REPORT ON THE STATISTICS OF NEW ZEALAND, 1890

Prior to the results of the recent census being ascertained, the population of the colony on the 31st December, 1890, had been estimated as follows:—

The results of the census have shown that this estimate was considerably in excess of the real numbers, owing to unrecorded departures from the colony during the five years since the census of 1880 was taken.

An annual estimate of the Maori population cannot be made, as very few of the births or deaths occurring among them are registered; consequently the numbers obtained at one census-period are necessarily used for the purpose of stating the strength of the population until the results of the next census are known. The preliminary statement of the result of the special Maori census recently taken gives 41,523 as the present number of that race, exclusive of those on the Chatham Islands.

Correcting the estimate of population above given by the results of the census, the following may be accepted as the estimated number of the population on the 31st December, 1890:—

[The number of Maoris according to the Census of 1891 cannot be exactly stated for want of returns from the Chatham Islands, which are not yet forthcoming. In 1880 the number was 195, of whom 103 were males and 92 females.]

The following gives the number of the population of the principal divisions of the colony on the 5th April, 1891, according to the results of the recent census:—

The increase of population during 1890 was about 9,456, after allowing for a proportion of the unrecorded departures discovered by the census returns. As the number of births exceeded the number of deaths by 12,284, the difference between that number and 9,456 represents the excess of emigration over immigration, amounting to 2,828.

There is good reason to believe that very few of the births or deaths that occur remain unregistered. It follows as a matter of course that where a limit of time is given within which a birth has to be registered there will be occasional instances of neglect of attention to the requirements of the law; but it has been made evident that such neglects are very exceptional, and that the number of unregistered events is so small as not to appreciably affect the numbers given.

The following shows the number of births in excess of the number of deaths in each of the past ten years:—

It is a very striking fact that in 1890, when the population was greater than in 1881 by nearly 25 per cent., or by nearly 124,598 persons, the excess of births over deaths should have been less than in 1881 by 7 per cent.

The excess of births over deaths in 1890 was equivalent to 1.98 per cent. of the mean population for the year. The actual increase to population was not so great, owing to the number of persons who left the colony having been much greater than the number who came thereto; but if, in future years, the arrivals and departures should be fairly equal, the above rate of natural increase would give a population at the end of 1896 exceeding 700,000.

In only two years in the history of the colony do the official records show that a greater number of persons leftthan arrived: these years were 1888, when 9,175 more persons were known to have left than arrived, and 1890, when the excess of known departures was 1,782; but, from the result of the censuses of 1886 and 1891, it is manifest that, notwithstanding the efforts made to obtain correct statements of the numbers who leave, there has been annually a considerable amount of emigration of which no record is kept. It was apparent from the census results of 1886 that over 7,000 persons, whose departures were not recorded, had left the colony since the census of 1881 was taken. The emigration records were made up from returns supplied by the various shipping companies of persons who had booked their passages. It is, however, a common practice for persons to go on board the intercolonial steamers without previously booking their passages, and pay their passage-money on the voyage. The large unrecorded loss was attributed to this fact; and arrangements were then made with the Union Steamship Company for the purser of each vessel leaving the colony for Australian ports to supply, on his return to the colony, a statement of the actual number of passengers on board the vessel on her outward voyage. These returns have been found of great value for the purpose of correcting the official returns sent by the various Customs officers: and it was hoped that the unrecorded departures would be rendered almost a nil quantity.

The results of the last census have, however, shown that hope to be vain, as the deficiency on the estimate of population amounted to nearly 4,500 persons. No returns are received from the pursers of the Ellis line of steamers, and it is more than probable that numbers have left by that line whose departures have not been recorded. It is even thus difficult to account for the full loss, unless it were the case that other steamers were crowded in excess of the number allowed of which excess no report was made.

The excess of immigration or emigration in each of the past five years according to official records is given herewith:—

The net loss by excess of emigration over immigration in the five years was thus apparently 8,702. The actual loss, judging from the census results, was nearly 13,200.

The populations of the several Australasian Colonies (exclusive of the aborigines of Australia) were, according to the preliminary census returns on the 5th April, 1891, as follows:—

Excluding the Maori population, the females in the colony are in the proportion of 88.25 to every 100 males. The proportion of females to males is greater in New Zealand than in Queensland, New South Wales, and Western Australia, but less than in Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania.

As the information relating to the birthplaces, religions, ages, &c., of the people, as at the census of 1891, will not be available in time for this publication, it may be found convenient for purposes of reference to reproduce some of the results of the census of 1886.

The increase in the proportion, born in the colony in 1886 on that in 1881 was. 6.29. The proportion in 1891 will probably be found to be not less than 58 per Cent.

The following table gives a summary of the results of the census of 1886 regarding the religions of the people, also the proportion of each denomination to the whole population at that and each of the three previous censuses:—

The ascertained Protestants in New Zealand in 1886 amounted to 79.75 per cent. of the whole population. This, however, may be deemed to be considerably below the real proportion, as the persons who object to state their belief are generally Protestants of various denominations having objections to being required to give the information.

The proportion of Roman Catholics is much greater in Australia than in New Zealand. At the census of 1881 it was 27.63 per cent. in New South Wales, 25.47 per cent. in Queensland, 23.60 per cent in Victoria, and 15.23 per cent. in South Australia.

