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Hokitika Guardian, 1 April 1921, Page 2

Tn a pamphlet issued bv the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. AV. T)o\vnie Stewart, concerning the census to bo taken in New Zealand on the night of Sunday, April 17, some interesting historical notes are given. AVe are told that it is nearly six thousand years since the first known census was taken ' in ancient Babylon. Something of the kind was certainly in use in early (Egypt before 2500 8.C., and also in, 1 China prior to 3000 B.C. A Biblical ' instance of [he oepsus is fhaf pf the

Hebrews, in 1490 R.C., when Moses took a count of his people, as related in the Rook of Numbers. In ancient Roman times a very systematic form of census was taken; indeed, the very nam c of “census” is derived from the Latin verb censco (I register, or enrol). Tt was the duty of certain high officers called “Censors” to fnake a register of th 0 citizens and their property. The register determined a man's position in the State, and also the taxation due from him as a citizen. The modern

census-takings, which, of course, are far different in purpose to the ancient ones, date back to those of Sweden in 17417, America in 1790, and England in 1801. New Zealand’s first general census was that of 1851, and the present forms the seventeenth enumeration in the history of the Dominion. At fir -t the consiiß was taken every three years; now it is a five-yearly one; The census of 1921 has a very special interest, as it forms a part of the great Empire post-war survey. In all parts of the Rritish Empire a census will be taken in 1921—in Australia on April 4th., in New Zealand on the seventeenth, and in the United Kingdom on the twenty-fourth, yvhile South Africa will count her people on May 3rd., and Canada on June 1. We join with (Jit; Minister in emphasising the importance of these “national stock-takings” and the duty of heads of families and others responsible to see that the papers are hill'd in correctly.

Lathi.y there was published a lengthy list of the scholars from the local State School who had served in the Great War. The school committee has in mind a proposal to record the Haines on a Roll of Honour Hoard within the precincts of the school building. While this course is very generally approved, many of the ex-scholars of the school are inclined to .urge that some memorial of the war itself should bo plac-

ed in the grounds of the school as a permanent mark of tin* great event and

a reminder of the personal service and

sacrifice of those ex-scholars who had fallen ill the war. A speaker tln> other

day referring to war memorials, went

on to say that “a monument to worthily commemorate the memory of our illustrious dead should not only be worthy in majesty and dignity, but in order to this end it should be placed in the most conspicuous position where it would bo daily and hourly seen by the greatest number." Conformable with this opinion it would be very fitting to erect within the school grounds some form of memorial which by its situation would be * constant reminder of the events memorialised. Many ol ilm public schools have their separate memorials erected in this way, and it would be in keeping with the universal spirit to emulate the action. To this end it is contemplated at an early date convening a meeting of ox-scholars to inaugurate such a scheme tor local lulfilnient. The design and cost of the memorial will be a matter for decision by the subscribers, and its location will bo governed by the wishes of the school committee. No doubt for such a. purpose there" 4 would he a ready and liberal response to such a movement. Exscholars of the local school are scattered all over the Dominion fa ml if those more distantly settled could be reache] it is certain for such a purpose that there would he a good response to an appeal for funds. The project is mentioned thus in advance, and as soon as a suitable meeting time can he arranged, tt public gathering of ex-schol-ars will he convened to set up a committee to carry through so worthy a project.