WAIRARAPA'S POPULATION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1122, 9 May 1911, Page 6

WAIRARAPA'S POPULATION.

AN INCREASE OP 408. The population of the JVairarapa and Bush districts (not including the borough of Woodville) is returned as 30,849— an increase of 408 on the figures of the 100G census. In the boroughs increases are shown in the cases of Jlasterton (133), Carterton (145), while Greytowu and Pahiatua have decreased to the extent of 81 and 13 respectively. Of tho town districts, Featherstou has increased 73 and Martinborough 22. In the county schedules, Featherstou bas the greatest increase with 481; Jlasterton, 308; Akitio, 58; South Wairarapa, 10. Decreases arc confined to the district north of Jlasterton, and they include: Pahiatua County, 722; Woodville, 158; Jfauriceville, 139; Eketahuna, 1!). While the Wairarapa district showed an increase of 91G, that of tho Bush districts fell back to tho extent- of 408. It has been recognised, for some considerable time, that the holdings in the Jfauriceville and Puketoi districts were far too small for what they were intended for under the Government settlement scheme. Dairy farms of sixty and seventy acres were found to bo of little worth to a man with a growing family in the Jfauriceville County, where the land is more eminently fitted for sheep than for dairy herds. The same state of things exists in some of the hilly portions of tho Pahiatua County, and the result is seen in a very necessary,, but undoubtedly a mild, form of aggregation.

It is generally contended by residents that unless .a more progressive and enterprising form of railway development is introduced, the district may remain at a standstill for many years. Tho full census figures are as follow:— Wairarapa District. 1911. 190 G. Borough of Jlasterton 5,159 5,026 Borough of Carterton 1.547 1,402 Borough of Greytowu N. 1.042 1,123 Town District of Featherston 713 G7O Town District of Jlartinborough 029 607 Countv of Castle Point 820 561 County of Jtauriceville ... 950 1.089 County of Jlasterton 4,031 3,723 Countv of Wairarapa South 1,744 2,734 Featherstou, _ including Town Districts of Featherstou and Martinhorough 3,951 3.470 Total 20,044 19,128 Increase 91G Bush District. 1911. moo. Woodville Countv I.SSO 2,036 Pahiatua Countv 3,301! 3.674 Pahiatua Borough 1,358 L.lfl Akitio County 1,152 1,391 Kkelahuna County 1,914 Ekolahuna Borough 805 "2.733 Eketahuna County and Eke(ahuna Borough. Totals 10,805 11,213 Decrease 408 Grand Totals. Wairarapa 20.014 19.128 Bush District 10.505 11,213 Total population ... 30,819 30,311