STATISTICS OF NEW ZEALAND FOR 1867

The Population of New Zealand (exclusive of Aboriginal Natives, and of the Military and their Families), was, ‐‐as shown by the Census Returns for December, 1867,‐218,668, of whom 131,929 were Males, and 86,739 Females. The distribution of this Population through the several Provinces was as follows, ‐‐viz., Auckland, 48,321;‐‐Taranaki, 4,359;‐‐Wellington, 21,950;‐‐ Hawke's Bay, 5,283 ;‐‐Nelson, 23,814;‐‐Marlborough, 4,371;‐‐Canterbury (including the County of Westland), 53,866; or, if the Population returned for that County (15, 418) be deducted, 38,448;‐‐Otago, 48,577;‐‐and Southland, 7,943;‐‐to which is to be added 184, the Population of the Chatham Islands, to make up the General Total stated above. Thus it will be seen that the Northern Island (comprising the Provinces of Auckland, Taranaki, Wellington, and Hawke's Bay) contained 79,913, or 36,58 percent;‐‐and the Middle Island (comprising the Provinces of Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland), 138,571, or 63,42 per cent, of the whole Population of the Colony. There can be no doubt, however, that the actual Numbers exceeded the Totals given for the Colony, as besides individual omissions through the negligence of Sub‐Enumerators or from other causes, there are almost insuperable difficulties in obtaining a correct enumeration of the Gold‐Digging Population. Had such an enumeration been practicable, the Total would almost certainly have been many hundreds, or even several thousands, more than it is.

The ascertained Numbers in 1867, as compared with the Population shown by the Census of 1864, exhibit an Increase within the triennial period of 46,510 or 27.01 per cent. The Average Annual Increase from 1864 to 1867 thus appears to have been nine per cent. The following Summary shows the numerical Increase or Decrease in each of the Provinces within that period, with the proportionate Increase or Decrease in 1867, calculated on the Population of each Province in 1864: -

A Comparative Table (No. II) shows the Population for the respective Provinces in December 1858, December 1861, December 1864, and December 1867, with the Numerical and Centesimal Increase or Decrease in each of them during the respective Triennial Periods 1858‐61, 1861‐64, and 1864‐67. A comparison of the Numbers in 1858 with those in 1851, when a Census of the Colony was taken, could not be exhibited with equal accuracy for the Provinces, and is not included in the Table; bat it may be interesting to introduce here the evidence of the progress of Population in the Colony, as a whole, since the first date (1851). In that year the Total Population numbered 26,707. In 1858 it had (according to the finally corrected figures) increased to 59,413, being an Increase in seven years amounting to 32,706 persons, or 122.46 per cent. In 1861, the Total was 99,021, being an Increase, as compared with 1858, of 39,608, or 39.99 per cent. In 1864, the Total was 172,158 being an Increase, as compared with 1861, of 73,137, or 73.86 per cent. And in 1867, as has been shown, the Total was 218,668, being an Increase as compared with 1864, of 46,510 persons, or 27.01 per cent. Comparing the two years‐‐1851 and 1867‐‐the aggregate Increase during the period of sixteen years amounted to 191, 961 persons, or 718.77 per cent. being an average Increase for each year included in the period amounting to 11,997 persons, or 44‐92 per cent.

The Population, of each Electoral District of the Colony will be found in Table No. IV., which shows, in addition to the Numbers, the Sexes and the Ages, and the Numbers of each Sex under and over twenty‐one years of age.

A separate Table is devoted to the Population of Cities or Towns in the Colony. It shows the Numbers of the Inhabitants in the Chief Town of each Province in 1867 as compared with 1864, with the Numerical and Centesimal Increase or Decrease within that period; also the Population, in 1867, of a number of other Towns or Townships, in which a similar comparison cannot be carried out, their Population not having been separately ascertained in 1864.

Although the Numbers of the Aboriginal Native Population are not ascertained by the Census of the Colony, I am enabled, by Returns supplied from the Native Secretary's Office, to give the estimate of them which will be found in Appendix B. and Appendix C. of this Part. Indeed, as respects the Provinces of Canterbury, Otago, and Southland, an enumeration which may be regarded as a Census was made in the early part of 1868 by ALEXANDER MACKAY, Esq., Native Commissioner, the results of which will be found in Appendix C. They show, for those three Provinces, a Total of 1,433, of whom 798 were Males, (535 above fourteen years of age, and 263 under fourteen), and 630 Females, (427 above, and 203 under fourteen); with five Children, sex not stated Appendix B. relates chiefly to the Northern Island, in which the bulk of the Maori Population is found, ‐‐including, however, those in the Province of Nelson, and the Prisoners who were then at the Chatham Islands. This does not profess to be any more than an Estimate; and Remarks appended to some of the figures point to the conclusion that the Estimate is below what are (or at least then were) the true Numbers. Taking the figures as they stand, they show 14,897 Men; 12,353 Women; and 9,857 Children; making a Total of 37,107. These, added to the Numbers in Appendix C, represent the General (estimated) Total of the Aboriginal Native Population in the Colony as 38,540.

If it were possible to collect with regard to the Maories reliable information relating to various branches of Census Statistics, no doubt the Results would have a high and peculiar interest. But the impracticability of accomplishing this at present is only too evident. It may not be out of place, however, to quote here a passage from a letter from Mr. A. Mackay which accompanied the "Census" Return for parts of the Middle Island above referred to. Although relating only to one point, and to a portion of the Colony in which the Numbers of the Maories are comparatively small, it throws a gleam of light where unhappily there is much that is gloomy and discouraging. Referring to the Natives at the whole of the places visited by him, Mr. Mackay says‐‐

"There is one marked improvement in their condition that I am happy to be able to report satisfactorily on; and that is the general sobriety of the whole Population. The intemperance they were addicted to in former years‐‐lamented over by former Officers as demoralizing and diminishing their Race, ‐‐has almost entirely disappeared; and I am happy to say that drunkenness amongst them at the present time is quite as rare as sobriety in former years."

Proportions of the Sexes in the Colony.

The Number of Males in New Zealand, (exclusive of the Aboriginal Natives and the Military and their Families), according to the Census Returns for December 1867, was 131,929, or 60.33 per cent, of the whole Population. The Number of Females was 86,739, or 39.67 per cent. The following figures will show, for each Province separately, the centesimal proportions of Males and Females respectively to the Population of the Province, and the centesimal excess of Males in each Province:‐‐

In each Province.

