CENSUS OF THE COLONY OF NEW SOUTH WALES,

TAKEN ON THE

1ST MARCH, 1856,

UNDER THE

ART OF COUNCIL, 19 VICTORIA, NO. 5.

SYDNEY

PRINTED BY WILLIAM HANSON, GOVERNMENT PRINTER,

PHILLIP-STREET.

1857.

REPORT.

TO THE HON. HENRY WATSON PARKER, ESQ., M.P.

COLONIAL SECRETARY.

&c., &c., &c.,

Registrar General's Office,

Sydney, 10th March, 1857.

SIR,

I have the honor to present to you herewith Abstracts of the Returns taken in obedience to the Act of the late Legislative Council, for taking an account of the population of New South Wales. [19 Victoria, No. 5.]

It may be expected, and perhaps desirable, that I should preface the various statistical summaries by the following observations, in order to convey some information with respect to the machinery by which the Census has been accomplished, and the labor by which the results have been arrived at, as well as to account for the length of time which has been occupied in the preparation of the Tables.

2.

The preparatory measures were undertaken in the Office of the Colonial Secretary, the division of the country being made, as on former occasions, according to the boundaries of the several Counties and Police Districts. The Pastoral Districts, the Towns and Villages throughout the Colony, and the Parishes in the County of Cumberland, being also separately taken and tabulated. [Preparatory measures ; division of Districts, &c.]

For purposes of comparison, the Counties present the same features with regard to boundary and area they have ever done, but considerable modifications have been made in the boundaries of many of the Police Districts, to make room for New Districts, and otherwise to meet the convenience of the inhabitants. [Counties name as before.] [Modifications of boundaries of Police Districts.]

The New Police Districts are six in number, viz. :— [New Police Districts.]

1. DALBY, in the District of Darling Downs.

2. DENILIQUIN, in the District of Murrumbidgee.

3. GAYNDAH, in the Burnett District.

4. MARYBOROUGH, in the District of Wide Bay.

5. RYLSTONE, embracing portions of the Counties of Roxburgh, Phillip, Hunter, and Cook.

6. SURAT, embracing the Maranoa and part of the Darling Downs Districts.

Modifications appear in the boundaries of no less than twenty-three districts, viz. :— [Amended Police District.]

1. Albury,

2. Bathurst,

3. Balranald,

4. Binalong,

5. Brisbane,

6. Broulee,

7. Cooma,

8. Drayton,

9. Dubbo,

10. Gundagai,

11. Hartley,

12. M'Donald River,

13. Moulamein,

14. Mudgee,

15. Port Macquarie,

16. Queanbeyan,

17. Scone,

18. Tumut,

19. Wagga Wagga,

20. Warialda,

21. Warwick,

22. Wee Waa,

23. Yass.

3.

To keep pace with the extension of the Squatting interests, two New Districts have been formed to the northward of the Wide Bay and Burnett Districts, extending beyond latitude 23°, and embracing an area exceeding 40,000 square miles. These Districts are named " Port Curtis," and " Leichhardt ;" they are at present thinly occupied, but are capable of depasturing a vast amount of stock and supporting a large population. [New Squatting Districts.]

Seventeen new Townships or Villages have been added to those enumerated on the last occasion

4.

Over three hundred enumerators were employed in collecting the Returns which, after examination by the authorities in the respective districts, were transmitted to the Colonial Secretary, the officer appointed by the Act to receive them, and by him were forwarded to this Department for compilation. [District arrangements.]

On former occasion it had been the practice to require the Police, Magistrates, Crown Land Commissioners, and Benches of Magistrates to abstract the returns into a form provided for that purpose, before transmitting them to Head Quarters, but the obligation on the present occasion was dispensed with. Among the chief reasons for which it was thought expedient to relieve them from this laborious duty were the complicated nature of the Abstracts and the inaccurate manner in which they had been in most cases prepared. The labor thus thrown upon the Sydney compiler was nearly doubled. [Practice on former occasions.] [Extra labor on compiler.]

5.

About the beginning of April the Returns began to arrive from the country, and Mr. Archibald Campbell, the Superintending Clerk, commenced arranging the Householders' Schedules, so as to correspond with the numerous necessary sub-divisions of the Colony—about 400 in number. [Arrangements for commencement of work of compilation.]

Eight clerks were employed, under Mr. Campbell's superintendence, in tabulating the Returns, at a fixed rate of pay, according to work performed. It was thought advisable to adopt this mode of remuneration in preference to fixed salaries, with the view of expediting the work, as well as of adjusting the remuneration to the proficiency and assiduity of the persons employed, as careful an estimate as possible having been first made of the quantity of work that could fairly be performed in a given time. [Clerical arrangements.]

6.

By the end of July, the contents of the Household Returns, numbering 43,094, and representing a population of 266,189 persons, were digested into 4,910 sheets, including the sub-divisional summaries. These abstracts show the number of persons of each sex, and of all ages [Completion of first portion of this work.] [Particulars shown in the abstracts.]

from year to year ; their degrees of primary education ; the number of the native born, and of those born in other countries ; the numbers of married and single persons ; the number of persons belonging to each of the principal religious denominations ; the number of persons following any important occupations, distinguishing with reference to all these particulars the males from the females. They also show the number and descriptions of dwelling-houses and other residences, distinguishing the inhabited and uninhabited, the finished and unfinished, and those built of brick or stone from those built of wood.

7.

At the end of July, it was suggested to the Government, that with the view of throwing further light upon the question of Education, it might be advisable to undertake an entirely new statistical combination of the facts collected, shewing education in combination with religion and age. The relationship of education with religion had not on any former occasion been placed "en rapport," and it appeared to me that an investigation into the Returns, with the view of exhibiting this relationship, might exercise an important influence upon the settlement of the educational question. The appreciation in which education is held by parents belonging to the different religious denominations might be inferred from it ; the actual state of education of the youthful and grown-up population amongst them would at all events be shewn ; any light, indeed, that the Returns could be made to afford would be valuable, to enable the Legislature to arrive at just conclusions on a subject giving rise to so great diversities of opinion, and involving the highest interests of the community. This suggestion having met with the approval of the Government, the new tabulation was immediately entered upon. [Suggestions for new Tabulation showing Religion, Age, and Education, in combination.] [Importance of inquiry showing Religion in combination with Education.]

