THE NEW ZEALAND OFFICIAL YEAR-BOOK, 1951-52

NOTE.—This list is subject to revision from time to time. Publications are obtainable from the Government Printer, Wellington.

FOR some of the statistical series included in this issue of the Year-Book later information is available than is included in the body of the book. This later information is given in the following paragraphs, with references to the appropriate portion of the Year-Book containing more detailed information for earlier periods.

Inter-censal Population (pp. 22–23).—Recent population changes are given in the following table.

POPULATION AT END OF YEAR

The above figures are exclusive of the population of the Cook Islands, 15,079, Nine Island, 4,553 (at the census of the 25th September, 1951), and Tokelau Islands (1,534 at 31st March, 1951). The population of Western Samoa, 83,565 at the 31st December, 1951, is also excluded.

Natural Increase.—Owing to the uniformly high levels in births in the last few years and the relative stability in the number of deaths, population gains from natural increase—i.e., excess of births over deaths—have been particularly marked in recent years, the excess of births over deaths increasing from 23,965 in 1945 to 32,362 in 1947 (a record level) with slight recessions in subsequent years to a 1951 excess of 31,053.

Migration (pp. 23–26).—The total number of arrivals in New Zealand during the year ended 31st March, 1952, was 114,803, while the total number of departures in the same year was 99,324. Excluding crews and through passengers, arrivals totalled 62,498 and departures 46,834, making the net excess of arrivals 15,664, as compared with 7,522 in 1950–51. A classification of total arrivals and departures gives the following results.

Recent statistics of the number of immigrants intending permanent residence show considerable increases, the arrivals under this heading having increased during the last three years as follows: 1949–50, 17,701; 1950–51, 18,234; and 1951–52, 24,922. The resumption of assisted passages for certain classes of immigrants is reflected in the statistics. In the last three years the number coming under this heading totalled 2,528 in 1949–50, 2,928 in 1950–51, and 4,949 in 1951–52.

Vital statistics for the calendar years 1950 and 1951 are shown, in summary form, in the following table. Statistics in more detail for earlier years are given on pages 56–112.

Births.—The total number of births registered in 1951 (49,889) is the highest recorded in the history of New Zealand, although it exceeded the previous high total in 1947 by only 85. The birth-rate however is lower than for the preceding five years, the rate falling progressively from 27.70 in 1947 to 25.62 in 1951.

Gross Farming Income (pp. 386–391).—The statistics of gross farming income for 1950–51 show record totals for values for each of the groups, particularly the “Pastoral” group which, owing to the phenomenal increase in the price of wool, coupled with the rise in the price of live-stock slaughtered, showed an advance of 102 per cent. despite the fact that the volume remained unchanged. A substantial increase in butterfat production resulted in record levels being reached for both value and volume for the “Dairying” group, the former being 12 per cent. and the latter 5 per cent. above the 1949–50 level. The “Agricultural” group recorded an increase of 4 per cent. in value and 2 per cent. in volume.

Farm production as a whole, as measured in terms of gross farming income, showed an over-all increase of 60 per cent. in value and 2.4 per cent. in volume as compared with the previous year. Both value and volume totals for 1950–51 established records.

GROSS FARMING INCOMES: VALUES

INDEX NUMBERS OF VALUE AND VOLUME

Base: 1938–39 (= 100)

General.—Statistical data covering the principal items for the 1950–51 season are presented below, together with final figures for the 1949–50 collection. Provisional figures for 1949–50 are given in the relevant portions of Section 18 of this Year-Book.

The greater detail available from the earlier collection is the result of the expanded collection undertaken in 1950 as part of the World Census of Agriculture. Where comparative figures are not quoted for 1951, data are not available.

The most striking features of the 1950–51 statistics are the substantial increases in area and yield of grass and clover for seed, particularly ryegrass, and the further increase in the number of dairy cows and beef stock. Associated with the increase in the number of dairy cows was an increase in the production of butterfat per cow, so that the total butterfat production of 498,000,000 lb. in 1950–51 created a record.

The figures of breeding ewes and of total sheep have been included in the tables that follow, but attention is drawn to the fact that the date of the annual sheep collection was altered in 1951 to the 30th June instead of 30th April as in previous years. The 1951 (30th June) figures actually show an increase over the 1950 (30th April) figures despite the fact that sheep numbers would suffer a reduction in the months of May and June on account of slaughterings, &c. These factors suggest that at the 30th April, 1951, sheep numbers would have been substantially above the totals at a similar date in the previous year. Apart from this, the actual numbers of breeding ewes and sheep in 1951 are higher than in any previous year.

