Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1328, 4 January 1881, Page 2

Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

liqual .md exact justice to .ill men, Of wh.itctcr st.itc or pursu.ision, religious or politic.il. Here shall the Press the People's light maintain Unawed by influence .md unbiibed by gain.

TUESDAY, JAN. 4, 1881.

According to promise, we purpose referring to-day to the statistics of the colony of New Zealand for the year 1879, being a blue-book compiled from official records in the Registrar-General's office. The Re-gistrar-General, apologising for the delay in the publication of the statistics, says: — "I have the honor to submit the volume of statistics for 1 879. The delay involved in collecting returns from many different, and in many cases (as far as any Government control exists) irresponsible sources, the time required for the examination of these returns, and the correspondence necessary to have erroi's rectified and deficiencies made good, will always interfere with an early publication of the statistics. As the Parliament now meets at an earlier period of the year than formerly, the printing cannot be commenced prior to the session, and after the session commences the parliamentary work occupies nearly all the spare strength of the Government Printing Office ; thus the publication of the volume is necessarily delayed untilalate period of they ear." The estimated population on December 31, 1879, was 463,729, being an increase during the year of 31,210 persons, or at the rate of 7 2 per cent. The increase during the year from excess of immigration over emigration is estimated at 18,723 (the numbers are not exact, as it was shown last year that many por&ons must leave the colony of who&e departure no record i&> kept), and the increase from excess of births over deaths amounted to 12,487, or 638 less than the! similar increase in 1878, the decrease being attributable not to a smaller number of births, but an increased number of deaths, in 1879. Immigration: The total arrivals in New Zealand during the year amounted to 23,957 persons, of whom 15,186 were males and 8,771 females. Of the males, 12,841 were adults (or over 12 years of age) and 2,345 were children; of the females, 6,638 were adults and 2,133 were children. The number of immigrants brought to the colony at the public expense amounted to 10,311; the unassisted immigrants numbered 13,646, of whom 329 were Chinese. Of the unassisted immigrants, 6,424 came from the United Kingdom; 6,413 from the Australian Colonies and Tasmania, in which are included 214 Chinese; 672 from Fiji, Hawaii, and South Seas (arrivals by the San Francisco steamers are entered in the Customs as from Hawaii) ; and 137 from other ports. Emigration : The number of persons returned as having left the colony during 1879 amounted to 5,234, of whom 657 went direct to the United Kingdom, 4,152 to the Australian, Colonies, 425 to other places, the' passengers via San Francisco having been entered as for Hawaii. There is thus, as regards the Australian Colonies, an apparent excess of arrivals over departures to the extent of 2,261 ; but ( while the number, of arrivals given may Be taken ' as ' tolerably accurate, the same reliance cannot be placed o:nV the accuracy of the numbers leaving for /those colonies, as a complete i-ecoM of' persons' leaving New. Zealand j»d6te is not! kept. ■ Aliens Hatur^lized^gi^fcyiEi^j natives -of • .Foreign 1 * - 'States^ -i&flfei naturalized' tostyffif®s%jjssos