It may here be observed, that the superintending clerk, when he offered his services to the Government, guided by the experience acquired in the compilation of the Census of 1851, estimated that the work as originally contemplated, would occupy eight months ; and had the abstracts been confined to their former limits, it is probable they would have been presented to you within that period. But the new investigation it was necessary to make, has protracted the completion of the Tables far beyond the time anticipated. [Observations with regard to estimated time of completion of the work.]

I have thought it necessary to enter into these particulars, to shew the amount of labor entailed upon the compiler in bringing out the results now presented to the public, and to account for the length of time which has been occupied in their preparation, the work being regarded as fully double that performed on any former occasion. [Further observations.]

8.

I will now take a cursory glance at the Tables, and notice some of the most important results which they present, premising that to avoid confusion, and to facilitate comparison, the classification and arrangement of the last Census have, (except in the Table of Occupations) been as closely followed as possible. [General view of the arrangement of the Tables.]

A few of the Tables have been amplified, where it seemed desirable to throw more light upon any particular subject of inquiry, which will be noticed in the course of this Report, or by a note appended to the Table. [Amplification of Tables.]

There are five series of Tables, namely :— [Series of Tables.]

1. POLICE DISTRICTS,

2. COUNTIES AND COMMISSIONERS' DISTRICTS,

3. CITY OF SYDNEY AND SUBURBS,

4. TOWNS AND VILLAGES,

5. HUNDREDS AND PARISHES of the County of Cumberland,—

besides Summary Tables, a Table of Population with regard to Area, and a Synopsis of the whole.

The information will be found classified in the Tables as follows :— [Particulars of classification of Tables.]

1. AGE AND SEX.

2. EDUCATION AND AGE.

3. NATIONALITY.

4. SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC CONDITION, AND HOUSES.

5. RELIGION.

6. OCCUPATION.

7. EDUCATION, RELIGION, AND AGE.

9.

Amongst the most prominent results, then, of the inquiry which has just been brought to a close, is the addition of 78,946 persons—viz. : 40,862 males, 38,084 females—to the population in the last five years—viz. : [General results of the inquiry.]

This is an increase of 42.1 per cent. Thus we see that if the rate at which the population has increased from 1851 to 1856, continues to prevail uniformly, the population will double itself in about 10 years. In England and Wales on the same hypothesis applied to the increase of their population from 1801 to 1851, the period of doubling is calculated at 51 years.

Some dissatisfaction has been felt at the rate of increase being found so low, and the discrepancy exhibited between these Tables and the estimated population on the 31st December, 1855, as published in the Blue Book of last year is certainly remarkable ; but whatever dissatisfaction may be felt, it ought not to excite surprise. [Causes of dissatisfaction with the results of the Census.]

The Colonial Secretary's Returns put the population at the close of 1855 at 277,579 persons, whilst the Census taken on the 1st of March following, including the unclassified persons, shows only 269,722 persons. It is true that such a discrepancy has never appeared on any former occasion, but it is equally true that during no former period have so great disturbing causes been at work. [Causes of discrepancy between the Census and Blue Book Returns.]

The movement of the population of New South Wales to the Gold Fields of Victoria during the first three years of the period now under review was great and steady, whilst the superior richness of the yield of the precious metal during the latter part of that period has still proved to new comers more attractive than the steady labour which this country offered them on their arrival. [Movement of the population to Victoria.]

No attempt has ever been made to take an account of the overland migration to Victoria, and I have heard it estimated as high as 1000 persons a month. Doubtless, this is an exaggeration ; yet at the very lowest estimation, the exodus is sufficient to account for a much greater discrepancy than is made to appear between the Blue Book Returns of 1855 and the Census Returns of 1856. [Want of accurate data as to overland migration to Victoria.]

I believe that over 30,000 persons, and those principally able-bodied adults, have crossed the Murray River to the Gold Fields of Victoria and have never returned, and I am confirmed in this opinion by the Report of the Registrar General presented to the Government of Victoria on the 6th of March, 1855, with the Census Returns of the previous year. [Estimate of migration to Victoria.]

Now the census taken on the 26th April, 1854, shows the actual number of 236,798 persons in the Colony, viz. : [Increase of population unaccounted for.]

The difference of 21,179 persons being in the words of the Report " fairly assignable to an increase arising from undetected arrivals by sea and overland, and from the probable excess of births over deaths during the intervening two years."

Now any great excess from this last cause is highly improbable. The adults at that period formed over two-thirds of the population, and there being only 35,408 married women, the probabilities are that the deaths equalled the births, and that the entire excess of 21,179 was attributable to overland immigration. [Improbability of excess from Births.]

If this view is correct, and we assume the migration to have continued at the same rate, we shall have to add 14,118 persons to the 21,179 making a total loss to this Colony of 35,297 souls in the five years succeeding the 1st March, 1851. [Assumed overland migration from New South Wales to Victoria in the 5 years.]

This drain upon our population is suggestive of very grave considerations with regard to the employment of our Land Fund for immigration purposes, considerations which lie beyond the province of this Report to discuss, but which are deserving of the careful attention of the Government and of the Parliament of the Colony. [Grave considerations arising out of this drain upon our population.]

10.

To mark the progress which the country has made in population during the last thirty-five years, the subjoined Table may be useful as shewing the numerical and centesimal increase of the sexes during that period. A glance at these figures will satisfy those who take an interest in the advancement of the Colony of the rapid strides she has made notwithstanding the abridgment of her territory, and the enormous drain upon her population noticed in the last paragraph. [Progress of the Colony since the year 1828.]

11.

It may not be uninteresting to the public to show, in a similar Table to the last, the advancement which Sydney has made in [Progress of the City of Sydney since 1828.]

population since the year 1828, when the City seems first to have been thought deserving of distinct notice.

Further Tables have been prepared to show the numerical and centesimal increase in each of the six Wards of the City within the last five years, and may be useful for reference. They bring to light one very remarkable fact, namely, that whilst all the other Wards have increased, Bourke Ward has decreased in population to the extent of 41 persons, there being an increase of 108 females to a decrease of 149 males. Cook Ward, which in 1846 was numerically and proportionally inferior to the others, is now the most populous of all, owing to the extraordinary extension of the City over the Surry Hills and the Valley of Wooloomooloo Bay. [Decrease of Bourke Ward in population.] [Extraordinary increase of Cook Ward.]