Attention is directed to the fact that the figures (with the exception of the numbers of sheep) relate only to holdings of 1 acre and over located outside the borough boundaries.

Summary of Holdings (pp. 355–357).—The following table gives a summary of holdings as at the 31st January, 1950, and 1951.

The total area occupied at the 31st January of the years quoted is further subdivided in the following table.

Top-dressing (pp. 419–420).—The area of grassland top-dressed during the years 1949–50 and 1950–51 is given in the following table.

Crops (pp. 408-424).—Following is a summary of the principal crop statistics for the production years 1949-50 and 1950-51.

The area of wheat harvested for grain in the 1951 season showed an increase of 19,604 acres, or 11-5 per cent., while the yield increased by 1,372,260 bushels, or 12-8 per cent. Moreover, the yield per area (43-33 bushels) is the highest yet obtained, the former high yield being 40-61 bushels in 1948-49. The acreage under oats for grain showed the substantial fall of 16,637 (32-0 per cent.) while the aggregate yield decreased by 792,299 bushels, or 30-2 per cent. The acreage of barley threshed also decreased, the difference amounting to 10,639 acres (18-7 per cent.) while the yield was less to the extent of 531,403 bushels (21-8 per cent.).

The potato crop in 1950-51 totalled 119,778 tons, a considerable decrease of 15,664 tons, or 11-6 per cent., on the 1949-50 harvest; while an increase was recorded in the onion crop (9,644 tons in 1950-51, compared with 8,386 tons in 1949-50).

The area under tobacco of 3,324 acres showed only a slight fall from the acreage in the previous year of 3,376. In addition to this area, a quite considerable acreage is grown within borough boundaries. Acreages of grasses and clovers harvested for seed in 1950-51 generally increased compared with those of the previous year. The acreage of perennial rye-grass showed a large increase from 43,712 acres in 1949-50 to 81,927 acres in 1950-51–the yield rising from 17,545,636 lb. to 36,384,008 lb.

Line-stock (pp. 425-443).—In the following table the numbers of live-stock on holdings at 31st January, 1950 and 1951, are given.

The total number of cattle in New Zealand on 31st January, 1951, was the highest on record at 5,060,024. Dairy stock rose from 2,866,601 in 1949-50 to 2,911,432 in 1950-51, while beef stock rose from 2,088,305 in the former year to 2,148,592 in the latter year.

The number of dairy cows in milk during the season rose from 1,850,089 in 1949-50 to 1,898,197 in 1950-51, while butterfat production increased from 472,000,000 lb. in the 1949-50 dairying season to 498,000,000 lb. in the 1950-51 season.

Sheep (pp. 427-428).—A collection of statistics of sheep population was made through Inspectors of Stock on 30th April, 1950, and on 30th June, 1951. Following are the results (in summarized form) of the last two collections of this date.

The foregoing statement shows the position at stages when the meat-slaughtering season is well advanced, particularly in 1951. Consequently the figures do not represent maximum sheep population. The number of lambs tailed in 1950-51 was 21,238,461 compared with the total of 21,169,576 in 1949-50. Sheep shorn numbered 32,251,297 in 1950-51 and 31,533,232 in 1949-50, the corresponding figures for lambs shorn being 7,017,989 and 6,339,709 respectively.

Farm Machinery (pp. 404-408).—Statistics of farm machinery on holdings in 1950 and 1951 where available are given in the following table.

Types of Farm Holdings.—A detailed type classification for farm holdings was evolved for use in 1949-50 and provisional figures are now available as to the number of holdings of the various types. These are presented in the following table.

The type classifications in the main are self explanatory, but some general observations may be of help.

The system of farming is defined according to the proportion of labour input required to be devoted to the various commercial enterprises constituting the farm operations. In order to compare the various enterprises from the viewpoint of relative labour requirement certain conversion factors were employed.

SUMMARY OF TYPE HOLDINGS—1949-50

Estimated Areas of Principal Crops, 1952 Season.—Estimates of areas sown under wheat, oats, barley, and potatoes were collected in the spring of 1951 by inquiry from growers of these crops. Following are the estimates (in acres) for 1951-52 together with the final figures for the preceding season, 1950-51.

These figures relate only to holdings of 1 acre and over situated outside borough boundaries. In addition, in the case of potatoes, a fairly considerable amount in the aggregate is grown on smaller holdings and on holdings within borough boundaries.