The following shows the number of males and females at each of the age-periods stated, and the proportion of persons at each age-period to the 100 of population at all ages, at the last census:—

Of the proportion of unspecified persons, 0.37 consisted of those evidently over 21 years of age. Thus, of the total population (exclusive of Maoris), 53.26 per cent. were under 21 years of age. Dealing with the sexes separately, 57.64 per cent. of the females and but 49.57 of the males were under 21. At each year of age under 15, except at the years 1 to 2 and 12 to 13, the males were more numerous than the females; but between the years 15 and 20 the females were more numerous than the males. At 20 to 21 the males were in the, minority, but at all ages above 21 the males were most numerous.

The following shows the proportion per 10,000 persons living at each of the several age-periods mentioned in the Australasian Colonies respectively and in England:—

The ages at which males in New Zealand are liable to serve in the Militia are between 17 and 55 years—namely, between 17 and 30 years in the first class, between 30 and 40 years in the second class, and between 40 and 55 in the third class. When the census of 1886 was taken the numbers at these ages (exclusive of Chinese and Maoris) were approximately as follow:—

From this the adult foreigners who were not naturalised should be deducted. The male foreigners who were not British subjects (deducting Chinese) numbered 9,177: doubtless these were chiefly adults. The above number of 155,236 may be fairly reduced by 8,000 for the number. On account of the large excess of departures over arrivals of adult males since then, the number at the Militia ages at the present time is doubtless less than in 1886; but until the work of tabulating the results of the recent census has been completed the correct number cannot be ascertained.

There is not in New Zealand, as in each of the other Australasian Colonies, one metropolitan centre of population overshadowing, by comparison, the other towns of the colony. The configuration and physical features of the colony made it specially adapted for the establishment of settlements comparatively remote from one another. As aresult the colony was formerly divided into nine provinces, each having its capital town. Of these, the principal are the Boroughs of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin.

Auckland Borough, situate in the northern part of the North Island, had in April, 1891, a population of 28,613. As the population of the suburbs amounted to 22,514, the total population centred in and around Auckland was 51,127.

The Borough of Wellington, the seat of Government, is situated en the border of Port Nicholson, at the southern extremity of the North Island. It contained in April, 1891, a population amounting to 31,021 persons. The suburban population is small, amounting only to 2,203 persons. The whole population in and around Wellington thus numbered 33,224.

The Borough of Christchurch is situated in the Canterbury District of the Middle Island. The recent census returns give a population of 16,223 in that borough, and of 31,623 in the suburbs, in which are included the Boroughs of St. Albans and Sydenham. The total population in the Borough and suburbs of Christchurch was thus 47,846.

The Borough of Dunedin, the principal town of the former Province of Otago, is the centre of a population amounting to 45,865, of which the Borough of Dunedin contained 22,376; and eight surrounding boroughs, which are practically suburbs of Dunedin, 23,489.

The number of persons who arrived in the colony in 1890 was 15,028, a decrease of 364 on the number in 1889. In the immigration returns all persons above the age of 12 years are classified as adults, those under 12 as children. On that basis the number of adults who arrived was 13,319, of whom 8,858 were males and 4,461 were females. The number of children was 1,709, of whom 895 were males and 814 were females.

Of those who arrived, 2,812 came from the United Kingdom, 4,854 from Victoria, 6,147 from New South Wales and Queensland, 14 from South and Western Australia, 524 from Tasmania, 150 from Fiji, 451 from Hawaii (including the arrivals by the mail steamers fromSan Francisco via Hawaii) and the South Seas, and 76 from other ports.

There was not any free immigration in 1890, but 144 persons arrived who were nominated by friends in the colony and whose passages were partially paid for by the Government. Of these, the number of each nationality was as follows: 67 English, 41 Irish, 27 Scotch, 5 German, 3 Danish, and 1 Norwegian. The terms of nomination were that for each adult £10, and for each child between the ages of 1 and 12 years £5, was paid in the colony by friends. The system of nominated immigration was discontinued on the 16th December, 1890.

The number of Chinese who arrived in the colony in 1890 was 18.

In 1881 an Act was passed imposing a tax on every Chinese person landing in the colony, except in the case of any one of a crew of a vessel who might not remain in the colony. The object of the Act was so to restrict the introduction of Chinese as to prevent an increase to that part of the population. The following figures show that the desired effect has been so far obtained. In 1881 the Chinese population amounted to 5,004, in 1886 the number had diminished to 4,542, and when the recent census was taken there were only 4,292 Chinese in the colony.

The following shows the number of arrivals in and departures from the colony of Chinese in each of the past ten years:—

Restrictive legislation on the immigration of Chinese has been passed in the Australian Colonies as well as in New Zealand. In December, 1881, an Act was passed in NewSouth Wales imposing a poll-tax of £10 per head on Chinese arriving in the colony. In 1888 the amount of the tax was raised to £100; vessels being also prohibited from carrying to the colony more than one Chinese passenger to every 300 tons. As a result the number of Chinese who arrived in the colony in 1889 was only 7, of whom 6 had exemption either as being British subjects, or from having been residents in, but temporarily absent from, the colony. Chinese landing are also prohibited from engaging in mining without express authority under the hand and seal of the Minister of Mines, and are not permitted to become naturalised subjects.

The number of persons whose departures from this colony were recorded was 16,810, of whom 10,809 were males and 6,001 were females, inclusive of 2,147 children under 12 years of age. Of these, 1,863 went direct to the United Kingdom, 4,884 to Victoria, 8,581 to New South Wales and Queensland, 68 to South Australia, 329 to Tasmania, 101 to Fiji, 796 (including passengers for San Francisco) to Hawaii and the South Seas, and 188 to other ports.