The annexed Table exhibits the numerical and centesimal increase of the population in the Sydney Hamlets since 1851. It will be seen that there is a net increase of 63.3 per cent. on the whole, in the 5 years. This is an excess of 42.7 per cent. on the increase of the population of the City in the same period, and shows the tendency of the Citizens to avail themselves of the advantages of the Country, and to avoid the exorbitant rents demanded by the holders of City properties. It will be seen that the Hamlets of Chippendale, and the Glebe have increased in the highest proportion, whilst Canterbury, St. Leonard's, and Surry Hills seem rather to have retrograded. [Increase of the Hamlets as compared with the City.]

SEX AND AGE.

12.

With the view of rendering the information contained in the Tables of Sex and Age more useful for reference and easy in its application, I beg to present to you in the Appendix to this Report, (Table 1,) a general analysis of the facts collected, showing their relative bearing upon each other, which will obviate the necessity of many calculations to render the Tables intelligible. [Analytical view of the tables showing Sex and Age.]

In the first place, it is gratifying to find that the disparity of the sexes, which has so long been a reproach to the Colony, is gradually disappearing. [Proportions of the Sexes and increase of Females.]

In 1851, there was a deficiency of 252 females to every 1,000 males—the proportion in every 100 of the population being 56.8 males to 43.2 females, viz. :

In 1856 the deficiency is reduced to 208, making an increase of 44 females to every 1,000 males in the five years—the proportion being 55.2 males to 44.8 females.

If we analyze the figures, we shall find the excess of males confined to the adult population. [Excess of Males confined to the adult population.]

Under 21 years of age, there is found an excess of females over males of 1,792 ; and this excess occurs in the period between the ages of 14 and 21, owing, doubtless, to the large introduction of this class of Immigrants.

Under 14, the sexes are nearly equal, the proportion being slightly in favour of the males, following in this respect the universal law of population. [Equality of Sexes under 14.]

The following Table may be useful to illustrate the proportions of the sexes over and under 21 as compared with the proportions at the Census of 1851 ; the result of the inquiry will be found highly satisfactory, as supporting the assertion with which this section of the Report commenced :— [Comparative view of Sexes under and over 21 with 1851.]

A further comparative Table is appended, showing the proportions of the sexes to each other in the rural and urban divisions of the Colony, at the Censuses of 1851 and 1856 respectively. [Further Table Urban and Rural.]

13.

The discrimination of the Ages as well as the sexes of the population is indispensably necessary to show the proportional numbers in the various stages of life, which differ, not only in different countries, but in the same countries at different periods of their history ; and, for this reason, a Census in which only the numbers of a people are taken is necessarily incomplete. [Importance of Return of Age as well as Sex.]

I believe this is the first occasion on which the precise ages of the people have been demanded, and it is curious to observe the excess of numbers at the decennial and quinquennial periods. I have caused the accompanying diagram to be prepared to illustrate this point more clearly ; the males being designated by the black, and the females by the dotted lines. [Ages of the people and excess of numbers in the quinquennial and decennial periods.] [Diagram explanatory of above.] [Vide Appendix.]

The difficulties which have been found to attend inquiries of this kind in European states are thus seen not to be entirely removed by change of country. We see by how large a portion of the population their exact ages are forgotten ; and room is afforded for doubt on the part of those who are apt to cavil at the returns of the ages of ladies in the middle period of life. I have no reason, however, for thinking that the supposed general tendency of women to understate their ages has materially impaired the general truthfulness of the Returns, which are therefore available for every practical purpose to which they are likely to be applied.

In England the precise age of each person was for the first time demanded in the Census of 1851. In Austria, France, and Russia, the ages of females are never stated ; and in Prussia the women are divided into three classes only, which are separated by the remote ages of 16, 45, and 60. This arises from no want of appreciation of the importance of this inquiry in a military point of view—or to serve as a guide' in the construction of Tables of Life Assurance, and for other practical purposes—but, (as stated by the Registrar General of England), " from a deep-seated suspicion on the part of the distinguished men who have conducted the great statistical inquiries of the Continent, that the ages of at least the fair part of the population could not be ascertained with any degree of accuracy. [Observations as to Returns of Age in Great Britain and other European Countries.]

14.

Assuming, as we may fairly do, that the population living in the middle periods of life sustain by their industry the extreme youth and the great bulk of the old age of the country, it may not be uninteresting to show the proportion which the productive population bears to the non-productive. [Proportion of productive to the non-productive population.]

Suppose we take the children under 14, and the people above 60 as the non-productive portion of the community, we shall find that they compose 40.33 per cent. of the entire population ; the productive classes between 14 and 60 comprising 59.67 per cent., viz. :— [Proportions under 14 and over 60 in 1856.]

The comparison drawn by these figures tends to show that the productive population bears a larger proportion to the unproductive than it did five years ago. [Comparison of the two periods.]

Taking the ages from 10 years old up to 70 as indicating the effective population in Great Britain, the Census of 1851 shewed 57 per cent. of her population to be ineffective by age, and dependent for education and sustenance upon the remainder. [Non-productive population in Great Britain.]

Our classification, as published, does not admit of comparison with these ages, but the unpublished sub-divisional abstracts afford partially the means, and show as follows :—

I think that the age of 60 in this Colony may be taken as equivalent to the age of 70 in England, not so much from the effects of climate as from exposure to the hardships and privations attending a bush life, and from intemperance, a vice unfortunately too prevalent amongst a certain class in the lower orders of our society, the remains of a state of things fast passing away.

15.

If we compare the increase of the urban and rural population with each other during the last five years, it will create surprise in the minds of many to find that both numerically and proportionally the Country Districts have increased more than the Towns. [Comparative increase of Urban and Rural population.]

It seems that whilst the urban population has had an accession of 87,230 persons, equal to 38.3 per cent., to its numbers, the rural population has experienced an increase of 100,013 ; or 45.7 per cent.

A further investigation of the Returns shows us that the ratio of increase within the Settled Districts since 1851 is 43.2 per cent., whilst in the Commissioners' Districts the increase is 36.4 per cent., as will be seen by the following figures, viz. :— [Comparative ratio of increase in Settled and Unsettled Districts.]

Comparing the Towns in the Settled Districts with those in the Pastoral Districts, it will be seen by the accompanying Table that they have progressed in a somewhat opposite ratio to their rural population. [Comparing the Towns within and without the boundaries.]

In the Settled Districts, the centesimal increase of the Urban population is 36.2, whilst that of the Rural is 50.8. In the Pastoral Districts the Urban increase is 82.9 per cent., whilst the Rural reaches only 29.1. This result is calculated to have an important bearing upon any new distribution of the Electoral principle, and to strengthen an assertion, which will be found in a subsequent part of this Report, as to the decrease in the Returns of persons engaged in the management of stock in the pastoral parts of the Colony.