The following estimated average yields per acre of wheat, oats, and barley for the season 1951-52 have been compiled from reports furnished by officers of the Department of Agriculture throughout New Zealand.

In accordance with the above estimates, the total yield of wheat for the season 1951-52 should be approximately 4,000,000 bushels, as against an ascertained yield of 6,271,928 bushels for the season 1950-51.

The area from which oats were threshed for the five seasons ending with 1950-51 averaged 34 per cent, of the total area under that crop. Assuming that a similar proportion is threshed this year, the total yield of grain would be approximately 2,100,000 bushels, as against a yield of 1,827,953 bushels for the season 1950-51.

On a similar assumption in regard to barley, the total yield of grain would be 1,900,000 bushels, as against 1,902,432 bushels for the season 1950-51.

Timber Production (pp. 456-459).—Provisional figures issued by the New Zealand Forest Service indicate a substantial increase in timber production for the year ended 31st March, 1952, the output of rough-sawn timber being given as 575,200,000 board feet, a rise of 47-6 million board feet, or 9 per cent, over the record output of the previous year. Exotic species accounted for 88 per cent. of the increase. The output of the principal species was as follows: rimu and miro, 225,400,000 board feet; matai 36,900,000 board feet; kahikatea, 20,000,000 board feet; beech, 18,000,000 board feet; totara, 17,400,000 board feet; and insignis pine, 224,500,000 board feet. Indigenous species totalled 339,100,000 board feet, and exotics, 236,100,000 board feet.

Electric-power Statistics (p. 551).—Principal data covering all stations for the year ended 31st March, 1951, are summarized below:—

Following are the principal statistics of factory production in the years 1947-48, 1949-50, and 1950-51. Data for the year 1948-49 are not shown here although included in the relevant portions of Section 22. In that year the annual survey was carried out on a sample basis, only 20 major industries being covered.

The quantities of some of the more important factory products in 1947-48, 1949-50, and 1950-51 are given in the following table.

Classification of Industries.—In the following table the principal factory statistics are classified according to four significant industrial groups. Group I comprises industries concerned with processing pastoral products; Group II, public utility industries (electricity generation and supply, gasworks): Group III, further industries closely associated with primary or extractive production (e.g., sawmilling): and Group IV, the remainder of factory industries, being those falling generally within the economic classification of “secondary” production. (For a detailed explanation see pages 509-510 of this Year-Book.)

Principal statistics for these groups for the years 1949-50 and 1950-51 are as follows.

The figures given in the following table showing average salaries and wages, output and added value are derived from the foregoing summaries.

"Added value" as shown above means the value added to materials by the process of manufacture. It is the difference between the value shown for “cost of materials” and that shown for "value of output". Therefore, it represents salaries and wages, costs of production other than by way of materials, and the manufacturing surplus prior to provision for taxation, dividends, &c. The following table shows for the last three years available the content of added value.

A better understanding of relative movements in the value and volume of factory production can be obtained from a study of the following index numbers. The groups referred to are the same as quoted in a previous table, and the index numbers are on the base 1938-39 (= 100).

Urban Districts.—Statistics of building permits issued in cities, boroughs, and town districts (to which are added nine counties and two road districts in which the population is predominantly urban) during the year ended 31st March, 1952, are given below, together with (for purposes of comparison) statistics for the four preceding years.

BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED: URBAN DISTRICTS

NOTE.—Since April, 1951, figures for the Waitemata, Manukau, Paparua, Peninsula, and Taieri Counties have been included in urban district totals; the figures quoted in the table for preceding years have been adjusted to be comparable on the revised basis.

Rural Districts.—Building permit statistics for rural districts have been collected from counties (excluding the nine counties and two road districts which are included in urban districts) also the two Road Boards on Waiheke Island. Figures quoted in the rest of this paragraph have been adjusted to be on a comparable basis (refer to Note below preceding table). The total value of rural building operations for the year 1951–52 was £12,963,868, an increase of £2,068,203 or 19 per cent. on the 1950–51 figures. The number of new private dwelling permits in rural districts was 4,668 in 1951–52 compared with 4,747 in 1950–51 and 4,523 in 1949–50.

All Districts (Urban and Rural).—The total value of building operations represented by permits or authorizations issued in the year ended 31st March, 1952, in both urban and rural districts, was £59,243,259 (£48,769,604 in the March year, 1951). Included in this total were 17,111 permits. &c. for private dwellings (17,849 in the March year, 1951). The totals include State buildings commenced in the years quoted, as do the statistics under the separate headings, urban and rural.

