CENSUS OF THE EMPIRE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1085, 25 March 1911, Page 6

CENSUS OF THE EMPIRE.

THE HOUSEHOLDERS' TASK ON APBIL 2. For tho first time on record a census of the whole of the British Empire is to bo taken on Sunday night, April 2. I-lithcrto cacli country has decided for itself when and how it should take its 'own- census, but 011 this occasionthanks to representations made to tho Imperial Government by a society in London interested in tho work —tho ccnsus is to bo taken simultaneously all over the British Empire, in order that comnarisons may be made on a fair basisj and that when the population of a city or country is quoted it will bo known that tlioso were tho figures on April 2, 1911. The schedules which immediately concern every householder ill tho community have already been printed, and Sir. G. G. Hodgkins, census enumerator for the Wellington district (which takes in tho Jlakava and Hutfc Counties),' informs us that a start has already been made with their distribution in the country, i.e., in Maliara and tho Ilutt Counties. About Monday a start will ho made to supply suburban householders with tho schedules, and 011 Wednesday next heads of households in Wellington will receive copies of tho portentous document, tho very appearance of it is somewhat appalling. 011 account of tho task set him (or her) for the night of Sunday, April 2, 110 householder should contemplate making any engagement for that evening. A bottle of ink, a rouplo of good pens, a towel and jug of water may bo 01- | dered as necessaries for the faithful ful- ! filment of this duty to the State.

"List of members of tho household or family, visitors, servants, and others who slept or abode in this dwelling oil tho night of Sunday, tlm second day of April, 1011," is the general heading to tho schedule, and any person wilfully refusing to fill up, sign, and deliver tho schedule is warned that he is liable to a penalty of £2fl. There, are. sixteen columns in all to be filled up, and provisioilis made for fifteen names oil each schedule. Tho columns 'are(l) Name and surname, (2) sex, (3) ago last birthday, (4) condition (married or single), (5) duration of marriage, (6 and 7) number of. children, living or dead, (S) relation to head of household, (!) and 10) profession or occupation, (11) infirmity, (12) country where horn, (13) length "of residence, (11), religious denomination, (15 and l(i) education. T'lio schedules proper will be distributed to the head of every household, hotel, boardinghouse, club, etc., but,jn order to facilitate tho work, and restrict the information to tho head, say, of a hotel, club, or boardinghouse, or the enumerator, a smaller form will be issued for distribution to boarders or guests, which will, subsequently, bo copied on to the proper schedulo forms by either tho head of tho liouso or tho sub-enumerator.

Tho information required is not restricted to human beings. People, are. asked to give. a description of their dwelling, of what material it is built, bow many rooms it contains, and what rent (if any) is paid. Then they aro asked for tho number of geese, ducks, fowls, turkeys, and beehives (not bees) you have on the promises. It should bo 'pointed out that on back of tho document is set out a specimen schedule, which will bo useful to these in doubt when filling in tho form.