Proportions in 1864, 1861, AND 1858

The Average Proportions of the Sexes in December 1864 was, Males, 1858. 61.91; Female, 38.09; Excess of Males, 23‐82. In December 1861, they were, ‐‐Males, 61.67; Females, 38‐33; Excess of Males, 23.34. This was a remarkable increase on the proportion of Males as compared with 1858, when the proportions were, Males, 56.68; Females, 43.32; Excess of Males, 13.36 per cent. ; but it was to a considerable extent explained by the great influx of Miners to the Gold Fields of the Colony, very many of whom were unmarried, or had left their Wives and Families in other Countries. It is gratifying to observe that, notwithstanding the continuance of this element of disparity, yet the last Returns show some tendency towards an equalization of the Numbers of the Sexes.

The General Totals for the Colony, as shown by the Census of 1867, were as follow:‐‐Married Males, 34,291, ‐‐being 15.68 per cent, on the whole Population, and 25‐99 per cent, on the Total Number of Males;‐‐MARRIED FEMALES, 32,606; being 14.91 per cent, on the whole Population, and 37.59 per cent, on the Total Number of Females;‐‐Unmarried Males (including Widowers and Male Children), 95,562; being 43.70 percent, on the whole Population, and 72.43 per cent, on the Total Number of Males;‐‐Unmarried Females (including Widows and Female Children), 53,177; being 24.31 per cent, on the whole Population, and 61.30 per cent, on the Total Number of Females. The Numbers of Widowers and Widows included are,‐‐2,380 WIDOWERS and 2,562 WIDOWS....There were 3,032 Persons (viz. 2,076 Males, and 956 Females) with regard to whom no information as to " Condition" was obtained.

If we deduct from the Totals of "Unmarried" the persons under fifteen years of age, the Numbers remaining are, Males, 55,217; Females, 14,337. The proportions between the Sexes from the age of fifteen upwards is thus shown to be 79.39 per cent, of Males, and 20.61 per cent, of Females.

The information thus arrived at may be expressed otherwise as follows:‐‐ Of every 100 of the Total Male Population, 25.99 per cent, were married; and 41.86 aged 15 and upwards, with 30.58 under 15, were unmarried (there being 1.57 whose " Condition " was not stated):‐‐and of every 100 of the Total Female Population, 37.60 per cent, were married; and 16.53 aged 15 and upwards, with 44.17 under 15, were unmarried (there being 1.10 whose" Condition" was not stated).

According to the Census of 1864, a similar calculation exhibited the following results. Of every 100 of the Total Male Population, 25.78 per 1864 cent, were married; and 44.95 aged 15 and upwards, with 27.97 under 15, were unmarried (there being 1.30 whose "Condition" was not stated):‐‐and of every 100 of the Total Female Population, 38.50 were married; and 1743 aged 15 and upwards, with 43.55 under 15, were unmarried (there being 0.52 whose "Condition" was not stated).

The Total Number of Houses or Dwellings in the Colony in December 1867 was 54,015, against 37,996 in 1864, being an Increase of 16,019 within the Three Years. It is to be remarked, however, that the Gross Total for 1867 included 4,595 Tents, against 6,742 in 1864, ‐‐most of these in both years being, as might be supposed, in the Gold Fields Districts. The Tents may be regarded as included in the Numbers of Dwellings having "1 or 2 Rooms," which in 1867 amounted to a Total of 26,558, against 18,841 in 1864; there being in 1867, as compared with 1864, 6,209 Dwellings of three Rooms, against 4,612; 7,844 of four Rooms, against 5,352; 3,543 of five Rooms, against 2,451; and 9,861 of six Rooms and upwards, against 6,674 in 1864.

With respect to the Materials of which the Houses were constructed, the Returns show, ‐‐Wood, 38,844, against 25,463 in 1864; Stone or Brick, 1,182, against 1,082 in 1864; and Other Materials (including Raupo Houses and the Tents above referred to), 13,989, against 11,451 in 1864.

Details of the information thus summarized will be found, for the several Provinces in Tables V. and VI.; and for the Electoral Districts in Table VII.

The proportion of the Population to each Dwelling, calculated on the Census Returns of the respective years, was 4.04 in 1867; 4‐53 in 1864; 4.42 in 1861; and 4.63 in 1858.

TABLES VIII., IX.

Uninhabited Houses.

Houses Building.

The Sub‐Enumerators were furnished with special Forms for Returns of Uninhabited Houses, and Houses Building, in their Sub‐Districts. The Results, as given in those Forms, have been compiled, and are shown in Table VIII. for the Provinces, and in Table IX. for the Electoral Districts. But some uncertainty attaches to the part of these Results relating to Uninhabited Houses, it being evident that while, in several instances, they include Stores, Shops, Offices, ©, which were occupied during the day‐time (only), in many other instances there are no means of accurately ascertaining from them whether or not such Buildings were counted as "Uninhabited." The Returns of "Houses Building" are more reliable. They show for. the Colony a Total of 702; of which 550 were to be of Wood; 51 of Stone or Brick; and 101 of Other Materials.

TABLE X.

Number of Electors.

The Total Male Population shown in the Tables for the Electoral Districts, (which, it is to be borne in mind, do not include the Numbers who were on Shipboard on the Census night, or the inhabitants of the Chatham Islands), is 129,761; of whom 80,122 were aged 21 years or upwards. The Total Number of Electors on the Rolls at the same date was 33,338;‐‐a Number which does not include the Electors for the Electoral District of the Otago Gold Fields, the nature of whose qualification (as defined in "The Miners Representation Act Amendment Act, 1863") does not admit of the formation of an Electoral Roll in the usual way. The Total Number of Representatives for these Constituencies in the General Assembly was Seventy‐two (including the two Members for the Otago Gold Fields, but, of course, not including the Members for the four Maori Electoral Districts constituted by " The Maori Representation Act, 1867, " by which the House of Representatives has been made to consist of Seventy‐six Members altogether).

The proportion of Electors to every 100 of the Total Male Population shown for the Electoral Districts in December, 1867, was 25.69 per cent., against 19.71 per cent, in 1864, and 22.39 per cent, in 1861;‐‐and the proportion to every 100 Males aged 21 and upwards was, in 1867, 41.60 per cent., against 31.43 in 1864, and 39.32 in 1861. Table X. contains calculations of the proportions for each Electoral District; but although these calculations exhibit correct results as the Electoral Rolls actually stood at the time, the value of the detailed comparison between Electoral Franchise and Population is necessarily qualified by the consideration that, in numerous instances, the Electors are non‐resident, many having votes in more than one District.