Dwelling Units Completed.—Local authorities which supply building permit figures were also requested to supply the number of new dwelling units which were completed during the year. Estimates have been made in some cases where it was not possible to supply data. While absolute accuracy for the statistics cannot be claimed, it is believed they will give reasonably approximate results and also reasonably accurate comparisons of year to year changes.

The total figures on this basis for new dwelling units completed during 1951–52 were 16,300 compared with 16,400 in 1950–51 and 15,800 in 1949–50. Those completed in urban districts (on the revised basis) numbered 11.900 in 1951–52, and in the previous years quoted, 12,350 and 12,000 respectively.

Statistics of external trade in the calendar year 1951, in continuation of the statistics included in pp. 219–280 of this Year-Book, are given below.

Total Commodity Trade.—Following are statistics of exports and imports in 1949. 1950, and 1951.

Commodity trade statistics for the calendar year 1951 show some interesting features. The value of both exports and imports during 1951 was the highest on record. The total trade per head of mean population in 1951 was £233 (exports £127 and imports £106), a figure substantially higher than any recorded previously.

Although price changes have contributed materially to the high values of commodity trade—both exports and imports—there has also been a considerable upward movement in the volume of trade. The following table illustrates this fact.

INDEX NUMBERS OF VALUE AND VOLUME OF TRADE

Comparing the 1950 and 1951 figures with the pre-war average (1936–38) it is seen that the total value of exports has increased by 203 and 309 per cent, respectively, while the corresponding percentage increases for imports were 204 for 1950 and 297 for 1951. On a volume basis, exports showed an increase of 23 per cent. for 1950 and 10 per cent. for 1951, while imports increased by 40 per cent. in the former year.

Exports.—As indicated earlier, New Zealand's export commodity trade reached a record level in 1951, an increase of 35 per cent. in value being recorded between 1950 and 1951. By far the largest factor in the increase was the higher returns from wool (£53–5 million), but increases were shown also for hides, pelts, and skins (£2–9 million), butter (£5–8 million), and cheese (£2–1 million). The value of frozen meat declined by £3–2 million. An indication of the progress of exports in the main groups of commodities is afforded by the following table.

VALUE OF EXPORTS

Apart from the question of values, a special interest attaches to progress in the volume of our export trade in major export commodities. In the following table the fluctuations in the quantities of exports of butter, cheese, meat, and wool since 1939 are shown.

Following a record production season the quantities of butter and cheese exported in 1951 were considerably higher than both the previous year's figures and the pre-war totals, but still below the respective record figures of 148,800 tons of butter in 1937 and 134,400 tons of cheese in 1942. Several factors, including high wool prices, good feed conditions, the widespread industrial dispute, and an apparent tendency towards a heavier stocking on farms, led to live-stock slaughterings falling in 1950–51, with a consequent drop in frozen-meat exports to the lowest figure for several years. Shipments of war-time stocks of appraisal wool were negligible in 1951 while there were delays in the shipment of the current clip due to the waterfront industrial dispute so that wool exports were the lowest, in volume, in the post-war period.

The figures do not include wartime supplies to Allied Forces under mutual-aid arrangements, a factor of particular importance in 1943 and 1944.

Direction of Export Trade.—The table below shows the destinations of New Zealand exports in 1951.

Trade with Commonwealth countries in 1951 accounted for 64.7 per cent. of the total exports.

Reserve Bank (p. 672).—Data showing the liabilities and assets of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand at the last balance day in May, 1952, are shown below, together with the corresponding figures for the last balance day in March, 1952.

Trading Banks (pp. 673–680).—A statement of the principal statistics of the operation of trading banks as at the last balance day in March and May, 1952, is given below.

An analysis of advances of the trading banks at quarterly intervals is published by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, and the classification as at the last Wednesday in March of 1951 and 1952, is contained in the following table. Figures for earlier years will be found on page 678.

Overseas Assets of Banks (p. 683).—In the following table the revised series of overseas assets of banks (on account of New Zealand business only) are shown.

Savings-banks (pp. 686–689).—A summary of statistics of savings-banks at 31st March, 1952, is given below.

Overseas Receipts and Payments.—The following statement gives statistics of exchange-control transactions for the years ended 31st March, 1951 and 1952. Comparable items for the calendar years 1950 and 1951 are, however, given on pages 684–685. All figures quoted are taken from Reserve Bank sources.

