In December 1864, the Population, of European Descent, in New Zealand, (exclusive of the Military and their Families), as shown by the Census Returns, was 172,158, of whom 106,580 were Males, and 65,578 Females. In these numbers are included the Military Settlers, &c., and their Families, numbering altogether 6,382,—viz. 5,139 Males, and 1,243 Females. The distribution of the Total Population through the several Provinces was as follows :—Auckland, 42,132 :—Taranaki, 4,374:—Wellington, 14,987 :—Hawke's Bay, 3,770 :—Nelson, 11,910 :—Marlborough, 5,519: Canterbury, 32,276 :—Otago, 49,019 :—Southland, 8,085 :—to which is to be added the population of the Chatham Islands, (86) making the aggregate as above. Thus it will be seen that the Northern Island, (comprising the Provinces Of the Northern and middle Islands ; of Auckland, Taranaki, Wellington, and Hawke's Bay), contained 65,263 or 37.93 per cent, of the Population;— and the Middle Island, (comprising the Provinces of Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago and Southland), 106,809 or 62.07 per cent. These numbers, as has been stated, do not include the Military or their Families, who numbered 11,973, viz., Officers and Men, 9,136; Male Children, 933; and Women and Female Children, 1,904.

PART I Tables I-V. Population Colony (as shown by Census):

Of each Province;

Of the Northern and Middle Islands;

Of the Military and their Families.

A comparison of these figures with the Numbers shown by the three previous General Censuses of New Zealand, will afford satisfactory evidence of the rapid advance of the Colony as to its Population. In the three years from 1861 to 1864, tracing the Census Results backward in order of time, the Population increased from 99,021 to 172,158, being an Increase of 73,137 Persons, or 73.86 per cent. In the three preceding years, viz., from 1858 to 1861, the Increase was 39,643 Persons, or 66.82 per cent. In the seven preceding years, viz. from 1851 to 1858, the Increase was 32,621 Persons, or, calculated centesimally, 121.86 per cent.

Comparison with Previous Years;

1864 with 1861;

1861 with 1858;

1858 with 1851.

Taking the comparison between 1851 and 1864, we find that the Population had, in this period of thirteen years, grown from a Total of 26,707 to a Total of 172,158, being an Increase of 145,451 Persons, or 544.61 per cent. This was an average Increase for the period of 11,188 Persons, or 41.89 per cent, in each year. Comparing similarly the shorter periods included, the average Annual Increase from 1851 to 1858 was 17.41 per cent, on the Population of 1851:—the average Annual Increase from 1858 to 1861 was 22.24 per cent, on the Population of 1858:—and the average Annual Increase from 1861 to 1864 was 24.58 per cent, on the Population of 1861.

Average Annual Increase-

The advance in the Population of the several Provinces in the triennial period from 1861 to 1864 will be found in detail in Table II. The following Summary presents the Results in the order of the proportionate Increase within that period in each Province, as compared with its Population in 1861 :—

Population of Provinces in 1861 and 1864.

The Population of each Electoral District of the Colony will be found in Table IV., which shows, in addition to the Numbers, Sexes, and Ages, the Numbers of each Sex under and over 21 years. Table V. contains a comparison of the Population of each District in 1864 with its Population in 1861. As the Census of 1861 was the first in which arrangements were made for an enumeration according to the divisions into Electoral Districts, this comparison cannot be carried farther back than that year.

Electoral Districts.(TABLES IV _V.)

The Population enumerated by the Census was, (it need scarcely be repeated here,) exclusively of European descent. Had it been practicable to take a Census of the Aboriginal Native Population of New Zealand at the same time, the Results would, no doubt, have been regarded with great interest. But the attempt, which would have been attended with difficulty under the most favorable circumstances, would, in the then existing circumstances of some of those parts of the country where Maories were most numerous, have been useless, or worse. After the (European) Census of 1861, I prepared an Estimate of the Native Population based upon the Maori Census of 1857-58, (of which copious extracts were published in the Statistical Volume for 1857). According to this Estimate, the Maori population then amounted to 55,336,—viz., 31,329 Males, and 23,928 Females, (with 79 whose sex was not stated). Of these, the Northern Island was estimated to contain 53,056, leaving only 2,280 for the Middle Island. These figures, of course, were not assumed to be any more than such an approximation to the real numbers as the available materials permitted; and there cannot, I apprehend, be any doubt that the Numbers in the Northern Island, (which has been the scene of war, in addition to the other influences believed to be producing a diminution, more or less rapid, in the Native Population), if they could now be made up correctly, would exhibit a great decrease.