titatistivq.— Births : The living births reg&iered in 1879 amounted to 18,070, an increase on the births in 1878 of 300. The births in 1879 were at ;the, rate of 4Q-32 l per 1,000-. qf the,,mean. population. OThefrate* in 1878 was 41-96 per I,ooo'. Sex : Of the children born alive, 9,295 were males and 8,775 were females, being at the rate of 105*9 males' to every 100 females. The exceptionally low proportion of male A births (101*5 males to 100 females)' which obtained in 1878 has been limited to such year, as in 1879 the proportions' assumed their average normal condition. Illegitimate Births: The number of illegitimate births registered amounted to 415, or 2*30 per cent, of the total births. The rate in 1878 was 2*41 per cent., and in 1877 2-08 per cent. Marriages: The number of marriages solemnized in 1879 amounted to 3,352, a reduction of 25 on the number in 1878. The proportion of persons married to every 1,000 living was 14*96 in 1879, against 15*94 in 1878. The proportion was lower than in any previous year since 1872, when it amounted to 13*70. Forms of Marriage : 993 of the marriages, or 29*6 per cent, of the entire number, were solemnized by ministers of one or other of the two Presbyterian Churches in New Zealand ; 739, or 22 per cent., by ministers of the Church of England; 408, or 12*2 per cent., by ministers of the Roman Catholic Church ; 303, or 9 per cent., by ministers of the Wesleyan Methodist Society; 314 by ministers of other denominations; and 595, or 178 per cent., by Registrars — an increase of 14 on the marriages by Registrars in 1878. Ages of Persons Married : Of the 3,351 women married, 1,049, or 31*30 per cent., were under 21 years of age (the similar proportion in each of the two previous years was 30*47) ; 1,299, or 38*76 per cent., were at the ages, 21—25 ; and 558, or 16*65 percent., were at the ages, 25 — 30 : 5 women upwards of 60 were married. Of the men, 60, or I*7o per cent., were under 21 yeai's of age. Deaths : The deaths in 1879 numbered 5,583, equivalent to 12*46 per 1,000 of the population; the rate in 1878 was 10*96. Although this rate in 1879 was much higher than in 1878, yet it is not much in excess of the mean rate (12*13 per 1,000) for the previous ten years, 1869-1878 inclusive. The mean death-rate of the 31 years, 1847-77, for England and Wales, was 22*3 per 1,000. Of the deaths in 1879, 2,665, or 47*73 per cent., were under 5 years of age ; the percentage of such deaths having been 43*53 in 1878. The deaths of children under one year amounted in 1879 to 1,941, or 10*74 per cent, of the births. This was a higher proportion of infant mortality than in either of the years 1878 or 1877, when the proportions were- 8*36 and 9*06 respectively. The higher proportion in 1879 (10*74) is, however, much less than the similar proportions for all England in 1877 (13*6). Hospitals: 3,661 mails and 1,113 females were admitted as patients into the 28 hospitals in the colony during 1879. Including the inmates at the commencement of the year, 40,73 males and 1,241, females received relief during the year. The number of sleeping wards amount to 130, with beds for 777 males and 272 females. Lunatic Asylums : There were 9 lunatic asylums in the colony in 1879, which contained at the end of the year 694 male and 358 female patients ; the male patients being in the ratio of 2*69 per 1,000 of the male population, and the females in the ratio of 1*74 per 1,000 of the female population; or, in equal numbers, living, 269 males were lunatics ;o 174 females. The asylums in the aggregate afford regular sleeping accommodation for 688 males and 372 females.. The trade with the United Kingdom amounted to £9,474,738; that with Victoria to L 2,191,038;, 191,038; that with New South Wales to £1,162,658; that with Tasmania, to £144,411; that with South Australia to £75,289; that with the United States to £498,078; that with the Mauritius to £158,589; that wtth China to £92,546 ; and that with India (all imports) to £72,015. The trade with the Pacific Islands amounts to £1 12,303, of which that with the Fijis amounted to £29,294. The balance of the trade was distributed between other countries. Gold Exported : The total value of gold exported from New Zealand in 1879 was L 1,134,641, against L 1,244,190 in 1878, a decrease of L 109,54 9; the amount entered for exportation was £1,148,108. Wool Exported : The total quantity of wool exported in 1879 amounted to 62,220,810 lbs., of the declared value of L 3,126,439, against 59,270,256 lbs., of the declared value of L 3,292,807, expor-| ted in 1878, an increase of 2,950,554 Jbs. in Quantity, and, a decrease of 1i166,36> in -declared value.' The increase in the wool production will be more accurately ascertained by dealing * with- the exports" for the year ending onthe*3otli Septenber, i.e., immediately p*e6eding the spring shearing. ; The ' hrool produced fo>rl I BZ9 only iamouEtfed to '477,246^ lbs. more dn> weight -than the! produce for IWi'i J^ancrease in the/ wool production^ v has \l^en s^nou|iy^^ftecj^d^j^the 4nci|kse^of riabMts irf some,, parts^isW^v^oiiy. fe-fflg. shall Tetumtb^tiis/pubjpttin? ; x l%\% r~ ■'- J v /'

Cambridge yesftrdHy feventfj«r witnp'aiusen- 1 gers for Te Arolia, who return to nisutne | operntions in the goldfields. All (teemed hopeful at their prospects, and think by another, foruiiglit; rtoinetliing 1 tangible will I)e6*peiied up,- \lt is earnestly w be, hoped their jWdietid'ns Will be fully, verified.

The No., Bridge requires $b& attention of the l>c^l body under whose jurisdiction lit may -be. Much of the planking is rotten and on the further side from the township a dangerous gap ext<ts, whictji will bring some traveller to grief.

The ladies of Hautapu entertained their friends at a bread and butter dance in the schoolhouse on New Years Eve and a very pleaßantjevening was passed. There were about 25 couples present, and at the last stroke of midnight the usual greetings were exchanged.

A select quadrille assembly mil be held in the OddfelloW Hall thia evening, commencing at half-pant eight. An efficient band has been engaged for the occasion.

Two or three properties in the Pukerimu district within the last fow days have changed hands. Mr Andrew Wallace, of Otahuhu, who already ottos property in the same neighbourhood, has purchased the farm of Mr P. Cooper. Mr Bisdale htiH sold his farm to Mr Hall, who, in conjunction with Mr T. Hughes, is about to start a large dairying establishment at Putney.

