each Registrar—namely, a Pension-claim Register and an Old-age Pensions Register.

The Pension - claim Register contains a record of each claim filed, and how it is dealt with.

The Old-age Pensions Register contains a record of each pension granted in the district, as also of each pension transferred from any other district. All changes made from time to time in regard to any pension are entered up in this register.

Each Registrar is required to supply the following monthly returns:—

  1. A return of new pensions granted by the Magistrate—to include transfers from other districts.

  2. A return of new claims rejected or adjourned by the Magistrate.

  3. A return of renewal certificates rejected or adjourned by the Magistrate.

The numbers of pensioners at the end of each financial year since the Act came into operation, together with the gross payments made in each year, are as follows:—

 Pensioners.Amount £
At 31st March, 1899 (at £18)7,4433,124
At 31st March, 1900 (at £18)11,285157,342
At 31st March, 1901 (at £18)12,405197,292
At 31st March, 1902 (at £18)12,776207,468
At 31st March, 1903 (at £18)12,481210,140
At 31st March, 1904 (at £18)11,926203,164
At 31st March, 1905 (at £18)11,770195,475
At 31st March, 1906 (5 months at £18, 7 months at £26)12,582254,367
1907 (at £26)13,257314,184
At 31st March, 1908 (at £26)13,569325,199
At 31st March, 1909 (at £26)14,396336,760
At 31st March, 1910 (at £26)15,320362,496
Gross total £2,767,011

The number and value of existing pensions at each rate on 31st March, 1910, was,—

Number.Rate.Liability.
 ££
11,82726307,502
5122512,800
4792411,496
297236,831
247225,434
304216,384
197203,940
198193,762
218183,924
141172,397
126162,016
111151,665
85141,190
80131,040
7912948
7511825
7910790
629558
538424
377259
436258
215105
21484
15345
9218
414
Totals 15,320 £374,699

Of the total number of pensions, 77.2 per cent. were at the full rate, and £049 per cent. at £20 or over. The average amount of each pension payable was £24 9s.

Chapter 55. RATING ON UNIMPROVED VALUE OF LAND.

“THE Rating on Unimproved Value Act, 1896,” was passed by the General Assembly to afford local bodies the opportunity of adopting the principle of rating which is expressed in the title of the measure. The Act is now incorporated in “The Rating Act, 1908.” It is entirely at the option of the bodies to adopt the system, and provision is made for a return to the old system of rating, if desired, after three years' experience of the new one. The Act provides that a proportion of the ratepayers on the roll, varying from 25 per cent. where the total number does not exceed 100, to 15 per cent. where the number exceeds 300, may by demand in writing, delivered to the chairman of the district, require that a proposal to rate property on the basis of the unimproved value may be submitted to the ratepayers, whose votes shall be taken between twenty-one and twenty-eight days after delivery of the demand. The poll is to be taken in the same manner as in case of a proposal to raise a loan in the district under “The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1908.”

Under the original Act it was necessary for a minimum number of one-third of the ratepayers to vote, and a majority of their votes carried the proposal. Now, the question of adoption or otherwise is decided by a bare majority of the valid votes recorded, irrespective of the number of ratepayers who have voted.

A rescinding proposal can be carried at a poll by the same means as one for adoption, but not until after three years have elapsed; and. vice versa, rejection of a proposal bars its being again brought forward for a similar period.

The valuation roll is supplied to the local authority by the Valuer-General under the provisions of “The Valuation of Land Act, 1908,” and the definitions of “capital value,” “improvements,” “unimproved value,” and “value of improvements” found in that Act apply also to rating on unimproved value. Provision is made for adjustment of rating-powers given under previous Acts by fixing equivalents. Thus a rate of 1s. in the pound on the annual value under former Acts is to be considered equal to ¾d. in the pound on the capital value.

The adjustments are to be made so that the rates on the unimproved value shall be such as to produce as much as, but not more than, the rates under “The Rating Act, 1908.” For instance, supposing a local authority has a rating-power up to ¾d. in the pound on the capital value, then it can levy any rate in the pound on the unimproved value of land in its district so long as the producing-capacity of such rate is not greater than would be the producing-capacity of a ¾d. rate on the capital value of the district. When a fixed rate, under the older system of rating, is security for a loan, the Controller and Auditor-General is given power to interfere and fix the new rate himself if of opinion that the new rate on the unimproved value does not afford equally good security to the one to be given up.

The operation of the Act does not apply to water, gas, electric light, sewage, nor hospital and charitable aid rates.

Particulars will be found in Section X, “Local Governing Bodies,” of the local bodies that have, up to 31st March, 1910, submitted the question of the adoption of the Act to the ratepayers, and the result of the polling in each case.

Chapter 56. SECTION II. AGRICULTURE IN NEW ZEALAND.

M. Murphy, F.L.S.

IT is generally admitted that there is no part of the British dominions where agriculture, in its widest sense, can be carried on with so much certainty and with such good results as in New Zealand. The range of latitude, extending as it does from 34° to 47° south, secures a diversity of climate suitable for all the products of subtropical and temperate zones, while an insular position is a protection from the continuous and parching droughts which periodically inflict such terrible losses on the agriculturist and pastoralist of Australia and South America.

Again, the climate, although somewhat variable, never reaches the extremes of heat or cold. So genial, indeed, is it that most animals and plants, when first introduced, assume a vigour unknown to them before.

NORTH ISLAND.

All the best forage-plants and grasses thrive most admirably, continuing to grow throughout the year with little intermission. Stock of every sort thrive and fatten rapidly on the pastures, coming to maturity at an early age without the aid of roots or condimental foods. All cereals flourish equally well, more especially Indian corn, which produces from fifty to eighty bushels per acre.

So full is the soil of plant-food that several continuous crops of potatoes or cereals may be taken with little apparent exhaustion. Wheat, oats, and barley thrive where the soil is not too rich; otherwise they produce enormous crops of straw, without a corresponding yield of corn. The tobacco-plant does well, as do also hops and sorghum, broom-corn, peanut, hemp, ramee or rhea (China grass), together with a large variety of economic plants, the growth of which will one day afford employment for a large population. In addition to these, all the British, Chinese, and Japanese fruits, with oranges, lemons, limes, olives, and vines (in the northern part), flourish abundantly, requiring but ordinary care. Potatoes are largely grown, and yield heavy crops.

Most of the country along the south-west and west coast is now taken up, and the primeval forest is fast disappearing before the settler's axe. For the most part, the soil is fertile, and the growth of grass and clover is extremely rapid and vigorous when sown on the surface after the felled timber has been destroyed by fire.

To the British husbandman it will seem almost incredible that the best pasture-grasses grow as they do with no other preparation than the ashes resulting from the burnt timber—no ploughing and no previous loosening of the soil—yet, in less than a year from the date of scattering the seed, this same land will fatten from five to six sheep per acre.

So rapidly are these fertile forest-lands being cleared and converted into pastures that the demand for stock (principally dairy) has greatly increased, and this demand must continue for a number of years before it is fully met.

Those who in the past have watched the progress of New Zealand, especially of the North Island, have always maintained that when the Maori difficulties and other impediments to settlement were overcome, the prosperity of the country would advance at a very rapid rate. This prediction has now been realised, and all that is required to make the present prosperity continuous is the more rapid settlement of our lands with a thrifty class of settlers.

There are millions of acres yet unoccupied, a great portion of which is of good quality, and only waiting the hand of man to make it carry, with very little cost, large herds of dairy stock, with flocks of long-wool and crossbred sheep. The west coast of the North Island is essentially a cattle-country. Considerable areas in the midland districts are adapted to long-wool sheep, as is also the country along the east coast. Much of the country may be described as being good sheep-land, a large portion of which is quite capable of carrying two sheep to the acre, and some of it as many as three or four.

SOUTH ISLAND.

If the North Island has a splendid inheritance in her forests, the South Island can boast of her magnificent plain-lands, rolling downs, and vast mountain ranges, all of which, to a greater or less degree, have already been made to contribute to the wealth of the Dominion.

The central portion of the South Island presented to the first-comers a vast plain, covered only with waving tussock-grass, offering little or no obstruction to the plough.

Travelling south, the country assumes a different character: easy, undulating downs, well watered, here and there interspersed with fertile plains, the greater portion admirably adapted for agriculture, and all of it suitable for pastoral purposes.

The climate of the South Island is not so warm in summer nor so mild in winter as that experienced in the North Island. However, as has already been stated, there are no extremes of heat or cold.

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

The following résumé of the statistics for the past season, as published in the Gazette, is sufficient to indicate the trend of the agricultural and pastoral industries; fuller particulars will be found in the statistical portion of this work. It will be seen that there has been an increase in the acreage sown in wheat amounting to 58,609 acres. Oats show a decrease of 29,908 acres as compared with last season. The area under barley was 41,500 acres, showing a decrease of 7,353 acres. Turnips show a decrease of 6,086 acres. This shortage is more than counterbalanced by the increased areas under rape, kale, and mangels. Potatoes show an increase of 581 acres.

The sheep returns, made up to 30th April, 1910, show that the total number of sheep in New Zealand was 24,269,620, an increase of 788,913 on the number for the previous year.

THE FARMING OUTLOOK.

Before the advent of the freezing-chamber, sheep-farming could only be carried on profitably on large areas with large flocks, for the reason that wool and tallow were the only marketable products, the sale of fat sheep and lambs being confined to supplying the demand for local consumption. The development of the meat-export trade which began in 1880 has completely altered the condition of things from an agricultural point of view. Almost every farmer, small and large, now keeps his flock of breeding-ewes for the production of lambs for freezing, thereby necessitating the growth of large areas of root and forage crops, and so bringing about a greatly improved system of farming when compared with the previous system of universal corn-growing and boiling-down.

The season of 1909–10 has proved a disappointing one to grain-growers on the great wheat-growing Canterbury Plains. The appearance of the cereal crops up to the latter end of December gave promise of phenomenal yields and a record year. These bright hopes were, however, ruthlessly dissipated by the sudden advent of cold blighting winds and rain which threatened the total destruction of the Canterbury harvest. The poor yields which followed were caused by the wind and rain which probably prevented the pollination of the wheat-ears, which were then in bloom. This unseasonable weather was followed by hot scorching winds, causing premature ripening. These winds, however, were not an unmixed evil, as they checked a threatened attack of rust. The average yield per acre is set down for the Dominion at 28 bushels, although in isolated cases as much as 50 bushels has been threshed out. Lincoln Agricultural College averaged 40 bushels as compared with 50 and 60 last year. The turnip and rape crops gave promise of abundance of feed for the autumn and winter. Although the crops of turnips were generally good, a very large amount of damage was done to these by the larva; of the diamond-back moth, which was very prevalent during the past season. The development of the dairy industry and the advent of an efficient milking-machine—now assured—has caused the demand for dairy farms to go on increasing, and, with the demand, a corresponding increase in prices of suitable dairy farms, particularly in the North Island, has advanced enormously during the last decade. It would, however, be unreasonable to expect this rise to continue, either for dairying or for agricultural lands, in the face of the strides being made in these industries in other parts of the world and the consequent increased competition. In connection with this subject, the following information will be interesting as well as instructive, viz: The area of land under occupation in New Zealand in 1909 was 38,204,349 acres, of which 1,084,709 acres were under cereals and pulse, 805,921 under green crops, in sown grasses on ploughed land 4,755,323 acres, on land not ploughed 8,868,205, in native grass, tussock, &c., 22,524,406 acres, in fallow 52,150 acres, plantations, orchards and gardens 112,972 acres, and vineyards 663 acres.

WHEAT.

The Canterbury Plains, the great wheat-growing district of the South Island, extend 150 miles north and south, running inland from the sea for forty miles, the whole forming an area of over 3,000,000 acres. A great portion of this vast plain is admirably adapted for the growth of wheat, barley, and oats, and all the best cultivated grasses and forage plants, the growing of which has been carried on extensively since the earliest settlement of New Zealand. The total area under wheat harvested for the season 1909–10 was 311,000 acres (exclusive of areas grown for chaffing and those fed off), of which 210,000 acres were grown in Canterbury, including the countries of Amuri and Cheviot, the average yield throughout the Dominion being 28 bushels per acre; total yield, 8,661,100 bushels. It will be seen by comparing the areas under wheat for the years 1908–9 and 1909–10 that there has been an increase of 58,609 acres. The land in Canterbury is for the most part free from stones or impediments of any kind. Single-furrow ploughs are now rarely seen, double- and three-furrows being in general use, and an occasional motor and steam plough. Three horses, sometimes four, with a man or a boy, can turn over three acres per day on the plains, at a cost of 5s. or 6s. per acre. A stroke of the disc or other harrow, followed by the seed-drill and light harrows, completes the operation of sowing.

Seed-sowing commences in May, and can be continued as weather permits through the winter, and in the heavy swamp land (drained) on into September and even October. From 1¼ to 1½ and 2 bushels of seed per acre are usually sown, the quantity increasing as the season advances.

The following paper from the pen of Professor Lowrie, late Director of Canterbury Agricultural College, now Director of Agriculture for Western Australia, is a valuable contribution to our wheat-growing literature:—

Wheat, as the bread corn of civilisation, will always hold a place of high importance among the world's farm crops, though, as the result of the opening up of new countries where, as far as conditions allow, it has been made the pioneer's main crop—often his only crop—the position of wheat in highly farmed countries has become less prominent.

PREPARATORY CULTIVATION.

Wheat can be taken almost anywhere in a rotation, though, of course, the success of the crop is modified by the crop preceding it, and the cultivation necessary in preparation, for the seed varies widely according to its position on a rotation. It likes a firm, compact seed bed; in fact, a seed bed with a good tilth, but well consolidated, is almost a fundamental condition of success. Accordingly, the cultivation of ploughing immediately preceding the crop should be shallow, say, 3 in. to 4 in. deep, though if the land has been ploughed deeply 6 in. or 7 in. for the preceding crop, such as rape, so much the hotter for the wheat to follow it. In Autumn the seed bed should not be made too fine; so long as there is a fair tilth to receive the seed the presence of a fair amount of small clods is an advantage, as by crumbling through the action of frost they prevent the surface setting too hard in the spring, and they offer a certain amount of shelter in the winter. The very heaviest yields of wheat are obtained after a summer bare fallow, as might be anticipated from the effect of the repeated workings given to the land in encouraging nitrification, in mellowing the soil, in retaining moisture, and in thoroughly cleaning the land of weeds. But the practice is too expensive in these days of forage and fallow crops, where the rainfall is adequate, and is only likely to be resorted to when necessary to clean land very foul, or infested with noxious weeds.

After peas, beans, or other nitrogen restoring crop, wheat is ever found to thrive well. After peas it will often suffice to give the land a double cut with the disc harrows set with deep cut. Pea stubble is generally loose, or relatively free, and ploughing is therefore unnecessary, and only to be adopted on land too stiff for the disc harrows to work. This discing should be done as soon after harvest as practicable, that the seeds of weeds may be germinated to be cleaned with the scarifier preliminary to sowing. The effect of following a leguminous crop on the character and quality of the grain is very marked as well as on the yield.

After potatoes, wheat almost invariably does well, as the working of the land which potatoes necessitate leaves it in excellent condition, and there is further available a considerable residue of the manure applied. In this case, as after peas, ploughing, even shallow has no advantage over the disc barrow in preparing a seed bed, and generally when the tops have been raked off the spring-tooth cultivator gives quite sufficient seed bed. After rape is another favourite position for wheat, as the land is enriched by the residue of the manure applied to the rape, and the dung of the sheep consuming the crop. The large number of subordinate roots and the depth to which they penetrate have also an effect on the soil and subsoil beneficial to the succeeding wheat.

After clover, lucerne, or lea, more care and good judgment is necessary in preparing for wheat than in any other position. To lift the land in the end of May or beginning of June, disc barrow, and sow right away, invariably results in a return far below the possible. Such land is never consolidated sufficiently, and the turf is not killed. Compared with this practice it will pay handsomely to have the field skim-ploughed in early autumn, let it lie for a while, then barrow and cross plough about 5 in. deep, and at seed time harrow well to give increased consolidation. For best results after lea it is imperative that the seeding be done on a stale furrow, and the land is all the better for having a heavy roller over it. When the lea is lifted immediately before sowing, the wheat gets comparatively little advantage from the humus except, perhaps, in the conservation of moisture, as the nitrifying ferments are practically dormant by the time the land is ploughed, and do not regain activity until early summer, when the wheat is well forward. The greater part of the material constituting cereals, be it remembered, is assimilated between the periods of tillering and the close of the blooming, and therefore if, by lifting the lea earlier in the autumn, more nitrogen is available in the spring, one of the reasons accounting for the fact that the crop on land so treated, more than pays by extra yield for the sacrifice of feed is evident. Indeed, it often happens that on land lifted from lea in early winter the second successive wheat-crop is better than the first, as the intervening summer has allowed of the nitrification of most of the organic matter constituting the turf.

MANURING.

Wheat is proverbial for making the best use of the inherent fertility of the land in the absence of manure directly applied. It is this characteristic that led to the practice in Britain of manuring wheat indirectly through the preceding crops—roots, potatoes, pulse or forage crops, heavy dressings of dung, artificial manures, or dung and artificials in various proportions are applied to these crops with the aim of getting correspondingly heavy returns from them, and leaving a considerable residuum well incorporated with the soil for the succeeding wheat crop to utilise. In the case of dung, the seeds of weeds have germinated, and have been destroyed, and the organic matter has had time for further decomposition and blending with the soil before the seed is sown, with the result that the wheat benefits from the residue of the dung more than if a corresponding amount bad been applied with the seed. On our good wheat lands, however, the conditions are very different. Farmyard manure in quantity is not available, and in our warmer climate is less useful for wheat, even if it were available. The land is not underdrained, or if underdrained at all, the drains are much less frequent, and consequently the leaching of nitrates is less, and the need for nitrogenous manures less. The growth of herbage on the pastures is much denser and more luxuriant, and there is a correspondingly greater proportion of organic matter, when the land is lifted after a given time in pasture. The activity of the nitrifying ferments is increased by the higher temperature we experience, and is continued through most months of the year. Consequently with more humus, nitrification more rapid and more prolonged, and withal, less leaching of nitrates taking place, it is to be anticipated that nitrogen is less in demand for wheat, and every-day experience on this farm confirms the expectation. On lighter lands, or lands with an open subsoil, the position is different, and if wheat be attempted on such it will probably be found that the application of a nitrogenous manure, as part of the dressing, is desirable, but lighter lands can be used to better purpose under other crops. On good wheat land exuberance of vegetation often injuriously affects the yield of grain by favouring rust, by increasing the risk of lodging, and by bringing about a condition of the crop more liable to blight. This last consequence is important, for bursts of hot weather, which occasionally occur at the time when the grain is filling, compromise the yield most seriously in crops the most luxuriant. The movement of elaborated material from the leaves and stems to the ears is suddenly arrested, the crop yellows off too quickly, and a more or less shrivelled sample of grain results. Therefore, as the effect of nitrogenous manure is to increase vegetative luxuriance, and to produce a soft plethoric plant which succumbs more readily to sudden heat waves, or pinches of drought, it should be applied with caution under our conditions.

Phosphatic manures are believed to be of much more importance in the production of wheat in Canterbury than nitrogenous manures. Indeed, there seems good reason for the hypothesis that, if wheat be not grown too frequently, and a judicious rotation of forage crops, roots, leguminous crops and temporary pastures in which clovers are prominent, be adopted, it will be found that if the requirements of the soil in the matter of phosphates be met liberally, nature will go far to maintain the nitrates, except for such crops as mangels, kale, and rape, for which dried blood or other nitrogenous manure is indispensable, or at least an advantage. But phosphatic manures are beneficial beyond question, and their application is particularly to be recommended. In the case of land that has been badly farmed—submitted to exhaustive cropping without any effort to maintain fertility—they are indispensable to good yields. Dressings of phosphates, however, will be found almost invariably to produce a profitable response in the crop when applied with the seed, in the autumn or in the spring, for their influence is manifold. For example, rapid root growth is encouraged; tillering is promoted; maturity is hastened; spells of drought which often prevail in the spring are better withstood; and the quality of the sample is improved, the grain being better filled, and of a better colour. The fact that the transpiration of water necessary for the production of a certain weight of dry matter in cereals is less when saline manures have been applied, is of capital importance, and explains why phosphates, if other saline matters necessary be present in sufficiency, help the plant to resist periods of droughts Of the phosphates on the market superphosphate may be taken as the most generally useful. On land with a high percentage of organic matter, or soil somewhat sour, basis slag would be probably most useful, but, like nitrate of soda, it has not been put on the market so far at a price to justify its use. The superphosphate, as a rule, does not run altogether satisfactorily through the drill, and accordingly it is generally advisable to mix with it thoroughly a little of the freezing companies' manure, say, one in six, or to mix it with wood ashes, shortly before application in such quantities as will suffice to make the mixtures run well. When a rotation of crops is practised, it will be found that a dressing of 1½ cwt. to 2 cwt. per acre of superphosphate with the mixed material added proportionally, when such mixing has been required, will produce heavy crops, and, on the average, be sufficient. When wheat is grown after wheat superphosphate straight will scarcely suffice, or even when wheat is grown after oats. In that case it will be found advisable to mix superphosphate and kale manure from half and half to two of superphosphate to one of kale manure according to the degree of exhaustion of the field or the frequency with which it has been cropped. On lighter lands generally a mixture of dried blood and superphosphate one to two, or of kale manure and superphosphate half and half, will give better results than superphosphate alone, but on all wheat-growing land proper superphosphate alone will suffice, if it be dry enough to run through the drill freely. Further, it will be found that the influence of such direct manuring of wheat will tell favourably on the land when under grass or other crops.

QUANTITY OF SEED PER ACRE.

The quantity of seed to sow varies of course with the climatic conditions, the nature of the soil, the time of sowing, the size of the grain, and the habit of growth of the variety to be sown, and extends from one bushel per acre to two bushels. In a dry climate one bushel per acre is ample, but on good wheat lands in Canterbury from one and a quarter bushels to one and three-quarter bushels per acre should be sown. Lighter lands are sown more thinly than good strong soils, and the earlier the date of sowing the lighter should the seeding be in both cases. Wheats also that tiller freely may be sown more thinly than wheats which run quickly with fewer stems, such as the spring wheats. The careful selection and preparation of seed wheat is ever well repaid. For example, it should be graded, and the lighter or shrivelled grains taken out. Careful experiments conducted in France by Desprez proved that the gain in yield resulting from grading the wheat with the “Trieur" varied from 22 to 28 per cent. in favour of the large plump grains as compared with the yield of the smaller or shrivelled grains sown under similar conditions.

CULTIVATION.

Harrowing wheat in the spring is almost invariably an advantage to the crop, and on heavy lands it can scarcely be overdone. On thick crops it is an important, almost necessary, operation for the very best results. The horse-hoeing of wheat is now almost generally abandoned in favour of good harrowing, which is almost as efficient, and is much cheaper. Rolling has not so much to recommend it as harrowing, though in light lands it is useful. On heavy land, however, there is no manifest advantage to repay the cost of rolling in the spring, unless where the young wheat has been badly thrown out by severe frosts. Feeding down early crops with sheep is often beneficial to them, but occasionally it is injurious. When a dry season supervenes, on a crop fed down somewhat late, the yield will be diminished, and, as a rule, it is well to feed down only the early crops which, in a favourable season, might lodge before harvest.

TIME OF CUTTING.

For flour, wheat is better for being cut before it is dead ripe; for seed, it is to be preferred when it has been allowed to ripen completely. The rule then is to cut wheat when the grain is in the dough state for milling—when it ceases to show a milky fluid in section, and has a consistency similar to dough or cheese. However, as the grain fills from the outside inwards it is possible to cut too early, with the result that the inner starch cells of the grain are not fully developed, and the sample weighs less per bushel, but in view of the risk of shaking, and on the knowledge that in this climate the grain continues to fill in the stook, it is well to cut just as the milky stage of ripening is being completed.

VARIETIES.

New Zealand wheat in Mark Lane ranks much as English-grown wheat in quality. It works soft and weak as a rule; does not yield with the miller so much flour as Australian; and in purity of colour comes lower. In bread-making capacity, or strength of flour, it is classed as low to fair, while Australian ranks as fair, and famous qualities such as Manitoban No. 1 are described as good to full, and No. 1 Hard Dulluth and No. 1 Northern Spring (United States) as full. The quality in the matter of strength of flour is, unfortunately not to be controlled to any great extent by the skill of the farmer in selecting varieties, or in breeding strains to yield strong flour: the chief determining factor is undoubtedly the climate, in the question of strength, and it is found that in countries where the ripening process is most rapid, through high summer temperature, long daylight, and clear dry weather, that wheats yielding the strongest flour are grown. If some of the wheats yielding strongest flour were introduced here, such, for example, as the Fife types, it would be found that in a few seasons the character of the grain in this characteristic would degenerate, though, at the same time, the matter well deserves the attention of farmers, as intelligent effort no doubt would result in improvement. There is also, of course, the practical and financial aspect of the question to be considered. Wheats of the strong typo grown in the States and Canada never, in the writer's experience at least, equal in yield the best soft white wheats that are now grown in New Zealand, and it may pay to grow the heavier yielder for a lower price per bushel. For example, 50 bushels per acre at 3s. 4d. (£8 6s. 8d.) will pay a farmer better than 45 bushels at 3s. 7d. (£8 1s. 3d.). A characteristic indispensable to varieties to be grown bore, and always to have first consideration, is resistance to shelling out or threshing by wind, and in this particular many of the strong flour wheats are weak. The best soft white wheats of Europe yield most profitable returns here, but, of course, it does not follow that improvements in the matter of strength cannot be gained by careful selection or by cross-breeding.

OATS.

Otago and Southland districts excel in the production of oats, which is their principal cereal crop. The total area under this cereal harvested for the season 1909–10 was 377,000 acres. The area retained for chaffing and for ensilage varied little from the preceding year. The growing of wheat, however, is extending in these districts, and will go on increasing as the land becomes sweetened by tillage and warmed by draining. Otago grew 56,309 acres of this cereal in 1908–9 as compared with 80,000 acres in 1909–10.

The yield of oats in Otago and Southland varies from 40 to 80 bushels per acre, the cost of production being about the same as wheat—viz., £2 per acre when grown from grass-land, and £1 10s. from stubble.

BARLEY.

Malting barley, of very superior quality, is grown in Nelson and Marlborough, where the soil and climate appear to be particularly adapted to its culture. 41,500 acres were grown in the Dominion this year for threshing.

The growing of this cereal for malting purposes requires more attention than it has yet received in New Zealand. It is claimed for this crop that it will show a better result than wheat, for the following reasons: (1) It is less exhaustive to the soil; (2) it gives an average yield of from 10 per cent. to 20 per cent more than wheat; (3) the growing crop in favourable seasons can be fed off twice, or even three times, to the advantage of the subsequent yield of grain. Land of a light and calcareous nature, but unsuitable for wheat, will give a barley thin in the skin, and particularly suited for malting purposes. Barley is not a difficult crop to raise, but there are certain points that need careful attention, which, if neglected, would probably result in the production of an inferior sample, which would hardly pay for growing.

ROOT-CROPS.

Potatoes: Potatoes are largely grown throughout New Zealand. On suitable soils very heavy crops are raised, it being no uncommon thing to dig from 8 to 10 and 15 tons per acre, although the general average is much lower, for the reason that unsuitable land is frequently devoted to this crop. The area under potatoes in 1909–10 was 30,500 acres, an increase over last returns of 581 acres. The bulk of the crop is planted without manure, but, where used, bone-dust, superphosphate, blood-manure, or animal guano (which may be procured of first quality from the local manure manufactories), from 1 cwt. to 2 cwt. per acre, is applied with good results; recent experiments in Canterbury have amply demonstrated that the application of a much larger quantity of manure per acre is a remunerative investment. The potato is, however, an expensive crop to grow, costing from £5 to £6 per acre, and it is perhaps the most precarious of all crops, being materially affected by drought, but more particularly so by early and late frosts. The past season was a favourable one for this esculent, owing to the liberal rainfall during the growing season. The average yield was 6 tons per acre. This crop has proved very remunerative, where not seriously affected by blight, ranging from £4 to £6 per ton. The disease (phytophthora infestans), although present in many districts, has not affected the general average to any great extent. The fine, warm, dry season experienced had much to do with our comparative immunity from the disease. The practice of spraying for fungoid infestations should be encouraged, as it is well known that no fungoid growth can exist when treated with a solution of sulphate of copper, known as Bordeaux mixture.

Land for potatoes is usually broken out of grass, skim-ploughed in autumn, ploughed deeply in spring, and thoroughly tilled; or potatoes may be grown in drills opened and closed with a double-furrow plough. The seed—15 cwt. per acre—is then ploughed in under every third furrow, the after-culture consisting of harrowing just as the crop is appearing over ground (by this means myriads of seedling weeds are destroyed); drill-grubbing, hoeing, horse-hoeing, and earthing-up being the subsequent operations. Heavy crops of wheat, oats, barley, beans, or peas can always be relied upon after potatoes. Professional growers have sent out new varieties in quick succession, with high-sounding names, claiming for each superior qualities from anything previously grown, offering them at fabulous prices, which were readily obtained. These were to revolutionise potato-growing. The National Potato Society which boomed the potato has died the death of all hysterical bubbles. When the society was founded the whole world was talking of potatoes, and sensational new varieties were as plentiful as mushrooms. With a big programme, and apparently a large field of work before it, the National Society started on its meteoric career, and for a time, like the Northern Star, it went strong; but the society dwindled when the boom declined and died, and nothing now remains but the memory of the money wildly lavished in procuring certain inflated varieties which, like the boom, have disappeared, while the old Up-to-Date and other older varieties still remain.

Turnips: The turnip-crop of 1909–10, although generally good, has in some districts been ravaged by the caterpillar of the diamond-back moth to such an extent as to be rendered comparatively worthless. The loss has not been severely felt, owing to the abnormal growth of feed in the autumn, which carried the stock on into midwinter. The yearly depredations of this pest is causing inquiries to be made as to other plants which could be got to take the place of the turnip—such as kale, Italian ryegrass, barley, oats, tares, &c. The late Miss Ormerod, in her “Injurious Insects,” refers to an infestation which ravaged the turnip-crops of Great Britain and Ireland in 1851. All cruciferous plants are subject to its attack. It is exceedingly difficult to successfully deal with the pest, but severe attacks have fortunately not been continuous from year to year; were they so, turnips and rape would go out of cultivation, the loss resulting from which would be difficult to estimate, as the success or otherwise of the export trade in mutton and lamb is at present largely dependent on these crops. In the southern portion of the South Island the crop was fairly good, not suffering to the same extent from the pest referred to. The area under this crop for the season 1909–10 was 524,550 acres, a decrease of 6,086 acres as compared with the previous year.

Rape is largely grown as sheep-feed, and may be sown either in early spring or immediately after harvest, the stubble being skim-ploughed or broken up with the spring-tined cultivator. This crop is invaluable in the early spring, and may be fed off in time for oats or barley. Dairy cattle, however, should not be fed on rape, as doing so destroys the flavour of the milk. Rape is more valuable for fattening lambs than the turnip. The area under this crop for the season 1909–10 was 225,035 acres, being an increase of 4,795 acres.

Kale: Mr. Lowrie, the late director of Lincoln Agricultural College, has demonstrated the great value of kale as a supplementary forage-crop. There are several varieties of kale which have been cultivated for a lengthened period in Europe. For some reason its culture has hitherto been much neglected in New Zealand. Mr. Lowrie has, however, succeeded in bringing its value before the farming community, with the result that it may be said to be fairly established. It is not intended that it should take the place of rape. As a forage-crop, however, the kales compare very favourably with the varieties of rape. It will stand drought better than rape; it is less liable to blight; it is healthier for stock. Mr. Lowrie remarks: “I have never known kale to injure stock, either sheep or cattle, and I have frequently had to take lambs off rape, when they have begun to die from irritation in the intestines, and put them on kale to recover.” The value, however, of the food from a fattening point of view is scarcely so high as rape. Young stock will fatten on rape quicker, but wethers and two-tooth sheep and over seem to do as well on kale as they do on rape, and the percentage of deaths will always be lower. A good block of kale should always be grown, for reasons above stated. It has another advantage—viz., it can with impunity be fed to dairy cows with little fear of tainting the milk, as is the case with rape.

The cultivation of kale consists in sowing the seed in drills, 21 in. apart, with 11b. of seed per acre. Sown in September, the crop will be ready for grazing in February, and can be grazed right through the autumn. Stock should be taken out about the end of May and the crop left until the spring, when in the month of September it will yield an enormous amount of forage; but care must be taken not to feed it too closely at any time. The plant is a gross feeder, and must be treated generously if sown in indifferent soil. From 2 cwt. to 3 cwt. per acre of manure should be drilled in with the seed. The variety known as “Thousand-headed kale” is the most generally useful.

Mangolds and Carrots are largely grown in some districts. They cost more money per acre than turnips to produce, as they must be hand-hoed and thinned; nor are they so suitable a crop for cleaning the land. Turnip-sowing does not commence till November or December, affording ample time for the destruction of seedling weeds during the spring months; this important opportunity is largely lost in the culture of the mangold, which is usually sown in October. Mangolds are, however, an invaluable crop on a stock-farm, as they do not reach their primest condition until the turnip-supply is exhausted, usually in August. From 30 to 60 tons per acre is not an uncommon yield of these roots, often without the aid of manure, on rich swamp and. Experiments and analyses show that the orange and yellow Tankard are more nutritious than any of the long varieties. The area under this crop is annually increasing as its value becomes better known; also its comparative immunity from the attacks of grubs or insects.

Carrots are also a valuable crop, especially for horses; on sandy loams the yield reaches 15 to 20 tons per acre. Carrots impart a pleasant flavour to butter, and should be largely grown for dairy stock. Like the mangold, the area under this crop is also increasing from year to year.

SEEDS.

Clover: Saving clover for seed in favourable seasons is a lucrative industry, adding materially to the farmers' income. Clover is sown with a spring crop, usually of corn, lightly grazed in the following autumn, and then reserved for a crop of hay, which, according to the season, yields from 2 to 3 tons per acre when cut in November or early in December. Some farmers prefer feeding off with sheep in preference to mowing for hay. The after-growth is then allowed to flower and seed, which it does very freely. Thousands of humble-bees may be seen in the clover-fields during the months of January, February, and March. The seed ripens in March, and is then cut and dried, and threshed out by machines known as clover-shellers. An acre of clover may yield in hay and seed from £8 to £10. It must, however, be stated that, while a good crop of clover-seed is most lucrative, it is nevertheless a most precarious one. Owing to lateness of the season of ripening, it sometimes happens that the fertilisation is imperfect, resulting in a majority of barren heads. This gave rise to a controversy as to whether the proper bee has been introduced. The point was referred to the late Miss Ormerod, the English entomologist, with specimens, which that lady identified as Bombus terrestris and subterraneous. The former is declared by Mr. Darwin to be useless as a fertiliser for the reason that its tongue is too short. This question has again been revived, it being thought that while some of the varieties introduced have proved very valuable as fertilisers it is quite possible that there are others still more so. The Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association set up a sub-committee to collect information on the subject. As the result of the inquiries made, Messrs. Sladen, Ripple Court, Dover, England, and A. H. Ham, Oxford, England—well-known scientists—were asked to co-operate in collecting the most suitable species. A small consignment (the season being too far advanced) was shipped by the s.s. “Paparoa,” which arrived in Lyttelton on the 24th February, 1906. Out of fifteen sent ten arrived alive—viz., four Bombus lapidarius (the red-tailed bee), and six Bombus hortorum. These were released in clover-paddocks at and near the Lincoln Agricultural College. Another consignment of 165 red-tailed queens arrived at Lyttelton per steamer “Paparoa" in December, 1906, of which 94 were found to be dead, the balance (71) soon revived when exposed to the warm sun, and took flight. The third consignment of these insects arrived per s.s. “Ruapehu" in December, 1906. The shipment consisted of 145 queens, of which 62 were found to be alive; these were liberated at Mr. H. E. Peryman's farm at Tai Tapu, in the midst of luxuriant clover paddocks.

Humble-bees were first successfully introduced into Canterbury in 1885. The variety was Bombus terrestris; and they were found to spread over an area of a hundred miles in less than twelve months.

The red-tailed bee is easily distinguished from any other species; the posterior is closely covered with red hairs, hence its name. Although a couple of specimens were reported last summer, it is still problematical whether the introduction of Bombus lapidarius has been quite a success. The Committee of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association deserve the gratitude of the farming community. The importations cost the association £100. The Entomologist of the Dominion of Canada has promised to send a shipment of bees as soon as practicable, and it is probable that some may also be procured from California.

White and alsike clover are now grown in considerable quantities. White clover yields enormously: as much as 300 lb. of white and alsike seed has been obtained per acre. These clovers are not dependent on the action of the humble-bee for their fertilisation; they mature earlier, and are more easily threshed and cleaned than cow-grass or red-clover.

Grass-seed Saving: All the most valuable British grasses flourish throughout New Zealand. Cocksfoot has been for many years a staple product of Banks Peninsula (Akaroa County), where the soil for the most part consists of decomposed volcanic rocks and vegetable mould. Large quantities of this seed are also raised in the North Island and in many other parts of the Dominion as well. The seed is of the finest description, frequently weighing 20 lb. to the bushel, 12 lb. being a standard bushel. Cocksfoot thrives on a very wide range of soil, from the richest to the poorest, preferring, of course, the former. It may be found on the dry stony plains of the interior, green and healthy, when the surrounding herbage, introduced or indigenous, has given way to the heat of the summer sun. The estimated area under this grass in 1909–10 was 29,500 acres, yielding 4,451,000 lb. of seed.

Growing ryegrass (Perennial and Italian) for seed is also an important industry. The seed is usually gathered by stripping, when the crops are heavy they are cut and tied as corn, and afterwards threshed by machinery. The yield varies from 20 to 50 bushels per acre, weighing from 25 lb. to 32 lb. per bushel, 20 lb. being the standard weight. A common practice is to graze the land till midsummer; to take the stock off for a few weeks, and then to run the stripper over the ground. By this primitive method 10 bushels per acre of perennial ryegrass is sometimes secured, of the finest quality. Ryegrass-seed is usually in good demand; the price varies according to the season; the usual price, however, is from 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. and 4s. per bushel. Crested dogstail, sheep's fescue, and meadow fescue are also successfully grown, particularly in the North Island, for seed and for pasture. 56,550 acres were under ryegrass in 1909–10, yielding 1,894,650 bushels.

Many of the indigenous grasses of New Zealand are possessed of considerable feeding-value, but, unfortunately, few of them will stand too close feeding. The action of fire is especially injurious to most of them. Of recent years much has been said in favour of Danthonia semiannularis (one of the native oat-grasses) as a grass particularly adapted to some of the poorer soils in the North Island, where it is said to thrive admirably; it is also said to be able to resist the action of occasional grass-fires. There are many varieties of Danthonias, from the giant, coarse-growing snow-grass or oat-grass, to the fine-leaved varieties found in almost all the natural pastures. They are for the most part valuable for sheep pastures.

Small Seeds: New Zealand, from the nature of her soil and climate, offers a fine field for growing all kinds of farm and garden seeds. This circumstance has already attracted the attention of some of the larger seed-merchants of Great Britain, whose agents occasionally visit New Zealand with a view to inducing farmers and others to grow certain kinds of seeds. This industry is capable of great expansion, and the Department would be doing good work were they to take the matter in hand. The industry is peculiarly adapted to small holdings, and well suited to young persons, the work being light and of an interesting character. Ready sale can be found for carefully grown and carefully cleaned garden-seeds if grown in quantity. A large export trade in seeds should be encouraged, subject to inspection and grading similar to that exercised over butter and cheese.

OTHER CROPS.

Pulse: Peas and beans are largely grown for pig and horse feed, and for export; they form an excellent preparation for wheat. An extensive trade in peas of a certain description is done in the manufacturing towns of Great Britain; and efforts are being made to secure a share of this trade by producing peas suitable for splitting for human food. The business should prove a most remunerative one. Thirty bushels of peas per acre is considered a fair crop, while 60 to 70 bushels of beans are often secured. As showing the extraordinary fertility of some of the lands of the Dominion, it may be mentioned that beans and wheat have been grown alternately on Kaiapoi Island (Canterbury) for thirty years without any apparent diminution of yield, the crops of recent years being as abundant as those grown twenty-five years ago—40 to 50 bushels of wheat and 60 to 70 bushels of beans being the usual return per acre.

Cape Barley and Winter Oats: The demand for early spring feed has resulted in the growing of these plants for forage. Their extreme hardiness renders them well adapted for autumn sowing. If sown in March they are ready for feeding-off in May; they may be fed off again in July, and on till the beginning of October, when, if allowed to run to seed, they will produce 40 to 60 bushels per acre, or they may be ploughed in as green manure for turnips—a practice which is not often adopted, it being found to be more profitable to manure for each crop.

Tares are also grown, but not so largely as they deserve to be, especially for dairy stock. Mixed with oats, barley, or rye, they are excellent milk-producers; and when grown luxuriantly they destroy all kinds of weeds, and leave the land in fine condition for a spring corn-crop.

Linseed (European Flax): The cultivation of this useful plant is gradually decreasing; it is a great soil exhauster and a promoter of the growth of weeds, as the soil has to be reduced to a very fine tilth before sowing. This crop requires a very large amount of labour when grown for fibre purposes; its cultivation therefore is confined to small areas for the manufacture of oil and oilcake, and for cattle food. The straw which might with advantage be turned to account is neglected.

New Zealand Flax (Phormium Tenax): This useful plant occupies a large area of the swamp lands of the Dominion. The manufacture of fibre from the leaves has in the past been a profitable business, employing a large number of persons. The value of the fibre would be greatly enhanced if some effective means could be found for freeing it from resinous substances. It is more than probable that a much finer quality of fibre will be produced (greatly enhancing its value) when the field-culture of the plant is more widely adopted; at present the leaves are gathered indiscriminately, young and old, at the same time once in every three years. Under cultivation the outside leaves only will be cut annually, thus securing a uniformity of quality—a vital point in determining the price of the fibre.

Lucerne: This permanent fodder-plant thrives admirably in most parts of New Zealand, provided the land is not waterlogged; and, if properly cultivated and well attended to, particularly in its early stage of growth, it will continue to yield liberal cuttings for seven or eight years, or even longer. This is a most excellent crop for the small or large farmer, furnishing, as it does, an abundant supply of succulent fodder, in deeply cultivated soils, during the drier months of midsummer. All farm animals are partial to lucerne; pigs thrive upon it. No farm should be without a well-cultivated plot of this plant. In deeply cultivated land lucerne will yield four or five cuttings during the season, producing from five to ten tons of green siloing per acre at each cutting. No matter how hot and dry the weather may be it continues to grow freely. It is this drought-resisting quality which renders lucerne such a valuable fodder plant in Queensland and New South Wales, where it is extensively grown for pasture purposes, and for hay, which is largely exported for use in other parts of the Commonwealth.

SOIL EXHAUSTION.

The following is a paper written by Professor R. E. Alexander, Director of Lincoln Agricultural College:—

The question of soil exhaustion is one of great economic importance in any country. Many writers on the subject have prophesied that sooner or later we may suffer from a famine, if the resources of the soil are not properly husbanded and supplemented. Plants require many substances to enable them to sustain growth; these substances, or ingredients, are obtained from the soil or the atmosphere. Scientific research has demonstrated to us that, while the number of these ingredients is very large, most of them are present in sufficient quantity to maintain plant-growth for an unlimited period. There are four ingredients, however, which are likely to become deficient in any soil on which plants are grown continually, and the products of growth removed. These four ingredients (nitrogen, phosphoric acid, potash, and lime) are known as the essential ingredients, and it is the exhaustion of these, or any one of them, that may bring plant-growth to a standstill at any time.

A few figures showing the drain that is taking place in New Zealand at the present on the permanent capital—i.e., in the resources of the soil—might serve a useful purpose. These figures are not intended to be alarming, nor need they necessarily be so, but they should stimulate a certain amount of thought as to the best means of supplementing the resources of the soil.

Ingredients removed from the farm by the more important products of New Zealand:—

Nitrogen.Phosphoric Acid.Potash.Lime.
 Lb.Lb.Lb.Lb.
Lambs, l,000 lb. remove20.0012.01.6613.0
Wool, 1,000 lb. remove54.000.756.201.8
Wheat, 30 bushels remove34.0014.29.301.6
Oats, 45 bushels remove34.0013.09.101.8
Barley, 40 bushels remove35.0017.09.801.2
Cheese. 1,0001b.45.0011.01.609.6
Milk, 100 gallons remove5.762.01.701.7

The Year-book for 1908 gives the following figures:—

Meat exported in 1907—263, 738, 496 lb.

Wool produced in 1907—207, 769, 762 lb.

If we calculate the drain on the soil by the removal of these products, and assume that the meat is lamb, as the greater portion of it is, and that the frozen weight is 50 per cent. of the live weight, which, if anything, under-estimates the drain; and, to make the calculation more intelligible, work the nitrogen out as dried blood, the phosphoric acid as superphosphate 40 per cent., potash as kainit, and lime as freshly burnt lime:—

1907 EXPORTS.

Nitrogen (Dried Blood).Phosphoric Acid (Super).Potash (Kainit).Lime.
 Tons.Tons.Tons.Tons.
Meat removes47,00015,5003,1203,060
Wool removes40,50029033,624135
Total87,50015,79036,7443,195

No doubt a small portion of the plant-food in above is retained in the country in the offal, which is worked into artificial manures at the freezing-works. At the best this offal only retains a proportion of nitrogen; it contains practically no phosphates, potash, or lime, and against this slight gain the calculation does not take into account the animals killed for home consumption, which are a drain on the soil as much as if they were exported.

The 1908 Year-book also estimates that there were wheat, oats, and barley grown in 1907–8 for threshing, as follows:—

Wheat193,031 acres.
Oats386,890 acres.
Barley36,177 acres.

Now, if we take the figures in the first table, and calculate the nitrogen as dried blood, phosphoric acid as super, &c., we find:—

Nitrogen (Dried Blood).Phosphoric Acid (Super).Potash (Kainit).Lime.
 Lb.Lb.Lb.Lb.
30 bushels wheat remove34078741.6
45 bushels oats remove34072731.8
40 bushels barley remove35088781.2

If 30, 45, and 40 bushels would represent a fair average yield of wheat, oats, and barley, then the 1907–8 crop removed from the soil:—

Nitrogen (Dried Blood).Phosphoric Acid (Super).Potash (Kainit).Lime.
 Tons.Tons.Tons.Tons.
Wheat28,9546,6506,330138
Oats58,03312,49312,670312
Barley5,6521,4211,25920
Total92,63920,56420,259470

No doubt the bulk of these crops is for home consumption; but what proportion is consumed on the paddock, or even on the farm, on which they were grown? Even what is consumed on the farm is not equally distributed over it, as no effort is made to collect farm-yard manure, and the feeding of horses or cattle is confined to one or two paddocks.

Again, according to the Year-book, in 1907 there was exported—

328,441cwt. of butter.
236,833cwt. of cheese.

If we assume that it takes 25 lb. milk to give 1 lb. butter, the drain on the soil is—

Nitrogen Dried (Blood).Phosphoric Acid (Super).Potash (Kainit).Lime.
 Tons.Tons.Tons.Tons.
Butter22,9904,5905,580700
Cheese5,333716152113
Total28,3235,3065,732813

Again, the calculation docs not take into account the milk that is used for home consumption, either on the farm or sold in towns or cities. Of course, if only butter-fat is sold off the farm there is no loss of fertilising constituents, but I take it that the separated milk is fed to calves and pigs, which are sold off, and so walk off with the food constituents.

From above figures it will be seen that no matter what class of farming we indulge in, there is a drain on the resources of the soil. The tillage farmer can see what he removes in an average crop. The pastoralist sends away his capital in wool and lamb. To put it very plainly, when he sells 100 lambs (assuming their average weight to be 801b.), he sells as much nitrogen as he can buy in 14 cwt. dried blood; as much phosphoric acid as he can buy in 5 cwt. superphosphate (40 per cent.), as much potash as there is in 1 cwt. kainit, and 1 cwt. lime. For every 600 gallons of milk the dairy-farmer sells, there is a loss to the farm of nitrogen equal to 3¼ cwt. dried blood, phosphoric acid, equal to 66 lb. superphosphate, potash equal to 80 lb. kainit, and 10 lb. lime.

Is the drain on the resources of New Zealand soils a negligible quantity? Or, in other words, can we afford to go on raising sheep, crops, and milk, without returning anything to the soil ?—i.e., is the soil rich enough to go on producing these indefinitely? So far as Canterbury soils are concerned we can get an answer to the question at once if we take a look at an average analysis of these soils determined by Mr. Gray from time to time at Lincoln College.

Average analysis of 26 samples of soil procured from different districts in Canterbury: Nitrogen, 0.198 per cent.; phosphoric acid, 0.16 per cent.; potash, 0.33 per cent.; lime, 0.48 per cent. Compare this analysis with an analysis of the Rothamsted wheat plot, on which wheat has been grown continuously for over 60 years (the analysis are after the 57th crop). The soil, so far as available plant-food is concerned, is exhausted, at least it only produces the minimum crop with intensive cultivation. This state is not one which a New Zealand farmer would wish his soil to get into, yet the analysis show it to contain: Nitrogen, 0.11 per cent.; phosphoric acid, 0.114 per cent.; potash, 0.38 per cent. Unfortunately, the per cent. of lime is not stated, but Hall, in his book, “The Soil,” states: “What proportion of lime is required for fertility and health is difficult to say; probably an inferior limit of 0.5 per cent. is the lowest that is safe.” Now, if these are the minimum quantities of these ingredients which should be found in the poorest soils, a comparison with above analysis of Canterbury soils shows that there is not much of a margin to work on in the Canterbury soils. I stated at the beginning that the question was well worthy of every consideration. It is now quite evident that the statement was correct. A proper system of manuring and liming should be considered by every farmer. It should be evident to the tillage farmer that the small quantity of manures applied to the cereals is removed by the crop. There is a small gain to the soil from the manures supplied to the fodder crops fed off on the paddock. The pastoralist must also consider the advisability of applying manures to his land; he cannot go on indefinitely drawing on his capital, as it may become exhausted. In order to prove that this is not a fallacy I append an abstract from the Cockle Park experiments which were carried out by Professor Gilchrist, of Durham College. They clearly show the advantage of treating sheep-grazing lands properly.

Abstract from Cockle Park (Northumberland) Experiments.

The object of the experiments was to determine if it was possible to improve sheep-pastures economically by applying manures. The results were determined by grazing sheep on the plots, which were 3 acres in extent, the sheep being weighed when put on the plots and once every four weeks afterwards; the profit being estimated by deducting the weight of mutton raised on the no-manure plot, the mutton being valued by an expert. These returns are for the first six years of the experiment, 1897 to 1902:—

No. of Plot.Manures applied.Weight of Mutton produced in Excess of the No-manure Plot.Profit after deducting Cost of Manures.
310 cwt. slag in 1897576 lb.158/-
45 cwt. slag in 1807416 lb.108/-
5 cwt. slag in 1899  
57 cwt. superphosphate in 1897396 lb.88/-
7 cwt. superphosphate in 1900  
77 cwt. superphosphate in 1897439 lb.85/-
1¼ cwt. sulphate potash in 1897  
Same in 1900  
87 cwt. superphosphate in 1897521 lb.107/-
10 cwt. lime in 1897  
Same in 1900  
106 cwt. dissolved bones in 1897410 lb.67/-
6 cwt. dissolved bones in 1900  

Nitrogen can be returned to the soil in many of the manures supplied by the freezing-works. There is always a small gain of nitrogen from the rainfall, about 21b. per acre per annum. If leguminous plants, such as clovers, peas, beans, vetches, &c., are encouraged, the gain of nitrogen to the soil is considerable: indeed, if luxuriant growths of these plants are obtained, nitrogen starvation can be staved off for an indefinite period. It is well to remember that to grow legumes it is necessary to have a liberal supply of phosphates, potash, and lime present.

Phosphates must always be supplied to the soil. We cannot capture phosphates by growing special plants or by any other means; they can be obtained from bones, superphosphate, or slag. There is a constant and great drain on the phosphates by animals for bone-formation; their necessity is therefore, evident. Every stock-raising country should see that there is an abundant supply of phosphates in the soil.

Potash can be obtained from kainit and sulphate and muriate of potash, and must be applied if the supply in the soil is to be supplemented.

Lime must also be applied if the supply is to be supplemented. Lime is not only necessary as a bone former, but is also necessary for the health of the plant and the proper condition of the soil for plant-growth; in fact, a soil without lime is like a house with no foundation, it cannot support useful plants. I might also add that many farmers are under a serious misapprehension, when they think they are supplying lime when they dress their lauds with superphosphates. No doubt superphosphate is often spoken of as superphosphate of lime, but the lime in the superphosphate has been acted on with acid, and no longer functions as lime, and does not increase the supply of active lime in the soil. A similar statement would hold with regard to bones treated with acid, the lime is also useless. There is an appreciable amount of functional lime in basic slag.

COST OF WORKING A FARM IN NEW ZEALAND.

When comparing the cost of working a farm in England with one of the same size in New Zealand, several points have to he taken into account, such as the climate, the soil, labour, and machinery. In Australasia wages are higher than in Britain; as a set-off against this, New Zealand can claim, firstly, that there are more fine working-days in the year, the fields are much larger, the latest improvements in labour-saving machinery have been introduced, the soil is more easily worked, and that the genial nature of the climate renders it unnecessary to house stock during the winter months, thus saving the cost of attendance; secondly, that farming operations may be carried on continuously throughout the whole year; and, thirdly, that the paddocks are so large, and usually so level, that the double- and treble-furrow plough may be worked by one man or youth with three horses, thus equalising the cost of labour, as we have shown that one man, or even a boy, will be quite equal to two men in the Old Country; so that, after all, the difference in the cost of working a farm in New Zealand is not so great as might appear at first sight.

Those farming large areas are already turning their attention to the coming motive power which is destined to take the place of horse-power for ploughing, threshing, and indeed almost every kind of work which is now performed by horses. Trials of agricultural motors have been held in Scotland. Ploughing, harrowing, reaping and binding, and manure - spreaders are worked with great ease and precision. The total cost of working one of these motors is estimated at 18s. per day. The machine complete weighs about 30 cwt., and the speed is from two and a half to six miles an hour. Numbers of these motors have already found their way to Australia and New Zealand. It is probable that this power will ultimately take the place of horses for ploughing and other farm work on the level plain lands, doing it at a greatly reduced cost per acre. Ploughing with electric traction has been tried in California, it is reported, with considerable success. A fully equipped three-horse team costs nearly £200, besides the upkeep in the way of feed; and the risk of accidents and death to the animals.

The hay-crop is simply cut one day, raked into windrows the next, and in a couple more it is ready for stacking.

Wheat is cut and tied by machinery, the stooks requiring no capping. It is frequently threshed out of the stook in favourable seasons, thereby saving the cost of stacking, and thatching; but this method, although very general, is not recommended except in hot dry seasons. The stacks are rarely thatched, except, perhaps, on the weather side. This is a wise precaution, the neglect of which sometimes entails serious loss.

The manure bill, which is such a heavy item of annual expenditure with the British farmer, presses as yet very lightly on the farmers of the Dominion. It is, however, a notable fact that the use of fertilisers has now become more general; 1 cwt. to 1½ cwt. of superphosphate per acre is used with the turnip and other root-crops, for the purpose of forcing the young plant into the rough leaf, when it will be out of one danger—the turnip-fly, or more properly speaking, the turnip-beetle (Haltica nemorum), which attacks the seedling leaves. It will therefore be seen that the New Zealand farmer has many advantages over the farmer of the Old Country.

It may also be pointed out that the application of one or two hundredweight per acre of superphosphate of lime produces better results in colonial soils than double the quantity would do in England, showing clearly that the natural richness of colonial soils s not yet exhausted.

IMPROVING OF PASTURES.

Pastoralists are gradually recognising that some attention must be bestowed upon the upkeep of the natural pastures of the Dominion, covering more than 8,000,000 acres which have never been ploughed, embracing the mountains up to the snow-line as well as the downs. Much of these pastures are being denuded of valuable native grasses through the agency of fire and overstocking. The question of regrassing these areas is now under the consideration of the Agricultural Department. The following paper on “Improving pastures,” from the pen of “Ovis,” bearing directly on the subject may be read with much interest and profit by those interested in the matter:—

The branch of agriculture that has made the least progress during the past twenty years is the cultivation of artificial pastures, and yet the pastures of the country arc of the utmost importance. The area devoted to other products or crops is reckoned by hundreds of thousands of acres, while the land under artificial pastures represents millions of acres. Leaving out surface-sown land, most of which is to be found in the North Island, we cannot be said to possess anything which can, properly speaking, be counted as permanent pasture. Paddocks are to be found which have not been ploughed up for a long period, but in these cases the grass is usually of inferior character, slow in growth, and not possessing high feeding value. Unless the soil is of the most fertile quality, inferior grasses begin to make their appearance from the very first year after sowing down, and, in the course of a few seasons, take almost complete possession. During the first year after being laid clown the new grass keeps a large quantity of stock, if the season is decently favourable, but from that time forward the value of the pasture steadily diminishes, until, in the course of a few years, it becomes so deteriorated that, taking the year round, it keeps loss stock than good tussock pasture. It will, perhaps, not be far out to say that, after the third year, pasture ceases to be profitable, and especially so when high prices have been paid for the land. There is always a considerable extent of land throughout the country lying more or less idle under old grass. If, during the time it is under old pasture, the soil were occupied in storing up fertility for succeeding crops, there would be something to he said for it, but, although it may be, to some extent, storing up plant-food, it is usually, at the same time, being taken possession of by twitch and other mischievous vegetation, which interferes largely with the working of the land when it is again brought under the plough.

The formation of permanent pastures was a dream largely indulged in some thirty years ago by the owners of large estates. The idea was that once the land was laid down in grass the expenditure would come to an end and that this relatively small initial outlay would yield perennial returns. It needed but very few years' experience to dissipate these pleasing hopes, and it soon became borne in upon the minds of farmers, large as well as small, that unremitting effort and outlay are the only condition under which the soil will yield anything but the scantiest returns. Land is a most exacting taskmaster. It has been well said that when a man buys a block of land under the impression that he is to be the owner of the land he ultimately makes the discovery that it is the land that owns him. There is much of the land in the Canterbury District that gives a better relative return under crop than under grass. The question, however, arises as to how much this is due to natural conditions of soil and climate and how much to management or mismanagement, as the case may be. We have the advantage of an excellent climate for all-round agricultural purposes. If such were not the case, the country could not show such a high average rate of production that it does, indeed, it may be said that the high average yields obtained are due more to the climate than to any extraordinary natural fertility of soil. But, so far as the Canterbury District is concerned, it can scarcely be said that the climate is in the highest degree favourable for pasture formation. Our occasional excessively dry summers tell heavily on the pastures, and in any season we are liable to spells of parching north-west winds, the effect of which are very much felt. In England, that country of wonderfully green thick sward, anything akin to our north-west winds is unknown, and there is a general humidity in the atmosphere which is so specially favourable to the growth of grass. Under any kind of management we can never hope to rival the English pastures. General humidity of atmosphere seems a condition necessary for the production of a good close sward. When we get a run of wet seasons here it is observed that the pastures always thicken up, but when a dry seasons sets in the ground between the plants soon begins to make its appearance unless the land is in the possession of twitch grass. Inferior grasses grow dense, and cover the ground completely, but the good grasses have a reverse tendency, and the secret to be discovered is to find the means of inducing the grasses of good feeding value to cover the ground, and to leave no opening for undesirable invaders.

In his book on New Zealand the Hon. W. P. Reeves remarks that the consuming passion of the New Zealand settler is to make grass grow where it did not grow before, or where it did grow before to put better grass in its place. If our farmers are obsessed by the passion for growing grass to the extent attributed to them by our late High Commissioner, it cannot be said that they have succeeded in gratifying that passion to any inordinate degree. They could do with a lot more gross than they have succeeded in growing yet, without being inconvenienced. Farmers depend on the pastures for keeping the bulk of the sheep stock for about three-fourths of the year, and yet they are very chary of spending money on the pastures. To lay the land down to grass in the cheapest manner possible, with the least possible expenditure in seed and labour, is an article of faith with many of them. The use of artificial manures is yearly increasing, but it has not yet been extended to the production of grass to any great extent except in an indirect way. To lay down with a crop of oats is, of course, the cheapest way of doing it, but whether it is the most profitable way of doing it, considering that the grass is expected to last for some years, is another question. A good plant may be obtained in this way if there is plenty of rain all through the summer, but if the rainfall is scanty the oat crop absorbs most of the moisture available, and the grass, in consequence, gets a miserable start, from which it never recovers. This, of course, applies to land of ordinary quality, and not to exceptionally fertile soil. Oats are surface feeders, and require plenty of moisture, and ryegrass, which makes up the bulk of the seed sown, is of somewhat the same character, and the oat plant, being the more rapid and more vigorous grower, the grass, in consequence, suffers. Except in the coldest districts there are about six months in the year during which grass may be sown. It may be sown with an oat crop, with turnips, or rape, or without any other crop, or with a light seeding of Dun oats to increase the volume of feed. Which of these plans is the best, and at what period of the year it is best to sow it, must depend largely upon circumstances; but, whenever it is sown, or in what way, there is one thing that may be depended upon, and that is that unless the land is in good heart for grass no great results can be expected. Oats, for example, are an exhaustive crop, ryegrass is somewhat of the same nature as a cereal crop, and therefore oats and ryegrass cannot be expected to flourish together unless there is some help given to the grass in the shape of artificial manure.

Leaving exceptional seasons out of consideration, the productiveness as well as the durability of a pasture depend on the plant-food in the soil. Ryegrass, which is and, under the circumstances, must be the chief constituent of our pastures, or, at least, the chief constituent aimed at, is a surface-feeding plant, and is also inclined to be a short-lived plant, but if the soil is only rich enough it lasts a long time, and in fact may be considered a perennial. When land is said not to hold grass, it means that the grass dies out because there is not the food in the soil to keep it going. That is the secret of the whole thing, and from this arises the question as to how far it would pay to go to the expenditure of artificial fertilisers in order to supply the deficiency. The cultivable land of the country is pretty rapidly being cut up into small, or relatively small, holdings, and it becomes necessary to break up the grass at not long intervals to keep the rotation going. But it is important that the land should be kept at its fullest productive capacity during the time it is under grass, and not to allow it to be half idle during two or three years. A farmer is naturally very reluctant to break up a paddock while it is still bearing a good sward, but it is only by doing this that he can expect to keep good grass. Land has become too expensive a thing to buy to admit of idleness on the part of either the farmer or the soil. If land, by the application of artificial fertilisers, can be made to grow as much feed in one year as without artificial help it would take two years to produce, which is by no means an impossibility, it is obvious that the result would justify considerable expenditure. And there is also another important consideration. With the land in good heart for grass, the growth is not only larger, but it begins earlier in the season. Let any one compare a patch of grass, which has, perhaps, accidentally been well manured, with the land surrounding it to which no manure has been applied, and the probability is that in the early spring there will be a difference of something like a fortnight in favour of the manured patch. It need scarcely be said that if by any means an earlier growth in the pasture can be induced, it would do much towards bridging over that gap, so injurious to the flock, which frequently intervenes between the time when the turnips are finished and the pastures begin to yield a sufficiency of feed for the lambing ewes. And here comes in the want of more knowledge than we have at present. It may not be too much to say that most farmers are feeling the necessity of more knowledge with regard to manures in relation to pastures; they are, in fact, still waiting an answer to the old question of how to make two blades of grass grow where only one grew before, and the answer can only be found in practical experiment.

LIVE-STOCK.

Cattle: The number of cattle in the Dominion ascertained for 1908–9 was 1,773,326. A considerable increase has taken place since then, particularly so in dairy-cows.

Horses: The number of horses in the Dominion returned for 1908–9 was 363,259.

Sheep: The returns made up to 30th April, 1910, show 24,269,620, an increase of 788,913 over the previous returns. The export of frozen lambs up to 31st December, 1909, amounted to 3,229,310, and the export of frozen sheep for the same period was 1,793,644—a total of 5,022,954, besides which there were 51,484 cwt. legs and pieces exported.

The total amount of frozen beef exported up to 31st December, 1909, was 54,179,488 lb.

The distribution of the flocks of sheep in the Dominion is as follows: In the North Island, 12,917,662; in the South, including Stewart, Island, 11,351,953. Grand total: 24,269,620.

SHEEP.

New Zealand is admirably adapted for the breeding of all classes of sheep, from the fine-combing merino to the strongest type of Lincoln. The merino occupies and thrives on the wild lands, from the snow-line to the border of the plains, as well as on the drier portions of the plains. The merino ewe furnishes the foundation for all the crossbred varieties. On the rich moist soils the Lincoln and Romney Marsh sheep flourish, while the finer English and Border Leicesters and Down sheep occupy the drier lands.

Sheep bred from merino ewes and longwool rams, or from crossbred ewes with Down rams, are the most suitable for the frozen-meat trade, and are known as “freezers.”

The dapper little Southdown flourishes wherever crossbreds thrive. Their more ponderous cousins, the Shropshire and Hampshire Downs, have their admirers. English Leicesters and Border Leicesters are also much sought after for this purpose, particularly in the South Island, where “prime Canterbury” mutton is produced. The breeds of sheep now in New Zealand are Lincolns, English Leicesters, Border Leicesters, Romney Marsh, Shropshires, Southdown, Hampshire Downs, Merinos, Cheviots, Ryelands, Dorset Horns, Oxford Downs, and Roscommons.

Shearing commences in September, and is continued till January The usual price per hundred is from 17s. 6d. to 20s. Shearing-machines are now used in nearly all the larger sheds. They have not, however, proved an unmixed blessing, for the reason that they clip the fleeces clean to the pelt. The mortality amongst newly shorn sheep is frequently very heavy. This was accentuated last shearing-time, when many thousands perished in a blizzard which occurred at shearing-time.

The average clips for the various breeds of sheep are approximately: Merino, from 4 lb. to 7 lb.; quarter-breds, about 6½ lb.; half-breds, 7½ lb.; three-quarter-breds, 8½ lb.; Leicester, 10½ lb.; Lincoln, 11 lb. Of course, very much larger clips are obtained from special flocks, as much as 25 lb. to 30 lb. per sheep; but the above figures represent general averages.

The staple of New Zealand wool, especially the longwool and cross-bred, is remarkable for its freedom from breaks and other imperfections incidental to countries subject to long droughts and periodical scarcity of feed.

The most profitable sheep for New Zealand is that which combines the best fleece and the most suitable carcase for freezing-purposes, together with early maturity. This is the class of sheep which some sheep-breeders have set themselves to produce. Whether such an animal, having fixity of type, can be evolved, remains to be proved; so much depends on the feed, situation, and soil.

A general flock-book, to embrace the various breeds of pure-bred sheep throughout the Dominion, was established in 1895. Subsequently it was found expedient to publish separate volumes, one for the North Island and one for the South Island, controlled by separate councils.

The North Island published vol. viii in 1908; the South island published vol. v, new series, in 1909, as follows:—

 North Island.South Island.

* The Romney Marsh herd-book published in the North Island contains 183 flocks.

Lincolns90 flocks25 flocks
English Leicesters35 flocks148 flocks
Border Leicesters20 flocks193 flocks
Romney Marsh*48 flocks
Southdowns43 flocks39 flocks
Shropshire Downs21 flocks55 flocks
Hampshires2 flocks 
Merinos1 flocks22 flocks
Cheviots1 flocks2 flocks
Ryelands1 flocks7 flocks
Oxford Downs 1 flocks
Dorset Horns 1 flocks
South Devon1 flock 
Totals215 flocks541 flocks

Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania also have flock-books. This is a step in the right direction, as flock-masters in South America and elsewhere demand a certificate to the effect that the cattle and sheep purchased by them are duly registered in an authorised herd or flock book. The value of these books is now so fully recognised that all the distinctive breeds of sheep in Britain and elsewhere have their recognised registers. Carefully kept registers of breeding must ultimately tend to improvement in the quality of the flocks.

The capability of New Zealand for producing mutton has not as yet reached its limit. When the frozen-meat trade was first seriously considered in 1877, an assertion to the effect that 1,000,000 sheep per annum could be found for freezing without impairing the breeding-flocks was treated as highly chimerical by sheep-breeders of long experience. Subsequent events, however, have proved how immeasurably under-estimated was the carrying-capacity of the runs and farms of the Dominion. There are now twenty-two freezing-works in operation in New Zealand. But it must be borne in mind that Argentina and Australia also share the trade of Great Britain with New Zealand. It must be admitted that, with cheaper land and a closer proximity to the markets of the world, Argentina has become a very formidable rival to Australasia. The only way to keep command of the market is to ship nothing but first-quality graded mutton and lamb. This system is carefully carried out, and has been found to be beneficial to the trade.

Horse-breeding.

The climate of New Zealand is admirably adapted for the breeding and rearing of horses of all kinds, especially draught horses. Indeed it would be difficult to find better Clydesdales than those bred on the limestone soils of Oamaru, Canterbury, and elsewhere. Some of the best blue-blood of this breed has from time to time been imported from Scotland, with the result that the breed is now well established. The Shire horse has his admirers also; some fine specimens of the breed have been imported from time to time.

The light-horse stock has risen into note through the production of animals which have rendered themselves famous on the turf. The demand for horses suitable for remounts for the cavalry service in India is a continuous one, affording a ready market for the proper stamp of animal; shipments are periodically made to that country with varying results.

With a view to bringing the use of pure-bred sires within the reach of small selectors in the outlying blocks, the Government have imported a few first-class horses of the most approved types, which cannot fail to have a beneficial effect on the stock of the country. The Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association publish a Draught-horse Stud-book, which is largely used by breeders of that class of horse. Vol. v has now been issued, embracing 918 sires and 2,242 mares.

Cattle.

New Zealand possesses all the best strains of blood, and this is evidenced by the superior class of cattle to be met with throughout the settled districts, especially in the show-yards. There are now four herd-books published—viz., the “Shorthorn,” “Other Breeds,” published by the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the “Hereford Herd-book,” published by the Hereford breeders, and the “Jersey Herd-book,” published in Palmerston North. The value of properly kept herd-books is now fully recognised. Purchasers of animals for export or otherwise now demand that they shall be duly registered in some authorised herd-book as a guarantee of pure breed. New Zealand is comparatively free from many of the diseases so disastrous to horned stock in other countries. With a view to maintaining this enviable position, the Government has prohibited vessels carrying live-stock from infected countries touching at any of the ports of New Zealand except under certain conditions.

Dairy Stock.

The breeding of first-class dairy stock offers a field for profitable investment owing to the increasing development of the dairy industry. There are now over half a million of cows kept exclusively for dairy purposes. The rearing of well-bred heifer calves is sadly neglected by many dairy-farmers, for the reason that the consumption of the separated milk by pigs gives a much quicker return. Nevertheless every dairy-farmer should rear a few of the best heifer calves from the best milkers got by a good strain of sire. Separated milk, although relieved of its butter-fat, loses little of its feeding value; the addition of a little linseed meal will restore the fatty constituents, which, however, are not the most valuable for feeding purposes. Ground oats, wheat, or barley added to the linseed mucilage will tend greatly to the rapid growth of the calves. An acre or so of European flax should be grown upon every farm where stock-rearing is carried on. Much has still to be done in the way of improving dairy stock. The yield of milk from fairly good milking-cattle is approximately 500 gal. per annum, although from 700 gal. to 900 gal. per head are frequently obtained from selected herds. The average quantity of milk obtained will no doubt be increased as more attention is paid to breeding and proper feeding. The general management and feeding of dairy stock is a question demanding every attention. Kind treatment is essential to success; clean pastures, clear running water, and grasses of the best quality are all factors fully recognised wherever dairying is successfully carried out; and, last but not least, warmth and shelter during the cold wet months of winter.