The Places of Birth of the Population are shown, for the several Provinces, numerically in Table XI., and centesimally in Table XII. The following were the proportions for the whole Colony:‐‐England, 30.01 per cent. ; Ireland, 12.78; Scotland, 15.93; Wales, 0.60; New Zealand, 29.29 ; Australian Colonies, 5.17; Other British Dominions, 1.74; United States of America, 0.56 ; France, 0.25; Germany, 1.30; China, 0.56; Other Foreign Countries, 1.12; at Sea, 0.34; Not Specified, 0.35.

Subjoined is a compendious Tabular View of the information on this subject derived from the Census of 1867, compared with that supplied by the Census of 1864:‐‐

TABLES XIII., XIV.

On this, as on former occasions, I have carefully considered the practicability and expediency of adopting the more detailed modes of classification of Occupations which have of late years been introduced in some other countries. But, although the Census Returns have been compiled with considerable labour and detail in this Office, I have not thought it desirable to make any material alteration in the form of Table in which they were presented in former years. The difficulties which I have previously more than once pointed out continue to impede any attempt to tabulate this branch of the Census information in New Zealand without incurring the risk of showing conclusions which would almost certainly be misleading in effect, however close may be their merely verbal accordance with the Household Schedules. Amongst the causes of this difficulty continue to be, ‐‐the great number of cases in which settlers follow more than one occupation;‐‐ the instances (probably frequent) in which they entered in the Schedules the professions or callings to which they were brought up, or with which they would prefer to be identified, (perhaps from a notion of their superior " respectability, " as if there were not true respectability in the diligent pursuit of any branch of honest industry), rather than those in which they are most habitually engaged, or from which they principally derive their maintenance;‐‐the vagueness of many of the descriptions;‐‐and the different names given to what may be regarded as really the same business. The Tables will, however, afford a general view of the proportions in which the Colonists are engaged in the chief employments and pursuits, and the following Summary will show the comparative numbers in 1864 and 1867:‐

TABLES XV., XVI.

The List of "Religious Bodies" in Schedule D. of "The Marriage Act, 1854" (as amended by "The Marriage Act Amendment Act, 1867"), has, as on former occasions, been made the basis of the compilation of the Census Results relating to Religious Denominations in 1867. A column has been added for the large number returned as "Protestants" without any more distinctive designation, ‐‐amounting to a Total of 3,902 or l.78 per cent, of the Population. A column has also been introduced for those returned as "Pagans," "Chinese," or "Heathen," numbering 1,111 (most of them in the Province of Otago).

Under the heading "Otherwise Described,"‐‐that is, by designations which could not be brought under any of the previous headings in the Table, ‐‐are 3, 195 Persons, or 1.46 per Cent. This Number will be found reduced to 248 Persons by the Note to Table XV., in which I have given the respective Descriptions compiled from the Schedules for 2,947. No Designation has been omitted the Persons returned as belonging to which numbered as many as fifteen, (including men, women, and children), in the Colony. For the remaining 248 Persons there were no less than forty‐nine descriptions;‐‐many of them, no doubt, almost identical in meaning, but all varying more or less in the form of expression.

The Number not described in any way as to Religious Denomination was 1,752, or 0.80 per cent, of the Population, ‐‐being considerably smaller than that in 1864, when the Number "Not Described" amounted to 2,618, or 152 per cent.

The centesimal calculations in Table No. XVI. show that, according to the Numbers given in the preceding Table (No. XV.), the Church of England had, in December 1867, 42.53 per cent, of the Population of the Colony; the Presbyterian Churches, 25.12 per cent.; the Roman Catholic Church, 13.91 per cent.; the Wesleyan Methodist Church, 7.62 per cent.; the Congregational Independents, 1.94 per cent.; the Baptists, l‐99 per cent.; the Primitive Methodists, 0.61 per cent.; the Lutherans, 1‐09 per cent.; the Hebrews, 0.57 per cent.; the Society of Friends, 0.07 per cent.; "Protestants," not more distinctively described, were 1.78 per cent.; Pagans, Chinese, and Heathen, 0.51 per cent.; Otherwise Described, 1.46 per cent.; and Not Described in any way, 0.80 per cent.

The subjoined Summary exhibits a comparison between 1864 and 1867, showing, for each of those years, the Numbers of the Population returned as belonging to each of the Principal Denominations; the Increase or Decrease on each in 1867, both in absolute Numbers and in the centesimal proportions borne by those Numbers to the Numbers in 1864; and the centesimal proportion of each Denomination to the Total Population in the respective years:‐‐

The Census Returns relating to this most important subject show the following general Results. Of the Population of the Colony, of both Sexes and all Ages, there were 45,411 unable to Read or Write; 15,396 who could Read only; and 151,431 who could both Read and Write; to which are to be added 6,430 respecting whose state of education the Schedules contained no information. Deducting these, it appears that, of the Population under fifteen years of age, there were 24,100, ‐‐viz., 12,391 Males, and 11,709 Females;‐‐and, of the Population aged fifteen and upwards, 127,331, ‐‐viz., 84,394 Males, and 42,937 Females;‐‐able to Read and Write. The centesimal proportions are as follow:‐‐Under Fifteen Years of Age‐‐Cannot Read, Males, 54.01 per cent.; Females, 54.45 per cent.;‐‐Read only, Males, 13.66 per cent.; Females, 13.75 per cent.;‐‐Read and Write, Males, 32.33 per cent.; Females, 31.80 per cent.;‐‐Fifteen Years and Upwards‐‐Cannot Read, Males, 3‐22 per cent.; Females, 3.74 per cent. ;‐‐Read only, Males, 2.65 per cent.; Females, 5.74 per cent.;‐‐Read and Write, Males, 94‐13 per cent.; Females, 90.52 per cent.‐‐Both Sexes and all Ages‐‐Cannot Read, 21.40 per cent.; Read only, 7.25 per cent. ; Read and Write, 71.35 per cent. In 1864 the proportion able to Read and Write was 72.70, so that, at first view, there would seem to be a retrogression in 1867; but before adopting that discouraging conclusion it is to be remembered that there were in the latter year 6,430 Persons, (many of them Gold Diggers respecting whom the Census information was imperfect on various points), whose state of education was not shown in the Schedules, while in 1864 the Numbers similarly Not Described was only 2,862; and that all the proportions are to be viewed as subject to the qualification arising out of the necessary deduction of this Number. It is right also to note that in 1864 the proportion of the Total Population able to Read and Write showed an Increase of 4.03 per cent, as compared with 1861; while 1861 showed an Increase of 5.16 per cent, on the proportion shown by the Census of 1858.

SCHOOLS.

TABLE XX.