We are desired to call the attention of persons holding licenses from the Waikato County Council to slaughter cattle that their licenses expired on the 31st ultimo, and that fresh licenses will not be granted to those who have failed to render accounts to the Council to 31st December until such accounts or returns are sent in. The advertisement will be seen in another column, and we may add that oy the 18th section of the Slaughterhouses Act, 1877, any person convicted of slaughtering cattle for sale, without being duly licensed to do so, renders himself liable to a penalty of £10 for every such offence.

We are glad to hear that some steps are about to be taken in regard to the proposed public hall for Hamilton West. As our readers are aware, the building was to have been erected by the joint efforts of the Anglican Church Vestry, the Volunteers, and a committee appointed by the public. Within the past few days it has, we understand, been arranged to hold a meeting to deal with the funds already in hand. It is greatly to be regretted that such apathy should have been shown in the conduct of this matter, although excuses may doubtless be found for it. However, it is something to know that it is still kept in remembrance.

The annual meeting of the Hamilton Domain Board was held at the Council Chambers last night. Present: Messrs John Knox (in the chair), Hill, McUarrigle, and Peat. The minutes having been confirmed, Mr John Knox ■was elected chairman. The yearly accounts, showing a debit balance of £14 11s 2d, were submitted and approved. It was resolved to .apply to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Wellington, for about 20 acres of the Town Belt withheld when the remainder of the Domain lands were gazetted. Several tenders for draining the Domain lands had been sent in, but it was resolved not to consider them till the report of an engineer had been obtained. This was all the business, and the Board then rose.

We are glad to learn that an Amateur Minstrel entertainment will be given shortly, towards paying off the debt still remaining unpaid on the instruments belonging to the Hamiltou band, by several well-known Hamilton gentlemen. Mr Bell has kindly consented to do all in his power to make it a success, and judging from the talent we have in our township, a most enjoyable treat is in store. No one has done more towards making the band what it is than Mr Richard Grwynne, and it is to be hoped that the public will come forward and support the movement liberally. Whilst on matters connected with the band, we must state that it is making rapid strides under the new bandmaster, who is always punctual at his post. It is to be regretted, however, that some of the members do not attend practice as the,y ought to. It would be far better for them to resign and give their instruments up to those who will attend. A committee meeting of the band will be held this evening, when some important mattera will be discussed.

Mr. Butler, the new contractor for carrying the mails between Hamilton and Cambridge made his initial trip on Saturday. The well-known whip W. X Carter, however, still continues to run his couch and it is needless to nay secures the lion's share of the passenger traffic. On Saturday evening the rival coaches left Hamilton about six o'clock, Carter being slightly in advance, and an exciting raco ensued. Carter had ten passengers while Bntler had only two, but notwithstanding this and the fact of the former's vehicle being the heavier of the two, the veteran maintained the lead till well into the town of Cambridge. Butler passing him near the residence of Major Drummond Hay, — the road at that part being somewhat heavy — and winning by about a hundred yards. The time occupied in the raco was about an hour and a quarter. Yesterday , morning Carter again monopolised the passenger traffic, making a very close race of it. General Sherman, of the United States srray, speaking recently at the Colombus soldiers' reunion, expressed most pungently his abhorrence of war carried on, or entered into, for the sheer sake of military glory. ."There is many a boy here to-day who looks on soldiering as all glory 5 but, boys, it is all .hell. I look on war with horror. But, if it must come, I am here."

Mb Spurgeori speaks of a clacs of preach - era who preach so high over the heads of the common wants of common people that one would imagine that they supposed themselves called to feed giraffes, rather than sheep. A LIFE-aize portrait of Dr Adler, the chief Jewish Rabbi, has recently been painted by Mr B. S, Marks for presentation by Sir Nathaniel de Rothschild, MP., to ,the council of ; the United Synagogues. Dr Adler ,is represented seated in his study, robed and holding in his right hand a volume inscribed in Hebrew "Ifathinah Larger." The choice of the volume is appropriate; it being a commentary on the Chaldaic version of the Pentateuch, one of Dr Adler's best-known works. '

Mr Lewis, of the. Central Waikato Hotel, Te Awamuttt, has completed the additions and alterations, to his hotel. Owners of idogs in the Waipa County are warned that the Dog Registration Act is now in force, and all dog* must be registered. The Registrar of Dogs for the Waikato County notifies, that for the convenience of per- . sons hying in the f !ocality.W will attend at the County Council Office ion. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and ' Saturdays, from lioon till 4 p.Yn., up to 14th and \Mftt Cotton- pl^eill by pnlilic uuction, r at few<mart,«Xa^al>riage/- it nOon on , Thursday i n^i l |fe^pHwl6ffe» t 6f tfiis Cambridge" Summer Meeting. \ ' \r,-,' -^ ~ , , „ ' „ '<l'iiyr~ tr w>f/?iii* l> '"/v '^' *' • "' t; r .hiiVusual'iireetly auction' 'tali^Sn Saturday licit; i