The average yield of butter from milk passed through the separator is 1 lb. for every 2½ gal. of milk of 10½ lb.; so that the average cow produces annually 200 lb. of butter, or 500 lb. of cheese, which, estimated at 4½d. per pound, will be worth about as much as the butter.

The Dairy Industry.

This industry continues to flourish throughout New Zealand. The Government spends large sums of money in teaching the art of butter and cheese making, the proper method of grading, packing, and shipping. With a view to encourage the breeding of better strains of cattle for the production of milk of superior quality as well as quantity, the Government, recognising the importance of this matter, have imported a few first-class sires from well-known breeders of milking strains of cattle for the use of those dairy-farmers who are not in a position to secure the best bulls for their purpose. The service of these bulls has been fixed at a nominal scale, and is only available for selected animals. The Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association have for many years been publishing records of pedigree Shorthorn, Polled Angus, Ayrshire, and Holstein. Vol. 7, S.H., published in 1907, contains up to 2,392 bulls and 4,526 cows: Polled Angus—bulls 788, cows 1,224; Ayrshires—bulls 88, cows 306; Holstein—bulls 25, cows 45; Devons—bulls 32, cows 58; Red Polled—bulls 3, cows 10. A Hereford and a Jersey hand-book are published in the North Island. Graders are employed examining all butter and cheese for export, and brand each packet with its proper quality. Factory-owners fully recognise that it is folly to pay freight on any but the best quality; and this remark applies to grain and meat as well. New Zealand has to compete against Canada, the United States, Denmark, Australia, the Argentine, and Siberia. Dairymen must therefore endeavour to raise dairy cattle which will yield the maximum of milk of the best quality; in fact, nothing but intense farming will pay in the future, applied to every branch. To produce milk of the best quality for the manufacture of butter or cheese during the winter and early spring months is a very difficult matter, especially when turnips are largely used. The practice of grazing milking-cattle on “breaks" of turnips is discouraged, but if this feed must be used, the roots should be carted on to clean grass land, and fed immediately after milking with plenty of clean sweet hay or straw intervening. Ensilage is strongly recommended as a substitute for turnips, and is used by many dairy-farmers in the North Island. A well-known Australian authority, writing in the Pastoralists' Review, says, “Ensilage for years past has been fully recognised as pre-eminently a food for the cow in milk, but to be of much feeding-value a great deal depends on the herbage and grasses, and care used in its manufacture.” This is an important point. Many farmers in Otago Central also use large quantities of this kind of fodder with great success.

The complete sterilising of milk to destroy the germs of disease is a wise precaution. The operation consists of heating milk up to a certain temperature, and cooling it rapidly, a process which has been found to destroy the bacillus of tuberculosis known to be present in the milk of affected cattle. The Government veterinaries are employed examining the cattle, and a large number are annually tested with tuberculin, and when found affected they are destroyed, compensation being allowed.

The Chairman of the Bank of New Zealand, in his annual address to the shareholders, June, 1910, referring to the unprecedented advance in the value of dairy lands, said:—

It has suggested itself to me that some authentic details of what is possible under modern conditions of scientific farming and with the use of the latest dairy machinery would be of interest to you. The best results obtainable in New Zealand, of which reliable information is available, is the annual return of, approximately, £11 per acre. This has been achieved on the Waimate Plains, near Manaia, on a 32-acre farm with twenty-four cows, the actual returns from which, for milk alone, were £360. If from this two-fifths be deducted as the cost of labour, there is a net result to the landowner of £216, equal to £6 15s. per acre, or £9 per cow. This splendid result is the exception rather than the rule, for the total return from cows kept for dairying in the Dominion (536,316) only amounts to, say, £1,080,000, made up thus—

Butter exported for year ended 31st March, 1910£1,634,864
Cheese exported for year ended 31st March, 19101,185,704
Milk, butter, and cheese for local consumption, say1,257,927
Or a total of£4,078,495

If from this an average of two-fifths be deducted, the net result is, approximately, £2,443,000, or about £4 10s. per cow, or just about one-half of the best results which I have mentioned. But we cannot; take it on the favourable basis of £9 per cow, for a recent investigation has shown that a large percentage of the dairy cows of the Dominion do not average a gross return of £8. Indeed, it is on record that some large herds have given a gross yield of less than £4 per cow. There is a wide margin of difference between the extremes, and it is quite obvious that there is great scope for the scientific expansion of the industry. It is a question, therefore, whether the time has not arrived for the Government to take an active part in a wholesale way in the matter of herd-testing. A beginning has already boon made, which appears to justify Government intervention, and with proper safeguards there seems no reason why herd-testing should not be carried out on an extensive and comprehensive scale. The milking-machine and the low rate of interest at which money can be borrowed from the Advances to Settlers Department have also been factors in enhancing the price of dairy land. The rise in the prices of our dairy products is, of course, mainly responsible for the higher land values in dairying districts.

Pigs.

These useful adjuncts to the dairy now hold an important position on all dairy farms. The favourite breed in New Zealand is the improved Berkshire. The large and small breeds of White Yorkshire are also to be met with, but are not so generally approved of as the black pigs. The Tamworth has its admirers amongst pig-breeders, as it answers admirably for crossing with black pigs. It produces a good bacon pig, making more lean meat and longer sides than the pure Berkshires, but takes a much longer time in coining to maturity, which renders the breed less sought after than it otherwise might be. Pigs require no better attention than a good grass paddock, with a liberal supply of roots, and a little unthreshed pea-haulm for a few weeks before killing, with plenty of water, and shelter from the sun during the warmest summer months, and in winter as well.

The breeding, rearing, and fattening of pigs is a source of wealth which is capable of considerable expansion. Several plants for the mild curing of bacon have been set up at the various freezing-factories, and by private persons and firms. The establishment of properly appointed pig-farms is a somewhat costly undertaking, as all the fences must be pig-proof. Doubtless this consideration has had a deterrent effect upon some, while others find the rearing of young stock for the dairy and the breeding of lambs a sufficiently profitable undertaking, besides causing less trouble, but there is room for an enormous extension of the industry.

Poultry.

The efforts being made by the Government to foster this industry are gradually producing the hoped-for results. The distribution of a better class of poultry is showing good results already. Farmers are beginning to see that their poultry-yard should form no mean auxiliary to the general return from the products of the farm. With such a climate as we have, there need be no difficulty in raising hundreds where dozens are now produced. The Agricultural Department has done much to foster poultry-farming.

The Fruit Industry.

From the North Cape to the Bluff Hill, in the extreme south of the South Island, the climate and soil are, for the most part, well adapted for the growth of a large variety of fruits. Generally speaking, apples, pears, plums, quinces, apricots, figs, walnuts, cherries, gooseberries, currants, strawberries, and raspberries grow luxuriantly, producing abundant crops of fruit. In the Auckland District, oranges, lemons, and limes, grow in favourable localities. The olive thrives in certain districts of the North Island, bearing satisfactory crops, and the manufacture of oil should assume important dimensions at no distant date.

Vine-growing is also carried on with tolerable success in many districts; tons of fruit grown under glass are sold in the Auckland markets annually. Signor Bragato, an Italian wine expert, has given it as his opinion that there are numerous localities in both Islands suited for growing vines for the manufacture of wine.

Away in the far north the banana grows and ripens its fruit, but it is not thought that it will ever enter into successful competition with those grown and imported at so cheap a rate from the Pacific Islands.

Extensive orchards of apples have existed in Auckland for many years, and are still capable of producing an abundance of fruit, if kept free from codlin-moth and other pests. Orchard-planting is progressing, and will very soon become an important industry. The fruit farms of Hastings (Hawke's Bay) are important centres of successful fruit-growing, including grapes for wine-making. Central Otago will become a large fruit-producing district, being free from violent and scorching north-west winds, so soon as that district is connected by rail with the sea-ports. An experimental shipment of apples was recently sent from Nelson to test the English market. The fruit arrived in good condition but was pronounced to be a little too ripe when packed. However, the price received warrants the assumption that the industry is fairly established, and that Nelson will ere long take its place as a large and successful exporter of apples, and probably other fruits to the Home markets.

The manufacture of cider has assumed considerable dimensions, opening up a market for suitable surplus fruit. The New-Zealand-made article is rapidly coming into favour with the general public.

The drying of fruit has been fostered by the authorities, who sent an expert through some of the apple-growing districts, giving practical lessons in the art of artificial fruit-drying. A great deal more might also be done in bottling fruits, and the manufacture of fruit-wine, if only for home consumption. The manufacture of jam is successfully carried on; there is, however, plenty of room for further developments in these directions.

Prospects of Small Farmers.

Owing to her humid climate and fertile soil New Zealand is peculiarly well adapted for small holdings. Men of slender means can now make homes for themselves and their families, always provided they know something of the work they undertake, and are, with their families, willing to work hard and live frugally for a few years. It is quite possible for a man with a few cows and pigs, together with poultry and bees, to make a good living, as markets for these products are available in England and elsewhere; there is also a good local market, if the goods are properly prepared, and a continuous demand for the supply of coastal and ocean-going steamers. The facilities now given for obtaining land and money at reasonable rates offer great inducements to persons to settle upon the land. This is amply illustrated at Cheviot and elsewhere, where fine estates have been cut up into moderate-sized farms, and let to farmers on long lease at a rental representing 4 per cent. on the purchase-money. Prosperous homes have sprung up, and tree-planting is being carried on by many of the settlers, which is an earnest of the stability of any settlement.

Chapter 57. SECTION III. THE MINERAL WATERS OF NEW ZEALAND.

Arthur S. Wohlmann, M.D., Lond., Government Balneologist.

NEW ZEALAND is a country peculiarly rich in mineral waters, and, as might be expected in a land in which volcanic agencies are still active, more particularly rich in thermal waters distinguished by a very high temperature rather than by a high percentage of dissolved salts, though the latter class of water is by no means absent. The vast majority of thermal springs are found in the North Island, and arise over a very large area.

Of these springs, a large proportion have never yet been analysed, many are known only to a few individuals, and doubtless many yet remain to be discovered, or, if known at all, are only known to the local Maori population. A sufficient number, however, have now been examined to enable a very fair classification of the whole to be attempted, and, as will be seen by the subjoined tables, with the exception of the sulphated waters, there are few of the more important types of mineral water that are not represented among the springs of this country.

The different classes of mineral water have a rough general plan of geographical distribution, so that the probable nature of a spring may to a certain extent be inferred by its position on the map, though this is a rule with many exceptions, and the point must not be pressed too far. Thus in the central pumice plateau, from the south of Taupo to Rotorua and thence on to the Bay of Plenty, the vast majority of the springs are very hot, sulphuretted, siliceous, and weakly mineralised; while along the east coast, from the East Cape to Cape Palliser, muriated waters of high specific gravity, and containing iodides, predominate.

The following classified list of waters is based almost entirely on the analyses recorded in the reports of the Dominion Museum and Laboratory, published by the Mines Department, between the years 1874 and 1909, and of these a large proportion of the more important have recently been made by Dr. Maclaurin. On account of the space which would be required to give the full detailed analysis of each specimen, only the essential and characteristic ingredients are given here, together with the total grains per gallon of solid constituents. In all cases, however, in which the analyses have been taken from the above reports, the year is also given to facilitate reference should fuller details be required.

For further information on this subject the reader is referred to the paper by Mr. W. Skey in the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute, 1877, to several published pamphlets by Mr. J. A. Pond, and to the article by the late Sir James Hector in the Official Year-book, 1893. The names Skey, Pond, and Hector at the head of an analysis have reference solely to the above-mentioned papers.

Owing to the large number of their contained ingredients, a scientific classification of mineral waters is a very difficult matter, and all the methods of classification usually adopted are open to criticism. Under Dr. Peale's system a fair amount of accuracy is arrived at, but only at the price of a cumbersome and uncouth string of adjectives; while in the simpler system which is usually adopted by English writers, and which I have for convenience followed here, a water may often with equal justice be classified under two or more headings, owing to its containing several ingredients of practically equal importance, and in such cases a compromise has to be adopted.

For purposes of comparison a well-known example of a European mineral water is given with each class except, of course, in those rare instances in which a New Zealand water has no corresponding European prototype.

Simple Thermal Waters.

These waters are very weakly mineralised, and owe their therapeutic value chiefly to the hot water, used in the form of baths. That some of the most famous spas in the world are supplied only with such waters suffices to show the efficacy of hot water when skilfully employed, and it is noteworthy that it is in such spas that the douche treatment is frequently brought to a pitch of great perfection. There remains, of course, the still-disputed point as to whether these waters may not owe their efficacy to some factors not indicated by the chemical analysis; and recent developments in science have so far modified our conceptions of the nature of matter and of energy that a dogmatic expression of opinion is less likely to be advanced now than was the case some years ago.

* Here, and throughout this paper, the figures are given in grains per gallon.

EUROPE.
Gastein.
Total solids21.0*
Temperature121° Fahr.
NEW ZEALAND.
Waingaro (1904).
Sodium-chloride6.43
Silica7.80
Total solids22.66
Temperature130° Fahr.
Matamata (1904).
Sodium-bicarbonate28.10
Total solids46.66
Temperature106° Fahr.
Maruia (1903).
Total solids36.5
Temperature140° Fahr.
Mount Egmonte (1883).
Calcium-carbonate6.72
Total solids26.23
Hurunui (1885). (Complete analysis not available.)
Franz Josef (1901).
Total solids56.21
(Principally sodium chloride and carbonate.)
Lake Sumner. (Skey.)
Total solids18.56
Temperature93° Fahr.
Miranda, Thames. (J. A. Pond.)
Sodium-chloride15.17
Total solids31.27
Temperature134° Fahr.
Katikati (1904). (Vide also “Muriated Waters.”)
Sodium-chloride119.54
Total solids137.26
Okoroire.
Sodium-chloride17.18
Silica and silicates9.70
Total solids42.34
Temperature113° Fahr.
Haupiri (1901)
Sodium-silicate7.3
Total solids19.3
Whangape, Waikato (1909).
Sodium-chloride17.25
Total solids35.50
Temperature150° to 200° Fahr.
Te Teko (1909).
Sodium-bicarbonate14.2
Total solids26.2
Temperature150° Fahr.
Roadman's Bath, Waiotapu (1909).
Sodium-chloride40.9
Total solids69.7
Temperature (at source)212° Fahr.
Taheke, Rotoiti (1908).
Silica15.0
Total solids27.5
Temperature212° Fahr.

Muriated Waters.

The principal ingredient of these waters is common salt. In this country they are, in the majority of instances, very hot, and are used both for baths and for drinking purposes. In the former case they exert a stimulating effect on the nerve-endings in the skin; while, taken internally, they stimulate the mucous membrane of the gastro-intestinal tract, and have a diuretic, and sometimes a laxative, effect.

No use has been hitherto made in New Zealand of the concentrated mutterlauges so much used on the Continent of Europe, though indeed some of the waters are so strong naturally as to need little concentration to rival these “mother-liquors" in strength.

Taken as a whole, they constitute an important and numerous group, and are distinguished by their geographical distribution and by certain chemical peculiarities. Thus the great majority arise near the coast, especially the east coast of the North Island. A great number of the waters, too, contain very considerable quantities of calcium-chloride and of sodium-iodide, so that the muriated waters fall naturally into three main groups—those containing a great preponderance of sodium-chloride, those in which calcium-chloride is present in so great a quantity as to rival or even surpass the sodium-chloride in importance, and those in which sodium-iodide is present in noticeable quantities. The great majority of the second class, however, belong also to the third. A few springs, containing magnesium chloride, have been included as a fourth group.

Class I.—Sodic Muriated Waters.

EUROPE.
Wiesbaden.
Sodium-chloride420
Temperature100° to 156° Fahr.
NEWZEALAND.
Helensville (1889, 1903). (Vide also “Iodide Waters.”)
Sodium-chloride114.46
Total solids134.68
Temperature115° to 146° Fahr.
Hokianga (1878). (Pond.)
Sodium-chloride2797.4
Total solids2937.5
Hokianga, Rotokakahi (1905).
Sodium-chloride1350.0
Total solids1543.0
Patangata (1902). (Vide also “Chalybeate" and “Iodide Waters.”)
Sodium-chloride152.2
Total solids176.4
Waimate (1883). (Vide also “Iodide Waters.”)
Total solids586.63 to 834.32
Papaite, Wanganui (1886).
Sodium-chloride313.41
Total solids348.54
Pipiriki, Wanganui (1888).
Spring on left bank—Sodium-chloride121.88
Total solids130.61
Spring on right bank—Sodium-chloride231.64
Total solids244.03
Mokau, Motukarama (1888). (Vide also “Iodide Waters.”)
Total solids844.0
(Incomplete analysis.)
Kotuku, Greymouth (1904). (Vide also “Chalybeate Waters.”)
Sodium-chloride162.20
Total solids201.25
Katikati (1904).
Sodium-chloride119.54
Total solids137.26
Whangape, Waikato. (Skey.)
Total solids47.04
McLean's, Napier. (Skey.)
Total solids444.7
Mahurangi, Auckland. (Skey.)
Total solids141.0
Mercury Bay (1908).
Sodium-chloride200.8
Total solids259.4

Class II.—Calcic-Sodic Muriated Waters.

The nearest European prototype to such a class of waters is Kreuznach.

Calcium-chloride140.0
Sodium-chloride700.0

When this and similar waters are evaporated to a mutterlauge, as is so frequently done, thereby precipitating some of the sodium-chloride, and leaving a concentrated solution of the chlorides of magnesium and calcium with some iodides, a striking resemblance is found to certain of the New Zealand waters.

NEWZEALAND.
Kawhia (1903). (Vide also “Iodide Waters.”)
Calcium-chloride585.51
Sodium-chloride424.55
Total solids1040.76
Mataroa (1903). (Vide also “Iodide Waters.”)
Calcium-chloride128.21
Sodium-chloride1625.25
Magnesium-chloride85.70
Total solids1848.43

Okain's Bay (1904). (Vide also “Chalybeate Waters.”)

This is an artificial spring of cold water obtained from a bore sunk into the recent soil of a rapidly silting-up bay, and is remarkable for the unusually large amount of iron in solution.

Calcium-chloride468.5
Sodium-chloride295.5
Magnesium-chloride264.8
Ferrous bicarbonate26.7
Total solids1128.9
Totoro, Mokau River (1905). (Vide also “Iodide Waters.”)
Calcium-chloride681.0
Sodium-chloride784.0
Total solids1496.0
Morere (1903, 1905). (Vide also “Iodide Waters.”)
Calcium-chloride594.78
Sodium-chloride1249.67
Total solids1899.60
Temperature120° Fahr.
Te Puia (1906). (Vide also “Iodide Waters.”)
Calcium-chloride153.40
Sodium-chloride807.75
Total solids978.69
Temperature150°Fahr.
Kopuowhara, Mahia (1885). (Vide also “Iodide Waters.”)
Calcium-chloride177.82
Sodium-chloride1027.66
Total solids1241.65
Great Barrier Island (1904).
Calcium-chloride103.75
Sodium-chloride791.50
Total solids985.23
Temperature180°Fahr.
Pahaua, Wellington (Skey); also 1878). (Vide also “Iodide Waters.”)
Calcium-chloride120.88
Sodium-chloride1303.32
Total solids1474.09
Kotuku, Greymouth (borehole), (1901).
Calcium chloride, sulphate, and bicarbonate458.3
Sodium-chloride5134.0
Total solids5936.8
Wallingford, Wellington (Skey). (Vide also “Iodide Waters.”)
Total solids826.0
Mercury Bay (1908).
Calcium-chloride21.6
Calcium-bicarbonate22.5
Sodium-chloride200.8
Total solids259.4

Class III.—Iodide Muriated Waters.

Iodine is found in these waters combined usually with sodium or magnesium; in addition there is generally present a certain and varying amount of free iodine. The amount of iodide present is seldom more than about 2.5 grains per gallon, but even this small quantity exceeds the amount present in most similar European waters, one of the richest of which, Heilbrun (Bavaria), is given here for comparison.

The therapeutic value of such minute quantities of iodide has been much questioned, though Neisser has, on the other hand, pointed out the potent effect on human metabolism of minute quantities of iodine in thyroid extract. There remains the possibility, however, that the essentially active factor in these waters is not the iodide but the free nascent iodine, which is almost always present. The pungent smell of this mineral may generally be detected for some distance round the source of an iodide spring, and where the thermal water is broken up by a fall into a spray or douche, under which circumstances free iodine seems to be liberated, the odour is unmistakably strong. It is conceivable that, quite apart from the iodine that is taken into the system when the water is drunk, quite an appreciable amount, and that in a highly active condition, may be inhaled with the water vapour and spray by the bather.

EUROPEAN.
Heilbrun (Bavaria).
Sodium-chloride343.0
Sodium-bicarbonate63.0
Sodium-bromide3.5
Sodium-iodide2.1
NEWZEALAND.
Morere (1903, 1905).
Sodium-iodide2.7
Total solids1858.07
(Also sufficient free iodine to tinge the water light-brown.)
Kawhia (1903).
Sodium-iodide0.47
BromidesTrace
Total solids1040.76
Mataroa (1905).
Sodium-iodide1.41
Total solids1879.60
Pahaua (1878; also Skey).
Magnesium-iodide0.582
Magnesium-bromideTraces
Iodine (free)1.595
Total solids1424.096
Kopuowhara, Mahia (1885).
Magnesium-iodide2.98
Total solids1241.65
Whareama, Masterton (1889).
Iodides0.81
Total solids316.36
Kaiti, Gisborne (1902).
Sodium-iodide4.0
Total solids758.3
(This spring is now practically dried up.)
Totoro (1905).
Iodine not estimated. 
Total solids1496.0
Patangata (1902).
Potassium-iodide0.5
Total solids177.0
Raukumara, Waimate (1909).
Sodium-iodide1.3
Total solids783.6
Helensville (1903).
Sodium-iodide0.03
Total solids134.68
Te Puia (1906).
Sodium-iodide1.41
Total solids978.69
Tarawera, Taupo District (1908).
Iodine0.25
Total solids100.0
Parke's Spring, Taupo District. (Skey.)
Iodine1.01
Total solids200.73
Otumuheka, Taupo District. (Skey.)
Iodine not estimated. 
Total solids13.88
Ruahine, Taupo District. (Skey.)
Iodine not estimated. 
Total solids152.31
Orakeikorako, Taupo District. (Skey.)
Iodine not estimated. 
Total solids84.86
Orakeikorako (Alum Cave). (Skey.)
Iodine not estimated. 
Total solids56.47
McMurray's, Taupo District. (Skey.)
Iodine not estimated. 
Total solids33.12
Te Hukahuka, Taupo District. (Skey.)
Iodine not estimated. 
Total solids13.81
Burton's, Taipo District. (Skey.) (Analysis incomplete.)
Wallingford, Wellington. (Skey.)
Iodides and bromides not estimated. 
Total solids826.0
McLean's, Napier. (Skey.)
Iodides and bromides not estimated. 
Total solids444.7
Sulphur Wells, Masterton (1906).
Sodium-iodide1.5
Total solids728.2
Mangapuaka, Dannevirke (1909).
Sodium-iodide2.4
Total solids851.3

Class IV.—Magnesic-sodic Muriated Waters.

These springs are cold, and arise for the most part in the neighbourhood of Banks Peninsula. There are several round Lyttelton Harbour, containing from 30 grains to 50 grains per gallon of magnesium-chloride, with about 2 grains of ferrous bicarbonate. Similar, but weaker, springs also arise at Te Aroha.

EUROPE.
Friedrichshall
Sodium-chloride1680.0
Magnesium-chloride840.0
NEW ZEALAND.
Okain's Bay (1904).
Sodium-chloride295.5
Magnesium chloride264.8
Total solids1128.9

Simple Alkaline Waters.

The principal ingredient in these waters is sodium-bicarbonate, and if sodium-chloride is present, it is so only in a trifling amount. There is also generally present a considerable amount of carbonic-acid gas. Such waters are not common in this country, the only characteristic one, so far as I am aware, being Puriri.

Taken internally they act as antacids and diuretics, and promote the biliary secretion. They are useful in certain forms of gout, but are more suitable for robust than for debilitated subjects.

There are no waters of this class used as baths in New Zealand.

EUROPE.
Vichy.
Sodium-bicarbonate350.0
Temperature89° to 108° Fahr.
NEW ZEALAND.
Puriri. (Vide also “Table-waters.”)
Sodium-bicarbonate452.39
Total solids537.11
Temperature60° Fahr.
Waikoura, Kaeo (1909).
Sodium-bicarbonate126.6
Calcium-bicarbonate127.5
Total solids304.1

Muriated Alkaline Waters.

In these waters considerable quantities of sodium-chloride are present with the bicarbonate, and, while they are useful in the same class of cases as the last, they are generally believed to be less “lowering.”

European.
Ems.
Sodium-chloride70.0
Sodium-bicarbonate140.0
Temperature80° to 120° Fahr.
NEW ZEALAND.
Te Aroha (1903, 1904, 1905).
Sodium-chloride59.5
Sodium-bicarbonate657.4
Total solids784.3
Temperature135° Fahr.
Waiwera. (Skey: also 1904.)
Sodium-chloride116.7
Sodium-bicarbonate87.5
Total solids219.5
Temperature105° Fahr.
Ohaeawai (1904).
Sodium-chloride65.10
Sodium-bicarbonate134.50
Total solids255.66
Temperature180° Fahr.

(This water is strongly sulphuretted, and might with equal justice be placed among the sulphur waters. For further analyses of the Ohaeawai Springs, vide Rep. Domin. Lab. 1909.)

Muriated Sulphated Waters.

As already mentioned, the sulphated waters are scarcely represented in New Zealand, the only example, so far as I am aware, being the somewhat anomalous Okain's Bay water, already classed under the calcic muriated and chalybeate waters.

This water, while containing an overwhelming proportion of chlorides, contains also a moderate amount of magnesium-sulphate, any action of which, however, would be subordinate to that of the other ingredients.

EUROPE.
Brides, Salins.
Sodium chloride126.0
Sodium-sulphate84.0
Magnesium-sulphate35.0
Temperature96° Fahr.
NEW ZEALAND.
Okain's Bay (1904).
Sodium, magnesium, and calcium chlorides1028.8
Magnesium-sulphate78.0
Total solids1128.9
(Cold spring.)

The Calcareous or Earthy Waters.

New Zealand is poor in springs of this class, calcium, when present in any quantity, being generally in the form of the chloride.

EUROPE.
Contrexéville.
Calcium-sulphate105.0
Calcium-bicarbonate28.0
NEW ZEALAND.
Wairongoa. (Vide also “Table-waters.”)
Calcium-bicarbonate67.86
Magnesium-bicarbonate35.89
Total solids165.75
Kamo. (Vide also “Table-waters.”)
Calcium-bicarbonate57.68
Magnesium-bicarbonate17.05
Sodium-bicarbonate38.64
Total solids164.36
Copland River, Westland (1906).
Calcium-bicarbonate27.0
Sodium-bicarbonate76.6
Total solids142.3
Fox River, Westland (1906).
Calcium-bicarbonate10.5
Sodium-bicarbonate44.4
Total solids79.5

Chalybeate Waters.

Therapeutically the most important of these waters are those containing the bicarbonate of iron and free carbonic-acid gas. Many of the chalybeate springs of New Zealand contain large, and sometimes enormous, quantities of the sulphate, and, while these are noted here, they are, except as baths, of little practical use so far as the iron-salt is concerned. The ferrous bicarbonate, on the other hand, is easily assimilated, especially when associated with carbonic-acid gas; while it is to the presence of this gas that baths of such waters owe their stimulating properties.

EUROPE.
Schwalbach.
Ferrous bicarbonate5.6
TemperatureCold
NEW ZEALAND.
Waitangi, Rotoehu (1903, 1904).
Ferrous bicarbonate0.5
Total solids58.73
Temperature120° Fahr.
(Free effervescence of carbonic acid.)
Kamo.
Oxide of iron (present in the spring as bicarbonate)0.28
Total solids164.36
Ohaeawai, Spring No. 1 (1909).
Ferrous sulphate4.1
Total solids45.6
Waikoura, Kaeo (1909).
Ferrous bicarbonate2.9
Total solids304.1
Soda Spring, Ngawha.
Ferrous bicarbonate1.2
Carbonic acid (free)35.0
Total solids31.8
Kotuku, Greymouth (1904).
Ferrous bicarbonate4.10
Total solids201.25
Okain's Bay (1904). (Vide also “Muriated Waters.”)
Ferrous bicarbonate26.7
Total solids1128.9
Patangata (1902).
Ferrous bicarbonate0.6
Total solids176.4
Aorangi (Skey.)
Ferrous bicarbonate0.94
Total solids13.75
Paeroa (1905). (Vide also “Table-waters.”)
Ferrous bicarbonate1.6
Total solids167.8
Free carbonic acid26.0
Temperature80° Fahr.
Waiwera. (Vide also “Muriated Alkaline Waters.”)
Ferrous bicarbonate0.686
Total solids219.558
Taupo Waters.
Iron Spring, Terraces (1905).
Ferrous bicarbonate0.28
Total solids63.04
Carbonic acid16.9
Temperature120° Fahr.
Mangapakeha (1906). (Vide also “Iodide Waters.”)
Ferrous bicarbonate4.0
Total solids374.0
Soda-water Spring, Terraces (1905).
Ferrous bicarbonate0.84
Total solids64.19
Carbonic acid47.70
TemperatureCold.
“Arsenic Spring,” the Spa (1905).
Ferrous bicarbonate0.56
Total solids52.52
(This spring contains no arsenic.)
Wairakei Waters.
Devil's Eye-glass (1905).
Ferrous bicarbonate1.20
Total solids117.25
The Boilers (1905).
Ferrous bicarbonate1.12
Total solids100.77
(These last two waters are scarcely potable.)

Waiotapu.

Chalybeate waters exist here, but so far no potable specimens have been analysed.

Rotomahana “Iodine Spring” (1904). (Contains no iodine.)
Ferrous bicarbonate0.62
Total solids157.79
Temperature212° Fahr.
Motu, Gisborne (1904).
Ferrous sulphate44.68
Total solids379.31
White Island. (Skey.) (Vide also “Acid Waters.”)
Ferrous sulphate1059.0
Total solids13638.0
Temperature212° Fahr.
Whale Island. (Pond.)
Ferrous sulphate9.38
Total solids250.30
Temperature198° Fahr.
Abbotsford, Otago (1882). (Analysis incomplete.)
Ferrous sulphate. 
Total solids304.0
Akitio, Wellington. (Skey.)
Iron and alumina0.93
Total solids37.65
Onetapu. (Skey.)
Ferrous chloride not estimated. 
Total solids456.0
Bay of Islands. (Skey.)
Iron-oxide2.23
Total solids134.62
Amberley, Canterbury. (Hector.)
Total solids93.6
(Cold spring.)

Rotorua Waters.

The majority of these contain iron, but, as this is not an important and essential feature of these waters, two only are given as types of the rest.

Rachel Spring. (Hector.
Iron and alumina oxides2.41
Total solids131.34
Postmaster Spring (1906)
Ferrous sulphate0.52
Total solids86.81

Sulphur Waters.

This is a very important but somewhat ill-defined group, characterized by the presence of sulphides in sufficient quantity to give a very noticeable odour to the water. In Europe, as a general rule, these waters are only feebly mineralised, the other ingredients of the water being comparatively unimportant. In New Zealand, while this rule holds good for the majority of the sulphur waters, yet there is a very important class, of which the acid waters of Rotorua may be taken as a type, in which, while the sulphides are very much in evidence, other ingredients have a considerable and sometimes a very much greater importance.

As compared with the other mineral waters of New Zealand, there is an overwhelming preponderance of sulphur waters, both in the number of springs and in the amount of outflow. All are hot and all are siliceous.

The great bulk of these springs arise in the volcanic region stretching from the central volcanoes of the North Island northward to the Bay of Plenty, and, indeed, right out to sea to White Island.

The vast majority of these waters have not yet been analysed, but from the great number of specimens that have already been examined a very fair estimate may be made of the whole.

It is usual to draw a distinction between those sulphur waters containing marked quantities of sodium-sulphide, and those containing only sulphuretted hydrogen, and special therapeutic effects have been attributed to the former class. While admitting the distinction, it must be borne in mind that frequently the second represents only a phase of the first, and that, owing to the very rapid decomposition of sodium-sulphide on exposure to air, analysis, unless performed at the spring, is apt to show only sulphuretted hydrogen, sulphur, and sodium-carbonate.

The sulphur waters may be divided into two main classes, the alkaline or neutral, and the acid.

Class I.—The Alkaline Sulphur Waters.

For the most part the specific gravity of these waters is not high, the largest ingredient being usually chloride of sodium, and the alkalinity not strong.

For all practical purposes their most marked characteristic is the amount of silicate they contain, and it is this ingredient which gives to the alkaline waters of the Rotorua district their peculiarly bland and satiny feel, and which makes them so valuable for bath purposes. A similar condition causes the “unctuous" sensation of the sources savonneuses at Plombières.

Of the therapeutic action of the silicates little is known: taken internally, it has been asserted that they exercise a solvent action on the urates in gout, and, used externally, an antiseptic action on the skin (Felix); but however this may be, it is quite certain that in strong solution they constitute most bland and sedative baths.

As the highly siliceous waters shade off imperceptibly into the less siliceous, it has not seemed convenient to make them a separate class, and they are therefore all included here under the term “sulphur waters.”

EUROPE.
Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle).
Sodium-chloride182.0
Sodium-carbonate42.0
Sodium and hydrogen sulphides 
Temperature113° to 133° Fahr.
NEW ZEALAND.
Rachel Spring, Rotorua. (Hector.)
Sodium-chloride69.43
Silicates of sodium, calcium, and magnesium36.35
Silica18.21
Total solids131.34
Carbonic acid and sulphuretted hydrogen 
Temperature194° Fahr.

Under this heading come, with the exception of certain muddy geysers of the type of Waimangu, practically the whole of the springs in the “Thermal District” which exhibit, or tend to exhibit, geyser action. Thus would be included many springs at Tokaanu, the Taupo geysers, the springs of the Geyser Valley at Wairakei, and the Whakarewarewa and Ohinemutu geysers. A certain number of these are given as types of the rest.

Many of these waters contain so very little sulphide that they might with equal justice be classed under the heading of “Simple Thermal Waters,” or of “Muriated Waters,” but for convenience they are placed all together here.

* The surface temperature of these springs which exhibit more or less geyser action, is the boiling-point. Their temperature apparently increases directly as the distance below the surface at which it is taken

Oil Bath,* Rotorua District. (Skey.)
Silica and silicates29.0
Sodium-chloride66.34
Total solids104.54
Spoilt Bath,* Rotorua District. (Skey.)
Sodium-silicates16.32
Sodium-chloride53.61
Total solids87.78
Kuirau, Rotorua District. (Skey.)
Silicates22.0
Sodium-chloride45.70
Total solids79.85
Te Koutou, Rotorua District. (Skey.)
Sodium-silicate32.12
Total solids72.78

* The surface temperature of these springs, which exhibit more or less geyser action, is the boiling-point. Their temperature apparently increases directly as the distance below the surface at which it is taken.

† The amount of H2S present is so small that this water might with equal justice be classed under the heading of “Muriated Waters,” or even of “Simple Thermal Waters.

 
Waihunuhunukuri (Lake House), Rotorua District. (Hector.)
Total solids58.4
Waikite,* Rotorua District (1904).
Sodium-chloride38.75
Sodium-bicarbonate20.03
Silica24.36
Total solids90.28
Matuatonga,* Rotorua District. (Hector.)
Sodium-chloride66.44
Sodium-silicate29.27
Total solids113.27
Hanmer†, South Island.
Sodium-chloride62.09
Total solids77.38
Gases—Sulphuretted hydrogen and methane Temperature 
Temperature118° Fahr.
Crow's Nest Geyser,* Taupo District. (Hector.)
Total solids153.6
Witches' Cauldron,* Taupo District. (Hector.)
Total solids166.4
Waiariki, Taupo District. (Hector.)
Total solids86.4
Top Spring, Terraces, Taupo District (1905).
Sodium-chloride43.66
Total105.80
Temperature184° Fahr.
South Bay Spring, Terraces, Taupo District (1905).
Sodium-chloride56.10
Total107.72
Temperature180° Fahr.
A.C. Bath, Spa, Taupo District (1905).
Total46.43
Temperature102° Fahr.
Old Sulphur Spring, Spa, Taupo District.
Total63.79
Temperature135° Fahr.
Champagne Pool,* Wairakei (1905).
Sodium-chloride195.20
Total242.68
Red Coral Geyser,* Wairakei (1905).
Sodium-chloride39.35
Total100.77
Champagne Pool, Waiotapu.
Sodium-chloride220.4
Carbonic acid (free)13.2
Total solids288.2
Temperature212° Fahr.
Omupokapoka, Onepu (1904).
Total constituents116.82
Temperature180° Fahr.
Manupirua, Rotoiti (1904).
Total solids44.91
Temperature105° Fahr.

Glass II.—Acid Sulphur Waters.

With the exception that they are much more siliceous, the alkaline sulphur waters hear a fairly close resemblance to numerous sulphur waters in Europe; but for a type of the acid sulphur waters we have to look to America, there being no waters of this nature used at the European spas. The nearest European approach to the acid baths of New Zealand is to be found in the “peat baths” of Austria, which contain free sulphuric and formic acids and sulphate of iron.

The action on the peripheral circulation of the strongly acid baths of Rotorua is most marked. The skin becomes intensely injected, there is a corresponding unloading of the deep veins, and the general circulation is improved. At the same time the nerve-endings in the skin are stimulated: so that, provided the immersion is not too prolonged, the sensation of the bather is one of general exhilaration. The use of such baths in chronic deep-seated congestions, and in pain and stiffness of muscular and fibrous structures, is obvious. The large quantities of alum usually present with the acids, and the free gases in the water, also help to stimulate the skin. These waters are not used for drinking purposes.

Rotorua Acid Waters.

 Postmaster Bath spring (1906).Priest Bath Spring (1906).Sulphur Point Effervescing Spring (1906).Spring supplying New Baths.
Sodium-sulphate14.2510.8518.1019.94
Aluminium-sulphate15.609.608.1012.38
Silica15.1012.1020.2022.82
Sulphuric acid (free)22.293.774.4616.80
Carbonic acid (free)28.8440.002.524.31
Sulphuretted hydrogen13.095.000.191.80
Total128.7497.4981.95102.58
Temperature110° Fahr100° Fahr.160° Fahr.150° Fahr.

There are innumerable springs in the central Rotorua group, along the foreshore of Lake Rotorua, which conform to the type of the “Priest” and “Postmaster” Springs. Of these the first two on the following list may serve as examples:—

Waikupapapa.
Hydrochloric acid (free)7.49
Sulphuric acid (free)4.29
Total solids56.45
Ngaruapuia.
Hydrochloric acid (free)6.76
Sulphuric acid (free)3.11
Total solids59.50
Taheke, Rotoiti (1908).
Sulphuric acid (free)152.0
Total solids231.0
Horakikimumuru, Rotoiti (1903).
Sulphuric acid (free)68.6
Total solids130.5

White Island and Whale Island, in the Bay of Plenty, contain springs of remarkable acidity, which are not used as baths.

White Island. (Skey.)
Hydrochloric acid (free)9547.0
Total solids13638.0
Temperature212° Fahr.
White Island Lake (1908).
(Extent, 15 acres.)
Aluminium sulphate1735.0
Hydrochloric acid (free)3832.0
Total solids7076.0
Temperature110° Fahr.
Whale Island. (Pond.)
Sulphuric acid138.32
Total solids250.30
Temperature198° Fahr..
Abbotsford, Otago (1882).
Sulphuric acid (free, and combined with iron)191.87
Total solids304.01
TAUPO.
Rotokawa (Black Water). (Hector.)
Hydrochloric acid(Free)
Total142.4
Temperature192° Fahr.
Rotokawa (Yellow Water). (Hector.)
Hydrochloric acid(Free)
Total176.0
Temperature152° Fahr.

WAIRAKEI.

Practically all springs of the Kiriohinekei Valley are more or less acid: two are given as types.

Devil's Eye-glass (1905). (Vide also “Chalybeate Waters.”)
Sulphuric acid (free)2.80
Carbonic acid (free)7.10
Total solids117.25
The Boilers (1905). (Vide also “Chalybeate Waters.”)
Sulphuric acid (free)4.50
Carbonic Acid (free)7.50
Total solids100.77
Sulphur Terrace, Waiotapu (1909).
Sulphuric acid (free)2.5
Total solids43.6
Temperature212° Fahr.

Class III.—Muddy Waters.

There remains a subclass of the sulphur waters which consists of mineral water containing large quantities of highly siliceous mud in suspension. The importance of these waters lies in the fact that they are greatly utilised for mud baths.

Some of them contain free mineral acids, others are neutral, or only give an acid reaction from the amount of free carbonic-acid gas they contain. Typical examples of the former are the “Coffee-pot” and the “Cameron” Springs, and of the latter, the “Sulphur Point Mud Spring,” all of Rotorua.

Coffee-pot.
Sodium-sulphate23.71
Hydrochloric acid (free)7.66
Sulphuric acid (free)7.60
Total60.19
Cameron.
Sodium-sulphate44.54
Hydrochloric acid (free)5.92
Total80.5
Sulphur Point (1906).
Sodium-chloride80.85
Sodium-silicate20.30
Carbonic acid (free)14.90
Total141.72

Below is given an analysis (1906) of the muddy deposit around this spring, from which, and from similar material, the mud baths of Rotorua principally are made. It consists mainly of silica, and is noticeable in containing both gold and silver. On account of its interest, I have given Dr. Maclaurin's analysis in full.

Silica69.30
Alumina4.52
Iron-oxides2.00
Titanium-oxide0.58
Lime1.00
Magnesia0.10
Soda and potash1.30
Sulphur (combined)1.40
Sulphur (free)6.09
Organic matter10.01
Water3.70

“Microscopic examination of the deposit* showed that it consisted mainly of quartz and amorphous silica, with a little felspar. The mud also contains 5 grains of gold and 6 dwt. 1 grain of silver per ton.”

* “Suspended in the water.”

Arsenical Waters.

There are no complete analyses yet available of arsenical waters in New Zealand, though arsenic is known to exist in minute quantities in some of the Taupo springs, and in one or two it is said to be so abundant as to poison horses which drink the waters. The so-called “Arsenic Spring” at the Spa contains no arsenic.

Europe.
La Bourboule.
Sodium-arseniate1.96
Total solids448.00

NEW ZEALAND.

Burton's, Taipo. (Hector.)

“Traces of arsenic.”

Mercurial Waters.

Certain of the muriated alkaline springs are turbid with mud containing varying amounts of mercury derived from the soil around, which is rich in this mineral.

While such can perhaps hardly be strictly classed as “mineral waters,” the natural mixture of mineral water with mercurialised mud is obviously important from a therapeutic point of view, and is classed here for convenience.

Ohaeawai (1904). (Vide “Muriated Alkaline Waters.”)

* Amount of mercury variable.

Temperature, 180° Fahr.

Table-waters.

This is another ill-defined group of waters, usually characterized by feeble mineralisation, and by containing a large quantity of free carbonic-acid gas.

It is obvious that such a water may be classed under one or other of the previous headings according to the preponderating ingredients it may contain, and, as a matter of fact, most of the mineral waters used as table-waters in New Zealand are really so strongly mineralised as to justify the title of “medicinal,” and almost all contain rather more iron than is consistent with an ideal table-water.

Europe.

Selters (Seltzer water).
Amuriated alkaline water containing— 
Sodium-chloride140.0
NEW ZEALAND.
Wairongoa (South Island). (Vide also “Earthy Waters.”)
Calcium-bicarbonate67.86
Magnesium-bicarbonate35.89
Sodium-chloride22.73
Sodium-bicarbonate20.91
Sodium-sulphate14.70
Total solids165.75

Together with a large excess of carbonic-acid gas, which is bottled with the water.

* Minute globules of mercury are easily discernible to the naked eye in the deposit alongside the springs

Puriri. (Vide also “Alkaline Waters.”)

This is a cold alkaline spring, temperature 60° Fahr., which is very freely used as a table-water, but which is so strongly mineralised that it should really be classed under the head of “Alkaline Waters.”

Te Aroha. (Vide also “Muriated Alkaline Waters.”)

The thermal waters of Te Aroha, cooled and artificially aerated, are also sometimes used as table-waters, but are so strongly mineralised as to really constitute medicinal waters.

There are also at Te Aroha several cold springs, feebly mineralised, pleasant to the taste, but somewhat deficient in natural carbonic-acid gas.

Cold “Magnesia” Spring (1902).
Calcium-bicarbonate41.5
Magnesium-bicarbonate23.4
Total solids83.6

Kamo. (Vide also “Chalybeate Waters.”)

These waters are tepid to warm, strongly effervescent with carbonic-acid gas, and pleasant to the taste.

Calcium-bicarbonate57.68
Sodium-bicarbonate38.64
Sodium-chloride38.01
Total solids164.36

Paeroa (1905). (Vide also “Chalybeate Waters.”)

Tepid spring, temperature 80° Fahr., fair effervescence of CO2, pleasant sweetish taste.

Magnesium-bicarbonate73.0
Sodium-bicarbonate39.4
Calcium-bicarbonate35.5
Total solids167.8
Free carbonic acid26.0

Gases in Mineral Waters.

Carbonic acid is present in a very large number of waters, but is especially noticeable in those of Kamo, where it is the chief therapeutic agent in the baths.

Methane (marsh-gas) is exceedingly abundant in the iodine waters of the east coast, notably at Te Puia and Morere, where it is used for illuminating purposes, as also at Hanmer in the South Island.

Nitrogen in small quantities accompanies the sulphuretted hydrogen in many waters.

Sulphuretted hydrogen is present in large quantities in the “sulphur waters,” and in minute quantities in the majority of the springs.

Sulphurous acid is abundantly evolved through the soil forming the bed of many of the acid sulphur springs, and, coming in contact with sulphuretted hydrogen, is at once decomposed, with the formation of water and sulphur.

Spas.

The vast majority of the springs in the above list are practically unequipped and almost unused.

In the central volcanic district, notably at Taupo and Wairakei, there are baths in connection with the hotels. These baths, however, are more or less primitive, and are suitable rather for the tourist than the invalid.

There are baths and hotel-accommodation also at Kamo, Waiwera, and Okoroire, and, in more primitive fashion, at Morere, Te Puia, Helensville, and Waingaro.

Hanmer in the South Island, and Te Aroha and Rotorua in the North, are spas under Government management. Of these Rotorua is the largest and best equipped.

PART IV.—DESCRIPTION OF LAND DISTRICTS.

Table of Contents

Chapter 58. THE AUCKLAND LAND DISTRICT.

Eric. C. Gold Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Introductory.

THE Auckland Land District covers about four and a half degrees of latitude, with an area of 13,858,000 acres, extending from 34° 30’ to 39° S., its greatest length being about 365 miles, from the North Cape to the 39th parallel, south of Lake Taupo, while its greatest width is about 180 miles. In the peninsula north of Auckland, indented as it is on either side by harbours and arms of the sea, and with a mean width between the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea of little over forty miles, the range of temperature is remarkably small. The thermometer seldom registers above 80° in the shade in the middle of summer, whilst the heat is always tempered by a cool breeze, bringing the mean summer temperature to under 70° in the shade. The frosts are hardly worth mentioning, as the minimum register is seldom below 40°; but south of Auckland sharp white frosts occur very often, more especially beyond 38° of latitude, and snow lies upon the summits of some of the highest hills or mountains in winter.

Physical Features.

This land district may be said to have no real mountains, as the most prominent peaks of the several scattered ranges or hills seldom exceed 3,000 ft. in height above the sea-level, an altitude just enough—south of 38°—to clothe the last 1,000 ft. with snow in the depth of winter. North of Hokianga and the Bay of Islands there is one well-defined range of hills rising to a height of 2,463 ft., whilst south of these places, and extending to the Wairoa River on one side and the Whangarei Harbour upon the other, the country is all more or less broken into ranges from 1,000 ft. to 2,000 ft. in height, with valleys between. The next really well-developed main range lies within the Coromandel and Thames Peninsula. With a length of over 150 miles, it has an average height of over 2,800 ft., commencing with Moehau, or Cape Colville, 2,935 ft.; next, Te Aroha, a peak of 3,176 ft.; and ending at Weraiti with a height of 2,527 ft. There are two other well-defined ranges—namely, Tawairoa and Hauturu—lying between the west coast and the Waipa basin, with their highest peak at Pirongia, which rises to 3,156 ft., and is often snow-capped. There are other ranges forming the watershed between the basins of the Waikato and Waipa Rivers, and dividing both from the streams running into the western side of Lake Taupo. Their highest peak is Pureora, rising to 3,793 ft. The eastern side of the land district is occupied by a very broken, forest-clad country, known as the Urewera country, the average height of which is about 2,500 ft. This has been reserved for the Natives. To the east of Lake Taupo lie the Kaimanawa Ranges, of about 4,500 ft., and generally open on the ridges, with valleys clothed in beech forests. Nearly the whole of the Auckland Land District is indented on both coasts with harbours and arms of the sea, forming a cheap and easy means of access. Of rivers, properly so called, there are only two of any great length—namely, the Wairoa and Waikato. The first empties itself into the Kaipara Harbour, a large arm, or rather succession of arms, of the sea, giving hundreds of miles of inland water-carriage to all parts of the Counties of Hobson, Otamatea, Rodney, and Waitemata. This river is navigable from its mouth to its junction with its tributaries Wairua and Mangakahia, a distance of ninety-one miles from the sea, and for forty miles it is navigable for ships of large burden. The River Waikato has a course of 200 miles, measured from its source in the Ruapehu Mountain through Lake Taupo to the sea on the West Coast. It is navigable for river-steamers for seventy-five miles from its mouth, and its tributary, the Waipa, for twenty miles from its confluence with the Waikato at Ngaruawahia. Another river—the Thames, or Waihou—though of no great length, affords a valuable means of inland water-carriage, and is navigable for small steamers for twenty-five miles. Generally speaking, every part of the district has an abundant water-supply, now and then lessened for a short time at the end of a very dry summer.

Plains.

Of plains proper, this district has only the stretch of country called Kaingaroa, extending from the eastern side of Lake Taupo towards the Bay of Plenty, all more or less of a pumice formation; the valley of the Thames, and the delta between the Thames and Piako Rivers, also the Hauraki or Piako Plains, which extend right down to the Hauraki Gulf. The country is generally level; the quality of soil varying very much in different parts. Works of considerable magnitude have been carried out under “‘The Hauraki Plains Act, 1908,” in draining and rendering fit for settlement a Block of 90,000 acres of those plains. This scheme is under the general supervision of Wm. C. Kensington, Esq., I.S.O., Under-Secretary for Public Works, while the work of construction is carried on under the direction of Mr. Wm. C. Breakell, C.E. A canal, fifteen miles in length, extending from the Piako River near the Maukoro Block to the Waitakaruru River (which latter has been straightened and deepened) is in course of construction, and a township has been laid off at the mouth of the river. The canal has been primarily opened along its entire length by a drain 9 ft. wide at surface, 6 ft. wide at base, and 3 ft. deep, which will be enlarged as the works progress. Up to 31st March, 1909, 127 miles of drains were constructed. Since that date the mileage has risen to a total of 181. Stop-banks in the lower Piako River to prevent spring tides and flood combined from over-flowing the land, made dry by the canal and drains, have also been constructed, and two specially constructed Priestman dredges are kept continually at work, one at the end of the canal emptying into the Waitakaruru River, and the other at the Maukoro end of the canal, fifteen miles distant. Eight flood-gates have been erected, and two more are to follow. Two wharves have be enconstructed, and two more are in course of construction. About 145 men have been employed on the work; the numbers fluctuate according to requirements. The amount expended during the past year was £22,235, and the sum expended from 1908 to 31st March, 1910, is £33,907. Snags and logs in great numbers have been removed from several miles of riverbeds, and in some instances the rivers have been straightened, widened, and deepened. The canal and drains, when completed, will convey and give quick discharge from the flood-waters and Waitoa Rivers into the Hauraki Gulf, and generally will prevent flooding from creeks and watersheds of ranges. That the expenditure incurred in carrying out these works was justified has been proved beyond the shadow of a doubt by the great demand for the land by practical farmers and by the successful sale at the first ballot for 16,299 acres of the block offered on the 18th May, 1910. It is also quite clear that, when finished, the works will materially benefit not only the Government lands, but also all low-lying land abutting the Waitoa and Piako rivers and their tributaries. It is intended to hold another ballot for an additional area of 10,000 acres, probably in November or December, 1910, and the remainder of the block will be disposed of in suitable areas at such periods as the lands are rendered fit for occupation by the works in progress. In the meantime in addition to the drainage and other works a number of roads are being formed throughout the block. The success attending his scheme will no doubt lead to other swamps which have lain useless for ages being drained and rendered fit for settlement as circumstances require.

Here and there in the North there are level plateaux of volcanic soil, more or less densely wooded, and along the main rivers there are stretches of level country, but there are no large plains of alluvial soil such as the South Island can show.

Lakes.

Of these, which add so much to the scenery of a country, this district possesses a fair share, there being eight principal lakes, with some twenty or more smaller ones. To the north of Auckland, in the Bay of Islands district, there is only one lake of any size, called Omapere, three miles by two miles, an old crater. In the Waikato are Lakes Waikare and Whangape, the first six miles and a half long by three miles across, and the second five miles by one mile. These lakes are generally frequented by numerous wild swans and ducks, and, being both connected with the Waikato River by navigable creeks, form a convenient waterway for transport of goods to settlers living around their shores. All the remaining lakes of large size are within the watershed of the Thermal-springs District, and are mostly from seven to eight miles long, and from three to six miles wide, except Taupo Moana, the queen of the North Island lakes, which is twenty-five miles long and eighteen miles broad, with a depth of 500 ft. The scenery round its western shore is of the most romantic kind.

Forests.

The greater part of the Auckland Land District has been covered in the past with dense forests, which are now fast disappearing under the axe of the settler and the sawmiller, and being transformed into rich pasture-land. The greater portion of good Crown lands fit for settlement in the North are still all covered with forest, and must be cleared and sown before any returns can follow. The area of forest land in the Auckland District at the present time is estimated to be about 926,250 acres north of Auckland, and 2,652,000 acres south of it, or 2½ per cent. less than last year. The forests contain a mixture of trees of all kinds, from the giant kauri to scrubby tea-tree or manuka, but all the bush is useful for building, fencing, and household purposes, or at any rate may be converted into charcoal for sale. Of kauri (the most valuable tree in New Zealand) great quantities are yearly being cut and exported or used for home consumption, but, owing to the fact that this timber is rapidly disappearing, and the increasing demand, the prices have risen considerably, and kauri is now used, generally speaking, in the construction of the more important parts of buildings only. With a view to extending the period of usefulness of the kauri, only limited quantities are disposed of by the Crown from time to time.

Soils.

With respect to the soils of Auckland, nowhere in New Zealand within such short distances is there such a diversity in the quality—a distance of half a mile often makes all the difference between rich alluvial and barren pipeclay. To the north of the Bay of Islands and Hokianga the lands are chiefly clay and sandstone, with here and there a volcanic area intervening. In and about the valley of the Mangonuiowae River, in the Hokianga County, there is some of the richest alluvial soil in the district. Between the Hokianga and Bay of Islands Harbours there are large areas which will carry good grass and feed one or two sheep to the acre, after clearing and laying down in grass; and there is also land highly suitable for fruit-growing. South of Hokianga, and between that place and the Wairoa River, the soil is, generally speaking, very good, being both volcanic and alluvial. Immediately south of the Bay of Islands, and extending thence to Whangarei, the soil is, for the most part, clay lying upon sandstone or marl, with alluvial flats in the bottoms of the valleys; but these are, as a rule, very narrow. Within the Puhipuhi State Forest there is an area, say, of 16,000 acres, more or less, of volcanic soil. Approaching Whangarei, at Hikurangi, the limestone crops out, overlying coal-deposits, and round Whangarei itself the soil becomes a rich volcanic, in a high slate of cultivation. South of Whangarei Harbour, and from thence to Auckland, the Crown lands generally are of a broken character, with soil varying from alluvial swamps—as in the case of the Tokatoka Swamp of 16,000 acres- to the limestone areas round Maungaturoto, the sandstone and clay lands of Rodney County, and the poorer clay lands lying north of the City of Auckland, which have, however, proved eminently suitable for fruit-growing.

For about 200 miles south of Auckland the land (with the exception of the Cape Colville Ranges) is, generally speaking, far less broken, and gradually opens out into large tracts of level country in the Waikato and Waipa basins. Immediately south of Auckland the soil is rich volcanic until it is gradually superseded by the prevailing clays; the greater portion of Manukau County, for thirty miles south of Auckland, may be classed as pastoral, and is under occupation as such. The Crown areas available for early settlement—say, 4,000 acres—are chiefly in the Koheroa and Otau Parishes, varying from volcanic clay to ordinary clay land, forest-clad, and well adapted for pastoral purposes. In the Counties of Waikato, Raglan, Waipa, Piako, Matamata, West. Taupo, Kawhia, Waitomo, and Awakino, there is a still greater diversity of soils. Raglan County contains large areas of good limestone country, broken, but with rich black soil, and carrying most luxuriant grass. The lower Waikato country consists of clay soil and extensive swamps, almost undrainable but at a distance of eighty miles from Auckland is found a flat and undulating country, lying partly within the Waikato and Waipa basins, and partly within the valleys of the Piako and Waihou Rivers, formed mainly of alluvial deposits of rhyolite sands brought down from the volcanic districts. In the Kawhia, Waitomo, and Awakino Counties there is a large area of excellent limestone land, a considerable portion of which is heavily timbered, with numerous warm valleys. Most of this land has now been acquired by the Government from the Native owners, and has been taken up by a good class of settlers. Negotiations are proceeding for the acquisition of further extensive areas in Thames. Ohinemuri, Waitomo, Awakino, Kawhia, and West Taupo Counties. Beyond this there is a large stretch of country consisting alternately of open valleys and forest-clad hills, a fair proportion of which is good land, both pastoral and agricultural. At Te Kuiti extensive kilns have been erected for the supply of burnt lime for agricultural purposes. The industry is flourishing, being well supported by farmers in the surrounding districts. The County of Coromandel, with portions of Thames and Ohinemuri Counties, is chiefly devoted to the mining industry. The soil is nearly all clay, the land very broken, but suitable for pastoral purposes if cleared of the dense forest that now covers it. The western portion, however, of the Thames and Ohinemuri Counties contains large areas of alluvial and swamp lands, now in the hands of the Crown, and available for settlement as drainage operations progress.

In the County of Tauranga, the clay lands extend from Te Aroha Mountain to Katikati entrance, changing, near Tauranga, to sandstone and black pumice soil of rich character, which improves towards Te Puke and Maketu, where the land is all good, and more or less volcanic. In Whakatane and Opotiki Counties there are very extensive swamps, of which large portions are drainable, and back from the coast seven miles or so are large areas of Crown lands, broken and forest-covered, opened ready for settlement. The soil is chiefly clay or light loam, with alluvial flats in the valleys, and all well watered. This kind of country extends to the boundary of the land district. The coastal lands are nearly all alluvial flats in a high state of cultivation, and the settlers mostly well-to-do.

Roads giving access to back-block settlements in various parts of the district are being vigorously constructed and many old road lines abandoned in favour of new deviations, which provide an easier and better grade.

Review of Soils: Uses and Returns.

Briefly to set forth the capabilities of the Crown lands in the district, it will suffice to say that north of the Bay of Islands and Hokianga the land is suitable chiefly for two classes of persons—the gum-digger, and the fruit-grower or small farmer. The former has the range over large areas of Crown lands upon paying a small fee, and his earnings average from 5s. to 10s. a day. As for the latter, in and around Hokianga, with its 250 miles of water-frontage, almost anything can be grown. The soil is well adapted for the cultivation of grapes, and an excellent wine is being manufactured at Kohukohu. Oranges and lemons flourish side by side with all kinds of apples, pears, and plums. Wheat does fairly well, and maize gives a return of 50 to 60 bushels an acre. Sheep also thrive; and most of the lands, when properly grassed with imported grasses, will carry two or three sheep to an acre, but ordinary rough-grassed lands only one and & half to two sheep per acre. The clearing of forest lands, ring-fencing and grassing them, will cost about £3 to £3 10s. per acre. The same remarks apply to the Bay of Islands and Whangarei, and to the country as far south as Auckland. Round about Whangarei district, and under similar conditions of culture, the average return for good agricultural or pastoral lands would be fully 12s. an acre per annum. South of Auckland, throughout the Waikato, Piako, Waipa, Matamata, and Raglan Counties, and thence south to the district boundaries, the land is both agricultural and pastoral. All the cereals do well, wheat averaging 27 to 30 and up to 40 bushels per acre, and oats 26 bushels per acre. Potatoes average from 5 to 7 tons per acre. Dairy-farming is carried on, yielding (upon well-cultivated farms) a net profit of 15s. to 20s. an acre per annum; whilst sheep-farming yields a profit of from 5s. to 7s. 6d. a sheep per annum on very large estates; allowing for greater losses from disease, &c., the average return would still be 4s. per sheep. The cost of clearing fern and scrub is generally from 7s. to 10s. an acre, and laying down fern land by surface-sowing and harrowing, about 17s. an acre.

The seaward counties of Tauranga, Whakatane, and Opotiki are both agricultural and pastoral, growing wheat and maize alike to perfection, without indicating any perceptible deterioration in the soil. In fact, these counties, upon their alluvial shores and uplands, grow the greater portion of the maize produced in the district, and from the ports of Whakatane and Opotiki in one year some 34,000 sacks have been exported. In these counties the average yield of wheat is from 22 to 25 bushels per acre, oats about 29 bushels per acre, and maize 45 to 60 bushels per acre. It is quite possible within this district to select land early in the winter, fell and burn off by the ensuing summer, sow in grass in the autumn, and put on stock within twelve months from selection. Large areas remain to be opened in the future, and when the swamp lands are systematically drained the climatic conditions are such that no more productive soil will be found to exist in the Dominion either for agricultural or flax-growing purposes.

Rainfall.

The rainfall during the year averages about 39 in., the greater portion of which as a rule, falls between the 1st of May and 1st of November, or during the winter and spring months. Owing to the constant changes of wind, caused by the configuration of the coast-line, the shortness of the distance between the two coasts, and the influence, greater or less, of the trade-winds, it is quite common for one neighbourhood to have double the rainfall of another, even though the two be only twenty miles apart. Droughts of more than a couple of months are practically unknown, and grass is always abundant.

Winds.

One of the chief means whereby the great healthiness of the climate is maintained is the constant presence of fine breezes, blowing both summer and winter, the prevailing winds being north-east and south-west, and very seldom passing into really heavy gales. In the middle of summer, the sea-breeze during the day and the land-breeze at night are almost unvarying.

Chief Centres and Surrounding Districts.

The City of Auckland lies on the southern shore of the Waitemata Harbour, one of the finest havens in the Dominion, on a narrow neck of land between the Waitemata and the Manukau. Alike from the sea and from the neighbouring bills, the city and surrounding country presents a charming picture. Especially fine are the views obtainable from Mount Eden, a volcanic hill some 644 ft. above sea-level, and from One Tree Hill, both situated in the suburbs. These places are also points of historic interest, inasmuch as they were held as strongholds during the Native tribal wars. A favourite drive is that through Cornwall Park, in the vicinity of One Tree Hill. Pacing the city are the green hills and white houses of the North Shore, and the remarkable island peak of Rangitoto; beyond lie the many islands of the Hauraki Gulf, with the blue hills of Coromandel and the Great Barrier in the far distance. Clustered near the foot of the hill, and scattered for many miles to the southward, are charming villa residences, with tasteful gardens and shubberies, while to the north-west the view is closed by the high-wooded Waitakerei Ranges. Auckland possesses two docks, the larger (Calliope) on the North Shore, where massive machinery has been installed, which will render the dock of use to the Admiralty as an auxiliary naval depot. Other extensive harbour improvements are in progress, such as quays, berthing and storage accommodation for ocean-going vessels, &c. The principal material employed in this connection is reinforced concrete, and when these works are finished the shipping facilities of the port will be unsurpassed in the South Pacific. The city has an excellent commercial position; it has communication by sea with both sides of the Island, while the Kaipara and Wairoa Rivers leading far into the northern peninsula, and to the south the Waikato and Thames Rivers leading into the heart of the Island, give it natural facilities for inland communication. The latest estimate gives the population of the city and suburbs as about 100,000. The city is well supplied with electricity, gas, and water, and amongst public buildings may be noticed Government House, the Government offices, post and telegraph offices, Supreme Court, &c. There is a free public library and art gallery, which contains the Grey collection of ancient manuscripts and examples of art by world-famous painters, and a good Museum possessing what is probably the best Maori collection in the Dominion. The Auckland University College is affiliated to the New Zealand University. There are several fine buildings included amongst the places of worship. A commanding view of the city is obtainable from the tower of St. Matthew's Church.

The Victoria, His Majesty's and Strand Arcades (the latter was burnt down, but is being re-erected on a larger scale than before), the Exchange, Harbour Board offices, banks, hotels, and clubs, as well as many commercial buildings, compare favourably with those in other parts of the Dominion. Within the past few years many fine warehouses, &c., have been completed, showing evidence of the rapid development of trade. A town hall is in course of construction, also a technical college, a new chief post-office, new railway-station and buildings, harbour ferries offices, and several other large structures, while a ferro concrete bridge, noted for the length of its span, crossing the “Cemetery Gully,” has been completed, thus joining the eastern and western portions of the city. There are admirable recreation-grounds, including the Domain of about 180 acres, as well as the Botanic Gardens, the Albert Park in the centre of the city, the Western Park, and Victoria Park at the west end bordering upon the harbour. There is an electric-tramway system extending through the city and suburbs, and a good ferry service to the marine suburbs of Devonport, Northcote, Birkenhead, Chelsea, and St. Helier's Bay. Comfortable and up-to-date workers’ dwellings have been successfully established at Ellerslie, to which place there is an excellent tram service, and advantage has also been taken of the workers’ hamlets, set apart by the Government along the Kaipara Railway-line, a few miles from the city, which enables workmen to acquire holdings of a few acres within a reasonable distance from town. Auckland has numerous industries, including, amongst others, ship-building, sugar-refining, timber-converting, sash and door manufactories; rope and twine, pottery, brick and tile, varnish works; printing-offices, &c. The oversea trade of Auckland is large and rapidly increasing. During the year 1909 the imports into the port of Auckland were valued at £4,333,857, and the exports at £3,371,407.

The City of Auckland is the centre from which radiate all railways, road, and steamer routes. From it, by rail, lies the way to all Crown lands. All lands to the north and along the Bay of Plenty are reached from its wharves by the Northern Company's steamers. The chief centres to the north are:—

Warkworth, on the East Coast, forty-three miles from Auckland, with communication by train and coach from Wayby, and by steamer. It is a thriving township, with post and telegraph office, public halls, hotels, &c. It is also the site of important hydraulic lime and cement works. A good deal of agricultural and pastoral farming and fruit-canning is also carried on with success in the neighbourhood.

On the West Coast an important centre is Helensville (population about 700), on the Kaipara Harbour, distant thirty-eight miles from Auckland, with which it is connected by rail. Besides possessing fine mineral and hot springs, opened in June, 1907, it has for public purposes, conveniences required by travellers, such as hotels, stores, &c., and is the starting-point of the river-steamers running to all places in the Otamatea and Hobson Counties. It is also one of the main centres for the export of balk timber.

In the north of the Auckland Province, railway communication has recently been extended to Te Hana, an arm of the Kaipara Harbour, and construction-works are in progress beyond that point. The line will eventually be carried up the Mangakahia Valley, about the middle of the Island, and will probably pass close to the Township of Kaikohe.

Dargaville, on the Wairoa River, which is at this point a mile wide and navigable for vessels of 20 ft. draught, is a town of about 1,050 inhabitants, with conveniences for travellers. It may be reached by rail and steamer from Auckland almost daily. Dargaville is the starting-point of the Kaihu Valley Railway, which is open for traffic for seventeen miles from the town, and from the terminus of the railway all the Crown lands in the neighbourhood are reached, even so far north as Hokianga. The town is also the centre of a very large timber and kauri-gum export trade. The National Park at Kaihu contains some of the finest specimens of kauri-trees to be seen in the north. There are only two townships on the west of any importance north of Dargaville—Port Rawene, or Hokianga, and Kohukohu, where the sawmilling industry is extensively represented. Both have post and telegraph stations, and hotels, with fortnightly steam-communication from Auckland and a weekly coach to the Bay of Islands, thence by steamer to Auckland.

Whangarei, on the East Coast, possesses an excellent harbour, advantage of which is taken by small steamers and other coasting craft in stormy weather. It is distant ninety-five miles from Auckland, with which it has steam-communication three times a week. The town is a thriving and important place, lighted by gas, having a population of about 3,000, and is the centre of an agricultural and pastoral country. About ten miles by rail from Whangarei is Hikurangi, where a large coal-mine is worked, adjacent to which is a gum- and timber-producing district. The remarkable limestone formation known as the Waro Rocks is within easy distance, whilst the Great Wairua Falls and the Whangarei Falls in the vicinity are worthy of notice. At Kamo, the hot and cold mineral springs are largely availed of by those suffering from rheumatism and kindred complaints. First-class accommodation is obtainable here. Oranges and lemons thrive magnificently on the rich volcanic soil, and the export of these fruits is on the increase. From Whangarei, all lands within a radius of thirty to forty miles may be visited by horse, carriage, or rail. Opau Wharf, about three miles south is the present commencing-point of the railway-line passing through Whangarei and Kamo to Hukerenui, a distance of about twenty-three miles. This line will ultimately join that at present being constructed in a southerly direction from Kawakawa, and through communication is expected to be established about the end of the current year. Railway-formation is being pushed on. A bridge has been built over the Whangarei River, and the railway from Opau Wharf to deep water at Grahamtown, three miles distant, where a new wharf is being built, will be completed within a year. There are several dairy factories in the district, and fruit-preserving is carried on successfully.

Kawakawa, at the head of the tidal portion of the river of the same name, is connected by a short railway-line with Opua, the calling-place of steamers from Auckland. Kawakawa possesses good inns. From it coaches run weekly to Hokianga and Hukerenui. It is the centre of a coal and gum industry, and a port of loading for those products. The old town of Russell (formerly Kororareka) is situated further down the bay, and has a good hotel, besides having a post and telegraph office. To Whangaroa, Mangonui, Awanui, Hohoura, and Parengarenga, the Northern Company's steamers run every week, Whangaroa is the centre of a large timber and gum export trade. Recently considerable attention has been directed towards the development of extensive copper deposits in the locality, and a systematic geological survey has revealed the existence of valuable minerals, the working of which, it is confidently hoped, will give a greater impetus to the progress of the district in the near future. Whangaroa Harbour is famed for its beauty, and the surrounding scenery has proved most attractive to tourists and travellers. Mangonui is the starting-point and centre from which to visit, by carriage or horse, all the Crown lands in the Mangonui County.