The information embodied in Table XX. includes the Numbers of each Sex attending School in each Province in December 1867, distinguishing between Schools receiving Government aid and Private Schools, and between Day and Sunday Schools; and showing the Numbers of Males and Females respectively under five years of age, and between five and fifteen in the Colony, and in each Province.

The subjoined Table presents a Summary of the Numbers attending Schools in December 1867, as compared with the Numbers in December 1864;‐‐

The nearest approach to what may be considered as the "School‐going period" which is derivable from the Census Returns is that shown by the Numbers between the ages of Five and Fifteen. Within those ages, the Population amounted to a Total of 41,793; and the Numbers returned as attending Day Schools to 19,952, being a proportion of 47.74 per cent, on that Total, ‐‐against 50.28 per cent, on the Total (of 31,737) in 1864. Dividing the Number within the specified ages according to the sexes, there were attending Day Schools (in 1867), of the Total of Males (which was 21, 376) a Total of 10, 447, or 48‐87 per cent., against 51.36 per cent, in 1864; and of the Total of Females (which was 20,417), a Total of 9, 505, or 46.55 per cent., against 49.25 per cent, in 1864. Taking the aggregate Population of all ages under Fifteen,(which amounted to 79,185 persons), the proportion attending Day Schools in 1867 was 25.20 per cent., against 27.36 per cent, in 1864.

These calculations have been carefully made from the Returns supplied to this Office; but, as I have had occasion to remark with regard to each of the previous Censuses, the columns for School Attendance are frequently those which are least satisfactorily filled up in the Schedules; and, notwithstanding the efforts made to render clear the headings distinguishing between attendance on "Day Schools," on "Sunday Schools only,"and on "BothDay and Sunday Schools," it is to be apprehended that there has sometimes been confusion or inaccuracy in the entries made by the Householders. Notwithstanding, however, any defectiveness in parts of the Returns, they distinctly bring out the facts that, in 1867, there were at least 19,952 Scholars attending Day Schools (Public or Private) in the Colony; and that (including those attending Sunday Schools only, and those attending both Day and Sunday Schools) 17,775 were receiving Sunday School instruction. The Numbers of those receiving education at homecannot of course be exhibited in these Returns; but the existence, extent, and value of Home Education in New Zealand should never be lost sight of, or treated as unimportant, in any comprehensive estimate of the means in operation for the intellectual and moral training of the Youth of the Colony.

Most of the information in the remaining Tables of this Part was collected under the provisions of an Act of the General Assembly passed shortly before the Census was taken. "The Census Acts Amendment Act, 1867" (besides providing that, in addition to the general Triennial Census, there shall in future be an Annual Account taken of the Land in Cultivation, and of the Agricultural Produce thereof), substituted for certain requirements of "The Census Act, 1858," a greatly extended Schedule of subjects connected with Agricultural and Industrial Statistics on which information was to be obtained. Notwithstanding the shortness of the interval between the passing of this Act and the time at which it was necessary that new Forms of Schedule should be prepared, printed, and sent out, (with corresponding Instructions), to the Enumerators in the Provinces, the objects of the Act were attained with a degree of success which (considering that many of the inquiries were then made for the first time) may, I think, be regarded as satisfactory and encouraging. The series of Tables commencing with No. XXI. will be found to contain more or less complete information on nearly the whole of the subjects specified in its Schedule.

*The only exceptions are the “Extent and Description of Fencing,“ (as distinguished from the “Extent of Land Fenced,“ which is fully given); and “Forest Trees, (Plantations of).“ The inquiries respecting these were duly made in the Census Schedules, but the Returns were so defective in some instances (being, indeed, as to the former wholly blank for two of the Provinces), or when given so qualified by doubts as to their correctness, or so manifestly incorrect, that it would not be possible to compile from them Tables which would be of any real value.

Table XXI. shows, in a summary form, for each Province, and Table XXII. shows for each Electoral District, the Extent of Holding, distinguishing Freehold and Leasehold; the Number of Acres Fenced; the Number of Acres broken up but not under Crop; and the Number of Acres under each of the principal Crops. Table XXIII. gives a comparative view for the years 1858, 1861, 1864, and 1867, of the Quantity of Land Fenced and the Numbers of Acres under the respective Crops,‐‐(excepting of course those which, having been newly introduced in the inquiries at the last Census, could not be brought into a Comparative Table).

Extent of Holdings.

The Extent of Holdings in the Colony was returned as 18,762,057 acres‐‐viz., 5,068,440 Acres Freehold, and 13,693,617 Acres Leasehold.

The Total Number of Acres Fenced was 3,455,588, against 1,072,383 Acres in 1864. No doubt this remarkable Increase was, in a considerable degree, owing to the large extent of wire fencing erected in the Pastoral Districts, especially in Canterbury, where the Number of Acres in 1867 was returned as 1,013,576 Acres in 1867, against 342,415 in 1864.

The Quantity of Land Broken up but not under Crop was, in December, 1867, 94,311 Acres.

The Total Quantity of Land under Crop was, in 1867,676, 909 Acres, against 382,655 Acres in 1864. Included in this Total were, ‐‐47,786 Acres of Wheat, against 25,607 Acres in 1864;‐‐101,563 Acres of Oats, against 50,998 Acres in 1864;‐‐13,136 Acres of Barley, against 4,904 Acres in 1864;‐‐14,372 Acres of Potatoes, against 11,164 Acres in 1864;‐‐472,893 Acres of Sown Grasses, against 272,123 Acres in 1864. Details of the other Crops, (reducing the Quantity given under the generalized heading of “In other Crops“ to 1,743 Acres), will be found in the Table (No. XXI.).

The Aggregate Number of Live Stock of all kinds (excepting Poultry) was, in 1867,8,924,520, against 5,310,062 in 1864.

Taking the principal kinds of Live Stock separately, the Numbers were,‐‐Horses, 65,715, against 49,409 in 1864; Cattle, 312,835, against 249,760 in 1864; Sheep, 8,418,579, against 4, 937,273 in 1864. Amongst the additions introduced under the new Act are columns distinguishing the Numbers of Brood Mares, Breeding Cows, and Breeding Ewes, which will be found in the Table (No. XXIV.).

The details of the information relating to Live Stock are in Table XXIV. for the Provinces, and in Table XXV. for the Electoral Districts. No. XXVI. is a Comparative Table, showing the Numbers in the Years 1858, 1861, 1864, and 1867, respectively.