Consolidated Fund (pp. 560–563).—The following table contains a summary of the receipts of the Consolidated Fund for the financial years ended 31st March, 1951 and 1952.

The next table contains a summary of payments from the Consolidated Fund for the financial years 1950–51 and 1951–52.

The sum of £4,307,742, being the surplus for the 1949–50 year, was transferred to the Public Works Account during the year ended 31st March, 1951. The surplus for 1950–51, £8,253,217, was, expended during the year 1951–52, as follows: Payment of family bonus, £3,078,910; transfer to War Emergency Account, £5,174,307.

Taxation (pp. 570–588).—Particulars of revenue from taxation for the financial years 1949–50, 1950–51, and 1951–52 are contained in the following table.

A summary showing the amounts received from direct taxes on income and from all sources during the last ten years is now given.

State Indebtedness (p. 590).—The public debt as at 31st March, 1952, amounted to £679,853,533 a decrease of £13,571,145 as compared with a year earlier.

Revenue of the Social Security Fund for the year ended the 31st March, 1952, together with the 1950–51 figures in parentheses, was as follows: Charge on salaries and wages, £24,318,138 (£20,650,975); charge on company and other income, £19,294,730 (£15,115,261); grant from Consolidated Fund, £14,000,000 (£14,000,000); fees and fines, £74 (£201); maintenance recoveries, interest, and other receipts, £168,724 (£115,952); total receipts, £57,781,666 (£49,882,389).

Payments from the Fund in 1951–52 with 1950–51 payments in parentheses were: Monetary benefits, £43,490,634 (£39,553,623); emergency benefits, £365,180 (£292,069); medical, &c., benefits, £9,368,027 (£8,723,383); administration expenses, £952,598 (£848,486), other payments, £3,804 (£3,200); total payments, £54,180,243 (£49,420,761).

Particulars of the various social security benefits (monetary and health) and war pensions in force at the end of March, 1952, together with total payments during the financial year 1951–52 are shown in the following table.

Retail Prices (pp. 764–771).—Details of the consumers' price index for each of the quarters ended 31st December, 1951, 31st March, 1952, and 30th June, 1952, and for the calendar year 1951 are given below.

CONSUMERS' PRICE INDEX

Base: Weighted average twenty-one towns, first quarter, 1949 (=1000)

Comparative Table.—With reference to the comparative table of index numbers on the base: 1936–38 (= 100) shown on page 776, the following addition for 1951 may be made—import prices, 274.

Share Prices (pp. 777–780).—Index numbers of share prices in 1951 together with the average for the three months ending March, 1952, are given below.

Monthly statistics for 1951 and the first five months of 1952 are given below:—

SHARE PRICES MONTHLY INDEX NUMBERS, YEAR 1938 (= 1000)

Summary of Price Movements.—The following addition for 1951 may be made to the table on page 780 showing price index numbers on the base: first quarter, 1949 (= 1000)—import prices, 131.

(Compiled from Information Supplied by New Zealand Wool Commission)

Statistics of greasy wool sold at auction in New Zealand are given below in two sections. The first table gives a summary of the transactions that took place during the five seasons 1947–48 to 1951–52. Actual total quantities and values are shown as recorded at sales, no attempt being made to allow for variations in quality or in the relative quantities of the various types of wool sold from season to season. Besides price movements, therefore, the average value per pound of wool sold shown in this table includes variations on account of these additional factors.

WEIGHT, SALE VALUE, AND AVERAGE VALUE PER POUND OF GREASY WOOL SOLD AT AUCTION

In the next table, details of a wool price index on base 1949–50 (= 1000) are given. This index has been compiled in an attempt to eliminate all but the price factor in movements of average wool values during the five seasons. A description of the index is given in the March, 1952, issue of the Monthly Abstract of Statistics.

Wage-rates (pp. 782–786).—Index numbers of average nominal wage-rates of adult male wage-earners in 1951 and as at 31st March, 1952 are as follows:—

Effective Weekly Wage-rates (p. 788).—The following table shows nominal and effective weekly wage-rates of adult workers for the year 1951 and of males only for the first quarter of 1952. The base of the index numbers is in each case the average of the five years 1926–30 (=1000).

Average Rates of Wages (pp. 790–792).—The following table gives the prescribed minimum average weekly wage-rates as at the 31st March, 1952, the series being confined to adult males.

