Preliminary Census Returns.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 150, 16 May 1901, Page 1

Preliminary Census Returns.

Wellington, May 10

The preliminary census returns foe the 'csilouy are completed, and show thf. total population to be 773,439, ag against 626,658 in 1806, an increase oi 146.731. The population of counties ,ip 417,990, rf boroughs 350,775, of shipping 3,521, adjacent inlands and 939 Chatham Islands 206, Rermadecs P. The population of the North Island is 391,i43 as against 340,631 in 1896 ; ; South Island, 381,829, as 352,236; Stewart Island, 253, as againi?£ 252. Though the census returns show decrease in the number of Maori 3 in tha South Island, the Native Minister believe? that many half-castes who vera included in the Maori census five yearp ago are accounted for in the Europeap. census, aud that the Maori population c£ the island is as 'arge as ia 1896. The Esgistiar-General, in en official memorandum relative to the ITu.opeau population, says : -The characteristic ijf the enumeration is the l.oticeab'p aggregation in the centres and d: ir«farming districts. The considerable der giee of dislocation of . papulation ha,< given rise to some unfavourable surmue<4 by the Press, but it will be observed! bf£ the estimate is closfly realised. Thjj movement from the South Island up ts> the North still continues."