Table XXIV. contains also information relating to the Annual Production of Butter and of Cheese, and to the Numbers and Descriptions of Agricultural Machines in the Colony. According to the Returns, the Production of Butter in 1867 amounted to 3,834,252 lbs., and of Cheese to 1,300,082 lbs. There were 579 Thrashing Machines, viz., 92 Steam, 17 Water, and 470 Horse:‐‐736 Reaping Machines:‐‐12 Steam Ploughs:‐‐and 28 Steam Harrows.

With respect to the Tables which follow the above, viz. Mills for Grinding and Dressing Corn (No. XXVII.), Breweries (No. XXVIII.), and other Manufactories or Works (Nos. XXIX., XXX.), every effort has been made to secure all attainable information. The Results arrived at are given in the Tables, but I have deemed it necessary to append to them Notes indicating that they are to be regarded as defective,‐‐probably, or certainly, understating the truth in several instances, through the failure of Proprietors to supply the desired particulars, if not (as I cannot but apprehend may in some instances have been the fact) through want of sufficiently careful and thoughtful inquiry on the part of the persons intrusted locally with the charge of collecting the information. With regard to these special branches of inquiry, however, difficulty in obtaining full and accurate information is experienced in other Countries as well as in New Zealand,‐‐as an illustration of which I may mention that I found Notes appended to similar Tables in the Statistics of Victoria applying so exactly to the state of the case here that I thought I could not do better than to adopt them almost verbatim for my Notes. At the same time, it is evident that the figures given have a definite value as showing the existence of at least the amount of Industry and Production indicated by them; the uncertainty being as to how much morethere may be in the Colony than they show.

Tables are added relating to Societies formed under Building and Land Societies Acts in the Colony (No. XXXI.), and to Hospital Accommodation and Relief (No. XXXII.). An attempt was made to obtain information relating to some additional subjects on which the Schedules to “The Census Act, 1858,“ authorize inquiry to be made; and which are not specified in the Schedule to the Act of 1867. But I have to repeat what I stated on former occasions, viz., that, “while from some Places the Returns appeared to be comparatively full and reliable, from others they were not such as to render it practicable to classify and arrange the whole in any adequately comprehensive and accurate shape,‐‐although no small amount of labour has been bestowed upon them in this Office. I would, however, repeat the expression of my hope that the information will ultimately be found of value, not only in itself, but as a guide to further inquiries which may issue in more satisfactory results.“ The Colony is still comparatively young; and as it advances to greater maturity in other respects, it may, I trust, be expected that the facilities for collecting and classifying Statistics on subjects beyond those which (as relating immediately to its material progress) obtain primary attention, will manifest a corresponding advance,‐‐until they comprehend, in then degree, all that is now accomplished in older Countries.

APPENDIX.

The Appendix to Part I. contains (Appendix A.) Descriptions of the territory comprised in the respective Electoral Districts named in the preceding Census Tables;‐‐and (Appendix B. and Appendix C.), Tables showing approxi‐ mately the Aboriginal Native Population of the Colony. The former of these having been particularly referred to at p. IV., and the latter at p. VI. of this Report, it is not necessary to remark further upon them in this place.

The Immigration (over Seas) to New Zealand in the year 1867 amounted to 11,126 persons, of whom 7,581 were Males, and 3,545 Females. Of the Males, 6,757 were Adults, and 824 Children: of the Females, 2,869 were Adults, and 676 Children.

The Emigration (over Seas) from the Colony amounted to 6,267 persons, of whom 5,075 were Males, and 1,192 Females. Of the Males, 4,680 were Adults, and. 395 Children: of the Females, 896 were Adults, and 296 Children.

The net Excess of Immigration over Emigration for the whole Colony in 1867 was 4,859, being 2,740 less than the net Excess in 1866.

Taking the Provinces separately, there was, in 1867, in Auckland a net Excess of Emigration over Immigration amounting to 300. In all the other Provinces the Immigration exceeded the Emigration; viz., in Taranaki, 10; in Wellington, 449; in Hawke's Bay, 170; in Nelson, 387 ; in Marlborough, 33; in Canterbury, 2,325; in Otago, 1,772; and in Southland, 13.

The following figures show the Immigration and Emigration in 1867, classified according to the Countries from which the Immigrants arrived, and to which the Emigrants went:‐‐

The Excess of Immigration over Emigration, viewed in relation to Countries, is thus shown to have been,‐‐United Kingdom, 3,822; and Australian Colonies, 1,246. The Immigration and Emigration from and to Other British Ports happened to be exactly the same number, viz., 12. But, as respects Foreign States, the Emigration was 209 in excess of the Immigration.

The Table which, in previous Years, professed to show the Arrivals and Departures between the several Ports of the Colony, has been omitted in this Volume. I have repeatedly, even when introducing it, deemed it necessary to point out its incompleteness, and almost inevitable inaccuracy; and in the Report prefixed to the Statistics for 1866 I remarked,‐‐“I do not think that the value of the Statistical Volume would be really diminished by the omission of this Table in future years, especially as, even if it were perfectly accurate in itself, it could not afford any adequate view of the actual migration from one part of New Zealand to another, no inconsiderable portion of which is by overland routes.“ In the present Volume I have substituted for it a Comparative Table showing, with the closest attainable approximation to correctness, the Immigration and Emigration (over Seas) to and from New Zealand during the respective Years 1853 to 1867 inclusive.

The Total Number of Births registered in New Zealand during the year was 8,918, viz., 4,595 Males, and 4,323 Females. The Total in 1866 was 8,466, viz., 4, 284 Males, and 4, 182 Females. The Increase in 1867 was therefore 452, viz., 311 Males, and 141 Females. The Increase in 1866, as compared with 1865, was 976, viz., 437 Males, and 539 Females.

The Total Number of Deaths registered in 1867 was 2,702, viz., 1,621 Males, and 1,081 Females. The Total in 1866 was 2, 540, viz., 1,567 Males, and 973 Females. The Increase in 1867 was therefore 162, viz., 54 Males, and 108 Females. In 1865, the Number was 2,757, viz., 1,658 Males, and 1,099 Females.

Of the Deaths in 1867, 873 (viz., 471 Males and 402 Females) were under one year of age;‐‐244 (viz., 123 Males, and 121 Females), one and under two years;‐‐and 198 (viz., 106 Males, and 92 Females), two and under five years;‐‐making a Total of 1,315 (viz., 700 Males, and 615 Females), or 48.66 per cent, of the whole, under five years.

The General Total of Deaths includes 125 (viz., 118 Males and 7 Females), or 4.62 per cent, of the whole, from Drowning; and 153 (viz., 137 Males and 16 Females), or 5.66 per cent, of the whole, from other external causes; making a Total of 278 from such causes, being 10.28 per cent, of the Deaths during the year.