Aboriginal Native Population

The Number of Males (of European Descent) in New Zealand in December 1864, was (exclusive of the Military) 106,580, or 61.91 per cent, of the whole Population. The Number of Females was 65,578, or 38.09 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:—

Proportions of Sexes:-in the Colony

In each Province.

The Average Proportions of the Sexes in the Colony in December 1861 were, Males, 61.67 per cent. Females 38.33 per cent; Excess of Males, 23.34 per cent. In December 1858, they were, Males, 56.68 per cent.; Females, 43.32 per cent.; Excess of Males, 13.36 per cent. The increased proportion of Males as compared with 1858 may, no doubt, be attributed principally to 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.

Proportions in 1861 and 1858.

The General Totals for the Colony, as shown by the Census of 1864, were as follow :—Married Males, 27,482, being 1596 per cent, on the whole Population; and 25.78 per cent, on the Total Number of Males:—Married Females, 25,248, being 14.66 per cent on the whole Population, and 38.50 per cent, on the Total Number of Females : Unmarried Males, (including Widowers and Male Children), 77,711, being 45.14 per cent, on the whole Population, and 72.92 per cent, on the Total Number of Males:—Unmarried Females, (including Widows and Female Children), 39,990, being 23.23 per cent, on the whole Population, and 60.98 per cent, on the Total Number of Females. The Numbers of Widowers and Widows included are, 1,806 Widowers, and 1,809 Widows.

TABLES VI. and VIII.

Deducting from the Totals of "Unmarried," (including Widowers and Widows), the persons under 15 years of age, the Numbers remain, Males 47,904, Females 11,428. The proportions between the Sexes thus shown are, Males 80.74 per cent.; Females 19.26 per cent.

Expressing the information thus arrived at otherwise, it appears that of every 100 of the TOTAL MALE POPULATION, 25.78 were married; 44.95 of the Males aged 15 and upwards, and 27.97 under 15 years of age were unmarried,—(there being 1.30 whose "Condition" was not stated in the Returns); —and of every 100 of the TOTAL FEMALE POPULATION, 38.50 were married; 17.43 Females aged 15 years and upwards, and 43.55 under 15 years of age were unmarried, (there being 0.52 whose "Condition" was not stated.

A similar calculation with respect to the Numbers shown by the Census of 1861 exhibits the following results. Of every 100 of the Total Male Population, 25.86 were married;—38.20 aged 16 years and upwards, and 31.19 under 16 years of age were unmarried, (there being 4.75 whose "Condition" was not stated) :—and of every 100 of the TOTAL FEMALE POPULATION, 36.43 were married; and 15.77 aged 16 years and upwards, and 47.80 under 16 years of age were unmarried.

The Number of Deaf and Dumb Persons in the Colony is shown in Table No. VI. as 19, viz. Males, 14; Females, 5. The Number in 1861 was 20, viz. 11 Males and 9 Females. The Number of Blind Persons in 1864 was 19,—viz. 14 Males and 5 Females. In 1861 the Number was 21,—viz. 14 Males and 7 Females.

TABLE VI.

In December 1864, the Total Number of Houses in the Colony was 37,996, being a Net Increase of 15,598 in the Three Years since the Census of 1861, when the Number was 22,398,—which was an Increase of 9,565 in the Three Years since the Census of 1858. It is to be remarked however, that the Gross Total for 1861 included 3,687 Tents; and the Gross Total for 1864 included 6,742 Tents,—most of these in both years being, as might be supposed, on the Gold Fields. The Tents may be regarded as included in the Numbers of Dwellings having "1 or 2 Rooms," which, in 1864, amounted to 18,841;—the respective Totals for Dwellings of 3 Rooms being 4,612;—of 4 Rooms, 5,352;—of 5 Rooms, 2,451;—and of 6 Rooms or upwards, 6,674.

TABLES VI.,VII,VIII.,IX.

With respect to the Materials of which the Houses were constructed, the Returns show,—Wood, 25,463 in 1864, against 15,139 in 1861, and 10,179 in 1858; Stone or Brick, 1,082 in 1864, against 477 in 1861, and 307 in 1858;—and other materials (including Raupo Houses and the Tents above referred to), 11,451 in 1864, against 6,782 in 1861, and 2,326 in 1858.*

The details of Houses in the Electoral Districts in 1864 will be found in Table No. VIII; and Table No. IX contains a comparative view of the Houses in these Districts in 1861 and 1864.

The proportion of the Population to each Dwelling, calculated on the Census Returns of the respective Years was 4.63 in 1858; 4.42 in 1861; and 4.53 in 1864.