16.

With the view of shewing the comparative state of the population in the Counties and Commissioners' Districts at the two periods of 1851 and 1856, I have prepared the subjoined Table, which may be useful in the consideration of the question of electoral reform. [Comparative view of the population in the Counties and Commissioners' Districts.]

It will be seen that the nine Counties of Camden, Gloucester, Macquarie, Northumberland, Phillip, Roxburgh, St. Vincent, Wellington, and Stanley, have increased in population much above the general average of the Colony. Wellington is the most remarkable, having added to its population in the 5 years no less than 288.1 per cent., referable, of course, to the discovery of the Western Gold Fields. The County of Bligh appears to have experienced a decrease of 30.4 per cent., which is only to be accounted for by the reduction in the numbers of the sheep and cattle depastured within its limits. [Increase in Counties.]

The Pastoral Districts of Moreton Bay, Darling Downs, M'Leay, Wide Bay, and Burnett, have also increased beyond the general average, whilst the District of the Lower Darling has decreased 4 per cent. [Increase in Pastoral Districts.]

The very high average of the Moreton Bay Districts is attributable to no gold discovery, but solely to the inherent richness of their resources, and to the high spirit of enterprise for which the explorers and occupants of those districts have been so remarkable.

EDUCATION.

17.

In reviewing the Educational Tables we shall find a general, though not very remarkable, progression in this important branch of inquiry ; such as it is, it is more particularly apparent in the urban population, and amongst the females between the ages of 21 and 45 years, owing doubtless to the introduction of an improved class of female immigrants during the last 5 years. [General view of Educational Table as compared with 1851.]

To illustrate this branch of inquiry I subjoin two sets of Tables, shewing the present state of Education of each sex under and over 21, as compared with the Census of 1851. The first Table shews the percentage in 100 mixed sexes ; and the second in 100 of each sex.

In the Sydney Police District it appears that between the ages of 4 and 14 there are 6,042 children totally uneducated, viz., 3,030 males and 3,012 females, whilst of the same ages throughout the whole Colony, there are 14,559 boys and 13,520 girls in the same state of ignorance. These figures are not calculated to convey any very lively sense of gratification at the results of our educational system during the last 5 years. [Uneducated children in Sydney Police District.] [Uneducated children in the Colony.]

There is, however, a much more remarkable feature presented in these Tables than has been already adverted to, which should be placed prominently before the public, and this is the lamentable deficiency of education in the rural districts of the Colony,—I might say alarming,—for the practicability of any remedial measures to meet the emergency of the case must be a matter of grave doubt with every person having a practical acquaintance with the rural economy of the country districts, and their social organization. [Great want of Education in the Rural parts of the Colony.]

The connexion of ignorance with crime has been too often tested and proved both in England and France, and found to agree in both countries. [Connexion of crime with ignorance.]

The French economists produce an annual official development of this connexion. It appears that where there is the least instruction, there is five, six, or seven times more crime. Thus of 1,041 persons convicted, there were 644 of the ignorant, 295 of those who had been partially disciplined in schools, 87 in the ordinarily educated classes, and only 15 of those who had received a superior education. Again, it appeared that of 4,222 criminals, 3,777 were such as had received no instruction at all, and only 100 had received a superior education. [Results of inquiries in France.]

Similar results have been elicited by investigations into the influence of education on the development of crime in England and Wales. It has been found that, of a variety of elements tested and supposed to exercise some material influence on crime, none was found subject to any definite law, or to manifest any direct control over the increase or decrease of crimeexcept education. [Similar results in England and Wales.]

During the years 1842, 3, and 4, there were of all the criminals in England and Wales :

The records of the Registrar General of England show that in those counties in which there is an inferior degree of education, there is also an increased ratio of crime ; and that, not a small and barely appreciable difference, but in eleven different groups of counties a difference in favor of the best educated districts varying from 13 to 43.9 per cent. More conclusive evidence could not be called for to show the lamentable results attendant upon the neglect of education. [Like results from records of Registrar General in England.]

For further elucidation of the Educational Tables, I beg to refer you to Table 2 in the Appendix to this Report, which is designed to exhibit an analytical view of the state of education in the Colony, distinguishing the rural from the urban population. It shows that on the population under 21 years of age, 42.86 per cent. of the males, and 38.88 per cent. of the females in the towns and villages cannot read ; whilst the proportions in the country parts are 53.98 per cent. of the males and 52.27 per cent. of the females. The actual numbers are as follows, viz. : [Analytical view of Education in Table (Vide Appendix.)] [Proportion of children under 21 who cannot read.]

But if we subtract the children under 4, who are not to be presumed to have commenced their education, we shall arrive at the result shown in the following Table, the first portion showing the ages between 4 and 21, the second portion comprising the ages 21 and upwards, viz. :— [Per centage of Educated and Uneducated persons, 4 years old and upwards, Rural and Urban.]

The actual numbers of the population between 4 and 21 who cannot read are :— [Numbers of the uneducated between 4 and 21.]

Nothing need, I think, be added to these figures to show the necessity for prompt and energetic action in the matter of Education in the Country Districts.

NATIVE COUNTRY.

18.

With reference to the nationality of the people, the tables have been amplified to distinguish those born in the United States, China, Germany, and France, from which Countries a considerable Immigration has been attracted by the Gold Fields, and by the high rate of wages given to persons skilled in vine-dressing. [Explanatory view of the Nationality of the population.]

It is much to be regretted that the information supplied by the returns on this head was generally of too vague a character to admit of a clear discernment of those born in New South Wales and of those born in the other Australian Colonies. [As regards the Australian born.]

The general term "Australia" occurs so frequently as the birthplace of the Native born, as to lead to the supposition that the 20th clause of the Circular of Instructions to the Bench of Magistrates and others charged with the duty of collecting the Census, has been misapprehended. Under these circumstances, it was thought expedient to classify under one head the entire population born in the Australian Colonies, and as the Natives of New Zealand did not exceed 40 or 50 souls, they were thrown in under the general head of " Australasia and New Zealand."