There was a known loss by excess of emigration over immigration of 1,782 persons. The actual loss in the year was greater, as it has been previously stated that the census returns are deficient of the estimate by nearly 4,500, to be accounted for by unrecorded departures of persons from the colony in the previous five years. A proportion of these should be added to the ascertained loss in 1890.

There was a gain on passenger traffic with the United Kingdom of 949. This may be accepted as fairly accurate, the elements of disturbance arising only in the traffic between this and the Australian Colonies. There was an ascertained loss of 2,434 on the passenger traffic with New South Wales and Queensland, 30 on that with Victoria, and 54 on that with South and Western Australia; that with Tasmania resulting in a gain of 195 to this colony. It may be reasonably assumed that the bulk of the unrecorded loss has been in the direction of that colony which has absorbed our greatest recorded loss, and that New South Wales has largely benefited by an influx of population from New Zealand. At first it may appear that New Zealand has been a great sufferer through this loss of population. If all the persons who went were of a class that would settle down to country pursuits and help to develop the resources of the colony, that opinion might be well founded; but the large expenditure on public works that has obtained for years has brought to, or developed in, the colony a class of persons living solely by such expenditure, who have realised rates of wages that could not be profitably given by farmers. On the cessation of such expenditure the result might reasonably be expected that numbers, unacquainted with farm-labour and disinclined thereto as being less remunerative than the labour they had been accustomed to, should migrate to places where the prospect of employment by expenditure on public works would be better. If they remained in the colony they would in all probability swell the number of those who call for further public expenditure, and, not being producers, it is questionable whether the loss to the colony in instances like these is such as to be deplored.

The information relating to the number of recorded arrivals and departures is presented in a tabular form:—

The following table shows the recorded movements of population between New Zealand and the United Kingdom, the Australian Colonies and Tasmania, and other places, in each of the past ten years:—

In the above period the apparent gain by net immigration was as follows: Males over 12 years of age, 10,350; females over 12 years, 8,683; male children, 697; female children, 527. There was a considerable gain in exchange of population with the United Kingdom, but a loss on that with the Australian Colonies and other places.

It will be observed, on reference to the previous table, that by far the largest amount of emigration to the Australian Colonies in any one year occurred in 1888, when the expenditure of loan-money by the General Government was reduced to one-half of what it had been in the previous year, 1887.

The following table shows the immigration — distinguishing between the unassisted and the assisted—and the emigration for the past ten years:—

These numbers' are based on returns sent to this office, but it has been previously stated that the results of the recent census, as also of those of 1886, showed that a large number of persons had left the colony of whose departures there were no records. The estimated unrecorded loss in the above ten years is about 11,694: this would reduce the net gain of population in the ten years from excess of immigration to about 8,563 persons, instead of 20,257 as shown by the above table.

The returns made by the Board of Trade do not distinguish between the departures from the United Kingdom for New Zealand and those for Australia. The departures for Australasia as a whole are only given. In 1890 these amounted to 21,570. The number of persons who arrived in New Zealand direct from the United Kingdom amounted to 2,812, or equal to 13 per cent. of the entire direct emigration from the United Kingdom to the Australasian Colonies. This proportion is greater than in 1889: the number does not represent all the persons who come from the United Kingdom to this colony, as many come viâ the Suez Canal or San Francisco, and thus appear as arrivals from Australia or Hawaii.

There has been a large annual decrease of late years in the number of persons who leave the United Kingdom for these southern colonies.

As the population of New Zealand (exclusive of Maoris) comprises 13.44 per cent. of the population of Australasia, not including Fiji, it would appear as if the attractions of this colony were proportionately less than those of Australia, but, as previously stated, the above numbers do not take account of persons who arrive from England viâ Australia and the United States.

The following shows the immigration and emigration for each of the Australasian Colonies during the year 1890. As there is no record of those who travel overland from one Australian Colony to another, the numbers given refer to those who arrive and depart by sea, except that those for Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia include arrivals and departures by train across the border. The figures for departures are for all the colonies admittedly imperfect, on account of the number of persons who leave, by sea of whose departure no record is obtained:—

Aliens residing in the colony may, on taking the oath of allegiance to Her Majesty, obtain letters of naturalisation which entitle them to enjoy all the rights and capacities which a natural-horn subject of the United Kingdom can enjoy or transmit within this colony. 418 aliens were naturalised in 1890.

As the diversity of nationality is considerable, the following statement is given of the number of each:—

The number of natives of each country naturalised during the last ten years is shown hereunder:—

The natives of Germany comprised 34 per cent. of the number naturalised in the period 1881-90, Swedes and Norwegians 22 per cent., Danes 17 per cent., and Chinese 8 per cent.

The General Assembly was dissolved by Proclamation on the 3rd October, 1890. Immediately prior to that date it consisted of the Legislative Council, Inning 39 members, and the House of Representatives, having 95 members. The members of the Legislative Council hold their seats under writs of summons from the Governor, the appointmentsbeing for life unless vacated by resignation or extended absence. Two of the members of the Council are aboriginal native chiefs. The members of the House of Representatives are elected for a period of three years: 4 of the members were representatives of Native constituencies, 3 members of the Maori districts being aboriginal natives, and 1 a half-caste.

An Act was passed in 1887 which provided that, on the termination of the then General Assembly, the number of members to be thereafter elected to the House of Representatives should be 74 in all, of whom 4 were to be elected under the provisions of the Maori Representation Act, as representatives of Maori electors only.