South of Auckland, along the Waikato Railway, there are numerous townships of more or less importance, but no starting-point for Crown lands until Mercer is reached at a distance of forty-three miles. It is situated at the borders of what is known as the Waikato country, upon the Waikato River, which is tidal up to this point, and ‘he township has a post and telegraph office and other conveniences. At sixty-five miles from Auckland by rail is Huntly, also on the Waikato River, a flourishing township, with a large output of valuable coal. It has also pottery, brick and tile works. On the opposite side of the Waikato River large areas of Crown lands are being brought into use, and are carrying numbers of sheep and cattle. The next town is Ngaruawahia, or Newcastle, seventy-four miles from Auckland, situated at the junction of the Waikato and Waipa Rivers, with hotels, bank, post and telegraph office. It is a centre from which portions of Crown lands in Raglan County are reached, and also from it river-steamers run north and south to the various settlements. Ngaruawahia has a flourishing butter-factory, a brewery, and a cooperage. At eighty-five miles from Auckland the train reaches Frankton Junction, where lines branch off to Hamilton, Cambridge, Te Aroha, Paeroa, Thames, and Rotorua, the main line going through Te Awamutu, 100 miles from Auckland. The North Island Main Trunk Railway now connects the Cities of Auckland and Wellington, which are 426 miles apart, by the railway route. Its construction was begun in 1880, but was hindered for some time on account of difficulties experienced in obtaining the consent of the Maori landowners to the survey and location of the portion of the line which traverses what is known as the King-country, for many years closed to settlement and to white travellers. The Natives having finally been won over to a more friendly attitude, construction-works were resumed in earnest in 1885, and the line was sufficiently completed to enable a train to come through from Wellington during the American Fleet week celebrations in July, 1908, and was opened for traffic on 18th February, 1909. On account of the mountainous and rugged nature of most of the country traversed the construction of the line has been a laborious and somewhat costly undertaking, presenting numerous engineering difficulties and necessitating much resource and endurance on the part of the officers responsible for the practical work. The railway traverses some magnificent country, rich in mountain, river, and gorge scenery, and giving much promise as a field for settlement and industry in the future. There are many creditable engineering achievements on the line, notably, the Makohine, Makotote, and Hapuawhenua viaducts, all built of steel, and of great height and bold design; the peculiar spiral at Raurimu, where the line doubles back on itself to negotiate a sharp rise from the Whakapapa Valley to the Waimarino plateau, numerous tunnels from a few yards up to 63 chains in length, and large and small bridges crossing the many streams and rivers traversed in the well-watered districts served by the line. The line has been substantially built right through, and the total cost of the 210 miles from Marton to Te Awamutu has reached the neighbourhood of £3,000,000.

Te Awamutu is a thriving town, and is especially English-looking with its nicely cultivated fields and well-kept hedges. The soil is well adapted for wheat growing, and this cereal is largely cultivated, the quality commanding the best market prices. Sheep and dairy farming are carried on extensively, and the cheese and butter factories find employment for a large number of hands. Flax-milling, brick-making, and other smaller industries flourish. The population of Te Awamutu is about 530. The district possesses many spots of historic interest owing to the fact that several desperate encounters with the Natives in early times took place within its borders. Comfortable homesteads now for the most part indicate the scenes of byegone struggles for the settlement of the country. Taumarunui is the point where the Wanganui River traffic connects with the northern railway system, and is becoming in consequence of this a regular tourist resort. Taumarunui is also an important Native centre.

Hamilton is a busy, nourishing town, situated on both sides of the Waikato River, with a population of about 2,600 persons, and is the centre of an agricultural and pastoral district. The town is lighted with gas, and electric light is also utilised by some of the private business concerns. Besides the Post-office Savings-Bank, the Bank of New Zealand, Union Bank of Australia, and the Bank of Australasia are represented. Two well-established newspapers—the Waikato Times and Argus—have a large daily circulation in Hamilton and surrounding districts. There are several schools (State and private), library, hospital, waterworks, recreation-grounds, parks, &c. Hamilton West is drained on the septic-tank system, and the town is, generally speaking, most up to date in the matter of improvements. Hamilton possesses dairy factories, creameries, flax-mill, brewery, and two soap-factories, besides other local industries. Cambridge, about thirteen miles by road and fifteen miles by rail from Hamilton, has a population of about 1,400, and is the headquarters of the Farmers’ Club. It is a busy, thriving township, surrounded by good farming country. At Maungakoua, seven or eight miles from Cambridge, the Government has established an institution for consumptives, known as Te Waikato Sanatorium. The site is in the ranges, at an elevation of about 1,000 ft. and the climate is well suited to the treatment of pulmonary complaints. Between Hamilton and Cambridge, and in the country round, there are numerous creameries, cheese and butter factories. Wine and cider making are also successfully pursued, and there are several apiaries, from which large quantities of honey are produced.

One hundred and fifteen miles from Auckland by rail is Te Aroha, a quiet township, celebrated for its thermal springs and medicinal mineral waters, with good hotels. The population is about 1,160. Another thirteen miles brings the traveller to Paeroa, a centre of mining industry—whence a branch line twelve miles and a half long connects with Waihi (population about 6,000), a gold-mining town—and in another twenty miles the Thames Borough is reached.

The settlements at the Thames and Coromandel are essentially mining townships. The first is situated forty-two miles by steamer from Auckland, on the Firth of Thames, and at the mouth of the Waihou River. It has a population of about 3,800 persons. There is daily rail and steam communication with Auckland, the railway also connecting it with Paeroa, Te Aroha, Waihi, Rotorua, &c. Coromandel is about thirty-five miles from Auckland, with which it has constant communication by steamer; it is another mining centre, situated at the head of a picturesque harbour. Tauranga, with a population of about 1,500, is situated on the very fine harbour of that name in the Bay of Plenty. Coaches run thither from Waihi, and from Rotorua; it has also constant communication by steamer with Auckland, and with Matata, Whakatane, and Opotiki. From the fact of the harbour being the only one on the east coast between Coromandel Peninsula and Gisborne capable of receiving large vessels, the town is bound to be of importance in the future. Tauranga will ultimately be connected with the Auckland and Gisborne railway system. Construction-work has been commenced on a section towards Te Puke, a survey has been made for a line from Waihi to Tauranga, and some trial work continued eastward from Te Puke in the direction of the Bay of Plenty.

Tho excellent soil in the vicinity establishes beyond doubt Tauranga's claim to be one of the most fertile agricultural districts in the Dominion. The place has many historic associations, the famous “Gate Pa” and “Te Rengarenga,” where the British troops met with serious disasters at the hands of the Natives, is within easy distance of the town.

Opotiki, with a population of about 925, is the second town of importance in the Bay of Plenty, and is situated about eighty miles by steamer or road from Tauranga, or 226 miles south-east of Auckland. It has weekly steam-communication with Auckland, and may be reached via Rotorua and Te Teko by coach. It is also connected with Gisborne by means of bridle-track, road, and for part of the distance (Gisborne to Puha, twenty miles) by railway. Opotiki is the headquarters of the maize-producing district, and has rich alluvial lands, from which good returns are obtained. A considerable area of the more mountainous country has already been cleared of bush, and now carries successfully numerous sheep and cattle. It is a starting-point from which large blocks of Crown lands suitable for pastoral purposes may be reached.

The Town of Rotorua is situated on the southern shore of Lake Rotorua at an elevation of 915 ft. above sea-level, and 171 miles distant from Auckland by rail. The climate is bracing without being too cold. It is well lighted with electricity, and contains a number of hotels and boardinghouses, and the accommodation is excellent. The permanent population is estimated at 2,000. There is daily railway communication with Auckland, and during the summer months the number of trains arc increased to cope with the great inrush of tourists and visitors from all parts of the world. This floating population is variously estimated at between 2,000 and 3,000. The streets of the town are planted with trees; the public gardens are well kept and beautiful. Several new houses and public buildings have lately been erected, the chief of which is the new Sanatorium. It is a large building, stretching north and south 320 ft., standing on an elevated terrace, approached by a carriage-drive, well fitted with the most modern requirements. There is a resident medical officer, who is also a highly qualified balneologist. There are hot swimming-baths for ladies and separate swimming-baths for gentlemen, cold showers, hot douches, sulphur and vapour baths; also numerous private baths, and special baths for special cases. The waters of many of these baths differ from each other in some constituent. There are well-appointed dressing-rooms and a luxurious cooling-room. This Sanatorium is unique in its surroundings, and is far and away the best spa of its kind (thermal) in the Dominion, or, in fact, in the South Pacific. The town has the usual post-office, bank, courthouse, town hall, library, churches of various denominations, and a tourist inquiry office, &c. The lake—seven miles and a half long by six miles in breadth—is stocked with trout, which afford magnificent sport.

The Town of Taupo—distant from Auckland about 227 miles south, reached from Auckland by rail to Rotorua 171 miles and thence by coach fifty-six miles—is situated at the north-east extremity of Lake Taupo. Its principal buildings are two hotels, a post and telegraph office, a police court, a store, a bakery, &c. There is also a “spa,” with several baths of different kinds in separate buildings, and good accommodation is available for visitors.

The “Crow's Nest” Geyser is about ten minutes’ drive from the post-office. The famous Huka Falls are in close proximity, also the Aratiatia Rapids. Wairakei Valley, the most wonderful and beautiful portion of all the thermal districts in the Dominion, is situated about three miles from the town, and contains no less than eleven active geysers erupting, one constantly, others from four minutes and a half regularly to two hours and twenty-five minutes, while yet again others are irregular in their action. The Kui-o-hinekai, a hot stream which flows from the Blue Lake with a temperature of 100° is also seen at Wairakei. The Town of Taupo, though small, is of importance. It is the headquarters of a motor-launch service by which tourists to the Taupo district are conveyed to the various places of interest, including the trout-fishing streams, the various parts of Lake Taupo, right down to Tokaanu at the extreme south-west part of the lake twenty-five miles distant, where lie the volcanic mountains of Ngauruhoe (an active volcano), Tongariro, and Ruapehu. The finest sight at Taupo is the lake itself, a magnificent sheet of water twenty-five miles long by eighteen miles wide, where large and heavy rainbow trout are found in great numbers. A five-year-old trout in good condition weighs 201b., with a length of 33 in. and a girth of 24 in. These fish rise readily to the fly, and sportsmen from all parts of the world are to be found at Taupo and the Thermal district generally during the fishing-season. At the western bay of the lake are to be seen many pretty waterfalls, bays, and high cliffs towering above the water for over 1,000ft.

The Township of Te Kuiti, on account of its position on the line of the Main Trunk Railway, has made rapid progress within the past two or three years. Besides possessing a dairy factory, first-class stores, a newspaper (the King Country Chronicle), and a library, all trades are represented. The demand for lime for fertilising purposes is supplied by modern kilns locally. The Railway Department, having taken into consideration the growing importance of the township, have erected larger and more commodious engine-barns. New Government buildings, including a courthouse, have also recently been erected. The Roads Department have constructed a large number of bridges and formed and metalled many miles of roads and tracks throughout the district.

The Rohe Potae (King-country) generally is destined within the next few years to become a closely settled and prosperous locality. It is capable of great development, and what were formerly extensive bush areas are rapidly undergoing conversion into productive and remunerative farms. Several large areas of both bush and fern land have been leased by Europeans from the Natives. These lands are being rapidly cleared and grassed, and are now carrying large flocks of sheep and cattle.

At Te Rau-a-moa a dairy factory has for several years been established with success, and the settlers are much encouraged by the excellent results achieved, aided by the Government efforts to eradicate the noxious ragwort by stocking the affected area with sheep.

Oparau, the starting-point of coaches for Pirongia and Te Awamutu, on the Kawhia waters, has a timber-mill, and another is proposed to be erected shortly at Marakopa. The flax industry is also represented here.

A tender trades between Marakopa, Aotea, and Kawhia collecting produce and distributing goods for the Northern Steamship Company's regular west coast steamer. At Oparau, Hauturu, and Kinohaku small settlements have sprung up, each being landing-places for the settlers’ goods. The Government have constructed a wharf at Kawhia, and the town is approached by a good bar harbour. A number of motor-launches ply for trade between Kawhia and the numerous settlements around the harbour.

Native lands for the most part are washed by the Aotea waters in this locality, but the Crown land at the northern end of the Moerangi Block is settled, and has a promising future. This part of the Kawhia County is much better served from Te Mata and Raglan.

Te Mata is situated at the eastern foot of Karioi, and has made considerable progress during recent years. The town possesses a school, post and telegraph office, telephone bureau, a fine hall, and a very successful co-operative dairy factory. In the Kauroa Valley close by there is another dairy factory.

The port of Raglan has several wharves and goods-sheds, and besides being served by weekly steamers there is a tri-weekly coach service with Hamilton, and also a similar bi-weekly communication with Ngaruawahia, via Waingaro Hot Springs. Te Akau Block, which has recently been acquired by the Crown from the Native owners, consists of some 13.000 acres, and adjoins the Whaingaroa Harbour. Raglan contains quite a fine fleet of motor-launches, has two churches, public hall, courthouse, library, two first-class hotels, a timber-mill, several flax-mills, and a newspaper (the Raglan County Chronicle). The northern portion of the county, which is almost wholly settled, bears the reputation of being the second best sheep-carrying country in the Auckland Land District.

At Onewhero, Pukikawa, Churchill, Harapepe, and Karamu there are dairy factories and creameries. Good hotel accommodation is obtainable at Waingaro Hot Springs, where bath-buildings have been erected. The coal deposits in the Raglan County are very valuable, most of them being worked in the neighbourhood of Huntly, on the Waikato railway-line.

Timber.

The extensive forests in the Auckland District contain many timbers of which the durability and strength are of established reputation. Of these the kauri, which is indigenous to the district, is greatly valued. The trees often attain gigantic size, some of the finest specimens being 60 ft. in girth. The great demand for this timber still continues, whilst rimu (red pine), kahikatea (white-pine), and totara are also much used for building and other purposes. Most of the timber is disposed of in New Zealand, but during the year ended the 31st December, 1909, 54,899,115 superficial ‘feet of hewn or sawn timber, valued at £271,780, were shipped for export at Auckland and Kaipara.

A return furnished by the Labour Department gives the number of sawmills in the Auckland District at 31st March, 1909, as 136, employing 2,036 hands; but the number of persons engaged in bushfelling and other occupations in connection with the timber industry must be approximately between four and five thousand. The balk timber is brought by rail or along the coast to Auckland, where it is sawn into various sizes. Several large mills and wood-working establishments have been erected in the city, and also for a considerable distance along the harbour frontage.

With the view to preserving specimens of the various timbers and clumps of forest for scenic purposes, the Government have made extensive reserves in various parts of the district. In addition, State-appointed experts are engaged in planting forest-trees, and in nurturing and cultivating young trees.

Kauri-gum.

A good demand continues to exist for this unique product, which is found in the Auckland District only. During 1909 large consignments, totalling 8,250 tons and valued at £552,698, were exported to America, the United Kingdom, and other parts of Europe, where it is manufactured into varnish of the finest quality. A proportion of the gum is also utilized in New Zealand for the same purpose, and altogether about a hundred persons are engaged in the manufacture of varnish, 90 per cent. of which is disposed of locally. In the manufacture of varnish, kauri-gum is said to have an advantage over even the best Manila copal, inasmuch that in its use uniformity of quality may be anticipated with a greater degree of certainty.

The gum industry affords employment for several thousand men, who are engaged in digging, scraping, sorting, and packing it for export. In its original state, being of a viscid nature, it exudes from various parts of the trees, and finally reaches the ground, where it solidifies and becomes a hard yet brittle substance. The principal method of obtaining it is as follows: Where the land has been denuded of kauri-trees, a long rod or spear is used in penetrating the ground to a depth varying from 12 in. to 30 in., according to the nature of the soil. When the existence of gum has been ascertained the soil is turned over and the deposits unearthed. These are of different quality, that of an amber-like transparency being of the highest value.

It might be supposed that kauri-gum which had been covered by earth for many years would have in consequence deteriorated, but such is not the case unless the soil be wet. New gum contains a chemical property which proves troublesome to the manufacturers of varnish, whilst that which has been embedded for a lengthy period does not possess this defect. It has been observed that kauri-trees flourish best on high ground, but large quantities of gum are found in swampy land where the face of nature appears to have undergone a change through seismic disturbance. The value of swamp-gum is generally low in comparison with that of gum obtained at higher elevations; and, indeed, in some instances huge deposits are found in the swamps which are of no commercial value.

A few years ago it was thought that the supply would soon become exhausted, but a competent authority of long experience advances the opinion that large quantities of gum will be obtainable for a considerable period, as deposits are continually being found at greater depths than formerly, and in localities where it was believed that the gum was completely worked out.

The method of obtaining gum by “tapping” the trees has been found to seriously interfere with their development and stability, and it is now considered an illegal act to obtain kauri-gum by this means from trees on Grown lands.

Flax (Phormium tenax).

At a very remote period in the history of New Zealand the value of this excellent product, which is found in abundance, was recognized, and long before machinery was introduced by Europeans the Natives possessed a method of successfully treating it. Not only were they able to use the flax in making mats and comfortable Native clothing for themselves, but they produced it in large quantities for disposal to the early traders and whalers, who turned the investment to profitable account in the market of the New South Wales capital.

For many years past much attention has been devoted to the dressing of flax by improved methods, and the Government have from time to time greatly encouraged manufacturers by offering a substantial bonus for the production of fibre of a high-grade quality.

In many parts of this district magnificent crops of flax are obtained, and so suitable is much of the swamp land for the cultivation of this valuable product that the flax-milling industry is firmly established.

The flax-mills employ a large number of people, whilst in the City of Auckland a considerable number are engaged in making rope, twine, and cordage. The manufactured articles are of a quality which bear favourable comparison with those imported from other countries. The quantity of flax exported during the year ended 31st December, 1909, was 2,845 tons, valued at £58,747.

Gold and Silver.

For many years past large quantities of gold have been obtained in this district, the auriferous-quartz reefs being principally located in the Thames, Coromandel, Ohinemuri, and Piako Counties. The method usually adopted in the treatment of the ores is the cyanide process and battery amalgamation.

During the year ended the 31st December, 1909, the quantity of gold shipped from Auckland was 288,760 oz., valued at £1,142,601, besides which 1,813,830 oz. of silver, valued at £180,872, were exported. The value of 1,647 tons of other minerals was £4,341.

The famous Waihi, Waiotahi, and other mines continue to yield increasing returns of gold, and find employment for a large number of hands. As the auriferous-quartz reefs are very extensive in character, it is reasonable to predict that immense quantities of ore will be treated for many years to come with equally satisfactory results. The Town of Waihi contains a population of about 5,850, and may be reached by either steamer to the Thames, thence by rail via Paeroa, or rail the whole distance from Auckland. The time occupied in visiting Waihi and returning to Auckland is two days.

Many experienced prospectors are still engaged in exploring other parts of the district where auriferous reefs are known to exist, whilst the future of some of the smaller claims which have been pegged off is anticipated with much hopefulness.

Near Mackaytown, Karangahake Riding, in the Ohinemuri County, a cinnabar mine has been discovered and opened up. The deposit outcrops on the face of a steep escarpment about 800 ft. above the Rahu Road. One vein has been traced for about 15 chains, and 50 tons of ore are stacked, some of which is stated by the Director of the School of Mines, Karangahake, to give 65 to 75 per cent. of mercury, with an average of about 15 per cent. of mercury. A company has been formed to systematically work this mine.

Schools of Mines are established at Waihi, Thames, Coromandel, and Karangahake, subsidised by the Government. The average number of students during 1909 was 155, and the result of the annual examination was very satisfactory in both theoretical and practical work.

Copper.

A considerable amount of attention is being devoted in the Whangaroa County to the development of copper deposits. Those directly interested are very optimistic as to the future prospects of success. During the previous year a systematic geological survey was made in the locality with a view to working the mineral deposits, which are in many instances said to be very valuable.

Granite.

For some years past the want has been felt in Auckland of a suitable stone for the erection of buildings worthy of the size and prosperity of the city; and notwithstanding the fact that many of the local volcanic stones are excellent for certain purposes, most of the stone used in the construction of the larger buildings has been either blue stone imported from Victoria or the granite from Scotland.

A very large and valuable deposit of what is by many designated a true granite has been found on the Coromandel Peninsula some 20 miles from Cabbage Bay.

Samples have been submitted to numerous experts both in New Zealand and elsewhere, who have pronounced the stone as equal in appearance, toughness, and durability to any of the imported granites.

Being free from flaws, of a fine grey colour, it presents, when polished, a handsome surface.

The stone is obtainable in any lengths, and can he landed in Auckland at a price to compete with ordinary blue stone. The quarries are situated on the seashore close to deep water, and extend over an area of 80 acres.

A company (the New Zealand Granite Quarries, Limited) has been formed locally to develop the deposit, and the material is already being successfully introduced into several fine buildings at present in course of construction. As architects are now specifying Coromandel granite to take the place of the imported stone, and the supply of the former being practically unlimited, there is little doubt that the industry will in the very near future provide employment for a large number of people.

At Putaruru, on the Rotorua line, an excellent building-stone has also been discovered, and is likely to be developed.

Coal.

In various parts of this district extensive coal-deposits exist, and mining operations are successfully carried on in the north at Hikurangi, Kamo, and Ngunguru, whilst in the south the coal-mines at Huntly and Taupiri continue to supply a household coal of fine quality. The annual output of these mines is about 190,000 tons, most of which is consumed locally.

The City and Suburbs of Auckland are principally lighted by coal-gas, and about 38,000 tons is utilised annually for its manufacture. This is brought from Westport, in the South Island, where a specially suitable coal is obtainable in large quantities.

The value of 16,653 tons of coal exported from Auckland during 1909 was £16,748.

Wool.

This industry docs not reach a maximum of importance in this district as compared with other parts of the Dominion, the attention of the settlers being chiefly centred in the dairying industry. At the same time a considerable quantity of wool is produced for export and local use. The product is usually of excellent quality, and when properly graded brings the highest market prices. As the forest lands become denuded larger areas will be available for sheep-grazing. This will no doubt result in the wool industry being found within a few years in the front rank of importance.

The quantity of wool shipped from the Auckland District during 1909 was 7,958,352 lb., valued at £251,497.

Frozen Meat.

The export of frozen meat from Auckland claims a fair amount of consideration. The following was shipped abroad during the year ended 31st December, 1909: Beef, 27,328 cwt., value £36,420; mutton, 5,215 carcases, weighing 2,652 cwt., value £3,828; lamb, 92,615 carcases, weighing 29,303 cwt., value £65,013; preserved meats and extract, 19,197 cwt., value £48,472; salted beef, 10,025 cwt., value £13,656.

Dairying.

Some idea of the prosperous condition of this industry may be arrived at from the fact that no less than 93,620 cwt. of butter, valued at £480,038, and 11,471 cwt. of cheese, valued at £32,492, were shipped from the Port of Auckland to the United Kingdom and elsewhere abroad during the year 1909. Distributed over this district are numerous factories and creameries, employing a large number of hands, who are periodically instructed by experts appointed by the Government as to the most improved methods of dealing with the manufacture of cheese and butter. The industry is yearly increasing in importance, and a high standard of excellence has been attained.

Sea-fisheries.

At present about 201 boats of various sizes are engaged in the fishing industry, employment being thus found for about six hundred people. There is great abundance and variety of edible fish, and a steady supply for the market is maintained, consisting principally of schnapper, mullet, and flounders. Whitebait are also supplied from the Waikato River during the months of August, September, October, and November.

A small quantity of cured fish is exported to Sydney, and the canning of mullet for local consumption and export affords employment to a large number of people.

Numerous beds of rock-oysters exist on both coasts, but during part of the year this fishery is closed. Large numbers of oysters are forwarded during the open season to other New Zealand towns, and small consignments are shipped regularly to Australia. The State now controls the supply of oysters, with the result that only full-grown oysters are picked and placed on the market, and the previous destruction of young beds has ceased.

New fishing-grounds have been discovered on the west coast near Kaipara, from which large hauls of edible fish have been taken by trawling, and the fishing-grounds around the Chatham Islands are also being exploited. Permanent plant is being erected there for preservation of the fish, and there is every prospect of lasting trade being established.

A first-class whaler, the “Hananui,” built by Messrs. Smith's Dock Company, Middlesborough, England, with engines supplied by Messrs. Ellingham and Co., South Shields, has arrived in Auckland. She is the property of a private company, and is fitted up with the most modern appliances (including a harpoon-gun at the bow) to enable this class of fishing to be successfully prosecuted. Her tonnage and dimensions are: 127 tons gross and 44 tons net register; 93 ft. over all by 19 ft. beam. She is registered as a fishing-vessel, Port of Auckland, and will carry on operations around the coasts of New Zealand, the Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands, &c.

Trout and Trout-fishing.

The food supply from this source has grown to great magnitude in the Auckland District, and the splendid sport to be obtained with fly and minnow continues to attract visitors from all parts of the world. The area within which good fishing is to be had extends over hundreds of square miles of country.

Undernoted are the chief rivers, streams, and lakes famous for the numbers, size, and weight of their fish:—

  1. All the tributaries of the Upper Thames or Waihou stretching from Lichfield to Tirau and Okoroiri to Matamata. This was the district first stocked by the Auckland Acclimatisation Society with rainbow trout (Salmo irideus) about the year 1885, and it is still a favourite locality for anglers.

  2. The upper portion of the Waipa River and its tributaries, including such well-known streams as the Puniu, Waitomo, Mangapu, &c.

  3. The tributaries of the Upper Wanganui, especially the Ongarue.

  4. The whole course of the Waikato River is fairly well stocked, and it is probable that Lakes Whangape and Waikare, in the Lower Waikato District, will afford especially good fishing in the immediate future.

  5. Nearer to Auckland is the Southern Wairoa, Maungatawhiri, and Maungatangi—all well stocked; also Lake Takapuna, from which rainbow trout of considerable size can be taken. The latter lake is within a distance of eight miles from the City of Auckland.

  6. Rotorua and the Thermal District embraces a large number of streams, all well stocked, including those in the neighbourhood of Okoroiri, Atiamuri, and Galatea, also Lakes Rotorua, Rotoiti, Tarawera, Taupo, &c. The last four-named lakes are famous both for the numbers and size of their fish—rainbow trout weighing, each, upwards of twenty pounds have been taken by anglers in those lakes. It may here be added that the rainbow trout (Saimo irideus) are gradually, but surely, supplanting the brown trout (Salmo fario) and other varieties. The administration of trout culture and fishing in the streams, rivers, and lakes of the Rotorua District has lately been handed over to the Tourist Department, and the period of fishing has been extended to the 31st May.

Fruit Canning and Preserving.

The soil and climate of Auckland are particularly adapted to fruit-growing, and during the season the supply is so abundant that in many instances it barely pays the producer to send it to the local market The increased interest in the business of canning is mainly due to this fact, and already the prospects of the industry are good, as canned fruits may now be obtained equal in quality to those imported from California and elsewhere. Fruit-growers are recognising the importance of the canning industry, and are being encouraged under the supervision of Government experts to cultivate fruits especially suitable for canning. There are now eight factories in this district, and employment is found for about one hundred hands. A number of fruit-growers are also canning fruits in a small way in various parts of Auckland with more or less success.

At the Thames and in parts of the Waikato gooseberries and apricots do well. Peaches grow splendidly in most parts of Auckland, and within a few years large quantities should be available for canning purposes. Apples, plums, and strawberries of fine flavour grow abundantly, and the former, when carefully packed, always command good prices. Evaporated fruits are also disposed of to advantage.

General.

Auckland, on account of its remarkably fine harbour and first-class shipping facilities, possesses many local industries, all of which are in a flourishing condition.

Perhaps first in importance is the Colonial Sugar Company's refinery at Chelsea, where some 300 hands are constantly employed. The extensive machinery for the treatment of the raw material, which is brought from Fiji, is capable of turning out 1,000 tons of refined sugar weekly, and during the year large additions have been made to both buildings and plant. Most of the output is consumed in the Dominion, but a small portion is shipped to the New Zealand dependencies and elsewhere. The total annual output of the refinery is about 50,000 tons.

Amongst the more recently established industries are the paper-mills at Riverhead, on the upper reaches of the Waitemata. These mills employ some thirty-four hands, whilst, the quality of the paper manufactured is entirely satisfactory.

The brick and pottery business affords occupation for about 400 people, and there is every prospect of this number being increased shortly, as, in consequence of the extension of the electric tramways to various parts of the suburbs, a much larger demand exists for building material. Bricks are also being largely used in several important buildings in course of erection.

In the north and on the shores of one of the best harbours in the Dominion (Whangarei) an immense deposit of kaolin has been found. Various tests have proved the quality to be exceptionally good and in every way suitable for the manufacture of china, crockery, vitrified drain-pipes, tile?, &c.

Within forty-three miles of Auckland large hydraulic lime and Portland cement works are in full operation, the annual output being from 40,000 to 45,000 tons. These works employ about two hundred hands. The quality of the cement is such that it is largely used in many important public works. Some 20,000 tons are required in connection with the extensive harbour-works now in progress in Auckland, where reinforced concrete is taking the place of wooden piles in wharf- construction, &c., and also in the erection of the Symond Street-Grafton Road Bridge across the Cemetery Gully. Many thousand tons have also been used by the Napier and New Plymouth Harbour Boards, with the most satisfactory results, in the erection of breakwaters, and in drainage, &c.

The Auckland cement is now being employed in the construction of Arthur's Pass Tunnel. The fame of the local product has already been established in the adjoining States, and in New South Wales the large reservoir on Pott's Hill, used for the Sydney water-supply, is built of the material referred to.

Besides the industries mentioned many others are in operation, including meat-preserving works, flourmills, oil, soap and candle works, boot and shoe factories, tanneries, ironworks, shipbuilding yards, large printing and lithographic works, stationery and book manufacturing establishments, &c. The industries in existence in this district, excluding mines and quarries, number about 900.

The Auckland Electric Tramway Company employ some 535 hands, and maintain a large plant. The power has been increased to 2,100 kilo-watt (about 2,700 h.p.), and additional plant will be installed to meet the rapid expansion of city and suburban traffic. This machinery includes a 600 kilowatt 3 phase 5,500 volt generator, Green's economizer, a Babcock and Wilcox boiler (the ninth used by the company), a coal conveyer, and extra feeders, &c. Most of this extra plant is installed at the main power-station, where a new engine and boiler house has been erected.

Besides enlarging the car-sheds at Epsom, the company has built a substation which holds two 500 kilo-watt motor generators. The depot at Ponsonby has also been increased in size and generally reorganized, and everything is being done to bring the tramway system up to date. Two electric sprinklers of a capacity of 3,000 gallons each have been successfully employed in diminishing the dust nuisance, and has proved an inestimable boon to the residents along the tramway route, in the summer months particularly. The largely increased traffic has necessitated the construction of additional cars. Those built locally have proved in every way satisfactory, and the total number now in use is 92, and 8 others are in course of construction. There are 23.31 route miles of track-open for traffic, a further extention of sixty-eight chains having been opened on the Grey Lynn line during the year. Since the inauguration of the electric-car service the congestion of population has been greatly relieved, large numbers of people having removed to the suburbs, where building continues at a rapid rate.

Chapter 59. THE TARANAKI LAND DISTRICT.

F. Simpson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

The Taranaki Land District is situated on the western side of the North Island of New Zealand, at about its widest part, and may be said to be the most compact and fertile district of the Dominion, for, with the exception of the upper half of Mount Egmont, and of the ranges adjoining, which absorb about 36,000 acres, the whole of the area—minus what is taken up by the rivers, streams, and lakes—is suitable for settlement, and certainly two-thirds is good land. The gross area of the district is 2,417,299 acres.

Physical Features.

Of mountains, the principal one is the beautiful volcanic cone from which the district takes its name, Taranaki, otherwise called Mount Egmont, which has an altitude of 8,260 ft. This mountain is the centre of distribution for a radius of twenty miles of the volcanic formation known as the “drift,” which covers the volcanic rocks below an altitude of 3,000 ft. Hummocks composed of trachyte boulders and cement crop up here and there and make excellent metal-quarries.

Beyond the volcanic formation—that is, from about Urenui on the north and Hawera on the south—the country is generally broken, and the formation is known as papa, a calcareous blue clay, capped in many places by shelly limestone.

The northern portion, between the Tongaporutu and the Mokau Rivers, contains also limestone, greensands, and coal outcrops. At Panirau, a small tributary of the Mokau, about thirty miles from the sea, there is an isolated patch of volcanic agglomerate and tufas, and a similar formation is found at the north-eastern corner of the district.

Eastward of the base of Mount Egmont there are few, if any, mountains worthy of the name, although there are many ranges varying in height from 1,000 ft. to 1,500 ft. above sea-level, and, in a few instances—such as the Matemateonga and Waiaria Ranges—they run up to 2,500 ft.

The principal river is the Wanganui, which bounds the district on the east between Taumarunui and Pipiriki, a distance of eighty-four miles. Its average width varies from 2 to 3 chains. For nearly the whole distance it is shut in by high precipitous hills, and in many places by perpendicular walls of rock. The scenery is very grand and beautiful. There are numerous rapids, but few of them are dangerous to skilful canoeists. New Zealand's great scenic river-trip may now be done in a number of ways. From Wanganui, the steamers run tri-weekly to Pipiriki, and excursions are made from that point to the beautiful upper reaches beyond, returning to Pipiriki House in the evening. The traveller can then return to Wanganui, taking train either north or south, or he can take coach round Ruapehu, Tongariro, and Ngauruhoe to the Hot Lakes, or may go on up stream to Messrs. Hatrick and Co.'s houseboat, sixty miles beyond Pipiriki, returning to the latter point the next day, or proceed to Taumarunui, the junctioning point at the head of the river with the Central Railway, taking train from there to Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, &c. Coming down stream the traveller may take the train from either Auckland, Rotorua, or Wellington to Taumarunui, staying there overnight; take the steam-launch down stream the following day to Pipiriki, staying there for the night, and going on to Wanganui the next day. The Taumarunui to Pipiriki service is tri-weekly in the summer months, and twice a week during the winter. From Taumarunui to Pipiriki is eighty-four miles, and from Pipiriki to Wanganui sixty miles. Good accommodation can be procured at the houseboat and Pipiriki. Messrs. Hatrick and Co. have a fleet of fourteen steamers and launches, the route being now one of the most largely frequented in New Zealand. The fares on the river are: Taumarunui to Pipiriki, 35s. single, 50s. return; Pipiriki to Wanganui, 15s. single, 20s. return; Wanganui to Taumarunui, 50s. single, or vice versa. Accommodation at Pipiriki and the house-boat can be obtained at the rate of 2s. 6d. for each meal and bed. The caves near Pipiriki are very extensive, and rich in stalactites, the entrance being hung with a mass of ferns and lichens. There are some magnificent views near Atene. A mile or two below Pipiriki the banks of the river rise to a great height, and are very imposing. From the caves, for some sixty miles to the houseboat, the river flows between perpendicular walls of rock, all festooned with ferns and lichens, with a background of luxuriant bush. Over these cliffs fall numerous streams, making a succession of waterfalls. At Manganui-a-te-ao, an immense cliff rises like a mighty pillar on the right, and the rivers meet like two lanes, walled in by massive piles of masonry.

The next river in size is the Mokau, bounding the district on the north. It is navigable for handy steamers drawing from 7 ft. to 8 ft. of water as far as the coalmines, about twenty miles from its mouth, and for canoes as far as Totoro, twenty-six miles further up. Several outcrops of coal are found on its banks, and, as limestone is also present, the river is likely to become an important waterway of the district. The scenery on either side, although not on quite so grand a scale as may be seen on the Wanganui, is very beautiful.

The other large rivers are the Waitara and Patea. The former has its source about midway between the coast and the Wanganui River, in an easterly direction from Pukearuhe, between New Plymouth and the Mokau. It is about a hundred miles in length, and runs out at the Town of Waitara, some ten miles north-east from New Plymouth. There is a bar at the mouth, but steamers of 300 tons can enter safely in calm weather, and, although there are numerous rapids on its course, it is navigable for canoes for about ninety miles.

The Patea River rises in Mount Egmont, and, after traversing a tortuous course of about 110 miles, runs out at the extreme southern end of the provincial district. It has a bar harbour, with a depth of 13 ft. to 14 ft. at spring tides. Steamers of from 40 tons to 50 tons trade regularly to the Town of Patea, which is situated a mile or so north of the mouth. The Patea is navigable for canoes for fifty miles.

Besides these rivers there are many smaller ones, and streams innumerable—in fact, no district in the world could be better watered and at the same time be so secure from disastrous floods. It is estimated that between the Mokau and the Patea there are no fewer than eighty-five named streams emptying themselves into the Tasman Sea, fully sixty of which flow from Mount Egmont.

Excepting the Ngaire Swamp, a block of open land near Eltham, 3,700 acres in extent, now drained and under cultivation, there are no plains, properly so called, in the district, although the stretch of very fertile country lying between the Waingongoro and Otakeho Rivers, comprising an area of about 25,000 acres, is known as the Waimate Plains.

There are no lakes worthy of the name. The largest sheet of water is Rotokare, situate about twelve miles from Eltham; it is about half a mile in length, with an average width of six chains. There are also a few small lakes inland from Waverley, at the southern end of the district.

The whole of the district, with the exception of a fringe of open country along the coast from Pukearuhe to Patea, averaging three miles in width, and containing about 250,000 acres, and some valleys at the north-eastern corner of the district, about 150,000 acres in extent, was originally covered with heavy forest, but this is rapidly disappearing under progress of settlement and operation of sawmills to deal with such timber.

The larger timber is chiefly rata, rimu, matai, tawa, kahikatea, kohekohe, pukatea, rewarewa, hinau, with a few totara scattered, here and there. Among the smaller trees may be mentioned the kotukutuku or fuchsia, karaka, and mahoe.

An area of 72,565 acres, contained within a radius of six miles from the summit of Mount Egmont, was originally set apart as a forest reserve. To this has now been added 1,040 acres on the lower slopes of Pouakai Range, with an additional 5,500 acres on the Patua Range, making a total of about 79,000 acres, which has by Act of Parliament been set apart as the “Egmont National Park,” the internal affairs of which are administered by a partly elected and partly nominated Board of ten members. At about three miles within the reserve the forest begins to get stunted; and at four and a half miles it gives place to low wiry scrub, which ceases at five miles, or an elevation of about 4,000 ft. At 5,000 ft. the moss ends; beyond this point to the summit the mountain is composed of loose scoria and lava.

A comfortable house, known as the North Egmont Mountain-house, has been built at an elevation of 3,200 ft. on the northern face of the mountain, at a distance of twenty miles from New Plymouth by the Junction and Egmont Roads, and tourists can be driven the whole of the way. This house is maintained by the committee for the northern division of the Egmont National Park, and is open for the accommodation of visitors all the year round. The keeper also acts as guide. A telephone office named Tahurangi has been opened at the house. The time usually occupied in the ascent from the house is from three to four hours for men, and four to six hours for ladies. There are two women's rooms at one end of the house, and two men's at the other, with large common living and dining room in the centre. Visitors have the option of being supplied with meals at a cost of 1s. 6d. each, or they may provide and cook their own food. Beds are also provided. Horse feeds, 1s. 6d. each; paddocking, 6d. daily, or 2s. 6d. a week. A small charge for use of house is made to visitors of 1s. per night or 5s. per week throughout the visit. In addition to the mountain-house, the Board has erected a cottage of three rooms, comprising two bedrooms (fitted with four bunks each), and one living-room in between. This cottage is intended for renting by the week to family parties, only one such party occupying it at a time, the minimum charge per week being two pounds sterling for a party of four adults; over that number and up to eight (the limit, allowed), 7s. 6d. each per week; children over five and under twelve years, half-rates. The cottage is not let to any one party for a longer period than two weeks while there are other applicants. The Board provides cooking and other utensils, firewood, and water, also mattresses and pillows; but visitors must take their own blankets, and provide and cook their own food. The caretaker at the mountain-house keeps a small stock of the principal lines of food usually wanted for sale to visitors. The cottage is within 60 or 70 yards of the mountain-house, and in charge of the same caretaker, but parties desirous of renting it should communicate with the Honorary Secretary to Committee for Northern Division of Egmont National Park, New Plymouth, giving dates between which they require it. These applications are hooked in order of priority of receipt (after notification that offers will be received, usually in the early part of December). Guide's fee for mountain, £1 per party. During the past season there were about 2,000 visitors, remaining various periods of from one or two days to as many weeks. The view from the top is superb, including as it does the volcanic cones of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro, the whole of Taranaki, and a considerable portion of Auckland and Wellington Districts, also across Cook Strait to the mountains of Marlborough and Nelson Districts of the South Island. In fine weather, when the snow is off, the mountain can be ascended without risk. A considerable sum has been expended in improving the accommodation at the house.

The mountain can also easily be ascended from Stratford side, the return journey occupying about thirteen hours, including stoppages. The Pembroke Road Mountain-house has now been removed to a lower and less exposed situation, near the source of the Patea River, where there is a plentiful supply of water and wood. The house in the summer season is under the charge of a caretaker and his wife, but is closed during the winter. There were 200 visitors during the past season.

A favourite route is from Hawera or Eltham via Manaia or Kaponga and Dawson's Falls. At the latter place a comfortable shelter-house, capable of accommodating over forty people, has been erected, and is known as the Falls Mountain-house (altitude, 2,090 ft.). This house, which is close to the Falls (65 ft.), is within an easy two hours’ ride of Kaponga. The telephone has recently been extended to this house. During the season the house is in charge of a caretaker, and food, horse-feed, and paddocking can be obtained. Two comfortable cottages have been erected in connection with the house. In addition to the cottages and main building, another house has been erected and comfortably furnished. Visitors can have practically all the comforts of ordinary hotel life, as in lieu of bunks, beds are provided, and also first-class meals. The tariff of this house is 9/- per diem. Water is obtained from the adjoining creek by means of a ram. From the house to summit of Mount Egmont occupies from four to six hours’ climbing at a moderate pace, the time being in accordance with the strength and composition of party. From the top the tourist can, instead of returning by the same route, drop down to the mountain-house on the north or New Plymouth side of the mountain. The walk would not occupy over two hours, easy walking, or he could go out via Stratford, there being a good walking track between the houses. A weekly coach-service has been instituted both at Hawera and Eltham, while Stratford, as a base, is equally desirable to start from; the whole distance can be driven over. About 2,500 persons visited the mountain by this route during the season.

A track has been partly made from the western side of the mountain, enabling tourists to ascend via Rahotu. A small accommodation-house has been erected, 32 ft. by 14 ft., consisting of a general room and two sleeping-rooms, each containing twelve bunks. Tables, forms, and utensils have also been provided. The number of visitors was about 100.

Soils.

The volcanic soil, the boundaries of which have been already described, varies a good deal in quality. The best is believed to be on the south side of the mountain, between Stratford, Hawera, and Opunake, but not less than two or three miles from the forest-reserve boundary. It is thought that the country now being opened to the north and east of the volcanic deposit—that is, the papa and limestone formation—will, from the presence of lime, be much richer and more lasting as pasture-land than that around the mountain. The carrying-capacity of the land is, on an average, two and a half to three sheep to the acre.

Dairying.

Taranaki is essentially a grazing and dairying district, its chief products being butter and cheese.

There are 124 dairy factories and 73 skimming-stations scattered over the district. Of these factories, 64 produce butter only, while 60 produce cheese only. There are also in this district 9 registered packing-houses for milled butter, 194 registered private dairies for butter-making, and 2 for cheese-making, besides many small plants run on individual farms of which no record is obtainable.

In September, 1896, a new work in connection with the dairying and meat industries was started in the shape of the Taranaki Freezing-works, situated at Moturoa, near the breakwater, and close alongside the railway-line. During the year 1909 the output from the works was—Butter, 184,787 boxes, weighing 4,619 tons 13 cwt., net; cheese, 42,672 cases, net weight 2,857 tons 10 cwt. During the hot season the factories and railway-vans carrying butter are supplied with ice from the works at a nominal cost. Most of the butter from the southern end of the district now goes to Patea.

Mining.

The only mining going on at present is at the Mokau Coal-mines, which are situated on the Mokau River, about twenty-three miles from the sea, the river being navigable right up to the mines for vessels of 7 ft. 6 in. draught. The coal is the best class of pitch-brown, and is excellent for household and steam purposes. The mine is ventilated by a large Hay's fan driven by a 20 h.p. steam-engine.

Ironsand is found in great abundance on the seashore from Mokau to Patea, a distance of 130 miles. It produces, when smelted, from 50 to 60 per cent. of iron of the finest quality. The first attempt to smelt this sand was made in 1848, and several trials have been made since, but the heavy cost of production and the absence of capital and modern appliances have, so far, retarded the industry.

Petroleum-boring.

A considerable amount of capital has been expended in attempts to prove the value of the oil deposits, indications of which are to be found exuding from the soil in various parts of the district. At Moturoa (two miles west of New Plymouth) increased activity has been displayed during the past year by the Taranaki Petroleum Company. One of the bores put down by this company, and known as No. 2, is stated as yielding at the rate of 90 barrels, or 3,780 gals., of crude oil per week. At present efforts are being concentrated in the deepening of two bores (Nos. 2 and 3), so as to thoroughly test the lower strata of the field. It is proposed to sink these to a depth of 3,000 ft.

Kaolin.

Deposits of kaolin have been found close to New Plymouth, and the quality is reported as excellent.

Climate.

The climate of Taranaki is remarkably healthy, without any extremes of temperature. Below is given a table of mean, maximum, and minimum temperatures in shade for each month of the year ending December, 1909, at New Plymouth:—

 Jan.Feb.Mar.April.May.June.July.Aug.Sept.Oct.Nov.Dec.
Mean temperature69.8176.374.272.7371.5568.4667.6768.8768.0667.3868.8374.35
Extreme maximum temperature758281837972728374737682
Extreme minimum temperature404745424140383535434348
Number of days on which rain fell24211121416202318191815
Total rainfall per month in inches and decimals5.4050.245.545.063.267.8212.646.985.544.783.61.5
Mean barometric reading for the month29.7430.01729.85829.8929.8929.8329.8530.2429.8329.7729.79429.74

The mean barometric reading was 29.87 in. for the year. Total rainfall, 62.365 in. on 192 days. The rainfall varies considerably, as, for instance, at Norfolk Road, three miles south of Inglewood, the rainfall for the year 1909 was 119.75 in. on 195 days, the maximum daily fall being 4.13 in. on September 19th. The average rainfall at New Plymouth during the past fifteen years was 62.789 in., and at Norfolk Road for same period 106.958 in.

Chief Towns.

The principal town of the district, New Plymouth, founded in 1841 (population 5,414), is situate on the seashore, about two miles from and to the north-east of the picturesque rocky islets known as the Sugar Loaves. The general appearance of the town is very attractive, and it abounds in neatly kept gardens. The recreation-grounds, now called Pukekara Park, from which a good view of Mount Egmont is obtained, form a favourite resort. Other favourite resorts are, Marsland Hill (in the centre of the town), Fort Niger (east end), and Western Park west end). A line esplanade has recently been opened up along the sea-front, and, with the exception of a break of about a quarter of a mile, extends from the Henui River to the Breakwater, a distance of about four miles.

New Plymouth is 251 miles by rail from Wellington, the railway running in a northerly direction through the district from Patea to Lepperton, where it turns at right-angles westward for nine miles to New Plymouth. From Lepperton there is a branch line to Waitara, five miles distant.

The Port of New Plymouth is situated at Moturoa, two miles from the town. Protection for shipping is afforded by a concrete mole or breakwater running in a north-east direction for a distance of 2,512 ft. Under the lee of this there is wharf-accommodation provided for the coastal trade. Steamers up to 2,000 tons can be berthed here. The wharf is connected with New Plymouth by both rail and road. Steamers run to Onehunga three times a week in the summer, and twice a week in the winter. The breakwater was built at a cost of £200,000, borrowed under security of one-fourth of the land revenue of the Provincial District of Taranaki, and the right to levy a rate over certain lands. This loan maturing in 1909 was repaid partly out of accumulated sinking funds amounting to £65,000, and partly out of new loan. The new loan amounting to £275,000, after repaying balance of old debt, left a sum of £130,000 with which to carry out improvements, such as purchase of a dredge, widening and strengthening wharf, deepening berthage and approaches thereto, &c. It is confidently anticipated that on completion of these improvements ocean liners will load and discharge at the wharf. The present loan of £275,000 was raised at 5½ per cent., 4½ per cent. interest, and 1 per cent. sinking fund, and on the security of harbour dues, &c., one-fourth of the land revenue, and the right to levy a graduated rate over certain lands. The principal over-sea exports from the breakwater (exclusive of all coastal trade) were: Butter, value £428,086; cheese, value £153,613; fungus, value £700; hides, value £10,072; wool, value £1,006; tallow, value £655: total value, £601,380. Imports (oversea) value, £115,224. Customs duties for the year, £40,709 10s. 7d. The wharfages and dues for the past year totalled £9,900, made up as follows: Wharfage, £5,927; berthage, £2,900; warps, £595; water, &c., £63; port charges, £355. Pour hundred and forty-one vessels entered and left the port during the past year, their aggregate tonnage being 208,454. Imports were 61,926 tons, and exports 13,484 tons, totalling 75,410 tons.

The wharf has been widened for a distance of 1,000 ft. During the past year the dredge removed 87,840 cubic yards of sand from the harbour, at a cost of 4.1d. per cubic yard.

Manufactures in New Plymouth are represented by two sash and door, a boot, butter-keg, and three coach factories, a brewery, cordial factories, tannery, fellmongery, bone-mill, and iron-foundry, with freezing-works in the suburbs. Municipal undertakings owned by the borough consist of a septic-tank drainage system, water-supply, electric light, abattoirs, and fine salt-water swimming-baths, 100 ft. by 45 ft. The gas-supply is in the hands of a private company. New Plymouth's principal suburb is the Town District of Fitzroy, which has a population of 750.

Hawera, the next largest town, is situated on the eastern edge the Waimate Plains, about two miles from the sea. The population is 2,300, and the town is lit with electric light and gas supplied by private companies. The Wellington – New Plymouth Railway runs through the town, the distance by rail from New Plymouth being about forty-eight miles. Hawera is surrounded by a first-class dairying and grazing country, capable of carrying a very large population. Hawera possesses an excellent water and drainage scheme, the water being obtained from the Kapuni River, eleven miles from the town, and the sewerage being carried by gravitation direct into the ocean. Municipal undertakings owned and controlled by the borough are the public abattoirs, fresh-water swimming-baths, and fire-brigade station, and the town also possesses an excellent free reading-room and circulating library.

The Town of Patea is situated on the coast, at the extreme southern end of the district, and has a population of 900. There is a splendid grazing district inland, with a large area of land yet to be opened up. There is a dairy factory, which has two branch creameries in the country. A refrigerating company for dairy and other produce has also been established, and is proving a great success. The streets are lighted with electricity. Exports for 1909 were: Wool, 5,325 bales; fungus, 300 bags; tallow, 838 casks; pelts, 220 casks; loose hides, 4,010; butter, 60,191 boxes; meat, 11,187 cases; sheep, 490; sundries, 595 packages; cheese, 89,142 cases; empties, 1,810; cattle, 54; pigs, 33; skins, 4 bundles; bacon, 1 case; cattle, carcases, 3,547. Imports: ordinary, 10,472 tons; coals, 1,114 tons. Wharfages amounted to £1,875; dumping dues, £350; tonnage dues, £562; port dues, £82; water, &c., £6; rents, £540. The Harbour Board has an up-to-date wool-dumping press and hydraulic pumps. The width between the east and west pier-heads is 260 ft.; width of channel about 180 ft., gradually narrowing to 100 ft. as the beacons are approached. The pilot reports the depth of water at not less than 12 ft. at high-water, springs, and 9 ft. at high-water, neaps, with a straight channel. Steamers trade regularly to Westport, Greymouth, Lyttelton, Wellington, and other ports. The Board has erected a west breakwater, of concrete, which has been carried out to a distance of 700 ft., and this should prove a great protection to steamers, and prevent the encroachment of sand common to bar harbours. The Board is also extending the eastern breakwater, and so far 200 ft. has been added to the original structure. Two hundred and thirty-nine vessels entered and left the port during the past year.

Stratford lies about midway between Patea and New Plymouth. It has a population of 2,300. The height above sea-level is 1,000 ft., and the climate is bracing though somewhat moist. Stratford possesses an excellent high-pressure water-supply, the water being obtained from the Patea River, some three miles above the town by means of filtration tunnels carried under the river-bed. A complete septic-tank system of drainage has also been instituted. There is a good public library and reading-room, and a municipal town hall capable of seating 800 persons. The town is lighted with electric light supplied by a private company, and possesses fresh-water swimming-baths. The main road to Auckland—known as the Stratford–Ongarue (now Ohura Road)—commencing at Broadway, Stratford, is formed as a dray-road for fifty-eight miles (of which thirty-three miles is metalled) passing through Toko, Strathmore, and Whangamomona, then formed as a bridle-track for twelve miles. The remaining thirty-nine miles to Ongarue on the North Island Main Trunk Railway is formed as a dray-road, and partly metalled. A commencement has been made with the construction of the railway-line between Stratford and Auckland via Ongarue, the line being completed and open for traffic as far as Te Wera, a distance of twenty-three miles. A short branch has also been constructed from Waipuku to Manganui, on the slopes of Mount Egmont. This line is for the purpose of opening up the extensive stone deposits that exist in the Manganui Gorge of great value for road-metalling and railway-ballasting purposes.

Waitara, a seaport town of about 1,220 inhabitants, is situated on the river of the same name, a mile up from the sea, and about ten miles north-east from New Plymouth. The town is lighted by electricity. The Waitara Freezing-works have passed into the hands of Messrs. Borthwick and Sons, who have rebuilt and greatly enlarged the works, the storage capacity now being for 40,000 carcases of mutton, together with five freezing-rooms, capable of hanging 2,000 carcases; also a beef-chilling room and a mutton-chilling room. Provision is made at the slaughterhouse for accommodation of fourteen mutton and six beef butchers. The freezing plant consists of 2 60-ton Hercules machines, guaranteed to freeze 2,000 sheep per day. The boiling-down and tallow department is most complete and up to date, and a large manure plant has now been erected. The works are fitted throughout with electric light. The following were the principal direct shipments Home during the year: 7,136 tons of frozen meat, 6,965 bales of wool, 31 bales of leather, 1,954 casks of tallow, 341 casks of pelts, 911 casks of oleo. 29 bales of horns, 85 casks of runners, 16 barrels of oil, 1,253 sacks of hides, 3,924 cases of canned meats, and 13¼ tons of general cargo. The number of direct steamers loading in the roadstead was 22, of a net tonnage of 91,531. All produce is conveyed on board the New Zealand Shipping Company's ocean-going steamers (which anchor in Waitara roadstead) in specially constructed and insulated barges. The principal exports from the port coastwise for the year 1900 were: Grain, 67 tons; wool, 206 bales; grass-seed, 64 tons; manure, 348 tons; timber, 20,912 feet; chaff, 892 sacks. hides, 1,163; sheep, 1,888; horses, 3; butter, 92 boxes; fungus, 15 bales; flour, 47 tons; coal, 9 tons; general cargo, 877 tons. Imports, coastwise, for the same period were: Grain, 5 tons; manure, 287 tons; lime, 58 tons; timber, 859,253 feet; coal, 5,978 tons; wool, 702 bales; skins, 56 bundles; fungus, 15 bales; flour, 73 tons; hides, 102; sheep, 318; cattle, 2; pigs, 10; butter, 87 boxes; cement, 243 tons; tow, 15 bales; general cargo, 2,801 tons. Two hundred and seventy-seven vessels of a tonnage of 103,275 entered at the port during 1909.

Inglewood, situated on the railway-line, sixteen miles south-east of New Plymouth, is a flourishing little town, with a population of 1,160 inhabitants. The town is well equipped with livery stables, coffee palace, and hotels, and is lighted by electricity supplied by a private company, the Corporation having the right to take over the works when they choose. The town is well endowed, and possesses a public library and reading-room, public swimming-baths, band, fire-brigade, gymnasium, and various kindred institutions for the recreation and convenience of the inhabitants. The bacon-factory during the year put through 4,978 pigs, costing £11,325, an average of £2 3s. 6d. per pig. The factory is worked by a 24 in. turbine, the water being conveyed in a race 10 chains long. It is provided with a four-horse-power tubular boiler, a lard jacket, and Californian pump. There is also a size “D” ammonia refrigerating machine.

Eltham, population about 1,500, is situated on the railway-line between Stratford and Hawera, being six miles and a half from the former and twelve miles from the latter town. A first-class high-pressure gravitation water-supply has been provided, whereby provision for a population of 10,000 is made. A septic-tank system of drainage has also been provided, and the town possesses swimming-baths. In the matter of fire prevention a first-class station has been erected and equipped with the most up-to-date plant. During the year 1909 the Eltham Bacon-factory bought 1,852 pigs, at a cost of £3,722, an average of £2 0s. 2½d. per pig.

Opunake, a seaport town of 450 inhabitants, was visited during the year by 32 vessels, the imports and exports totalling 1,220 tons. The exports were only 4.9 per cent. of the total of imports, which suffices to demonstrate that the want of proper shipping facilities is a serious drawback to the district. It is estimated that with suitable protective works the trade of the port would be considerably increased; at low-water the bay has an area of about 50 acres, mostly all deep water. With the exception of some wool, all the produce of the district is sent away by road, and not more than 25 per cent. of the imports of the immediate district are landed at the port by reason of the uncertainty of the discharge of cargo. The port is now in a better position through the passing of the Opunake Harbour Act of 1908, constituting a harbour and a Harbour Board. The Act gives the Board power to buy out the Opunake Wharf Company, to levy rates, and to borrow up to £40,000.

The only other townships that need be mentioned are Manaia, population about 560; Normanby, population about 450; and Kaponga, population about 350.

Roads and Railways.

The chief means of communication is the railway from Wellington, which traverses the district between Patea and New Plymouth—a distance of sixty-six miles. Through trains run every day, except Sunday, between New Plymouth and Wellington, and vice versa, a distance of 251 miles. As already stated, a railway from Stratford to Ongarue, on the North Island Main Trunk Railway, is under construction, and is open to Te Wera, twenty-three miles from Stratford.

The Main North Road runs from New Plymouth, passing through the Towns of Waitara and Urenui; and is formed as a coach-road to Mokau, the northern boundary of the district. All the streams are bridged with the exception of the Mokau River, on which is a good ferry. A coach runs daily (except Sundays) from Waitara to Urenui and back, and from Waitara to Awakino (in the Auckland District), a distance of fifty miles, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, returning on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. This coach calls at the Villages of Uruti, Okau, Tongaporutu, and Mokau. From Mokau there is a dray-road through to Te Kuiti, on the North Island Main Trunk railway system. At Pio Pio, on the Mokau-Te Kuiti road, sixteen miles from Te Kuiti, a dray-road branches off to Aria Township, nine miles distant, and a coach runs from Te Kuiti to Aria every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, returning the following day. About midway between New Plymouth and Waitara the Mountain Road diverges and runs almost due south, and chiefly along the railway, for a distance of forty miles, connecting with the Main South Road at the Town of Hawera. This is at present the principal road in the district, tapping, as it does, large numbers of district roads, and passing through the Towns of Inglewood, Midhirst, Stratford, Eltham, Normanby, and Hawera.

The Ohura Road branches from the Mountain Road at Stratford. It is formed and open for traffic as a dray-road for fifty-eight miles from Stratford and for horse-traffic to Tatu Village. From Tatu the road is a formed dray-road to Ongarue on the North Island Main Trunk Railway, a distance of forty miles. A coach runs in summer-time every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (returning on following days) between Stratford and Whangamomona Village, a distance of forty-one miles. A coach also runs in summer-time from Ongarue to Mangaroa Township (Ohura Post-office), a distance of thirty miles, every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, returning on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. This road opens up a large area of fertile country.

The Main South Road from New Plymouth follows the trend of the coast to the south, and was at one time the coach-road to Wellington. It passes through the Villages of Omata, Oakura, Okato, Rahotu, Otakeho, Manutahi South, and Kakaramea, and the Towns of Opunake, Maraia, Hawera, and Patea. A motor-coach now runs between Opunake and New Plymouth and back daily, the journey occupying five hours each way.

The Junction Road runs south-east from New Plymouth, and crosses the Mountain Road and railway at Inglewood, thirteen miles out; it is metalled for thirty-eight miles, and formed as a dray-road to forty-five miles and three - quarters, where it connects with the Ohura Road at a distance of thirty miles from Stratford. This road crosses a number of district roads; hence its name.

The Opunake Road runs from Stratford to Opunake, twenty-six miles, skirting the southern base of Mount Egmont. It is formed and metalled for twenty miles; the remainder is open for horse-traffic only. Vehicular traffic turns down the Manaia Road to Kaponga, thence along the Eltham-Opunake Road to the latter place. This route is metalled throughout.

The Eltham Road runs from Eltham to Opunake, twenty-five miles, connecting with the Opunake Road at Punehu, seven miles from Opunake. This is formed and metalled throughout.

The Rawhitiroa Road, leaving the Mountain road near Eltham, runs in an easterly direction towards Waitotara. It is metalled for eighteen miles, and formed as a dray-road for a further thirteen miles.

The Tongaporutu-Mangaroa road connects Tongaporutu with Mangaroa. It is formed as a dray-road for fourteen miles from Tongaporutu, and is open for horse traffic for a further twelve miles. From Mangaroa the road is formed as a dray-road for three miles, and as a bridle-road for a further two miles.

The Rawhitiroa Road runs from Eltham in an easterly direction generally, and is formed and metalled as a dray-road for nineteen miles, formed as a dray-road only for the next eleven miles, and from there on to its junction with the Koane Road, a distance of about six miles, it is formed as a bridle-road only.

The other main roads in course of construction are the Moki Road, the road from Whangamomona to the Wanganui River, the Tangahoe and the Mataimoana roads.

Lands being prepared for Settlement.

3,840 acres. Opatu Block, in the Heao Survey District, at confluence of Ohura and Wanganui Rivers; good grazing country; partly open land.

16,700 acres, Whakaihuwaka B Block, in Taurakawa Survey District, adjacent to the Wanganui River, portion being in Wellington Land District; hilly forest country.

13,400 acres, Aratawa, Mangapukatea, and Raoraomouku Blocks, in Omara Survey District, adjacent to the Wanganui River; hilly forest country.

09,300 acres, Whakaihuwaka A Block, in Taurakawa Survey District, adjacent to the settled country at the head of the Puniwhakau Valley and extending southeasterly towards the block previously mentioned; hilly forest country.

17,400 acres, Taumatamahoe 2B No. 2A Block, in Mahoe Survey District, extending westward from Wanganui River; hilly forest country.

2,000 acres, adjacent to Tangitu Improved-farm Settlement, in the Mapara Survey District; hilly forest country.

17,900 acres, Whatitokarua Block, in Ohura and Rangi Survey Districts, lying to the north-west of Ongarue Railway-station and extending to Ohura Road; hilly and undulating forest country; portions open fern land.

All the above-mentioned lands will, when cleared of forest, be well adapted to the rearing of cattle and sheep.

The total area of Crown Lands for future disposal is about 311,644 acres.

A guide, giving particulars of any Crown lands open for selection, will be supplied free to any one applying personally or by letter to the Lands and Survey Department, New Plymouth.

It may be said, in conclusion, that there is every sign of genuine prosperity throughout the district, which has advanced rapidly during the last few years, and will no doubt continue to do so.

Chapter 60. THE HAWKE'S BAY LAND DISTRICT.

C. R. Pollen, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

The Land District of Hawke's Bay comprises that, portion of the east coast of the North Island from Waimata Stream, near Cape Turnagain, in latitude 40° 30', northwards to Potikirua, about thirty-five miles beyond the East Cape, and contains the Waiapu, Cook, Waikohu, Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, Waipawa, Patangata, Woodville, Waipukurau. Dannevirke, and Weber Counties.

It, has a seaboard of 300 miles, with an average depth from the coast of forty-five miles, and embraces an area of 5,508,900 acres. Its western limit is defined by the Ruahine, Kaweka, Ahimanawa, Raukumara, and other high ranges that form the watershed between the rivers flowing through it to the sea, and those that run to the west coast, and the Bay of Plenty.

Physical Features.

The Ruahine Range extends northwards for about sixty miles from the Manawatu Gorge as far as the valley of the Ngaruroro River. Its altitude varies from 3,000 ft. to 6,000 ft., and for a considerable distance its summit is snow-clad during the winter months.

The Kaweka, a shorter range, divided from the Ruahine by the Ngaruroro River, attains an altitude of 5,6550 ft., is very rugged and steep, and a prominent feature in the landscape in winter, covered as it then is with snow.

From these two ranges, which fall very abruptly on the Hawke's Bay side, the land slopes gradually to the sea, forming in some parts fine rolling hills—the essence of a sheep-country—in others extensive plains, with comparatively little poor soil.

Northwards from the Kaweka there is a series of forest-clad ranges of varying height, stretching away in the direction of the East Cape. Hikurangi, the highest point, is a bold peak with an elevation of 5,606 ft., rising so abruptly on all sides that the ascent can be made only at one point, and that with difficulty.

The only lakes in the district of any extent are Waikaremoana, and Waikare-iti, so famous for their magnificent scenery. Waikaremoana Lake lies about thirty-five miles inland of Wairoa (Clyde), is eleven miles in length, with a breadth at the widest part of about eight miles. Nestled among precipitous mountain-ranges, wooded to the water's edge, with numerous bays and inlets, it has a natural beauty hardly to be surpassed.

From Wairoa there is a formed road to the lake, and twenty-five miles round it, as far as the Oporuahine River.

The principal plains are: (1.) The Ruataniwha, some fifty miles south of Napier. This is 120 square miles in extent, is for the most part occupied as sheep-runs, and carries a large quantity of stock. (2.) The Heretaunga Plain, with an area of ninety square miles, lying immediately to the south of Napier. This is rich alluvial land; a large portion is thickly settled, the remainder used for grazing and agriculture. The only other plain of any extent is at Poverty Bay. It has an area of sixty-live square miles, is very fertile, well cultivated, and has a large population.

The district is well watered throughout by numerous rivers and streams, but none are navigable except the Wairoa and Turanganui, and these only for vessels of light draught. They are both tidal, and serve as ports to the Towns of Wairoa (Clyde) and Gisborne.

Communication.

The chief outlets from Napier are three in number. First the Napier-Wellington Railway, which traverses the centre of the southern half of the district for its whole length of 100 miles, and may be called the main artery of communication. Nearly parallel to it throughout runs an excellent gravelled road, which was made before the construction of the railway. On either side there are numerous branch roads, which act as feeders, making a very complete system of internal transit. Another main road runs in a westerly direction to Kuripapango, distant forty-five miles, a favourite resort in the summer time, removed as it is from the heat of the country near the coast. A coach runs thither weekly, and on thence to Inland Patea, where the Napier Road meets the roads to Hunterville. Tokaanu, and the Wanganui River.

The part of the district served by these two main lines—viz., that between Napier and Woodville—contains the greater portion of the population, and from the extent of arable land within it is likely in the future to be very thickly peopled. Notwithstanding that so much of the Native land in this part is unoccupied and in its natural state, there are nearly a million of acres of land in sown grasses.

Napier—Taupo Road.—The road from Napier to Taupo is a fairly good one, though the many hills between Napier and Upper Mohaka, the Mohaka River, and the pumice soil between the river and Taupo render it trying for a cyclist. It is a good coach-road, however, and buggies can be easily driven over it at all seasons of the year.

Napier to Pohui, twenty-six miles, by a good road, though very steep in parts owing to the many hills which have to be surmounted.

Pohui to Tarawera, nineteen miles. Here again the road is extremely hilly for the first six miles to the Mohaka River, though it is fairly level between that river and Tarawera.

Tarawera to Rangitaiki, twenty miles, over a road which is good after rain, but, owing to the pumiceous nature of the soil, very loose and dusty in dry weather.

Rangitaiki to Taupo, twenty-five miles, over a pumice road, level throughout.

Starting from Napier by the Port Ahuriri Bridge, over the entrance to the Inner Harbour, the road proceeds for some miles along the shingle bank between the Outer and Inner Harbours, and reaches the pretty village of Petane, seven miles away. After the Petane Hill is surmounted the routs is along the Petane Valley—a charming spot, and past the village of Eskdale, situated on the banks of the Esk River. From hereto Pohui, where a halt is made to change horses and have lunch, the road winds among hills and some fine pastoral country. Leaving Pohui with fresh horses, a very steep hill remains to be climbed—the Titi-o-kura—before the Mohaka River is reached at Upper Mohaka. Some grand views can be obtained from the summit of the hills between Pohui and Mohaka River, and the beautiful valleys and high ranges traversed en route are very picturesque. Tarawera is reached about 6 o'clock, where a stay is made for the night. There is a well-known mineral spring here, and the bush around the township makes it a very attractive place.

Leaving Tarawera early the next morning, the tourist is taken past several objects of interest connected with the early days of the road while it was under construction by the Armed Constabulary. The double waterfall is also passed on the road, and a halt should be made to view it at leisure. Level, rolling plains continue from here right up to Taupo, and there is nothing particular to see before the Rangitaiki River is reached and a halt made for lunch. From there to Taupo, through the Kaingaroa Plains, the road is not interesting, the only objects of interest being the mobs of wild horses frequently met with. Twelve miles from Taupo are the graves of the troopers who were killed at. Opepe by the Maoris in 1869. On nearing Taupo the scenery improves: and the first view of the lake, with the mountains of Tongariro (6,458 ft.), Ruapehu (8,873 ft.), and Ngaurahoe (7,515 ft.) in the background, and Tauhara (3,603 ft.) in the foreground, with the numerous clouds of steam ascending from the hot springs in the neighbourhood, make a grand picture. The coach arrives at Taupo about 4 o'clock, where there is a choice of three good hotels. There are hotels at Pohui, Tarawera, Rangitaiki, and Taupo. Good trout-fishing can be obtained in the neighbourhood of the hotels mentioned.

The Napier-Wairoa road is a fairly good coach-road, with the exception of that portion between Petane and Tangoio, and known as the Tangoio wash-out. There is a bi-weekly mail-coach service between the two towns. It is proposed in the near future to bridge the Esk River, and construct a road on the inland side of the Tongoio Lagoon, thereby avoiding the “wash-out.”

From the Wairoa a main road runs northward, through the Village of Tiniroto and on to Gisborne, a distance of seventy-five miles. For a considerable distance it runs through hilly country, and, as it has not been gravelled, wheeled traffic is suspended during the winter months: but a coach runs weekly for nine or ten months out of the year. There is also a road from Wairoa to Gisborne via Nuhaka Hot Springs for wheeled traffic.

Between Gisborne and Opotiki, in the Bay of Plenty, communication is not good. The road, which is 120 miles in length, has been formed to the Motu Township, a distance of sixty miles. In the neighbourhood of the forest a large area of Crown lands has been taken up and settled. The rest of the journey must be done on horseback. A railway is being constructed from Gisborne in the direction of Motu. The portion from Gisborne to Otoko, a distance of thirty-two miles, is open for traffic, and another section of five miles will shortly be opened. The continuation of this line will greatly assist the progress of the district.