In the unpublished Abstracts of the Household Returns, however, are to be found two sets of Columns, viz. :—1. " New South Wales," and 2. " Other " Australian Colonies and New Zealand." In the former appears 53,418 males, and 53,392 females—and in the latter 3,174 males, and 3,130 females, by which figures it may be gathered that out of the 113,114 persons classified under the head of " Australasia and New Zealand," 106,810 were born in New South Wales, and 6,304 in the other Australian Colonies and New Zealand ; but, for the reasons above stated, I could not venture to affirm the accuracy of this classification, and therefore thought it better to throw them together under the one head. [As to distinct classification of persons born in New South Wales.]

I believe that the one column into which the quantities have been thrown for publication, corresponds exactly with the column of 1851, headed " In the Colony ;" and that " British America," and " Other British Dominions," in the present Census, are together equivalent to the column headed " Other British Dominions," in the former one. The accompanying Table will illustrate this more clearly.

A comparison of the relative proportions of the population as regards Native Country at the two periods, is submitted in the accompanying Table. [Comparison with 1851.]

It will be seen that the Immigration from England and Wales has raised the proportion of females from the mother country considerably higher than it was in 1851, but that the proportion of males and females together remains without material alteration ; the same with Scotland ; whilst the numbers under the head of Ireland shew a diminution of nearly 2 per cent.

The greatest increase appears under the classification of " Other Foreign Countries," namely 2.3 per cent. principally made up of German and Chinese Immigrants ; whilst the Australasian born have sustained a proportionate decrease, as compared with other countries, of 1 per cent. [Large increase from Foreign Countries.]

The large increase of immigration from Germany is calculated to confer many benefits upon this community both socially and materially, and should be encouraged, as the men are generally moral and industrious, and are accompanied with their wives and families, whilst the Immigration from China is to be deprecated for reasons the very opposite. [Benefits of German Immigration.]

SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC CONDITION.

19.

We will now turn to the Tables shewing the Social and Domestic Condition of the population, and notice the most prominent features presented in them to our view. [Comparative and general view of the Social Condition of the people.]

We shall find that the proportion of married persons to the entire population of the Colony has increased 1.2 per cent. since 1851, viz. :

and in analyzing the figures we arrive at a very curious result, namely, that whilst in each 100 married males there is shewn an increase of 2.1 per cent., a decrease of 0.2 per cent. appears in the same number of married females. The subjoined Table will more clearly illustrate this fact :—

In England in 1851, the proportions of the married population were 33 in every 100 males, and 32 in every 100 females. In New South Wales the proportion is less as regards the males, but greater as regards the females. [Proportion of Married to Single in England and New South Wales.]

Of the age of 20 and upwards 4 in 6 of the men and 4 in 7 of the women are living in the married state in Great Britain. The number of married persons under 20 in New South Wales is not distinguished, but assuming the married to be all of the age of 20 and upwards, the proportion would be about 53 in 100 men and 81 in 100 women. [Proportions of Married to Single in Great Britain.]

Unfortunately no provision was made for distinguishing the widowed population, an omission much to be regretted, as the information would have elucidated some social problems interesting in a practical as well as a theoretical point of view. [Non-provision for taking account of widowed population.]

These Tables might have been elaborated to show the ages of the married and single, and I very much regret that the utility of a more extended classification did not appear to me at the time sufficiently clear to compensate for the extra labour which it would have involved. Upon the conjugal state of the population depend very much its increase, its diffusion, its manners, its character, its happiness, and its freedom. An accurate knowledge, therefore, of the conjugal condition of a community is of importance to counteract the influence which theories, in the absence of exact knowledge, may be permitted to exercise upon legislation. Great importance is assigned to this inquiry by the Census Commissioners in England ; and, doubtless, a more extended prosecution of the inquiry on the present occasion would have afforded a solution of many interesting social problems ; and amongst others, perhaps, of that noticed at the commencement of this paragraph, namely, of the decreased per centage in the married females. [Observations with reference to extended classifications of Tables showing Conjugal Condition of the people.]

The results, so far as they have been arrived at, will be found more clearly exhibited in Table 3, in the Appendix to this Report, to which I beg to refer you for further elucidation of the Tables under the head of " Social and Domestic Condition." [Referring to analytical Tables in the Appendix.]

HOUSES.

20.

If we examine the Tables connected with, and embodied in those reviewed in the last paragraph, showing the manner in which the population is domiciled, we shall find it distributed in the proportion of 6.3 inhabitants to each place of residence, including the tents and drays at the diggings, and on the road, and the ships containing classified persons. The comparative increase of the houses to the population since the Census of 1851, and the proportionate means of housing the families of which our society is composed, will be seen at a glance in the accompanying Table. [Comparative view of the proportion of Houses to the population.]

It will be seen that the increase on the total number of houses, inhabited and uninhabited, in 1851, is 9,817, or at the rate of 31 per cent. [Increase since 1851.]

In 1851 there were 31,662 houses, to a population of 187,243 persons ; in 1856 there were 41,479 houses, to a population of 266,189 persons ; that is to say, an increase of 31 per cent. on the houses—or if we include drays, tents, &c., which have become ordinary places of habitation at the Gold Fields, 36 per cent.—to meet the requirements of an increase of 42.1 per cent. in the population.

The only remarkable features in these Tables are the great increase in stone and brick houses, and the appearance of an entirely new material in house building, namely, metal. Wooden buildings of an inferior description, and bark roofed—which did not appear in the Census of 1851—have been classified on the present occasion. [Remarkable features.]

RELIGION.

21.

The Abstracts of the religion of the people present no very remarkable features calling for explanation or comment ; but I have prepared the following Table to show the proportionate increase or decrease in the per centage of the different denominations on the 1st March, 1856, as compared with 1851, by which it will be seen that the two principal Churches have rather retrograded, whilst the Presbyterians and Wesleyans have gained ground. [General view of Religion as compared with 1851.]

The denominations classed under the term of " other Protestants," have experienced a proportional decrease, whilst the Jews, Mahomedans, and Pagans bear a higher per centage than they did in 1851, referable, undoubtedly, to the large immigration from China.

Unfortunately the relation of religion to sex was not shown in the former Census Tables ; it is impossible, therefore, to make any farther comparison of the results of this inquiry on the present occasion. The last Tables in each series will convey much interesting information on the subject of religion in connexion with education and age, and will have special comment. I will therefore now pass on to the next subject of inquiry.

OCCUPATIONS.

22.

We have now to consider the occupations of the people. [Explanatory view of the Occupations of the people.]

An inquiry into this branch of the Returns is attended with inherent difficulties ; firstly, from the absence of information on this head ; secondly, from the vagueness of the descriptions given ; thirdly, from the variety of names applied to similar occupations ; fourthly, from the diversity of interpretation given to some of the descriptions by the several persons employed on the compilation.

