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1896. NEW ZEALAND.

OLD-AGE PENSIONS. ADULTS IN COLONY OF SIXTY-FIVE YEARS AND UPWARDS, NUMBER OF.

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated 3rd July, 1896. Ordered, " That there be laid before this House a return of all adults (male and female in separate columns) in the colony of sixty-five years and upwards, indicating in separate columns whether married or single, widower or widow."—(Mr: Joyce.) Census, 1891.* —Population Sixty-five Years of Age and upwards, classified according to Conjugal Condition. Total. Males. Females. Unmarried ... ... ... ... 1,609 1,355 254 Married ... ... ... ... ... 7,343 4,785 2,558 Widower, widow ... ... ... ... 5,342 2,163 3,179 "Unspecified condition ... ... ... 48 33 15 14,342 8,336 6,006 • The information as to the ages of the people given in the census of April last (1896) has not yet been tabulated, and it will not be available for some time. Under these circumstances, the figures for the census of 1891 are given in the return above. It is estimated that the number of persons aged 65 years and over for the current year (1896) will be found to be between 17,000 and 20,000. The number of married, unmarried, and widowed will probably rise in somewhat similar proportion to that of the total number of persons. E. J. YON Dadelszen, Begistrar-General's Office, Bth July, 1896. Begistrar-General.

Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,525 copies), 16s.

Authority : John Mackat, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBo6.

I'rice 3d.]