A general election took place shortly after the dissolution, the results of which were officially notified on the 18th December, 1890. The House of Representatives then consisted of 74 members, of whom 4 (3 Maoris and 1 half-caste) represented Maori constituents.

In 1889 an amendment of the Representation Act was passed, which contained a provision prohibiting any elector giving his vote in respect of more than one electorate at any election. This provision greatly increased the effective power of those voters who were registered for one electorate district only, and resulted in a considerable addition to the number of so-called labour members in the House of Representatives. The proportion of representatives, members of Parliament or Congress, to population in each of the Australian Colonies (exclusive of Maori members and Maori population in New Zealand) and the countries named, at the dates given, was as follows:—

The number of the Maori race at the time of the first foundation of the colony was estimated at about 80,000. Twenty years previously the number had been estimated at 100,000. In 1857 the results of an attempted enumeration of the race gave a total of 56,049 of both sexes. Owing to the objections made by the Natives to stating their numbers, and the difficulties experienced in obtaining information in those parts to which the European was not allowed access, the subsequent attempts at enumeration have not been altogether satisfactory, although at every succeeding census the approximation to accuracy becomes greater. The census of 1886 gave the number of 22,840 males and of 19,129 females—a total of 41,969, being a decrease of 2,128, or at the rate of 4.83 per cent. on the number in 1881. The preliminary results of the recent census in 1891 gave the number of males at 22,633 and of females at 18,890—a total of 41,523, or less by only 446 than that in 1886. With respect to this decrease it has to be observed that it was estimated that over 100 Natives were overwhelmed by the mud discharged from Tarawera on the occasion of the eruption on the 10th June, 1886; also that the numbers given do not include the resident Natives of the Chatham Islands, who, through an oversight, were not enumerated. In 1886 the number amounted to 195. Allowing for the loss of life from this exceptional cause, and for the omission stated, the rate of decrease for the five years 1886-91 is enormously reduced on that for the period 1881-86; so much so that the population must lately have been in a stationary condition. The low proportion in 1886 of males and females under 15 years of age to every 100 of the population—viz., 31.82 per cent. in the case of males and 33.59 in that of females—indicated a low birth-rate and a high juvenile mortality, tending to a racial decrease.

On account of the want of records of births and deaths it cannot be stated whether any improvement has occurred in either of these matters, and the ages of the Maoris as in 1891 will not be tabulated in time to be available for this report.

Various causes have been given to account for the decrease in the numbers of the race. Among these arethe following: An excessive infantile mortality, owing to improper food, exposure, want of ordinary care and cleanliness; the constitutions of the parents debilitated by past debauchery; the practice of placing their sick in the hands of the Native doctor (tohunga) instead of applying, until too late, to the medical officer of the district; the sterility induced by the widespread immorality among quite young females before marriage; the partial adoption of European habits and costume, and the continual reversion to the habits and costume of barbarism with a system rendered more susceptible to external influences, especially those of a humid and changeable climate, thereby tending to promote the spread of diseases, notably those affecting the respiratory organs; and to a certain extent the continued intertribal marriages, resulting in diminished fruit-fullness and enfeebled constitutions.

The Maoris show great aptitude for civilisation. They possess fine characteristics, mental and physical, and many rapidly adopt the manners and customs of their civilised neighbours. The Native members of the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives take a dignified, active, and intelligent part in the debates, especially in those having any reference to the interests of their race.

The hostility to the Europeans—which, however, was entertained by only a portion of the race—may be regarded as a thing of the past, and not likely to be revived in an aggressive form, although all the tribes have not fully emerged from the state of isolation with which they have hedged themselves round.

The number of births registered in 1890 was 18,278, being in the proportion of 29.44 per 1,000 of the population. The number of births was less by 179 than in 1889, and the proportion the lowest on record in the colony. The great decrease in the birth-rate is shown in the following table:—-

It will be observed that the number of births was less in 1890 than in 1884 by 1,568. A decrease in the birthrate in a young country is to a certain point a natural result of the increasing proportion of the population under twenty-one years of age, but a decrease in the actual number of births is different from what might reasonably have been looked for. The number of births given in each year is the number that was registered, but there is good reason to believe that very few births remain unregistered, and that the registration may at the present time be deemed as complete as could be expected.

The smaller proportion of wives under forty-five years of age and their higher average age would have an influence in lowering the birth-rate, but it is evident that lessened fertility is only one of the causes of the decrease in operation, another being the decrease in the marriage-rate: probably the most potent is a disinclination to assume the responsibilities and burdens of a large family.

The birth-rate, 29.44 in 1890, is lower than any on record for the whole of England and Wales, although higher than the rates which obtain in some of the counties. The rate was also lower than that (30.1) in Scotland, but considerably higher than that (22.8) in Ireland, in 1889.

The rate in New Zealand in 1890 was the lowest in the Australasian Colonies. The following shows the birth-rates of those colonies in each of the past six years:—

The male births in New Zealand in 1890 numbered 9,293, and the female 8,985: the proportion was thus 103.43 males to 100 females. In 1889 the proportion was 106.38 males to 100 females. There are on an average more male to female births in all the Australasian Colonies than in England, but the proportion of male births is greater in many of the European States.

There were 190 cases of twin births (380 children) in 1890; there were also two cases of triplet births. The number of children born was 18,278; the number of mothers was 18,084: thus on an average 1 mother in every 95 gave birth to twins. In 1889 the proportion was 1 in 120. and in 1888 it was 1 in 97.

The births of 603 children were illegitimate: thus 10 in every 303, or 33 in every 1,000 children born, were illegitimate.