The country to the north of Gisborne is being rapidly opened up, the coastal road being open for traffic as far as Port Awanui, while several of the arterial roads are being extended, and the road from Waipiro to Te Araroa is now open for wheeled traffic.

Small steamers trade regularly along the coast, calling in at Tolaga and Tokomaru Bays. Waipiro, Tuparoa, Awanui, Kawakawa, and other small bays.

Pastoral Industries.

The Hawke's Bay District is pre-eminently a sheep-grazing country, and the large area of 2,955,603 acres has been improved and sown in English grasses, clover, &c. In 1909 there were 5,371,223 sheep in the district, and the number representing more than one-fourth of the total number in the Dominion. The numbers of other stock were as follows: Horses, 42,177: cattle, 204,665; swine, 115,549; and Angora goats, 401. The number of bales of wool exported from Hawke's Bay for the year ended the 31st March, 1909, was 83,034, a considerable increase over previous year.

Freezing-works are established at Tomoana, Port Ahuriri, Gisborne, Pakipaki, and another is now in course of erection at Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast, and the export of frozen meat for the year ended the 31st March, 1910, from the Port of Napier was as follows: Beef, 4,952 tons, 257,500 carcases of mutton, 322,937 carcases of lamb, mutton legs and pieces 3,425 cwt.; and from the Port of Gisborne for the year ended 31st March. 1910: Beef. 4,073 tons, 355,559 carcases of mutton, 179,759 carcases of lamb, 1,654 cwt. of mutton joints.

Timber Industry.

There was a considerable decrease in the number of mills, and in the annual output, thirteen mills having been closed during the year. The output was 9,460,523 sup. ft., of which 284,600 sup. ft. of sawn and undressed timber were exported. The mills now running are not working up to their full capacity, owing to low prices at present obtaining in the district.

Trawling Industry.

There were fifty-five boats of all sizes, including trawlers, licensed during the year 1909, and about one hundred and fifty men are employed in the industry. The fish export is increasing.

Flax Industry.

There are eight flax-mills in the Hawke's Bay, as follows: Ohuia. 1; Wairoa, 1; Takapau, 2; Waipukurau, 1; Wanstead, 1; Tutira, 1; and Moteo, 1. The first four are in full working-order. Those at Tutira and Moteo are temporarily closed owing to the low market prices at present obtaining for the fibre, and the mill at Wanstead is idle, waiting for a new crop to mature. Last year's output was about 1,300 bales, equivalent to 260 tons. Present prices ruling are from £23 10s. to £24 10s. per ton.

Agricultural Pursuits.

Agriculture is not carried on to the extent it might be with so much land suitable for root and grain crops. No doubt this is due to the profits made in sheep-farming. It is chiefly confined to the Heretaunga Plains and the flat lands near Gisborne. The soil is favourable to root-crops: potatoes range from 6 to 15 tons to the acre, and in some instances exceed this amount. Only a moderate quantity of grain is grown; barley, for which the soil seems well adapted, returning from 20 to 60 bushels of good sample to the acre. There were 46,390 acres in root and green crops, 38,666 acres in corn and pulse crops, 4,754 acres in plantations, 1,065 acres in private gardens, and 384 acres in market-gardens.

The fruit growing and canning industries have now attained some importance. There are large orchards at Hastings and Havelock North, and also vineyards at Te Mata, Taradale, and Greenmeadows. The area in orchard was 2,720 acres, and in vineyards about 105 acres. The Government experimental farm at Arataki, Havelock North, engaged principally in grape-growing and fruit-testing, is well worth a visit of inspection in the fruit season.

Dairying.

Settlers are now turning their attention to dairying, and factories have been established in the bush districts at Norsewood, Ormondville, Maharahara, Tamaki, Rokai, Hastings, Gisborne, and Woodville, whilst others are in contemplation. At Piripiri, Raumati, and Woodville cheese-factories have been erected, and turn out an excellent article much sought after in other parts of the Dominion. There can be no doubt that the further development of the dairying industry must materially benefit the farming class—especially the small farmer, who may find it difficult to make a living out of sheep.

Copper.

For some years past development work has been going on at the copper-mine situate at Maharahara, near Woodville, and the result is looked forward to with considerable interest.

Other Industries.

A leather rubber company, with patent rights for New Zealand, has premises at Hastings, and a building now in course of erection to cost £900. The machinery and plant are estimated to cost £7,000. When in working-order the machinery will turn out anything in the way of rubber articles. The principal object, however, is to use up the waste leather scraps from boot-factories and old worn-out rubber tires of motor-cars and bicycles. Other industries, such as fellmongeries, soap-works, boot, coach, sash and door, and rope and twine factories, &c., are established in the principal towns.

Climate.

The climate is generally of a mild character, and, though hot along the coast-lands in the height of summer, it is owing to the dryness of the atmosphere not so relaxing as in parts of the island farther north. The rainfall is light, excepting in the bush districts and high inland country.

Napier itself is recommended by many medical men as a resort for invalids suffering from pulmonary complaints, chiefly on account of the mildness of its winter season. The average annual rainfall for thirty-four years is 37.070 in.

Towns.

Napier is pleasantly situated on the peninsula known as Scinde Island, which is joined to the mainland by a narrow shingle-bank several miles in length. It is a busy town, with a population of about 10,700. The business part is on the flat land at the foot of the group of hills that take up the greater part of the peninsula. These hills, formerly barren and waste, are now occupied by numerous private residences, and the very general tree-planting has given the upper town a distinctive and pleasing character. There is a good water-supply, derived wholly from artesian wells of large size, and pumped by machinery to reservoirs on the tops of the hills. The shipping trade, as the large exports show, is especially active during the wool and frozen-meat season. It is still carried on at Port Ahuriri, about a mile from the town; but has recently, in a large measure, been transferred to the fine breakwater which is now partially completed. During the year 1909, the imports amounted in value to £350,788, and the exports to £1,763,581.

Gisborne, the trade-centre and port of what is known as the Poverty Bay District, is a prosperous town of nearly 7,000 inhabitants, exclusive of Maoris, rapidly increasing in size and importance, as the large quantity of unimproved land in the Cook County is fast becoming settled and made productive. It has a good water-supply. There are 1,990,484 sheep in Cook, Waikohu, and Waiapu Counties.

Wairoa, the county town and port of the Wairoa County, is picturesquely situated on the river of that name, about three miles from the mouth. The river is navigable for small craft as far as the village of Frasertown, twelve miles further up.

With a few exceptions, the towns and villages to the south of Napier are all situated on the line of railway running from that city to Wellington. The principal are: Hastings, a rising town of about 5,000 inhabitants, Waipawa. Waipukurau, Dannevirke (population about 3,600), and finally Woodville (population about 1,200), about three miles from the Manawatu Gorge, and distant ninety five miles from Napier. It is at this end of the district that the Crown has, in the last few years, successfully planted settlement, and, in place of the continuous forest known as the Seventy-mile Bush of earlier days, there are now prosperous townships, with various thriving industries established.

Crown Lands.

The land held by tenants of the Crown, of whom there are 1,586 in the district under the various systems of tenure, amounts to 908,598 acres, and there remains about 128,128 acres not yet dealt with in any manner.

About one-quarter of this area is fit for agriculture and is suitable for subdivision into small areas, and the balance is only fit for grazing purposes, being mostly broken forest country, fitted more for sheep than cattle, and having an average carrying-capacity, when cleared, of about one sheep to the acre, though the best of it might possibly graze two.

The following is a short description of some of the areas to be dealt with in the future:—

Waiapu County.—11,861 acres.

Which are situated in the following survey districts:—

Mata.—305 acres, undulating pastoral open country, partly in grass and in mixed bush.

Waiapu.—821 acres; soil generally very good; covered with native grasses and light bush.

Tutamoe.—7,750 acres; rough and broken land, rising to an altitude of about 3,000 ft. above sea-level. The soil is fair to good in the valleys and poor on the ridges; all covered with bush.

Tokomaru.—186 acres; open fern land, partly grassed.

Matakaoa.—140 acres; hilly country, covered with mixed bush; soil fairly good.

Hikurangi.—2,507 acres; high, rough, bush-clad country, ranging from 2,000 ft. to 4,000 ft. above sea-level; chiefly birch-clad with tawa and mixed bush in the gullies; formation sandstone and slate.

Raukumara East.—146 acres; rough bush-clad country; no road access at present.

Cook County.—54,638 acres.

Hangaroa Survey District.—701 acres; hilly land of fair quality, covered with fern and scrub.

Koranga, Ngatapa, Moanui, and Tuahu.—48,851 acres; all heavy bush country, chiefly good mixed bush with red-birch on the ridges; situated about 70 miles from Gisborne and about 40 miles from Opotiki.

Ngatapa Survey District.—4,600 acres; very broken red-birch country; soil light, mixed with pumice; height from 1,000 ft. to 3,000 ft. above sea-level.

Opoiti Survey District.—486 acres; part open land covered with fern and scrub; balance consists of hilly country covered with bush.

Wairoa County.—14,568 acres.

Tuahu Survey District.—6,000 acres; ranging from good tawa bush with easy faces to rough high birch ranges; distant 38 miles from the port of Wairoa—27 miles by coach-road and 11 miles by formed pack-track.

Waikaremoana Survey District.—8,568 acres; rough and broken land.

Hawke's Bay County.—35,359 acres.

Patoka Survey District.—4,028 acres; chiefly forest country, with light soil, part river-bed.

Kuripapanga, Kaweka, and Pohui Survey District.—30,500 acres; high broken pastoral country; open country with scrub and black-birch in gullies. Altitude, 2,000 ft, to 4,000 ft. above sea-level.

Matapiro Survey District.—Aorangi Block, 531 acres. The quality of the land is good; the subsoil is clay or gravel on a papa formation. This area will be open for selection during the year.

Kidnapper Survey District.—300 acres; long narrow strip of sandhills and sandy beach.

Dannevirke County.—5,621 acres.

Norsewood Survey District.—Piripiri Block, 3,800 acres; bush country, mostly covered with bush; a good proportion undulating land; all well watered. Now leased for timber-cutting rights.

Norsewood and Tahoraite Survey Districts.—1,815 acres; being part of Tamaki Block; bush country; all covered with heavy forest; portion is good, flat agricultural land, is now under survey, and will be open for selection at an early date.

Waipawa County.—8,400 acres.

Wakarara and Makaretu Survey Districts.—8,400 acres, mostly covered with bush and scrub, high broken country, fair soil and healthy sheep country. Altitude varies from about 1,000 ft. to 3,500 ft. above sea-level. This block is capable of subdivision into sections of from 400 to 600 acres.

Patangata County.—33 acres.

Motuotaraia Survey District.—acres; between Eparaima West and Eparaima Bush; rural sections a long narrow strip of unoccupied Crown land.

Native Lands.

Of the Native land in this district, a very considerable portion has been leased to Europeans, but there still remains in the hands of the Maoris a valuable estate, comprising both agricultural and pastoral country, and including some excellent land. This land lies for the most part in the Waiapu County, towards the East Cape.

Thermal Springs.

At Waipiro Bay, Tarawera, and Morere, thermal baths have been constructed and their medicinal properties are highly spoken of. All these places are now accessible by coach, and the number of visitors, especially in the summer-time, is considerable. A hot spring on the upper reaches of the Mohaka River, and not far from the Village of Puketitiri, has been discovered, and a road will shortly be constructed.

Chapter 61. THE WELLINGTON LAND DISTRICT.

James Mackenzie, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

The Wellington District is bounded towards the north by the Auckland District; towards the east by the Hawke's Bay District, to the sea; thence by the sea to the Patea River on the West Coast; and thence bounded towards the west by the Taranaki District. The area contained within these limits is about 6,810,953 acres. It lies between the parallels of 39° and 41° 30’ south latitude; its greatest length north and south is about 180 miles, and its mean width east and west about sixty miles.

General Physical Features.

The district is divided into two well-defined parts by a mountain range, which forms part of the backbone of the North Island. At its northern end this range—there known by the name of Ruahine, and averaging a height of about 4,000ft.—divides Wellington from Hawke's Bay; but after passing the point where it is intersected by the Manawatu River, the range takes the name of Tararua for many miles, until, at about forty miles from the termination on the shores of Cook Strait, it divides into two main ranges, known respectively under the general names of Rimutaka and Tararua, both ranges averaging from 2,500 ft. to 3,500 ft. in height, the highest point being 5,154 ft. Parallel to the main range, and divided from it by the Wairarapa Plain and the undulating country to the north, is a series of ranges at a few miles inland from the East Coast, known as the Puketoi, Taipo, Maungaraki, and Haurangi Ranges. Lying on the northern border of the district are the Kaimanawa Ranges, for the most part open and grass-covered, rising to a mean height of about 4,500 ft. Westward from the latter mountains, and divided from them by a deep, broad valley, in which flow the Waikato and Wangaehu Rivers, is the volcanic chain of mountains containing Ruapehu, 9,008 ft., and Ngauruhoe, an active volcano, 7,515 ft. high. The long sweeping curve of Cook Strait, forming the south-western limit of the district, is bordered, from the Patea River to within thirty miles of Wellington, by a comparatively level and undulating country, now nearly all under cultivation, having an average width of about fifteen miles. This is one of the finest parts of the Dominion, and is celebrated for its stock-raising capabilities. It was originally in a great measure open, though the southern part, where the plain is narrowed in between the sea and the Tararua Range, had a good deal of forest on it.

Inland of this coastal plain, at varying distances from the sea, the country gradually rises to a mean height, of about 1,500 ft. to 1,800 ft., and becomes a good deal broken in character. It was originally forest-clad almost throughout. It is much cut up by rivers and streams flowing from the interior to the sea, of which the principal, commencing from the north, are these: the Waitotara, the Wanganui, the Wangaehu, the Rangitikei, the Oroua, the Pohangina, and the Manawatu, which last, after leaving the gorge in the Ruahine Ranges, runs through level-land to its mouth in Cook Strait. This broken country, being every where composed of papa, or marly formation, which takes grass excellently, promises in the near future to be a large sheep-carrying district.

At about fifteen miles south of the volcanic peaks of Ruapehu Mountain the papa country terminates in a fairly well-marked escarpment, giving place to a more level and undulating country formed of volcanic matter, the greater portion of which is forest-clad, though on the south-east, east, and west sides of that mountain there are open grassy plains, of no great fertility, but yet suited to pastoral pursuits.

To the eastward of the main range formed by the Rimutaka and Tararua Ranges is the great depression known at its southern end as the Wairarapa Plain, which gradually rises northwards from the lake of that name into somewhat broken country, of no great height, at a distance of some forty-five miles from the sea. From here the country falls again slightly to the Upper Manawatu River, the depression in this part being marked by the extensive flats in the neighbourhood of Pahiatua, and by the shallow valleys of the Mangahao, Mangatainoko, and Tiraumea Rivers and their branches. For thirty miles from the sea this great valley is mostly open, with patches of forest here and there, but becomes more plentifully wooded at the base of the Rimutaka and Tararua Ranges. The quality of the soil varies from light and stony on the Wairarapa Plains proper to rich papa country as the northern end is approached. The southern end of this country is watered by the Ruamahanga River and its tributaries. Generally the district is a pastoral one, though agriculture is also pursued successfully. The neighbourhood of the Puketoi Ranges is in many places composed of limestone, and promises in the future to become a very rich pastoral district, such as will support a considerable population. In the forks formed by the Tararua and Rimutaka Ranges the Hutt River takes its rise, and runs in a southerly direction through an undulating or level country, finally falling into Port Nicholson. The valley contains some very fine land, generally held in small holdings.

Plains.

The two most important of these have already been mentioned. On the eastern side of the main range the Wairarapa extends northward from the lake of that name for about forty-seven miles, with an average width of about nine miles. In some parts, especially on the flats along the Ruamahanga River, the soil is alluvial and rich; in others, though stony and unfit for cultivation, it is nevertheless grassed, and carries stock well in the winter and rainy seasons. The plain is watered by the Waiohine, Waingawa, and Ruamahanga Rivers, and contains altogether about 200,000 acres, much of which is good agricultural land. On the other side of the district, west of the Tararua and Ruahine Ranges, there is a large block of land so nearly level that it may be called a plain, extending from Paekakariki (twenty-seven miles from Wellington) to Marton (a few miles north of the Rangitikei River), and contains about half a million acres. Starting as a narrow strip between the hills and the sea, the plain widens out by degrees until at Feilding it is at least twenty miles in breadth. Along the beach runs a fringe of sandhills, but behind this is to be found some of the best farming and grazing land in the Dominion. There are two plains inland—Murimotu and Waimarino—both lying some 2,200 ft. above sea-level, in the neighbourhood of Mount Ruapehu, the former to the south and the latter to the north-west of the mountain. The soil is covered with a coarse native tussock, and, though capable of carrying stock, is of a light porous nature, and cannot be classed as agricultural land.

Rivers.

First among these is the Wanganui, with a length of 136 miles from its source, near Mount Tongariro, to its outlet. The Manawatu is next in importance-Rising in the Ruahine Range, it flows through the picturesque Manawatu Gorge, joining the sea at the port of Foxton. The Rangitikei, the third in size, rises in the Kaimanawa and Ruahine Mountains, and flows through the Awarua country, where it is joined by the Hautapu and other large tributaries. After a course of over a hundred miles it reaches the sea some little distance below the Township of Bull's, on the west coast. Lesser rivers on the west coast are the Waitotara (north of Wanganui), the Wangaehu (which takes its rise in Mount Ruapehu, and from its source to its mouth is so strongly impregnated with sulphur that fish cannot live in it), the Turakina, and the Otaki. The only other rivers of any size are the Hutt (Heretaunga), emptying itself into the Wellington Harbour; the Ruamahanga, flowing through the Wairarapa Valley and lakes into Palliser Bay; and on the east coast the Pahaoa, Aohanga, and Akitio.

Lakes.

The only lake of any size in the Wellington District is the Wairarapa, lying between the Rimutaka and Haurangi Ranges, towards the southern end of the Wairarapa Valley. It is about twelve miles long and four broad, and is connected by the Ruamahanga River with Onoke, a small lake separated from Palliser Bay by a narrow shingle-spit only. A passage through the spit is opened from time to time when the lake rises above its natural level and overflows the low-lying flats along its margin. Water-fowl of every kind—among them numbers of black swans—are to be found round about these lakes.

Scenery.

The views obtained from the railway-line in the ascent and descent of the Rimutaka Range are still among the best in the neighbourhood of Wellington, though bush fires have done much damage, and the road through the Forty-mile Bush was long considered one of the most beautiful drives in the North Island; but its beauty has been diminished by the felling of the bush consequent on the increase of settlement. The same may be said of the Manawatu Gorge, famed in the old coaching days for its lovely scenery, but now sadly marred by the construction of the railway-line. The most beautiful drive now left is through the Awarua Bush, from Ohingaiti to Moawhango. From this road, as it winds round the spurs, most charming glimpses are obtained of the Rangitikei River and the blue hills beyond, and at other points the traveller looks up deep ravines where the graceful fern-tree stands out in bright relief against the dark green of the native bush. Another road, from Pipiriki, on the Wanganui River, to the Murimotu Plain, traverses one of the most magnificent forests in the North Island. Here the bushman's axe has felled only the timber standing on the road-line, and the track runs beneath the shade of the largest and stateliest maire and rimu known. Beautiful as these drives are, the scenery on the Wanganui River is still more lovely. A few miles below Taumarunui the river enters a series of gorges, shut in by high precipitous cliffs. Sometimes the canoe glides slowly through quiet reaches, sometimes shoots rapids which make the traveller hold his breath till they are passed, and then again traverses places where the water is ever in turmoil, boiling and eddying in whirlpools, taxing the energies of the most skilful Native steersman, and testing the nerve of the most courageous tourist. These experiences, with the views obtained of the banks, densely wooded even where the papa rock rises almost straight from the water's edge, make the eighty-four miles journey from Taumarunui to Pipiriki an event not easily effaced from the memory. Between Pipiriki and Wanganui excellent steamers are now running, so that the beauties of the lower part of the river may be seen by all without trouble or discomfort. In summer-time a launch goes as far as Taumarunui three times a week with the convenience of a house-boat at Ohura, where the night is passed on the upward trip.

Some of the finest bush scenery in the Dominion has now been rendered accessible to travellers by the opening of the Main Trunk line. That portion between Mangaweka and Utiku is truly magnificent, the line being cut out of steep rugged cliffs along the Rangitikei and Hautapu Rivers. Further north the line passes through the Waimarino forests, rich in magnificent milling-timber, and the Waimarino Plains, from which there is a splendid view of Ruapehu, Tongariro, and Ngaruhoe Mountains. From here the railway passes to the Raurimu Spiral, an engineering triumph, which enables the line to rise some 700 ft. in about two miles.

Forests.

The Wellington District until quite recently was essentially a forest country, but cut of the 6,810,953 acres contained within its borders there are now not more than 2,616,000 acres under bush. By far the largest forest is the Waimarino, having an area of at least three-quarter million acres, a portion of if being nearly level land, containing magnificent timber, principally rimu, matai, totara, maire, and other pines. This forest is as yet hardly touched, though timber is being cut at Raetihi for the settlers now making their homes in the neighbourhood. A very efficiently equipped Government sawmill has been working at Kakahi for some time, and supplying all the totara required by the Public Works Department for the railway-works in the vicinity, and a sawmill at Piriaka is cutting bush on a Native reserve.

There is a large extent of bush land, drained by the Turakina. Mangamahu, and Wangaehu Rivers, extending up to the Wanganui River, and containing about 300,000 acres. Very little of this, from its inaccessibility, will be utilised for saw-milling purposes, but a great deal of it, together with a further block of 230,000 acres on the west side of the Wanganui River, will be cleared by the settlers and sown down with grass. A further block of about 100,000 acres of forest land lies in the Pohangina Valley and on the slopes of the Ruahine Range. A large portion of this has been taken up and is now being settled.

The Awarua Block, extending on both sides of the Rangitikei River and to the summit of the dividing range, is covered with heavy bush on the lower slopes. The portion which has been sold by the Government for settlement purposes is being cleared by the settlers; but there is a large amount of very valuable milling-timber still standing in the neighbourhood of Taihape, where several sawmills are busily engaged. The timber on the east side of the Rangitikei River, reserved for milling by the Crown, is untouched.

The forest land on the west coast extends from Pukerua to the Manawatu Gorge, on the west side of the Tararua Range, and contains an area of about 300,000 acres, the bulk of it being fit only for turning into pasture. The most available part of it, alongside the Wellington—Manawatu Railway, has been almost cut out by sawmilllers at Levin and other places on the line.

After this in size is the forest on the eastern slopes of the Tararua Ranges, extending from Featherston to the Manawatu Gorge, which includes what remains of the well-known Forty-mile Bush, containing probably about 175,000 acres. This area is being quickly denuded of timber by sawmillers and by settlers. A tract of about 50,000 acres lying to the east of the Puketoi Range cannot be utilized for milling purposes, as it is not tapped by any branch railway-line, and its distance from the main line would probably render the business unprofitable except for local purposes. Nor are there any suitable ports along the coast where timber could be shipped.

The other forests are, one near Lake Taupo, and the Haurangi Forest on the east side of the Wairarapa Lake. The former contains some valuable milling-timber, principally matai and maire, and the latter consists for the most part of beech-covered hills, and cannot be considered as valuable for milling purposes.

Soil.

It may be said that the Wellington Land District contains within its borders a greater quantity of good land than any other in the North Island, very little, except the mountain-tops, being unfitted for use, while some of it is of very superior quality, suited for the growth of the productions of every temperate climate. A considerable portion of it is still forest-clad, and large areas have only recently been cleared, so that grazing, for which the climate and soil is admirably adapted, will be the principal industry for some time to come, as it take. from ten to fifteen years before the plough can be used in bush-lands It is generally calculated that the cost of felling and burning ordinary bush varies from 25s. to 35s. an acre. To this must be added about 20s. for seed and fencing. It is no uncommon thing for a return to be received at from twelve to eighteen months after felling. The usual practice is to put sheep on to the new lands soon after the grass has obtained a good hold. The process of improving the lands by the gradual “logging up” and burning of the fallen tree-trunks is a long one, but it pays in the end, for in this way fine pasture-lands are obtained on the hills, and agricultural lands on the flats.

Climate.

The climate of Wellington District is healthy and mild, the mean annual temperature (in the city) being about 55°, whilst the mean rainfall is about 50 in. per annum; and for the year 1909 the mean temperature was 55.9°, the mean maximum temperature was 61.1°, and the mean minimum was 50.8°. The total rainfall was 38.88 in. on 160 days, while for the corresponding previous twelve months the rainfall was 39.20 in. on 153 days. The rainfall differs, however, according to locality. Inland and near the ranges it is much greater. The top of Ruapehu Mountain is covered with perpetual snow, which lies also on the tops of Kaimanawa, Ruahine, and Tararua in the winter. Frosts are heavy in the interior.

Harbours and Ports.

The coasts of Wellington are not so well supplied in this respect as are some other parts of the Dominion; but what is lost in number is made up in a great measure by the excellence of the chief haven—Port Nicholson—which, from the position it occupies, at the meeting-point, as it were, of the coastal traffic of both Islands, and from its sheltered position and depth of water, may be considered one of the most convenient harbours in the world. The Wanganui River, which has been considerably improved by artificial means, is the second port in the district, and has a considerable trade carried on by coastal steamers. The Patea and Manawatu Rivers are also used by coastal steamers, whilst several other inlets along the West Coast afford shelter and stopping-places, according to the direction of the wind. The extension of railways along both coasts has, in a large measure, done away with the inconveniences arising from want of harbours.

Towns.

The capital of the Dominion—Wellington—is situated in the south-west angle of Port Nicholson, on Lambton Harbour, and from there it extends southwards to the open Straits at Island Bay. It was founded in 1840 by the New Zealand Company. The original shore line fronting the harbour has long since been obliterated by reclamation, which is continually being added to, and is now mostly covered with fine buildings. The city now includes Roseneath, Kilbirnie, Melrose, Island Bay, Vogeltown, Brooklyn, Mitchelltown, Taitville, and parts of Wadestown and Karori, the estimated population on 1st January, 1910, being 71,553. Including suburbs the population at that date was 76,390. The harbour is land-locked, contains an area of about 20,000 acres, and varies in depth from 6 to 14 fathoms, with good anchorage, the bottom being silty clay and sand. The width of entrance at narrowest part is 3,600 ft., with a depth of 7 to 8 fathoms; the current never exceeds 2 knots; the rise and (all of tide varies from 3 ft. to 4 ft. There is no bar at the entrance to the harbour, and vessels can enter inwards or outwards in all weather and at all states of the tide. There is a fixed white light at Pencarrow Head, on east side of entrance, at a height of 322 ft., visible for twenty-five miles. There has also been erected at foot of Pencarrow, 35 ft. above the water, a lighted beacon, which defines the entrance to the harbour in thick weather when the high light may be obscured by fog, The fixed light on Somes Island, within the harbour and six miles from Pencarrow, is 95 ft. above sea-level, and is visible for sixteen miles. It has a white sector fixing the entrance-passage. A lighted buoy has been placed on the Falcon Shoal in the harbour-entrance and another off Point Jerningham, within the harbour. Both are visible all round at a distance of five miles. The Falcon Shoal is now being removed by dredging to provide a clear entrance, having a depth of seven fathoms at low water. The outer signal-station on Beacon Hill, near the Heads, on the west side of the entrance, signals all vessels as soon as distinguished, and these are repeated at the inner signal-station on Mount Victoria for the information of the townspeople. The Beacon Hill Station is connected to the city public telephone exchange.

The total wharf-accommodation for berthing vessels amounts to 14,441 ft. in town and 2,096 ft. in suburbs, with depths of water ranging from 16 ft. to 33 ft. The Harbour Board has a complete and elaborate system of hydraulic plant, comprising some fifty-six cranes (fixed and movable) with variable rakes up to 32 ft. and 50 ft., and lifts of from 2 to 35 tons. There are also movable winches and sundry smaller hydraulic plant in the sheds and stores. Storage-sheds are available for cargo discharging from or loading at any berth, and have an area of 280,300 square feet of floor-space, with a cubic capacity of 5,344,788 ft. There is also a patent slip, owned by a private company, that can take vessels up to 2,000 tons, not exceeding in length 300 ft., or greater draught than 16 ft. at forward end when going on to slip. The ways are laid to a gradient of 1 in 23, and are 1,070 ft. in length at high water, with a depth of 32 ft. at outer end. This slip is situated at Evans Bay, some two miles and a half from the wharves. There are also several foundries and sawmills available to carry out any repairs required. For the year ending 30th September, 1909, 3,383 vessels, of a registered tonnage of 2,841,049, entered the port. The tonnage of goods passing over the wharves during the same twelve months, inwards and transhipments, amounted to 410,241 tons of general goods; and 150,157 tons were also shipped outwards, as well as 218,561 bales of wool, hemp, and tow. Coal amounted to 144,397 tons. Timber: Inward, 16,364,045 superficial feet; outwards, 1,368,870 superficial feet. The value of imports for same period amounted to £4,003,882, and the exports to £3,642,871. The Harbour Board has a large dredge capable of dredging down to 42 ft. at low water, and it is arranged so as to deliver the material at sea or to pump it ashore for reclamation purposes. The Board has large schemes of reclamation in hand, partly with a view to obtaining revenue by letting and partly in connection with schemes of wharf-accommodation, and to give road and railway approaches to the new wharves, The Board's revenue on working account last year was £169,736, and its working expenditure amounted to £132,710, in addition to which £37,373 was written off for depreciation on structures. The total cost on capital expenditure since the Board s inception in 1881 has been £1,110,279, its loan indebtedness at the 30th September, 1909, was £688,000, and it has an estimated balance of assets over liabilities of £343,473.

Being the seat of Government, the city contains the Houses of Parliament,* the residence of the Governor, and the headquarters of the Government Departments, which last are placed in what is said to be the largest wooden building in the Southern Hemisphere. There are several noticeable public buildings, amongst which must be mentioned the Public Trust Building, the General Post Office, Government Life Insurance Offices, Government Printing Office, Government Railway Offices, Customhouse, Public Library, with a flourishing branch at Newtown, with the commencement of a natural history museum attached, School of Art, Town Hall, and Harbour Board Offices. The Colonial Museum and the Botanical Gardens are also worthy of notice. The museum is to be removed from the old wooden building where it is now located to the large brick building on Mount Cook Reserve, Te Aro, which was formerly used as a barracks. The city now has plenty of open spaces for recreation purposes, several of which have been formed by cutting down hill-tops and filling in valleys with the spoil. Besides the Botanical Gardens there are Newtown Park, where is placed the nucleus of a zoological collection, the Basin Reserve much used for cricket during the summer, the Sydney Street, Kelburne, and Duppa Street recreation-grounds, all artificially formed and grassed ready for use. The city is lighted by gas and electricity, and extensions of the latter to the outlying districts of Melrose are now in hand. The privately owned plant for the production and distribution of electricity has been taken over by the Corporation. The principal streets are paved with wooden blocks. An excellent supply of water is obtained from the Wainui-o-mata River, on the other side of the harbour, and from the Kaiwarrawarra Stream, at Karori, to the westward. The drainage is very complete in the principal part of the city, and it is now being extended to the outlying portions. A system of electric trams has been installed, and extended to Brooklyn, Island Bay, Karori, Kilbirnie, Miramar, and Seatoun. The principal industries are represented by iron and brass foundries, sawmills, soap and candle works, boot-factories, aerated-water and meat freezing works, coachbuilding, rope and twine works, sash and door factories, brick, tile, and pottery works, printing and publishing offices, besides match and box factories, and other smaller works of various kinds. The city is increasing with rapid strides; its excellent position, together with the fine back-country, places it in the front rank of New Zealand towns. The railway-line to the Hutt Valley is now being straightened and duplicated to afford greater facilities of transit, which are necessary in consequence of the rapid development of population. The following are the principal suburbs:—

Owing to the destruction of the Houses of Parliament by fire in 1907, Parliament is temporarily held in Government House, which has been altered to meet requirements, and a new Government House has been erected on Mount View, Wellington.

Karori, which lies immediately to the west of Wellington, at an elevation of about 600 ft., has a particularly bracing and salubrious climate, and is one of the principal suburbs of the city, with which it is connected by an electric-tram service. The public cemetery there is the chief burial ground for the City of Wellington. Recently there has been erected an up-to-date crematorium. There are two churches, a public library, post and telephone office, and several shops. The reservoirs in the borough form part of the city water-supply. The streets are lighted with electricity, and many of the dwellings are also connected. There is a recreation-ground of 54½ acres, laid out with playing-grounds for football, hockey, and cricket, with separate tennis and bowling club grounds.

Khandallah, on the Wellington-Manawatu Railway, and distant about four miles from Wellington, is another rising suburb. It is lit by electricity, and contains two churches, a public school, a public hall, and a telephone bureau and post-office, from which there is a daily postal delivery. The local authorities have lately acquired the water-shed-area near by to provide the town in the future with a plentiful water-supply. The town is very fortunate in having a beautiful public domain, under the control of the Onslow Borough Council. There is also a tennis club and bowling-green.

Ngaio, on the Wellington-Manawatu Railway, and immediately adjoining Wellington, is one of the most progressive suburbs of the city. Besides two churches and a public school, Ngaio contains numerous elegant private residences, post and telephone office, from which there is a daily postal delivery, and a store. The streets are lit by electricity, and the adjoining country affords a splendid scope for future development.

Kaiwarrawarra, one mile from Wellington, on the Wellington-Napier Railway, is one of the industrial suburbs of the city. There are soap-works, a candle-factory, a fellmongery, and a large foundry has recently been established there. The town also contains a post-office and two stores. It is lit by electricity, and obtains its water-supply from the city mains.

Miramar, an outlying borough, occupies the whole of what used to be called Watt's Peninsula, forming the western coast of the Port Nicholson Harbour entrance. It is connected with the city by electric-tram and ferry-boat services, and contains extensive recreation-grounds, used for football, hockey, polo, and golf. It is lighted by electricity, and gasworks are now in course of construction; it has a post and telegraph office and telephone bureau, as well as several stores. Many fine residences have been built or are in course of erection. The signalling-station on Beacon Hill, and forts guarding the harbour-entrance, are within the borough.

Seatoun and Karaka Bay, portions of the borough, are popular seaside resorts, and have also a considerable fixed population.

Rona Bay and Muritai, comprising the Eastbourne Borough, on the eastern side of the harbour, are pleasant residential suburbs of Wellington, and extremely popular seaside resorts, connected by ferry-boat service with the city. The population of the borough fluctuates from about 500 in winter to 1,000 or more in summer. It has a post and telegraph office, from which there is a daily delivery, telephone bureau, and several stores. At Muritai there is an extensive domain and a recreation reserve, also tennis-courts, &c.

Day's Bay, also on the eastern side of the harbour, is a popular seaside resort, and a residential suburb, connected by an excellent ferry-boat service with the city. It has a splendid beach and some 700 acres of fine bush, grounds laid out for tennis and hockey, also a water-chute. There is a post-office, telephone bureau, first-class accommodation-house, and a store.

Johnsonville, seven miles from Wellington by the Wellington and Manawatu Railway, is a town district with a population of about 1,000 persons. There are four churches, a post-office, a public school, police-station, several stores, and a recreation-ground. This suburban township is expanding, and the Hawtry Estate, which has been subdivided by the Government into 108 residential sections, adjoins the northern boundary.

Petone is situated along the northern shore of Port Nicholson, seven miles from Wellington by the railway. It has a population of about 7,300, and contains twenty factories, including the Government Railway Workshops, a woollen-factory, the Gear Company's Meat Preserving and Freezing Works (one of the most modern and comprehensive establishments for this industry in the Southern Hemisphere), two sawmills, and a printing-office (which issues a tri-weekly newspaper), &c. The water-supply is by gravitation from a reservoir about two miles and a half distant on the Korokoro Hills. The system of drainage is by gravitation and night cartage, and refuse is collected and buried. There are three State schools, a district high school, and a private school, also municipal offices, public library and reading-room, and four hotels. The borough owns the gasworks, and supplies gas to the adjacent Borough of Lower Hutt, in addition to the local consumption. The recreation-grounds are 30 acres in extent, with grandstand and band-rotunda.

The Lower Hutt, almost immediately adjoining, has a population of about 4,000. The water-supply is artesian, the water from ten bores being pumped to a reservoir in the adjoining hills, from which it is supplied by gravitation. A loan for a pumping and gravitation scheme of sewage-drainage has been authorised, and the work is now in progress. There are four hotels, three manufactories, two sawmills, a State school, a district high school, a Roman Catholic school, and several private schools. The public buildings are a railway-station, police-station, new police court, municipal offices, library and free reading-room, and a post-office with clock and chiming bells. Two recreation-grounds lie within the borough, and the public are admitted to Bellevue and Mason's gardens on payment of a small entrance fee. Upper Hutt Town District on the Wellington-Napier Railway, twenty-one miles from the capital, is the centre of a flourishing district, which has gone ahead rapidly in the past few years. The town district contains two hotels, two churches, recreation-ground, public pound, police-station, town board office, and post-office, from which there is a daily delivery. The surrounding country has many small dairy farms, owned by some of the very early settlers, who supply milk to the city.

At Trentham is the racecourse, headquarters of the Wellington Racing Club, fine golf links with a large club-house, a very completely equipped rifle range, and the Government's pathological laboratory. In the vicinity many attractive residences have recently been built, and others are in course of erection, as well as week-end houses owned by residents in the city.

Featherston, situated in the Wairarapa Valley, forty-six miles by rail from Wellington, is a small township, with butter and cheese factories in the neighbourhood. The population is about 690, with three churches, two hotels, two banks, post and telegraph office, a state school, town hall, courthouse, town board office and literary institute. A gravitation water-supply has been installed. There is a public domain and special grounds for various sports. Roads lead from it to Martinborough and the east coast, and also down the Wairarapa Valley to Palliser Bay.

Greytown is situated three miles off the main line of railway, with which it is connected by a branch line, and near the middle of the Wairarapa Valley, fifty-four miles from Wellington by rail. The population is about 1,200, with three hotels, two manufactories, a bank, a State and high school, technical school, also a public library and reading-room, post-office, town hall, railway-station, and municipal council chambers. Water is brought in from the Waiohine River, but there is no drainage system. The refuse, &c., is removed by contract. There is also a 10-acre recreation reserve. Fruit-growing on a considerable scale has been started in the vicinity.

Martinborough lies near the eastern side of the Wairarapa Plain, and is some eleven miles and a half from Featherston, the nearest railway-station on the Wellington-Napier railway-line, and is a flourishing little town of some 800 inhabitants, with every prospect of increasing its population within the next few years, having a good and extensive back country, capable of carrying a large number of people. There are two good-sized hotels and a good boardinghouse, four manufactories, a State school, post and telegraph office, courthouse, public library, town hall, county council offices, and three banks. There is a gravitation water-supply.

Carterton, the centre of a large dairying district, has a population of about 1,400 persons. There are four co-operative cheese-factories and three proprietory factories in the immediate vicinity, the total output of cheese being about 1,000 tons per annum. A high-pressure water-service is provided, with open water-races for the suburban lands, and the Council has installed a coal-gas plant at a cost of £5,000. Drainage is by the septic-tank system in a special area, and the rubbish is carted to a depot. There are three hotels, four schools (including one high, one primary, and two private ones), post office, courthouse, a hall, a library with free reading-room, &c., two banks, also a brick and tile factory on the boundary of the borough, a tannery, three sawmills, and five factories in the neighbourhood. The recreation-grounds cover about 16 acres. The Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral and Agricultural Society holds its annual show here.

Masterton is situated at the head of the Wairarapa Valley, on the Wellington-Napier Railway, sixty-seven miles from the capital. It is the centre of an agricultural and pastoral country, and has a population of about 5,500. There are numerous manufactories, two State schools, including a district high school, Roman Catholic convent, two private schools, and a technical school; the public buildings being a town hall, public library and reading-room, post-office, courthouse, also municipal and county council offices, railway-station, four banks, &c.; a public park of about 30 acres, with sports-ground and grandstand, &c.; also a school recreation-ground of 3 acres, and large fish-hatcheries. Two daily newspapers are published. The water-supply is by gravitation, the system of drainage being by septic tank with sewage-farm. Rubbish is carted to a depot, and there are also some small private destructors. The town is lit with gas. An important coach-road leads from here through a fine pastoral district to Ti Nui, and on to Castlepoint on the east coast, where a large quantity of wool is annually shipped to Wellington for export. From Masterton there is good access to Mount Houldsworth, via Fernridge. This peak is 4,835 ft. in height, and a splendid view is obtainable from the summit. There is a mountain cottage with excellent accommodation for travellers.

North of Masterton is the Opaki Plain, and beyond is the entrance of the once famous Forty-mile Bush, which is now a thriving pastoral, agricultural, and dairying district. Butter-factories have been established at numerous centres.

Eketahuna is, by rail and road, eighty-nine miles from Wellington. From there a main road leads to Alfredton and up the Tiraumea Valley, through the East Puketoi country, to Weber and Dannevirke, the latter on the Napier railway-line. The population is about 800, with two banks, twelve manufactories, a State school, four churches, post-office, courthouse, railway-station, town hall, and a recreation-ground. There is no water-supply, but a sewage system of drainage is partly installed; rubbish and refuse are buried. Electric light is now being installed.

Pahiatua, a township eighteen miles beyond Eketahuna, has a population of about 1,360. The number of hotels is four, manufactories thirty-six, with district high and public schools, and also a convent school. The public buildings are: courthouse, post-office, public library, drill-shed, two banks, &c. There is a 10-acre recreation reserve, a gravitation water-supply, and a septic tank for drainage. It is the county and market town of a large and improving district, and is the centre of a large dairying industry. Several branch roads run from Pahiatua into the adjoining country, the principal one leading to Makuri through a beautifully wooded gorge. From there another branch road passes over the Makuri saddle into the East Puketoi country. Excellent fishing is obtainable in the neighbourhood.

Porirua, on the west coast, thirteen miles from Wellington by the Wellington-Manawatu Railway, is on the Porirua Harbour. It has a post and telegraph office, store, and hotel. Here also is the extensive Porirua Mental Hospital. At the head of the harbour is Pahautanui (or more correctly Pauataha-nui), the centre of a small agricultural community of early settlers, the old coach-road to the west coast running through it, and a branch road leading to Hayward's, in the Hutt Valley. It has post and telegraph office, hotel and stores, two churches, and State school. Plimmerton, on the coast to the north of the harbour, eighteen miles from Wellington, is a very popular seaside resort. Near Plimmerton, on the sandhills and about a mile south, lies a large boulder known to Native tradition as “Te Punga o Matahourua"—the anchor of “Matahourua,” one of the canoes bringing the original Maori inhabitants to the island. Paekakariki, twenty-seven miles from Wellington, is, on account of its fine beach and equable climate, also a very popular seaside resort. Besides some fine residences it has a large hotel, a public hall, State school, a church, and two stores. It may be considered a commencing-point of the west coast settlements, which are springing up in every available valley along the coast.

Titahi Bay, situated on the open strait immediately opposite Mana Island, is one of the most beautiful seaside resorts round Wellington, and from its situation the beach is exceptionally well sheltered. Access is by coach from Porirua, about three miles and a half distant, a good service being maintained. There is a telephone bureau, postal receiving-office, and an excellent accommodation-house at the bay.

Kapiti Island, about three miles and a half on the west coast, is reserved by the Crown for the preservation of Native flora and fauna. Its area is about 5,000 acres.

Otaki is forty-seven miles from Wellington by rail and road. There are five hotels, five manufactories, a State school, a Roman Catholic and a Maori school; also a railway-station, post-office, hospital, town hall, Masonic hall, a sanatorium for consumptives, a public library, and several other public buildings; but the township has neither a water-supply nor a drainage system, the refuse being removed by contract and buried. The rainfall during 1909 was 43.73 in., and fell on 193 days. There are 331 homesteads in the Otaki Road District, and the population, including that of Otaki and of Manakau townships, in about 1,600 persons. The climate is very mild; lemons, oranges, figs, and grapes grow well in the open.

Levin, proclaimed a borough in 1906, has a population of 1,500 persons. The water-supply is by gravitation. Drainage is by a system of open drains. Rubbish is carted to a rubbish and nightsoil depot. There are two hotels, eight manufactories, and two sawmills, a State school, a district high school, two post-offices, courthouse, municipal buildings, also two recreation - grounds. Municipal gasworks have recently been erected.

At Manakau and Shannon thriving townships have arisen since the Manawatu Railway Company opened up the land round about, much of it being rich farming and grazing country. Between Shannon and the Manawatu River there is a large raupo or flax swamp, named Makurerua, containing at least 15,000 acres of fine alluvial soil, which is nearly all drained, and will probably at some future period become grazing-land. A large flax-mill has recently been established there.

Foxton, a borough at the mouth of the Manawatu River, a small shipping-port, contains about 1,450 inhabitants, four hotels, seven flax-mills, a State school, a public library, and a public park. There is no water-supply and no drainage system, refuse being removed by cart to a depot outside the borough. A trial bore is now being put down to see if artesian water is obtainable. It is connected with Palmerston North by a branch railway, and is the outlet for a large area of good agricultural land, with a considerable flax-milling industry. The Foxton Wharf is 512 ft. long, and the railway runs down it. The harbour light is white, and visible for six miles seaward in ordinary weather. The depth of water on the bar at high water, spring tides, is about 11 ft., and at high water, neap tides, about 8 ft. From the mouth of the river to the wharf—some six miles—the water on the flats is about the same depth. Vessels can lie afloat at the wharves at all times, but they can only work the port with a flowing tide and in favourable weather. Messrs. Levin and Co. have a river service consisting of five steam-launches and a number of punts, which are employed in supplying the numerous flax-mills on the river with raw material, and also in bringing down fibre co Foxton for shipment. There are a rope and twine manufactory and a sawmill. The Manawatu Heads are distant by road some three miles, and are a favourite summer resort of the residents of Palmerston North and other parts of the Manawatu district. There are about thirty houses at the Heads. Direct railway-communication between Marton and this port would enable the wool and timber from the Rangitikei and other up-country districts to reach the seaboard for shipment with the shortest possible land carriage. A Harbour Board has recently been formed to foster the development of the port.

Palmerston North is an inland town at the junction of the Wellington-New Plymouth, Palmerston-Napier, and Wellington-Auckland Main Trunk Railways, situated on a fine plain in the midst of a most excellent farming district, at a point eighty-seven miles from Wellington and 112 miles from Napier. The population is about 12,000. The town is lit with gas, and has a gravitation water-supply and septic-tank system of drainage. The refuse is burnt on the river-bank. There are fifteen hotels and seventy-nine manufactories of all sorts, and three State schools, a high school, four private schools, two Catholic schools and a convent. The public buildings are: Courthouse, post-office, opera house, library, municipal buildings, hospital, and railway-station. There are recreation-grounds, a public domain, and show-grounds, where the Manawatu Agricultural and Pastoral Association holds its annual show. The rainfall during 1909 amounted to 40.77 in., and fell on 119 days. A fine bridge across the Manawatu River connects it with the Fitzherbert Block, a tract of rich agricultural land. Nine miles from Palmerston is the Township of Ashhurst, at the mouth of the Pohangina Valley, up which settlement has now extended for a distance of twenty-two miles. Several large farm-homestead association blocks have been selected up this valley.

Feilding is ninety-nine miles from Wellington by rail. The population is about 3,300, and there are four hotels, two State schools, a Catholic school, a technical school, also a post-office, courthouse, municipal chambers, drill hall, railway-station, recreation-grounds, &c. There is a gravitation water-supply. The drainage system is by gravitation into a septic tank, and the rubbish is removed to the borough depot. The rainfall during 1909 was 42.40 in., and fell on 133 days. Feilding is one of the most important towns on the west coast, as it is the centre of a very fine locality and the outlet for a large tract of inland country, the forest on which is fast being felled. A coach-road connects it with Birmingham (Kimbolton) and Pemberton, about thirty-two miles distant. On the seaward side for a distance of twenty miles there is also much good agricultural land, extending on the north-west to the Rangitikei River, and including the Township of Halcombe. Several dairy factories have been established in the neighbourhood.

Marton, 116 miles from Wellington by rail, is the junction of the Main Trunk and the Wellington -New Plymouth Railways. It is one of the earliest of the west coast settlements, and is the centre of an agricultural country. The population is about 1,500. There are three hotels, four manufactories, a sawmill, five schools (a boys’ college, a State school, two private girls’ schools, and a technical school). The public buildings are fourteen in number, and comprise among others municipal offices, opera house, public library and reading-room, post-office, courthouse, &c. There is also a public park of some 10 acres in the centre of the borough. The town is supplied with water by gravitation from a reservoir one mile and a half away, the pressure being equal to 45 lb. to the square inch. Municipal gasworks have recently been installed. The Township of Bull's, on the north side of the Rangitikei River, lies between Marton and the coast. From Marton Junction the North Island Main Trunk Railway extends up the Rangitikei Valley, passing through the townships of Hunterville, Mangaweka, Taihape, Waiouru, and Ohakune, on to the boundary of the Province at Taumarunui. Near Mangaweka are the Makohine and Mangaweka viaducts, two imposing structures of steel, the former being 250 ft. high, and one of the most difficult items of construction on the line. A road runs from Turangarere through Moawhango to Napier, and some tourist traffic still passes over the old coach-road from Tokaanu, through Waiouru, Ohakune, and Raetihi to Pipiriki.

Hunterville, situated in the centre of a grazing district, has a population of about 650. There are two hotels, two public halls, a State school, post-office, courthouse, railway-station, &c. Water-supply and drainage system are now being installed. There is a public domain. The rainfall during 1909 was 44.06 in., and fell on 165 days.

Taihape, situated on the North Island Main Trunk Railway, has a population of about 1,600 persons. There are two hotels, a school, a post-office, courthouse, and several manufactories, and extensive improvements to the railway-station yard have recently been carried out. Water-supply by gravitation for drainage only, and rubbish is removed to a depot. There are 50 acres of recreation reserves. The rainfall during 1909 was 38.30 in. on 178 days. The progress of the railway has brought the sawmilling industry into the southern part of the extensive Waimarino forest, and about a dozen mills are now at work in the neighbourhood of the old settlement of Ohakune, which is rapidly becoming an important distributing centre. Ohakune, adjacent to the Main Trunk Railway, has a post and telegraph office, school, and several boarding-houses. The Town Board has street improvements and electric lighting in contemplation. The streams in the neighbourhood are well stocked with trout.

Wanganui, situated near the mouth of the river of that name, is the oldest town after Wellington, from which it is 150 miles by rail—the distance by sea being only 120 miles. It is the centre of an excellent farming district. The population is about 10,000. The town is lit with gas, and has a gravitation water-supply, also a gravitation drainage scheme discharging into the Wanganui River. An electric-tramway system has been installed. Refuse is collected, buried, or burned. There are twelve hotels, twelve manufactories of various sorts, and two sawmills. There are two colleges—one for boys and one for girls—four State schools, five Catholic schools, technical school, a post-office, public library, museum, land office, &c., courthouse, observatory, opera house, hospital, gaol, railway-station, and four recreation-grounds. The rainfall during 1909 was 41.55 in., on 159 days. The Railway Wharf, the principal one, is some 900 ft. long, and can accommodate six coasting-vessels. The Harbour Board has recently let a contract for an extension of 500 ft. This will accommodate thirteen or fourteen coasting-vessels. The Board has also authorised construction of a new wharf at the Heads, which will be 400 ft. in length. The Cattle Wharf is 40 ft. long. Hatrick and Co.'s Wharf and the Aramoho Wharf are each 40 ft. long. The Heads Wharf at Castlecliff is 360 ft. long. The port light on North Head, Castlecliff, is one of the sixth order, and in clear weather is visible for thirteen miles. The depth of water on the bar varies from 10 ft. to 13 ft. at high water, and 3 ½ ft. to 6 ½ ft. at low water. There is 12 ft. of water at the wharves at high water, spring tides. Coasting-vessels can only cross the bar at or near high water, but it is rarely that they are unable to cross inwards at that time, although with a strong south-west gale blowing they are unable to cross outward. The Board has in hand a north and south mole for the improvement of the entrance to the river. When these are completed it is estimated that a depth of 20 ft. will be available on the bar at high-water, spring tides. The flats above Landguard Bluff have been removed by dredging, and there is now 15 ft. to 16 ft. of water over them. Six hundred and thirty-seven vessels, with a registered tonnage of 157,520 tons, were entered inwards, and 640 vessels, with a tonnage of 157,847 tons, were entered outwards during the year ending 31st December, 1909. The value of imports for that period amounted to £200,585, and the exports to £424,581. Near the mouth of the river are freezing-works, the meat from which is conveyed by lighters to the large English steamers which lie off the mouth of the river. Not far from it are some extensive railway workshops. The Wanganui River is navigable for a light-draught steamer up to Pipiriki, a distance of sixty miles, and a launch goes a further distance of eighty-four miles to Taumarunui.

Raetihi, with a population of 290 persons, has no hotels, being within the Zing-country; but there are three good boardinghouses, a State school, post- office, police-office, Waimarino County Council's office, dairy factory, two manufactories, and a sawmill. There is also a recreation-ground of some 11 acres in extent. The water-supply is by pumping and wells, but there is no drainage system beyond a few open drains, &c. Refuse is carted away.

The Chatham Islands, about 500 miles to the east of New Zealand, form a part of the Wellington Land District. They consist of Chatham and Pitt Islands, with a total population of about 500, one half being Maoris. There is a monthly steamer service from Lyttleton during the greater part of the year. The islands contain very little agricultural land, sheep-farming being the chief occupation. A medical man acts as Government Resident and Magistrate. The public buildings comprise a church, State school, post-office, courthouse, library, and institute, also two stores and hotels, each of which holds a license.

Land open and available for Ordinary Selection.

Crown Land Guides and sale lithographs, giving full particulars of lands open for selection in this land district, will be forwarded to any one on application to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Wellington.

Native Lands.

Townships are now surveyed at Pipiriki, Tokaanu, Parata, Potaka, and Hokio; sections in Tokaanu and Hokio, are open for leasing under “The Native Townships Act, 1895.”

Particulars as to the lands vested in the Aotea Maori Land Board which are now being prepared for lease, including the Whaharangi Block, may be obtained on application to the Secretary of that Board, Wanganui.

The blocks under lease to Europeans contain about 374,700 acres, the principal being Owhaoko, Mangohane, Ruanui, and Oroumatua. Of others passed through the Native Land Court there are about 562,415 acres which are fit for settlement, the principal being the balance of the Awarua and the Motukawa, Te Tuhi, Ahuahu, Rangiwaea, and Puketotara Blocks, in the central district; Raetihi in the Waimarino district; Tauakira, Ohotu, Whaharangi, and Morikau No. 1, on the Wanganui River; Maraetaua and Kaha-kaha, between the Wanganui and Wangaehu Rivers. Those not suitable for settlement at present are the Te Hautu, Ohuanga, and Kaimanawa, on the east side, and the Oahukura on the west side, of Tongariro Mountain, containing an area of about 345,000 acres.

The Native lands which have not passed the Native Land Court contain an area of about 105,306 acres, the principal being the Pukehika, Te Hautu, Waihunu, and Waipapa Blocks, on and between the Wangaehu and Wanganui Rivers, and some others on the west side of the latter river.

Pastoral and Agricultural Industries.

The pastoral industry is by far the more important, the total area in grass in 1909 being 2,945,293 acres, as compared with 125,863 acres under crop, garden, or orchard.

Dairy Industry.

Both soil and climate are well adapted for the production of butter and cheese. The output of cheese has greatly increased during the past three years, and there is every prospect of further increase.

Thirty-two butter and thirty-four cheese factories were returned in March, 1910, as at work in the Wellington District.

Phormium Tenax.

The principal flax-mills working are at Waikanae, Koputarua, Makerua, Tokomaru, Linton, Oroua Bridge, Bull's, and Foxton, in the Manawatu. This industry has increased greatly of late years, though the output and price are now depressed, the export from Wellington for the year ending 31st March, 1910, being 10,631 tons of dressed flax, valued at £236,122. The tow produced in the course of manufacture, which was formerly destroyed, is now found to have a market value of from £5 to £10 per ton, and is exported.

Timber Industry.

Sawmills are to be found in different parts of the district where the means to convey the timber from the forests are sufficient and not too costly, the timber cut being principally totara, red-pine (rimu), and white-pine (kahikatea); the first two are largely used in house-construction, bridge-building, and other works, and the last for butter-boxes and export to Australia, for similar use there. Others of the native woods are very beautiful, but are utilised only to a small extent.

The principal mills are near Eketahuna for the Forty-mile Bush and Wairarapa districts; at Otaki, Levin, and Shannon, in the Manawatu district; and at Taihape, Raetihi, Utiku, Rangataua, Ohakune, Manunui, and Taumarunui, in the interior country. There are also mills and factories in Wellington and other towns for dressing the rough material.

Chapter 62. THE MARLBOROUGH LAND DISTRICT.

P. STEPHENSON SMITH, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Boundaries.

The Marlborough Land District, occupying the north-east corner of the South Island, and containing about 2,768,000 acres of land, is bounded generally on the north and east by Cook Strait and the east coast as far as the Conway River; thence by that river to its junction with the Towy River; from this point, by straight lines, rivers, and the summits of watersheds, to the western side of Tennyson Inlet, Pelorus Sound. From the Conway to the Acheron River it abuts on to the Canterbury Land District, and from that river to Pelorus Sound it is bounded by the Land District of Nelson.

The widest part of the district is from Cape Campbell to Tophouse, a distance of about sixty-seven miles, and the extreme length from Cape Jackson to the Conway is 120 miles.

Physical Features.

The district throughout is generally mountainous, but none even of the highest peaks are covered with perpetual snow, although Tapuaenuku, the highest of the Inland Kaikouras, attains an altitude of 9,462 ft. Of the Seaward Kaikouras, or Looker-on Mountains, the highest points are Manukau and Whakari, which are 8,562 ft. and 8,515 ft. respectively. There are several lesser peaks, from 4,000 ft. upwards.

The view from Kahautara Bluff, south of Kaikoura Settlement, looking northwards, when the Looker-on Mountains are snow-capped, is said to be one of the finest in New Zealand.

Geologically, the district may be briefly described as follows: North of the Wairau River the rocks belong chiefly to the Upper and Lower Devonian series, with a belt of Silurian between them, embracing the country along the west of Queen Charlotte Sound to Cook Strait. Within these series auriferous deposits are found, and at present worked at Mahakipawa, Wakamarina, and Wairau Valley. In Endeavour Inlet an antimony-mine was worked for some time; but operations were discontinued and the machinery removed. This claim and several others have been again taken up, but owing to the present low prices ruling for ore work has been temporarily suspended. The country south of the Wairau River may be said to belong chiefly to the Carboniferous Age, with patches, along the coast and up the Clarence Valley, of Cretaceo-Tertiary and Lower Greensand formations; while along and between the Awatere and Clarence Rivers volcanic formation and numerous intrusive dykes occur. The Red Hills also, at the head of the Wairau Valley, are of volcanic origin.

Coal has been discovered in the neighbourhood of Picton, and in the Clarence Valley, but none has been as yet successfully worked within the district. A narrow belt of Tertiary limestone, suitable for building purposes, extends, with small interruptions, from Cape Campbell to the boundary of the Canterbury Provincial District. The Marlborough land may be divided into three classes: Open land, generally covered with associated grasses; forest land; and intermediate, or land partly forest, partly covered with scrub, fern, or other rank vegetation. This original condition of the soil naturally gave rise to a localisation of industries, and a very unequal distribution of settlement. Thus the open country was taken up for pastoral purposes; in the forest country the timber industry was developed, and the intermediate land passed into the hands of farmers. Though agriculture is now extending into the pastoral and forest country, and considerable areas of forest land have been cleared and laid down in grass, the portions of the district characterized by these respective industries are still well defined.

In the northern part of the district, bounded by Cook Strait, numerous deep fiords and bays run far into the land. The principal of these are Pelorus and Queen Charlotte Sounds, Tory Channel, Port Underwood, and Port Gore.

These Sounds are very picturesque, but the hills surrounding them are not so rugged and precipitous as are those of the thirteen celebrated Sounds on the west coast of Otago and Southland.

Though generally steep, the land is not too rough to be used for pastoral purposes, and nearly all the land in the Sounds is occupied by thriving settlers.

Pelorus Sound, the most extensive and picturesque, is thirty-four miles long, following the course of the main channel, with the Town of Havelock at its head. There are many bays and inlets branching off in all directions: the largest of these is Kenepuru Sound, fourteen miles long. Pelorus Sound, including its branches, has a shore-line of over 300 miles in length, not counting islands.

Queen Charlotte Sound is the next in length, being thirty miles from its entrance to its head; it also has many bays and inlets, one of which is Picton Harbour, twenty-five miles from the entrance.

Tory Channel is ten miles long, and forms the most direct line of communication between Picton and Wellington. The distance from Wellington Wharf to the entrance of Tory Channel is about forty miles, and about twenty more to Picton.

The shore-line of Queen Charlotte Sound and Tory Channel is over 200 miles in length. The entrance of Queen Charlotte Sound is about twenty miles distant from that of Pelorus Sound, and this latter is about twelve miles from the French Pass. Generally there is deep water in all the sounds and bays, and good anchorage can be found near the shore. The country is hilly everywhere in the neighbourhood of the Sounds, the highest point being Mount Stokes, 3,951 ft. above sea-level.

Rivers.

Four considerable rivers, the Wairau, Awatere, Clarence, and Conway, rise towards the western boundary of the district; the two former, running east and north, fall into Cook Strait; the two latter, taking a southerly and easterly course, discharge into the sea on the eastern side of the Island. These rivers water large and fertile valleys, but none can be entered by vessels except the Wairau, which is navigable for small steamers for about twelve miles from its mouth.

Plains.

The Wairau Plain, containing about 65,000 acres, on which stands Blenheim, the capital of Marlborough, is the principal block of agricultural land within the district. The soil, generally good, is, on the lower or seaward side of the plain, extremely fertile, especially in the neighbourhood of Tuamarina, Spring Creek, and near Blenheim, which is surrounded by numerous gardens, with rich deep mould, and well sheltered by trees. The average yield of wheat for the plain is about 30 bushels per acre; of oats and barley, 35; of peas, 30; and of potatoes, 10 tons per acre. Hops have been successfully grown for many years in the neighbourhood of the town, but, owing to the high price of labour, their cultivation has not extended. The plain, traversed in all directions by good macadamised roads, and dotted over with numerous comfortable homesteads, standing in clumps of trees amidst well-cultivated fields, has already an old-world appearance. More than half the population of the Marlborough Land District—about 14,000, according to the last census—is centred in the town of Blenheim and on the Wairau Plain. Besides this plain there are several thousand acres of terrace flats and valleys along the larger rivers, notably at Starborough, on the Lower Awatere.

Lakes.

There are not any lakes worthy the name. The largest is Kapara te Hau, more familiarly known as Grassmere, situate on the coast between the Awatere River and Cape Campbell. It is about three miles in diameter, and very shallow, being, indeed, no more than a lagoon, as during a dry season there is little or no water in it.

There are two other lakes of small size, viz.—Lake Elterwater, four miles south of Lake Grassmere, and Lake McRae, situate in the open country between the Awatere and the Clarence Rivers.

Forests.

The portion of Marlborough north-west of the Wairau River, extending to the boundary of the Nelson Land District, and including the county of Sounds, in all about 280,000 acres, was originally covered with dense forest. In the valleys and on the lower hill-slopes, rimu, kahikatea, matai, totara, miro, and tawa were the principal forest-trees. The higher portion of the hills and steep spurs are clothed with the various species and variety of birch (beech), to which along the shores of the Sounds were added pukatea and kohekohe, the latter locally called cedar.

Since 1860 sawmills have been at work in various parts of the district. Thirty-five mills have been erected, and have worked for longer or shorter periods. Havelock, on the Pelorus Sound, is at present the headquarters of the timber trade.

The hills along the shores of the Sound will, for many years, furnish birch sleepers. There are other timbers left in places, but nowhere sufficient to justify the erection of a mill, unless pukatea wood, hitherto neglected, could be utilised. It is a light, tough timber, well adapted for boat-building and for packing-cases. The quantity of pine timber remaining in the Kaituna and Onamalutu Valleys is small, but there is a good supply of birch and other wood, suitable for fencing and firewood. On these valleys the Wairau Plain is mainly dependent for timber.

The Pelorus Valley, with its tributaries the Wakamarina, Rai, Ronga, and Opouri Valleys, still contain about 170,000,000 ft. of convertible timbers, exclusive of the birch, of which there is a large amount of the best quality on the hills and terraces. The Wairau, Blenheim, and other districts extending southwards must depend for the future on this source for all their building material.

In the neighbourhood of Kaikoura, along the base of Mount Fyffe, and in the Hapuku Valley, there is another small block of forest land in which three small sawmills have been erected. The quantity of timber suitable for sawmill purposes in this block is very limited, but it will furnish the neighbouring country with firewood and fencing for many years.

Soils and their Uses.

The Wairau Plain, which is the principal block of agricultural land, has been already dealt with. The second agricultural centre is in the neighbourhood of Kaikoura. The laud extending along the base of Mount Fyffe, between the Kohai and Hapuku Rivers, about 13,000 acres in extent, is held in small or moderate-sized farms; the soil is good, the block known as “The Swamp,” between Mount Fyffe and the Peninsula, being particularly rich. In the Pelorus, Kaituna, and Onamalutu Valleys, and in the Sounds, settlers following in the wake of the sawmills have already converted much of the land worked over into grazing-farms. The land is of three descriptions—alluvial flats, terraces, and hill-sides. On the flats in the larger valleys the soil is rich, producing heavy crops of oats, peas, beans, and potatoes, wherever it has been brought into cultivation. The terrace-land varies much in quality, but generally grows good grass, as do also the hills on which tawa formerly grew; the birch country being very barren. On the small bush-farms cattle-grazing is the chief pursuit.

Grazing.

About 1,680,000 acres of the Marlborough Land District are at present devoted to keeping sheep. The leaseholds in the northern parts of the district contain a large extent of scrub and fern covered country, now producing little or no food for sheep, but capable of improvement. The total number of sheep depastured is 1,010,040, distributed as follows amongst the counties into which the land district is divided: Marlborough County, 657,550; Sounds County, 154,194; Kaikoura County, 198,296. On the natural pasture of the open country merino sheep are kept almost exclusively, the land carrying from half to one sheep per acre. In the forest country, on sown grass, the land keeps from two to four crossbred sheep per acre. Along the shores of the Sounds large areas of hill-land have been taken up on lease, and are now being cleared and laid down in grass expressly for keeping sheep, but generally throughout the forest country the holdings are small or of moderate size; hence this is, after the Wairau Plain, the most populous portion of the district.

The export of wool during last year shipped via Picton was 9,419 bales by direct boat. A large proportion of the wool from this district is shipped from Wellington and Lyttelton.

Industries.

Gold-mining has been carried on for some years, principally at Mahakipawa, Wakamarina, and Wairau Valley. At present not much gold is being obtained.

Ten sawmills are at work within the district—one at Kaikoura, and the others in the Pelorus, Kaituna, Onamalutu, and Wakamarina Valleys, and in the Pelorus and Queen Charlotte Sounds—the total output being about 13,896,000 ft., employing about two hundred and fifty hands. The principal ones are Messrs. Brownlee and Co.'s, in the Pelorus and Rai Valleys, their tramway being some twenty-two miles long, the output last year being about 6,551,000 ft. Messrs. Brownlee and Co. have 120 men employed, and keep two vessels running between Havelock and Lyttelton.

During the year very little work was done in the phormium industry, and the quantity of fibre shipped was 3,482 bales and 1,378 bales tow by direct boat.

There are three flour-mills at work, two of them being owned by Messrs Redwood Bros. The one at Spring Creek is a complete roller-mill, driven by water-power, and can turn out about 14 tons of flour in twenty-four hours. It is electric lighted, and the sack-working machinery is driven by electric motor. The other two mills are in Blenheim; one is worked by water-power and the other by steam.

There is a dairy factory at Spring Creek which contains all the latest improvements in machinery, and also one at Pelorus Sound, and cheese-factories at Kaikoura, Havelock, and Tuamarina. Kaikoura produced 228 tons last season, Havelock 114 ½ tons, and Tuamarina 65 ½ tons.

Climate.

Marlborough possesses an excellent climate, and at Blenheim it is fine weather nearly all the year round. There is almost a total absence of boisterous winds.

The original distribution of the open and forest lands was entirely due to climatic causes. At Cape Campbell, one of the barest places in the district, the annual rainfall is only about. 24 in. or 25 in.; in the Pelorus Valley, the centre of the forest country, it is over 65 in. This difference between the climates of the northwestern and south-eastern portions of the district explains why the artificial pasture-land, when compared with the natural pasture, supports such a large amount of stock. Winter and spring are the wettest seasons, hence the dry climate is not unfavourable for agriculture. Wherever the soil is suitable, crops sown in winter and harvested in early summer can be successfully grown. Everywhere near the coast the range of temperature, considering the latitude, is very small. The thermometer seldom falls below 30 deg., or rises above 78 deg. Along the shores of the Sounds the mildness of the winter, owing to the curious distribution of land and water, allows lemons, oranges, passion-fruit, figs, and other sub-tropical fruits to be grown in favourable situations. On the lower bills and terraces of the forest country the chestnut (Castanea vulgaris) grows rapidly, and commences to bear fruit in live or six years. In all parts of the low country the common English fruit-trees—apple, plum, pear, cherry, &c.—yield abundantly, the fruit, owing to the clearness of the atmosphere, being of excellent quality. In the high country, where snow falls occasionally during winter, red, white, and black currants can be produced in such quantities that with little labour they might be made an article of export to the warmer parts of Australia.

Towns.

The chief town, Blenheim, is situate on the Wairau Plain, at the junction of the Opawa and Omaka Rivers—a third river, the Taylor, would join at about the same point were it not that when not in flood it disappears beneath the surface, about three miles south of the town. Blenheim has been termed a miniature Christchurch, doubtless from its extreme flatness. Considering this, its streets are not so straight and wide as they should be. The Government Buildings, which comprise the Post and Telegraph Offices, Lands and Survey Offices, Courts of Justice, &c., form a handsome edifice in the centre of the town, which is well planted with deciduous and evergreen trees. It is about eighteen miles and a half from Picton by rail, and about twelve miles from the sea by the Opawa River, which is navigable for email steamers. Blenheim is lit with gas, and is supplied with water principally by artesian wells. The population is about 3,500.

The next town in importance is Picton, the principal port, only fifty-three miles by sea from Wellington. This little town, both in position and appearance, may be said to be the antithesis of Blenheim, being most picturesquely situated at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound, and nestling among hills, some of the higher ones still densely covered with birch and other forest. There is frequent communication with Wellington and Nelson by steamers averaging 500 tons, and vessels of large size can lie at the wharf at low water. The direct exportation of frozen meat from Picton commenced in 1892, when 16,433 carcases were shipped. The Christchurch Meat Company exported from Picton for the year ended 31st March 1910, mutton, 20,969 carcases, and lambs, 86,828 carcases. Picton possesses a malting establishment also, producing for export, as the excellent quality of the barley grown on the Wairau Plain insures a ready market. A small quantity of oysters, mostly procured in Queen Charlotte Sound, is annually exported from Picton; with culture the supply might be almost indefinitely increased, many of the sheltered bays in both sounds being well adapted for the purpose. What is now being done along the Marlborough coast is a mere trifle compared with what might be accomplished if capital and knowledge were brought to bear on the fishing industry. Around the whole coast, from the mouth of the Conway to near the French Pass, the sea abounds in fish. Within the Sounds and amongst the islands of Cook Strait, hapuku, snapper, moki, barracouta, raturi, kahawai, and rock-cod are extremely plentiful. Immense shoals of the southern herring (Clupea sagax) and of anchovies (Engranlis encrasicholus) frequent the inlets at certain seasons of the year, and quantities of fresh fish are exported thence to various places within the Dominion. As steamers arrive at and leave Picton almost daily, shipments can be made without delay to all parts. Picton possesses a good gravitation water-supply. Its population is about 1,000 persons.

