H.—39a

Session 11. 1921. NEW ZEALAND

CENSUS OF THE MAORI POPULATION (PAPERS RELATING TO).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Memorandum, for the Hon. the Native Minister. Native Department, 18th September, 1921. I have the honour to submit the preliminary results of the census of the Maori population which was taken during the month of April last. * The total Maori population, according to the census, amounted to 52,751 persons. The following table shows the population as recorded in previous years : —

The figures show a substantial increase, but this is probably due a good deal to the inclusion of returned soldiers as compared with the census taken in 1916. The details of the census are set out in the tables attached hereto, and extracts from the reports of the Enumerators are also attached. The census for the South Island was again taken with the European census, the Natives and half-castes there being regarded as living as Europeans. C. B. Jordan, Under-Secretary. EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORTS OF THE ENUMERATORS. Mr. W. E. Goite, Enumerator for the Counties of Mangonui, Whangaroa, Hokianga, Bay of Islands, Whangarei, Hobson, Otamatea, Rodney, Waitemata, Eden, and Great Barrier. A comparison of the figures with those recorded for the 1916 census shows that the Maori and half-caste population has increased by 527, which is very pleasing. The health of the Natives in this district, it is pleasing to report, continues to be good since the dreadful influenza scourge which visited us in 1918 and caused the death of hundreds of valuable lives.

Year. Persons. Increase. Decrease. 1867 (approximate estimate) 1871 1874 (first census) 1878 .. 1881 .. 1886 .. 1891 .. 1896 .. 1901 .. 1906 .. 1911 .. 1916 .. 1921 .. 38,540 37,502 45,470 43,595 44,097 41,969 41,993 39,854 43,143 47,731 49,844 49,776 52,751 502 24 1,875 2,128 2,139 3,289 4,588 2,113 68 2,975