The following table gives the rates of illegitimacy in each of the Australasian Colonies. The rate of illegitimacy has considerably increased of late years in New Zealand, but it is less than in any other of the Australasian Colonies except South Australia:—

The rates in the Colonies of Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria are somewhat higher than the rate in England, which was 4.59 in 1889.

The average number of children to a marriage may be ascertained by comparing the number of legitimate birthsfor a series of years with the number of marriages during a series of years of the same number, but commencing with the year preceding that for which the first number of births is taken; for, although in the earlier years births will be included that are the fruits of marriages solemnised prior to the commencement of the period, yet there will be omitted the number of children that might be born subsequently to the period, of parents married within the time.

As the records of illegitimate births cannot be accepted as at all reliable prior to 1875, that year has been taken as the starting-point for the calculation:—

The average number of births per marriage was, for the first seven years 5.45, and for the last seven years 5.07, thus showing in the last period a decrease in the number of births to a marriage in the ratio of 7 per cent. In the Australian Colonies a similar decrease is noticeable. The Government Statist of Victoria has remarked that in all the Australasian Colonies, except Tasmania, there is atendency for the average number of children to a marriage to decrease. The average number of children to a marriage is greater in New Zealand than in the other Australasian Colonies. The number given in the Victorian Year-book for each of the colonies named is as follows:—

The following statement of the average number of children to a marriage in various European countries is taken from the Victorian Year-book:—

With the exception of Ireland, the largest number of children to a marriage in either of the colonies or countries mentioned is in New Zealand; and it appears doubtful whether the number given for Ireland is not too large, as the registration of marriages is not so complete in that country as the registration of births.

The numbers given represent those of children born to a marriage; but a comparison of the strength of families in the different countries cannot well be instituted without taking into consideration the variations in the mortality of children. Some of these variations are thus shown:—

Consequently the average number of children in each family living to the age of five years would be, on the basis of the preceding numbers, as follows:—

or, for every 100 families, there would be the following number of children who had survived the fifth year of age:—

The very leading position held by New Zealand is undoubtedly due to the much lower rate of mortality among infants under one year of age.

The number of marriages in 1890 was 3,797, an increase of 165 on the number in 1889. The marriage-rate was 6.12 per 1,000 persons living, both the number of marriages and the rate being greater than in any year since 1885. This rate is below that which obtains in the other Australasian Colonies. The respective rates for these colonies are shown in the following table:—

The marriage-rate is commonly taken as an index of the prosperity of the people. Assuming the correctness of this view, it appears that during the past ten years there has been a larger measure of general prosperity in all the other colonies than in New Zealand. The marriage-rate isalso less in New Zealand than in most of the European countries.

The greatest number of marriages in 1890 occurred in the autumn quarter, ending the 30th June, and the smallest number in the winter quarter, ending the 30th September. Marriages have generally been most numerous in the autumn, or June quarter; next so in the summer quarter, ending the 31st March; next in the spring quarter, ending the 31st December; and least numerous in the winter quarter. In 1890 the experience of former years was maintained.

Of the marriages which were solemnised in 1890, 3,317 were between bachelors and spinsters, 157 between bachelors and widows, 225 between widowers and spinsters, and 98 between widowers and widows. Divorced males and females have been classified as bachelors or spinsters: 8 divorced males and 2 divorced females wore married during the year.

The proportion of each class of marriage to all the marriages approximates very closely from year to year, thus:—

The number of marriages given does not include those between persons both of whom are of the aboriginal native race, these persons being exempted from the necessity of complying with the provisions of the Marriage Act, although they are at liberty to take advantage thereof: but only 11 marriages in which both parties were Maoris were contracted in 1890 in terms of that Act.

Of the marriages in the past year, 21.66 per cent. were solemnised by ministers of the Church of England, 27.59 per cent. by ministers of the Presbyterian Churches, 15.58 per cent. by ministers of the Wesleyan and other Methodist Churches, 10.45 per cent. by ministers of the Roman Catholic Church, 5.27 per cent. by ministers of other denominations, and 19.45 per cent. by Registrars.

There was a decrease, in 1890, on the number and proportion of marriages solemnised by ministers of the Church of England during the previous year, but an increase on the number and proportion of marriages by ministers of other principal denominations and by Registrars.

The following shows the proportions of marriages by ministers of the principal denominations in the past four years, and the proportions of the persons of these denominations to the total population:—

It will be observed that the proportions of marriages by ministers of the Presbyterian and Wesleyan Churches aregreater than the proportions of the members of these denominations to the total population. It is manifest that the marriages solemnised by them include those of members of other religious bodies, and that the persons married before Registrars to a large extent consist of nominal members of the Church of England. As all marriages between members of the Roman Catholic Church are, by requirement of that Church, solemnised by the ministers thereof, it appears that fewer marriages in proportion to their numbers occur among the members of that Church than among members of other bodies.

Of the men married in 1890, 62, or 16.33 in every 1,000, and, of the women, 78, or 19.23 in every 1,000, signed the register by marks.

The extent of illiteracy in the population measured by the proportion of married persons who affix their marks to instead of signing the marriage register has greatly decreased in the last few years—in the ten years 1881-90 to the extent of about one-half among the males and about three-fifths among the females. This is shown in the following table:—

It will be observed that the largest proportion who signed by marks was of Roman Catholics, but the decrease in 1890 on the proportions in 1881 was at the rate of

70 per cent. in the case of the males and of 68 per cent. in the case of females who could not write. The proportion of illiterates was next greatest among those married before Registrars; but it must be remembered that, as previously stated, a large proportion of the persons married before Registrars are nominally members of the Church of England.