The proportions of Births and Deaths to every thousand persons living in each of the last seven years are shown approximately in the following Table:‐‐

These figures show, for 1867, one Birth to every twenty‐three, and one Death to every seventy‐eight persons living. The average for the seven years is one Birth to every twenty‐five, and one Death to every seventy‐four persons.

The Excess of Births over Deaths in 1867 was 6,216 (viz., 2,974 Males, and 3,242 Females). The Total Excess of registered Births over registered Deaths in the thirteen years included in these Tables was 38, 281 (viz., 17,922 Males, and 20,359 Females).

The Total Number of Marriages solemnized in New Zealand in 1867 was 2,050, being twelve more than in 1866. Of these, 1,886 were by Ministers of Religion, and 164 by Registrars. The respective Numbers solemnized by Ministers of the several Religious Bodies were as follow:‐‐ United Church of England and Ireland, 514; Church of Scotland, Free Church of Scotland, and Presbyterian Congregations, 708; Roman Catholic Church, 328; Wesleyan Methodists, 194; Congregational Independents, 57; Baptists, 52; Primitive Methodists, 20; Lutheran Church, 2; Hebrew Congregations, 4; and United Methodist Tree Churches, 10.

The Tables show the Numbers of Marriages in the respective Provinces in each year since “The Marriage Act, 1854,“ came into operation; and the Numbers solemnized by Officiating Ministers and by Registrars in each year within that period.

Six Tables are occupied by information relating to Shipping.

The first Two show the Numbers, Tonnage, and Crews of Vessels Entered Inwards and Cleared Outwards at the several Ports of New Zealand during the year 1867. The Total Inwards was 944 Vessels, of 309,568 Tonnage, being a Decrease, as compared with 1866, of 75 in the Number of Vessels, and of 20,735 in the Tonnage. The Total Outwards was 950 Vessels, of 308,169 Tonnage, being, as compared with 1866, a Decrease of 36 in the Number of Vessels, but an Increase of 1, 190 in the Tonnage.

The next Two Tables show Vessels, Tonnage, and Crews classified according to “Countries whence Arrived,“ and “Countries for which Cleared.“ Of the Total of 944 Vessels Inwards,88, of 63,644 Tonnage, arrived from the United Kingdom; 783, of 217,186 Tonnage, from the Australian Colonies and other British Possessions; and 73, of 28,738 Tonnage, from Foreign Countries (including the Southern Whale Fishery)....Of the Total of 950 Vessels Outwards,47, of 33,914 Tonnage, cleared for the United Kingdom; 742, of 213,553 Tonnage, for the Australian Colonies and other British Possessions; and 161, of 60, 702 Tonnage for Foreign Countries (including the Southern Whale Fishery).

The Two following Tables show the “Nationality“ of the Vessels, Inwards and Outwards. Of the Total 944 Inwards,283, of 153,967 Tonnage, were British; 632, of 142,880 Tonnage, Colonial; 22, of 9,988 Tonnage, American; 1, of 495 Tonnage, French; 1, of 160 Tonnage, Danish; 1, of 432 Tonnage, German; 2, of 1,356 Tonnage, Russian; and 2, of 290 Tonnage, Tahitian Of the Total 950 Outwards,235, of 145, 555 Tonnage, were British; 684, of 149,417 Tonnage, were Colonial; 23, of 9,951 Tonnage, American; 1, of 702 Tonnage, French; 2, of 638 Tonnage, German; 1, of 160 Tonnage, Danish; 2, of 1,356 Tonnage, Russian; and 2, of 390 Tonnage, Tahitian.

The Number of Registered Vesselsbelonging to Ports in the Colony may Table xxx‐be conveniently noticed here, although the Table relating to them is placed in a subsequent part of the Volume. The Total Number in December 1867 was 366, of 23,240 Tonnage. Of these 173, of 9,306 Tonnage, belonged to the Port of Auckland, showing an apparent Decrease of 135 Vessels, of 3,999 Tonnage, as compared with 1866. But (as is explained in a Note to the Table) this Decrease on the year is only apparent, it having been ascertained that a large number of Vessels previously counted were no longer in existence, and that, in fact, they had been incorrectly retained on the Books long after they should have been omitted, because the Owners (mostly Aboriginal Natives) had not understood the necessity for delivering up the Certificates of Registry.

The Total Value of the Imports of the Colony in 1867 was £5,344,607 against £5,894,863 in 1866, being a Decrease of £50,256, or 9.33 per cent.

The following figures show the Increase or Decrease in each of the Provinces in 1867, as compared with 1866:‐‐

A comparison of the Value of Imports in 1866 and 1867 according to the Countries whence they were received gives the following results:‐‐

The Total Value of the Exports from New Zealand in 1867 was £4,644,678, against £4,520,074 in 1866, being an Increasein 1867 of £124,604, or 2.75 per cent. Excluding the Value of Imported Goods re‐exported from the Colony, the Total Value of Exports of New Zealand Produce and Manufactures amounted in 1867 to £4,479, 464, against £4,396,100 in 1866, being an Increase of £83,364, or 1.89 per cent.

More particular reference may here be made to the two great Exports of the Colony,‐‐Gold and Wool.

The Total Value of Gold exported from the Colony in 1867 amounted to £2,700,275, against £2,844,517 in 1866, being a Decrease of £144,242, or 5.07 per cent. Of the Total Value of Gold Exported in 1867, the following were the amounts of the Produce of the Gold Fields in the several Provinces‐‐Auckland, £20,700; Nelson (including Westland North), £894,728 Marlborough, £1,978; Canterbury (including Westland South), £1,159,326 Otago, £587,426; and Southland, £36,117.

The Total Value of the Gold which was exported from New Zealand up to the 31st of December, 1867, amounted to £14,540,573.

The Total Value of Wool exported from the Colony in 1867 was £1,580,608; against £1,354,152 in 1866, being an Increase of £226,456, or 16.72 per cent.

The information relating to Imports and Exports which has thus been briefly summarized will be found at large in this Volume (Part II.). Tables XIV. and XV. give the Total Value of Imports and Exports respectively for the several Ports in New Zealand in 1867. Tables XVI. and XVII. show, in a condensed form, the Total Value of Imports and Exports for the Colony in each year from 1853 to 1867 inclusive, distinguishing the Provinces and the respective amounts imported from, or exported to, the United Kingdom, British Colonies, and Foreign States. Tables XVIII. and XIX. show the Imports and Exports in detail at each Port of the Colony in 1867. The Ten following Tables contain Summaries presenting compendiously the Totals of various Articles of Export in 1867, compared with previous years. Separate Tables of this description are appropriated to Gold, Grain, Kauri Gum, Oil, Potatoes, Timber, Wool, and Hides and Sheepskins.