Havelock, situate at the head of Pelorus Sound, is, as has been already stated, the present headquarters of the timber trade, Messrs. Brownlee and Co.'s steam sawmill, at the mouth of the Pelorus River, being only a mile or so from the town. Between Picton and Havelock there is a mail-service twice a week, via Cullensville, on the Mahakipawa Goldfields. The population of Havelock is about 300 persons.

The Town of Kaikoura, the greater part of which is built on a raised shingle-beach, is situate at Kaikoura Peninsula, near the southern boundary of the district. The town, with the adjoining settlement of small farms, forms one of the most picturesque spots in New Zealand, lying as it does under the Seaward Kaikouras, or Looker-on Mountains. At the back of the town the peninsula, which is composed of Cretaceo-Tertiary limestone, rises abruptly for about 100 ft., and affords splendid sites for dwellinghouses. Kaikoura is connected with Blenheim by a bi-weekly coach service, the distance being about ninety-five miles. There is also direct steamer-communication with Wellington and Lyttelton. The population of the town is about 500.

Roads and Railways.

The only railway is that running in a southerly direction from Picton via Blenheim to Ward station, forty-eight miles in length, and destined ultimately to connect with the existing Canterbury system. Three trains run daily between Picton and Blenheim, about eighteen miles, and trains twice daily on three days in the week and once daily on the other three days between Blenheim and Ward. A substantial railway and traffic bridge over the Awatere River, costing £22,500, is a great boon to the district.

The Main Road to Nelson, distant seventy-eight miles, is a good metalled road nearly the whole way. If runs up the Wairau Valley from Blenheim for about six miles, crosses the Wairau River into the Kaituna Valley, which it follows as far as Havelock—about twenty-eight miles. It then runs up the Pelorus and Rai Valleys, and ascends by easy gradients to the Brown Saddle, where it crosses the boundary into Nelson. An excellent coach service—probably the best in the Dominion—has been established for some years, the coach running to and from Nelson on alternate days, covering the distance in eleven hours, and another coach service three times a week has been established between Blenheim and Havelock.

The Main South Road, running over the Taylor Pass into the Awatere Valley, and through the Starborough, Flaxbourne, Kekerangu, and other properties, connects Blenheim with Kaikoura and the south, and is a good road during dry weather, although it might be much improved in places. Since the acquisition of the Starborough Estate by the Government the bulk of the traffic now goes via the Redwood Pass, as it is a more direct route to the town of Seddon. The portion between the Clarence River—over which a fine bridge was built some years ago—and the Hapuku River runs along the coast under steep hills covered with forest. A road to the south of Kaikoura, between the Kakautara and Conway Rivers, is now completed and forms part of the main Cheviot-Kaikoura Road, and, besides its great usefulness in opening up the country through which it passes, will also become a favourite route for tourists, as in many places it passes through most picturesque scenery.

A good road has been formed up the Wairau Valley, passing through the Bank-house, Erina, Lansdowne, Hillersden, and Birch-hill properties, and connecting with Tophouse, just outside the boundary, distant fifty-six miles from Blenheim. At Tophouse there is an hotel and a telegraph-station, and thence a good road leads to Belgrove, on the Nelson Railway-line.

A coach runs twice a week between Blenheim and Wairau Valley—twenty-five miles—when there is an hotel, a post and telegraph office, and one or two stores.

There is also a good cart-road running up the Awatere River—which it crosses and recrosses several times—as far as Molesworth Station, about seventy miles from Blenheim. Between these points there is a weekly coach and mail service.

There are other minor roads and bridle-tracks throughout the district too numerous to specify.

Crown Lands.

The area of Crown lands at present available for settlement is about 309,000 acres, but of this area 140,000 acres are barren and worthless, being chiefly the summits of high, rugged country. The balance of available area lies principally in the Pelorus, Rai, Wakamarina, and Clarence Valleys, and in the Sounds, and will doubtless be readily taken up when thrown open for selection.

Chapter 63. THE NELSON LAND DISTRICT.

R. T. SADD, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Boundaries of Land District.

The Nelson Land District, comprising an area of 4,686,000 acres, is situated at the north-western corner of the South Island, extending from latitude 40° 30′ south to about latitude 42° 30′ south. It is bounded towards the west and north by the sea from Perpendicular Point, on the west coast to Pelorus Sound (a distance of about 520 miles); towards the south-cast by the range leading over Elliot Peak and the Rai Saddle to the Pelorus River, thence by that river to its source in Slaty Peak, and by the western watershed of the Wairau River, the Raglan Range, and the Spenser Mountains to the southern watershed of the Maruia River; towards the south by the Grey River and the Otututu River to Mount Faraday, and thence by the Paparoa Ranges to Mount Pecksniff (4,250 ft.), and by the Pororari River to the sea.

Introductory.

Glancing for a moment at the topographical map of the Nelson District, the impression left on one is that the country consists entirely of masses of rugged mountains, rocky peaks, and narrow gorges through which rivers and torrents flow. Such an impression would, however, be a false one so far as the real character of the country is concerned, for, although mountain-ranges predominate, there are nevertheless scores of excellent plains and valleys between the ranges and along the rivers throughout the district, which are being gradually brought into cultivation chiefly for pastoral purposes. The backblocks of Nelson, comparatively remote from the city, have until recently been a terra incognita. Naturally enough in the earlier stages of settlement in such territory only the easily accessible lands are sought after. However, as population increases the country becomes better explored and will gradually come into prominence, when many mistaken ideas respecting it will be dispelled.

Physical Features.

Undoubtedly the most distinctive feature of Nelson is the mountain-system. The mountains are well defined. First in importance is the eastern mountain-chain, which commences near Queen Charlotte Sound and runs south-westerly more or less continuously until it is broken through by the pass which leads to the Valley of the Wairau, a few miles to the north of Lake Rotoiti, where it recommences and is known as the St. Arnaud Range and further on as the Spenser Mountains, in the peaks of which an altitude of nearly 8,000 ft. is attained, thus traversing the whole length of the land district and forming the main watershed between the east and west coasts. From this eastern chain flow some of the principal feeders of the Buller River. Next in importance to the eastern chain is what may be called the western mountain-chain, which rises at Separation Point in Golden Bay and runs south-west generally parallel to the eastern chain for the entire length of the district at elevations reaching 3,750 ft., 4,355 ft., and 5,800 ft., and known at its approach to the Buller River as the Lyell Range, and south of the Buller River as the Brunner Range and the Victoria Range respectively. This chain is broken by the Buller River. On the western side of this western chain are the sources of the Karamea River, the Mokihinui River, and of the many tributaries of the Inangahua River. Branching off from the eastern mountain-chain before described at Mount St. Arnaud (5,621 ft.) is a lateral mountain-chain running north-west to Mount Owen (6,165 ft.), and thence to the head-waters of the Wangapeka River, where it meets the western chain. The subsidiary chain forms the watershed of the Wangapeka and Motueka Rivers, which flow northerly towards Tasman Bay, and also the watershed of the Matiri, Owen, and Hope Rivers, which are tributaries of the Buller River. From Mount Arthur (6,500 ft.), on the western mountain-chain, a lateral mountain range runs north-west to the west coast, the principal peaks of the last-mentioned range being Mount Peel (5,370 ft.), Mount Cobb 45,560 ft.), and Mount Domett (5,800 ft.). In this range is the source of the Aorere River and of the Takaka River, both of which discharge their waters into Golden Bay. In addition to the mountain-chains mentioned, there are several subsidiary chains running parallel to the eastern and western chains and to the lateral chains, besides isolated mountain-masses, rocky peaks, and hills connecting with the principal mountain-system by means of low ranges and passes.

Rivers.

The Buller River is not only the most important river in the Nelson District, but, relatively speaking, in New Zealand. It runs its varied course for over a hundred miles from Lake Rotoiti—which is practically its source—flowing generally in a westerly direction through gorges, valleys, rocky defiles, and alluvial deposits right across the land district to where it flows into the sea at the Town of Westport. The Buller River constitutes an extensive watershed of about 4,500 square miles. Its principal tributaries are rivers which carry large volumes of water. Taking them in their order, from the source towards the mouth of the Buller River, there are the Howard, Gowan, Owen, Mangles, Matakitaki, Matiri, Maruia, and Inangahua. The fall of the Buller River, from its source to the Mangles—a distance of thirty-three miles—is 1,468 ft., or 44 ft. to the mile. Nearly all the tributaries of the Buller River named are goldfields independent of each other.

The Inangahua River, although, strictly speaking, a tributary of the Buller, yet fairly comes within the category of a river. It has its source in the Victoria Range, from whence flow many tributary streams; it is also fed by streams having their source in the Brunner Range.

Other rivers worthy of mention are the Karamea, which rises in the westerly mountain-chain near Mount Arthur, and the Motueka and Takaka Rivers, which flow into Tasman and Golden Bays respectively. It may be remarked that none of the rivers in the Nelson District are deep enough for navigation. Another feature worthy of notice is that all the large rivers discharge their waters on the west coast.

Lakes.

The lakes in the Nelson District are alpine in character and comparatively small. They are, however, exceedingly beautiful, their environment—picturesquely wooded ranges and snow-capped mountains and valleys—being unsurpassed.

The principal lakes are Rotoroa, situated about seventy miles from Nelson, and Rotoiti, situated about fifty-seven miles from Nelson, access to the former is by the main coach-road, Nelson to Murchison, and a bridle-track up the Gowan Valley; to Rotoiti, via the Tophouse, by good dray-road. There is also the Matiri Lake, situated west of Mount Owen, the Diamond Lakes, situated in Cobb Valley, near the source of the Takaka River, and Lake Daniels, situated near the head-waters of the Maruia River.

Plains and Valleys.

The Waimea Plain, extending from Nelson City to the Village of Wakefield, seventeen miles, and containing about 28,000 acres, is the oldest-settled locality in Nelson—probably in Now Zealand. This plain is occupied in small holdings by farmers and orchardists, and until recently it was supposed to be the only land in Nelson suitable for agricultural farming. The result, however, of explorations through south-west Nelson has proved that there are many plains of moderate area, and also valleys, throughout the district which possess a fertile soil, and these are being brought into use for pastoral purposes. Amongst the plains worthy of note are the Maruia Plains, containing 33,000 acres, and now in the process of being settled, the Matakitaki, Tiraumea, Tutaki, Central Buller, Inangahua, Karamea, Heaphy, Oparara, Matiri, Wangapeka, Tadmor, Sherry, Ikamataua, Mawhera-iti, and numerous rich flats, besides an extensive area of open pakihi land.

Forest.

Nelson is almost entirely a forest country. Out of 3,000,000 acres of Crown lands, about two millions and a half acres are still under forest and scrub. The forest contains a large variety of timber: there are rimu (red-pine), kahikatea (white-pine), totara, matai (black-pine), black-birch, brown-birch, red-birch, silver-birch, kohekohe (New Zealand cedar), titoki (New Zealand ash), mapou (red matipo), yellow-pine, tawa, kawakawa, (tall pepper-tree), rewarewa (New Zealand honeysuckle), horopito (pepper-tree), makomako (wineberry), manuka (tea-tree), horoeka (lancewood), puka (broadleaf), kowhai, and kamahi; and undergrowth of tutu, koromiko (veronica), fuchsia, and hoho (five-fingers). Birch predominates. Rimu is becoming scarce and valuable. It is estimated that the amount of timber fit for milling does not exceed 4,573,000,000 superficial feet.

Classification of Crown Lands.

The Nelson Land District contains about 4,686,000 acres. Up to the 31st March, 1910, there had been sold, leased, or otherwise disposed of an area of 1,623,620 acres, leaving an area of 3,062,380 acres, which may be classified as follows: Lands suitable for mixed farming, 150,000 acres; lands suitable for pastoral purposes, 1,308,380 acres; lands suitable for reservation for forest, climatic, and scenic purposes, 884,000 acres; and barren mountain-tops, and roads, lakes, rivers, &c., 720,000 acres.

The area suitable for mixed farming may be described generally as light to heavily timbered country, with tracts of open terrace lands (pakihi), the latter being stony and mossy in places. The timber consists of black-birch, brown-birch, red-birch, red-pine, white-pine, mountain totara, and kowhai, with undergrowth of broadleaf, fuchsia, pepperwood, wineberry, lancewood, lacebark, and black scrub. The soil on the river-flats is exceedingly rich, and on the slopes and up to a good elevation there is a great deal of limestone, marls, sandstone, and conglomerate. That the open terrace land before referred to may be improved by drainage and cultivation is evidenced by the results obtained in the Inangahua County, but considerable capital and patience are required to make it reproductive. The area suitable for pastoral purposes naturally comprises the hilly country which is wooded similarly to the flat and low-lying country just described, but the birch forest predominates and the undergrowth is not so dense. The formation is limestone, serpentine, granite, and conglomerate. Where the forest has been cleared and grassed, at a cost of about £3 per acre, the results from this country have been excellent. It carries about two sheep to 3 acres.

The area suitable for reservation for forest, climatic, and scenic purposes is an estate of great value, for although it possesses no value as land suitable for any kind of settlement, yet it is a picturesque show-ground for tourists.

The barren mountain-tops, although reaching to a high elevation, have a value for grazing purposes in many localities during a portion of the summer season; in fact, there is a considerable area, for that purpose held, under lease at the present time.

It is not too much to say that included in the lands thus briefly described there is land suitable to every kind of culture—stock-producing, dairying, fruitgrowing, pig-breeding, &c. The general average quality of the lands, combined with a mild climate, justifies the opinion that there is a favourable field in Nelson Land District for the industrious settler. He can acquire cheap land on liberal terms, with exemption from rent for periods from two to four years, in localities where there are the requisite natural conditions for his special pursuits. These facts have been long overlooked by residents of other districts of New Zealand, and cannot now be made too widely known.

Crown Lands for Selection.

A total area of about 235,040 acres is open for selection, and, in addition, an area of 1,223,340 acres still remains for future disposal.

Industries

Agricultural.—Agricultural farming is carried on only to a very limited extent in Nelson. It is practically confined to the Waimea Plain and the Motueka, Riwaka, and Takaka Districts. Barley, wheat, oats, maize, and rye are successfully grown in these localities. Hop-culture has been developed to a very considerable extent, and fruit growing receives great attention.

Pastoral.—Up to a very recent period the pastoral industry was wholly confined to the old-established settlements of Nelson in the districts of Tasman and Golden Bays respectively. It is, however, now extending over the Hope, Central Buller, and Karamea districts on the West Coast. Owing to the liberal land laws a large area of timber country has been taken up recently in the localities mentioned, and has been cleared, grassed, and stocked with sheep—which are more profitable than cattle on small holdings—with very promising results. The country in south-west Nelson is exceedingly healthy sheep-country, the land takes the grass well, a considerable area of it being limestone land. The climate is mild, and the access roads in good order. A ready market for stock is found on the West Coast as far south as Greymouth. Up to the present the supply of live-stock has not been equal to the demand. Good prices are being given for cattle and sheep. The number of sheep in the Nelson District, according to the latest returns, was 369,414; number of cattle, 32,500; and number of horses, 8,700.

Mining.—Gold was first discovered in Nelson in 1857, the oldest goldfield being Collingwood, and in this district may be found gold, silver, copper, chrome, antimony, hæmatite, and manganese. There are enormous iron-ore deposits at Parapara, near Collingwood. A mineral lease containing the iron-ore deposits at Parapara has been granted to a syndicate, but operations have not yet been commenced.

Hydraulic and alluvial mining is carried on over a considerable area in south-west Nelson. The working of alluvial flats by dredging has not, however, proved a success. It is gratifying to know this, for large areas of rich alluvial river-flats, a source of wealth for all time as cultivable lands would have been sluiced away.

Quartz: The principal quartz reefs of Nelson District are at Reefton and its vicinity, and they still maintain their gold-producing reputation. Reefing is carried on at Lyell, Boatman's, and many localities near Reefton. The discovery of promising reefs at Upper Blackwater has had the effect of stimulating mining operations generally in southern Nelson. It may be stated that Nelson and Westland Districts have been large and constant contributors to the gold-export of New Zealand.

Coal-mining: The most important coalfields in New Zealand are situated in south Nelson, not many miles from the Town of Westport. A very marked increase in the output of coal took place during last year, and the industry is still developing rapidly. A total of 719,000 tons of coal were produced from Westport mines during last year. The Westport-Stockton Coal Company produce a considerable quantity from their property near Millerton, adjoining the Westport Coal Company's property. There are also coal-mines at Puponga, near Cape Farewell, and at Pakawau, near Collingwood. The number of men employed in the coal industry in Nelson is about 1,500.

Timber Industry.—There are seventy-seven sawmills in the Nelson Land District, twenty-five of that number being erected and cutting on Crown lands, forty-six on freehold lands, and six on a large reserve, the property of the Westport Harbour Board. The cutting-capacity per annum of these sawmills is 64,975,000 superficial feet. Sixty-six sawmills are working by steam, with 875-horse power, and eleven of the mills are working by water with 84-horse power; the total horse-power of the mills being 959. Rimu is the principal timber milled. The number of persons employed in connection with the saw-milling industry is 474. Of the seventy-seven sawmills in this district, fifteen are situated between Motueka and Cape Farewell, twenty-one scattered between the City of Nelson and the Tadmor Saddle, twenty-seven situated in Buller County, five situated in Inangahua County, five in Murchison, and fou north of Nelson. Generally speaking, the milling operations in northern Nelson are on the decline. It is in the western portion of the district—Buller County—that sawmilling has assumed any important proportions.

Dairying.—From results achieved so far in the promotion of the dairy industry, it is safe to anticipate the extension of dairying in Nelson. It is carried on with much success at Karamea—a settlement on the west coast—and an up-to-date factory has been established there, which is supplied by 500 cows; another factory is in operation at Takaka, where the milk of 400 cows is supplied. There are also factories at Cronadon in Inangahua Valley, and at Richmond and Wakapuaka, suburbs of Nelson City; also at Murchison, a rising inland town and the centre of the Crown lands so extensively settled within the last three or four years. There are altogether ten factories supplied by 4,900 cows. The output of butter and cheese last season was 516 tons.

Fruit.—A great deal of fruit is grown on the Waimea Plain, near Nelson City, but the future home of the industry will probably be Motueka. Fruit of all descriptions is successfully grown at Motueka and the surrounding district, and the export is likely to assume very large dimensions in the near future. There are many other localities near Nelson where fruit can be successfully grown. The fact that other localities have not been fruit-producing does not mean that fruit cannot be equally well grown there. Fruit-growing will eventually follow on closer settlement. As a matter of fact, the climate of Nelson is such that it is not too much to say that there is scarcely a locality in the whole district where particular kinds of fruit will not grow to perfection.

Other Industries established in Nelson are freezing; ham and bacon curing; cheese-factories; grain-mills; biscuit-factory; fruit-preserving; confectionery; breweries; wine-making; aerated-water factory; coffee and spice works; sauce, pickle, and vinegar factory; soap and candle works; lime and cement works; tinware factory; iron and brass foundries; engineering-works; printing and bookbinding works; coachbuilding-works; cycle-factories; saddlery and harness factories; tanning and wool-scouring; furniture-works; hæmatite-paint works; tailoring, dressmaking, and millinery establishments; boot and shoe factories; and eleven flax-mills.

Roads and Railways.

There are 102 miles of railway in Nelson District. The principal line runs from Nelson City to Manu, a distance of fifty-one miles. This railway is portion of the railway scheme which will eventually connect Nelson City with the West Coast and Canterbury. Another ten miles is in course of construction into the Hope Valley, a tributary of the Buller. This extension will save the expensive haulage by wagon over the watershed, and bring the settlers in the central Buller within easy reach of Nelson. A railway runs from Westport to Mokihinui—thirty-two miles—and is an essential accessory to the development of the immense coal-deposits in the Westport district. The Westport Harbour Board own a railway which connects Westport with Cape Foulwind—a distance of seven miles. The main and district roads throughout Nelson are well maintained right through the year. The climate on the one hand, and the abundance of metal on the other, contribute towards cheapness of construction and maintenance of the roads. There are good metalled roads to the backblocks; bridle-tracks are constructed in the first instance through the newly-settled country, and afterwards widened into dray-roads in many places.

The main coach-roads are—Nelson to Inangahua Junction, 116 miles; Inangahua Junction to Westport, twenty-seven miles; Inangahua Junction to Reefton, twenty-one miles; Nelson to Blenheim, seventy-eight miles; Nelson to Motueka, thirty-two miles; Motueka to Takaka, thirty-eight miles; Takaka to Collingwood, eighteen miles.

In addition to the roads named, there are several which are safe driving-highways—amongst these being that from Foxhill to Tophouse, twenty-eight miles; Tophouse to Lake Rotoiti, five miles; Nelson to Cable Bay, fifteen miles.

Harbours.

Nelson has a good inner harbour, enclosed by a natural boulder-bank running from its entrance to the base of Mackay's Bluff, a distance of about eight miles. Certain harbour-improvements which have now been effected—the cutting of a new entrance through the boulder-bank—give a depth of 15 ft. at L.W.O.S.T., and 27 ft. at high water. The New Zealand Shipping Company's ocean cargo steamers and the Union Steamship Company's coastal steamers trade from Nelson, the latter fleet trades also from Greymouth, Westport, Onehunga, Picton, and Wellington. A local fleet of steamers ply between Motueka, Collingwood, Waitapu, and Puponga. There are small harbours in Tasman Bay and Blind Bay, and on the West Coast at Karamea River, Heaphy River, and Little Wanganui River, easily worked by steamers of light draught. There is a regular steamer-service between Westport and Karamea.

Towns.

Nelson.—The City of Nelson is beautifully situated at the head of Blind Bay. Its chief attractions are its remarkably fine climate and surroundings; it is largely used as a health resort. It has an excellent water-supply, gasworks, and abattoirs, the property of the municipality. The streets are clean and well kept, and are lighted with gas. There are three recreation-grounds, public gardens, and public swimming-baths. Nelson possesses special attractions as a residential city, and has a Boys’ College, a Girls’ College, School of Music, and a Technical School. The harbour of Nelson is under the control of a Harbour Board, and extensive works are now in progress, and a new entrance has been cut through the Boulder Bank, which admits of ocean-going steamers coming up to the wharf with safety. There is regular communication by steamer between Nelson and the City of Wellington—the direct trip from port to port being done in seven hours. Local steamers ply between Nelson and the many small harbours in Tasman and Golden Bays. The population of Nelson City is about 8,800.

Westport is situated at the mouth of the Buller River, and possesses the finest harbour on the west coast of the South Island. It is the second largest town in Nelson Land District—population, about 4,000. The chief export is coal, obtained from the Westport Coal Company's and Stockton mines at Denniston and Millerton and the State coal-mine at Seddonville, all of which places are connected with the port by railway. The municipality owns the abattoirs, gas and water works, and an up-to-date public reading-room and library. In the centre of the town is Victoria Square; on the beach is a reserve of 12 acres, which will probably be enlarged to 50 acres. In the southern part of the town is a domain containing about 14 acres, and on the railway-line, about a mile and a half from the town, is another recreation-ground of 90 acres. Considerable improvements have been made in the Harbour of Westport by the Harbour Board. The water on the bar is 21 ft. 9 in. and in the river 24 ft. 6 in.

Reefton.—The next town of importance is Reefton—a distance of 136 miles from Nelson by railway and coach—with a population of about 1,600. Reefton may also be reached from Westport by coach via Inangahua Junction, twenty-seven miles; and then by coach for the remainder of the distance, twenty-one miles. Reefton was the first town in New Zealand to be lit by electricity. It is almost essentially a goldfields township, but there are large areas of alluvial land lying between Reefton and Inangahua Junction, which will gradually be brought under cultivation and form the nucleus of an agricultural population.

Motueka.—The Borough of Motueka—population, about 1,250—is situated near the head of Blind Bay, on a beautiful plain, with considerable back-country. As a fruit-producing district Motueka is rapidly coming to the front. It enjoys a genial climate, somewhat similar to the City of Nelson. There is daily communication by steamer and coach with Nelson, and a weekly direct steamer-service to the City of Wellington.

Richmond.—The Borough of Richmond—population, about 675—is situated in a highly cultivated part of the Waimea Plain famed for its fruit and flowers It possesses an excellent climate.

Murchison.—Until very recently Murchison could hardly be described as a hamlet. Now, however, it has risen to the status of a small township, with a population of about 160 people. It has a church, school, two hotels, and nice residences. It is eighty-four miles from the City of Nelson, and is reached by railway and coach—by railway, Nelson to Kohatu (thirty-one miles); and by the mail-coach. Nelson to Westport, from Kohatu (fifty-three miles). It is situated in the centre of a district which is rapidly coming to the front as a grazing district.

Other townships and hamlets on the railway-line south-west from the City of Nelson are Stoke Village (population 603), Hope Village (population 356), Spring Grove (population 264), and Wakefield (population 544).

Climate and Rainfall.

The climate and rainfall of Nelson, generally speaking, are excellent. In the winter frosts occur between June and August. The falls of snow are comparatively light, except on the higher ranges. The average annual rainfall of Nelson for thirty years is 59 in. The average temperature of the year based on eleven years of observation is 54.86° Fahr.; the average for winter is 46.58° Fahr., the average for spring is 54.56° Fahr., the average for summer is 62.78° Fahr., and the average for autumn is 55.76° Fahr. The difference between the warmest and coldest months is 17.10° Fahr.

Sport.

Nelson, from its configuration and its good climate, offers as many attractions to the sportsman as any other district in New Zealand. Deerstalking is to be had within a few miles from Nelson, both red and fallow deer being in very large numbers. Some Virginian deer have been recently imported. Stags in the early part of the season are usually in fine condition, full-grown beasts scaling from 300 lb. to 400 lb. Quail-shooting, owing to the destruction of the birds by stoats and weasels, is not so good as it was in former years. Quail are, however, comparatively numerous in the settled districts about Nelson and in the newly sown bush clearings in the backblocks. Pheasants are not numerous. Trout-fishing is a favourite sport of Nelson residents. The rivers flowing into Tasman and Golden Bays have been stocked with trout, and many of the rivers on the West Coast are proving admirable fishing-rivers.

Chapter 64. THE WESTLAND LAND DISTRICT.

G. H. M. MCCLURE, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

The Westland District occupies the central portion of the western watershed of the South Island, joining Canterbury on the east; its north and south boundaries with Nelson and Otago being the Porarari, Otututu, Grey, and Awarua Rivers. The mean length is 250 miles, and its average width twenty-seven miles. The area is 3,894,887 acres, composed for the most part of the great central snow-clad mountain-chain and its outrunning ranges, intersected by narrow bush-clad valleys, and subsiding westward into undulating plateaux, river-straths, and shelving coasts.

There are few places of historical interest. The country has been sparsely peopled by the Maoris for many years past, and they have left numerous traces of their occupation. There are several beautiful allegorical legends connected with their sojourn and wanderings in various parts of the district. A coincidence holds with regard to the minerals most precious to the Maoris and Europeans—viz., that the first finds of greenstone and gold were made in the same locality—at Pounamu—and that each in its time induced adventurers to dare the unknown, and led to the exploitation of various transinsular routes, for there is not a single subalpine pass through the main range that was not known and used in the ancient days by the Maoris. They passed the information on to the whites, who have subsequently used these crossings. The Maoris have now two permanent settlements—at Arahura in the north, and Makawhio in the south, of Westland. They have adopted European habits, reside in comfortable houses, are well-educated, orderly citizens, partly living on rentals, and partly by the cultivation, of their reserves. The greater number are located at Arahura, where they have the advantage of church and school.

About the period 1840 to 1850 the seaboard was fairly well known to the whalers and sealers, who then found profitable work along the coast. Casual explorers and others afterwards visited the region, coming by sea and land, mainly with a view to establishing pastoral settlements; but they found no inducement to remain. The discovery of gold in 1864, however, led to an enormous influx of miners, who flocked in from all parts of the world, and in a short time there was an estimated population of forty thousand young and hardy men. The result of their search was the discovery of numerous deposits of gold, and as a consequence clearings were made, townships built, harbours improved, roads, bridges, and tracks constructed. Although after the first flush of success the population has dwindled, yet year by year the country has progressed. Gold-mining now is conducted on more scientific principles, with the attendant establishment of extensive coal-mines, flax-mills and sawmills, whilst farms now occupy the straths of the rivers. Telegraph-lines, railways, and coach-roads are rapidly overtaking the narrow bridle-tracks which extend and are being extended all over the district.

Westland is intensely interesting to all and every class. To the geologist, in the striking difference of rock-texture, every variety being represented and easily scanned in the frequent sections laid bare in the ravines bordering the different routes; in the numerous hot springs, which here, as in all other deeply-eroded ranges, ooze from decomposing sulphides in the pressure-heated strata; and in the many forms of ice-action which have left record of past and present glaciation.

The botanist will be interested in the varieties of alpine lichens, mosses, grasses, flowers, and shrubs; the dwarfed mountain forest and flora, with the tangle of subalpine underbrush; the tree-dotted openings in the valley-bottoms; the heavy milling-timbers of the lowlands, with their wealth of parasitical plants, festoons of creepers, and close undergrowth; the sedges and aquatic plants fringing the lakes, streams, and lagoons; and the varied ferns, from the giant tree-fern near the coast to the tiny moss-fern on the high Alps.

The naturalist will find the ornithology quaint and beautiful—the dimunitive rock-wren, the kea, and the kakapo on the ranges, the kiwi, the white heron of the coastal waters, and the wild-fowl of the streams and rivers, with hosts of intervening bird-life. On the beaches and in the tidal pools of the south are shells, whilst rookeries of the fur and other seals are also to be found.

To the artist this land presents manifold subjects of diversity and beauty. None need fail, either with brush or lens, to carry away interesting mementoes of land and sea scapes and pictures of unique interest, portraying the surroundings of the gold-miner and the settlers’ homes.

For the mountaineer this in an endless field for activity. He may make his excursion short or far-reaching—either following the few beaten routes, or breaking new ground and climbing the virgin peaks.

The settler will find areas of excellent land suitable for farming, and under the present land laws, by industry and thrift he can redeem an independency from the country now under forest.

The miner will also obtain an outlet for his knowledge in the mineral belts which traverse the mountains right through and contain almost all known metals. He may exploit the coal-bearing regions, or try for gold amongst the quartz in the ranges, the gold-bearing gravels of the terraces, or the auriferous sands on the sea-beaches.

The sawmiller has a great extent of forest lands containing quantities of saleable timbers, which only await working.

Physical Features—Mountains.

The main range (Southern Alps), which is the dividing elevation or backbone of the South Island, constitutes the eastern boundary of Westland for its entire length. This mountain system is snow-covered almost from end to end, and its ice-clad lofty peaks uplift from the snowfields which cap the less abrupt elevations, and which fill the immense intervening hollows (névés). Subsidiary ranges, varying in height, radiate chiefly from “knots” in this great central chain, and are snow-coated most of the year. From these again, ridges covered with dense alpine forests descend steeply into the valleys or fall abruptly to the level of the inland plateaux of the littoral country. The westward faces of these spurs at one time formed the sea-wall. From the sheets of névé-snow alluded to above, numerous glaciers, with feeders from the lateral ranges, extend down the upper main valleys, presenting every aspect of ice-action, and from these the principal rivers take their rise. Parallel with the central mountain-mass, and linked to it by low narrow saddles in the northern districts, are isolated mountains, varying in extent and height, which are the remnants of an ancient continuous granite range that extended along the old coast-line. The bold, flat-topped Paparoa Range, lying between the central Grey Valley and the sea-coast, is another island mountain. With the exception of this Paparoa Range and a few outrunners of the central chain, the whole of the above-mentioned areas may, from a settlement point of view and apart from minerals, be considered barren mountain wastes.

Rivers.

A few of these lead from the foothills, and are of small volume; the others are snow-fed streams descending from the central range, at first in narrow gorges amongst the mountains, but spreading widely on reaching the seaboard country. They are shallow shingly streams in winter, but swift and deep in summer. In the northern district all the larger rivers are bridged; and southward, ferries are placed on all the main streams, which from the melting of the snow are practically unfordable from September to January. Under the heading of “Harbours and Ports,” post, are described those tidal rivers which are available for oversea shipping.

The Westland rivers and their feeders, flowing with great speed and volume, and being frequent and constant, could easily and cheaply be harnessed for the supply of electric power for the whole of the South Island.

Climate.

The climate is equable and temperate, free from storms and fogs. Immediately after bad weather the clouds roll inland, and there is a prevailing clearness of sky, without wind. The rain-bearing winds are mostly from the north-west and north-east. The southerly winter gales usually coat the ranges with snow, which however rarely falls below 2.000 ft. Frost is in frequent and slight along the coast, and a light snowfall has only reached the seaboard once in twenty years.

The rainfall averages 112 in. per annum, and falls for the most part at night. It is undoubtedly heavy, but does not last, as it is very thorough, and there is none of the long-continued drizzle of the south, from which the adjacent dividing range completely screens the West Coast.

The following figures exhibit the average temperature for the past few years: Mean temperature in shade in summer, 55°; in winter, 48.5°. The average number of days on which there was no rainfall is 200. Old residents and visitors alike esteem the climate of Westland at all times of the year, to be most healthy and enjoyable.

Lakes.

The principal are Lakes Christabel, Hochstetter, Ahaura, Haupiri, Brunner, Poerua, Kanieri, Mahinapua, Ianthe, Rotokino, Whahapo, Mapourika, Paringa, Moeraki, and Ellery, with Saltwater and Okarito Lagoons. These and a considerable number of smaller ones are dotted over the district. All vary in character—mountain tarns; coastal tidal lagoons; shallow reedy sheets; deep mountain-girt waters—all are more or less forest-locked, and present every form of lacustrine beauty.

Some of these waters are fairly deep, and sound more than 300 ft. below the sea-level.

The deeper lakes occupy the basins scooped out by ancient glaciers that have receded ages ago. Some again are slowly filling up with the shingle, &c., poured into them by the mountain rivers and streams, whilst others are rising very slowly but definitely; and a few are only remnants of very extensive sheets of water, as the high marginal lake-formed terraces prove.

In conjunction with their effluents these lakes form valuable waterways for the transport of timber and goods. Eventually, the bulk of them will be used for electric-power purposes.

Soils.

The pastoral highlands have a coating of line mould, and this continues fairly good down to the heavy-timber line.

Where these lands have a fall or a porous subsoil they produce a fine sward of alpine grasses, which are yearly increasing the cap of rich humus so characteristic of this district. The lower flanks of the mountains hold a thinner and less fertile soil. Although these and the lower heights are somewhat abrupt and unfitted for cultivation, yet when cleared of bush and exposed to the sun and air they improve rapidly, and will eventually become good sheep country. There are scattered areas of hilly lands, more or less extensive, which arc of limestone formation. Although unsuitable for agricultural purposes, they are coated with splendid grass-growing soils. These limestone areas are becoming much appreciated by the older settlers, who are using the lime to fertilise their pastures. In the formation of soils there have not been, as in other countries, countless herds of animals to depend upon. Only the bones of a few birds and rats enrich them—hence their paucity of bone-producing properties.

A margin, varying in width, of gentle slopes and “fans” fringes the base of the foothills. Here the soil is a rich vegetable mould and proves most productive when properly tilled.

Stretches of good alluvium, composed for the most part of arable free-working soils, border the rivers, streams, and sea-coast. These are well adapted for oats and root-cropping.

Pastoral Lands.

The total area of pastoral land now unallotted amounts to 750,000 acres, about 100,000 of which constitute scattered high mountain grass districts; the balance, 650,000 acres, being the ordinary bush-clad country, much of which is quite inaccessible to stock. All over the coastal lands, along the slopes of the lower hills and in the bottoms of the inland valleys, large numbers of cattle are bred and fattened on the dense undergrowth of the forest. The tussock herbage of the high lands above the timber-line is at present lying waste. In the past one or two attempts that have been made to utilise this country have failed, because the sheep were left there to brave the winter snow-storms, the owners having become careless owing to having successfully wintered their stock in previous mild seasons. Sheep may be safely pastured on these high lands for eight months in the year, but feed must be provided for them in the low country for the remaining four. There are one or two farmers who are successfully following this method, and there is ample scope for settlers to copy their example. Hitherto sufficient attention has not been paid to the breed of sheep most suitable for these mountain pastures.

Some of the richest soil in Westland is on the middle mountain-slopes, and eventually, when these have been cleared of the scrubby stunted timber and grassed, stock may run quite safely throughout the year.

Pastoral Runs open for Selection as on 1st April, 1910.

There are forty-eight pastoral runs at present open for selection, varying in area from 5,000 acres to 45,000 acres, the annual rentals of which average £1 per 1,000 acres for terms of ten to twenty-one years. Detailed descriptions of each run, as to locality and nature of country, are published in the Crown Lands Guide, which may be obtained at any Land Office. Any further desired information will also be promptly supplied on application to the Commissioner of Crown Lands at Hokitika.

Agricultural Lands

The agricultural lands comprise some 219,400 acres of forest and 11,500 acres of open surface, such as swamps, grass-grown river-beds, and fringes, &c. The bulk of these lands, when cleared of bush, grow root-crops—especially turnips, which are much used for fattening purposes. The even and moist temperature encourages the almost uninterrupted growth of grass and clover, which are very luxuriant, and favour stock-raising. Year by year the imports of potatoes, fruits, butter, and fat stock are decreasing owing to increased local production.

The settlement of these lands is progressing remarkably, and farmers are now located in almost every valley in the district. These pioneers are very successful in the main, possess comfortable holdings, and evidence further progress by the importation of pedigree stock of all classes, and of agricultural machinery, and by the establishment of dairy factories and creameries. No intending settler could do better than make an inspection of these farming centres, view the local methods of reclaiming the country, and obtain an encouraging object-lesson as to the future from the prosperous homesteads established by the efforts of our early settlers.

The whole of the Westland District is a proclaimed goldfield. Hence before dealing with any portions of the agricultural lands noted above for settlement purposes these various areas have to be withdrawn from mining operations. This is done from time to time as settlement demands, after duly safeguarding the mining and sawmilling interests by the exclusion of all known auriferous lands and blocks of saleable milling-timbers.

Under the provisions of the Land Laws special facilities are afforded in Westland to selectors with the most limited capital to obtain a holding, which when laid down in grass is a moderate and sufficient independency.

Crown Lands for Selection.

On 31st March, 1910, an area of 808,487 acres was open for selection, and, in addition, an area of 83,757 acres still remained for future disposal.

Forests.

Generally speaking the whole of the district is covered with dense forest from the sea-beach to the grass-grown tops of the high ranges, even the broken mountain-faces being wrapped with foliage. The varieties of trees differ considerably according to soil and altitude. Kamahi and rata are the chief timbers—very useful for firewood—and being spread over the whole district, constitute an almost inexhaustible supply. Rimu is the chief milling-timber, and this also is widely distributed from the seaboard to the interior uplands. Valuable stretches of kahikatea belt the low-lying coastal lands, and the same may be remarked concerning the imperishable silver-pine. Clumps of matai are met with, also rarer patches of totara, while cedars are scattered along the flanks of the inland ranges and all over the lower hills and plateaux. The approximate area of forest is over 2,250,000 acres, of which a fair proportion carries timber fit for the sawmill, the remainder being mainly firewood and mining timbers and dwarfed alpine bush.

The sawmilling industry has advanced considerably. With the contemplated early extension of existing railway-lines and main roads, and the improvements of southern harbours and waterways, it will undoubtedly still further progress. Westland is well fitted for an expansion of this industry, as the forests extend over the whole district. Coal is located in many places, whilst the power derivable from the rivers and streams, either direct or by electricity, is practically unlimited. The isolation of the district, limited means of transport, and want of good harbours at present act against the utilization of the areas of marketable timber south of Ross; but this is only a temporary obstruction, and ere long means will be adopted to cope with these difficulties.

The sawmills at present in operation (save five smaller ones) are located in proximity to the running railway-lines. The millers are gradually extending their operations into the back country of the northern district, whence the haulage to the railways and ports is conducted by means of light railways, tramways, traction engines and water-carriage, via lakes and streams.

Rimu is the timber principally cut by the mills, and is accounted of very fine quality; but large quantities of kahikatea (white-pine) have been milled during the season, and exported to Australia for butter-boxes. A few of the smaller mills cut silver-pine railway-sleepers only. A certain quantity of black-birch, matai, &c., has also been utilized, but not largely. A few mills are run by water-power, but the bulk of them use steam.

The appended summary shows the present position of the industry in West-and:—

Number of Mills.Number of Hands.Horsepower.Cutting-capacity. Super. ft. Output per Annum. Super. ft. about
50900960116,450,000White-pine Silver-pine Rimu, &c.40,000,000

Of the above fifty mills, five work part time and forty-five work full time.

It is estimated that 1,150 hands are employed either about the mills or in cutting firewood, fencing-posts, railway-sleepers, bridge piles and braces, telegraph-poles, and blocks for houses; while many are wholly engaged in furnishing the props, sluice-blocks, and other timbers required for the coal and gold mines. From a settlement point of view alone these lumberers and their families are consumers of all kinds of farm-produce, and thus form a local market for the farmers.

Flax-milling

There are eleven flax-mills, but only three in full work. The others run intermittently owing to the present low price of fibre.

Means of Communication

Steamer Access.—Hokitika and Greymouth are the principal shipping centres, and steamers of various lines trade daily between the latter port and the other ports of the Dominion. A subsidised steamer runs between Hokitika, Okarito, and the southern ports as far as Jackson's Bay, plying every two months, thus enabling miners and settlers to obtain supplies and the latter to ship their cattle and produce to market. The Government steamer also calls at Big, Jackson's, and Bruce Bays on her quarterly trips from Dunedin and Bluff. Cargo-craft of various tonnage, with and without auxiliary steam-power, likewise make periodical calls at Hokitika and Greymouth.

Railways.—Hokitika to Greymouth (24 miles).—This line, with the exception of a loop midway to connect with Kumara, runs parallel to and only a short distance from the ocean-beach. Many interesting phases of old and modern gold-workings are passed through along the base of the wooded terrace which, at no far-distant date, formed the shore-fine. Sundry small farms and wayside holdings are on either hand, and lumbering and gold-mining takes place on the plateaux and in the gullies for miles inland all the way through, numerous flag-stations affording termini for this side traffic.

And hereabouts, as elsewhere in Westland, there are clusters of miners, farmers, and wood-cutters, whose workings and clearings lie scattered far back on the terraces and amongst the hollows of the surrounding forest, of whom the passing traveller is unaware.

The line is now extended southward to Ross, and open for traffic, a distance of sixteen miles, rendering an immense area of milling-timber available, reviving the mining industry, affording economical carriage of material and coal, and enabling large numbers of fat stock to be railed to the northern markets.

Greymouth to Runanga (5 miles).—This short line connects with the State coal-mine in the vicinity of the newly established Township of Runanga, which lies to the north-east of the Port of Greymouth. An extension, three miles long, is approaching completion.

Greymouth to Reefton (46 miles).—This railway taps the central and lower valley of the Grey River, via Brunnerton, Stillwater, Ngahere, and Ahaura, as well as six minor stations within the Westland District. A great tonnage of coal from the Brunner and Blackball mines, large quantities of timber from the numerous sawmills, gold-mining material, green flax, farming produce, stock, and goods, besides a large number of passengers, are railed along this line. A further section (Reefton to Inangahua Junction) is in course of construction. A branch line now connects Ngahere with Blackball (length about 2 ½ miles.)

Greymouth to Otira.—This line branches from the Reefton line at Stillwater, and proceeds up the Arnold Valley, via Lake Brunner and Taramakau Valley, to Otira (42 miles from Stillwater and 51 from Greymouth). Large quantities of timber are brought down this section from the numerous sawmills that are established alongside of the line. Stock and produce also swell the amount of traffic, and there is also a considerable and increasing number of passengers travelling to and from Christchurch by the overland coach, which connects the present termini of the railways at Otira and Broken River.

The railways in course of construction in connection with the Westland system include the extension of the Greymouth-Reefton Section down the valley of the Inangahua River (20 miles) to the Buller Valley, a very convenient and promising line. There is also the link (43 miles) between the Otira terminus and the works now progressing up the Waimakariri Valley to complete communication between the east and west coast. This includes the tunnel at Arthur's Pass through the main range between the Otira and Bealey valleys, now under construction. An extension of the railway-line from Broken River to Cass will shortly lessen the gap to about seventeen miles of coaching.

Roads.—An arterial road extends throughout Westland from the Upper Grey valley, via Ahaura, Greymouth, Kumara, Hokitika, Ross, and Okarito, down to the Haast River, and thence partly by sea-beach and rough tracks almost to Big Bay, on the confines of Otago. This thoroughfare is fit for vehicle traffic down to the Waiho, but southward of that river it is merely a horse-track. The rivers in the northern district, as far as the Waitaha, are all bridged; below that point ferries are placed on all the large streams, so that access is safe and uninterrupted right through, via Haast Pass, to Otago. The Waikukupa River is now bridged. The bridging of Wanganui River has now been started, and the completion of this work will prove a boon to settlers and the travelling public.

Three roads only have been made across the island leading out of Westland. One, a coach-road, runs from Hokitika via Kumara to Christchurch. The others are bridle-roads, one of which at present is out of repair and impassable, leads up the Ahaura Valley via the Amuri Pass into North Canterbury, and the other, in fair order, proceeds from the sea-coast up the Haast Valley via the Makarora River to Pembroke in Otago.

Numerous short dray-roads and horse-tracks branch from these trunk lines to the various mining and settlement centres, while the sea-beach and open shingle river-beds likewise give access to the adjacent country. Sundry dips and cols, varying from 1,800 ft. to over 7,000 ft. in height, leading across the Southern Alps have been explored and mapped, and during the summer months are repeatedly crossed by experienced mountaineers. Of these depressions the only subalpine saddle is Haast Pass, all the others being liable to blocks by winter snow.

Four rough foot-tracks, blazed through the bush and partly benched, go across into Canterbury, as follows: (1) Via Arahura and Browning's Rivers over Browning's Pass into the Wilberforce Valley; (2) via Hokitika River over Mathias Pass into Mathias Valley; (3) via Whitcombe River, over Whitcombe's Pass into Rakaia Valley; and (4) via Copland River, over the main divide to the Hermitage in the Tasman Valley. Improvements on the latter road are now well in hand for the convenience of tourists contemplating an all-round journey. As a whole the West Coast roads are smooth and level, and, passing through rocky and gravelly districts, are free from mud and dust.

Coach Traffic.—Coaches three times a week connect with Canterbury via Arthur's Pass, and also ply daily between Ross, Hokitika, Kumara, Greymouth, and the neighbouring towns. Once a week a mail is despatched by coach to Okarito and thence conveyed on horseback southward to Paringa, and once a fortnight to Jackson's Bay

Telegraph Lines.—These extend along all the trunk road-lines in the north, with numerous telephonic connections with side districts, and south as far as the Okura.

TOWNS.

Greymouth.

Greymouth is situated on the south bank of the Grey River. It was proclaimed a borough in 1868, having an area of 2,000 acres, of which about 500 acres is a Native reserve, and the remaining portion freehold. The tenure in the Native reserve is leasehold in perpetuity, with revaluations every twenty-one years, somewhat after the manner of the Glasgow leases.

Blaketown, within the borough area, is situated on Municipal Reserve No. 51, having a frontage to Tasman Sea of about a mile. About 30 acres of this reserve has been subdivided into quarter-acre sections and let for twenty-one years at £1 per annum each, with renewal of lease for further periods of twenty-one years at a revaluation of rental. Of this area a considerable number of sections have been taken up by workmen, who have erected substantial cottage-homes thereon. The municipal authorities, by this method of leasing the land, are encouraging workmen to provide homes for themselves.

The rising Township of Cobden, which is built on the north bank of the Grey River, immediately abreast of Greymouth—to which it is linked by a fine cylinder bridge—may be considered a suburb of the borough. It contains a population of about six hundred, and is principally occupied by the residences of Greymouth merchants and tradesmen.

Greymouth is the principal import and export town of Westland, and is a flourishing mining centre, having a present population of about 5,300. The unimproved value of rateable property on 31st March, 1910, was £151,652, capital value £541,506, and municipal revenue £19,738 per year. The borough is connected by rail with Ross, Hokitika, Kumara, Grey Valley, Reefton, Moana, Otira, and the State coal-mine at Runanga, and on three says in each week Christchurch can be reached in one day, via Otira, by coach and rail. At the beginning of the century the Borough Council adopted a progressive policy, and borrowed money for drainage and water-supply works, which are now completed. The drainage is effected by the earthenware-pipe system, with cement joints and trapped house-services. Some eight miles of sewers have been laid, to which 600 houses are connected.

The water-supply is taken from the Grey River. The filter is formed in a shingle bed of the river, and the filtered water is then pumped up 286 ft. into a service reservoir which contains 800,000 gallons, and thence it is distributed through ten miles of mains all over the town. The pumps are driven by two 42 h.p. gas-engines fed from the Corporation gasworks.

The Council purchased the gasworks from a private company and run them as a municipal concern. When purchased in 1900 the yield of gas was 7,700,000 ft., now it is 26,889,000 cub. ft., an increase of 2,232,000 cub. ft. on last year. The value of gas sold is £7,854, and the revenue from gas and water is sufficient to pay the whole of the interest and sinking fund on the loans, and, as a consequence, the security rates have never been collected.

The town possesses some very fine buildings, notably the new town hall, municipal buildings, and library. The town hall is fitted as a bijou theatre, with a sitting-capacity of 800. The library and reading-rooms are very commodious and handsome, and were rendered possible by the gift of £2,500 towards them from Mr. Carnegie. The library is supported by a library rate of 1d. in the pound.

The new post-office, now complete, is a splendid building, and the tower contains a four-face chiming clock of 6 ft. diameter.

The Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches deserve special mention; the latter is a brick-and-compo building, with a very fine spire. Other fine buildings are the Grey River Hospital, Grey District High School, Convent School, Gieseking's and McDonnell's buildings, and many other substantial edifices. Tainui Street and Mawhera Quay—which faces the port—have been almost wholly rebuilt during the last few years, and present a fine appearance, whilst the number of comfortable up-to-date residences recently built give a most pleasing aspect to this prosperous town.

A monument, in a central position, containing four drinking-fountains, modelled and east by McFarlane, of Glasgow, commemorates the Duke of York's visit, the King's Coronation, Trooper Martin (killed in the Boer War), and Peace Day (Boer War).

The town has a telephone exchange, which is in general use.

There are sixteen miles of streets in the borough, which are formed and gravelled, and the Council have decided to finish the principal streets with tar-macadam. The streets are well lighted with gas.

One of the Government Railway Workshops is located here, with a number of local industries.

A description of the Port of Greymouth will be found under ports.

Hokitika.—This town is situated at the north mouth of the Hokitika River, bordering the sea-beach. It contains a population of about 2,500, and is mainly dependent on the adjacent sawmills, flax-mills, farming settlements, and gold-mines. A considerable trade is also done by sea with the miners and settlers in south Westland, for which district it is the shipping-port. It possesses convenient structures, such as a drill-shed, theatre, four churches, convent, and school, as well as a commodious town hall, containing the Corporation offices, A fine building, the gift of Mr. Carnegie, contains the free public library, reading-room, and museum. Another handsome structure is the public offices, at the front entrance of which is a statue in Italian marble of the late Prime Minister, Mr. Seddon. The town is lighted with gas and has a telephone exchange. A fine clock-tower, with chimes, has been erected in the centre of the town in memory of the Westland troopers who fell in the Boer war. A very handsome building encloses the High and State schools. On a high terrace immediately north of the borough are situated the hospitals and gaol, all of which, with their many detached buildings, gardens, and grounds, are beautifully kept. There is a fine central park—the recreation-ground of the place. As the suburban dwellings are surrounded by gardens the town has a most pleasing aspect. It enjoys grand views of Mount Cook and other dominant peaks, and from the terrace on the Town Belt the panorama of snow-capped mountains is one of the finest in the world. Excursions by road and water can be made to the adjacent beauty-spots and Lakes Kanieri and Mahinapua, which are unrivalled in their different scenic aspects. On the eastern boundary of the borough is the racecourse, which is well equipped and pleasantly situated. The local industries comprise sawmills, flax-mills, sash, door, and furniture factories, foundry and engineering shops, fish-cannery, coachbuilding, bone-mill, breweries, and collet, and spice works. Hokitika is connected with Greymouth and the north by railway, and also with Ross. In connection with this latter extension a fine combined railway and traffic bridge has been erected across the Hokitika River, and proves a great convenience to the townspeople and suburban residents. A splendid water-supply from Lake Kanieri (fourteen miles), has now been established, and improvements in sewerage and street access are in progress.

Brunner.—Situated on the banks of the Grey River, seven miles above Greymouth, includes the villages of Dobson, Taylorville, and Wallsend, and contains 1,100 people. This town is wholly dependent on the adjacent coalmines and their allied industries of coke burning and brick and tile making. The output of these mines and the manufactories is sent by rail to Greymouth, where the bulk of it is shipped. The mineral traffic causes this short branch to be one of the best-paying railway-lines in the Dominion. Two fine suspension bridges across the Grey River link the townships together, one being a railway and the other a foot bridge.

Kumara.—This compact little town, with its suburbs of Dillmanstown and Larrikins, of 1,200 inhabitants is placed on the skirts of the largest alluvial gold-field in New Zealand. Main roads to Hokitika, Greymouth, and Christchurch radiate from this place, and a fine road of four miles connects it with the railway. The town is finely situated on a high table-land, and enjoys interesting views of mountains, and bush-clad plateaux, river, valley, and ocean. Hydraulic gold-mining is carried on here on an extensive scale, the greater portion of the water-supply coming many miles from the inland mountains. Sludge-channels have been made to carry away the tailings. This industry gives employment to a large number of men, and also provides lucrative work for sawmillers and mechanical engineers. Kumara has finely equipped and well-built schools, hospital, library, and school of mines.

Ross.—Population, about 600. A township situated at the foot of the northern slopes of Mount Greenland, 150 ft. above and one mile distant from the sea. It occupies a very sunny sheltered position, and is famed for fruit and flowers. It is essentially a gold-mining centre, and extensive sluicing is carried on. Right under the town area are various layers of auriferous drifts, partly worked, but at present waterlogged. Active measures are in progress to render these deep levels workable, and so help to restore the old prosperity of the town.

Blackball.—Population, about 1,000. A township in the Grey Valley mainly dependent on the coal-mines in its vicinity. A railway and traffic bridge has been constructed over the Grey River, and a branch line about two miles and a half long now connects the town with the Main Trunk Railway.

In addition to the towns already enumerated there are many small mining and sawmilling centres, such as Ahaura, Hatters’ Terrace, No Town, Stillwater, Kokiri, Nelson Creek, Moana, Noble's, Orwell Creek, Twelve-mile, Stafford, Kanieri, Woodstock, Rimu, Blue Spur, Okarito, Gillespie's, &c. The town of Runanga, established in connection with the State coal-mines near Greymouth, which are connected by rail with that town, has now a rapidly increasing population of about 1,000.

Ports.

Greymouth.—Twenty-four miles north-east of Hokitika. Extensive harbour-works have been carried out. A breakwater or sea-wall extends some 3,542 ft. seaward from the mouth of the river on the south side, and on the north side 1,400 ft. with internal half-tide training-walls, the result being an average depth of water on the bar of 22 ft. at high water and of 13 ft. at low water. Vessels of 1,500 tons can come alongside the wharf. There is a berthage accommodation of 2,770 ft., with a minimum depth of 12 ft. to 16 ft. at low water. Steps are also being taken to construct a tidal dock and walls in Kororo lagoon. The principal exports are gold, coal, coke, and timber. The number of vessels that entered the port during the year 1909 was: 680 steamers, tonnage 338,167; 31 sailing-vessels, tonnage 4,552; being a total tonnage of 442,719 for the year. The train runs on to the wharf, and the coal-trucks, specially made for the purpose, are lifted and emptied into the vessel's hold by means of powerful hydraulic and steam cranes, of which there are five, with capacities of from 1 ½ tons to 12 tons, so that every encouragement is given to quick despatch.

The exports of Greymouth (1909–10) comprise: Coal, 335,150 tons; coke, 2,595 tons; bricks, 633 tons; gold, 83,974 oz.; flax, 913 bales; wool, 1,474 bales; timber, 30,184,882 superficial feet; number of sleepers, 42,688. The imports comprise: General cargo, 54,621 tons.

Hokitika.—Two training-walls have been constructed, the one on the north side being about 2,000 ft. long, while that on the south is 677 ft. The bar is of shifting sand, and the depth at high water varies from 9 ft. to 15 ft., while inside the depth is from 6 ft. to 22 ft. for three-quarters of a mile from the entrance. For ten months out of the twelve the port is usually safe for vessels drawing 8 ft. to 10 ft. of water. The berthage-space amounts to 1,000 ft., with from 18 ft. to 22 ft. of water. The principal exports are gold and timber. Additional harbour-works will be shortly taken in hand.

The imports for the year ended 31st March, 1910, comprise 1,803 tons of general merchandise. The exports comprise 1,215,788 superficial feet of timber, 64 bales of flax, 123 bales of wool, 20 boxes of butter, 54 head of great cattle. At present a good deal of the local and southern produce is railed direct to the Port of Greymouth, including gold to the value of £38,000.

The several succeeding places are each the port for the adjacent small mining and farming settlements, which are wholly dependent on the periodical steamers for their supplies and for the export of flax, timber, produce, and, at times, of fat stock for the northern markets. The Government steamship calls at the three bays noted below, and the local steamer from Hokitika visits all these minor ports every two and three months, whilst other steamers ply to such of these places as trade induces; but as all the rivers have bar entrances the working of them is often precarious and intermittent.

Okarito.—Fifty-five miles south-west of Hokitika. A bar harbour, sometimes completely blocked by a high sandbank thrown up by heavy seas. When open the entrance is good, with a maximum depth of 10 ft. There is a small jetty about half a mile from the entrance. The sand and pipi bank has been removed.

Bruce Bay.—Ninety-five miles south-west of Hokitika. An open roadstead, well sheltered from the south and south-westerly winds by Heretaniwha Point, which juts out fully a mile to the southward. Good anchorage in 18 ft. of water opposite the Green Rock, which stands up out of the wafer. Good boat-landing with the above-named winds on a smooth sandy beach.

Paringa River.—104 miles south-west of Hokitika. Open roadstead. Vessels coming in and out should give Hanata Reef (off the North Head) a wide berth. There is also a sunken reef, awash at low water, in the middle of the bay, and a dangerous sunken rock just off the South Head, two or three chains away, facing a small sandy bay, and right abreast of the trig.-station. Vessels lie inside and a little to the northward of this rock, about a quarter of a mile from shore, and are quite safe with southerly winds.

Haast River.—118 miles south-west of Hokitika. A constantly shifting bar at entrance, which is nearly opposite and a little to the southward of the Alhambra Rock. This rock stands well out of the water, and vessels entering can go on either side with safety. Average depth of water on bar from 6 ft. to 8 ft.

Okuru and Turnbull Rivera.—139 miles south-west of Hokitika. These rivers join just inside the entrance. Good, straight channel; average depth, 8 ft. to 10 ft. The port is well sheltered by Open Bay Islands, which lie about three miles away, just opposite the entrance, bearing a trifle west of north. A dangerous reef lies about two miles and a half from the south-west point of the smaller island, and immediately to the north-west of a line drawn from the last-named point to the extreme end of Jackson's Head.

Jackson's Bay.—153 miles south-west of Hokitika. Good shelter and anchorage, open only to north-east, with 12 ft. of water within a few chains of shore. Jackson's Head runs out about one mile and a half in a north-easterly direction from the southern end of the bar. This is the only ocean harbour on the coast of Westland, and could be converted into a first-class port at comparatively small cost. No doubt Jackson's Bay will eventually form a great coal-port, as indications of coal are found from the Bay to Tauperikaka, a distance of thirty miles. Moreover, the recent discovery of a practicable pass through the main range, viathe Waiatoto and Axius Rivers, will make it in the near future the natural outlet for the Lake Wanaka country.

Big or Awarua Bay.—200 miles south-west of Hokitika, at the extreme southwest corner of Westland. An open roadstead, sheltered from east and south-west winds; 24 ft. of water on south side anchorage and 30 ft. on north side just opposite Crayfish Rock, in a spot sheltered from northerly winds.

Steamers have also in past years entered the Taramakau, Waitaha, Wataroa, Whanganui, Waiatoto, Arawata, and Cascade Rivers, all of which have bar entrances. Goods and passengers are also landed at the roadsteads of Saltwater, Gillespie's Beach, and Abbey Rocks.

Minerals and Mining.

The whole of the District of Westland is a proclaimed goldfield, and contains the greatest area of alluvial auriferous ground on the West Coast.

Specimens of nearly all the known minerals have been discovered in various localities. The Paparoa Range, north of Greymouth, contains many varieties, and will eventually hold a large mining population.

Copper also occurs in the Taipo, Arahura, Toaroha, Whitcombe, Wanganui, and Jackson Valleys, the finest lodes discovered being on the western faces of the Matakitaki Range, near the Haast River, with good seams and beds of coal and limestone adjacent.

Petroleum has been found in the Arnold Valley, and borings are now being made to test and develop what is hoped may be a good oil-bearing basin.

All the Westland rivers carry down more or less gold, but the three great gold-yielding rivers are the Grey, Arahura, and Waiho, the bars and beaches of which appear to be replenished with fresh deposits of the metal after each flood. Every stream in the Grey Valley is auriferous, and the gold-bearing nature of the adjoining gravels is evidenced by the old and new workings which are scattered all over the watershed. Again, if one stands on the summit of Mount Turiwhate, the ancient beds of the Arahura can be easily traced northward to the Kumara and southward to the Rimu diggings. Similarly, the Waiho has in olden times flowed both northward down the present valley of the Okarito River and southward to the Omoeroa River, the lateral terraces in both directions being well defined and gold-bearing.

There are three main gold-bearing deposits in Westland. The first, which may be called riverine leads, run generally westward. These are ancient riverbeds, often lying at a considerable elevation, of which the bulk has been washed away, leaving detached portions, as Kumara and Rimu. The second are beach leads, both those along the present coast-line and others running parallel thereto at distances varying from one quarter to four miles inland, and at levels from a few feet below to a couple of hundred feet above sea-level. The third are extensive masses of gravel, &c., occurring in large isolated patches, as at Bell Hill, Big Dam Hill, Humphrey's Gully, and Bald Hill, north of the Haast. These drifts have all one noticeable peculiarity—namely, that they invariably coat the seaward faces of the hills, and neither gold nor drift is to be found on the inland slopes. Gold-bearing fans from Mount Greenland have been found at different levels on Ross Flat, having probably been deposited in deep water by successive land-slides.

Hydraulic mining on a large scale is successfully carried on in various portions of the northern districts, and is being extended to many other localities. Kanieri Lake is being again utilized, and an abundant quantity of water is now available for the sluicers in the Kanieri Valley. The extension, now surveyed, of the Humphrey's Gully water-race to Rimu and Back Creek will develop a very large field. The tapping of the Arahura River will enable the miners at Blue Spur to obtain an unfailing supply of water, and command a large area of auriferous country at present unworkable from want of water at a sufficient altitude. A large acreage of alluvial drift has been pegged out as dredging claims. Some companies are at work with more or less profit. Experts are assured that a large extent of auriferous gravels exists all over the low-lying country which will yield remunerative returns by this treatment. Undoubtedly great areas of swampy, undrainable, and hitherto unavailable lands will be prospected, and it is expected that valuable finds will be made in such districts. Numerous and costly experiments have been made with dredges of different types in the endeavour to work economically the gold-bearing sands which lie along the sea-beaches for a distance of 140 miles, but so far without success. A considerable number of miners (“black-sanders”) work on some of the beaches, and seem to make a fair living, many of them having been so employed in one neighbourhood for over twenty years.

Gold-bearing quartz has been found throughout the district, the most rising finds being at Paparoa, Mount Alexander, Taipo Range, Browning's Pass, and Cedar Creek. Silver-ores, associated with gold, have also been found, notably at Rangitoto.

At Browning's Pass deposits of auriferous quartz, known as the “Westland Reefs,” have been traced for considerable distances, and are at present being prospected by several parties of experienced miners.

The amount of gold exported during the past year amounted to 83,974 oz., valued at £326,188.

First-class slate, suitable for any purpose, exists in the Upper Wanganui Valley and on the Paparoa Range. Fine pottery-clays and fireclays are also in bulk on this range, and building-stone of all kinds, granite freestone, &c., is to be found all over the Coast. Limestone also occurs in different localities, comprising qualities suitable for making lime and cement, and also for lithographic purposes. Greenstone (pounamu) is now largely exported for fine lapidary and jewellers’ work, and commands a ready sale. Iron-ores occur in quantity in various localities.

Coal-mining.—As noted before, great quantities of coal are obtained from the mines at Brunnerton, and also from the fine seams at Blackball, higher up the Grey Valley. Extensive seams are now being developed at the State coal-mine in the Seven-mile Creek basin, and further along the coast. On the higher slopes of the Paparoa Range areas have been surveyed and leased, and large outcrops are being prospected. The Paparoa Coal Company, near Blackball, are now building a branch railway, erecting the various buildings, workmen's dwellings, and machinery for the commercial development of their fine property, and expect to place their coal on the market at an early date. It would appear that the greater portion of the seaward country hereabouts contains very extensive coalfields—it undoubtedly contains the greatest area of coal-bearing strata yet discovered; but nevertheless all the way down the coast to Jackson's Bay, wherever the coal-measures have been protected from the scour of the ice-streams of the great glacial period, isolated areas of coal exist, and possibly borings would prove the lower coal-beds to be intact under the overlying drifts. The large coalmines now at work—viz., the Brunner, Blackball, and State coal-mines—are all finely equipped with the latest machinery, are directly linked to the main railway by branch lines, and produce great quantities of coal varying in character and suited for different economic purposes. Last year some 380,971 tons were raised and railed to various towns, be principally into Grey mouth, whence it was shipped to places in and beyond New Zealand.

Chapter 65. THE CANTERBURY LAND DISTRICT.

T. N. BHODRICK, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Boundaries—Physical Features.

The Land District of Canterbury comprises the central portion of the South Island, and lies between the Conway River, Barefell Pass, and Mt. Franklin on the northward; the Spenser Mountains. Travers Peak, Mt. Barron, the Amuri, Hope, and Hurunui Passes, the summit of the Southern Alps, and the western watershed of the River Hopkins and Lake Ohau on the westward; the Rivers Ohau and Waitaki on the southward; and the South Pacific Ocean on the eastward. It. lies between south latitudes 42° 5′ and 44° 55′, and east longitudes 169° 45′ and 173° 30′.

The length of the district north-east and south-west is about 220 miles; the breadth W.N.W. and E.S.E., from the summit of the Alps to the sea, averages seventy miles. The sea-board has a length of about 300 miles, consisting generally of low-lying beaches, broken by the projection eastward of Banks Peninsula, which contains the only large natural harbours. That portion of the district which fronts the ocean between the Ashley and Opihi Rivers is flat land, about 2,500,000 acres in extent; north and south of those limits the plain is interspersed with undulating and hilly country. This great plain stretches westwards, rising and merging into downs and hills, which again extend westward and merge into the Southern Alps and the offshoots therefrom. Banks Peninsula, which has an area of about 250,000 acres, is wholly composed of ridges and hills, deeply intersected by basins and gullies, the result of volcanic action.

The Southern Alps, which form the backbone of the island, are a continuous chain of mountains, with a succession of magnificent peaks, attaining their culminating point in Mount Cook, or Aorangi, 12,349 ft. above sea-level; there are, besides, numerous peaks ranging in altitude between 7,000 ft. and 10,000 ft. Offshoots, extending to great distances eastward and south-eastward from the main range, attain elevations of 6,000 ft. to 9,000 ft. On these mountain-ranges are numerous and extensive glaciers, from which emanates the river-system of the district, comprising the Waiau-ua, about 100 miles in length; Hurunui, 85 miles; Waimakariri, 90 miles; Rakaia, 85 miles; Ashburton, 64 miles; Rangitata, 74 miles; the Waitaki and its main feeders, 140 miles. These rivers rush down from the mountain-gorges, through the intervening ranges and hills, and traverse the plains to the sea. The channels on the plains are shallow, and extend in some instances over a mile in width.

These rivers serve as outlets for a portion of the Luke system of the South Island, Lake Sumner being connected with the Hurunui, Lakes Coleridge and Heron with the Rakaia, and the Mackenzie Country lakes—Tekapo, Pukaki, and Ohau—with the Waitaki, Another important lake is that known as Lake Ellesmere, west of Banks Peninsula; it is separated from the ocean by a narrow shingle-spit only 5 chains across at one point, through which, at certain seasons, the flood waters force a channel to the sea. Lake Tennyson is situated on the eastern flank of the Spenser Mountains, 3,614 ft. above sea-level.

Climate.

The climate of Canterbury is well suited to Europeans. It resembles that of Great Britain, but on the plains is far more equable, the mean daily range of temperature being 17.10° Fahr. Observations taken at Lincoln (fourteen miles from Christchurch) for a period of twenty-one years, ending December, 1903, give the following results; Barometer, reduced to 32° Fahr. and sea-level, 29968 in.; mean maximum daily temperature, 61.8°; mean minimum daily temperature, 43.1°; mean average temperature, 52.4°. The extremes of temperature were 98.4° and 19.9° Fahr. The rainfall for the same period averaged 21.674 in. per annum, the extremes being 35.287 in. in 1886 and 14.48 in. in 1897. The average annual number of days on which rain fell was 123, the extremes being 154 in 1902 and 98 in 1891. Snowfalls are very light on the plains, but in the high uplands the climate is much colder and more severe. The changes of weather and temperature are sudden, calms and gales rain and sunshine, heat and cold alternating. The prevailing winds are north-east, south-west, and north-west—the last a hot wind. The climate, as a whole, is splendidly healthy, bracing, and most enjoyable.

Foundation and Settlement.

The district was occupied, in the first instance, by settlers sent out by the Canterbury Association, which was formed in 1848, and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1849, under the auspices of prominent men in England, including the Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Lyttelton. The step was not taken until after due inquiry as to the most suitable part in which to establish a settlement. Captain (afterwards Sir George) Grey, at that time Governor, recommended the Wairarapa, but it was finally decided to take over from the New Zealand Company a tract of the Canterbury Plains, in the neighbourhood of Port Cooper. Captain Thomas, the agent of the association, who had advised the selection, superintended the surveys and the preparations for receiving intending settlers. The original intention of the founders was that the settlement should be independent and complete in itself, and should embrace only such persons as were members of the Church of England and were approved of by the association. This was frustrated by the influx of numbers of persons of all classes and beliefs. The first body of emigrants arrived at Port Cooper on the 16th December, 1850, and the settlement remained under the control of the association, as directed by a committee of management in England, and under the active personal supervision of Mr. John Robert Godley, until 1853, when the whole of Canterbury became a province of New Zealand by the provisions of “The Constitution Act, 1852.”