Of the persons married in 1890, 72 males and 864 females were under 21 years of age, 9 of the males were between 18 and 19; but 292 of the females were under 19, of whom 1 was under 15, 4 between 15 and 16, and 24 between 16 and 17 years of age. The proportion of males married is greatest at the ages 25 to 30, and that of the females at from 21 to 25 years.

The following are the proportions of men and women at each age-period to every 100 married during the past three years:—

Registrars of Marriages in New Zealand are prohibited by law from issuing certificates for the marriage of minors without the consent of their parents or lawful guardians, if there be any in the colony. If a declaration be made in any case that there is no parent or lawful guardian in the colony, then a certificate may be issued after the expiration of fourteen days following the date on which the notice of intended marriage is given.

A marriage may not be solemnised in New Zealand except after the delivery to the minister or Registrar whoofficiates of a certificate issued by a Registrar, authorising such marriage, and if any person knowingly and wilfully intermarry without such certificate the marriage is null and void; and no clergyman or minister of any denomination is empowered to solemnise marriages until his name has been placed on the Registrar-General's list of officiating ministers for the year.

The ages at which persons may contract binding marriages are the same as in England—namely, 12 years for females and 14 for males. Marriage may be contracted at earlier ages than those stated, but would be voidable at the discretion of either of the parties upon reaching the age of 12 or 14, as the case may be, and without the necessity of proceedings in Court.

The following statement gives the ages at which persons can contract binding marriages in each of the countries named:—

The average age of the males in this colony who married in 1890 was 29.73 years, and of the females 24.90 years. In England the mean age of those whose ages were stated was 28.28 years for men, and 25.95 years forwomen. Thus the average age at which men many is higher in the colony than in England, but that of the women is lower.

The proportion of males under 21 who marry in England is much greater than in New Zealand; but the proportion of females under 21 who marry is much greater in the colony.

In 1889, in England, of every 1,000 males married whose ages were stated, 61 were under 21 years of age, and of every 1,000 females 199 were under 21 years of age, In New Zealand, in 1890, the proportions were 19 males and 227 females in every 1,000 married. While in New Zealand the proportion of bridegrooms under 21 years of age fluctuates within narrow limits, the proportion of brides under 21 years of age is steadily decreasing: this is shown by the following proportions for each sex under 21 years of age in every 100 married:—

The deaths in 1890 numbered 5,994, being equivalent to a rate of 9.66 in every 1,000 persons living. This is higher than the rate (9.44) in 1889; but, with the exception of the rates in 1888 and 1889, the death-rate in 1890 was the lowest on record.

The death-rate in New Zealand contrasts very favourably with those in the other Australasian Colonies and in European countries, and furnishes evidence of the great salubrity of the climate of the colony. The following table gives the death-rates for a series of years in the several countries named:—

The comparison of the above rates appears to place the Australasian Colonies as a whole in the foremost place for salubrity of climate and healthiness of people, New Zealand taking the lead by a wide interval; but it has been shown in previous reports that a mere death-rate calculated on the whole population—that is, the proportion of all deaths to the 1,000 of population living in the middle of the year—although a very fair index of the sanitary condition of the same country if compared from year to year, and also useful for comparing the healthiness of different countries' whose respective populations contain a fairly-equal proportionate number of persons living at each age-period of life, cannot be regarded as a fair index of the comparative healthiness of new and old countries, or even of that of new countries one with another, when the relative proportions living at the several age-periods vary considerably.

The truest rates of mortality are., obtained by ascertaining the proportion of deaths of persons of certain ages to the numbers living at those ages; but, as information respecting the ages of the people is only obtained when a census is taken, correct rates on this basis can only be obtained after a census.

In practice, the use of so many rates would be productive of extreme inconvenience, and for a single form of death-rate for purposes of comparison the death-rate designated by the, Victorian Statist, as the “adjusted death-rate” appears the most suitable. There is, however,this objection to it: that, being based on the mortality experienced at respective age-periods, it can only be correctly ascertained immediately after a census has been taken, when the numbers living at each age of life are ascertainable; but it would be more or less incorrect for intermediate years. For the purpose of constructing this-death-rate it is necessary, to select a population in which the conditions as to age are of a normal character, and free from the fluctuations incident to the growth of the population of a new country. That of England and Wales appears to be such an one: it may be described as the model population. The number living in every 10,000 persons in England and Wales when the last census was taken, at each of the several quinquennial age-periods up to 25, and at each of the decennial periods 25 to 75, and for the period 75 and upwards, is first ascertained. Then the actual death-rate per 1,000 persons living at each of those age-periods in the colony or country under consideration is used as a basis to find what the number of deaths-would be for the numbers given at each age-period in the model population. The result represents the total number of deaths in the colony in every 10,000 persons living in the proportions as to the age-periods given in the model population.

The following table illustrates the method adopted:—

This amounted to a rate at all ages of 12.82 per 1,000 of the New Zealand population in 1886, grouped in the proportions at each age-period according to the numbers in the model population. The death-rate for that year, calculated according to the ordinary method, was 10.54, which, to the extent of the difference between 10.51 and 12.82, was erroneous for the purpose of comparison with the death-rate of such a population as that of England and Wales. Although, on account of the normal condition of the population, the ordinary annual death-rate in England, and probably also in most of the European countries, may be considered as equivalent to an adjusted rate constructed in the above manner, yet, as has been previously stated, this is not the case in young countries, and in them such adjusted rate can only be made correctly at long intervals. But the difference shown in the above two rates—2.28 per 1,000 persons—affords some index of the measure of addition to be made to the New Zealand rate when it is compared with that of England.