The Customs Revenue in 1867 amounted to £843,804, against £844,267 in 1866, being a Decrease of £463, or 0.05 per cent.

The following figures show the comparative amounts realized by this branch of the Revenue during the eight years,‐‐1860 to 1867 inclusive:‐‐

The Total ORDINARY REVENUE in 1867 amounted to £1,225,584, against £1,086,293 in 1866, being an Increase of £139,291, or 12.82 per cent.

The Total Territorial Revenue in 1867 amounted to £561,730, against £776,429 in 1866, being a Decrease of £214,699, or 27.65 per cent.

[It is to be understood that the Total given as Territorial Revenue in 1867 includes £82,318 9s. 5d. Duty on Gold Exported, and £53,487 3s. 7d. for Miners' Rights and Gold Field Fees. The subjoined Tabular View shows the component parts of the General Total for each Province and for the Colony:‐‐

AUCKLAND includes £14,830 2s., and TARANAKI includes £419 2s. 6d., proceeds of Land sold under the New Zealand Settlements Acts, subject to special appropriation, and therefore not “Laud Revenue“ in the usual acceptation of the term.]

The General Total of the Revenue (both Ordinary and Territorial) amounted in 1867 to £1,787, 314, against £1,862,722 in 1866, being a Decrease of £75,408, or 4.04 per cent.

The subjoined Table presents a comparative view of the Revenue, Ordinary and Territorial, in the several Provinces in 1866 and 1867, specifying the centesimal Increase or Decrease in each Province in the latter year.

The INCOME and EXPENDITURE of the Colony and of the Provinces are shown in Three Tables. The First of these (No. XXXII.) exhibits, on opposite pages, Income and Expenditure in their various branches as relating to the Colonial Treasury and the Provincial Treasuries taken collectively. The Two succeeding Tables show the Income and Expenditure of the several Provinces taken separately. A Table follows which shows in detail the Receipts and Disbursements of the Receivers of Land Revenue in the several Provinces.

Two Tables of two sheets each (instead of one Table, as in previous years) are given to the Debt of the General and Provincial Governments, authorized by Acts or Ordinances, up to the 31st of December, 1867,‐‐to which date, it is to be borne in mind, the information strictly applies. The First (No. XXXVI.) exhibits the following particulars:‐‐the Total Amount authorized to be Borrowed, specifying by what Government and under what authority; the Total Amount raised on the 31st of December, 1867, specifying the Amount of Debentures in Circulation, the Rate of Interest, and when the respective Debentures are Redeemable; also, the Rate of Sinking Fund, the Amount of Sinking Fund Accrued, and the manner in which it has been Invested. Table XXXVIA.. (a new Table) gives further information. No. XXXVI. showed the Debt of the Colony owing by the General and Provincial Governments respectively, as the Loans were authorized by each; but subsequent legislation, and the creation of new Provinces, have distributed the Liability in other proportions. No. XXXVIA. shows the actual Liability of each Government as it really existed on the 31st of December, 1867, the authority for the adjustment being in each case quoted. A second series of columns in the Table shows the amount of Debentures that then remained to be issued under existing Authorities. Explanatory Remarks, when necessary, are added to each of the Tables. To these, and to the Notes to the respective Tables it will be necessary to refer for a view of this subject which it would not be possible to give clearly except in connection with the figures as they are shown at length in the Tables.

It will be seen that, according to No. XXXVI., the actual Authorized Liability of the Colony was £6,778,600; and according to No. XXXVIA.., £6,812,600. The Assistant Treasurer has furnished the following Memorandum in explanation of this apparent discrepancy:

“An apparent discrepancy will be observed between the Tables marked 36 and 36A. as to the Total Liabilities of the Colony. The explanation is that, while under existing powers the Liability might be increased to £6,812,600 (Table XXXVIA. ), it will be found ultimately that the actual Liability will not exceed £6,778,600 (Table XXXVI), and probably will not reach quite to that amount.“

The Total Amount of Debentures in Circulation on the 31st of December, 1867, was £5,781,193 15s. 11d.; and the Total Amount of Sinking Fund Accrued was £298,991 3s. 2d.

The total number of Joint Stock Companies incorporated under the Acts of 1860 and 1862 up to the end of 1867 was ninety‐one. Of these, one was incorporated in 1861; thirteen in 1862 ; nineteen in 1863; twelve in 1861; fifteen in 1865; eighteen in 1866 ; and thirteen in 1867. Of the Companies established in 1867, two were in the Province of Auckland; seven in the Province of Canterbury; and four in the Province of Otago. The Table referred to in the margin shows various particulars relating to the several Companies from the commencement of the operation of the Act of 1860.

The information under this heading is differently arranged from the mode adopted in previous years, and extended to the Crown Lands held under Leases. Table XXXIX. shows the Numbers of Acres of Waste Lands Sold in the several Provinces in 1867, with the Rate per Acre, and other particulars. Table XL. shows the Numbers of Acres absolutely disposed of without Sale,‐‐to Immigrants; to Naval and Military Settlers under New Zealand Settlements Acts, ©.; Reserves granted for Public Purposes under “Public Reserves Act, 1854,“ to Europeans and Natives under “Waste Lands Act, 1858,“ “Crown Grants Act (No. 2), 1862,“ Native Reserves Acts, ©.; to Natives by Grants under “Native Lands Act, 1865,“ ©.; and in satisfaction of Land, Scrip, or otherwise not specified. Table XLI. (now introduced into the series for the first time) shows the Crown Lands held under Depasturing and other Leases (except for Gold Mining), and the Rents, ©, paid, for the year 1867 in the several Provinces.

A Table prepared on the same plan as in previous years shows the Average Prices of Provisions and Live Stock in each of the Provinces in the year 1867.

POST OFFICE.

The Total Numbers of Letters Received at the several Post Offices in New Zealand in 1867 were,‐‐Foreign(from places without the Colony), 559,389, against 584,461 in 1866; and Inland(within the Colony), 1,848,942, against 1,820,327 in 1866; making a General Total of 2,408,331 against 2,404,788 in 1866, being an Increase of 3,543....The Total Numbers of LETTERS DESPATCHED were,‐‐Foreign,538,565, against 581,726 in 1866; and Inland,1,864,344, against 1,772,130 in 1866; making a General Total of 2,402,909, against 2,353,856 in 1866, being an Increase of 49,053.