Special Forms were supplied to the Sub-Enumerators for Returns of "Uninhabited Houses," and "Houses Building" in their Sub-Districts. But some uncertainty attaches to the former part of these Returns, it being evident that while, in several instances, they avowedly include Stores or Shops occupied (only) during the day-time, in many other cases there are no means of accurately ascertaining whether or not such Buildings have been counted as "Uninhabited." I have however given the Results, such as they are, in Tables X. and XI. for the Provinces, and also for the Electoral Districts, appending, so far as I could collect them from the Returns, explanatory Notes. The Returns of "Houses Building" are more reliable, and show a Total Number, for the Colony, of 988.

TABLES X.,XI.

The Total Male Population shown in the Tables for the Electoral Districts, (which it will be borne in mind, do not include the Military Settlers, the Numbers in the Shipping, or the Inhabitants of the Chatham Islands),amounted to 99,180, of whom 62,197 were aged 21 years or upwards. The Total Number on the Rolls as Electors was 19,552 a Number which does not include the Electors for the Electoral District of the Otago Gold Fields, the nature of whose qualification, (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 Fifty-seven, including the two Members for the Otago Gold Fields. The proportion of Electors to every hundred .of the Total Male Population was in 1864, 19.71 per cent., against 22 39 per cent, in 1861; and the proportion to every hundred Males of Twenty-one and upwards, was in 1864, 31.43 per cent., against 39.32 percent. in 1861. The Table contains calculations of these proportions for each Electoral District; but although the 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, Electors are non-resident, many having votes in more than one District; to which is to be added, with regard to the Electoral Districts of Taranaki, the special consideration that, in consequence of the War, the great bulk of the Population was congregated in the Town of New Plymouth.

TABLE XII Proportion of Electors to Male Population

The particulars of the Places of Birth of the Population are given in detail for the several Provinces, both numerically and centesimally, Tables XIII. and XIV. The following were the proportions for the whole Colony :—England, 33.95; Ireland, 11.80; Scotland, 17.98; Wales, 0.60; New Zealand, 23.95; Australian Colonies, 5.54; Other British Dominions, 1.80; United States of America, 0.65: France, 0.29, Germany, 1.16: Other Foreign Countries, 1.27; At Sea, 0.35; Not Specified, 0.66.

TABLES XIII _ XIV. Places of Birth.

Subjoined is a compendious Tabular View of the information on this subject supplied by the Census of 1864, compared with that of the Census of 1861.

Although the Occupations entered in the Census Returns have been compiled in this Office with considerable labour, and in full detail, I have not thought it necessary to amplify, except slightly, the Form of Table in which they were classified for 1861 and 1858. The difficulties pointed out in my Report on the Census of 1861 still impede any attempt to tabulate this branch of the Census in New Zealand "without incurring the risk of showing conclusions which may be misleading in effect, however they may be verbally in accordance with the Schedules." Amongst the causes of this uncertainty continue to be,—"the number of cases in which Settlers pursue more than one occupation; the instances, (perhaps frequent), in which they enter in the Schedules the professions or callings to which they were brought up, or with which they would wish to be identified, rather than those in which they are most habitually engaged, or from which principally they 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 principal employments and pursuits; and the following Summary will show the comparison between 1864 and 1861:—

TABLE XV _ XVI Occupations.

The List of "Religious Bodies" in Schedule D. of the "Marriage Act, 1854," has, as on former occasions, been made the basis of the compilation of the Census Results for 1864, a column being added for the large number returned as "Protestants," without any more distinctive designation,— amounting to a Total of 6,825, or 3.96 per cent, of the Population of the Colony.—The Number not described in any way was 2,618, or 1.52 per cent. on the Population;—a considerably smaller Number than in 1861, when the proportion "Not Described" was 3.69 per cent., (the greater portion of those included, however, having been Gold Diggers in Otago, with respect to whom, in that year, the information was comparatively defective.)

TABLE XVII - XVIII.

The Number "Described Otherwise,"—that is, by designations which could not be brought under any of the headings above specified, was in 1864, 2,220, or 1.29 per cent, of the Population, against 1,284, or 1.30 per cent, of the Population in 1861. This number will be found reduced to 272 Persons by the Note to Table No. XVII., in which I have given the Descriptions found in the Schedules for the remaining 1,948. For these 272 Persons, there were no less than seventy descriptions;—many of which were, no doubt, almost identical in meaning, but all varying more or less in the form of expression. No designation has been omitted, the Persons returned as belonging to which (including men, women, and children,) numbered as many as twenty.