A more elaborate classification has been attempted than was presented in the former Census.

Six additional heads have been introduced into the Tables, and a different distribution of some of the trades or callings has been thought advisable. [Additional heads of inquiry.]

With regard to the additional heads, it was thought advisable to simplify the Abstracts to distinguish, first, those employed in the cultivation of the vine from horticulturists and the general agricultural population ; 2nd, the mining population from others of the labouring classes ; 3rd, schoolmasters and persons engaged in teaching from " Other educated " persons," or from " Other occupations," in one of which classifications they were included on former occasions ; 4th, seafaring men temporarily residing on shore—in Sydney and the outports of the Colony—who would otherwise have gone to swell the column of " Miscellaneous occupations" already sufficiently comprehensive without the addition of the maritime population.

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

23.

The first head in the Table has been divided into male and female, to admit of the classification of females carrying on business in their own name, and their female assistants.

In the Tables of 1851, " Commerce, Trade, and Manufactures," appear in the first column combined ; in the present Tables, the corresponding column is confined to " Trade and Commerce" only ; the persons engaged in manufactures—insignificant in numbers—being transferred to the column headed " Artificers and Skilled Workmen." It is probable that in the former Census various handicrafts were included under the term Trade ; but this is not the meaning attached to it in the present Tables. It is simply understood to signify dealing in commodities, which is conceived to be the true sense of the word when used in the singular number without an article. The apparent falling off, therefore, in the number of persons engaged in Trade and Commerce, is to be accounted for by the removal of persons following certain manufactures, arts, or handicrafts, (which some may think to be rather commercial than mechanical)—to the column headed " Artificers and Skilled Workmen," which must be understood to include every person following any art, though not strictly mechanical in the popular sense. [Trade and Commerce.] [Probable classification in former Census.] [Reasons of the falling off in persons engaged in Trade and Commerce.]

This explanation will be rendered more satisfactory, perhaps, if we add the two columns of the Censuses of 1846, 1851, and 1856 together, and compare them, viz. : [Solution of the discrepancy.]

bearing to the entire population the proportions respectively of 11.3 per cent., 9.9 per cent., and 8.8 per cent., which seems to be a natural and regular progression.

AGRICULTURE.

24.

Whilst the Census of 1851 exhibited a decrease in the number of persons engaged in agriculture in the five years preceding, it is very gratifying to observe an increase of no less than 4,830 persons in the five years which follow. The numbers at the three periods were as follows :— [Increase of Agricultural population.]

and if we compare the number of acres in crop as shewn by the Colonial

Secretary's Statistics, we shall find the ratio of increase much greater in the number of persons employed, than in the quantity of land under culture, and from this fact it may not unreasonably be inferred that greater care is bestowed upon the cultivation of the land than was the practice in years gone by. [Increase of persons as compared with acreage under crop.]

The following statement shews the number of acres in crop in each of the years from 1845 to 1855, viz. :—

It seems a singular coincidence at first sight, that at the three quinquennial periods at which the Census has been taken, the land in cultivation should have exceeded the quantity under crop in any intermediate year by many thousands of acres. I believe that the price of wheat will be found to have a very material influence upon the fluctuations which are exhibited in the foregoing Table. In the beginning of the year 1846, wheat from the Hunter District was sold in Sydney at 3 shillings per bushel. The importation of wheat in that year was treble, and of flour quadruple that of the preceding year ; this importation, and the consequent fall in prices, gave a check to agricultural operations, from which they did not recover for five years. [Coincidence between Census and acreage in crop.]

We find in 1850 a marvelously small importation of wheat and flour, and in 1851 an increase in the price of wheat from 4s. to 8s. 6d. per bushel, accompanied by a considerable increase in the acreage returns under crop in that year. The Gold excitement followed, and the Colony again suffered three years of agricultural inactivity. In 1854 the importation of breadstuffs was very limited, and the price of wheat rose from 6s. 9d. to 11s. 6d. per bushel—and what was the consequence ? That the quantity of land brought under crop in 1855 exceeded that of the year before by nearly 40,000 acres, there being at the same time an enormous importation of wheat and flour, and the price of wheat rising to 16s. 5d. per bushel. [Showing the cause of increase in Acreage Returns.]

We infer from these facts that there is a great disposition to engage in agriculture where prices are remunerative, and to abandon it for more profitable occupations when large importations bring down the value of wheat below the paying price. We learn that whilst there is always a certain quantity of land under crop of some kind or other, and a certain number of persons necessarily engaged in its culture, the occupation has been fitful, and has not manifested that steady progress which so important a branch of industry demands. It is to be hoped that the progress of the last two years may receive no check, and that by perfecting as much as possible the Agricultural Returns of the Colony, and disseminating accurate information as to the quantity of land under cultivation, and the further provision necessary for the sustenance of the people, the trustees of power will cherish the evident inclination of the people to engage in agricultural pursuits, which are found in all countries to conduce so largely to the social and economical progress of the community. [Inference drawn from above facts.]

GRAZING.

25.

To return, however, to the Tables, it appears that whilst a large addition has been made to the agricultural population, quite the contrary result is shown in the numbers of persons engaged in tending sheep and cattle. [Persons engaged in Pastoral pursuits.]

I have no doubt that this decrease is a true one, for I find that in several counties within the settled districts the quantity of sheep and cattle despastured has for some years been gradually decreasing.

It appears that the decrease in the year from 1854 to 1855 in horned cattle was 1,380, and in sheep no less than 128,909 ; the decrease being remarkably apparent in those parts of the country where a corresponding decrease is shown by the Census Tables to have occurred in the number of persons engaged in pastoral pursuits,—in the county of Bligh, for example. It should, moreover, be remarked, that by the removal of stock from the settled to the unsettled districts, owing to the very superior richness of the herbage, and the facilities for depasturing which the latter present, the labor of tending sheep and cattle is reduced to considerably less than one-half, and that although there has been an increase in the whole Colony of over a million sheep and nearly 500,000 cattle in the five years, the management has been so improved that flocks and herds are tended in thousands where they formerly were tended in hundreds, and the general economy of a sheep or cattle establishment so much better regulated, as fully to account for the decrease which is observable in their management. [Decrease of stock in Settled Districts.]

UNSKILLED LABOR.

26.

