Census of Van Diemen's Land.

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 549, 19 July 1851, Page 2

Census of Van Diemen's Land.

The Tteturns of the Population, Houses, &c.> in the Island of Van Diemen's Land, as ascertained by the Census taken on the first of March, have been published by authority, and embody a large amount of valuable statistical information respecting the condition of the colony. We have compiled the following summary from the accounts given in the local papers, and especially from an Abstract of the Returns published as a Supplement to the Hobarton Guardian, which apparently has been prepared with diligence and care. The aggregate population on the Ist of March was 68,009 ; to which, however, were to be added 953 Military (including women and children), and 568 convicts employed on the public works, making a Grand Total of 70,130. The population of Hobart Town and its districts was 25,045, being an increase of 3g16 ; — of Launceston and its district 10,855, being an increase of 755. The Free population numbered 52,078, — an increase of 7,055 ; — the prisoner populatiou, 17,099, a decrease of 4,276. There were 5935 children undei seven yeais of age, which, says the

Courier, "uill account, iti gieat pait, for the increase added to the number of the prisoner population which has become free." Of the "Bond" population, there were, holding Tickets of Leave, 1254 ; in Government Employment, 1312; in Private Assignment, 001 ; m Private Employment, 867. The Huon district has increased from 698 persons to 2,988 ; but 1,938 inhabitants have been included from other parishes which weie foimerly leckoned lin the Hobart Town district. The number of males in the Island was 43,127; of females, only 25,482. There are betwepn the ages of fourteen and twenty-one, males, 2733 ; fe~ ma'es, 5896 : — between twenty-one and fortyfive, males, 24,992 ; females, 10,877. As respects Religion, the Returns show, Chuich of England, 45,073 ; Church of Scotland, 4485 ; Wesleyan Methodists, 3772 ; Other Protestant Denominations, 2379; Roman Catholics, 12,441; Jews, 435 j Mahomedans and Pagans, 21. The Occupations of the population are classified as follows:— Lauded Proprietors, Merchants, Bankers, and Professional Persons, 1577 ; Shopkeepers and other Retail Dealers, 1415 ; Mechanics and Artificers, 5687; Farmers, 2533 ; Market Gardeners, 281 ; Shepherds and others in the care of Sheep, 1445 ; Gardeners, Stockmen and Farm Servants, 9731; Domestic Servants, 5600 ; Licensed Boatmen, 341 ; Seamen employed in the Coasting and River Craft, 341 ; Whalers, 42. All other Persons not included in the following class, 39611. The total number of Houses was 11,844. Of these 5723 are of Stone or Brick, 5121 ookf k Wood. The Returns were regarded as on the whole satisfactory, and indicative of progress. They undoubtedly exhibit large materials for prosperity. Still, however, the blight of Convictism hangs over the Colony, withering much of what might otherwise prove richly productive in its moral and intellectual field. Let us hope — maugre the tenacity with which Lord Grey seems disposed to retain Van Diemen'i Land as a receptacle for the felon outcasts of Britain — that the Australasian League will at no distant day achieve a triumphant success in its emancipation from that polluting curse. And then indeed, — Advance Tasmania !