It will be seen by the centesimal calculations in Table No. XVIII. that, according to the Census Schedules, the Church of England had, in December 1864, 42.47 per cent, of the Population of the Colony;—the Presbyterian Churches, 24.43 per cent.;—the Roman Catholic Church, 12.49 per cent.;— the "Wesleyan Methodist Church, 7.26 per cent.;—the Congregational Independents, 2.14 per cent.;—the Baptists, 1.97 per cent.;—the Primitive Methodists, 0.78 per cent.; the Lutherans, T05 per cent.;—the Hebrews, 0.56 per cent.;—and the Society of Friends, 0.08 per cent. "Protestants," not more distinctively described were 3.96 per cent.; "Otherwise Described 1.29 per cent.;—and Not Described in any way, 1.52 per cent.

The subjoined Summary exhibits a comparison between 1861 and 1864, showing for each year, the Numbers of the Population returned as belonging to each of the principal Denominations; the Increase on each in 1864, both in absolute numbers and in the centesimal proportions borne by those numbers to the numbers in 1861; and the centesimal proportion of each Denomination to the Total Population in the respective years :—

The Census Results on this most important subject will be found, on the whole, gratifying and encouraging. It is matter of regret, indeed, that in the Provinces of Nelson and Canterbury the Household Forms were, in many instances, so imperfectly filled up with regard to Education that, in the former, there were 1,288, or 1081 per cent of the Population of the Province, and, in the latter, 1,388, or 4.30 per cent, of the Population, with regard to whom the required information was not entered in the Schedules. But deducting these, with 50 in the Province of Auckland and 136 in the Province of Otago, making a Total of 2,862 of the state of whose education no particulars have been supplied,—it appears that, of the Population of the Colony under Fifteen years of age, 18,689,—viz. 9,637 Males, and 9,052Pemales;—and, of the Population of Fifteen and upwards, 104,399, viz.—71,420 Males, and32,979 Females, were able to Read and "Write. Thus, including both Sexes and all Ages, there were 123,088 returned as having attained this degree of education. The proportions, centesimally worked out, are as follow:—Under Fifteen Years:— Cannot Read, Males, 53.18 per cent.; Females, 53.34 per cent.; Read Only, Males 13.43 per cent.; Females, 13.88 per cent.; Read and "Write, Males, 33.39 per cent.; Females, 82.78 per cent.:—Fifteen Years and Upwards :— Cannot Read, Males 3'39 per cent; Females, 3.85 per cent.; Read Only; Males, 2.69 per cent.; Females, 6*48 per cent.; Read and Write; Males 93.92 per cent; Females 89.67 per cent:—Both Sexes and all Ages:—Cannot Read; 20.13 per cent; Read Only 7.17 per cent; Read and Write; 72.70 per cent, —being, in 1864 as compared with 1861, an Increase of 4.03 per cent, on the proportion of the Total Population Able to Read and Write; and 1861 showed an Increase of 5.16 per cent, on the proportion shown by the Census of 1858.

TABLES XIX, XX, XXI.

The Table referred to in the margin shows the Numbers returned as attending School in each Province in December 1864, distinguishing the Sexes, and also showing the Numbers of Males and Females respectively under Five Years of Age, and between Five and Fifteen.

SCHOOLS. TABLE XXII.

The subjoined Summary presents a comparative view of the Total Numbers returned as attending School in December 1861 and December 1864 respectively:—

Within what may be considered the "School Going" Period, that is between the Ages of Five and Fifteen, (this being the closest approach to that period afforded by the Census Returns), the Numbers show 15,975, attending Day Schools in 1864, being a proportion of 50.28 per cent, on the Total (of 31,737). Dividing these Numbers according to the Sexes, there was of the Total of Males within those Ages, (which was 16,276,) a Total of 8,360, or 51.36 per cent.;—and of the Total of Females within those Ages, (which was 15,461,) a Total of 7,615, or 49.25 per cent, attending Day Schools. On the whole Population under Fifteen (amounting to 58,369) the proportion was 27.36 per cent.

A comparison with 1861 is subject to the qualification that, in the Census of that year, the classification of Ages which must be adopted, according to the Census forms, was Six to Sixteen (instead of Five to Fifteen, as in 1864). Within those Ages in 1861 there were 18,841 Persons. The Number returned as attending Day Schools was 9,741, being a proportion of 51.70 per cent, on that Total. Of the Total of Males (9,689) a proportion of 52.08 per cent.; and of the Total Females, (9,152) a, proportion of 51.30 per cent. were shown by the Returns.