The increase in the class of " Unskilled Laborers" is almost exactly in the same ratio as is shown in the class of persons engaged in " Agriculture," viz. : [Unskilled labor.]

It includes, principally, persons resident in and about towns and villages, following no specific occupation, but hiring themselves out in multifarious capacities by the day or week, as labor may offer.

MINING.

27.

With reference to the mining population, particularly to that portion engaged in seeking for the precious metals, the number may seem small, viz., 4,451 ; but it must be taken to indicate those persons only who were resident on the different Gold Fields of the Colony on the 1st March, 1856, and actually engaged in digging for gold. It probably does not comprise more than a third of those who, at different seasons of the year, are in the habit of leaving their usual avocations to try their luck at Gold Digging. [Persons engaged in mining.]

The permanent gold digging population—I mean those who follow no other pursuit—is, doubtless, represented with perfect truth ; for I believe that two-thirds of those who take out licenses to dig, may be said to visit the mines only in the intervals when they can be spared from agricultural or other operations. [Permanent Gold Digging population.]

This fitful and uncertain movement amongst the gold digging population of New South Wales, and the sparseness of the number engaged at the Gold Fields not only account for the smallness of the yield, but indicate a strong disposition on the part of the people not to allow the permanent industrial interests of the country to give way to the alluring yet treacherous temptations presented to them in this gambling pursuit. [Fitfulness of digging operations.]

DOMESTIC SERVICE.

28.

The increase in the number of females in " Domestic Service" is very large, and is fully accounted for by the large female immigration. [Domestic servants.]

There were introduced at the public expense, between January, 1851, and January, 1856, 15,507 females over 14 years of age ; and at their own expense, 3,344, or 18,851 available for the most part for domestic service ; yet the increase on this class of servants is less than a third of the numbers introduced, leaving it to be supposed that the remaining two-thirds were married or have found husbands. The fruits of these marriages, it may be hoped, will be seen largely developed in the accession to the numbers of the infantine population on the next occasion of taking the Census. [Female immigration.]

The proportion which the domestic servants of both sexes bear to the population, has increased from 1 to very 18 persons in 1851, to 1 to every 16 persons in 1856, viz. : [Proportion of servants to population.]

TEACHERS.

29.

If we pass on to the column in which are classified the persons engaged in tuition, we shall find that they bear the proportion of pretty nearly 1 in 50 to the children between the ages of 4 and 14 ; of the 1,360 of both sexes, 662 are female teachers, who may be supposed to have the charge of 34,294 girls of the ages above named, whilst the education of 34,526 boys may be supposed to devolve upon 698 male teachers. Of these no less than 143 male and 302 female teachers are employed in the Sydney District, the latter including governesses and ladies engaged in private tuition. This classification was included in the column headed " Other Educated Persons" in the Census Tables of 1851. [Schoolmasters and Teachers.]

OTHER EDUCATED PROFESSIONS.

30.

The decrease shewn under the head of " Other Educated Professions" which include Architects, Surveyors, and the like, is accounted for by the distinct classification of " Teachers" or persons engaged in education, as well as by the arrangement under the head of " Miscellaneous Occupations" of many persons hardly to be classed under the head ofeducatedprofessions." [Explanation of decrease in coloumn of other educated persons.]

AIMS PEOPLE AND PAUPERS.

31.

The classification under this head includeLunatics, and it will be seen that (beyond the Districts of Sydney and Parramatta, where large Government Establishments are maintained for paupers, lunatics, and such like,) the column is in almost all cases blank ; this is certainly a congratulatory feature in the Table. The children in the Orphan Schools have not been included under this head on this or any former occasion. [Classification of lunatics.]

MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPATIONS.

32.

The column headed " Miscellaneous Occupations" comprises persons such as Government Officers and Clerks, the Military, Publicans, [Nature of occupation comprehended.]

Board and Lodging-house Keepers, Cab Proprietors, Horse Dealers, Fruiterers, Poulterers, and other occupations not mechanical, nor capable of classification under any of the other heads. This column corresponds with " All other Occupations" in the Census of 1851, upon which it shows a very large increase, viz. : 1851, 6,337 ; 1856, 10,309 males, and 6,976 females, none of which latter sex were separately classified on the former occasion, but were all placed under the head of " Occupations not Stated," in the last column.

On a future occasion it might be desirable to classify separately all persons employed in the Public Service of the Colony, a classification overlooked in the present Tables.

NO OCCUPATION OR NOT STATED.

33.

The last column in the Table of Occupations corresponds with the last column in the same Table for 1851, headed " Residue of Population," and is made up principally of women and children. It shows an increase of nearly fifty per cent. upon the former Census, and has on this occasion been divided into males and females, viz. :—1851—total, 109,159. 1856—males, 53,898 ; females, 98,315 ; total, 152,213. [Residue of populaiton.]

RELIGION, AGE, AND EDUCATION.

34.

With regard to the Table showing Religion in combination with Education and Age, it is proper to observe that it was found impossible to classify every religious persuasion separately, by reason of the diversity which is found to exist in the descriptions of the Dissenting body of Christians ; the tabulation, therefore, has been confined to five main heads, viz. :— [Arrangement of Table of Religion, Age, and Education.]

1. Church of England.

2. Presbyterians.

3. Other Protestants, including Wesleyans, Congregationalists, Baptists, Lutherans, Unitarians, Swedenborgians, &c., &c.

4. Roman Catholics.

5. Other Denominations, including Jews, Pagans, Mormons, Mahomedans, and Free-thinkers.

It was my intention to classify the Wesleyans by themselves, but I found that I should be enlarging the abstracts to an impracticable size, and was therefore obliged to abandon the intention. These Tables will be found sufficiently clear to explain themselves, and sufficiently comprehensive to need but little illustration from me. It will be seen with regret, that whilst they show a higher range of Education amongst the Protestant bodies than amongst the Romanists, the Church of England has cause of reproach that her members stand much lower in the scale than do the Presbyterians, Wesleyans, and other dissenting sects. Whether this state of things be owing to the opposition of her Clergy, to the National System of Education, or to the want of zeal in her members, it is not for me to say—here the fact stands out in bold relief, and if the inquiry which has elicited such a result is productive of no other good effect than that of directing the attention of the Bishops, Clergy, and Members of the Churches of England and Rome to the lamentable deficiency of Education amongst their people, and exciting them to the earnest application of remedial measures, the time and labor which have been expended on the inquiry will not have been thrown away. Perhaps the fact that the Congregationalists, Wesleyans, and other dissenting bodies are found congregated principally in the towns and villages where the means of Education are nearer at hand, may be allowed to qualify, to a certain extent, the observations which the result of this inquiry has compelled me to offer. [Low state of Education amongst the Romanists and Members of the Church of England.]