NOTE.—The following perquisites (as assessed for statistical purposes) as at the 31st March, 1952, should be added to the listed occupations: General farm-hands, ploughmen, shepherds, and dairy-farm hands, 28s. 9d. per week for board and lodging; shearers and wool-pressers, 7s. per day for rations; assistant stewards (first and second grade), chief and second cooks, able and ordinary seamen, 38s. 5d. per week as value of board and lodging; and hotel chefs and waiters, 37s. 11d. per week as value of board and lodging.

Estimated Distribution of the Labour Force (p. 857).—The following table supplies an estimated distribution of the total labour force at the 15th October, 1951, and the 15th April, 1952.

(Thousands)

Half-yearly Surveys of Employment (pp. 860–866). Following is a summary of the employment statistics as returned for the 15th April, 1952:—

The figures shown in the secondary industry column are further subdivided as follows:—

Limitations in the coverage of the figures shown above are noted on page 860.

Summary of Vacancies, Placements, and Disengaged Persons.—This table gives additional figures to those presented on page 868.

Industrial Accidents (pp. 886–898).—As explained on page 887, the figures shown below are given on a different basis to that on which the statistics for 1948 and earlier years were compiled. The 1949 accident figures are derived from compensation claims handled by the State Fire and Accident Insurance Department and by the exempted companies (in terms of the Workers' Compensation Amendment Acts of 1947 and 1949).

Shipping and Cargo Handled (pp. 281–292).—Statistics of entrances and clearances of vessels in the foreign trade in 1950 and 1951, and the total calls made in the foreign and coastal trade for the same years, are shown in the following table. The tonnage of cargo handled is also given.

Statistics of shipping movement and cargo handled at New Zealand ports in 1950 and 1951 are given below.

In the following table the country of registry of inwards overseas shipping in 1951 is shown.

Of the total net tonnage of inwards overseas vessels in 1951 (2,552,809 tons), ships on the United Kingdom registry accounted for 1,764,481 tons—69 per cent. of the total—while the distribution between Commonwealth and other countries was: Commonwealth, 84 per cent.; other, 16 per cent.

Railway Transport (pp. 295–303).—Summarized statistics of railway transport in the years ended 31st March, 1950, 1951, and 1952 follow.

Road Transport (p. 319).—Statistics of motor-vehicles licensed at 31st March, 1951 and 1952, are as follows:—

The number of ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen demobilized from the Forces, as recorded by the Rehabilitation Department, up to the end of March, 1952, was 212,313, of whom 145,450 had returned from overseas service and 66,863 had served with the home forces.

The following table gives particulars of rehabilitation-loan authorizations for the years ended 31st March, 1951 and 1952, and the totals to 31st March, 1952.

Included in the foregoing total figures are 20,321 supplementary housing loans for £2,751,253. These loans, which are not repayable so long as the ex-serviceman or his dependants continue in occupation of the property, are granted to assist in bridging the gap between present-day costs and normal values, and each case is considered on its merits.

The figures shown in the table are exclusive of 4,541 suspensory loans (3,782 residential and 759 farm) amounting to £1,380,730 (£650,275 residential, £730,455 farm) made up to the 31st March, 1952.

The following table shows the number of scholars and students receiving instruction in the educational institutions of New Zealand during the years 1950 and 1951, Registered private schools are included.

Radio Licences (p. 354).—The number of radio licences for receiving-stations in force on 31st March, 1952, was 477,533, compared with 463,418 at the 31st March, 1951.

Horse-racing (p. 585).—The number of racing-days in the calendar year 1951 was 359, as compared with 350 in 1950. Totalizator investments totalled £28,277,000 in 1951 (£26,050,000 in 1950), while Government taxation totalled £2,659,000 in 1951 (£2,456,000 in 1950).

Land Transfers (pp. 358–361).—Transactions under the Land Transfer Act have been on a very heavy scale during the last three financial years. The heavy increases during the last two years were, no doubt, contributed to by the exemption of town and suburban properties from control as from 23rd February, 1950, and by the relaxation of controls on farm lands as from 1st November, 1950. The average amount per transaction (town and suburban properties) in 1951–52 was £1,586, as compared with £1,234 in 1950–51, and £833 in 1949–50.

Mortgages (pp. 708–717).—Particulars of gross totals of mortgages registered and discharged during the last three financial years are shown below. In sympathy with the movement in land transfer registrations mortgage registrations have been particularly heavy during the last two years, the rise in the amount of consideration from £36,048,804 in 1949–50 to £73,179,120 in 1951–52 being particularly outstanding.