I had occasion, however, to remark with regard to the Censuses of both 1861 and 1858, that the figures were not assumed to be absolutely accurate, "the columns for School Attendance being those which, in many instances, were least satisfactorily filled up." Although, by a further modification of the headings in the Household Forms, the risk of confusion between children attending "Day Schools," "Sunday Schools Only" and "Both Day and Sunday Schools" has been greatly lessened, still I apprehend that the complete correctness which is so desirable on this important subject cannot be claimed for the figures presented, however carefully they may have been compiled from the original Entries. Notwithstanding any defectiveness in parts of the Returns, however, they bring out clearly the facts that in 1864 there were 15,975 Children 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) there were 11,599 receiving Sunday School instruction. The Numbers of those receiving education at home cannot of course be brought into the Returns; but the existence, extent, and value of Home Education in the Colony should never be forgotten in any comprehensive estimate of the means in operation for the intellectual and moral training of the rising generation in New Zealand.

Full particulars on these branches of the Census information (for both the Provinces and the Electoral Districts), together with comparisons of 1864 with 1861 and 1858, will be found in the series of Tables referred to in the margin. It will be sufficient therefore, in this place, to exhibit the general Results; carrying back the view, however, to 1851, so as to show the steady and rapid progress of the Colony in these elements of prosperity.

TABLES XXIII .to XXVIII.

The Quantity of Land Fenced in 1851 was 30,470 Acres;—in 1858, 235,561 Acres;—in 1861, 409,763 Acres;—and in 1864, 1,072,383 Acres.

LAND Fenced.

The Quantity of Land under Crop in 1851 was 29,140 Acres;—in 1858 141,007 Acres; in 1861, 226,621 Acres;—and in 1864, 382,655 Acres.

The Aggregate Numbers of Live Stock of all kinds, (excluding throughout Poultry, which were not enumerated until 1861), were, in 1851, 299,115; in 1858, 1,728,093;— in 1861 3,038,557;—and in 1864, 5,310,062.

LIVE STOCK

Taking the principal kinds of Live Stock separately, the Numbers were the following:—Horses, in 1851, 2,890;—in 1858, 14,912;—in 1861, 28,275;— and in 1864, 49,409……Cattle, in 1851, 34,787;—in 1858,137,204;—in 1861 193,285;—and in 1864, 249,760 The increase in the Numbers of Sheep, however, is the most remarkable. These were, in 1851, 233,043;—in 1858, 1,523,324;—in 1861, 2,761,383;and, in 1864, 4,937,273.

In a series of Pour Tables are given the particulars, ascertained by the Census, respecting the Military Settlers and Colonial Defence Force which were referred to in a Note to Table No. I. These portions of the Population have been included (as was before stated) in all the Tables relating to the Provinces in which they were stationed on the Census night, as well as in the Totals of the Colony; but as this part of the Census was separately taken, (on the plan explained at Page V. of this Report), I have deemed it right to show in the Appendix,—although in a somewhat condensed form—the details of the information so collected.

MILITARY SETTLERS, &c. APPENDIX A,.B,C, and D.,

The Appendix to Part I. is closed by the descriptions of the boundaries of the portions of the Colony included as "Electoral Districts" in a number of the preceding Tables. The descriptions are a Verbatim copy of the Schedule to "The Representation Act 1860," with the addition of the Schedule to "The Representation Act 1862" defining the boundaries of the Districts of "Dunedin and Suburbs North" and "Dunedin and Suburbs South" constituted by that Act.

DESCRIPTIONS OF ELECTORAL DISTRICTS. APPENDIX E.

In connection with the Census of 1864, (as previously in 1858 and 1861), an attempt was made to obtain a variety of additional information relating to subjects on which Schedule B of the Census Act authorises inquiry to be made. But, as on former occasions, 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 on 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 Appendix to Part II. is wholly devoted to Meteorological Tables, commencing with a Comparative Table of the Climate in 1864 at a Number of the principal Places in New Zealand; after which, in a series of Eight Tables, are given Meteorological Observations in that year at Mongonui, Auckland, Taranaki, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, and Dunedin. The anticipation which I expressed in my Report on the Statistics of 1863—(that "the Meteorological Returns for 1864 would be found more complete and satisfactory")—has thus been realised to a gratifying extent, these Tables containing fuller information on this interesting subject than was available for 1863 or any previous year.

METEOROLOGY APPENDIX A,B,C,(D,E,F,G,H,I.)

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

JOHN B. BENNETT,

Registrar-General.