Thenceforward the control of the settlement was vested in the Superintendent and the Provincial Council. The first Superintendent was Mr. James Edward FitzGerald, who held office till 1857; he was followed in succession by Mr. William Sefton Moorhouse, 1857–1863; Mr. Samuel Bealey, 1863–1866; Mr. Moorhouse again till 1868; and Mr. William Rolleston till the abolition of the provinces in 1876, when the district came directly under the control of the General Government.

Internal Communication

In no part of New Zealand are the means of communication better than in Canterbury. The natural facilities of the country have been abundantly supplemented by railways and roads. Lyttelton, the chief port, is connected by rail with Christchurch, the heart and centre of the whole district. From Christchurch the main line extends northwards to Culverden a distance of sixty-nine miles, with a branch from Waipara to Mina, opposite the Cheviot Estate (about thirty-five miles) open for traffic. Southward the main trunk line runs through Waitaki (139 miles) to Dunedin. These lines tap and serve the whole coastal district and the lands adjoining on the western side. In addition, eight branch-lines have been constructed westward, and two lines south-eastward; the former, in most instances, extending to the foot of the hills. The Springfield branch has extended as far as Broken River, and will eventually connect with the West Coast system.

Combined with the railway system is a complete network of main, district, and subsidiary roads, extending into all parts of Canterbury. The total length of railways is about 498 miles, and the roads probably exceed 10,000 miles in the aggregate. The completion of this splendid system is due, partly to the foresight of the original settlers, partly to the exertions of the Provincial Government, and partly to the railway and public-works policy of the late Sir Julius Vogel.

Geological Formation.

According to the late Sir James Hector, the main western ranges are composed of Upper Palæozoic rocks, having at their base extensive plains of Tertiary fluviatile formation, with occasional protruding ridges of Upper Mesozoic, forming low mountain-ranges subordinate to the main axis. Banks Peninsula consists of basic volcanic rocks.

Area, Nature, and Disposition of Lands.

The area of the Canterbury Land District is 9,604,045 acres, of which the estimated area of forest land is 516,000 acres. Forest lands are found in Banks Peninsula and in the Mount Peel and Waimate districts, where the timber consists chiefly of totara and matai; at the sources of the Waiau-ua, Ashley, Waimakariri, Rakaia, and Hopkins Rivers, at Lakes Ohau and Sumner, and near Springfield and Methven, the timber in these localities being mostly native beech; and near Oxford, where the beech is interspersed with rimu, totara, matai, &c.

The lands of Canterbury may be classed approximately as follows: First class, 2,046,071 acres; second class, 5,207,173 acres; third class (barren lands and lands of email value), 2,350,801 acres: total, 9,604,045 acres.

The disposition of lands on the 31st March, 1910, was as follows:—

  No. of Holders.Area in Acres.
1.Lands held as freehold 3,703,125
2.Lands held on deferred payments108,977
3.Lands held on perpetual lease311,574
4.Lands held as leaseholds in perpetuity1,559278,886
5.Lands held in occupation with right of purchase324,645
6.Lands held as village-homestead special settlements40812,449
7.Lands held as small grazing-runs and grazing-farms148260,677
8.Lands held on renewable lease12871,100
9.Pastoral licenses1283,391,176
10.Special-settlement associations414,651
11.Reserves and Crown lands held under temporary occupation licenses (area, 96,371 acres, included in 12 and 17)770 
12.Area of land reserved and granted under various Acts (exclusive of Midland Railway land included in 1) 1,361,069
13.Land purchased and disposed of under Land for Settlements Acts (included in 4, 7, 8, 10, and 11; 1,322 holders, 314,118 acres)  
14.Workers’ dwellings317
15.Crown lands open for selection 430
16.Crown lands being prepared for selection  
17.Barren lands, and lands for future disposal 505,279
Total3,2869,604,045

In explanation, it may be noted that No. 1 comprises the freehold lands conveyed, and that tenants of Nos. 2, 3, and 5, and some of those included in No. 4, have the right of acquiring the freehold, which is not the case with tenants of Nos. 4 (occupying lands acquired under the Land for Settlements Acts) 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 13.

Soils.

The Southern Alps and mountains adjoining are, owing to their great altitude, subject to disintegration, and form for the most part rocky barren wastes.

The lower ranges and hills, the high tablelands, and the light stony portions of the plain form the pastoral areas.

In the northern and southern districts and in the great central plain are the agricultural areas. This latter class of land comprises rich alluvial tracts about Cheviot, Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Lincoln, Ellesmere, Longbeach, Temuka, and Waimate, and the splendid plain and down lands which extend from Cheviot to the Waitaki.

Banks Peninsula, where the soil is of a rich volcanic nature, though exceedingly hilly, has alluvial areas in the valleys and about the bays.

Pasturage and Crops.

Below a certain level, the mountainous and hilly regions, and the high upland country in the western and northern part, are covered by native grasses, with an admixture of English forage-plants where the character of the soil and other circumstances are favourable.

This pasturage, which is very suitable for sheep-farming, is taken full advantage of by the pastoral tenants of the Crown, and is used to some extent by freeholders. The light stony portions of the plain also contain native grass lands, well adapted to merino sheep.

The lower hills, downs, and better kinds of plain-country have been widely cultivated, and have proved well fitted for the production both of cereals and of grasses.

The chief crops grown in Canterbury District are wheat, oats, barley, turnips, rape, clover and grass seed; while amongst other crops produced are rye, peas, beans, mangolds, beet, carrots, and potatoes.

Of the cereals, wheat is the most largely grown, and was for many years a large item of export. In the season 1909–10 the area under crop for threshing was 210,000 acres, being over two-thirds of the total wheat-area of the Dominion. The estimated average yield was 27 bushels per acre.

Oats also are very successfully grown, the figures for the same period being 170,000 acres, or over three-sevenths of the total area of this crop. The estimated average yield was 33 bushels per acre.

Barley of superior quality is also produced, the figures being 14,800 acres, equal to over one-third of the total area of barley-crop. The estimated average yield was 35 bushels per acre.

Grass-seeds are abundantly grown, cocksfoot mainly on the splendid Banks Peninsula country, and ryegrass throughout the land district.

Potatoes, which yield crops of excellent quality, were grown in 1909–10 on 9,000 acres; turnips and rape were grown on 257,500 acres, and a considerable area was sown in other crops, including rye, peas, beans, mangolds, beet, carrots, and onions. An area of nearly a million and a half acres had been ploughed and laid down in English grasses, and over half a million acres had been surface-sown. Plantations, exclusive of private gardens, occupied an area of about 25,000 acres. The aggregate area of private and market gardens, orchards, and vineyards over quarter of an acre in extent was over 8,000 acres.

Stock.

The pastoral and agricultural lands provide grazing and fodder for a large number of sheep, cattle, horses, and other stock. Of late years the value of the plains has been much enhanced and the carrying-capacity thereof greatly increased by the water-race system, which supplies water throughout the length and breadth of the dry areas, and enables the country to be occupied in smaller holdings than would otherwise be possible.

The following table shows the extent, cost, and other particulars regarding the water-race system in the several counties:—

County.Area watered.Miles of Races.Total Cost.Cost per Acre watered.Amount of Water distributed every Twenty-four Hours.Annual Charge for Use of Water.
 Acres. £s.d.Gal. 
Amuri24,162544,800311 ⅔ Races are maintained by an annual charge in proportion to area watered.
Ashley122,00050025,0004127,000,000From ⅔d. to 6d. per acre, in addition to special rates for interest on loans.
Selwyn410,3002,10084,0004197,200,00010s. to £2 2s. 6d. per 100 acres.
Ashburton586,0001,70445,10016 ½92,000,000£1 13s. 4d. per mile of race.
Geraldine71,2122609,01026 ½29,520,000About 7d. per acre, including a rate for payment of principal and interest on loans, and a rate for maintenance.
Levels19,000715,50059 ½6,480,0002d. per acre, and an interest-rate of ¼d. in the pound on capital value.
Mackenzie9,4003.51,93541 ½7,516,8002 11/16d. per acre on part of district and ⅝d. in the pound on capital value in remainder of district.
Waimate23,3981256,021526,700,000Races are maintained by an annual charge on the value of lands watered.

The sheep in the District, of Canterbury, in April, 1910, numbered 5,272.087. At the end of the year 1909, there were 65,313 horses, mules, and asses, 107.513 cattle, and 32,484 pigs.

The district has a well-deserved reputation for the classes and splendid quality of its sheep. On the mountains and higher lands the merino still predominates; but on the richer low-lying ranges, hills, and plains the prevailing types are crosses between the merino and Leicester, Lincoln, Romney Marsh, and other breeds. In proof of the superior character of the flocks, pasturage, and climatic conditions in the South Island, the following percentages of lambing returns are quoted—these are “fair average returns, but much higher might have been exhibited”: Mountain native pasture—pure merino, 75.36; pure merino and Border Leicester, 88.94: English-grass pasture—crossbred and Border Leicester, 80.8; half-bred Border Leicester, 82.79; Border Leicester. 90.77; Lincoln, 88.08; Romney Marsh, 111.46; English Leicester, 93.34; Shropshire, 97.41: Southdowns, 96.87. It must be borne in mind that the flocks and herds are supported by the natural and artificial pastures without housing.

Owing to the development of the frozen-meat trade a great impetus has been given to sheep-breeding. The bulk of the primest meat exported is supplied by this district, with Marlborough, and commands the highest price in the London markets. The frozen meat exported from Canterbury during the year ended 31st March, 1910, was valued at £1,213,791, besides which large quantities of preserved meats, tallow, manure, neatsfoot oil, oleo, &c., were produced.

At Belfast, Fairfield (near Ashburton), Islington, Timaru, and Pareora freezing-works are established, each containing a complete plant for carrying on the industry, as well as departments for curing, preserving, boiling-down, tallow-rendering, fellmongering, and the manufacture of manures. The Canterbury Frozen Meat and Dairy Produce Export Company (Limited) owns the Belfast Freezing-works, with storage for 110,000 carcases, and a daily capacity of 5,500 carcases; the Fairfield Works (near Ashburton), with storage for 90,000 carcases, and a daily capacity of 4,000 carcases; and the Pareora Works (near Timaru), which have storage for 110,000 carcases, and can deal with 4,500 in a day. The works have engines representing 1,050-horse power, and employ 846 men when in full work. The Islington and Timaru works, which are owned by the Christchurch Meat Company, employ in all about 700 men, and have engines representing 1,450-horse power. The former can put through 6,000 carcases per diem, and have storage for 120,000 carcases. The latter can deal with 5,000 carcases in a day, and have storage for 100,000 carcases.

Wool.

During the year ended 31st March, 1910, there were shipped at Lyttelton and Timaru 45,192,980 lb. wool, valued at £1,954,478; and to this must be added the amount bought for manufacture by the woollen-mills in the district. The Kaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Company (Limited) owns large woollen-mills at Kaiapoi, and clothing-factories at Christchurch. These are fitted with modern machinery and appliances, and the company's products have obtained a considerable reputation. The company employs about 900 hands, and uses about 1,176,000 lb. of wool and 5,000 pounds’ worth of other New Zealand products in a year. The staple of the New Zealand wool, especially the long-wool and cross-bred, is remarkable for its freedom from breaks and other imperfections. The average clips are approximately as follows: Merino, 4 lb. to 7 lb.; quarter-breds, 6 ½ lb.; half-breds, 7 ½ lb.; three-quarters, 8 ½ lb.; Leicesters, 10 ½ lb.; Lincoln, 11 lb. From special flocks clips up to 25 lb. and 30 lb. are obtained.

Butter and Cheese.

Banks Peninsula and the rich tracts of country previously mentioned are excellently suited for dairy farming. The pasturage and climatic conditions are favourable, and a great increase in the production of butter and cheese may be looked for, more especially as housing and hand-feeding are in some districts unnecessary. A central co-operative dairy factory has been established at Addington, served by twelve creameries, situate at Marshlands, Oxford, Halswell, Springston Doyleston, Little River, Ladbrooks, Lakeside, Kaiapoi, Green Park, Brookside, and Ashburton, each capable of dealing with the milk of 1,000 cows. There are also very complete dairy factories at Taitapu, Sefton, Cheviot, Timaru, Temuka, South-brook, Belfast, Tinwald, and Le Bon's Bay, as well as cheese-factories at Flemington and German Bay. The number of cheese and butter factories in the district in 1910 was 17, and of creameries 32; the output of butter and cheese amounted to 5.268 480 lb.

Timber.

The sawmilling industry finds its development chiefly in the Oxford, Little River, Mount Somers, and Waimate districts. The number of mills in Canterbury in 1906 was eighteen, employing 266 hands, the horse-power being 393. The output is, however, diminishing owing to the working-out of the available timber. The timber comprises birth, totara, red, and white pine. The first-named is used chiefly for sleepers and fencing, the totara and pine for building purposes. Including the work done by the planing and moulding mills the value of all the manufactures under this head was £29,912.

Fruit.

The district is eminently adapted for the growth of a large variety of fruits especially all that flourish in Great Britain. Attention has recently been directed to landing supplies of fruit in London; the attempts so far have proved satisfactory, and point to the possibility of a large trade being established.

Coal.

Brown coal is found at the Malvern Hills, Homebush, Whitecliffs, Springfield, Mount Somers, Albury, and various other places. Lignite is also commonly distributed. For the year 1909, the output from 11 collieries, employing about 85 bands, was 21,866 tons, bringing the total amount raised from 26 collieries up to the 31st December, 1909, to 597,757 tons. The seams worked vary from 16 ft. to 2 ft. 3 in., the average width being 8 ft. At Acheron near Lake Coleridge, a true anthracite is found, the other pits in the district being of brown coal or lignite.

Building-stones.

The building-stones of Canterbury comprise some excellent varieties. The Halswell quarries produce an exceedingly hard and close-grained stone of a dull leaden-grey colour. Granular trachytes are obtained from Governor's Bay, Lyttelton; porphyrites at Malvern Hills; good limestone at Malvern Hills, Waikari, Mount Somers, and various other places; bluestone rock is found at Timaru suitable for millstones. There is abundance of limestone in North Canterbury, Mount Somers, Castle Hill, and various other parts, which is well adapted for making lime.

Fisheries.

Deep-sea fishing is carried on from Lyttelton and Akaroa, the kinds of fish chiefly caught being groper (hapuku), ling, conger-eels, moki, butterfish, barracouta, soles, whiting, red-cod, herrings, and garfish. From Lake Ellesmere and the river estuaries excellent flounders are obtained.

Trout thrive amazingly in the rivers and fresh-water lakes, affording excellent sport.

Manufactories.

Excluding mines and quarries, the total number of manufactories in Canterbury at the date of the census in 1906 was 695, employing 7,516 males and 2,403 females.

Included in the above were 37 printing, 9 agricultural-implement, 26 coach building and painting, 27 fellmongering, tanning, currying, and wool-scouring establishments, 7 sail and oilskin factories, 15 boot and shoe factories, 2 rope and twine works, 8 flax-mills, 6 boiling-down, meat-preserving, and freezing works, 11 bacon-curing works, 16 cheese and butter factories, 22 grain-mills, 33 chaff-cutting and grass-seed dressing works, 13 breweries, 8 malt-houses, 28 aerated waters and cordial works, 4 sauce and pickle making factories, 4, soap and candle works, 18 sawmills and sash and door factories, 4 gasworks, 22 brick, tile, and pottery manufactories, 13 iron and brass foundries, 41 cycle-works, 27 furniture-factories, and 6 engineering-works.

The census returns also showed that in 1905 the value of land, machinery, and buildings used for factory purposes was £2,200,902, and the total value of manufactures £5,088,329.

Educational Institutions.

Primary Schools.—The district is divided into two parts, termed North and South Canterbury, each presided over by an Educational Board. Under the control of the Boards schools have been established throughout the whole country wherever population warranted their erection.

The number of children attending the public primary schools in Canterbury on 31st March, 1910, was 25,909. Average daily attendance, 22,528. Number of teachers—males, 270; females, 494: total, 764. Number of schools, 292.

There is a Normal School at Christchurch for the training of teachers.

Secondary Education.—For the further education of children ample provision has been made by the establishment of secondary schools. The principal schools of this class are the Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools at Christchurch, Rangiora, Ashburton, and Timaru. For more advanced students Canterbury College, Christchurch, is available. This institution was founded and endowed by the Provincial Government in 1873, and is presided over by a Board of Governors. The teaching staff comprises fifteen professors and lecturers, and the number of students attending lectures is 400. The School of Engineering, Electricity, and Technical Science, recently established as a special branch of the college, is well equipped, and is attended by a large number of students. The School of Art is also a special branch of the college work, and the popularity of both these branches has been met by the recent erection of considerable additions to the building accommodation.

It should be recorded here that the Provincial Government of Canterbury was fully alive to its duties as regards higher education. It made reserves for the purpose of endowment for the following objects: (1) College, 101,640 acres, reserved June, 1873; (2) technical science, 103,000 acres, reserved July, 1873; (3) School of Agriculture, 100,950 acres, reserved June, 1873; (4) Boys’ High School, 9,220 acres, reserved at various dates; (5) Classical School, 8,953 acres, reserved at various dates. To these were subsequently added the following: (6) Girls’ High School, 2.578 acres, reserved January, 1878; (7) Medical School, 5,000 acres, reserved December, 1877.

Technical education is provided for by the schools of engineering and art in connection with Canterbury College, a technical and continuation school under the control of a local Board of Management subsidised by the Government and local bodies, and a school of domestic instruction, also controlled by a local Board of Management.

Private Schools.—There are numerous private schools, independent of the State, the chief amongst them being Christ's College, Christchurch, connected with the Church of England. The Roman Catholics support schools of their own in Christchurch, Pleasant Point, Lyttelton, Timaru, Addington, Papanui, Ashburton, Akaroa, Rangiora, Sheffield, Temuka, Leeston, and Waimate. There are besides in Christchurch, some excellent private boarding and day schools for both boys, and girls, and two good commercial training schools.

Other Institutions.

Canterbury has the advantage of possessing many flourishing public institutions. The School of Art, Christchurch, was established by the College Governors in 1882; the Art Gallery owes its origin to the Art Society, the site being the gift of the Government. The Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, also founded by the College Governors, is surrounded by 660 acres of land. The commodious buildings, which cost over £20.000, provide accommodation for the Director and teaching-staff, and for forty-five students. The fees are on a low scale. The farm buildings are complete, and include a well-equipped dairy. Instruction is given in agriculture, chemistry, botany, mechanics, physics, surveying, &c

The Public Library, Christchurch, under the control of the College Governors, contains reading-rooms, a circulating library of some 23,000 books, and a reference library of about 16,000 volumes. One hundred and thirty-six magazines and newspapers are provided. The number of subscribers is 2,000, and the average daily attendance over 1,000. There is also a spacious free reading-room, 60 ft. by 36 ft., which is supplied with 148 English, American, and colonial newspapers and periodicals.

The Museum, Christchurch, is a handsome pile of stone buildings; the collections are large and varied. They are separated into two groups: (1) Those from New Zealand; (2) those from foreign countries. In the New Zealand department the skeletons of whales and moas, as well as the collections of shells (tertiary and fossils) and rocks, are specially good; and the Maori collection, exhibited in a Maori house, is also of considerable interest. In the foreign department, the geological, mineralogical, and ethnological collections are the most extensive, but there is also a good illustrative series of Egyptian and Roman antiquities, as well as of the remains of prehistoric man in Europe and America.

This institution owes its origin and success to the foresight, skill, and energy of the late Sir Julius von Haast, and to the munificence of the Provincial Government.

The philanthropic institutions embrace the Christchurch, Akaroa, Ashburton, Timaru, and Waimate Hospitals; the Sunnyside Mental Hospital; the Rhodes Convalescent Home; the Memorial Home for the Aged at Woolston; the City Mission and Destitute Men's Home, Christchurch; the Deaf-and-Dumb Asylum at Sumner; the Orphanage, Sydenham; the Industrial School at Burnham; and the Mount Magdala Asylum, Samaritan Home, and St. Mary's Home, in the vicinity of Christchurch.

Towns.

Christchurch, the capital city of the Canterbury District, is situated on the plains. It is practically level, the original portion of the city being laid out in rectangular form, two miles by one mile and a quarter, and intersected diagonally by a street. All the principal streets are 66 ft. in width. There are numerous open spaces, including the Cathedral Square in the centre, and Cranmer and Latimer Squares. The Avon, a pretty stream, overhung by willows, runs through the town, presenting from all points charming vistas. The city is surprisingly English in its appearance, architecture, and surroundings. The central portion, where stands the Cathedral, Government offices, and other substantial structures, has a handsome, well-built look. Other parts contain fine public buildings, such as the Museum, Canterbury College, High Schools, &c. The whole is admirably set off by Hagley Park, 400 acres in extent, the Domain and Botanical Gardens, 79 acres, Lancaster Park, the Town Belts, and other public and private gardens and plantations. The suburbs can show many handsome houses and beautifully kept grounds.

On the 1st April, 1903, the suburbs of Sydenham, Linwood, and St. Albans were amalgamated with the original city proper into what is known as “Greater Christchurch,” comprising a total population of 56,769. Including the adjacent Boroughs of Woolston, New Brighton, and Sumner, and other suburban areas, the total population now amounts to about 78,605. Tramways connect the centre of the city with the outlying areas of Addington, Sydenham, the Port Hills, Opawa, Papanui, and Fendalton, and with the seaside villages of New Brighton and Sumner. The city has been drained at considerable expense, the sewage being conveyed three miles and discharged on the sand wastes near the sea. A pure and copious water-supply has been provided by nature, and is obtained by artesian wells. For the purposes of municipal government the city is divided into four wards, and its affairs are controlled by the City Council, presided over by the Mayor. Christchurch is the centre of trade and commerce for the North Canterbury agricultural and pastoral country, and the headquarters of many manufacturing industries, including carriage, boot and clothing factories, iron and brass foundries, agricultural-implement works, fellmongering, tanning, and wool-scouring works, flour-mills, breweries, meat preserving and freezing, biscuit, planing and moulding, bicycle, brick and pottery, soap and candle, and other works.

There are large and well-equipped agricultural and pastoral show-grounds at Addington, where a fine and successful show is held every year.

Recreation and amusement are provided for by His Majesty's Theatre, Theatre Royal, Opera House, and various public halls, the famous Riccarton racecourse, the numerous cricket and football grounds, &c., while boating men have the River Avon and the Heathcote estuary.

Christchurch is connected with the outside world by Port Lyttelton, seven miles distant. The railway-tunnel of 1 ⅝ miles in length, through the Port Hills, is on this line. Christchurch is not only the centre of the splendid Canterbury Plains, but is also one of the chief railway centres. Addington railway-workshops are extensive and fully equipped.

Lyttelton, the chief port of the district, is situated on the northern shores of the inlet of that name, sometimes called Port Cooper. The surrounding country consists of high precipitous hills, which separate the harbour from Christchurch and the plains; but by the construction of the railway and tunnel the natural difficulties have been overcome, with the result that the whole of the imports and exports of northern and central Canterbury pass through Lyttelton. The origination and accomplishment of this great engineering work is due to the late William Sefton Moorhouse, at that time Superintendent of the Province. The natural advantages of the port have been enhanced by reclamation and harbour-works, which include two breakwaters. 2,010 ft. and 1,400 ft. in length respectively, extending from Officer and Naval Points, enclosing about 107 acres; long lengths of wharf-accommodation, 10,041 ft.; a patent slip for ships up to 400 tons; and a splendid graving-dock 450 ft. long, width on top and bottom 82 ft. and 46 ft. respectively, the entrance being 62 ft. wide, well equipped with machinery and all requisites for repairs. Ships drawing up to 25 ft. can berth alongside the spacious wharves and sheds. The railway, electric light, machinery, and appliances are available throughout, which renders loading and unloading practicable both by day and by night. As an indication of the volume of trade dealt with at the port, it may be noted that for the year ended 31st March, 1910, the imports were valued at £2,369,836 and the exports at £3,116,645. The town is built on the side of the range, the streets being generally steep, flanked by solid stone buildings; and a background of green spurs and bold rocky faces gives completeness to the whole appearance. The water-supply is obtained from artesian wells on the Christchurch side of the hills. To Christchurch there is a bridle-track over the range, and a carriage-road via Sumner. The harbour is well defended by fortifications and batteries on Ripa Island and the mainland. The population is about 4,150.

Timaru is situated on the coast and railway-line between Christchurch (100 miles) and Dunedin (131 miles). It has a well-constructed artificial harbour, the port of shipment for the agricultural and pastoral districts of Geraldine, Temuka, and Waimate. The harbour is enclosed by a breakwater built of blocks of concrete; a rubble wall—the North Mole—starts from the shore a quarter of a mile away to the north, and extends easterly to a point, 350 ft. from the breakwater. The enclosed space is 50 acres. During the year ended 31st March, 1910, the value of goods imported here was £283,490 and of produce exported £1,393,798. The town is situated on rolling hills overlooking the sea. The streets are irregular, but the public and commercial buildings, churches, and private houses are generally well and handsomely built of stone. The chief industries are meat-freezing, sawmilling flour-milling, &c. The town has a good high-pressure water-supply, and is connected by well-made roads with the surrounding districts, and by rail with Fairlie, the route to the Mackenzie Country and Mount Cook. The population is 8,300 persons.

Of other towns in Canterbury the following deserve mention: Rangiora, population about 1,800 persons, twenty miles from Christchurch by northern line of railway, is situated in the centre of a fine farming country, and possesses manufactories, including flax-mills, flour-mill, and brewery. The town and neighbourhood are much benefited by plantations.

Kaiapoi, on the Waimakariri, population about 1,804, about fourteen miles from Christchurch by the northern railway-line, lies in a rich farming country, rendered pleasing and attractive by the extent and variety of plantations and gardens. There are factories and various industries, including ham and bacon curing, sawmills, brewery, and agricultural-implement works. Here also is the famed Kaiapoi woollen-mill, which employs 600 hands when trade is brisk. The Waimakariri is navigable for small vessels to the centre of the town.

Ashburton, the newest of the towns, has a population of about 2,850, and is fifty-three miles from Christchurch on the southern trunk line. It is a well-built town, with extensive and beautiful recreation-grounds and gardens. It owes its existence to the settlement of the plains, the surrounding country being well adapted for farming. There are meat-freezing works, a cordial-factory, flour-mills, gasworks, ironworks, woollen-mill, brickworks, &c.

Geraldine, population about 1,250, is situated on the Waihi River, four miles from Orari Railway-station, about eighty-six miles south-west from Christchurch. It is a neat and pretty town, in a first-class farming district, and has a beautiful park of native forest-trees.

Temuka, eighty-nine miles from Christchurch, on the southern railway-line, is a well-built town, with good agricultural land all round. It possesses flour-mills, a butter and cheese factory, brewery, foundry, and fellmongery. There is a beautiful park and domain. The population of the borough is 1,680 persons.

Waimate, population about 1,800, is situated on the Waihao Forks Railway, about four miles from Studholme Junction, over a hundred miles from both Christchurch and Dunedin. This town is the centre for an extensive back-country, and a splendid agricultural area. It owes its origin to the sawmill industry of the Waimate bush. Industries: sawmilling, flour-milling, &c.

Akaroa, population 560, situated on the noble harbour of that name, was founded in 1840, in the first instance by the French. It is a quiet, picturesque little place, much patronised by Christ church residents and others as a summer resort and watering-place. It was here that Captain Stanley hoisted the British flag on 11th August, 1840, when he took possession of the South Island on behalf of the Crown, forestalling the French by a few hours only. A suitable obelisk commemorating this event has been erected on the spot.

Chapter 66. THE OTAGO LAND DISTRICT.

ERNEST HERBERT WILMOT, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Boundaries and Area.

The Otago Land District lies between the 44th and 47th parallels of south latitude, and extends from 167° 20′ to 171° 10′ of east longitude. It is bounded on the north by the Canterbury Land District; on the south-east and south by the ocean; on the west and south by the Waikawa, Mokoreta, Slopedown, Waikaka, Chatton, Wendon, Waikaia, Gap, Rockyside, and Kingston Survey Districts, the western and southern shores of Lake Wakatipu, to opposite Round Peaks; thence by southern watershed of the Greenstone, Hollyford, and John o’ Groats Rivers to the ocean at Stripe Point; and on the north-west by the ocean to Big Bay.

The district measures about 160 miles from Stripe Point on the west coast to Waikouaiti Bay on the east coast, and the same distance from north to south. Its area is 8,882,800 acres.

Physical Description.

The country generally is mountainous, the highest land being to the north-west, and culminating in Mount Aspiring, 9,960 ft. above the level of the sea.

The west coast mountains are remarkably rugged and grand. The thirteen sounds that pierce this coast are on the west coast of the Southland District. Milford Sound, though only eight miles in length, contains some of the grandest scenery in the world; and fourteen miles inland from its head is the great Sutherland Waterfall, 1,904 ft. high, possibly the highest waterfall known. Bligh Sound is smaller than Milford, and not nearly so interesting; but George Sound is larger.

A tourist track has been opened from the head of Te Anau Lake to Milford Sound. The Government Tourist Department has now assumed complete control of this truck, and has established a comfortable accommodation-house at the head of Te Anau, where guides can be procured if required from the 1st November to the 30th April. There are six huts on the track, supplied with blankets, provisions, &c., and a man and woman in charge of each hut. The track runs through the Clinton Valley, passes the Sutherland Falls and Lake Ada, and opens out some of the finest scenery in the Dominion. A practicable route has also been discovered, and a track formed, from the north-west arm of the middle fiord of Te Anau Lake to the head of George Sound. During the season there is a fortnightly mail between Invercargill and Milford.

For nearly one hundred miles inland from the west coast the country is very mountainous, but at a distance of sixty or seventy miles from the south-east coastline it begins to get gradually lower, taking the form of rolling hills and downs along the sea shore.

Rivers and Lakes.

The largest rivers are the Clutha, Taieri, and Waitaki: the first-named drains Lakes Wakatipu, Wanaka, and Hawea; the last, Lakes Ohau, Pukaki, and Tekapo, in the Canterbury District. Te Anau, the largest lake in the South Island, lies partly in the Otago and partly in the Southland District. The dimensions of these lakes are as follows:—

Lakes.Length in Miles.General Breadth in Miles.Area in Square Miles.Height above Sea-level in Feet.
Te Anau, in Southland421 to 6132694
Manapouri14456597
Wakatipu, in Otago501 to 3 ½1121,016
Wanaka291 to 375920
Hawea103481,062
Ohau111 to 3231,720
Pukaki112 ½ to 5311,588
Tekapo151 to 3 ½32 ½2,321

These lakes are situated in mountainous country; they are of glacial origin, and all very deep. A bathymetrical survey of Lake Wakatipu shows an almost level floor extending from near Queenstown to near Kingston at a depth of over 1,200 feet.

The steamer service on Lake Wakatipu is owned by the Government, and is under the control of the Railway Department. During the summer months the steamers run between Kingston and Queenstown daily, and to the head of the lake from Queenstown three times a week. During the winter months the daily service to Kingston is maintained, but the communication with the head of the lake is only bi-weekly.

On Lakes Wanaka, Manapouri, and Te Anau smaller steamers are in use.

The Clutha River is the largest in New Zealand, and is estimated to discharge over 1,000,000 cubic feet per minute. It has a rapid current, but is navigable for small steamers for a distance of forty miles from its mouth. At present there is a stern-wheel steamer plying on the River, and another is about to be constructed. The Waitaki is not a navigable river. For some seventeen miles from its mouth the Taieri River is affected by tides, which run up one branch into Waihola Lake, and up the other branch as far as Allanton (Greytown).

A small privately-owned steamer runs from Henley to the mouth of the Taieri River. There is also a house-boat in connection with the steamer. The scenery down the Taieri River is exceptionally fine, and the numerous excursions are well patronised by those in search of a day's outing. The distance from Henley to Taieri Mouth is about six miles.

Plains.

There are some considerable areas of tolerably level land in the interior, the largest being the Maniototo Plains, the Idaburn, Manuherikia, and Upper Clutha Valleys. Their dimensions are approximately as follows: Maniototo Plains, length twenty-four miles, average breadth, ten miles; Idaburn Valley, twenty-five miles by four miles; Manuherikia Valley, thirty-five miles by four miles; Upper Clutha Valley, thirty-three miles by five miles.

The Taieri Plain, nearer the coast, is about the same size as the Idaburn Valley, and is very fertile. Other plains are the Waitaki in the north, the Tokomairiro, the Strath-Taieri, the Tapanui, and the fertile Inch-Clutha, lying between the two branches of the Clutha River, and consisting entirely of alluvial deposit. There is also a good deal of low country, chiefly rolling downs, on the south-west side of the Clutha near the sea.

Forests.

The forest land lies mostly along the sea-coast, the largest area of bush being Tautuku Forest, about forty miles in length and fifteen miles in breadth. The western part of this forest is in the Southland District. The other principal forest areas are in the following localities—viz., at the heads of Lakes Wakatipu, Hawea, and Wanaka; the Hollyford Valley; west of the Tapanui Mountains, in the upper valley of the Waikaia River, and towards the north-west coast.

The forests of Otago contain a large variety of useful timber, both hard and softwood; some being suitable for building purposes, while other varieties are highly ornamental, and much prized for cabinet-work.

Building-stones.

Building-stones of good quality are found in various places throughout Otago. The Port Chalmers quarries afford an inexhaustible supply of bluestone, a volcanic conglomerate stone of fair hardness and durability; and the neighbourhood of Hindon furnishes a bluestone of superior quality. A very good basalt is also to be found on the Horseshoe Bush Estate, about thirty miles south from Dunedin and one mile from Clarendon Station. In Otago central a hard, close sandstone is obtained near Kokonga, also a black basalt, of which the new Dunedin Railway-station is built. Two very fine building stones—a limestone and a freestone—are found at. Bob's Cove, Lake Wakatipu, A hard freestone of excellent quality is found at Waikawa, where there is a large hill of it close to the water's edge. Blocks of very great size can be obtained. There is also a freestone of superior quality on land at the Peninsula, but the inaccessibility to the stone would make it difficult to quarry. A dense dark granite of first-class quality is obtainable on Ruapuke Island; specimens, both tooled and polished, may be seen in the base and pilasters of the Government Life Insurance Buildings at Dunedin. A somewhat similar stone is also obtainable at the Ocean Beach, near the Bluff. A soft white building-stone—the well-known Oamaru limestone—is found in large quantities along the railway-line near Oamaru, from whence a good deal is exported to other parts of New Zealand and to the Australian States. A similar kind of stone is found at Otekaike, about two miles from the railway-station, and it may be interesting to note that during the years 1891–93 about 3,000 tons of stone were sent from the Otekaike quarries to form the facings of the Melbourne Fish-market. These quarries are not now worked.

Limestone for Burning.

Limestone is found in the following places: Oamaru, Otekaike, Otepopo, Makareao, Waihemo, Waikouaiti, Lower Harbour, Peninsula, Waihola, Millburn, and Wakatipu.

The Millburn Lime and Cement Company burn large quantities of lime at their Millburn works, whence it is sent to all parts of Otago, for building purposes, gasworks, &c. It is also largely used in farming, and the productiveness of the Tokomairiro Plain has been greatly increased of late years by its application to the soil. Large cement-works belonging to the same company have been open for some years on the reclaimed land in Otago Harbour, near Dunedin. At Burnside there are large cement-works, the raw materials being obtained from the Oamaru limestones and from marl-beds between Cattle-yards and Burnside. The cement manufactured at both these works is considered fully equal, if not superior, to the best imported, and is largely used in building and other constructive works.

The Government lime-kilns at Makareao, near Dunback, have been leased for ten years from 1st September, 1907, the present lessee being the Millburn Lime and Cement Company, which has just installed a fine plant on the Schemabolla principle, which will greatly increase the output. The lime produced is of good quality, and there is a branch railway to the kilns.

Coal and Lignite.

In the southern portion of Otago and in part of Southland thin seams of coal of a bituminous character exist. Probably the coal produced from the pits at Kaitangata, Shag Point, and Nightcaps is the best in quality. First-class brown coals are worked in several parts of Otago, the principal seats of the industry-being Green Island, Milton, Alexandra, and Bannockburn, as well as other parts of Central Otago.

Beds of lignite are also found in numerous localities, chiefly around the margins of the old lake-basins and along the courses of the older river-valleys, and are worked on a sufficient scale to supply local requirements.

The output of coal and lignite in Otago and Southland for year ending 31st December, 1909, was 418.369 tons.

Climate.

The climate of Otago is on the whole fairly equable. Central Otago suffers a little from the intensity of the cold in the winter and the excess of heat in summer; but places on the sea-coast have a fairly even temperature all the year round. There is a somewhat large area of practically rainless territory, which includes the Maniototo Plains, the Idaburn and Manuherikia Valleys, and extends to Lakes Wakatipu, Wanaka, Hawea, and Ohau on the west and north, and to the northern portion of Waitaki County on the north-east. From Oamaru the direction would be across country to Mount Benger and to the southern end of Lake Wakatipu. This part of the country is well adapted for sheep of all kinds, especially merinos, some of the runs being capable of carrying 80,000 sheep. Wonderful results have been worked with irrigation on parts of the hitherto dry and barren portions of Central Otago. So far irrigation has been tried only on a small scale, but the Government has under consideration a scheme for converting the Upper Taieri Plain or Serpentine Valley into a reservoir for irrigation purposes, which will cover an area of about eighteen square miles, with a depth of fifty feet, and will command 90,000 acres of land for irrigation.

West Coast.

In marked contrast to Central Otago is the West Coast District which may be described as having a wet climate. Not that the number of wet days in the year is great, but it is subject to very heavy rains from the north-west, the fall generally exceeding 100 in. per annum. But, although wet, the climate is mild, and the vegetation is consequently luxuriant. Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland keep a house of accommodation for tourists at the head of Milford Sound. There are very few visitors to the Sounds during winter, but in summer the tourist traffic is considerable. Towards the south-east and south coasts of the district the climate is moist, being somewhat similar to that of Dunedin, where the average rainfall is 38 in., distributed over 180 days in the year.

Freezing Establishments.

There are three freezing and preserving works in Otago. The establishments are at Oamaru, Burnside, and Port Chalmers. At Oamaru there is a 60-ton Hercules refrigerator, capable of freezing 1,000 sheep a day, and there is storage-room for 30.000 carcases. The Port Chalmers freezing-works, erected in 1896 by the Otago Dock Trust, are largely used for the storage of butter prior to shipment, and for the freezing of rabbits during the season when these are available for export. The refrigerating machinery originally consisted of a 12-ton Hercules, but lately the buildings were enlarged, and a 35-ton Hercules was added. At Burnside there is a 75-ton Hercules machine, capable of freezing 1,500 sheep per day, and there is storage-room for 60,000 carcases. In addition to the usual export in mutton and lamb, much export business is done at these works in frozen rabbits. The export of rabbit-skins from Dunedin during the financial year ended 31st March, 1910, amounted to 6,911,659 skins, valued at £87,693.

Gold-production.

Gold is found very generally distributed throughout Otago, except in the southern portion of the district. The principal localities are: Clutha Valley, Tuapeka, Shotover, Cardrona, Tinker's. St. Bathan's, Mount Ida and Nevis, Bannockburn, and Maerewhenua. Last financial year 88,914 ounces of gold were exported from Dunedin, having a value of £359,126.

Chief Towns.

The following are the chief towns of Otago, with their population, in January, 1910, including all having 1,000 inhabitants and upwards: Dunedin and suburbs, 62,584; Oamaru, 5,310; Port Chalmers, 2,140; Mosgiel, 1,530; Milton, 1,400; Kaitangata, 1,682; Lawrence, 1,159; Balclutha, 1,300.

City of Dunedin.

Dunedin, the capital city and commercial centre of Otago, is situated at the head of Otago Harbour, and is distant eight miles—about half an hour's journey by rail—from its seaport, Port Chalmers. Otago Harbour has been greatly deepened by dredging during the past decade, and ocean liners are now berthed alongside the Dunedin wharves.

The city proper is about two miles and a half long by a mile broad, and is dotted here and there with handsome public buildings and large warehouses which compare favourably both in size and architecture with those in other centres of New Zealand. Among buildings of note may be mentioned the Law Courts, Knox Church, St. Joseph's Cathedral, Boys’ High School, First Church, Town Hall, Otago University, and Railway-station, The city has been much beautified with numerous parks and reserves artistically laid out by the Dunedin and Suburban Reserves Conservation Society, who have taken in hand with praiseworthy energy the task of planting with trees and flowers hitherto neglected areas of waste land. The Octagon, Jubilee Park, and Victoria Gardens (formerly known as the Triangle) are standing monuments to the society's work.

The private residences of Dunedin are largely situated on the hills sloping upwards from the harbour, and cable tramways connect the city proper with the hill suburbs. A reserve of native bush fringes the hills round about, and is traversed by a fine carriage road, named “The Queen's Drive,” from which views of the harbour and city can be obtained. This reserve—known as the Town Belt—was set apart in the early days of Otago settlement.

The city has an electric-tram service, which has been extended to the favourite seaside resorts of St. Kilda and St. Clair, each within three miles of the Chief Post Office. At the northern end of the city—about two miles from the Chief Post Office—the electric cars run down to the Botanical Gardens, which are tastefully and artistically laid out with many beautiful flowers and shrubs. A band rotunda has been erected here, and on Sunday afternoons sacred concerts are given throughout the summer months. A winter garden has been added to the attractions—a gift from a citizen.

The Woodhaugh Valley, the reservoir, and the Leith Valley with its waterfalls, are also within easy distance of the town, and from a scenic point of view possess many features of interest.

Fruit.

There are some fine fruit-growing districts in the valley of the Clutha, from below Roxburgh right up to Lake Wanaka. The summers are dry and warm, and the soil suitable. Apricots, poaches, &c., come to maturity fully a month before they do at Dunedin, and grapes ripen in the open air. There is a great future for this neighbourhood in the growing of those varieties of fruit which agree with and thrive in a dry climate. Grapes might be cultivated either for wine-making or for the table. The dryness of the atmosphere is favourable for preserving all kinds of fruit, while the Otago Central Railway has brought portion of the valley into direct communication with a market.

Crops.

The following are the agricultural statistics as at 31st October, 1909, the area and production being estimated:—

Total area in occupation in the Otago District, including sown grasses and land in native grass, &c., 7,776,365 acres. Corn-crops sown for threshing, chaffing, and feeding-off, comprising wheat, oats, barley, rye, maize, peas, beans, 162,000 acres; green, root, and other crops, 200,000 acres; grasses sown for seed and hay, 10,000 acres; land ploughed and sown in grass, 900,000 acres; surface-sown grasses, 200,000 acres; plantations, &c., including private gardens, market gardens, orchards, and vineyards, of a quarter of an acre and upwards, 12,000 acres; land ploughed but not planted, 15,000 acres; area in tussock or native grass, 6,250,000 acres.

 Acres.Estimated Yield per Acre.Total.
Wheat for threshing70,00030 bushels2,100,000 bushels.
Oats85,000403,400,000
Barley4,30028120,400

Stock.

 Head.
Sheep, as at 30th April, 19092,905,621
Horses, as at 31st October, 190841,538
Cattle, as at 31st October, 1908111,122
Swine, as at 31st October, 190815,773

The dairy industry continues to flourish and expand in Otago, and new lands are continually being brought under cultivation.

Dunedin is well supplied with elementary schools, there being in 1910 six large schools in the city proper, with an attendance of 2,863 pupils, and twelve more in the suburbs, with 4,194 pupils.

There is also in Dunedin a training-college for teachers. The students in training number 100.

The School of Art and Design is situated in Moray Place, close to George Street, and has a staff of eight teachers. In 1909 there were 611 students in attendance.

The Otago Boys’ High School stands on a commanding plateau 300 ft. above the business part of the city and the harbour. The school was opened on the 3rd August, 1863, in the building in Dowling Street now occupied as the Girls’ High School. The new buildings in Arthur Street were opened by (he late Sir William Jervois, Governor, in February, 1885. The teaching staff, including the Rector, numbers 14; the total enrolment is 316.

The Otago Girls’ High School was opened on the 6th February, 1871, with a roll of 78 pupils. The present attendance is 200, with a teaching staff of 11, exclusive of visiting teachers. Otago holds the proud distinction of having established the first Girls’ High School in Australasia. Among the earnest band of workers who laboured to establish this first High School for girls the name of Miss Dalrymple stands pre-eminent, and will ever be held in grateful remembrance by the people of Otago.

At the commencement of the year 1903 the Board of Governors accepted the Government's offer in connection with providing free secondary education by admitting sixty-three boys and fifty-one girls who passed the Sixth Standard in the primary schools and were under fourteen years of age on 31st December, 1902, on payment by the Government at the rate of £8 per annum per head.

There are now 295 boys, and 198 girls in attendance at the schools under the new Government regulations.

A swimming-bath has been erected at the Boys’ High School 75 ft. by 30 ft., 6 ft. deep at one end and 3 ft. 6 in. at the other, covered with iron roof with skylights, and furnished with dressing-rooms. This bath is available for both schools, and is a valuable adjunct.

The University of Otago was founded in 1869, and opened in 1871. It is well housed in a pile of handsome buildings after the domestic Gothic style. There are four separate faculties in the University—viz., arts and science, medicine, mining, and law. The teaching staff comprises thirty professors and lecturers.

The School of Medicine provides the full course for the medical degrees of the University of New Zealand. There is a medical museum in the University buildings containing anatomical, pathological, and other preparations and models.

The School of Mines occupies a separate (temporary) building. It possesses a metallurgical testing plant, well-equipped mining, geological, and metallurgical laboratories. The curriculum provides for the course prescribed for the B.Sc. degrees in mining and metallurgy of the University of New Zealand, and for the Associate diplomas in mining and metallurgy of the University of Otago.

A new building for the School of Mines has recently been erected. It is a handsome structure, and contains quite up-to-date mining accessories for teaching of every description.

A School of Dentistry has been established during the year, and is now open. Instruction is given qualifying for the degree in dentistry of the University of New Zealand.

The undergraduates keeping terms, according to the latest available information, are 250 men and 117 women. The University library contains over 5,000 specially selected volumes, and is open to the public under certain conditions for purposes of reference.

The Chemical and Physical laboratories are well fitted up, and furnished with all necessary instruments and appliances. There are six scholarships tenable at the University, ranging in value from £15 to £30 per annum.

The council will probably shortly commence building the new School of Veterinary Science, as the Government has voted a sum of money towards its erection.

The public museum is under the control of the University Council. It is situated in Great King Street, about five minutes’ walk from the University. It includes a well-equipped biological laboratory. Partly through public subscription and partly through the munificence of a private citizen, the late Dr. T. M. Hocken, another wing has been added to the museum building. It has been named “The Hocken Library,” and contains valuable records and papers relating to the early history of New Zealand. The works of art formerly displayed in the art gallery in the museum building are now housed in a commodious building near the centre of the town, and adjoining the Early Settlers’ Hall, in which may be found many interesting mementoes of the early days of the Otago Settlement.

The Dunedin Athenaeum and Mechanics’ Institute is centrally situated in the Octagon, a possesses a well-maintained library of about 23,000 volumes, and a membership of about 1,918 subscribers. The building, which was considerably enlarged a few years ago, contains, in addition to the circulating library, a reference library, a large reading-room with an excellent supply of magazines and newspapers from all parts of the world, a chess-players’ room, and a smoking-room.

A free public library has been established in Moray Place West under the control of the City Council. Mr. Andrew Carnegie, of Scotland, donated the sum of £10,000 to the object, and another £4,000 has been spent on fittings, &c. The library (which was opened to the public on December 2, 1908) has a reading-room and magazine-room well-stocked with daily papers from all parts of the world, and the latest and most up-to-date periodicals. Mr. W. B. McEwan is the first librarian. A reference library (which will contain 3,300 volumes), a juvenile reading-room, and a lending-library for adults and juveniles, are now being added.

The Cargill Monument, which was erected to the memory of the late Captain Cargill, the founder of the Otago settlement, stands in the Triangle, between the Customhouse and the Bank of New Zealand. It is an ornate specimen of early decorated Gothic.

Towns and Surrounding Country.

Port Chalmers (eight miles from Dunedin) situate on Otago Harbour, midway between the Heads and Dunedin, has a population of about 2,140. It is the chief port of Otago, and possesses every accommodation for Home vessels, including dry dock, 80-ton sheer-legs, steam-hammer, and other appliances, besides several private foundries, cool-storage chamber, &c. The Port Chalmers graving-dock is described in the article on page 84.

Leaving Dunedin by the northern railway, winding in and out through the hills which surround the town and port, and skirting the precipitous cliffs of the coast-line, the first station of importance reached after Port Chalmers is Waitati, a favourite seaside resort in Blueskin Bay; distance, seventeen miles. Fifteen miles beyond is Waikouaiti—population, 700—pleasantly situated on the Hawksbury Lagoon, the centre of a flourishing farming country. The next place of note is Palmerston, forty-one miles from Dunedin, with 800 inhabitants. A branch line leaves Palmerston and runs nine miles up Shag Valley to Dunback. Six miles further on the main line there is a branch to Shag Point, a coalfield, with two pits.

Oamaru (seventy-eight miles) is the second town in Otago, having a population of about 5,310. It is the centre of a large farming district, and has a good harbour, formed by a concrete breakwater, for the reception of ocean-going ships. The chief exports are wool, grain, and frozen meat. This town is noted for its attractive public gardens and numerous recreation reserves. The Waitaki Boys’ High School, founded in 1878, is a fine building of Oamaru stone, standing in spacious grounds, situate about two miles north of the town. The school is well equipped, and attracts scholars from all parts of the Dominion, and even from Australia. The staff comprises the rector and six assistants; and the number of scholars attending at the beginning of the year 1910 was 216, of whom 147 were boarders, the boarding-school being under the supervision of the rector. The Girls’ High School is a splendid white stone building situated about one mile from the centre of the town. A branch-line runs from the junction near Oamaru up the Waiareka Valley to Ngapara, seventeen miles, and Tokarahi, twenty-five miles from Oamaru, and another seven miles by road leads to Livingstone.

Starting from Oamaru, and proceeding to Central Otago, via the valley of the Waitaki River, the first part of the journey is accomplished by rail across the fertile Papakaio Plains to Awamoko (ninety-six miles), and thence following up the Waitaki River past Duntroon to Kurow (120 miles from Dunedin). At Kurow the traveller leaves the railway and follows the course of the Waitaki through pastoral country to Rugged Ridges Station (133 miles); a little beyond Rugged Ridges the road leaves the Waitaki River, and crossing the Ahuriri Pass (141 miles), strikes the Ahuriri River, which it follows up past Omarama Station (158 miles) to the junction of Longslip Creek; it then ascends this creek until Lindis Pass saddle is reached (172 miles), at a height of 3,185 feet. Here begins the descent to the Clutha Valley via Morven Hills Station (181 miles) and Tarras Station (200 miles). From Tarras Station the road runs through settled farming country up the Clutha River, which is crossed by means of a punt at Newcastle (219 miles), and four miles more brings the traveller to Pembroke, on the southern shore of Lake Wanaka.

From Dunedin the main trunk railway runs southward to Invercargill, a distance of 139 miles. Passing through the Caversham Ward and tunnel the traveller reaches Burnside (four miles) and Abbotsford (five miles), industrial centres, with coalmining, tanning, iron-smelting, and other works. Four miles farther on is Wingatui, the junction of the Otago Central Railway; and ten miles from Dunedin is Mosgiel, a rising township with 1,530 inhabitants, noted for its woollen-mills. The railway- line now skirts the Taieri Plain, an alluvial flat eighteen miles long by five miles broad, the most fertile portion of Otago. A branch line nine miles long from Mosgiel Junction runs to Outram, on the farther side of the Taieri Plain. The main line continues on from Mosgiel, passing the smaller townships of Allanton (Greytown) and Henley, and Lakes Waihola and Waipori, strikes Milton (thirty-six miles), in the middle of the Tokomairiro Plain, a town of 1,400 inhabitants with woollen-mill, flour-mill, dairy factories, flax-mill, pottery-works, and tannery. The next place of importance is Balclutha (fifty-three miles), on the banks of the Clutha River, with flax-mills, and dairy factories; population about 1,300. Kaitangata, situated lower down the Clutha River, and connected by a branch line four miles long, has extensive coalfields, and a population of about 1,680. Leaving Balclutha, the main line runs through the Clutha downs, passing the small centres of Waitepeka, Warepa, Kaihiku, and Waiwera, and reaches Clinton (seventy-four miles), on the Waiwera stream, a favourite resort of anglers. The next station of note beyond Clinton is Waipahi Junction (eighty-four miles), on the Waipahi River, likewise a favourite fishing-ground. Further on is Gore (100 miles), on the Mataura River, in the Southland District. Gore is a fast-rising township of about 3,500 inhabitants, with flour-mill, engineering-works, dairy factory, coal-mines, &c. Lower down the river is Mataura, also in the Southland District, a thriving little township of about. 1,100 inhabitants, where there are extensive freezing-work?, paper-mills, implement-works, dairy factory, and fish-hatchery.

A branch line runs from a point on the main line near Gore to the Township of Waikaka, twelve miles distant, and serves a rich agricultural district which has been settled and cultivated for many years.

A branch line from Waipahi follows up and crosses the Pomahaka River and connects Tapanui (13 miles), Kelso (16 miles), Heriot (20 miles), and Edievale (26 miles).

The Otago Central Railway starts from Wingatui, crosses the Taieri Plain, and then winds round to the Taieri River, which it follows up to Waipiata, eighty-one miles from Dunedin, whence proceeds across the Maniototo Plain to the watersheds of the Taieri and Manuherikia Rivers and through the Ida Valley to Omakau. Chatto Creek, and Alexandra to the present terminus, at Clyde. In its course along the river it runs for some distance through a rocky gorge, but after crossing the Sutton Stream enters Strath-Taieri—a comparatively flat, open country. Near Hindon Station (twenty-five miles from Dunedin), in the Taieri Gorge, and Barewood (thirty-seven miles) there are quartz-reefs being worked. In traversing the Strath-Taieri, the line passes the Blair-Taieri Village Settlement (forty-four miles), Middlemarch, a rising township (forty-eight miles), and reaches Hyde (sixty-four miles). The line passes through the Poolburn Gorge across the Manuherikia River to Chatto Creek. Central Otago has a great future before it, in the opinion of experts, it is naturally adapted for producing fruit of different kinds in perfection, and almost any crop, if irrigated.

Another means of access to Central Otago is by the Clutha Valley. Two miles beyond Milton the Lawrence branch leaves Clarkesville Junction, runs up the Tokomairiro River and the gorge of Manuka Creek, and down to Waitahuna (fifty-three miles from Dunedin) and Lawrence (sixty miles), gold-mining centres, with a population of about 1,160. This line is being extended towards Beaumont and Roxburgh. Gold was first discovered in the Lawrence district in 1861, and the mines are still yielding. From Lawrence a coach runs to Beaumont (seventy-two miles), on the Clutha River, and thence up the Clutha Valley. Crossing the Beaumont Bridge the road follows the west bank of the Clutha, passing numerous dredging-claims. At eighty-nine miles is Ettrick, and seven miles further on is Roxburgh—the Teviot—(ninety-six miles), a town of about 500 inhabitants. The district surrounding Roxburgh is famous for the quantity and quality of its fruit-crops.

Following the main road along the west bank of the Clutha River the traveller reaches Alexandra South (122 miles), at the junction of the Manuherikia River with the Clutha, and Clyde—the Dunstan—(130 miles), the county town of Vincent County. The next place of importance is Cromwell (143 miles), at the junction of the Kawarau River with the Clutha. Cromwell is a small town of nearly 700 inhabitants.

If the traveller wishes to pursue his journey farther he can either follow the road up the Clutha to Newcastle and Pembroke, on Lake Wanaka, or take the Kawarau Gorge road by way of the Crown Terrace to Queenstown, on Lake Wakatipu.

Queenstown, a township situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, has a population of 675, and is the centre of a large gold-mining district. The chief feature of Queenstown is the grand mountain and lake scenery in the neighbourhood, which attracts large numbers of tourists every year. There are two ways of reaching Queenstown—the one by the Clutha Valley and Kawarau Gorge, as above described, and the other by rail to Kingston, at the foot of Lake Wakatipu, and thence by steamer, which runs to suit the trains.

The Tautuku bush, in the south of Otago, has only lately been opened up, but already a large number of settlers are making their homes there. Starting from Balclutha the Catlin's River branch line runs southwards to Romahapa (sixty-one miles from Dunedin) on the crossing of the main road to Port Molyneux, thence to Glenomaru (sixty-five miles), Owaka (seventy-two miles from Dunedin), and the present termination at Houipapa, about five miles further on. The Catlin's-Waikawa main road is formed the whole way through, as are also numerous district roads, and the railway is being extended to Tahakopa, ninety-three miles.

Railways.

The principal lines are as follows: (1.) The main trunk line from Dunedin to Christchurch, with branches from Oamaru to Hakataramea, forty-three miles: and Oamaru to Ngapara and Tokarahi, twenty-five miles; also, Palmerston to Dunback, nine miles. (2.) The main trunk line, Dunedin to Invercargill, with branches—Mosgiel to Outram, nine miles; Milton via Lawrence, to Dig Hill, thirty-one miles; Stirling to Kaitangata, five miles; Balclutha to Houipapa, twenty-five miles; and Waipahi to Edievale, twenty-four miles. (3.) The Otago Central, from Wingatui to Clyde, 134 miles. The Catlin's River Railway is under construction from Houipapa to Papatupu, three miles and a half, and the Waimahaka-Catlin's Railway for eight miles and a half from end of station-yard at Waimahaka. A line from Riversdale Junction to Switzers, fourteen miles in length, has recently been completed and opened for traffic. An extension of the western line from Waihoaka to Tuatapere, on the east bank of the Warau River, has been completed and opened during the past year. This section is eight miles in length.

Statistical.

The total population of the Otago Land District on the 29th April, 1906, was 127,877.

Area of Otago Land District: Open land below 2,000 ft., 5,230 square miles; forest land below 2,000 ft., 1,710 square miles; open land above 2,000 ft., 6,177 square miles; forest land above 2,000 ft., 500 square miles; area of lakes, &c., 262 square miles: total, 13,879 square miles, or 8,882,800 acres.

The following table shows the disposition (approximately) of the land in the Otago District on 31st March, 1910:—

 Holdings.Acres.
1. Lands finally alienated, comprising freehold land and vested reserves (net area after deducting land acquired under Land for Settlements Acts, &c.) 2,522,930
2. Lands held on deferred payment, rural113,471
3. Lands held on perpetual lease, rural16828,075
4. Lands held under occupation-with-right-of-purchase clause28852,832
5. Lands held on lease in perpetuity, ordinary Crown land, rural801198,527
6. Lands held on renewable lease, National Endowment land, rural466,012
7. Lands held under agricultural lease on goldfields16521
8. Lands held under Mining Districts Land Occupation Act2739,831
9. Lands held under village settlement, deferred payment2100
10. Lands held under village settlement, perpetual lease14292
11. Lands held under village settlement, lease in perpetuity1061,642
12. Lands held under village settlement, renewable lease665
13. Lands held under village-homestead special settlement, perpetual lease691,006
14. Lands held by special-settlement associations, lease in perpetuity142,765
15. Lands held as small grazing-runs3361,013,916
16. Lands held under pastoral license, not including bush2333,815,944
17. Lands held under lease or license for miscellaneous purposes, exclusive of gold-mining838112,902
18. Lands acquired and disposed of as lease in perpetuity under Lands for Settlement Act, rural535108,699
19. Lands acquired and disposed of as renewable lease under Land for Settlements Act, rural11176,672
20. Lands acquired and disposed of as small grazing-runs under Land for Settlements Act910,733
21. Lands acquired and disposed of as pastoral homestead sites under Land for Settlements Act2954
22. Lands acquired and disposed of as miscellaneous licenses under Land Settlements Acts792,498
23. Crown Lands being for selection (including Land for Settlements Act), exclusive of pastoral runs 20,191
24. Crown Lands being prepared for selection 670,000
25. Lands open for application under pastoral license Nil
26. Lands held by aboriginal Natives 16,500
27. Lakes, and Clutha and Taieri Rivers 263,200
28. Balance of Crown lands, including mining reserves, public reserves not vested, bush lands, roads, barren country, &c. 612,522
Total area of district (13,879 square miles) 8,882,800

Tenants of land included in 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, and 14 have the right of acquiring the freehold. There is no right of acquiring the freehold for tenants of lands included in 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22.

Chapter 67. THE SOUTHLAND LAND DISTRICT.

H. M. SKEET, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Boundaries.

The Southland District may be stated to comprise the Counties of Fiord, Steward Island, Southland, Wallace, and part of Lake, and is bounded on the north and east by the Otago District, and on the south and west by the Tasman Sea, and may be said to lie between south latitudes 45° and 47° and east longitudes 166° 15′ and 169° 15′. For administrative purposes, however, the Snares, Auckland, Enderby, Campbell, Antipodes, Bounty, and all other islands within the limits of the Dominion south of the 47° parallel of south latitude are included in it.

* Not included in total, as the lands are still held under lease

Area and Physical Features.

The total area of the district, including Stewart Island, but exclusive of Solander, Ruapuke, and the other small islands enumerated above, is 7,583,892 acres, of which 2,400,000 are covered with bush. A considerable area in the Fiord County consists of wild alpine country with scrubby bush reaching to the snow-line. This little-known country extends to the western sea, and there presents the remarkable indentations of the coast-line known as the West Coast Sounds. The whole region is a paradise for the artist, and, indeed, for all enthusiastic lovers of nature, but has little attraction for the agriculturist or pastoralist. The bush land suitable for timber lies in the neighbourhood of Forest Hill, Longwood, Hokonui, Waikawa, and on Stewart Island. The timbers of commercial value are totara, rimu, miro, matai, kahikatea, rata, towai, and kamahi, in mixed bushes; but Fagus fusea and other beeches predominate on the high lands.

The open land in Southland and Wallace Counties, in its natural state, carries tussock and snow-grass, fern, flax, manuka, &c., and there is a considerable area of marshy land, interspersed here and there with peat bogs.

Perhaps the most striking feature, if we exclude the Fiord country, is the number of well-defined rivers and valleys of the district, the better often widening out to some extent with gravel beds as they run through very extensive plains. Commencing with the eastern side, the Mataura, Oreti (or New River), Aparima (or Jacob's River), and Waiau are the most prominent illustrations of this; but these rivers by no means exhaust the list, as they all have numerous tributaries, which exhibit the same features on a lesser scale.

Speaking generally, the watersheds of these rivers do not attain any great height until followed far inland, and near the great lakes to be presently noticed. From what has been said above, it follows that the extensive plains and valleys referred to are of alluvial formation, in many places of very rich and fertile quality, and capable of raising crops of every known product, subject, of course, to climatic limitations. Generally these plains and valleys rise from the river-levels in a very gradual slope, sometimes into a series of terraces from 10 ft. to 50 ft. in height, and sometimes into undulating hills intersected at frequent intervals by lateral gullies affording natural drainage and an abundant supply of water.

These hills are covered with an indigenous growth, consisting of tussock and other grasses, fern, flax, &c., and even in their native state afford excellent grazing for sheep.

Near the large lakes, such as Wakatipu, Te Anau, Manapouri, Hauroto, and others, and between these and the west coast, the country becomes very high, often reaching 5,000 ft. and 6,000 ft. above sea-level, with very steep and rugged spurs. But these features are seen more prominently in the almost inaccessible Fiord country before referred to, and also in the West Coast Sounds. The open country of the interior occasionally presents a number of low ridges and lesser mountain-tops covered with tussock and other herbage, affording admirable pasture for sheep in summer; but stock have to be removed from April to October, during which period this part of the district is generally covered with snow.

Southland does not contain so much forest as most of the North Island districts, and this, with its extensive tussock-covered plains before referred to, will account for its early and extensive settlement; nevertheless there are considerable areas of forest in the eastern, southern, and western parts, and on Stewart Island, and a large export trade is done in the different kinds of pine and other timbers used for building, engineering, furniture-making, &c.

From what has been said of the river systems it will be evident that the country is well supplied with water, although none of the rivers can be used for purposes of internal communication; but the plains are traversed by railways for considerable distances from the principal towns, and where the railways end communication is continued by good roads, so that there is probably no part of the Dominion better off for means of transit; and with the Bluff Harbour the Southland District would seem to possess every facility.

Agriculture.

Having already touched on the character of the soil, it only remains to say that the plains, terraces, and lower hills are well adapted for raising wheat, oats, and other cereals, turnips, mangolds, beets, and the various other crops common to temperate climates. Wheat is not so widely grown as it might be, for the reason. probably, that the pastoral branches of farming receive more attention than the agricultural, and wheat is not required for these, whereas oats are largely grown for export and to feed sheep in the form of chaff; turnips also are much cultivated for winter food. Where wheat is grown the yields are very satisfactory, ranging from 40 to 60 bushels per acre, while oats frequently give 70 to 80 bushels.

Linseed is now receiving some attention from farmers, as they find ready sale for it to the manufacturing chemists at remunerative prices, a fair crop yielding over £5 per acre.

There are extensive deposits of limestone throughout the district. At Lime-hills a large plant has been put up which turns out agricultural and building lime in large quantities. This is a great boon to the district, and owing to its free carriage by railway up to distances of 100 miles farmers are enabled to go in for extensive liming of their holdings.

Owing to the introduction of the drain plough of recent years considerable areas of land are now capable of being brought into a high state of cultivation which on account of excessive moisture or their swampy nature were formerly only fit for rough pasturage.

Dairy-farming, &c.

Dairy-farming now forms a very important industry in this district, thirty-two factories having been established. In this connection the Customs Department returns (for year ending 31st March of the present year) for this district how that 70,101 cwt. of cheese, valued at £207,382, was exported.

Sheep-farming.

By far the most important industries are those connected with the raising and export of mutton and wool. Some years ago sheep-farming was much hindered by the inroads of rabbits; but owing to the repressive measures adopted there has been a marked abatement of the pest. The hill-country, although it does not carry a large proportion of stock to area, is eminently healthy. The average carrying-capacity over the whole district would probably be slightly over two sheep to the acre. Until within the last few years most of the runs were stocked with merinos, but owing to the carcase being unacceptable to the European market, these sheep have, generally speaking, been replaced by Leicesters, Lincolns, Romney Marsh, Cheviot, and crossbreds of various kinds, better suited to the existing demands. The total number of sheep on the books of the local Stock Department reaches 1,687,288. This number is distributed over Southland District. A number of large establishments for slaughtering and freezing sheep are at work. Two are situated at the Bluff, and another at Mataura (on the Main Trunk Railway line). A large establishment is being erected in ferro-concrete at Makarewa Junction. It is expected to be ready for occupation next January. It will have a killing-capacity of 3,000 per day, and it is expected to be one of the most up-to-date slaughtering establishments in the Dominion. Beef, mutton, and rabbit tinning works have been in operation for some years at Woodlands. The exports from these factories (frozen meats) as returned for the year ended 31st March, 1910, are as follows: Frozen beef—1,377 cwt., value £1,371; mutton—107,646 carcases, value £64,039; lamb—252,905 carcases, value £132,190; rabbit-carcases—1,789,720. value £37,284; rabbit-skins—935,495, value £11,834.; whilst the export of wool was 11,582,512 lb., value £473,121.

Industrial (Coal, Gold, &c).

Extensive scams of coal and lignite are distributed over the district, and a largo deposit of brown coal is being worked by the Nightcaps Coal Company and other mines in the vicinity. This coal is used throughout the district, and its utility has been recognised by the Railway Department, some 20,000 tons having been used on the Southland section of New Zealand railways during the past year. The total output for the year was 61,000 tons, in addition to 72,000 tons of lignite. A deposit of shale covering a fair area exists at Orepuki, and very extensive works have been erected in connection therewith. From various causes, however, they have been closed clown for the last few years. In view, however, of the increased demand for all fuel, there is every probability of the works being reopened in the near future. Gold is found all over the district, and is being obtained either by sluicing or dredging. A considerable amount of capital has been invested in river and beach dredges worked by steam. The dredging operations of the past year have for the most part been confined to the streams lying east of the Mataura River. Fifty-four dredges are now working, and the yields of gold, although of an intermittent character, have on the whole been satisfactory; output during 1909, 21,430 oz., valued at £85,677. Payable gold-bearing reefs also exist in Preservation Inlet and at Stewart Island. Among the lesser industries the preparation of the fibre of the native flax plant (Phormium tenax) is worthy of notice. The plant is found all over this district; thirty-five mills are in existence, and in 1909–10 some 1,223 tons were graded and exported from the Bluff.

Timber.

Last, but of considerable value in results, the timber industry of the district merits attention. At the end of 1909 there were sixty-four sawmills working in Southland; since then, however, owing to a slackness in the timber trade, several of these mills have closed down, consequently the total production for the year—viz., about 39,000,000 super, feet—was 5,000,000 super, feet less than that of the previous year. The industry, however, is still a very important one in this district, and with a revival in trade will prove a source of considerable wealth for many years to come.

Fish.

Salt-water fish abound in great numbers in the waters surrounding Stewart Island, and oysters are found on banks between that island and the Bluff. Fish are largely exported to Melbourne, some 9,000 cwt., of the value of £13,257, having been frozen and exported from the Bluff, as also large numbers of oysters during the open season. Freezing-works have been established at Stewart Island and Preservation Inlet. All the large rivers, and many of the tributaries, are well stocked with trout, while for heavy trout-fishing the Waiau and Oreti Rivers may be mentioned as amongst the finest in New Zealand. The Waiau and Aparima Rivers had salmon-spawn put into them some years ago, and, it is now believed, with success.

Fruit.

The small English fruits, such as gooseberries, currants, raspberries, strawberries, &c., grow in great profusion, as do also apples. Stone-fruits are not so common, although peaches, nectarines, apricots, &c., do well when trained against nursery-walls in favourable aspect. There is a jam-factory at Seaward Bush.

Climate.

The climate is bracing in winter, and warm and genial in spring and summer. The old residents state that there has been a marked decrease in the rainfall within the last decade, the average being now about 30 in. a year. It may, however, be observed that more rain falls near the coast than inland, and also that the rainfall is more evenly distributed throughout the year than is the case in the northern part of the Dominion. The temperature varies from 40° in winter to 70° in summer.

Towns.