It is not considered expedient to make further calculations as to the death-rates at age-periods in New Zealand and the Australian Colonies until information as to the numbers living at each age-period, obtained at the recent census, is made public. The results of calculations in former years show that the mortality of children under 5 years of age is very much lower in New Zealand than in either of the other of the Australasian Colonies, and only about half that in England. To this fact New Zealand is chiefly indebted for her low average death-rate. The absence of the same proportion of old people that obtains in England, and among whom the mortality is relatively very great, also has the effect of helping to keep down the rate in this and the Australian Colonies.

Of the persons who died in 1890, 233 males and 167 females were at or over 75 years of age. Of these, 112 males and 69 females were under 80 years of age, 65 males and 66 females were at and over 80 and under-85 years of age, 44 males and 27 females were from 85 to under 90, 9 males and 3 females were from 90 to 95, 2males and 1 female between 95 and 100 years, and 1 male reached the age of 101.

The combined ages of all the males who died amounted to 117,206 years, and those of the females to 72,111 years, giving an average age at death of 33.81 years for the males and 28.62 years for the females.

The average age at death of persons of each sex, in each of the past four years, was as follows:—

More males than females are born annually, and more male than female infants die in proportion to the number of each sex born. In 1890, the number of male children born was 9,293, and the number of deaths of male infants under 1 year of age was 775, being at the rate of 83 in every 1,000 born; the number of females born was 8,985, and the number that died under 1 year of age was 663, being in the proportion of 74 in every 1,000 born.

The following gives the proportion of deaths of male and female infants at the ages stated to the 1,000 births of each sex respectively for the year 1890, and also the numbers and averages for the ten years 1881-90:—

The mortality of male infants in 1890 was at each period of life specified much below the average for the past ten years, but the mortality of female infants was greater than the average for the first month, and afterwards much less. The probability of living during the first year of age is much greater in favour of female than of male infants. The result of the past ten years shows that in equal numbers born there are—

It will be observed that the proportionate mortality among male infants is greatest during the first month of life, and gradually diminishes after that time.

The rates of infantile mortality—that is, the proportion the deaths of children under 1 year of age bear to the births—are higher in the Australian Colonies than in New Zealand. The following table gives the rate in each of the colonies named for each of the ten years 1881-90:—

Infantile mortality is as a rule greatest in the large towns, where the population is dense and the sanitary conditionsare less favourable than in country districts. The absence in New Zealand of any such large centres of population as obtain in some of the Australian Colonies may partially account for the lower rates of infantile mortality in this colony. The following shows the proportion of infantile deaths to births in each of the four principal boroughs in New Zealand during the past five years:—

The great decrease in these rates in 1890 compared with those in 1886 evidences great improvements in the sanitary conditions in these several boroughs. The saving of life resulting from the smaller rates of infantile mortality in 1890 on those in 1887 (the mortality in 1886 having been exceptionally great, the next year is selected for the purpose of comparison) amounts to a difference of 112 children: that is, if the mortality among infants had been as great in proportion to the number of births in 1890 as in 1887, there would have been 112 more deaths of children in these boroughs in 1890 than actually occurred.

The following statement gives the classification of diseases, with the percentage of deaths therefrom to the total mortality, and the proportion to the 10,000 of population in each class and order, in the years 1888, 1889, and 1890:—

The following gives the causes of death, in 1890, in order of their fatality:—

The deaths in 1890 from specific febrile or zymotic diseases amounted to 823, being in the proportion of 132 in every 100,000 persons living—an increase of 87 in the number and of 12 in the proportion to population over 1889. There was a large increase in the number of deaths from influenza, whooping-cough, and enteric fever, but a decrease in the number from diarrhæal diseases.

The following are the diseases in this class which caused the greatest mortality in the past six years.—

Attention was drawn last year to the absence of smallpox as a cause of death, and, probably owing to the immunity the colony has had from that disease, to the increasing neglect of the precautionary measure of vaccination. In 1889 the number of children under 1 year of age successfully Vaccinated was 8,928, in the ratio of 48.37 per cent. of those born. A greater neglect of vaccination has been shown in 1890, as the number of infants under 1 year successfully vaccinated was only 7,798, the proportion being 42.66 per cent. of those born. The successful vaccinations of children from 1 to 14 years numbered 2,985 in 1889, but only 1,559 in 1890. However stringent the regulations may be relative to the admission of ships and passengers arriving from infected ports, yet, considering the facility with which the virus of small-pox may be transmitted by apparel, &c., and the length of time during which it may retain its energy, it can hardly be expected but that the disease may appear some day in our midst. In that case the growing indifference to vaccination may be a cause of bitter regret.

The deaths from scarlet fever were more numerous in 1890. Of the 31 deaths, 23 occurred in the Provincial District of Wellington, 9 having occurred in the Borough of Wellington. Of the rest, 5 occurred in the Auckland District, 1 in Hawke's Bay, 1 in Westland, and 1 in Otago.

The deaths from diphtheria were slightly more numerous in 1890 than in 1889. The greatest number of these deaths (46) occurred in Otago, the next greatest number (29) in Canterbury; but in proportion to population the deaths were most numerous in Marlborough, next so in Taranaki, then in Otago. Wellington gave the smallest proportion of these deaths, that in Auckland being slightly higher, but next to Wellington.

