THE VICTORIAN YEAR-BOOK.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5524, 10 December 1878, Page 2

THE VICTORIAN YEAR-BOOK.

This very handy and useful volume, which has now reached its fifth j ear of publication, has been forwarded to us as usual. It is prepared and published by the Government Statist of Victoria, and abounds in statistical information of a useful and interesting character. Mr. H. H. Hayter deserves the thanks of the whole of the Australasian colonies for the extended and comprehensive nature of the work which he has compiled under a title which would not lead any ordinary reader to expect information of so varied a character, drawn from every quarter of the globe, and containing comparative tables showing the relative condition of - the sister colonies, under almost every heading. The Year-hook is divided into nine parts thus—Biuebook, population, finance, vital statistics, accumulation, interchange, law and crime, . production, religious, moral, and intellectual progress. In addition to this the work includes two extensive tables of general and agricultural statistics of Victoria, and a valuable summary of Australasian statistics, comparing the census, agricultural and revenue returns, published by each and all of the Australasian colonies. In turning over the pages we notice that the position of New Zealand as by far .the most heavily indebted colony in proportion to her population constantly crops up. It is satisfactory to note that we are also, according to the same table, the fortunate possessors of a greater length of railways open than any of the other colonies. As an uncommon _ publication we may mention a nosological index which has been inserted as a guide to those whose duty it is to prepare returns of the cases of sickness occurring in hospitals and public institutions. As a work of reference this volume is valuable to all those whose duties require them to have accurate aud authentic at hand in a convenient aud accessible form. To the general reader who may desire an opportunity of comparing the present status of the different Australasian colonies this work offers every facility, and can be heartily recommended. We notice as a slight omission that no reference to the three leading statistical tables is made in the index,. The printing, marginal notes, aud general get up of the Year, book leave little or nothing to bo desired, and

one cannot help wishing that'the New Zealand Government would prepare a similar year-book for the benefit of Now Zealanders. It is published by John Ferres, Government Printer, Melbourne, and also by G. S. Robertson, Little Collina-etreet, Melbourne.