Invercargill, the chief town, was from the first well laid out with wide streets and liberal reserves in the town belts for recreation purposes. The town has become conspicuous by the architectural beauty presented to the visitor in the many fine buildings. Among these—all in brick, concrete, or limestone—the branches of the leading banks doing business are prominent, also many wholesale and retail mercantile houses. The Government Buildings are on a scale not often seen in a town of the same size, and a clock and chimes of New Zealand make have been placed in the central tower. The Corporation has built a town hall and municipal theatre at a cost of £23,800. It presents a very handsome appearance in brick and concrete, while the theatre has every convenience, together with large seating-accommodation and the electric light. The Corporation provides water and gas, also disposes of sewage, &c., for the citizens. The streets are well lighted, paved, and maintained. Artesian water is pumped to the top of a handsome brick tower—which, by the way, is a very conspicuous landmark—and stored there in a tank, from which most of the houses within the town boundaries are supplied. Visitors to the town, and especially those who have been absent for some years, cannot fail to be impressed with the prosperity of the place, as evidenced by the rapid growth of the suburbs. In all directions may be seen commodious and substantial villa residences, standing on what a few years ago were bare paddocks. The population, including suburbs, was 12,507 by the census of April, 1906, and is now estimated to have increased to 14,800. Five railways concentrate here, one from the famed Cold Lakes, another from Dunedin and Christchurch, a third line communicates with the agricultural and pastoral country lying east of the Mataura River, known as the Seaward Bush line, a fourth line which branches into two at Thornbury opens communication with the extended area westward covered by the Wallace County and known as the Western District, while the short line to the Port of Bluff carries a heavy traffic—the main produce of the district—for export. Rope and twine, carnage and implement factories, flour-mills, saw-mills, fellmongeries, a boot factory, three bacon factories, brick and pottery works, iron-foundries, furniture-factories, and various other industries are in active operation. A woollen-mill, the first in the district, is in active operation, and now manufactures blankets, tweeds, hosiery, rugs, and flannels, principally for local consumption, putting through about 1,500 lb. of wool per week. The works, erected at a cost of £15,000, are lighted throughout by electricity, and are said to possess the most up-to-date machinery in the Dominion, employing from twenty to thirty hands. The Government has purchased from the Miracle Cement-block Manufacturing Company the right to manufacture these blocks in Southland. An up-to-date plant has been established close to the railway siding, and it is understood that three boys can make per day seventy-blocks 24 in. by 9 in. by 8 in. It is expected that a large business will be done in these blocks. In the summer season Invercargill, by the arrival of intercolonial steamers and express trains, may be said to be thronged with visitors and tourists desiring to view the beauties of Stewart Island or the more distant high alpine scenery and deep waters of the Cold Lakes District (To Anau, Wakatipu, Manapouri, Hauroko, and the further lakes), for, doubtless, the combinations of scenery there presented in mountain, glacier, and lake are unexcelled in either hemisphere. A motor-car service has been introduced from Lumsden, to the cold lakes district, which has improved the travelling facilities considerably. It should also be mentioned that Stewart Island is now connected by means of a submarine cable used for telephonic communication, which is of the greatest service to business men and pleasure-seekers. Although the Bluff is the principal port, Invercargill is provided with a lesser harbour in the New River Estuary, forming its western margin, where there is a jetty with appliances for the use of small steamers and craft trading with Stewart Island and along the coast, the goods being handled within the town boundaries. A tramway crosses the estuary, connecting with the suburb of Otatara, and is open for traffic. The line is two miles in length, and when the contemplated extension to the Oreti River, and the extensive reclamation works of 2,000 acres now being undertaken in the estuary are complete, Invercargill will spread westward.

Campbelltown, situated at the foot of the hill known as the “Bluff,” has become a place of some importance in the district, being identified with the Bluff Harbour. The population is about 1,700. The town presents some good buildings—frozen-meat works, hotels, grain-stores, and shipping offices, all in brick.

Perhaps the most conspicuous is the Government Post, Telegraph, and Customs Offices, with its clock-tower and chimes; while the railway offices, with hardly less proportions, and conveniences lately added to facilitate the easy handling of goods, assert the prosperity of the place. Connected by rail with Invercargill (seventeen miles—six trains daily), a very large shipping business is effected here in the imports and exports of the agricultural counties of Southland. Wallace, Lake, and Stewart Island, principally consisting in export of wool, grain, frozen mutton, rabbits, fish, cheese, butter, timber, flax, and oysters; and in imports of general merchandise, guano, coal, and hardwood timber. The trade in these commodities is one which has shown a steady expansion year by year, and this has called for more numerous shipping to provide the necessary transport. The interests of the port of Bluff are controlled by the Bluff Harbour Board, which has met the expansion as it arose, and has now provided what is probably the longest wharf in New Zealand—1,760 ft. long, with five lines of rails, well lit with electric light, and alongside which the largest vessels trading to New Zealand can find ample accommodation. Further berthage accommodation is contemplated in the near future, and the Board has entered upon the initial stages of construction of another wharf of 500 ft. in length, and having a depth of 24 ft. 6 in. alongside. The approaches to the harbour are well lit, and vessels can enter as easily by night as by day.

The entries of shipping at the port of Bluff in 1909 show an increase over those of the previous year, 354 vessels of 569,017 tons net register having entered the port during the year. This does not include the fishing and oyster fleet, of which there is a large number, and which enter and leave the port almost daily. Among the vessels coming to Bluff are the largest steamers of the New Zealand Shipping Company, Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company, Tyser, Federal-Houlder-Shire, and other lines trading to New Zealand. These principally come to take away the produce of the district though, owing to the endeavours of the Southland merchants to obtain their goods direct from Britain at Bluff as first port of call, some of the steamers mentioned bring considerable cargoes of direct imports.

The Customs returns show that the value of the imports entering during the year 1909 was £437,358, while the value of the exports was £1,298,256.

The fishing and oyster industries continue to expand. There are some sixty fishing-vessels registered at Bluff—probably all have oil-engines—and there are three steamers. A special feature introduced in 1909 has been the fitting out of several large auxiliary vessels of, say, 30 tons, with refrigerating machines. These vessels go out for cruises lasting for about six weeks at a time, freezing their fish as caught, and on return to port the cases are conveyed to the freezing-works to be forwarded to the Melbourne market. In this way the operations of the fishing-vessels have been extended to the Sounds and for long distances from the port.

The Bluff is also the first and last port of call for steamers trading with Tasmania and Australia.

Trade of Bluff.

IMPORTS.
Merchandise7,477 tons.    
Minerals and guano15,948 tons.    
Coal16,174 tons.    
Timber434,354 super. ft.
EXPORTS.
Grain57,421 tons.    
Merchandise21,597 tons.    
Frozen produce9,086 tons.    
Flax1,303 tons.    
Cheese4,616 tons.    
Wool33,047 bales.    
Timber514,500 super. ft.

Next in size, to Invercargill is the inland Town of Gore, situated on the Mataura River, and at the junction of the Main Trunk Railway with the Waimea Plains Branch. Owing to this fact, and to the fertility of the land in the neighbourhood, Gore is rapidly growing in size and importance. A new hospital has been built, and the town now possesses many fine buildings. The population is about 3,500. The new line of railway from Gore to Waikaka (12 miles) is now open for traffic.

Riverton is a pretty little town, about twenty-five miles from Invercargill, with which it is connected by rail, which runs through to Orepuki and Tuatapere, on the east bank of the Waiau; it is situated on the estuary of Aparima, or Jacob's Hirer. Riverton is the oldest settlement in Southland, and was a great resort for whalers in former years (population about 1,000). The harbour is available for and used by coasting-vessels, but the principal carrying-trade is done by rail. There are several sawmills in the neighbourhood, this industry being largely carried on near the many timbered localities in the district.

Otautau, on the banks of the stream bearing the same name, is the county town of Wallace, and has a population of about 700. It is the distributing centre of all that large area of agricultural and pastoral country lying between the Longwood range and the Waiau River, and northwards to the Mararoa River. It has direct communication by rail with Invercargill, Nightcaps, and Orepuki. In Otautau large grain-stores are seen, flour-mills, and a dairy factory, while in the vicinity timber and flax mills are met with. The most direct inland communication with Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau is by road passing through the town and onwards. This route is well suited for vehicular traffic, but the favourite or more easy line of communication is by rail from Invercargill to Lumsden and onward by motor-car as before noticed.

The Village of Nightcaps is reached by a short line of railway from Thornbury, on the Invercargill–Riverton line. A large colliery exists here. (See Industrial, Coal, &c., ante.)

The Town of Winton (population about 500) is on the Invercargill–Kingston Railway, about twenty miles distant from Invercargill, and is the centre of a good farming, sawmilling, and coal-mining district. A short line of railway has been opened from here to Hedgehope, an extensive agricultural locality lying some fifteen miles away in an easterly direction.

Lumsden is the junction of the Kingston (Lake Wakatipu), Invercargill, and Waimea Plains Railway lines. Coaches and motor-cars starting from here take passengers and mails to Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau and the surrounding country.

East of Invercargill are Edendale and Wyndham, both with railway connection, and surrounded by rich agricultural country reaching to Fortrose, with good roads. Fortrose is easily reached from Invercargill by the Seaward Bush Railway, which connects with the Wyndham Road at Waimahaka, distant about four miles north of Fortrose. It is surrounded by exceedingly fertile country, and the harbour (estuary of the Mataura River) can be entered by coasting steamers. The Seaward Bush Railway is at present open for traffic to Waimahaka (26 miles from Invercargill), and is being extended towards Tokanui.

Eastward of Fortrose and about midway between that place and Catlin's River, is Waikawa, a township with a harbour for coasters, and a large area of surveyed Crown land around, with useful timber, available for settlement. Steamers trading with Dunedin and Invercargill call here and at Fortrose at regular intervals. A good export of timber occurs at Waikawa.

Stewart Island as a pleasure resort, although favourably known for a long time past, has come into special prominence during the last few years, and well repays a visit.

During the season, which extends from November to April, there is a, constant stream of visitors from the North and South Islands, and from Australia and other parts, the accommodation frequently being found quite inadequate to meet the demand. From the little township in Half-moon Bay numerous well-formed tracks lead to Paterson Inlet—a noble sheet of water—and to various other beautiful bays in the vicinity. These tracks, winding in and out through native bush, present fresh beauties at every turn, with occasional glimpses of some arm of the sea or a sheltered bay, wooded to the water's edge. Good fishing can be obtained in some parts of Paterson Inlet, whilst for the more venturesome a day in the Straits with hook and line will afford plenty of sport. Cutters, provided with auxiliary oil-engines, can be chartered at moderate rates to convey fishing or camping parties to any part of the Island

There is good shooting at the head of the Inlet, the south-west arm, and the flats at the mouth of Freshwater River, the game consisting of swans, ducks, and pukeko, whilst pigeons and kakas abound all through the bush. Pheasants and deer have been liberated on the Island, and are reported to be thriving well. Trout have been liberated in Freshwater River, and when the river has been properly “snagged” there is no doubt that it will become a favourite fishing-ground.

Crown Lands for Selection.

A total area of about 31,000 acres is open for selection, and, in addition, an area of 384,000 acres still remains for future disposal. Information relating to these lands may be obtained from the Commissioner of Crown Lauds, at Invercargill.

Appendix A. NEW ZEALAND'S EXTENDED BOUNDARIES.

Notes on the Cook and other Islands annexed to New Zealand in 1901.

The Pacific islands annexed to New Zealand in pursuance of resolutions passed by the House of Representatives in September and October, 1900, were Rarotonga, Mangaia, Mauke, Atiu, Aitutaki, Mitiaro, Hervey Islands, Palmerston, Niue, Danger, Rakahanga, Manihiki, Penrhyn, and Suwarrow. Takutea and Nassau, not mentioned in the resolutions, also lie within the boundary-lines prescribed by the Imperial Order in Council and the New Zealand Proclamation dealing with the annexation. The Cook and other Islands Government Act, passed in 1901 by the New Zealand Parliament, continued the Federal Parliament of the Cook Islands and the several Native Councils under the names “Federal Council” and “Island Councils.” The Constitution of the Island Councils was altered in 1904, and each Island Council now consists of nine members, the Resident Agent being ex officio a member and President, the Arikis being ex officio members, and the remaining members being elected by the adult Natives of the island for a term not exceeding three years. The Federal Council has power to enact Federal Ordinances for the government of all the islands excepting Niue, while each Island Council can make local Ordinances governing the inhabitants within its jurisdiction. No Ordinance passed in the islands, however, can have the force of law until assented to by the Governor of New Zealand in the name and on behalf of His Majesty; and the Governor has power, by Order in Council, to direct that any of the laws in force in the islands at the commencement of the principal Act shall be repealed or modified. The Governor in Council has power also to apply to the islands any law in force in New Zealand, either in whole or with modifications, excepting the laws relating to alcoholic liquors. “The Licensing Act, 1908,” contains special provisions dealing with the question of liquor in the Cook and other Islands. The New Zealand Customs Tariff is, with certain exceptions, in force within the extended boundaries, and the Governor, by Order in Council, may from time to time modify the tariff as applying to any of the islands.

The laws are enforced through the High Court, which has jurisdiction throughout the whole of the islands excepting Niue; and, in the Cook Group, until 1905, there were also the Arikis’ Courts, which were composed of Native Judges, except at Aitutaki, where no Court was legally constituted unless the European Magistrate was present. The Arikis’ Courts have, however, been abolished in all those islands in which a European Resident Agent has been appointed, and the jurisdiction and power of these Courts or a Judge thereof are now exercised by such Resident Agent. The High Court has exclusive jurisdiction in all cases of murder or of assault with intent to commit murder, and in all cases of manslaughter; in all criminal charges against foreign residents; and in all cases between foreign residents, or between foreign residents and Maoris in which the plaintiff may, with the consent of the Chief Judge, begin an action in the Court, or may with the same consent seek redress for any wrong alleged to have been done by any local Government in any island. The High Court has also jurisdiction in probate and insolvency, and the Resident Agents’ Courts have jurisdiction in civil cases where the matter at issue does not exceed in value £50. The Chief Judge has power to send any case of a criminal charge against a foreign resident for trial before a Court constituted under the provisions of the Pacific Order in Council. The headquarters of the High Court are at Rarotonga, where it sits once a week, but visits are periodically made to the other islands within its jurisdiction. Appeals are allowed from the local Courts to the High Court, and from the High Court to the Supreme Court of New Zealand, and thence to the Court of Appeal.

The annexed islands were formerly all under one administration, but in 1903 Nine was placed under a separate administration and a separate Resident Commissioner, and the Federal Council and the High Court of the Cook Islands hare now no jurisdiction in that island Captain James Eman Smith is Resident Commissioner of the Cook Islands, and Mr. H. G. Cornwall is Resident Commissioner of Nine Island.

Rarotonga.

Rarotonga is certainly the finest island in the Cook Group, both in point of scenic attractions and in respect of its general productiveness. It is a particularly good specimen of the volcanic order of islands, and the rugged grandeur of its mountain-peaks and the variety and luxuriance of its vegetation combine to present one of the most romantic and picturesque scenes that one could possibly find even in the South Seas, where the romantic and picturesque are supposed to abound. Attaining, as it does, a height of 2,100 ft., the island is well watered; and a belt of rich soil, varying from one to two miles in width, extends all round from the mountains to the sea. The circumference of Rarotonga is over twenty miles, and the total area is 16,500 acres. The land at present is not being utilised to anything like the full extent of its possibilities; but the Land Titles Court is doing good work, and the island has now been surveyed, and owners ascertained for each block. With the advent of a larger European population a steady increase in the yield of the staple products of the island may be looked for. In the case of copra it will be some years before the production can be greatly increased, but the cocoanut-palm is being extensively planted, and, given favourable conditions, the results may be awaited with confidence. The banana trade is developing very satisfactorily, and large areas are being planted with this fruit. Rarotonga is particularly well adapted to the growth of the banana, and the outlook so far as this item is concerned is distinctly hopeful. Avarua, on the north coast, is the principal village of the island, and the seat of the Islands Administration. It is also the port of call for the Union Steam Ship Company's steamers, which visit the Group twice a month, once from Auckland and once from Wellington. A substantial building known as the “Whare Manuhiri” has been erected here for the accommodation of visitors, and it is expected that a tourist traffic will be developed. A refrigerating and ice plant, subsidised by the Islands Administration, is now at work in Rarotonga. The Native population of Rarotonga is 2,334, in addition to which there are 120 whites on the island.

Mangaia.

This is one of the largest of the annexed islands, being about thirty miles in circumference, and having an area of some thirty square miles. Given proper landing facilities, it would be in no-way behind Rarotonga, except in the lack of that impressive mountain scenery that lends such a charm to the latter island. Mangaia is somewhat peculiar in structure. At a short distance inland from the shore there rises an almost perpendicular wall of dead coral, about 100 ft. high, as if the reef of earlier days had been lifted’ bodily by some convulsion of nature. This makatea, as it is called, runs right round the island, and is perforated by numerous caves and crevices, which in olden times were used as depositories for the dead, as well as for storage and other purposes. These caves still supply, in the calcareous formations in which they abound, the material from which the Natives manufacture some of their household implements. The top of the makatea averages about a mile in width, and is well adapted to the growth of the citrus family of fruits. The interior face of this coral rampart slopes down gradually into a basin of rich swamp land containing extensive taro-plantations, and from this the land rises again in a succession of low hills to a central plateau, about 650 ft. high, known as the “Crown of Mangaia.” These taro-swamps still supply most of the food of the Mangaians, although for many years the tribes have lived in the Villages of Oneroa, Tamarua, and Ivirua, on the coast. The interior of the island, which contains some splendid valleys, is well watered by streams which filter through below the base of the makatea into the sea. The population, according to the latest returns, is 1,523, in addition to eight whites. The people are said to display a greater degree of industry than is usual among Natives of the Pacific islands, and this fact, combined with the natural resources of the island, promises well for the future prosperity of Mangaia. There are considerable areas of waste land awaiting cultivation, and the Natives are becoming alive to the necessity for planting these with cocoanuts, &c. Citrus fruits are already growing in profusion, and it is estimated that with proper cultivation the output could be increased twenty-fold. Mangaia produces the best coffee in the Group at present. The principal exports are bananas, oranges, copra, coffee, pines, kumaras and taros, cocoanuts, and limejuice. The trade of the island has hitherto been hampered to a considerable extent in consequence of the difficulty in shipping produce. The reef, which encircles the island at a short distance from the shore, is without an opening, and communication between the island and outside can only be obtained by crossing the reef in Native canoes. This process, where cargo is concerned, is necessarily slow and costly—it takes as long to ship 50 ton's over the reef at Mangaia as it does to ship 200 tons at Rarotonga—besides which the produce is always liable to be damaged by salt-water. Steps are being taken, however, to have suitable boat-passages opened through the reef, and when this has been accomplished the chief hindrance to the development of the trade of this island will be removed.

The Resident Agent at Mangaia is Mr. J. C. Cameron.

Mauke.

This island is low and flat, and is skirted by a belt of ironwood (toa), which was formerly found in large quantities, and was much sought after by traders. Mauke, like Mangaia, has a fringing reef which, however, does not so readily lend itself to the process of crossing in canoes that obtains in Mangaia. A landing has to be effected on the edge of the reef itself, and one reaches dry land by wading or being carried through the shallow water covering the depression in the coral between the outer edge and the shore. Mauke also has its makatea, or raised-coral area, but it merges almost imperceptibly into the volcanic formation of the centre, and the general level of the island all over is about 60 ft. above the sea. The island is small, its area being only about four and a half square miles; but it is remarkably fertile, and, notwithstanding that in common with the other islands of the Group it is very imperfectly planted, it exports a considerable quantity of copra and oranges. The island has now been surveyed and subdivided. Tamuera Tangata is Resident Agent on Mauke. The Native population of the island is 444, the whites numbering only two.

Atiu.

This island is much like Mauke in appearance, having the same high fringing reef and the same dead-coral formation over the greater part of its area. It is much larger, however, its area being about thirty-two square miles, and it has four times as much unused land as Rarotonga. Atiu is a valuable island, and exports good quantities of copra, oranges, coffee, and limejuice. All the usual island fruits grow well, but a fuller development of the resources of the island is retarded through the lack of proper facilities for shipping produce. Arrangements have been made, however, as in the case of Mangaia, to have a boat-passage formed through the reef at the earliest possible moment. The cavernous formation, which is so marked a feature of the makatea at Mangaia, is also present in the coral-rock portion of Atiu, and must, no doubt, be found more or less in all islands that owe their existence in any degree to the upheaval of a sea-worn coral reef. The late Ngamaru Ariki was practically King of Atiu, although he had lived for many years in Rarotonga, and as such he exercised a measure of sovereignty over Mauke and Mitiaro, both of which were conquered by the Atiuans prior to the introduction of Christianity. The population of the island is about 914 Natives, and four whites, but this does not represent anything like the total of the Atiuan tribes. They are largely represented in the subordinate islands, as well as in Tahiti.

The settlement at Atiu is some distance inland, on the flat summit of the low central hill to which the island rises. The Resident Agent is Mr. J. T. Large.

Aitutaki.

Aitutaki combines the features of the volcanic island and the atoll; indeed, it may be regarded as an atoll in course of formation, and it affords a good illustration of the different stages of the process. The island is almost surrounded by a barrier reef, which supports several fruitful islets, and on the south-east lies five miles distant from the land. On the western side it approaches much nearer, the entrance to the Avatapu Channel being about three-quarters of a mile from the wharf at Arutanga, the principal village on the island. At the northern point of the island the reef fringes the shore as in the other main islands of the Cook Group, the barrier stage having not yet been reached. This island approaches more closely to Rarotonga in the general appearance of fertility than any of the others, and it can also claim to possess a considerable degree of scenic attractiveness. It rises somewhat abruptly on the western side to a height of 360 ft., and slopes away gradually to the eastern coast. The area is about seven square miles. The lagoon on the Arutanga side of the island is shallow, and can only be used by vessels of a very small class; but on the eastern side it is much deeper, and freer from coral patches, and there are several places in the reef where, it is believed, a navigable channel might be formed. The land at Aitutaki is divided among the people in small sections; but though each family has quite enough land for its support, it has seldom more than an acre or two in any one place, and the more remote sections are apt to be neglected. The Native population is about 1,162, two-thirds of these living in the four settlements on the western side, and the remainder in the Villages of Vaipae and Tautu on the east. In addition there are a number of absentees. There are eight white people on the island. The Resident Agent is Mr. P. Brown.

Penrhyn.

Penrhyn is a good specimen of the pure atoll. It is merely a ring of coral, about forty-eight miles in circuit, supporting a number of low islands, from 200 to 300 yards across, and enclosing a lagoon of ninety square miles in area, of which twenty-four square miles are more or less covered with pearl-shell. There are three passages into the lagoon, the principal one having a depth of 18 ft. at low water, and there is sufficient wharf accommodation at Omoka for the small class of vessel that visits the island. The other village at Penrhyn, Te Tautua, is some ten miles distant. The pearl-shell fishing is the main industry of the island, but considerable quantities of copra are now being exported also. The practice followed with regard to pearl-shell fishing is to divide the lagoon into three parts, which are alternately closed against fishing for a certain period. When the interdiction is removed from the area the Natives may dive without restriction beyond the payment of a small fee to the Government. After the naked diving has been in operation for a time the machines are allowed to be brought into requisition until the limit of time has been reached. That area is then closed, and the same procedure is repeated in another portion of the lagoon. By this means each area is given rest for about a year, and, as the shell is said to grow very rapidly at Penrhyn, the supply is well maintained. An Ordinance of the Federal Council prohibits the removal of shells of less than 4 ½ in. in diameter. Over 90 tons of pearl-shell, representing an amount of £9,300, were exported from the northern islands during one year, and it would he safe to say that the greater part of this came from Penrhyn, from which island alone over 100 tons annually were formerly obtained. The lagoons at Penrhyn and Manihiki have been taken over by the Crown, and Proclaimed as reserves for public pearl-shell fishing, and regulations controlling fishing have been made. The total population is 414 Natives and six whites. The Resident Agent is Mr. E. F. Hawk.

Manihiki.

Manihiki is also an atoll, but, unlike Penrhyn, it has no opening through the reef into the lagoon, and when the Natives wish to visit the neighbouring island of Rakahanga their boats have to be carried across the narrow strip of land separating the lagoon from the sea. The island consists of about two square miles of land, encircling a lagoon of some six miles in diameter. A good deal of pearl-shell has been obtained from Manihiki, but some years ago it was found necessary to close the lagoon, as the shell-beds had been fished almost to the point of exhaustion. The lagoon has been proclaimed a public reserve for pearl-shell fishing. The Natives of this island have some reputation for their skill in the manufacture of hats. Walking-sticks, paddles, &c., inlaid with pearl-shell, are also manufactured. The principal export is copra, and as the Natives are beginning to see the wisdom of thinning out the superabundant growth of their palms the production of this item should materially increase. The Native teachers of the London Missionary Society look after the education of the children of the island. The total population is 521, two of whom are whites. Mr. H. Williams acts as Resident Agent.

Mitiaro.

This is a small coral island lying about forty miles to the northeast of Atiu, and an equal distance from Mauke. Its area is only about four square miles, and it nowhere rises higher than 50 ft. above sea-level. It contains some good land, however, and produces a considerable amount of copra. In the centre is a pretty little lagoon, bordered by a belt of swamp. The population, according to the last returns, was 208 Natives and two whites. Tou Ariki acts as Resident Agent.

Takutea.

This is the smallest island in the Cook Group, its area being about 300 acres. It lies about 125 miles to the north-east of Rarotonga, and close to the Island of Atiu. It belonged to the late Ngamaru Ariki, and was by him presented to His Majesty King Edward for the benefit of his subjects in the Group. The island is being systematically planted with cocoanut-palms, and it is anticipated that it will in time yield 200 tons of copra annually. At present it is uninhabited.

Palmerston.

Palmerston is an atoll, with a land-area of one square mile, lying to the north-west of Rarotonga, some 273 miles distant. The reef carries a number of small islets, which are in the occupation of the descendants of the late William Marsters, an old English sailor. One of these, Joel Marsters, acts as Resident Agent, and he and six other members of the family constitute the Island Council. The lagoon, which is about eight miles in diameter, does not carry pearl-shell at present, but it is hoped that spawn may be successfully introduced from other islands. The planting of the land is being well looked after by the Marsters family. The population is 82.

Manuae and Te Au-o-Tu.

These two small islands are enclosed within one reef, and are known as the Hervey Isles—a name that is frequently applied to the Cook Group as a whole. They contain approximately 500 acres and 1,000 acres respectively of good cocoanut land, and under the careful cultivation of Messrs. Bates and Greening, to whom they are leased, they will ere long produce an immense amount of copra. The islets form a dependency of Aitutaki, about sixty miles distant, by the people of which they were conquered in heathen times. By a recent decision of the Land Titles Court Te Au-o-Tu was awarded to the Arikis of Aitutaki and their clans, seventy-one owners, who claimed the islands by right of conquest; while in the case of Manuae an order was made in favour of the eighty-six descendants of the conquered people, their claim also having been recognised as good. This partition of the islands ends a long-standing contention between the rival claimants, and the judgment is admitted to be an equitable one. Messrs. Bates and Greening's lease runs for eight years, and the rent will now be shared equally by the owners of the two islands. There is no fixed population in these islands.

Suwarrow.

Suwarrow is a valuable atoll, 530 miles from Rarotonga. Its value lies chiefly in its lagoon, however, the land-area being very small. The lagoon is from eight to ten miles long, and about eight miles across at the widest part, and it makes a splendid harbour, having an entrance sufficiently deep to admit vessels drawing up to 20 ft. of water. The island is under lease to Lever's Pacific Plantations (Limited) “for the purpose of removing guano or other fertilising substances therefrom, and of planting the land with cocoanuts, and for collecting pearl-shells, and for other purposes of a like nature.” A portion of one of the reef islets, known as Anchorage Island, is vested in the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty as a reserve for naval purposes. Large quantities of pearl-shell of excellent quality were obtained from the lagoon by the Pacific Trading Company, the predecessors of the present lessees; but diving has been discontinued for some time now, and the shell-beds are being given a long rest, the company having transferred its operations to Christmas Island. It is probable that on the expiry of the present lease in August, 1913, the Islands Government will take over the control of the lagoon, so far, at least, as machine-diving is concerned. It is estimated that one machine will obtain from 40 to 45 tons of shell a year at Suwarrow. There are about thirty people on the island.

Rakahanga.

This island lies about twenty-five miles to the north of Manihiki. It is not so large as its neighbour, and the lagoon does not contain any pearl-shell, but otherwise the two islands are very much alike. They are owned and inhabited by the same people, and what has been said concerning Manihiki is true, for the most part, of Rakahanga also. The duties of Resident Agent are performed by Mr. Henry Williams, of Manihiki. Rakahanga has a population of 351 Natives and three whites, and there are a number of absentees.

Danger (Pukapuka).

This island lies away towards the north-west corner of the annexation boundary. Concerning it Colonel Gudgeon, late Resident Commissioner, writes, “At Pukapuka I found a very similar population, who have now some knowledge of the Rarotongan language, but whose language is not intelligible to the Maori of the Pacific. This is such a primitive people that I considered it advisable for the present to leave them under their own ancient form of government, inasmuch as they are seldom visited by Europeans, and produce only a little copra.” The island is a small atoll of about three miles in diameter, and the lagoon produces some pearl-shell. The population numbers about 435.

Niue.

Niue was formerly in the Cook Islands Administration, but in 1903 the island was placed under a separate Administration, and Mr. H. G. Cornwall is at present Resident Commissioner. Niue, the largest of the annexed islands, having an area of a hundred square miles, and a circumference of forty miles by road, contains approximately 64,000 acres. It consists entirely of uplifted coral, and is probably the result of a series of upheavals. In general formation it takes the shape of two terraces, the lower being about 90 ft. above sea-level, and the other about 220 ft. At Alofi the fringing reef is broken by a narrow boat-passage, partly natural and partly the result of improvements effected by H.M.S. “Mildura” a few years ago. Alofi is the port of entry for Customs. There are landing-places at Avatele and at Tuapa, where Togia, the “King” of Niue, resides. Ships may obtain good water at Alofi and Avatele at small cost. Although so rocky that it is for the most part unploughable, Niue is by no means unproductive. All the usual tropical fruits grow well, and large trees are found averaging from 18 in. to 2 ft. 6 in. in diameter, and in some cases attaining a diameter of 4 ft. and running up to 100 ft. in height. Large areas of the island are covered with forest, and it is estimated that there must be millions of feet of timber suitable for milling purposes, including ebony and other hardwood. A good deal of this timber, however, is situated in rocky country, and it is questionable if it would pay to cut it and bring it out. Niue is well roaded, there being about 65 miles of roads connecting the various villages with the principal landing-place. A careful survey of the land was made some years ago; the roads were traversed throughout, the area of the island determined, and the coast-line defined. There are many extensive caves in Niue, and concerning these Mr. Haszard, the surveyor who visited the island, says: “There is one at Lakepa, I was told, having passages which can be measured by the mile. One that I visited at Vaiopeope is extremely beautiful. It is situated about two hundred yards from the sea on the northern coast, and is formed of a number of galleries and terraces, one below the other. Stalactites and stalagmites are in great profusion, and group themselves into all kinds of fantastic shapes. In one gallery the roof appears to be studded with lilies carved out of alabaster. As one descends to the lower galleries the sensation is decidedly weird. The gurgling and reverberations of the swiftly flowing water is heard deep down in dark subterranean channels, which are evidently connected with the sea, for, ever and anon, a mighty gust of wind impelled by the huge rollers breaking on the reef outside, strikes the visitor, and it requires a steady nerve and a firm foothold to avoid being swept into the seething cauldron below. If these caves were in an accessible position they would be a great draw to tourists.”

In consequence of the porous nature of the rock there are no streams in Niue, and consequently fresh water is scarce. A supply is obtainable from the caves, but the difficulty of carriage is necessarily considerable, and the water is frequently brackish. Concrete tanks have now been constructed in the principal villages. These are roofed over with galvanised corrugated iron, and provide a sufficient catchment-surface to fill them during the rainy season. The people thus have a reliable supply of good drinking-water.

The principal drawback to the development of Niue trade has been the want of regular communication, but this has now been overcome by the institution of a subsidised schooner service with Auckland, and it is anticipated that a considerable increase of trade will follow. The chief industry is the manufacture of hats from a kind of pandanus by the Natives, who are very expert plaiters, and an extensive market is obtained for the hats in the neighbouring islands and New Zealand. Some 400 or 500 tons of copra are exported, and the production is capable of very considerable increase. The climate of Niue compares very favourably with other islands of the Pacific. The shade temperature in winter is about 70°, and in summer it rarely exceeds 96°. The Native population of Niue is 3,801, exclusive of about 580 absent in other islands or at sea. The Niueans are naturally of a roving disposition, and numbers of the men go to Tonga, Samoa, Maiden Island, &c. Many go under engagement as labourers, and return on the expiration of their term. The white population numbers twenty-one persons. The Resident Commissioner, Mr. H. G. Cornwall, also acts as Postmaster, Collector of Customs, &c.

Land.

No land is sold by the Natives of the Cook Islands or Niue, but considerable areas have been leased in Rarotonga to European settlers. It is recognised that the prosperity of the islands depends in great measure on the settlement of the spare lands by a good class of white planters, and it is hoped that before long additional areas in Rarotonga as well as portions of the adjacent islands of Mauke and Atiu, will be open for lease. At present there are difficulties in the way of securing leases from the Natives, but the work of surveying the land and defining the Native titles is proceeding rapidly, and every effort is being made to bring the unused lands into profitable occupation. It is desirable that the intending settler should have a capital equal to at least £10 for each acre he purposes taking up. The cocoanut-palm takes from eight to ten years to reach bearing-point, and during that time the planter must maintain himself by growing bananas or securing some outside employment. When the palms are in full bearing, however, the annual value of the crop may be estimated at not less than £6 per acre, and this may be regarded as a practically assured income for sixty years or more.

Education.

The educational requirements of the islands are met by missionary effort. The London Missionary Society has established village schools in the various islands, and the Roman Catholic Mission and the Seventh-day Adventists are also maintaining schools, though to a less extent. The London Mission has six schools in Rarotonga, three in Mangaia, four in Aitutaki, one in Aitu, two in Mauke, one in Mitiaro, two in Penrhyn, two in Manihiki, one in Rakahanga, one in Pukapuka, and one in Palmerston. There is also a boarding-school at Tereora, Rarotonga, which has between sixty and seventy boarders, and a boarding-school at Araura, Aitutaki, with a similar number of scholars. The teaching in these institutions is more advanced than that in the village schools, and they may be considered in the light of secondary schools for the Islands.

The Sisters of St. Joseph have a very good school at Avarua, Rarotonga, where music is included among the subjects taught; and in the Village of Titikaveka the Seventh-day Adventists have also a school.

A school with a European teacher has been established in Niue, and good work is also being done in the village schools of Niue, of which there are eleven, and one thousand children are there being taught reading, writing, and arithmetic in the vernacular. Nearly all the younger Niueans are able to read and write in their own language.

Revenue and Expenditure.

Cook and Northern Islands.—For the financial year ending the 31st March, 1910, the revenue of the Cook Islands, not including the balance from the previous year, was £7,656, and the expenditure £8,230. There is a credit balance of £4,437. The following is a comparative statement of revenue and expenditure for the past eight years:—

Year.Revenue.Expenditure.
 £s.d.£s.d.
1902-36.5841344,7251611
1903-45,310434,55839
1904-55,5741415,09388
1905-67,157105,4551011
1906-75,04614116,41666
1907-86,349616,189141
1908-97,146915,71837
1909-107,6551288,230211

Niue.—The revenue of Niue for the year ending the 31st March, 1910 (excluding balance from previous year), was £1,683 2s., and the expenditure £1,260 0s. 4d. The total funds to the credit of the Niue Government on the 31st March, however, amounted to £1,629 9s. 8d.

Exports and Imports.

Cook and Northern Islands.—The value of exports for the year 1909, excluding specie (£8,095), was £65,558, while the imports, also excluding specie (£9,049), amounted to £58,688. The principal items exported were as follow:—

 £
Coffee, 21,800 lb.493
Copra, 1,705 tons25,946
Bananas, 98,934 cases, 10,123 bunches19,426
Oranges, 98,007 cases17,200
Pineapples, 5,650 cases708
Limejuice, 2,600 gallons130
Pearl-shell, 18 tons900
Kumeras, 2,691 cases423
Cocoanuts, 59,070 number206

The following shows the countries to which the exports were made:—

 £
New Zealand48,107
United Kingdom10,336
United States6,420
Tahiti645
New South Wales50
 £65,558

The amount of the imports is made up as follows:—

 £
From New Zealand44,907
From United Kingdom3,096
From New South Wales634
From Victoria191
From United States4,765
From Germany337
From France186
From Tahiti3,861
From British Columbia119
From Hong Kong15
From Maiden Island213
From Japan364
 £58,688

Niue.—The exports for 1909 amounted to £12,203, and the imports to £10,047. The principal items of export were—

 £
Copra, 646 tons7,858
Hats, 5,938 dozen3,247
Fungus, 12,683 lb.207
Kits, 870 dozen156
Yams, 27 tons149

The exports were shipped to the following countries:—

 £
To New Zealand8,086
To German Samoa4,067
To Australia623
To Tonga362
To Hawaii38
To Fiji27
 £12,203

The imports represented—

 £
From New Zealand6,848
From Australia1,344
From Tonga580
From Samoa, German846
From Other Islands78
From United Kingdom188
From United States163
 £10,047

Appendix B. APPENDIX.
PRINCIPAL EVENTS.

DATESOFSOMEOFTHE PRINCIPAL EVENTSINTHE HISTORYOF NEW ZEALAND

Dec. 13, 1642.—Discovery of New Zealand by Abel Jansen Tasman.

Oct. 8, 1769.—Captain Cook landed at Poverty Bay on his first visit.

June 30, 1788.—Macaulay and Curtis Islands, of the Kermadec Group, discovered by Captain Sever, of H.M. transport “Lady Penrhyn.”

Nov. 29, 1790.—Chatham Islands discovered by Lieutenant Broughton, in H.M.S. “Chatham.”

Nov. 17, 1793.—Captain d'Entrecasteaux, with the “La Recherche” and “L'Espérance,” discovered Raoul or Sunday Island. (The latter name was given by Captain Raven, of the transport “Britannia,” who visited the island 6th Nov., 1796.)

Nov., 1793.—Lieutenant-Governor King's (of Norfolk Island) visit to Doubtless Bay.

1795.—The ship “Endeavour,” Captain Bampton, sunk at Facile Harbour, Dusky Sound.

1800.—Antipodes Island discovered by Captain Pendleton.

1806.—Auckland Isles discovered by Captain Briscow, ship “Ocean,” one of Enderby's whalers.

1806.—Ship “Venus” visited East Coast of New Zealand. She was taken by convicts at Port Dalrymple, Tasmania. Their visits gave rise to the Nga-Puhi southern expedition.

1807.—Defeat of Hongi and Nga-Puhi Tribe at Moremonui, ten miles south of Maunganui Bluff, Kaipara.

1809.—The taking and burning of the transport “Boyd” at Whangaroa.

1810.—Campbell Island discovered by Captain P. Haselburg, of brig “Perseverance.”

1814.—First arrival of the Rev. Mr. Marsden at Bay of Islands, and introduction of Christianity. Horses, oxen, sheep, and poultry first brought to New Zealand.

Aug., 1815.—Attempted capture of the “Trial” and “Brothers” at Kennedy Bay.

1818.—Hongi's and Te Morenga's great expedition to East Cape.

1819-20.—Patuone, Nene, and Te Rauparaha's raid on Taranaki and Port Nicholson.

1820.—Hongi visited England; returned to New Zealand July, 1821.

1820.—H.M. store-ship “Coromandel” visited Coromandel.

1820.—Rev. S. Marsden travelled from Wai-te-mata via Kaipara to the Bay of Islands—the first white man to do so.

Aug., 1820.—The “Prince Regent” entered Auckland Harbour—the first vessel to do so.

Nov., 1821.—Fall of Mauinaina Pa, Auckland Isthmus, to Hongi.

Nov., 1821.—Ngati-Toa migration from Kawhia to Otaki under Te Rauparaha.

Dec., 1821.—Fall of Te Totara Pa, Thames, to Hongi.

May, 1822.—Fall of Matakitaki Pa, Waikato, to Hongi.

May, 1823.—Fall of Mokoia Pa, Rotorua Lake, to Hongi.

1823, 1828.—Acts passed by the Imperial Parliament extending the jurisdiction of the Courts of justice in New South Wales to all the British subjects in New Zealand.

1824.—Fall of Te Whetumatarau Pa, near East Cape, to Pomare.

1825.—First attempt at colonisation by an expedition under the command of Captain Herd, who bought two islands in the Hauraki Gulf.

Feb., 1825.—Great defeat of Ngati-Whatua at To Ikaaranganui, Kaipara, by Hongi.

1827.—Destruction of mission-station at Whangaroa by Hongi's forces.

Feb., 1827.—Admiral (then Captain) Dumont D'Urville anchored in Auckland Harbour.

1828.—Hongi died at Whangaroa, from wounds received at Hokianga.

1828.—The “Maquarie,” Captain Kent, the first vessel to enter Kawhia.

March, 1829.—Brig “Hawes” captured at Whakatane by Maoris.

1830.—Battle of Taumata-wiwi, near Cambridge.

1830.—Fall of Kaiapohia Pa, Canterbury.

March 6, 1830.—Battle of Kororareka, between two Nga-Puhi Tribes.

Dec, 1830.—Death of Tama-i-hara-nui at the hands of Te Rauparaha's people. He was brought from Port Cooper by Captain Steward, brig “Elizabeth.”

1831.—Tory Channel whaling-station established.

1831.—Application of thirteen chiefs for the protection of King William the Fourth.

Dec., 1831.—Pukerangiora Pa, Waitara, fell to Waikato.

Feb., 1832.—Repulse of Waikato at Nga-motu Pa, under Dicky Barrett.

1833.—Mr. Busby appointed British Resident, to live at the Bay of Islands.

1834.—Battle of Haowhenua and Pakakutu, near Otaki

1834.—Bishop Williams's first visit to East Cape.

April 29, 1834.—“Harriet” wrecked at Cape Egmont.

Oct. 1, 1834.—H.M.S. “Alligator” shelled and took Waimate Pa, near Opunake. First occasion of H.M. troops being employed in New Zealand.

1835.—Declaration of independence of the whole of New Zealand as one nation, with the title of “The United Tribes of New Zealand.”

Nov. and Dec., 1835.—Ngati-Awa Tribes migrated to and conquered the Chatham Islands.

March 28, 1836.—Maketu Pa, Bay of Plenty, fell to Waikato.

May 9, 1836—Te Tumu Pa, Bay of Plenty, fell to Te Arawa.

Aug. 5, 1836.—Battle at Matai-puku, Rotorua—Waikato beat Te Arawa.

Oct., 1836.—Siege of Toka-a-kuku, Te Kaha, Bay of Plenty.

1838.—The Roman Catholic Bishop Pompallier, with several priests, arrived at Hokianga.

Sept. 1, 1838.—H.M.S. “Pelorus” discovers Pelorus Sound.

April, 1839.—Taking of the French whaler “Jean Bart” at Chatham Islands by Maoris.

May 12, 1839.—Departure of the preliminary expedition of the New Zealand Company from England.

June, 1839.—Issue of Letters Patent authorising the Governor of New South Wales to include within the limits of that colony any territory that might be acquired in sovereignty by Her Majesty in New Zealand.

Sept. 16, 1839.—First body of New Zealand Company's emigrants sailed from Gravesend.

Sept. 20, 1839.—Arrival in Port Nicholson of the preliminary expedition of the New Zealand Company under Colonel Wakefield.

Oct. 16, 1839.—Battle of Te Kuititanga, Otaki.

Jan. 20, 1840.—First steamer arrived in New Zealand.

Jan. 22, 1840.—Arrival of first body of immigrants at Port Nicholson.

Jan. 29, 1840.—Captain Hobson, R.N., arrived at the Bay of Islands. On the following day (Jan. 30) he hoisted the Union flag, and read the commission, under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom, which extended the boundaries of the Colony of New South Wales so as to embrace and comprehend the Islands of New Zealand; also his own commission as Lieutenant-Governor over territory that might be acquired in sovereignty.

Feb. 5, 1840.—Treaty of Waitangi signed.

May 21, 1840.—Date of Proclamations of sovereignty over the Islands of New Zealand.

June 17, 1840—The Queen's sovereignty over the South Island formally proclaimed at Cloudy Bay, by Major Bunbury, H.M. 80th Regiment, and Captain Nias, R.N.

Aug. 11, 1810.—The British flag hoisted at Akaroa by Captain Stanley, R.N., and British authority established. The French frigate “L'Aube” arrived there on the 13th August, and the vessel “Comte de Paris,” with fifty-seven immigrants, on the 16th August, in order to establish a French colony.

Sept. 18, 1840.—The British flag hoisted at Auckland. The Lieutenant-Governor's residence established there.

1840.—Formation of Wanganui settlement under the name of “Petre.”

Feb. 12, 1841.—Issue of charter of incorporation to the New Zealand Company.

Mar. 31, 1841.—Arrival of first New Plymouth settlers.

May 3, 1841.—New Zealand proclaimed to be independent of New South Wales.

Oct., 1841.—Selection of site for settlement at Nelson.

Feb. 1, 1842.—Settlement founded at Nelson.

May 29, 1842.—Arrival of Bishop Selwyn in New Zealand

Sept. 10, 1842.—Death of Governor Hobson. Lieutenant Shortland, R. N. Colonial Secretary, became Acting-Governor until the arrival of Captain Fitzroy.

June, 1843.—Affray with Natives at the Wairau, and massacre by Rangihaeata of Captain Wakefield, R.N., agent at Nelson of the New Zealand Company, and others, who had surrendered.

Dec. 23, 1843.—Arrival of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., as Governor.

July 8, 1844.—The Royal flagstaff at Kororareka cut down by Heke.

March 10, 1845.—Attack on and destruction of Town of Kororareka by Heke.

Oct. 1, 1845.—Receipt of despatch notifying recall of Governor Fitzroy.

Nov. 14, 1845.—Arrival of Captain Grey, as Lieutenant-Governor of New Zealand, from South Australia.

Jan. 11, 1846.—Capture of pa at Ruapekapeka, Bay of Islands, and termination of Heke's war.

Mar. 3, 1846.—Commencement of Native hostilities in the Hutt Valley, near Wellington.

May 16, 1846.—Attack by Natives on a military outpost in the Hutt Valley.

July 23, 1846.—Capture of To Rauparaha at Porirua, near Wellington. He was detained for a year as a prisoner on board a ship of war.

Aug. 28, 1846.—The New Zealand Government Act passed by the Imperial Parliament, under which a charter was issued dividing New Zealand into two provinces, and granting representative institutions.

May 19, 1847.—Attack by Natives on settlement of Wanganui.

Jan. 1, 1848.—Captain Grey sworn in as Governor-in-Chief over the Islands of New Zealand, also as Governor of the Province of New Ulster and Governor of the Province of New Munster.

Jan. 3, 1848.—Major-General Pitt appointed by Governor Grey to be Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of New Ulster.

Jan. 28, 1848.—Assumption by Lieutenant-Governor E. J. Eyre, at Wellington, of the administration of the Government of the Province of New Munster.

Feb. 21, 1848.—Peace ratified at Wanganui.

Mar. 7, 1848.—Suspension by Imperial statute of that part of the New Zealand Government Act which had conferred representative institutions.

Mar., 1848.—Otago founded by a Scotch company under the auspices of the Free Church of Scotland.

Oct., 1848.—Severe earthquake at Wellington.

July, 1850.—Surrender of the New Zealand Company's charter, all its interests reverting to the Imperial Government.

Dec, 1850.—Canterbury founded by the Canterbury Association in connection with the Church of England.

Jan. 8, 1851.—Death of Major-General Pitt, Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of New Ulster.

April 14, 1851.—Lieutenant-Colonel Wynyard appointed Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of New Ulster.

1852.—Discovery of gold at Coromandel by Mr. Charles King.

June 30, 1852.—The Constitution Act passed by the Imperial Parliament, granting representative institutions to New Zealand, and subdividing it into six provinces.

Jan., 1853.—Promulgation of the Constitution Act.

Mar. 7, 1853.—Assumption by Sir George Grey, K.C.B., of the duties of Governor of New Zealand, in terms of the appointment after the passing of the New Zealand Constitution Act, and cessation of the duties of the Lieutenant-Governors of New Ulster and New Munster.

Dec. 31, 1853.—Departure of Governor Sir George Grey.

Jan. 3, 1854.—Lieutenant-Colonel Wynyard assumed the administration of the Government.

May 27, 1854.—Opening at Auckland of the first session of the General Assembly by Lieutenant-Colonel Wynyard, Administrator of the Government.

Jan., 1855.—Very severe earthquake on each side of Cook Strait.

Sept. 6, 1855.—Arrival of Governor Colonel T. Gore Browne, C.B.

Nov. 12, 1855.—First members elected to House of Representatives under system of Responsible Government.

Aug. 8, 1855.—General Assembly opened.

Sept. 15, 1855.—General Assembly prorogued.

May 7, 1856.—Appointment of the first Ministry under the system of Responsible Government, under Mr. Sewell, Colonial Secretary.

May 14, 1856.—Defeat of Mr. Sewell's Ministry.

May 20, 1856.—Appointment of a Ministry under presidency of Mr. W. Fox, as Attorney-General.

May 28, 1856.—Defeat of Mr. Fox's Ministry, by a majority of one, on a direct vote of want of confidence.

June 2, 1856.—Appointment of a Ministry under the presidency of Mr. E. W. Stafford.

1857.—First payable goldfield in New Zealand opened at Collingwood, in the Nelson Province.

Aug. 21, 1858.—New Provinces Act passed.

Nov. 1, 1858.—Establishment of the Province of Hawke's Bay.

Dec. 22, 1858.—The Austrian exploring frigate “Novara” arrived in Auckland Harbour. Dr. Ferdinand von Hochstetter, at the request of the New Zealand Government, was commissioned to make geological surveys of the greater part of Auckland and Nelson Provinces.

March, 1859.—Te Teira offered land at Waitara for sale to the Government.

Nov. 1, 1859.—Establishment of the Province of Marlborough.

Mar., 1860.—Commencement of hostilities against Wiremu Kingi te Rangitake an Waitara.

Mar. 18, 1860.—Capture of Maori pa at Waitara.

Mar. 28, 1860.—Engagement at Waireka.

June 27, 1860.—Engagement of Puketakauere at Waitara.

Nov. 6, 1860.—Defeat at Mahoetahi, with heavy loss, of a force of Waikato Natives, who had crossed the Waitara River to join Wiremu Kingi.

Dec. 31, 1860.-Capture of the Matarikoriko Pa, and defeat of a large body of Waikato Natives.

Jan. 23, 1861.—The Natives made a determined attack on the redoubt at Huirangi occupied by Imperial troops, and were repulsed with heavy loss.

April 1, 1861.—Establishment of Province of Southland.

May 21, 1861.—A truce agreed to.

May, 1861.—Discovery of gold at Gabriel's Gully, Otago.

July 5, 1861.—Defeat of Mr. Stafford's Ministry, by a majority of one, on a vote of want of confidence.

July 12, 1861.—Appointment of a Ministry under the premiership of Mr. Fox.

July 29, 1861.—Incorporation of the Bank of New Zealand.

Sept. 26, 1861.—Arrival of Sir George Grey, K.C.B., at Auckland, from the Cape Colony, to succeed Governor Gore Browne. Sir George Grey was sworn in as Governor on the 3rd October.

Oct. 2, 1861.—Departure of Governor Gore Browne.

June 28, 1862.—Coromandel proclaimed a goldfield.

June 29, 1862.—Wreck of s.s. “White Swan” on East Coast (with loss of many public records, in transit from Auckland).

July 28, 1862.—Defeat of Mr. Fox's Ministry by the casting-vote of the Speaker, on a proposed resolution in favour of placing the ordinary conduct of Native affairs under the administration of the Responsible Ministers.

Aug. 6, 1862.—Appointment of a Ministry under the leadership of Mr. Alfred Domett.

Feb. 7, 1863.—Wreck of H.M.S. “Orpheus” on Manukau Bar; 181 lives lost.

Feb. 26, 1863.—Definite relinquishment by the Imperial Government of control over administration of Native affairs.

May 4, 1863.—Treacherous assault near Tataraimaka by Natives on a military escort. Murder of Lieutenant Tragett, Dr. Hope, and five soldiers of the 57th Regiment.

June 4, 1863.—Defeat of Natives at Katikara, by a force under Lieut.-General Cameron.

July 17, 1863.—Action at Koheroa, in the Auckland Province. Commencement of the Waikato War.

Oct. 27, 1863.—Resignation of the Domett Ministry, in consequence of difficulties experienced in connection with arrangements for finding a fitting representative of the Government in the Legislative Council.

Oct. 30, 1863.—Appointment of the Ministry formed by Mr. Fox, under the premiership of Mr. F. Whitaker.

Nov., 1863.—Acceptance by the General Assembly of colonial responsibility in Native affairs.

Nov. 20, 1863.—Battle of Rangiriri. Defeat of Natives and unconditional surrender of 183.

Dec. 1, 1863.—The first railway in New Zealand opened for traffic by Mr. Samuel Bealey, Superintendent of Canterbury. The line was from Christchurch to Ferrymead Junction.

Dec. 3, 1863.—The New Zealand Settlements Act passed, giving the Governor power to confiscate the lands of insurgent Natives.

Dec. 8, 1863.—Occupation of Ngaruawahia. The British flag hoisted on the Maori king's flagstaff.

Feb. 11, 1864.—Engagement with Natives on Mangapiko River. Major (then Captain) Heaphy, of the New Zealand Forces, won the Victoria Cross for distinguished bravery on this occasion.

Feb. 22, 1864.—Defeat of Natives at Rangiaohia.

April 2, 1864.—Attack on and capture of pa at Orakau, Waikato.

April 21, 1864.—Engagement near Maketu, Bay of Plenty. Tribes of the Rawhiti defeated by Arawa Natives, under Captain McDonnell.

April 29, 1864.—Assault on Gate Pa, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, and repulse of large British force by the Maoris. The pa was abandoned by the Natives during the following night.

April 30, 1864.—Repulse of attack by rebel Hauhau Natives on redoubt at Sentry Hill, Taranaki.

May 14, 1864.—Battle of Moutoa, an island in the Wanganui River, between friendly and rebel Hauhau Natives. Complete defeat of rebels.

June 21, 1864.—Engagement at Te Ranga, near Tauranga, by Lieut.-Colonel Greer, 68th Regiment. Severe defeat of the Natives.

1864.—Discovery of gold on the west coast of the South Island.

Sept. 10, 1864.—Escape of Maori prisoners from Kawau.

Oct. 3, 1864.—Wellington chosen as the seat of Government.

Nov. 24, 1864.—Appointment of a Ministry under the premiership of

Mr. F. A. Weld, the Whitaker-Fox Ministry having resigned during the recess.

Dec. 17, 1864.—Confiscation of Native lands in Waikato by Sir George Grey.

Feb., 1865.—Removal of the seat of Government to Wellington.

March 2, 1865.—Barbarous murder of the Rev. Mr. Volkner, a Church of England missionary, at Opotiki, by Hauhau fanatics, under Kereopa.

June 8, 1865.—Submission of the Maori Chief Wiremu Tamihana te Waharoa (William Thompson).

June 17, 1865.—Murder of Mr. Fulloon, a Government officer, and his companions, at Whakatane, by Hauhau fanatics.

July 22, 1865.—Capture of the Wereroa Pa, near Wanganui.

Aug. 2, 1865.—Assault and capture of the Pa Kairomiromi, at Waiapu, by Colonial Forces under Captain Fraser, and Native Contingent under the chief Te Mokena. Eighty-seven rebels killed.

Sept. 2, 1865.—Proclamation of peace issued by Governor Sir George Grey, announcing that the war, which commenced at Oakura, was at an end.

Sept. 30, 1865.—Murder by Hauhaus, at Kakaramea, of Mr. Broughton, when sent as friendly messenger to them by Brigadier-General Waddy.

Oct. 12, 1865.—Resignation of Mr. Weld's Ministry, on account of a resolution adverse to the Government policy, having been defeated only by the casting-vote of the Speaker.

Oct. 16, 1865.—Appointment of a Ministry under the premiership of Mr. E. W. Stafford.

Dec. 25, 1865.—Defeat of rebel Natives at Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, by Colonial Forces and Native Contingent.

Jan. 4, 1866.—Defeat of Natives at Okotuku Pa, on the west coast of the North Island, by force under Major-General Chute.

Jan. 7, 1866.—Assault on and capture of Putahi Pa, by force under Major-General Chute.

Jan. 13, 1866.—Assault on and capture of Otapawa Pa, by force under Major-General Chute.

Jan. 17, 1866, to Jan. 25, 1866.—Period of Major-General Chute's march through the bush to New Plymouth.

Jan., 1866.—Escape of a largo number of Native prisoners from the hulk at Wellington; many were drowned in trying to swim ashore.

March 29, 1866.—Submission of the rebel chiefs Te Heuheu and Herekiekie, of Taupo district.

Mar., 1866.—A detachment of Maori prisoners sent to the Chatham Islands.

June 15, 1866.—Commencement of Panama steam mail-service.

Aug. 26, 1866.—The Cook Strait submarine telegraph cable laid.

Oct. 2, 1866.—Engagement with rebel Natives at Pungarehu, West Coast, by Colonial Forces, under Major McDonnell.

Oct. 8, 1866.—First Act passed to impose stamp duties.

Oct. 12, 1866.—Defeats of rebel Natives at Omaranui and at Petane, Hawke's Bay, by Colonial Forces.

July, 1867.—Opening of Thames Goldfield.

Oct. 10, 1867.—An Act passed to establish an institute for the promotion of science and art.

Oct. 10, 1867.—An Act passed for the division of New Zealand into four Maori electorates, and the admission of four Maori members to the House of Representatives.

Jan., 1868.—Establishment of the County of Westland.

Feb. 5, 1868.—Arrival of Governor Sir George F. Bowen, G.C.M.G.

July 4, 1868.—Seizure by Maori prisoners, under the leadership of Te Kooti, of the schooner “Rifleman,” and their escape from the Chatham Islands.

July 12, 1868.—Night attack by Natives on redoubt at Turuturu Mokai. Sub-Inspector Ross and seven Europeans killed. Natives driven off by the arrival of a force under Major Von Tempsky.

Aug. 8, 1868.—Pursuit of Lieut.-Colonel Whitmore of escaped Chatham Island prisoners, and indecisive engagement in the gorge of the Ruake Ture.

Aug. 21, 1868.—Attack on Ngutu-o-te-Manu by force under Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. Defeat of Natives; four Europeans killed and eight wounded.

Sept. 7, 1868.—Engagement in bush at Ngutu-o-te-Manu. Major Von Tempsky, Captains Buck and Palmer, Lieutenants Hunter and Hastings, and fourteen men killed.

Oct. 19, 1868.—Bishop Selwyn left New Zealand.

Nov. 7, 1868.—Attack on Moturoa. Repulse of Colonial Forces, with severe loss.

Nov. 10, 1868.—Massacre of thirty-two Europeans at Poverty Bay by Te Kooti's band of Natives, who had escaped from the Chatham Islands.

Nov. 24, 1868, Dec. 3, 1868, Dec. 5, 1868.—Engagements between friendly Natives and rebels under Te Kooti, at Patutahi, Poverty Bay district.

Jan. 5, 1869.—Assault on and capture of Ngatapa Pa, Poverty Bay district, after a siege of six days, by the Colonial Forces of Europeans and friendly Natives under Colonel Whitmore and Major Ropata. Dispersion and pursuit of Te Kooti's band. More than 136 rebel Natives were killed.

Feb. 13, 1869.—Treacherous murder of the Rev. John Whitely and seven other Europeans at the White Cliffs, Taranaki.

Feb. 18, 1869.—Attack by rebel Natives on a foraging party at Karaka Flat; one sergeant and six men killed.

Mar. 3, 1869.—Termination of Panama mail-service.

Mar. 13, 1869.—Attack on and defeat of Titokowaru's force at Otauto.

April 10, 1869.—Native pa at Mohaka taken by Te Kooti, who killed forty friendly Natives and several Europeans in the neighbourhood.

April 12, 1869.—First arrival of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh in Wellington, in H.M.S. “Galatea.”

May 6, 1869.—Surprise and capture of Ahiketeru and Oamaru Teangi Pas, Waiwera country. Defeat of Te Kooti.

June 13, 1869.—Surrender to Major Noake and Mr. Booth, R.M., of the chief Tairua, with 122 men, women, and children of the Pakakohe Tribe, near Wanganui.

June 24, 1869.—Defeat of Mr. Stafford's Ministry on a want-of-confidence motion.

June 28, 1869.—Appointment of a Ministry under the premiership of Mr. W. Fox.

Sept. 3, 1869.—An Act passed providing Government life insurance and annuities.

Oct., 1869.—Seventy-four prisoners from the bands of Te Kooti and Titokowaru sentenced to death, after trial, for treason. The sentences of seventy three were commuted to penal servitude for various terms.

Oct. 4, 1869.—Pourera Pa stormed and taken by Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, with a mixed force of Europeans and Natives.

Jan., 1870.—Three hundred friendly Natives under Topia, and three hundred under Major Keepa (known as Kemp), started up the Wanganui River in pursuit of Te Kooti, who retreated into the Urewera country.

Jan. 25, 1870.—Capture of Tapapa Pa, occupied by Te Kooti.

Feb. 24, 1870.—The last detachment of the Imperial troops left New Zealand.

Mar. 25, 1870.—Major Keepa, with Native force, captured the position held by Te Kooti at Maraotahi, in Urewera country nineteen rebels killed and seventy-three of Te Kooti's men taken prisoners. Te Kooti escaped with twenty followers.

Mar. 26, 1870.—Commencement of San Francisco mail-service.

June 28, 1870.—Enunciation in the House of Representatives of the public-works policy by the Colonial Treasurer, Mr. Vogel.

July, 1870.—Thirty prisoners of Te Kooti's band sentenced to death. The sentences were commuted to penal servitude.

Aug. 27, 1870.—Arrival in Wellington of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh in H.M.S. “Galatea.” Second visit.

Sept. 12, 1870.—An Act passed to establish the New Zealand University.

Sept. 12, 1870.—The Land Transfer Act passed, to simplify the title to land and dealings with real estates.

Oct. 6, 1870.—Southland Province reunited with Otago.

Dec. 5, 1870.—Honiani te Puni, the chief of the Ngatiawas, a staunch friend of the Europeans, died at Petone, near Wellington, aged ninety years.

Mar., 1871.—Commencement of railway-construction under the public-works policy.

Aug. 4, 1871.—Death of Tamati Waka Nene, the great Ngapuhi chief and friend of the Europeans.

Nov., 1871.—Capture of the notorious rebel Kereopa, the murderer of the Rev. Mr. Volkner, by the Ngatiporous.

Jan. 5, 1872.—Execution of Kereopa at Napier.

Jan., 1872.—Remission of sentences on fifty-eight Native prisoners then undergoing imprisonment for rebellion.

Feb. 22, 1872.—Visit of William King, the Maori chief of Waitara, to New Plymouth, and resumption of amicable relations with the Europeans.

May 9, 1872.—A general thanksgiving-day for the recovery of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales.

Sept. 6, 1872.—Defeat and resignation of Mr. Fox's Ministry.

Sept. 10, 1872.—Appointment of a Ministry under the premiership of the Hon. E. W. Stafford.

Oct. 4, 1872.—Defeat of the Stafford Ministry on a vote of want of confidence moved by Mr. Vogel.

Oct. 11, 1872.—Appointment of a Ministry under the premiership of the Hon. G. M. Waterhouse, M.L.C.

Oct. 11, 1872.—First appointment of Maori chiefs (two) to be members of the Legislative Council.

Oct. 25, 1872.—The Public Trust Office Act passed.

Jan., 1873.—Establishment of the New Zealand Shipping Company.

Mar. 3, 1873.—The Hon. W. Fox appointed Premier on the resignation of that office by the Hon. G. M. Waterhouse, the other members of the Ministry being confirmed in their offices.

Mar. 19, 1873.—Departure of Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G.

Mar. 21, 1873.—Assumption of the Government by Sir G. A. Arney, Chief Justice, as Administrator.

April 8, 1873.—Resignation of the premiership by the Hon. W. Fox, on the return of the Hon. J. Vogel, C.M.G., from Australia. Appointment of Mr. Vogel as Premier, the other Ministers being confirmed in their offices.

June 14, 1873.—Arrival of Governor Sir J. Fergusson, P.C.

Aug. 22, 1874.—The Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Act passed.

Nov. 27, 1874.—Sir James Fergusson left New Zealand.

Dec. 3, 1874.—Arrival of Governor the Marquis of Normanby, P.C.

1874.—31,774 immigrants were introduced this year under the immigration and public-works policy.

Jan. 3, 1875.—Visit of Sir Donald McLean to the Maori king; resumption of amicable relations.

July 6, 1875.—Resignation of the Ministry, in consequence of the absence of Sir J. Vogel, K.C.M.G., in England, and his being unable to attend the session of Parliament. Reconstitution thereof, under the premiership of the Hon. Dr. Pollen, M.L.C.

July, 1875.—Establishment of the Union Steam Shipping Company of New Zealand.

1875.—18,324 immigrants were introduced this year under the immigration and public-works policy.

Oct. 12, 1875.—The Abolition of Provinces Act passed.

Feb. 15, 1876.—Resignation of the Hon. Dr. Pollen's Ministry, and reconstitution under the premiership of Sir J. Vogel, K.C.M.G.

Feb. 18, 1876.—Completion of the work of laying the telegraph cable between New Zealand and New South Wales.

June, 1876.—Death of Dr. Isaac Earl Featherston, while acting as Agent-General for New Zealand in England. He was the first to hold that office, and had previously been Superintendent of the Province of Wellington from the time of the first establishment of provincial representative institutions.

Sept. 1, 1876.—Resignation of Sir J. Vogel's Ministry in view of the appointment of Sir J. Vogel as Agent-General. Formation of a Ministry under the premiership of Major Atkinson.

Sept. 13, 1876.—Resignation of Major Atkinson's Ministry in consequence of doubts being entertained as to the constitutional position thereof. Reconstruction of the Ministry under the premiership of Major Atkinson.

Nov. 1, 1876.—“The Abolition of Provinces Act, 1875,” came into full operation. Complete abolition of provincial institutions. New Zealand subdivided into counties and municipal boroughs.

Oct. 8, 1877.—Defeat of the Atkinson Ministry on a vote of want of confidence moved by Mr. Larnach.

Oct. 15, 1877.—Appointment of a Ministry under the premiership of Sir George Grey, K.C.B.

Nov. 29, 1877.—The Education Act, providing for the free and compulsory education of children, passed.

April 11, 1878.—Bishop Selwyn died, in England.

Oct. 29, 1878.—Sir George Grey's first land-tax passed.

Feb. 29, 1879.—Departure of Governor the Marquis of Normanby, P.C.

Mar., 1879.—Removal of surveyors from the Waimate Plains by Natives acting under Te Whiti's orders.

Mar. 27, 1879.—Arrival of Governor Sir Hercules G. R. Robinson, G.C.M.G.

May 25, 1879.—The Natives from Parihaka, by order of Te Whiti, began ploughing up lands occupied by Europeans.

June, 1879.—Arrest and imprisonment of 180 of these Natives for causing disturbances.

July 29, 1879.—Defeat of the Grey Ministry on an amendment to the Address in Reply, moved by Sir William Fox, followed by a dissolution of Parliament.

Oct. 3, 1879.—Defeat and subsequent resignation of Sir George Grey's Ministry.

Oct. 8, 1879.—Appointment of a Ministry under the premiership of the Hon. John Hall.

Dec. 19, 1879.—An Act passed to assess property for the purpose of taxation.

Dec. 19, 1879.—The Triennial Parliament Act passed.

Dec. 19, 1879.—An Act passed to qualify every resident male of twenty-one years of age and upwards to vote.

June, 1880.—First portion of the Parihaka Maori prisoners released by the Government.

July 9, 1880.—Bounty Island taken possession of by Captain George Palmer, H.M.S. “Rosario.”

Sept. 8, 1880.—Departure of Governor Sir Hercules G. R. Robinson, G.C.M.G.

Oct. 1880.—Release of the last portion of the Parihaka Maori prisoners.

Oct. 26, 1880.—Sir Francis Dillon Bell appointed Agent-General.

Nov. 29, 1880.—Arrival of Governor Sir A. H. Gordon, G.C.M.G.

April 29, 1881.—“Tararua,” steamer, wrecked; 130 lives lost.

June 26, 1881.—Severe earthquakes in Wellington.

Nov. 5, 1881.—March of force of Constabulary and Volunteers on Parihaka, and arrest of Te Whiti and Tohu, without bloodshed.

Feb. 15, 1882.—First shipment of frozen meat made from Port Chalmers. (See Year-book, 1893, p. 192.)

April 21, 1882.—Resignation (during the recess) of the Hon. J. Hall's Ministry, and its reconstruction under the premiership of the Hon. F. Whitaker, M.L.C.

June 23, 1882.—Departure of Governor Sir A. H. Gordon.

June 21, 1882.—Assumption of the Government by Sir J. Prendergast Chief Justice.

Jan. 20, 1883.—Arrival of Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.B.

Jan. 26, 1883.—A direct line of steam-communication between England and New Zealand inaugurated by the New Zealand Shipping Company.

Feb. 13, 1883.—Proclamation of amnesty to Maori political offenders.

Feb. 19, 1883.—Liberation of Te Whiti and Tohu.

Sept. 25, 1883.—Resignation of the office of Premier and his seat in the Ministry by the Hon. P. Whitaker, and the appointment of the Hon. Major H. A. Atkinson to be Premier, the members of Mr. Whitaker's Ministry being confirmed in their offices.

June 11, 1884.—Defeat of Major Atkinson's Government.

June 27, 1884.—Dissolution of the General Assembly.

Aug. 16, 1884.—Resignation of Major Atkinson's Ministry in consequence of the result of the general election. Formation of a Ministry under the premiership of Mr. Robert Stout.

Aug. 20, 1884.—Defeat of Mr. Stout's Ministry by an amendment, expressive of want of confidence, to the Address in Reply being carried.

Aug. 28, 1884.—Appointment of a Ministry under the premiership of Major Atkinson.

Aug. 29, 1884.—Defeat of Major Atkinson's Ministry on a vote of want of confidence.

Sept. 3, 1884.—Appointment of a Ministry under the premiership of Mr. Robert Stout.

Nov. 8, 1884.—An Act passed to enable certain loans of the New Zealand Government to be converted into inscribed stock and the accrued sinking funds released.

Aug. 1, 1885.—The New Zealand Industrial Exhibition opened at Wellington.

June 10, 1886.—Volcanic eruptions at Tarawera, and destruction of the famed Pink and White Terraces; 101 lives lost.

May 28, 1887.—Defeat of Sir Robert Stout's Ministry.

July 15, 1887.—Dissolution of the General Assembly after prorogation, on the 10th June.

July 21, 1887.—A Proclamation issued declaring the Kermadec Islands to be annexed to and form part of New Zealand

Aug. 17, 1887.—Kermadec Group annexed to New Zealand. Flag hoisted and proclamation read at Sunday Island

Oct. 8, 1887.—Appointment of a Ministry under the premiership of Major H. A. Atkinson, Sir Robert Stout's Ministry having resigned in consequence of the result of the election.

Dec. 19, 1887.—An Act passed to reduce the number of members of the House of Representatives, after the expiration of the General Assembly then sitting, to seventy-four, including four Maori representatives.

Dec. 23, 1887.—The Australian Naval Defence Act, being an Act to provide for the establishment of an additional naval force on the Australian Station, at the joint charge of the Imperial and the several Colonial Governments, was passed by the New Zealand Legislature.

Oct. 27, 1888.—Formal Proclamation of British Protectorate of Cook Group of Islands, by Captain Bourke, R.N., of H.M.S. “Hyacinth.”

Mar. 22, 1889.—Departure of Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.B.

Mar. 23, 1889.—Assumption of the Government by Sir James Prendergast.

May 2, 1889.—Arrival of the Earl of Onslow, G.C.M.G.

Sept. 2, 1889.—Electors prohibited by statute from voting in respect of more than one electorate at any election for the House of Representatives.