There was in 1890 a very considerable decrease in the mortality from diarrhæal diseases upon that in 1889, although the deaths were more numerous than in 1888. The mortality from these diseases fluctuates considerably from year to year, and is apparently greatly regulated by the varying temperature of seasons and years. The following table, showing the mean maximum temperature in the summer months at the stations specified, exhibits the rise or fall of mortality from diarrhæal diseases with the rise and fall of temperature:—

The number of deaths from typhoid fever increased from 118 in 1889 to 145 in 1890. The greatest mortality from this disease occurred in Auckland. The following shows the number of these deaths in every 10,000 persons living in each of the provincial districts during the past four years:—

Deaths from enteric or typhoid fever are, proportionally to population, more numerous in all the Australasian Colonies than in England; but, of these colonies, the proportion is least in New Zealand, where it is only slightly in excess of that in England.

Among the deaths from dietetic diseases are those of 24 males and 8 females from alcoholic intemperance. In 1889 the deaths of 27 males and 12 females were registered from this cause. These do not include the numbers who die from diseases which are caused or developed by habits of intemperance; or diseases which have, in consequence of those habits, assumed a fatal character.

Phthisis is by far the most serious cause of death. In 1889 it was the cause of 499 deaths, and in 1890 of 520. Of those who died in 1890, 298 were males and 222 were females. The deaths were in the proportion of 8.37 in every 10,000 persons living, or among males of 9.01 in every 10,000 living, and among females 7.65 in every 10,000 living.

The death-rate from phthisis is considerably less than that in any of the Australian Colonies, but differs very slightly from that in Tasmania. In all those colonies the rate is materially increased by the deaths of persons who have arrived in a diseased condition, or constitutionally predisposed thereto; but there is no reason to think that the rate is more affected by this cause in the other colonies than in New Zealand, consequently the lower rate in New Zealand may be accepted as an indication of the superiority of its climate for withstanding the development of phthisical tendencies. The rate in this colony is a little more than half that in England.

The following table gives the ages, with the length of residence in the colony, of those who died from phthisis in 1890:—

Of those who died from phthisis, 177, or 34 per cent., were horn in the colony. In 1888 the similar number was 145, and the proportion 30 per cent. In 1889 the number was 140, percentage 29. 32 of the deaths, or 6.1 per cent., were of persons who had not resided three years in the colony, and may probably be considered to have arrived in a diseased condition. Of the 30 whose length of residence was not stated, some may have been only a short time in the colony; and, of the rest, many possibly who have survived a three years' residence may yet owetheir deaths to constitutional weakness which affected them before arrival. There is much therefore to make what may be termed the liability to the development of phthisis in New Zealand less than would appear from the rate given. In 1886 the New-Zealand-born population comprised 51.89 per cent. of the population. The results of the recent census in this respect are not yet available, but the proportion cannot have been well less than 55.5 per cent. in the middle of 1890. That proportion would give a New-Zealand-born population amounting to 344,533. The deaths from phthisis of persons born in the colony were 177, amounting to a proportion of 5.14 in every 10,000 of the New-Zealand-born. This is a somewhat higher rate than in 1889, when it was estimated at 4.32. These are the proportions which are properly comparable with the death-rate from phthisis in England, which averaged 15.98 in every 10,000 persons living for the four years 1886-89.

The following table gives the number of deaths from phthisis at each age-period, and the proportions to every 100 deaths from that cause, for each sex for the ten years 1881-90:—

The mortality was greatest in both sexes at the age-period 25-35; but more persons died from phthisis between 20 and 25 years of age than in any other quinquennial period of life. Under 20 years of age the mortality from this disease is greater among females than males; after 25 the mortality is greater among the males, the disproportion in favour of the females increasing with advancing age.

Cancer was given as the cause of 295 deaths in 1890. In 1889 the number of deaths from this disease was 260., in 1888 263, and in 1887 238. The increase in the mortality from cancer in New Zealand, as well as in England, is considerable. In reference to this subject the Registrar-General of England made the following remarks in his Fifty-second Report:—

To what causes such increase may be due is a question outside a purely statistical report; but it may be pointed out that, if it be true, as appears to be the general though not the universal opinion of medical experts, that the development of new growths is often due to a constitutional and inheritable tendency, and if, as undoubtedly is the case, such development does not as a rule manifest itself till after the usual age of marriage and of parturition, it must follow as a necessary arithmetical consequence that the tendency shall spread wider and wider among the population. In the case of a disease such as tubercular phthisis, which in a large proportion of cases manifests itself before the age of marriage, there will be, at any rate to a certain extent, a constant, if an insufficient, weeding-out from the candidates for matrimony of those who are most seriously liable to this disease; but in the case of cancer there will be no such preservative influence, and so long as persons with this inherited tendency marry, practically without let or hindrance of any kind, there must, as already said, be a constantly-growing proportion of the population that shares in the constitutional defect.

The rapidity of the increase in the death-rate from cancer, both in England and in New Zealand, is shown by the following table:—

The increase, especially in the case of the deaths of males, has been deemed to be partially due to improved diagnosis and a more careful definition of the cause of death; but, as medical practitioners conversant with the treatment of this disease are of opinion that it is becoming more common, the increase shown by the death registers may be considered, as to a large extent an actual one, and more especially so in the case of females, as cancerous affections among them are less difficult of recognition than among males.

The following table gives the death-rates from cancer of males and females for the past ten years:—