POPULATION OF DOMINION

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1930, Page 6

POPULATION OF DOMINION

INTERESTING FIGURES. Following are some interesting figures as to population in New Zealand, as shown by the 1930 Official Year Book: In 1928 the excess of births over deaths was 7527 males and 7862 females. The excess of arrivals ovqr departures was 393 males and 289 females. The total increase was 16,071.

The proportion of the sexes in New Zealand has always been different from that of the older countries ol the world. Here the male population out-numbers the female. The figures at the last census, in 1926, were: — 686,384 males and 658,805 females. The estimated population for the calendar year 1928 (excluding Maoris) was 1,401,472 and the mean population 1,390,684. For the year ended March 31, 1929, however, the estimated population was 1,404,961 and the mean papulation 1,394,726. The population figures for the year ended March 31, 1929 (including Maoris) were:—750,974 males and 719,680 females, total 1,470,654. The mean population was 1,459,983. The density of population in 1929 was (including Maoris) 14.24 persons to the square mile. If the area occupied by rivers, lakes, roads, State forests, higher portions of mountain ranges, etc., is taken, the figure becomes 17.40. LOCAL FIGURES.

The estimated population of the Canterbury provincial district is at April 1, 1929, was 222,964. Canterbury comes third in the list. Auckland is first with 449,307 and Wellington next with 290,180. The above figures include Maoris. In the percentage increases during the twenty-five years from. 1901 to 1926, Canterbury easily leads for the South Island with an increase ol 49 per cent. In the North island, however, percentage increases u<re: — Auckland 141, Wellington 93, Hawke’s Bay 85, and Taranaki 80. At the 1926 census somewhat over one-third /of the (population of the Dominion (excluding Maoris) was included in -the four principal urban areas, and over one-half in those and the ten secondary urban areas. URBAN AREAS. The estimated population (including Maoris) of the principal urban areas at April 1, 1929, was.—Auckland 209,800, Wellington 133,770, Christchurch 125,410, Dunedin 85,080. Hamilton 17,460, Gisborne 15,760, Napier 19,060, Hastings 15,500, New Plymouth 17,210, Wanganui 27,630, Palmerston North 21,280, Nelson 12,250, Timaru 17,890, and Invercargill 23,310. Christchurch is thus third on the list. The city’s population is divide up as follows:—Christchurch City 88,100, Riccarton Borough 5050, New Brighton Borough 4780, Sumner Borough 3710, and remainder of ufban area 20,570; total 125,410.