The Total Numbers of Newspapers Received in 1867 were,‐‐Foreign, 973,885, against 1,166,351 in 1866; and Inland,696,635, against 793,177 in 1866; making a General Total of 1,670,520 against 1,959,528 in 1866, being a Decrease of 289, 008 The Total Numbers of Newspapers Despatched 1866 were,‐‐Foreign 346,913,against 595,803 in 1866; and Inland,1,043,455, against 1,817,708 in 1866; making a General Total of 1,390,368, against 2,413,511 in 1866, being a Decrease of 23,143.

A Comparative Table shows the Postal Revenue in detail, in the several Provinces, for the respective Years 1858 to 1867 inclusive. The Total Amount in 1867 was £55,331 18s. ld., against £47,836 10s. 6d. in 1866, being an Increase of £7,495, 7s. 7d., or 15.66 per cent. This does not include the Sums received as Commission on the issue of Money Orders (£1,846 10s. 6d.), or for Telegraphic Messages (£11,146 2s. 8d.).

The Total Number of Money Orders Issued in New Zealand in 1867 was 24,473, against 22,710 in 1866, being an Increase of 1,763, The Total Amount of these Orders in 1867 was £115,610 13s. 0d., against £108,779 4s. 9d., being an Increase of £6,831 8s. 3d....The Total Number of Money Orders Paid in New Zealand in 1867 was 12,659, against 10,903 in 1866, being an Increase of 1,756. The Total Amount of these Orders in 1867 was £61,151 6s. 4d., against £52,547 9s. 4d. in 1866, being an Increase of £8,603 17s. 0d.

The information relating to Savings Banks now occupies Two Tables,‐‐a new and separate Table being required for the Transactions of the recently established Post Office Savings Banks in the Colony.

These Banks (the first of which were opened in February, 1867,) at the end of the year numbered altogether forty‐six, distributed as follows in the Provinces:‐‐12 in the Province of Auckland; 1 in Taranaki; 1 in Hawke's Bay; 2 in Wellington; 3 in Marlborough; 3 in Nelson; 8 in Canterbury; 13 in Otago; and 3 in Southland. The aggregate Number of Accounts Opened during the Year was 2,520; the Deposits in connection with which amounted to a Total of £96,372 7s. 10d. The Amount Withdrawn was £26,344 18s. 2d. The Number of Accounts Closed was 364, for an Amount of £8,18313s. 6d. (included in the sum given as the Total of the Amount Withdrawn). At the end of the Year, therefore, the remaining Number of Depositors was 2,156; and the Balance due to those Depositors was £70,027 9s. 8d.

The Number of Savings Banks, other than those connected with the Post Office, was Ten. The Total Number of Persons having Deposits in these Banks on the 31st of December, 1867, was 4,423 (of whom 32 were Maories). The Total Deposits during the Year amounted to £71,378 2s. 2d.; and the Total of the sums Withdrawn to £80,784 5s. 7d. The Total Amount to the Credit of Depositors at the end of the Year was £85,658 14s. 5d.

Taking both Classes of Savings Banks together, the following results appear. On the 31st of December, 1867, there were 6,579 Depositors; and there was a Total to the Credit of such Depositors amounting to £155,686 4s. Id. On the 31st December, 1866 (when the Post Office Savings Bank system had not yet come into operation), the Total Number of Depositors in the then existing Banks was 4,513, to whose Credit was a Total Amount of £91,863 3s. 6d. A comparison of the figures for the two dates is gratifying, as affording, (to quote the words of the Postmaster‐General in his last Report),“evidence not only of material prosperity on the part of an important portion of the community, but also of the growth of habits of prudence and thrift which it was the object of these Savings Banks to foster and encourage.“

Thirteen Tables are occupied by the Legal and Criminal Statistics of the Colony for 1867. Three of these (Nos. LI., LII., and LIII.) relate to the Supreme Court, showing the Criminal and the Civil Cases, and the Petitions and Deeds of Composition filed under the Debtors and Creditors Acts, (this last Table comprising the periods from the 1st June, 1863, when the Act of 1862 came into operation, to the 1st of December, 1867, from which date those Acts were superseded by the provisions of “The Bankruptcy Act, 1867“).... Two Tables, Nos. LIV. and LV., show the Criminal and the Civil Cases brought before the several DISTRICT COURTS.... Seven Tables, Nos. LVI. ‐ LXIL, are occupied by the Cases brought before Resident Magistrates' and Magistrates' Courts, in which the Cases in which Europeans, or Maoris, or Both were concerned are distinguished. A comparative Summary (No. LVIII.) shows the Numbers of Convictions in the Resident Magistrates' Courts for each of the offences of most frequent occurrence in each Year from 1853 to 1867 inclusive..... The last Table in this Series (No. LXIII.) shows the Numbers of Prisoners Committed to Gaol in 1867, specifying the Sexes, the Cause of Imprisonment, the Native Countries, the Classes (as to social position), and the Degree of Education of the Prisoners. The Total Number Committed was 4,152 (viz., 3,570 Males, and 582 Females), being 525 more than in 1866, when the Total was 3,627 (viz., 3,162 Males, and 465 Females).

According to the Returns (supplied by the several Provincial Governments) from which the Table was compiled, there was in the Colony, in December 1867, a Total of 268 Public Schools, viz. 21 Boys', 14 Girls' and 233 Mixed), being fifteen Schools more than in December 1866. The Total Number of Teachers was 347 (viz., 232 Male, and 115 Female Teachers), being 24 more than in 1866. The Total (highest) Number of Pupils on the Books in the December Quarter was 12,866 (viz., 7,378 Boys, and 5, 488 Girls), being an Increase of 416 Children on the Total in December 1866. The proportions of these Totals belonging to the respective Provinces will be found detailed in the Table (No. LXIV.), which also shows, so far as the Returns have supplied the information, the Average Daily Attendance, the Ages of the Pupils, and the Branches of Education taught.

In an Appendix to Part II. of the Volume will be found a series of Meteorological Tables for 1867, which have been supplied by Dr. HECTOR, Inspector of Meteorological Stations. The series includes Eleven Tables, the First of which gives, in a comprehensive form, a comparative view of the Climate, as observed during the year 1867, at the Meteorological Stations in New Zealand (excepting Napier, from which there were no Returns). The Ten Tables which follow show the Results of Observations at Mongonui, Auckland, Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Hokitika, Bealey, Dunedin, and Southland.

I have the honour to be,

SIR,

Your most obedient Servant,

JOHN B. BENNETT,

Registrar‐General.