Nov. 26, 1889.—Opening of South Seas Exhibition, Dunedin.

Dec. 5, 1890.—First election of members of the House of Representatives under a practical manhood suffrage, and on the one-man-one-vote principle.

Jan. 24, 1891.—Notification by Governor of acceptation of resignation (during the recess) of the Hon. Sir H. A. Atkinson's Ministry. Appointment of a Ministry under the premiership of the Hon. John Ballance.

April 22, 1891.—Proclamation by Governor of New Zealand to inhabitants at Rarotonga of appointment of British Resident for the Protectorate of the Cook Islands.

May 25, 1891.—Adhesion of Australia to Posta Union.

Aug. 19, 1891.—Labour Laws: Passing o Employers’ Liability Act 1882 Amendment Act.

Aug. 29, 1891.—Labour Laws: Passing of Truck Act, to prohibit payment of wages in goods or otherwise than in money.

Sept. 8, 1891.—Passing of Land and Income Assessment Act for purposes of taxation, and repeal of property-tax.

Sept. 21, 1891.—Labour Laws: Passing of an Act for supervising and regulating of factories and workrooms. [Repealed by Act of 1894.]

Jan. 19, 1892.—Electoral districts based on population as ascertained by the results of the census of 1891 proclaimed.

Feb. 2, 1892.—Departure of Governor the Earl of Onslow.

Feb. 25, 1892.—Assumption of the Government by Sir James Prendergast Chief Justice.

June 7, 1892.—Arrival of Governor the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G.

June 28, 1892.—Death of Sir H. A. Atkinson, K.C.M.G., Speaker of the Legislative Council, and previously four times Premier.

Oct. 1, 1892.—Labour Laws: Passing of Contractors’ and Workmen's Lien Act.

Oct. 8, 1892.—Passing of Dairy Industry Act. [Repealed by Act of 1894.]

Oct. 11, 1892.—Passing of first Land-tax and Income-tax Act on the basic of the Assessment Act of previous year.

Oct. 11. 1892.—“Land Act, 1892”: Lease in perpetuity without revaluation system introduced; occupation with right of purchase; optional method of selection; small-farms associations.

Oct. 8 1892.—” Land for Settlements Act, 1892,” authorising purchase of lands from individuals for purposes of subdivision. [Repealed by Act of 1894. See post.]

April 19, 1893.—Cheviot Estate taken over by Government under the Land and Income Assessment Act.

April 27, 1893.—Death of Hon. John Ballance, Premier of New Zealand.

May 1, 1893.—Resignation of the Ministry in consequence of the death of the Hon. John Ballance, and appointment of a new Ministry under the premiership of the Hon. R. J. Seddon.

June 23, 1893.—Death of Sir William Fox, K.C.M.G., four times Premier of New Zealand.

Sept. 2, 1893.—Passing of Bank-note Issue Act, to make bank notes a first charge on assets and to enable the Government to declare them to be a legal tender, &c.

Sept. 8, 1893.—The Legislative Council of New Zealand passed, by a majority of two, the Bill conferring the franchise on women.

Sept. 14, 1893.—Banks and Bankers Act Amendment Act passed, to permit of increase of capital by issue of new shares.

Sept. 19, 1893.—“The Electoral Act, 1893,” extending franchise to women.

Oct. 2, 1893.—Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act passed New licenses to be granted subject to the votes of the electors: reduction or abolition of licenses if desired.

Oct. 6, 1893.—Passing of “Criminal Code Act, 1893.”

Oct. 6, 1893.—Labour Laws: Passing of “Workmen's Wages Act, 1893.”

Oct. 6, 1893.—Native Land Purchase and Acquisition Act.

Oct. 20, 1893.—Sir James Prendergast appointed temporarily Deputy of the Governor.

Nov. 28, 1893.—A general election took place, being the first occasion on which women exercised the franchise.

Dec. 28, 1893.—Death of Right Rev. Dr. Henry John Chitty Harper, formerly Bishop of Christchurch and Primate of New Zealand.

Mar. 19, 1894.—Sir James Prendergast appointed temporarily Deputy of the Governor.

June 30, 1894.—Passing of Act to extend operation of Bank-note Issue Act, and another Act to control the transfer of bank shares.

June 30, 1894.—“Bank of New Zealand Share Guarantee Act, 1894,” to guarantee special issue of shares to amount of £2,000,000, and purchase of Assets Estates Company by Assets Board. [Amended on July 20.]

July 20, 1894.—Passing of an Act to limit number of bank directors and power of shareholders to transfer their shares.

Aug. 21, 1894.—Labour Laws: Passing of Conspiracy Law Amendment.

Aug. 31, 1894.—Labour Laws: Passing of an Act to encourage the formation of industrial unions and associations, and to facilitate the settlement of industrial disputes by conciliation and arbitration.

Oct. 18, 1894.—“New Zealand Consols Act, 1894.”

Oct. 18, 1894.—“Government Advances to Settlers Act, 1894,” for relief of settlers burdened by high charges of interest, &c.

Oct. 18, 1894.—Passing of “Land for Settlements Act, 1894,” authorising acquisition of private lands for purposes of settlement, with compulsory powers, and repealing Act of 1892; also “Lands Improvement and Native Lands Acquisition Act, 1894.”

Oct. 18, 1894.—Labour Laws: Passing of “Shops and Shop-assistants Act, 1894,” for limiting hours of business in shops.

Oct. 23, 1894.—Passing of “Banking Act, 1894.”

Oct. 23, 1894.—Dairy Industry Act, to regulate manufacture of butter and cheese, with inspection and grading for export, and provide for purity of milk.

Oct. 28, 1894.—Wreck of s.s. “Wairarapa” at Great Barrier Island; 135 lives lost.

Mar. 29, 1895.—Death of Right Reverend Andrew Burn Suter, D.D., formerly Bishop of Nelson, and Primate of New Zealand.

May 27, 1895.—Government assumed management of the Midland Railway.

Aug. 3, 1895.—Death of C. W. Richmond. Puisne Judge of Wellington.

Aug. 20, 1895.—Trustees of cemeteries authorised to provide for cremation of dead.

Sept. 4, 1895.—“Bank of New Zealand and Banking Act, 1895,” providing for writing off paid-up capital with proceeds of first call on reserve liability; also for new capital and Assets Realisation Board, &c.; also to purchase business of any other bank.

Sept. 20, 1895.—Labour Laws: Passing of an Act to regulate attachment of wages.

Sept. 20, 1895.—Labour Laws: Passing of Servants’ Registry Office Act.

Sept. 20, 1895.—“Family Homes Protection Act, 1895,” to secure homes for the people and to prevent them from mortgage or sale for debt.

Oct. 18, 1895.—Amended tariff passed.

Oct. 31, 1895.—Bank of New Zealand and Banking Act Amendment Act: Sale of Colonial Bank business to Bank of New Zealand.

Dec. 20, 1895.—Appointment of Sir P. A. Buckley, K.C.M.G., as a Judge of Supreme Court.

Jan. 10, 1896.—Hon. W. P. Reeves appointed Agent-General in London.

Mar. 26, 1896.—Brunner Mine explosion; sixty-seven deaths.

April 12, 1896.—General census of New Zealand taken for Sunday night.

May 18, 1896.—Death of Sir Patrick Buckley, K.C.M.G.

July 11, 1896.—Appointment of Mr. W. B. Edwards as a Judge of the Supreme Court.

July 19, 1896.—Death of Hon. Robert Pharazyn, M.L.C.

Aug. 2, 1896.—Death of James Edward FitzGerald, C.M.G., Controller and Auditor General.

Oct. 16, 1896.—Land for Settlements Act amended: Special provision made for disposal of highly improved lands acquired; preference given to landless people; Boards may select applicants, &c.

Oct. 17, 1896.—Alteration of franchise by abolition of non-residential or property qualification.

Oct. 17, 1896.—Government Valuation of Land Act passed.

Dec. 4, 1896.—General election of members of House of Representatives for the new districts as fixed by the Representation Commissioners on basis of census, 1896.

Feb. 6, 1897.—Departure of the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G.

Feb. 8, 1897.—Sir James Prendergast Administrator of Government.

June 22, 1897.—Diamond Jubilee of reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. Hon. R. J. Seddon, Premier of New Zealand, called to Privy Council, on occasion of his visit to England with contingent New Zealand Forces.

July 29, 1897.—Wreck of s.s. “Tasmania” at Mahia Peninsula; ten lives lost.

Aug. 10, 1897.—The Earl of Ranfurly assumed office as Governor.

Dec. 22, 1897.—Act to establish at Wellington the Victoria College, in connection with the New Zealand University.

July 15, 1898.—Hon. Sir Francis Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., C.B., died.

1898.—Death of Sir George Grey, K.C.B.

1898.—Death of Bishop Selwyn, of Melanesia.

Oct. 15, 1898.—The Municipal Franchise Reform Act passed.

1898.—The Divorce Bill passed both Houses. Her Majesty's assent thereto gazetted 13th April, 1899.

Nov. 1, 1898.—An Act to provide for old-age pensions passed.

Feb. 10, 1899.—Rev. William Colenso died at Napier.

March 13, 1899.—Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., died.

April, 1899.—Victoria University College opened in Wellington.

May 25, 1899.—Resignation of Sir James Prendergast, Chief Justice.

June 1, 1899.—“The Divorce Act, 1898,” assented to by Her Majesty the Queen, came into operation.

June 22, 1899.—Sir Robert Stout, K.C.M.G., appointed Chief Justice.

Oct. 19, 1899.—Act passed constituting Labour Day. The second Wednesday in the month of October in each year to be a public holiday.

Oct. 21, 1899.—N.Z. Contingent (the first) consisting of 215 officers and men, left in s.s. “Waiwera” for Algoa Bay to assist the British in the Transvaal war.

Nov. 16, 1899.—General Assembly dissolved.

Dec. 6, 1899.—General Election of Members of House of Representatives.

Jan. 21, 1900.—The Second N.Z. Contingent (258 officers and men) left for South Africa in s.s. “Waiwera.”

Feb. 5, 1900.—Hon. Thomas Dick died.

Feb. 17, 1900.—The Third N.Z. Contingent (264 officers and men) left for South Africa in s.s. “Knight Templar.”

March 24 and 31, 1900.—The Fourth and Fifth Contingents (1,060 officers and men) left for South Africa in s.ss. “Monowai,” “Gymeric,” “Waimate,” and “Maori.”

June 28, 1900.—“Bubonic Plague Prevention Act, 1900,” passed.

Aug. 8, 1900.—“Immigration Restriction Act, 1899,” assented to by Her Majesty in Council, came into operation.

Oct. 13, 1900.—Public Health Act passed.

Oct. 18, 1900.—The Maori Councils Act passed.

Oct. 20, 1900.—“The Representation Act, 1900,” passed, increasing number of European representatives to seventy-six.

Dec. 29, 1900.—Hon. Sir James Prendergast, Kt., appointed Deputy-Governor.

Jan. 1, 1901.—Universal penny postage adopted by New Zealand.

Jan. 22, 1901.—Queen Victoria died.

Jan. 28, 1901.—Accession of King Edward VII. proclaimed in New Zealand.

Jan. 30, 1901.—Sixth N.Z. Contingent (578 officers and men) sailed for South Africa in s.s. “Cornwall.”

Feb. 14, 1901.—Death (in England) of Sir Edward Stafford, G.C.M.G., formerly three times Premier of New Zealand.

Feb. 21, 1901.—Appointment of Mr. Theo. Cooper as a Judge of the Supreme Court.

March 31, 1901.—General census of New Zealand taken for Sunday night.

April 6, 1901.—Seventh N.Z. Contingent (600 officers and men, rough-riders) sailed for South Africa, per s.s. “Gulf of Taranto.”

May 22, 1901.—Deceased Husband's Brother Marriage Act came into operation after Royal assent.

June 10, 1901.—Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York arrived in New Zealand.

June 10, 1901.—Boundaries of New Zealand extended to include Cook and other Pacific Islands.

Aug. 6, 1901.—Sir John McKenzie, K.C.M.G., died.

Nov. 7, 1901.—State Coal mines Act passed.

Feb. 1, 1902.—North Island division of the Eighth N.Z. Contingent sailed from Auckland for South Africa per s.s. “Surrey.”

Feb. 8, 1902.—South Island division of the Eighth Contingent sailed from Lyttelton per s.s. “Cornwall.”

March 12, 1902.—South Island division of the Ninth N.Z. Contingent sailed from Port Chalmers for South Africa per s.s. “Kent.”

March 19, 1902.—North Island division of the Ninth Contingent sailed from Auckland per s.s. “Devon.”

March 24, 1902.—End of Pacific cable landed in Doubtless Bay, Mangonui.

April 14, 1902.—North Island division of the Tenth N.Z. Contingent sailed from Auckland for South Africa per s.s. “Drayton Grange.”

April 14, 1902.—Right Hon. R. J. Seddon sailed for London to attend Conference of Colonial Premiers, and to represent New Zealand at His Majesty the King's Coronation.

April 19, 1902.—South Island division of the Tenth Contingent sailed for South Africa per s.s. “Norfolk.”

June 26, 1902.—Death of Most Rev. Bishop William Garden Cowie, Primate of New Zealand.

Aug. 9, 1902.—Celebration in New Zealand on the occasion of the Coronation of His Majesty King Edward VII.

Aug. 1902.—Return of N.Z. troopers from South Africa (Eighth Contingent left Durban 5th July; Ninth, 9th July; Tenth, 15th July).

Nov. 5, 1902.—General Assembly dissolved.

Nov. 9, 1902.—Wreck of s.s. “Elingamite” on Three King's.

Nov. 25, 1902.—General Election of Members of House of Representatives.

Dec. 8, 1902.—Pacific (all red) Cable service opened for international business.

Dec. 31, 1902.—Export of frozen meat for year valued at £2,718,763.

Dec. 31, 1902.—Export of butter and cheese for year valued at £1,369,341.

Feb. 8, 1903.—Hon. W. Rolleston died.

Mar. 16, 1903.—Sir George Whitmore, K.C.M.G., died.

May 22, 1903.—Mahuta Tawhiao Potatau to Wherowhero (formerly known as the Maori King) summoned to the Legislative Council, and sworn in as a member of the Executive Council.

May 24, 1903.—Empire Day proclaimed in New Zealand (anniversary of birth of late Queen Victoria).

June 29, 1903.—Opening of Parliament (the fifteenth).

Sept. 11, 1903.—Mr. F. R. Chapman appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court.

Nov. 18, 1903.—State Fire Insurance Act passed.

Nov. 24, 1903.—Preferential and Reciprocal Trade Act passed.

Jan. 5, 1904.—Hon. W. C. Walker, C.M.G., died.

June 20, 1904.—Assumption of the Government of New Zealand by Lord Plunket.

July, 1904.—A team of riflemen, chosen from the Defence Force of New Zealand to represent New Zealand, was sent to England under the command of Lieut.-Colonel R. J. Collins, V.D., to compete at Bisley for the “Kolapore Imperial Challenge Cup,” and succeeded in bringing the trophy to New Zealand.

March 23, 1905.—Death of Hon. Sir A. J. Cadman, Speaker, Legislative Council.

June 14, 1905.—Hon. W. P. Reeves appointed first High Commissioner for New Zealand at London.

July 29, 1905.—” Old-age Pensions Act, 1905,” passed, increasing amount of annual pension to £26.

Oct. 30, 1905.—Workers’ Dwellings Act passed.

Nov. 29, 1905.—General Assembly dissolved.

Dec. 6, 1905.—General election of Members of House of Representatives.

April 29, 1906.—General census of New Zealand.

June 10, 1906.—Death of the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, P.O., Premier of New Zealand.

June 21, 1906.—Resignation of Ministry in consequence of the death of the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, and appointment of a new Ministry under the Premiership of the Hon. W. Hall-Jones.

June 27, 1906.—Opening of Parliament (the sixteenth).

Aug. 6, 1906.—Resignation of Ministry under the Premiership of the Hon. W. Hall-Jones, and appointment of a new Ministry under the Premiership of the Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, K.C.M.G.

Aug. 21, 1906.—Opening of Parliament (second session of the sixteenth).

Oct. 29, 1906.—Government Advances to Workers Act passed to assist workers in providing homes for themselves.

Nov. 1, 1906.—Opening of the New Zealand International Exhibition at Christchurch.

Nov. 18, 1906.—Death of Hon. Albert Pitt, M.L.C., Attorney General, Colonial Secretary, and Minister of Defence.

April 15, 1907.—Opening of Conference of Premiers at London. New Zealand represented by Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, K.C.M.G.

April 15, 1907.—Closing of the New Zealand International Exhibition.

May 9. 1907.—Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, K.C.M.G., called to the Privy Council.

May 13, 1907.—Closing of the Conference of Premiers at London.

June 25, 1907.—Death of Sir John Hall, K.C.M.G., formerly Premier of New Zealand.

June 27, 1907.—Opening of third session of sixteenth Parliament.

Sept. 25, 1907.—Passing of “The Tariff Act, 1907.”

Sept. 26, 1907.—Style and designation of the “Colony of New Zealand” changed to “Dominion of New Zealand,” by Royal Proclamation of 10th September, 1907.

Oct. 26, 1907.—Land and Income Assessment Act Amendment passed; graduated land-tax increased.

Nov. 20, 1907.—Land Laws Amendment Act passed; lease in perpetuity abolished and renewable lease with periodical revaluation established.

Dec. 11, 1907.—Parliament Buildings destroyed by fire.

June 29, 1908.—Opening of Parliament (fourth session of the sixteenth).

Aug. 4, 1908.—Consolidated Statutes Enactment Act passed.

Aug. 7, 1903.—First through train Wellington to Auckland.

Aug. 9, 1908.—American fleet of battleships visited Auckland.

Oct. 6, 1908.—New Zealand's subsidy to British Navy increased to £100,000 per annum.

Oct. 6, 1908.—Second Ballot Act passed.

Oct. 10, 1908.—Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act, 1908, passed. Boards of Conciliation abolished and Councils of Conciliation established.

Nov. 17, 1908.—General Election of Members of House of Representatives.

Dec. 7, 1908.—Purchase of Wellington-Manawatu Railway by General Government.

Feb. 12, 1909.—S.S. Penguin wrecked near Wellington. 75 lives lost.

Mar. 22, 1909.—New Zealand Government offers to the British Government at least one (and, if necessary, two) first-class battleships of the Dreadnought or latest types. Offer confirmed by Parliament on 14th June, 1909.

June 10, 1909.—Opening of Parliament (first session of seventeenth).

June 18, 1909.—Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, Prime Minister, sailed for London to attend Imperial Defence Conference.

Oct. 7, 1909.—Opening of Parliament (second session of seventeenth).

Dec. 24, 1909.—Land Settlement Finance Act passed. To assist associations of private buyers in the purchase of freehold lands.

May 6, 1910.—Death of King Edward VII.

May 10, 1910.—Accession of King George V proclaimed in New Zealand.

June, 20, 1910.—Arrival of His Excellency Lord Islington, Governor of New Zealand.

June 28, 1910.—Opening of Parliament (third session of seventeenth).

GENERAL INDEX

Accident Insurance 600
Claims paid 601
Balance-sheet 604
Premium income and Claims, 1901-9 603
Government Office 602
Balance-sheet 604
Premium income and Claims, 1901-9 603
Number of Offices in New Zealand 600
Premium Income 601
Receipts and Expenditure 601
Scale of Compensation 602
“Workers' Compensation Act, 1908” 602
Accidents in Coal-mines 539
Accumulation, Prices and Wages 582
Addenda et Corrigenda. (Back of Title.)
Administration of Land Laws, &c. 695
Advances to Settlers 579
Loans for 579
Balance-sheet of Office 581
Nature of Security offered 579
Number and Amount of Applications 579
Outstanding Advances 580
Readjustment of Loans 725
Tables showing how repaid 721
Titles eligible 718
Transactions 580
Valuation Fees 720
Advances to Workers 566, 726
Advances authorised to 31st March, 1910 567
Balance-sheet 568
Business of Office 727
Definition of Worker 727
Mode of Repayment of Loans 727
Plans and Specifications Free of Charge 566
Purpose of Loan 727
Total Advances to 31st March, 1910 567
Transactions of Office 566
Agents for the Colonies, Crown 36
Agricultural College, Lincoln 159
Agriculture and Live-stock 497, 515, 745
Acreage under Wheat, Oats, &c., in Provincial Districts 516
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Barley 516, 524, 752
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Cape Barley and Winter Oats 758
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Cattle 507, 770
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Consumption of Wheat 522
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Cost of Working a Farm 763
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Cultivation of Wheat 748
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Dairy Industry, The 771
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Dairy Stock 508, 770
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Farming Outlook 747
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Fruit Industry, The 773
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Gardens and Orchards 525
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Grass and Clover Seeds 525, 756
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Hops 524
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Horse-breeding 709
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Improving of Pastures 765
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Kale 754
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Lambing Returns, Averages 503
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Linseed 759
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Lucerne 759
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Mangolds and Carrots 755
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Maize 523
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
New Zealand Flax 759
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Oats 523, 752
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Pigs 511,773
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Potatoes 524, 753
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Poultry 773
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Prospects of Small Farmers 774
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Pulse 758
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Rape 754
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Root-crops 753
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Sheep 500, 767
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Small Seeds 758
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Seeds, Grass, and Clover 756
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Soil Exhaustion 759
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Tares 759
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Turnips 524, 754
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Wheat-crop of Australian States 521
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Wheat-crop of the World 521
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Wheat, Cultivation of 748
Seed per Acre 748, 751
Varieties of 752
Yield per Acre 521
Alcoholic Liquors, Consumption of 214, 393
Aliens, Naturalised 129
America, Trade with the United States of 193, 236
Analyses of Mineral Waters 777
Animals (see also Live-stock) 497
Antipodes Islands 6
Appeal Court 381
Appendix—
Dates of certain Principal Events in the History of New Zealand 908
Area of New Zealand 8
Of Cook Islands 7
Of North, South, Stewart, Chatham, and other Islands 6
Of United Kingdom compared with New Zealand 8
Area of Australasia 7
Compared with European Countries 8
Area under Cultivation in Counties 518
Arrests for Drunkenness 392
Arrivals and Departures 110
Chinese 125
Departures, how Numbers ascertained 110
Articles on Special Subjects 692
Assembly, General 40
Auckland, City of—
Exports 282
General Description 802
Imports 201
Meteorology 403
Population 119
Value of Property 632, 639
Vital Statistics 334, 353
Auckland Docks 81
Graving-dock Charges 81
Auckland Islands 6, 15
Auckland Land District—Introductory, Physical Features, Plains, Lakes, Forests, Soils; Rainfall; General Products and Industries; Chief Towns 798
Auckland Sailors' Home 378
Australasian Railways 319
Australian Commonwealth, States of, Area 7
Birth-rates of 327
Death-rates of 340
Debt of 678
Friendly Societies in 505
Sheep in 504
Marriage-rates of 337
Mineral Production of 534
Oat-crop of 523
Population 125
Railways in 320
Savings-banks 591
Trade 195
Wheat-crop of 521
Average Quantity of Milk to 1 lb. Butter 771
Average Yield of Butter or Cheese 771
Bachelors and Spinsters in New Zealand 338
Banking, Development in 585
Bankruptcy 381
Petitions, &c., Ten Years 382
Transactions in 1909 382
Banks of Issue—
Banking Legislation 582
Capital and Reserves 584
Coin and Bullion 586
Deposits and Advances 587
In all Classes of Banks, Average per Head 591
Discounts 585
Liabilities and Assets 585, 580
Notes in Circulation, &c. 580
Number of Establishments 584
Banks, Savings—
Post-office 587
Classification of Deposits 587
Deposits, Withdrawals, Open Accounts, Amounts to Credit 587
Securities held 588
Deposits, Withdrawals 591
Private 591
Deposits, Withdrawals 591
Savings-banks in States of Australian Commonwealth 591
Barley 524, 752
Bee-farming 513
Beer, Consumption of, per Head 214, 393
Beer, Excise Duty on 276
Benevolent Asylums and Charitable Institutions 377
Birthplaces 128
Births 324
Illegitimate 330
Illegitimacy in various Countries 332
In Four Chief Cities and Suburbs 334
Legitimation Act 332
Maternity Homes 333
Of Twins 330
Proportion to Population, 1882-1909 324
Rates 324
Rates in Australasia 327
Rates of European Countries 328
Sex of Children Born 329
To Marriages, Proportion of 326
Boroughs—
Expenditure of 416
Auckland, with Suburbs 119
Christchurch, with Suburbs 119
Dunedin, with Suburbs 119
Wellington, with Suburbs 119
In Dominion 118, 444
Auckland, with Suburbs 119
Christchurch, with Suburbs 119
Dunedin, with Suburbs 119
Wellington, with Suburbs 119
Indebtedness of 416
Population of 118
Rates collected in 444
Rateable Value of Property in 639
Revenue of 416
Value of Land and Improvements in 632
Boundaries and Area of New Zealand 5, 8
Bounty Islands 6
Breadstuffs in various Countries, Consumption of 523
Building Societies 592
Number of, Assets, Liabilities, Funds 592
Bush and Swamp Crown Lands Settlement 704
Butter and Cheese 296, 509
Export to United Kingdom, Twenty Years 296
Factories 510
Industry 771
Cadet Corps 78
Campbell Islands 6
Cancer, Deaths from 365
Ages of Persons who died from 366
Death-rates in some Principal European Countries 367
Decennial Table 366
Part of Body affected 366
Proportion of Deaths per 10,000 living, 1900-9 366
Canterbury Agricultural College 159
Canterbury Land District—Boundaries and Physical Features, Scenery, Climate; Internal Communication; Geological Formation; Area, Nature, and Disposition of Lands; Soils; Pasturage and Crops; Stock, Wool, Butter and Cheese, Timber, Fruit; Coal, Building-stones; Fisheries; Manufactories; Libraries and Churches; Educational and other Institutions; Towns 867
Cape Barley and Winter Oats 758
Capital City, Population of 119
Capitation to Efficient Volunteers and Cadets 78
Cattle 507
In Provincial Districts 508
Causes of Death 360
Cancer 365
Classification of 361
Measles 363
Phthisis 363
Proportion of Deaths from each 362
Typhoid Fever 363
Violence 368
Cereals 521, 748
Charitable Institutions, Benevolent Asylums and, &c. 377
Chatham Islands 6, 14
Cheese and Butter 287, 206, 509, 771
Childbirth, Deaths of Women in 368
Children to a Marriage, Number of 326
Children's Courts 398
Chinese—
Immigration and Emigration of 124
Number in Dominion 124
Christchurch, City of—
Exports (Lyttelton) 282
General Description 875
Imports 201
Meteorology 407
Population (City and Suburbs) 119
Value of Property 633, 640
Vital Statistics 334, 353
Cinnabar 541
Cities 119
Civil Cases 380
Classification of Lands, &c. 695
Climate of New Zealand 17
Climate—
Temperature in New Zealand, Australia, and other British Possessions 403—410
Clips, Average Wool- 768
Clothing, Imported, Value of 205
Coal-mining 535
Coal-miners, Average Output 538
Coal-mines, Accidents in 539
Coal-mines, State 538
Coal-production of the World 539
Colleges and University 175
Colonial Office, The 36
Colonisation of New Zealand 3
Compensation for Accidents—
Scale of Compensation 602
Communication and Transport 311
Conjugal Condition of the People 130
Constitution 22
Government 23
Consumption of Beer, Spirits, and Wine 214, 393
Consuls, Foreign (see also Addenda) 33
Convictions 387
For Drunkenness 392
Summary 387
Convictions of Maoris 393
Cook and other Pacific Islands annexed 895
Population of 123
Trade of 230, 310
Cook Strait 11
Co-operative Public Works 562
Corn-crops, Acreage and estimated Yield of 516
Corrigenda, (Back of Title.)
Council, Executive, 1843-56 28
Council, Executive, 31st May, 1910 39
Legislative, Roll of Members of the (see also Corrigenda) 41
Successive Speakers of the Legislative 32
Counties, Population of (Census, 1906) 116
Lands under Cultivation in 518
Rates collected in 435
Value of Land and Improvements in 628
Value of Rateable Properties in 636
Court of Appeal 381
Courts, Bankruptcy 381
Civil Cases, Supreme and District 380
Charges for Offences before 386
Committals 386
Punishment on Summary Convictions (five years) 390
Divorce and Separation 382
Charges for Offences before 386
Committals 386
Punishment on Summary Convictions (five years) 390
Magistrates', Civil Cases 380
Charges for Offences before 386
Committals 386
Punishment on Summary Convictions (five years) 390
Sentences, Supreme and District (five years) 389
Supreme and District, Convictions 388
Crime, Law and 380
Crown Agents for the Colonies 36
Crown Lands of New Zealand 569, 692
Crown Tenants 570
Cultivation (see also Agriculture) 515
Cultivation of Wheat 748
Customs Duties, Rates levied 240
Revenue from 231
Dairy Industry 509
Estimated Production 509
Grading of Produce 509
Loans to Dairy Companies 509
Number of Factories and Output 510
Produce, Export of 296
Stock 508, 790
Dates of Principal Events 908
Deaf-mutes, Institution for 188
Deaths—
Accidental Deaths 368
Ages at Death 347
Birthplaces of Deceased Persons 349
Causes 360
From Cancer 365
From Phthisis 363
In Four Principal Cities 353
In Principal Cities of Australasia 355
Index of Mortality, 1909 346
Inquests on 400
Number and Rate 343
Occupation of Deceased Males 350
Of Infants 350
Of Infants to every 1,000 Births 350
Of Women in Childbirth 308
Rates of Australasian Capitals 355
Rates of various Countries 346
Rates per 1,000 living at various Age Periods 344
Rates per 1,000 living according to Ace compared with England and Wales 345
Suicides 368
Violent 368
Death Duties 603
Debt, General Government (see Public Debt) 666
Of Local Bodies 420
Defences, Military, and Naval—
Council of Defence; Permanent Force; Territorial Force; Militia; Militia and Volunteer Districts; Royal New Zealand Artillery Volunteers; Field Artillery; Naval and Garrison Artillery; Engineers; Mounted Rifles; infantry and Cycle Corps; Field Ambulances; Reserve Corps; Garrison Bands; Battalion Bands; Defence Cadet Corps; Defence Rifle Clubs; Arms; Enrolment; Instructors; Capitation; Ammunition; Establishment; Administration 74
Departures, Arrivals and 110
Deposits in Banks (see also Banks) 585
Depots for Shipwrecked Mariners 80
Diamond Drills 543
Digest of the Land Laws 695
Discovery and Early Settlement 2
Discovery of Gold in New Zealand 528
Diseases, various, Deaths from 361
Distribution of Wealth 611
Divorce, Petitions, and Decrees, 1900-9 384
Divorce and Separation 382
Grounds for 383
Docks, Graving, and Patent Slips 81
Drainage Boards, Revenue, Expenditure, and Loans 410
Dredging, Gold- 532
Drunkenness 301
Persons convicted of 392
Dunedin, City of—
Exports 282
General Description 881
Imports 201
Meteorology 408
Population, City and all Suburbs 119
Value of Property 634, 641
Vital statistics 334, 353
Duties, Estate and Succession 663
Early Settlement, Discovery and 2
Ecclesiastical 72
Economic Geology of New Zealand 543
Education 144
Age and Sex of Pupils 151
District High Schools 173
Expenditure on 145
Free Secondary 103
Finances of Secondary Schools 170
Income and Expenditure of Education Boards 155
Institute for the Blind 188
Native Schools 180
Number of Schools, Teachers, and Scholars 149
Private Schools 178
Public (Government) Schools 150
Public-school Teachers 152
Scholarships 182
School for Deaf-mutes 188
School of Engineering and Technical Science 158
Secondary 162
Special Schools 184
Subsidy to Public Libraries 189
Teachers' Superannuation 155
Technical and Manual 157
Training of Teachers 154
University, New Zealand 175
Education of the People 144
Egmont, Mount 10
Election, General, 1908 461
Electoral (see also Representation) 459
“Electoral Act, 1893,” extends Franchise to Women 23
Electric Telegraph 322
Emigration. (See also Immigration and Emigration) 110
Engineering, School of 158
Examinations under Mining Act 543
Excise Duty on Beer 270
Executive Council, 1843-56 28
Expectation of Life in New Zealand 348
Expenditure—
General Government (see also Finance, Public) 646
Local Bodies 413
Exports 281
Butter and Cheese 296
Quantity, Twenty-eight Years 293
Value, Twenty Years 287
Coal 536
Quantity, Twenty-eight Years 293
Value, Twenty Years 287
Details of all Exports 298
Quantity, Twenty-eight Years 293
Value, Twenty Years 287
For Year ended 31st March, 1910 190
Quantity, Twenty-eight Years 293
Value, Twenty Years 287
From Different Ports 282
Quantity, Twenty-eight Years 293
Value, Twenty Years 287
From North and South Islands 281
Quantity, Twenty-eight Years 293
Value, Twenty Years 287
From United Kingdom to various Countries and Colonies 197
Quantity, Twenty-eight Years 293
Value, Twenty Years 287
Frozen Meat 293
Quantity, Twenty-eight Years 293
Value, Twenty Years 287
Gold, Silver, and other Minerals to 31st December, 1909 527
Gold, 1909 294
Grain 294
Home Produce, Value of 280
Increase and Decrease on Principal Articles 288
Kauri-gum 297
Of Australasia, 1908 195
Phormium 297
Principal Exports to British Countries 285
Principal Exports to Foreign Countries 286
Quantities of Principal Articles, 1908 and 1909 290
Rabbit-skins 292
Re-exports 280
Sheep-skins and Pelts 292
Tallow 293
To Different Countries 282
To Germany 280
To United Kingdom. British Possessions and Foreign Ports 283
To United States 286
Value of Principal Articles of New Zealand Produce 288
Wool, Twenty Years 291
External Trade of Australasia 196
Factories, &c. (See Manufactories and Works.)
Factories, Butter, and Cheese 510
Farming, Dairy 770
Farm in New Zealand, Cost of Working a 763
Features of the North Island, Physical 8
Of the South Island 11
Fees payable under Land Transfer Act 710
Fifty years' Progress of New Zealand 680
Finance, Public 643
Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement 659
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1009-10 646
Details of 648
Ten Years 646
Expenditure since 1884 651
Receipts and Expenditure, 1900-10 651
Receipts. Ten Years 650
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1909-10 649
Details of 647
Per Head of Population 646
Ten Years 645
Death Duties 663
Direct 662
Indirect 661
Local 664
Percentage from each Source 660
Balances, 31st March, 1910 657
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1009-10 646
Details of 648
Ten Years 646
Expenditure since 1884 651
Receipts and Expenditure, 1900-10 651
Receipts. Ten Years 650
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1909-10 649
Details of 647
Per Head of Population 646
Ten Years 645
Death Duties 663
Direct 662
Indirect 661
Local 664
Percentage from each Source 660
Cheviot Estate Account 656
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1009-10 646
Details of 648
Ten Years 646
Expenditure since 1884 651
Receipts and Expenditure, 1900-10 651
Receipts. Ten Years 650
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1909-10 649
Details of 647
Per Head of Population 646
Ten Years 645
Death Duties 663
Direct 662
Indirect 661
Local 664
Percentage from each Source 660
Conversion Account 655
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1009-10 646
Details of 648
Ten Years 646
Expenditure since 1884 651
Receipts and Expenditure, 1900-10 651
Receipts. Ten Years 650
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1909-10 649
Details of 647
Per Head of Population 646
Ten Years 645
Death Duties 663
Direct 662
Indirect 661
Local 664
Percentage from each Source 660
Debt (see also Public Debt) 666
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1009-10 646
Details of 648
Ten Years 646
Expenditure since 1884 651
Receipts and Expenditure, 1900-10 651
Receipts. Ten Years 650
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1909-10 649
Details of 647
Per Head of Population 646
Ten Years 645
Death Duties 663
Direct 662
Indirect 661
Local 664
Percentage from each Source 660
Deposit Account 655
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1009-10 646
Details of 648
Ten Years 646
Expenditure since 1884 651
Receipts and Expenditure, 1900-10 651
Receipts. Ten Years 650
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1909-10 649
Details of 647
Per Head of Population 646
Ten Years 645
Death Duties 663
Direct 662
Indirect 661
Local 664
Percentage from each Source 660
Expenditure, Consolidated Fund 646
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1009-10 646
Details of 648
Ten Years 646
Expenditure since 1884 651
Receipts and Expenditure, 1900-10 651
Receipts. Ten Years 650
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1909-10 649
Details of 647
Per Head of Population 646
Ten Years 645
Death Duties 663
Direct 662
Indirect 661
Local 664
Percentage from each Source 660
Hauraki Plains Settlement Account 653
Expenditure since 1884 651
Receipts and Expenditure, 1900-10 651
Receipts. Ten Years 650
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1909-10 649
Details of 647
Per Head of Population 646
Ten Years 645
Death Duties 663
Direct 662
Indirect 661
Local 664
Percentage from each Source 660
Land for Settlements Account 653
Expenditure since 1884 651
Receipts and Expenditure, 1900-10 651
Receipts. Ten Years 650
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1909-10 649
Details of 647
Per Head of Population 646
Ten Years 645
Death Duties 663
Direct 662
Indirect 661
Local 664
Percentage from each Source 660
Loans to Local Bodies Account 654
Expenditure since 1884 651
Receipts and Expenditure, 1900-10 651
Receipts. Ten Years 650
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1909-10 649
Details of 647
Per Head of Population 646
Ten Years 645
Death Duties 663
Direct 662
Indirect 661
Local 664
Percentage from each Source 660
Local Bodies Account 655
Expenditure since 1884 651
Receipts and Expenditure, 1900-10 651
Receipts. Ten Years 650
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1909-10 649
Details of 647
Per Head of Population 646
Ten Years 645
Death Duties 663
Direct 662
Indirect 661
Local 664
Percentage from each Source 660
Maori Land Settlement Account 656
Expenditure since 1884 651
Receipts and Expenditure, 1900-10 651
Receipts. Ten Years 650
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1909-10 649
Details of 647
Per Head of Population 646
Ten Years 645
Death Duties 663
Direct 662
Indirect 661
Local 664
Percentage from each Source 660
National Endowment Account 654
Expenditure since 1884 651
Receipts and Expenditure, 1900-10 651
Receipts. Ten Years 650
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1909-10 649
Details of 647
Per Head of Population 646
Ten Years 645
Death Duties 663
Direct 662
Indirect 661
Local 664
Percentage from each Source 660
New Zealand Consols Account 656
Expenditure since 1884 651
Receipts and Expenditure, 1900-10 651
Receipts. Ten Years 650
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1909-10 649
Details of 647
Per Head of Population 646
Ten Years 645
Death Duties 663
Direct 662
Indirect 661
Local 664
Percentage from each Source 660
Public Works Fund 656
Expenditure since 1884 651
Receipts and Expenditure, 1900-10 651
Receipts. Ten Years 650
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1909-10 649
Details of 647
Per Head of Population 646
Ten Years 645
Death Duties 663
Direct 662
Indirect 661
Local 664
Percentage from each Source 660
Revenue, Consolidated Fund 645
Comparison, 1008-9 with 1909-10 649
Details of 647
Per Head of Population 646
Ten Years 645
Death Duties 663
Direct 662
Indirect 661
Local 664
Percentage from each Source 660
Scenery Preservation Account 655
Death Duties 663
Direct 662
Indirect 661
Local 664
Percentage from each Source 660
State Coal-mines Account 656, 657
Death Duties 663
Direct 662
Indirect 661
Local 664
Percentage from each Source 660
State Forests Account 654
Death Duties 663
Direct 662
Indirect 661
Local 664
Percentage from each Source 660
Taxation 660
Death Duties 663
Direct 662
Indirect 661
Local 664
Percentage from each Source 660
Treasury Bills Account 654
Fire Inquests 401
Fire Insurance 604
Companies operating in New Zealand 604
Capital authorised 605
Insurances, Amount of 606
Premium Income 606
Reduction of Premiums 606
Foreign Companies Deposit 606
Capital authorised 605
Insurances, Amount of 606
Premium Income 606
Reduction of Premiums 606
State Office 605
Capital authorised 605
Insurances, Amount of 606
Premium Income 606
Reduction of Premiums 606
First Offenders' Probation Act 399
Flocks of Sheep, Number and Size of 501
Food and Drugs, Sale of 379
Foreigners Naturalised during last Twenty-seven Years, Number of 130
Foreign Consuls (see also Addenda) 33
Foveaux Strait 14
Franchise 23
Municipal 425
Free Secondary Education 163
Friendly Societies 593
Funds and Assets 594
In Australasia 595
Membership and Funds 593
Number of Societies 593
Progress, Ten Years' 594
Frozen Meat exported 293
Fruit-culture 773
Fungus, New Zealand, Export of 288
Gaming and Lotteries 401
Gaols, Prisoners in 395
Gardens, Plantations, and Orchards, Total Acreage in 517
General Assembly, The 40
General Election, 1908 461
Geology, Economic, of New Zealand 543
Germany, Imports from 212
Glaciers in South Island 12
Gold, Coal, and other Minerals 527
Coal-mining 535
consumption of 536
Output of 536
Total Quantity and Value entered for Exportation, 31st March, 1910 533
Gold, Discovery of, in New Zealand 528
Total Quantity and Value entered for Exportation, 31st March, 1910 533
Gold exported Year 1909 294
Total Quantity and Value entered for Exportation, 31st March, 1910 533
Gold produced in Australasia 534
Gold-production of the World 534
Gold-dredging 532
Governing Bodies, Local 411
Government Advances to Settlers 579, 716
Government Advances to Workers 506, 726
Government Schools 150
Government, the Seat of 24
Government Valuation of Land and its Improvements 619
Governor of New Zealand. (See Corrigenda.)
Governors, Successive 25
Grain exported 294
Grown in each Provincial District 516
Grass Lands, Acres of 517
In Australasia, 1908-9 526
Grass-seed 757
Sown, per Acre 525
Graving-docks and Patent Slips 81
Grazing-runs, Small 701
Green Crops, Acreage under, in Provincial Districts 517
Habitual Criminals and Offenders 390
Habitual Drunkards 392
Harbour Boards Revenue, Expenditure, and Loans 417
Harbours—Pilotage, Port Charges, &c. 85
Hawke's Bay Land District—General Description; Communication; Pastoral Industries; Agricultural Pursuits; Dairying; Timber and other industries; Climate: Towns: Crown Lands: Native Lands 824
Hay, Acres in 517
High Commissioner in London 36
Holdings, Number of Occupied 493
Home Produce exported, Value of 286
Honours held (see also Addenda) 36
Hops, cultivated, imported, and exported 524
Horse-breeding 769
Horses in New Zealand, Number of 510
Export of 511
In Provincial Districts 511
Hospitals—
For the Insane 374
Private 373
Public 372
Hot Springs 776
House of Representatives 22, 42
Speakers of the 32
House-rents, Four Chief Cities 618
Illegitimacy 330
Immigration and Emigration 110
Arrivals from Different Countries 112
Arrivals under and over Twelve Years of Age 110
Departures to Different Countries 112
Departures under and over Twelve Years of Age 111
Government Assistance of Immigration (sec also inset) 111
Immigration of Race Aliens 112
Method of checking Departures 110
Number of Assisted Immigrants 111
Of Chinese 124
Restriction 113
Imports and Exports 199, 281
Each Australian State, 1908 195
Imports—
Beer, Spirits, and Wine 214
Germany 212, 237
United Kingdom, British Possessions, and Foreign Ports 202
United States 211, 236
Customs Revenue 231
Germany 212, 237
United Kingdom, British Possessions, and Foreign Ports 202
United States 211, 236
Customs Tariff 238
Germany 212, 237
United Kingdom, British Possessions, and Foreign Ports 202
United States 211, 236
Details of all Imports 215
Germany 212, 237
United Kingdom, British Possessions, and Foreign Ports 202
United States 211, 236
For Year ended 31st March, 1910 190
Germany 212, 237
United Kingdom, British Possessions, and Foreign Ports 202
United States 211, 236
Free and Dutiable, Value of 237
Germany 212, 237
United Kingdom, British Possessions, and Foreign Ports 202
United States 211, 236
From Different Countries, Value of 202
Germany 212, 237
United Kingdom, British Possessions, and Foreign Ports 202
United States 211, 236
Inclusive and exclusive of Specie 192
Into Australasia 195
Into each Port 201
Into each Provincial District 201
North and South Islands 200
Per Head of Population 200
Preference to British Goods 234
Principal Articles, Value of 205
Principal Imports from British Countries 209
Principal Imports from Foreign Countries 211
Spirits 214
Sugar and Tea 213
Tobacco 215
Per Head of Population, Australasia 196
Value of Free and Dutiable 237
Income Tax, Land and 662
Exemptions 729
Rates of Tax 736
Yield of Tax 736
Indebtedness, Public (see Public Debt) 666
Indebtedness of Local Bodies 416-422
For Twenty-one Years 422
Outside New Zealand 421
Index of Mortality for New Zealand 346
Industrial Legislation (see Labour Legislation) 550
Industrial Schools 184
Industrial Life Assurance (see also Insurance) 598
Industries (see also Manufactories and Works) 473
Infantile Mortality—
Causes of Deaths under One Year 359
Deaths under Five Years of Age 357
Deaths under One Year of Age 356
Infant-life Protection 360
New Zealand compared with New South Wales and Victoria 358
Of various Countries 359
Of Wellington, Sydney, and Melbourne 358
Inquests, Death 400
Fire 401
Insurance—
Accident 600
Fire 604
Life 596
Ironsand and Iron-ores 540
Islands outlying, Description of the 895
Joint Stock Companies 592
Jubilee Institution for the Blind 188
Judges, Supreme Court 27
Kauri-gum (Exported)—
Average Price of 297
Quantities and Values exported 297, 542
Kermadec Islands 6, 14
Labour Department, Women's Branch 564
Labour Department, Men assisted by 564
Labour Legislation 550
Acts in Force 550
Advances to Workers 566
Arbitration Court, Work of 559
Cost of Administration 561
Councils of Conciliation 560
Industrial Disputes, Number of 560
Industrial Unions, Number and Membership 561
Workers' Dwellings 566
Lakes 9-13
Lambing Averages 503
Land—
Acreage of, under Crop 517
Graduated 734
Crown Tenants 570
Graduated 734
Fit for Agriculture and Pasture 9
Graduated 734
Forfeitures and Surrenders 572
Graduated 734
Government Valuation of 619
Graduated 734
Grass-sown 517
Graduated 734
Held as Pastoral Runs 570
Graduated 734
Hold as Small Grazing-runs 570
Graduated 734
Held under Pastoral and Miscellaneous Leases 570
Graduated 734
Holdings in Provincial Districts 494
Graduated 734
Holdings, Sizes of 490
Graduated 734
Improved-farm Settlements 573
Graduated 734
Occupation of 493
Graduated 734
On Perpetual Lease, Lease in Perpetuity, and Occupation with Right of Purchase 570
Graduated 734
On renewable Lease 570
Graduated 734
Ownership of 496
Graduated 734
Rating on Unimproved Value 432
Graduated 734
Selected during 1909-10 569
Graduated 734
Taken up under various Tenures, Ten Years 573
Graduated 734
Taken up in each Land District 575
Graduated 734
Tax 732
Graduated 734
Village Settlements, Land held 570
Village Settlements, sold on Deferred Payments, &c. 570
Land and Improvements, Government Valuation of 619
Land Districts in the Dominion, Description of—Auckland, 798; Canterbury, 867; Hawke's Bay, 824; Marlborough, 843; Nelson, 849; Otago, 877; Southland, 887; Taranaki, 814; Wellington, 830; Westland, 855.
Land for Settlements—
Area occupied, Annual Rental, Area unlet 577
Estates, Number, Area, and Cost of, acquired to 31st March, 1910 577
Number of Selectors, Houses, Persons resident, Value of Improvements, &c. 578
Transactions under 576
Land Settlement and Tenure 692
Administration 695
Freehold Tenure 697
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Advances to Settlers 579
Freehold Tenure 697
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Applicants 696
Freehold Tenure 697
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Bush and Swamp Lands 704
Freehold Tenure 697
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Classification of Lands, &c. 695
Freehold Tenure 697
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Crown Tenants, 31st March, 1910 570
Freehold Tenure 697
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Exchange of Tenure 701
Freehold Tenure 697
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Fees payable under Land Transfer Act 710
Freehold Tenure 697
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Flax Leases 704
Freehold Tenure 697
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Grazing-runs, Small 701
Freehold Tenure 697
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Land Board 695
Freehold Tenure 697
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Land for Settlements 576, 706
Freehold Tenure 697
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Land Districts and Principal Land Offices 695
Freehold Tenure 697
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Land selected, 1909-10 569
Freehold Tenure 697
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Land-settlement Finance 578, 708
Freehold Tenure 697
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Lease in Perpetuity 700
Freehold Tenure 697
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Mode of Acquiring Crown Lands 697
Freehold Tenure 697
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
National Endowments 705
Freehold Tenure 697
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Native Land Act, 1909 713
Freehold Tenure 697
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Optional System of Selection 697
Freehold Tenure 697
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Occupation with Right of Purchase 698
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Renewable Lease 698
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Pastoral Runs 702
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Private Purchase Associations 578
Associations formed 578
Position of Negotiations 578
Purchase of Native Lands by Government 711
Residence and Improvements 699
Selections, Number, and Area, Ten Years 573-575
Small Grazing-runs 701
Special-settlement Associations 701
Transfers, &c. 700
Village Settlements 701
Wood-pulp Industry 704
Land-tax 662, 732
Land Transfer Act, Fees payable under 710
Land under Cultivation in Counties 518
Land, Valuation of—
In Boroughs 632, 639
In Dominion 619
In Counties 628, 636
In Town Districts 635, 642
Law and Crime 380
Bankruptcy 381
Children's Courts 398
Civil Cases 380
Court of Appeal 381
Crime amongst New-Zealand-born 398
Criminal Cases 386
Distinct Persons imprisoned 397
Divorce 382
Drunkenness 391
Expenditure on Gaols and Prisoners 398
Fire Inquests 401
First Offenders' Probation 399
Gaming and Lotteries 401
Habitual Criminals 390
Inquests 400
Maoris, Crime amongst the 393
Police Force 394
Prisoners in Gaol 395
Tree-planting by Prisoners 398
Legislative Council 40
Roll of Members of the (see also Corrigenda) 41
Legitimation Act 332
Letters Posted 321
Licenses, Publicans—
Annual Fees 451
Number and Fees paid 450
Proportion to Population 450
Revenue from Licenses 450
Life Insurance 596
Foreign Companies Deposit 606
Amount Insured 598
Expenses of Management 599
Income and Outgo 599
Liabilities and Assets 599
Policies in Force 598
Premium Income 598
Amount Insured 597
Annuities in Force 597
Expenses of Management 598
Income and Outgo 598
Liabilities and Assets 599
Policies in Force 597
Premium Income 597
Industrial—
Amount Insured 598
Expenses of Management 599
Income and Outgo 599
Liabilities and Assets 599
Policies in Force 598
Premium Income 598
Amount Insured 597
Annuities in Force 597
Expenses of Management 598
Income and Outgo 598
Liabilities and Assets 599
Policies in Force 597
Premium Income 597
Ordinary—
Amount Insured 597
Annuities in Force 597
Expenses of Management 598
Income and Outgo 598
Liabilities and Assets 599
Policies in Force 597
Premium Income 597
Societies in New Zealand 596
Lighthouses, Names and Number of, Colour, Order, &c. 98
Lincoln Agricultural College 874
Live-stock—
Angora Goats 512
Average Prices of 616
Bee-farming 513
Cattle 507
Export of 298
Horses 510
In Australasia 514
In each County 498
Sheep 500
Poultry 513
Pigs 511
Local Bodies—
Cost of Management 417
Expenditure of 410
Indebtedness: Twenty Years 422
Local Bodies' Loans Act 423
Maximum Rating Powers 427
Municipal Franchise 425
Number of 411
Outstanding Loans at various Rates of Interest 421
Rates collected in each Local District 435-449
Rates collected in Twenty Years 413
Rating on Unimproved Value 432
Rating Powers of 427
Revenue and Expenditure of Boroughs, Counties, Drainage Board, Harbour Boards, River Boards, Road Boards, Town Boards 413-419
Subsidies to 425
Superannuation Funds 425
Taxation by 414
Local Option 452
Local-option Poll, 1908 454
Lotteries, Gaming and 401
Magistrates' Courts, Apprehensions, Convictions, &c. 380
Mail-services between England and New Zealand, Cost of 322
Maize, Area under 523
Manual and Technical Instruction 157
Manufactories and Works 473
Average Wages paid, Males and Females 474
Increase in Number of Establishments, Hands employed, Wages paid, Horse-power, Value of Lands, &c., between 1901 and 1906 473
Increase in Total Value of Output 474
Industries in Provincial Districts, Number of 477
Principal Industries, Details of 480
Principal Increases in Value of Output, Details of 475
Principal Industries, Number of Hands employed, 1891, 1896, 1901, 1906 490
Principal Industries, Value of Output, 1885, 1890, 1895, 1900, 1905 488
Remarks on Summarised Results 473
Value of Materials operated upon 476
Maoris, The—
Charged with Offences 393
Children attending Schools 181
Convicted of Offences, 1891-1909 394
Distribution of 123
Half-castes 122
Insane 375
Population 122
Representation 23, 44, 471
Marlborough Land District—Physical Features: Rivers, Plains, Lakes, Forests, Soils, Grazing; Industries; Climate; Towns; Roads and Railways; Crown Lands 843
Marriages 335
Ages at which Marriage may be contracted 341
Ages of Persons Married 339
Condition of Contracting Parties 338
Denomination of Officiating Ministers 342
Mark Signatures 342
Mean Ages at Marriage 340
Number and Rate 336
Occupations of Bridegrooms 341
Of Aborigines 338
Percentage of Persons under 21 Years 341
Proportion by each Denomination 342
Proportion of each Sex signing Register by Mark 342
Rates in various Countries 336
Maternity Homes and the Registration of Nurses and Midwives 333
Meat, Frozen, Export of 293
Medicine, School of, Otago 883
Members of House of Representatives, Roll of 42
Legislative Council, Roll of (sec also Corrigenda) 41
Mental Hospitals 374
Accommodation 377
Admissions, Discharges, and Deaths 377
Expenditure, Gross and Net 376
Admissions, Discharges, and Deaths 377
First Admissions 374
Admissions, Discharges, and Deaths 377
Maori Patients 375
Admissions, Discharges, and Deaths 377
Patients discharged or died 375
Admissions, Discharges, and Deaths 377
Patients remaining at Close of Year 375
Admissions, Discharges, and Deaths 377
Private Establishment 376
Admissions, Discharges, and Deaths 377
Meteorology 403
Mean Monthly and Annual Temperature and Rainfall, North and South Islands 409
Monthly Observations at Sixteen Stations 403-409
Shade Temperature, certain British States and Colonies 410
Military and Naval Defences 74
Milk
Average Yield of Butter from 771
Average Yield per Cow 771
Mines and Minerals 527
Accidents 539
Alluvial 531
Cinnabar 541
Coal 535
Coal-production of the World 539
Dredger 532
Economic Geology 543
Examinations 543
Export of all Minerals 527
Export of Gold to 31st March, 1910 532
First Gold Discoveries in New Zealand 528
Gold-miners, Number of 535
Gold-production of Australasia 533
Gold-production of the World 534
Kauri-gum 542
Mineral Production of Australasia 528
Mineral Oil 541
Phosphate Rock 542
Prospecting 543
Quartz 530
Scheelite 540
Schools of Mines 542
State Coal-mines 538
Mineral Waters of New Zealand 776
Ministers, Officiating, under Marriage Act 343
Ministers, Cabinet 39
Ministries, Successive 30
Money-orders and Postal Notes 322
Mortgages 595
Amounts borrowed at various Rates of Interest 596
Discharged 595
Registered 595
Mountains 9, 10
Mount Cook 11
Egmont 10
Ruapehu 10
Tongariro 9
Municipal Franchise 425
National Scholarships 183
“Native Land Act, 1909” 713
Native Lands, purchase of, by Government 711
Native Schools 180
Naturalisation 129
Nelson Land District—General Description; Rivers, Lakes, Plains, Forests; Agricultural, Pastoral, Mining; Towns; Railways, Roads, Tracks, &c.; Crown Lands 849
Newspapers 100
Posted 321
New Zealand—
Abolition of Provincial Governments in 22
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Area of, Boundaries and 5
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Arrival of Missionaries in 3
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Captain Cook's Visits to 2
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Civil Establishment 45
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Climate of 17
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Colonisation of 3
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Company 3
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Consuls of Foreign Nations 33
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Constitution 22
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
County Government in 23
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Cook Islands, Inclusion of 6
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Discovery and Early Settlement of 2
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Divided into Six Provinces 22
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Executive Council 39
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
General Assembly of 40
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Government 23
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Governors of Successive 25
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Governor of. (See Corregenda.)
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
High Commissioner in London 36
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Honours held by New-Zealanders 36
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Lieutenant Hanson's Visit to 3
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Made a Separate Colony 4
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Ministers 30
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Native Race 4
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Outlying Islands 14
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Parliaments 29
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Physical Features 8, 11
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Premiers 31
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Representative Government granted in 22
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Seat of Government 24
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Settlement at Port Nicholson 3
Canterbury 4
Nelson 4
New Plymouth 4
Otago 4
Sovereignty of Queen proclaimed 4
Speakers, Legislative Council 32
Speakers, House of Representatives 32
Surville, and Marion du Fresne, Visits of 3
Tasman's Visit 2
Treaty of Waitangi 4
Niue, Island of 903
Oats 523
Oat-crop of Australasia, 1909 523
Occupation of Land 492
Occupations of the People 133
Official List 45
Officiating Ministers 343
Old-age Pensions 737
Optional System of selecting Land 697
Orchards 525, 773
Orphan Asylums 379
Orphanhood of Children 355
Otago Land District—Boundaries and Area; Physical Description; Rivers and Lakes, Plains, Forests; Building-stones, Coal, Limestone; Climate; West Coast; Fruit, Crops, Stock, Freezing Establishments, Woollen-mills, Clothing-factories, Dairy Factories; Gold - production; Chief Towns; City of Dunedin; Towns and surrounding Country; Railways; Statistical; Local Industries 877
Outlying Islands of New Zealand 14
Ownership of Land 496
Parcels Post 321
Value of Imports by 322
Parliament, Members of (see also Corrigenda) 42
Parliaments, Successive 29
Passengers, Railway 318
Pastoral Leases, Lands held under 570
Pastures, Improving of 705
Patent Slips and Graving docks 81
Pensions, Old-age 737
Perpetual-lease System, Land hold under the 570, 571
Perpetuity, Leaseholds in 570, 571
Phormium tenax
Export of 297
Phosphate Rock 542
Phthisis, Death-rates from 363
Deaths from, 1900 to 1909 363
Deaths, Numbers at Different Ages 364
Physical Features of the North Island 8
South Island 11
Pigs 511,773
In Counties 498
In Provincial Districts 512
Pilotage, Port Charges, &c. 85
Plantations Gardens and Orchards, Acreage in 525
Police 394
Police Provident Fund 394
Population 107
Ages 126
Arrivals and Departures 110
Birthplaces 128
Chinese 124
Conjugal Condition 130
Cook and other Islands 123
European 107
Immigration Restriction 113
In adjacent Islands 121
Increase by Immigration 109
Increase in each Quarter, 1900-9 109
In Principal Cities and Suburbs 119
In Provincial Districts 116
Maori 122
Natural Increase 109
Naturalisation 129
Occupations 133
Of Australasia 125
Of Capital City 119
Of Counties (Census, 1906) 116
Of Cities and Boroughs (estimated) 118
Of Town Districts 120
Religion 132
Port Charges, Pilotage, &c. 85
Postal—
Articles posted and delivered, Number of 321
Average Number of Letters, &c., per Head of Population 321
Mail-services 322
Money-orders and Postal Notes issued and paid 322
Parcels received and despatched 321
Post-offices, Number of 321
Potatoes 524, 753
Cost of Growing 753
Cultivation of 753
Yield of 524
Poultry-f arming 513
Preferential Trade 234
Premiers of Successive Ministries 31
Prices and Wages 613, 616
Principal Events, Dates of 908
Prisoners in Gaols 395
Private Hospitals 373
Private Schools 178
Probation Act, First Offenders treated under 309
Progress of New Zealand, Fifty Years' 680
Prospects of Small Farmers 774
Public Debt 666
Allocation of Loans raised, 1909-10 670
New Fund 677
Securities in which invested 676
Character of Stock 672
New Fund 677
Securities in which invested 676
Comparison with Past Years 669
New Fund 677
Securities in which invested 676
Dates of Maturity 673
New Fund 677
Securities in which invested 676
Flotation of Loans 672
New Fund 677
Securities in which invested 676
Increase of, 1891-1910 670
New Fund 677
Securities in which invested 676
Interest on 673
New Fund 677
Securities in which invested 676
Net Indebtedness 669
New Fund 677
Securities in which invested 676
Of Australasia 678
New Fund 677
Securities in which invested 676
Purposes of Money composing Debt 667
New Fund 677
Securities in which invested 676
Rates of Interest on 673
New Fund 677
Securities in which invested 676
Sinking Funds 675
New Fund 677
Securities in which invested 676
Stock Quotations 678
Public Libraries subsidised 189
Public Property, Value of 612
Public Schools 150
District High Schools 173
Industrial Schools 184
Primary 150
Secondary Schools 162
Special 184
Technical Schools 157
Public Trust Office 607
Constitution and Objects 607
Funds guaranteed by the State 609
Investment of Funds 611
Mode of Investment 609
Number and Value of Estates 610
Security 609
Purchase of Native Lands by Government 711
Quarantine 316
Quotations, New Zealand Stock 678
Rabbit-skins (Export of) 292
Railways 317
Australian States, Miles of, in 320
Length and Cost 317
Particulars of Revenue from 319
Passengers 318
Profit on Working 319
Revenue and Expenditure 319
Train-miles 318
Traffic in Local Products for Twenty Years 318
Comparison of Traffic, Revenue, and Expenditure for Twenty Years 319
Length and Cost 317
Particulars of Revenue from 319
Passengers 318
Profit on Working 319
Revenue and Expenditure 319
Train-miles 318
Traffic in Local Products for Twenty Years 318
Government, Goods and Live-stock carried 318
Length and Cost 317
Particulars of Revenue from 319
Passengers 318
Profit on Working 319
Revenue and Expenditure 319
Train-miles 318
Traffic in Local Products for Twenty Years 318
Rainfall 403
Rape and Turnips, Acres under 524
Rates collected in Boroughs 444
Rates collected in Counties, Town and Road Districts 435
Rates collected by Local Bodies, Twenty Years 413
Rates of Wages, Average in Provincial Districts in 1909 613-615
Rating on Unimproved Value 432, 743
Method of taking Poll 743
Ratepayers may demand Poll to be taken 743
Result of Polls taken by Local Bodies 432
System Optional 743
Reciprocity 198
Reciprocity with South Africa 280
Religions of the People 132
Rents of Houses, Four Chief Cities 618
Representation 458
Electoral Law 459
Maori 24
General Election of 1908 461
Maori 24
Maori Members 471
Maori 24
Second Ballot 460
Maori 24
Qualifications of Electors, European 23
Maori 24
Result of General Election, 1908, First and Second Ballots 462
Women's Franchise 23
Residence and Improvements on Crown Lands 699
Revenue, Public (see Finance, Public) 643
River Boards, Revenue of 416
Rivers 9, 13
Road Boards, Revenue, Expenditure, &c. 416
Roll of Members of the House of Representatives (see also Corrigenda) 42
Legislative Council (see also Corrigenda) 41
Roman Catholic Schools 178
Root-crops 524, 753
Sailors' Home, Auckland 378
Savings-Banks 587
Post-Office 587
Private 591
In Australian States 591
Scheelite 540
Scholarships 182
School Journal 148
Schools—
Blind 188
Deaf and Dumb 188
District High 173
Industrial 184
Engineering 158
Mines 542
Native 180
Primary Public 150
Private 178
Roman Catholic 178
Secondary or Superior 162
Special 184
Sunday 189
Seeds, Grass and Clover 756
Settlement, Discovery and Early 2
Settlements, Land for 576, 706
Acquisition of Land under 577
Estates offered to Government during Year 1909-10 570
Government Aid to Settlers 578
Preference given to Landless People 708
Process of Acquisition 707
Special Provisions for Workmen's Homes 708
Transactions of Board for Year 1909-10 576
Settlers, Advances to (see also Advances to Settlers) 579, 716
Sex of Children Born 329
Sheep 500, 767
Flocks of the World 504
In Australasia 504, 514
In New Zealand 500
In Counties 498
In Provincial Districts, April, 1908 and 1909 501
Number and Size of Flocks 501
Numbers in North and South Islands 500
Sheep-farming 767
Breeding-ewes 503
Breeds 502
Clips, Average Weight of 708
Grass-seed sown per Acre 525
Lambing Averages 503
New Zealand Flock-book 768
Sheep-skins and Pelts, Export of 292
Shipping 311
Coastwise, Inwards 315
Coastwise, Outwards 315
Cleared to various Countries 313
Inwards and Outwards. Ten Years 312
Registered Vessels 310
Shipwrecked Mariners, Depots for 80
Silver Produced 527
Sinking Funds—
Amount Accrued 675
Contribution to 677
Description of 677
New Sinking Fund 677
Contribution to 677
Description of 677
Securities of 676
Sitting-days of House of Representatives 42
Legislative Council 40
Slips, Patent, and Docks 81
Small Farmers, Prospects of 774
Small Grazing-runs 570, 701
Soil Exhaustion 759
Soils, Description of. (See Land Districts.)
Sounds, West Coast 12
Southland Land District—Physical Features; Area, Nature, and Disposition of Lands; Agriculture, Dairy-farming, Sheep-farming; Coal and Gold; Fish, Fruit; Climate; Towns; Crown Lands for Disposal 887
Sown Grasses, Extent of 517
In Counties 518
New Zealand, compared with Australia 520
Speakers of the House of Representatives, Successive 32
Legislative Council, Successive 32
Special settlement Associations 701
Spinsters and Bachelors in New Zealand 338
Spirits, Consumption per Head 214, 393
Springs, The Thermal 776
State Coal-mines 538, 657
Accounts of Mines and Depots 657
State Fire Insurance 605
Authorised Capital 605
Capital raised 606
Constitution of Board 605
Effect on Premiums 606
Premium Income 606
State Instruction. (See also Education.)
Statistical Synopsis: Fifty Years' Progress 680
Stewart Island 6, 14
Stipendiary Magistrates' Courts, Apprehensions, Convictions, &c. 380
Civil Cases 380
Stock in New Zealand, Live- 497, 707
In Australasia 514
Subsidised Public Libraries 180
Successive Governors 25
Ministries 30
Premiers 31
Sugar, Consumption of 213
Superannuation, Teachers' 155
Local Bodies 425
Police 394
Public Service 72
Supreme Court, Civil Cases 380
Judges, Past and Present 27
Tallow exported 293
Taranaki Land District—Physical Features; Soils; Dairying, Grazing, &c.; Mining; Climate; Towns; Roads and Railways; Crown Lands 814
Tariff, Customs 238
Taxation by General Government 660
Classification of Customs Duties 661
Absentee 662
Graduated 662, 734
Customs and Excise 660
Absentee 662
Graduated 662, 734
Death Duties 660, 663
Absentee 662
Graduated 662, 734
Deductions and Exemptions under Land and Income Tax 731, 733
Absentee 662
Graduated 662, 734
Direct 662
Absentee 662
Graduated 662, 734
Income-tax 660, 729
Absentee 662
Graduated 662, 734
Indirect 661
Absentee 662
Graduated 662, 734
Land-tax (ordinary) 662, 732
Absentee 662
Graduated 662, 734
Taxation by Local Bodies 414
Tea, Consumption of 213
Teachers, Training of 154
Teachers Superannuation 155
Technical Education 157
Telegraphs and Telephones—
Cable Communication 323
Capital Expenditure on Telephones 323
First Telegraph-line opened 323
Miles of Telegraph-line 323
Miles of Telegraph-wire 323
Number of Messages 323
Receipts 323
Telephone-connections, Number of 323
Telephone Exchanges, Number of 323
Telephone Sub-exchanges, Number of 323
Temperature and Rainfall 403
At different Stations of New Zealand 403
Highest and Lowest in Shade, in New Zealand, the Australian States, and other British Possessions 410
Tenure of Occupied Lands 494
Tenures under Land Act 697
Thermal Springs 776
Timber exported 308
Tobacco, Consumption of 215
Tongariro Mountain 9
Totalisator Permits issued 691
Town Districts, Population of 120
Town Districts, Value of Property in 635, 642
Town Districts. (See Local Bodies.)
Towns, Principal, and Suburbs 119
Trade (see also Imports and Exports)—
Australasia as Market for Great Britain, Importance of 197
External, of Australasia 196
Of Australasia, Value of, per Head 196
Of Australasia with United Kingdom 197
(See Exports) 281
(See Imports) 199
(See Shipping) 311
Of Cook and other Islands 230, 310
Per Head of Population, Twenty-four Years 192
Preferential 234
Reciprocity 198
Total Trade 193
With various Countries 190
Training of Teachers 154
Transport and Communication 311
Electric Telegraph 322
Mail-services 322
Postal and Electric Telegraph 321
Railways 317
Shipping 311
Treaty of Waitangi 4
Tree-planting by Prisoners 398
Trust Office, Public 607
Turnips, Acreage under 524
Unimproved Value, Rating on 432, 743
University of New Zealand 175
Senate 177
Students 177
Undergraduates 177
Vaccination—
Exemption from 309
Successful, Numbers and Proportions 369
Valuation of Land, Government 619
Village Settlements 701
Vital Statistics 324
Births (see also Births) 324
Deaths (see also Deaths) 343
Marriages (see also Marriages) 335
Volunteers 74
Wages and Prices in each Provincial District 613-617
Water-races, Canterbury 871
Wealth, Distribution of 611
Wellington, City of—
Exports 282
General Description 834
Imports 201
Meteorology 406
Population (and all Suburbs) 119
Value of Property 633, 640
Vital Statistics 334, 353
Wellington Land District—Physical Features; Plains, Rivers, Lakes, Scenery, Forests, Soil; Climate; Harbours and Ports; Towns; Crown Lands; Industries, &c. 830
Westland Land District—Physical Features; Mountains, Rivers, Forests, Lakes; Soil; Climate; Lands; Harbours; Towns; Mining and Minerals, &c. 855
Wheat 521
Acreage and estimated Yield in Provincial Districts 510
Area under, and Produce, Ten Years 521
Consumption of, in New Zealand 522
Annual Average, Principal Countries 523
Crops of Australian States 521
Crop of the World 521
Cultivation of 748
Export in 1909 295
Seed sown per Acre 751
Wine, Consumption of, per Head 214, 393
Winter Oats and Cape Barley 758
Yield per Acre 758
Women's Franchise 23
Women's Branch, Labour Department 504
Wool—
Exported 291
Freights 507
Importation into Europe and North America 500
Prices 507
Production of, Twenty Years 291
Proportions of Greasy, Scoured, and Washed Wool exported, Ten Years 291
Remarks on the Clip 505
Sold in New Zealand 506
Total Production of Greasy 505
Used at Local Mills 291
Wool-using Population of the World 504
Woollen Manufactures exported, Value of 289
Workers, Advances to 566, 726