I present to you in the Appendix (Table 4) an analytical view of these Tables, which will render the information they convey both easy of application, and useful for reference.

POPULATION AND AREA.

35.

With reference to the Table showing the proportion of the population to each square mile of area, the County of Cumberland alone shows a respectable proportion, viz., 75.42 persons. [Proportion of persons to each square mile of area.]

In England and Wales, the average proportion is 307 persons and 56 houses to a square mile, the smallest being the County of Westmoreland, viz., 77 persons and 15 houses to a square mile.

For the Settled Districts of New South Wales, the proportion is nearly 5 persons to the square mile, but for the Squatting Districts, the proportion is barely appreciable, being only 0.13, that is about 1 person to 7½ square miles.

36.

The first portion of these Tables embracing the nine abstracts which commence the series, and which show the state of the population with regard to all the particulars that have been made the subject of inquiry, arranged according to the order of the " Police Districts" of the Colony, was completed on the 12th of December last, but in the anticipation of an earlier completion of the work than it has been found possible to realize, it was thought advisable to withhold its publication until the whole could be presented in a complete state. The Tables are published in much the same form as those of the years 1846 and 1851, but I beg to observe that, should it be considered desirable, the detailed abstracts of which these Tables are mere condensations, are available for publication at very little expense beyond the printing, although I cannot see what good use such an extended publication would serve, unless it were to give evidence of the amount of labour necessary to bring out the present results. [Further detailed Abstracts can be printed if required.]

In reviewing these Tables, I am made aware of many defects which may be remedied on a future occasion ; some few of these have been adverted to in the course of this Report : on the whole, however, I think the Abstracts will be found not inferior to former documents of the kind.

37.

The expense with which the compilation of the Census has been attended on the present occasion, (exclusive of printing, &c.,) has exceeded the cost of the Census of 1851 in a very trifling degree, whilst the cost of collection has been more than double that of 1851, as will be seen by the following statement furnished by the Audit Office, viz. :— [As to expense of taking the Census.]

It is curious to observe by these figures, that whilst the cost of compilation exceeded the cost of collection over £200 in the year 1851, the reverse of the picture is presented in the year 1856, the cost of collection being more than double the cost of compilation. It is impossible that the printing, paper, stores, and furniture required for the work—the cost of which I have no means of ascertaining—can account for the difference, exceeding, as it does, the sum of £2000. I am unable to offer any solution of the problem, and merely point it out as a singular coincidence, supposing (as there is no reason for doubting) that the figures are accurately given. The sum voted was £10,000. There will therefore be a saving of over £2,000 on the vote taken for this service. [Comparison with 1851.]

38.

As there is reason to expect within a short time the separation of the Northern or Moreton Bay Districts from New South Wales, with a view to their establishment into a separate Colony, it may not be uninteresting to show the effect it will have upon the population of the Parent Colony. [As to the effect of the separation of Moreton Bay upon the population of New South Wales.]

If, as is proposed, the division be made at latitude 30°, we shall lose the following Police Districts, viz. :— [Police Districts North of Lat. 30.]

• Grafton and Tabulam, in the District of Clarence River.

• Wellington and Tenterfield, in the District of New England.

• Warialda, in the District of the Gwydir.

• Part of Wee Waa, in the District of Liverpool Plains.

• Drayton, Warwick, and Dalby, in the District of Darling Downs.

• Brisbane and Ipswich, in the District of Moreton.

• Surat, in the Maranoa District.

• Gayndah, in the Burnett, and

• Maryborough, in the Wide Bay Districts, with the Districts of Port Curtis and Leichhardt, in the far North.

These 16 Districts comprise a population of 22,239 inhabitants, as will be seen by the accompanying Table.

Supposing, however, that the representation which have been made to the Imperial Government should have the effect of preserving to New South Wales intact the entire Pastoral Districts of New England, the Clarence River, the Gwydir and Liverpool Plains, the loss to the Colony will be reduced to 10 Districts, (last named in the Return,) comprising a population of 16,907 inhabitants.

39.

Before closing this Report, I wish to express my sense of Mr. Campbell's valuable services in conducting the very laborious and difficult duties with which he has been entrusted in this investigation. [Acknowledgment of Mr. Campbell's services.]

40.

A National Census is amongst the most important statistical operations which a Government can execute, as its results must form the basis for many highly important administrative and economical measures, and supply the elements of almost every other statistical investigation. [Importance of Census.]

The importance of unity, as to the time and method of taking the Census, has been made the subject to discussion by the ablest Statistics in Europe, and pressed by them upon the different European Governments. [As to unity in time and method of taking Census.]

Now, if so much advantage is supposed to be derivable from uniformity amongst Nations, differing in origin, in language, in laws, in religion, and in general habits and character—how much more material must it be for Colonies so intimately connected, as are those of which New South Wales forms the chief, to secure uniformity in the time and method of instituting and conducting this important inquiry. We should thus have a basis of comparison which would severally and unitedly illustrate their social condition and prospects, and facilitate the means by which they may be beneficial to one another. [Importance of a contemporancous taking of the Census for all the Australian Colonies.]

I would therefore close this Report by respectfully urging upon the Government the expediency of attempting, (when the period again comes round,) a simultaneous Census of all the Australian Colonies. It is hardly to be doubted that were the advantages of unity and uniformity in this important statistical inquiry pointed out to their respective Governments the suggestion would meet with favourable consideration.

I have the honor to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

CHRIS. ROLLESTON,

Registrar General.

P.S.—In order to bring up the Census to the latest period, I append the following statement to shew the estimated population on 1st January, 1857 :—

CENSUS—1856,

ARRANGED ACCORDING TO

POLICE DISTRICTS,

COUNTIES AND COMMISSIONERS'S DISTRICTS,

CITY OF SYDNEY AND SUBURBS,

TOWNS AND VILLAGES,

HUNDREDS AND PARISHES OF, CUMBERLAND,

&c., &c., &c.

ERRATA.

In the Report, page xxiii, 7th line, for " simplify" read "amplify the Abstracts,' &c.

In page 13, in the heading, for " Police Districts" read " Counties and Commissioners' Districts."

In page 38, in the first column of " Totals," for 11287 read 11285, and for 2444 read 2446 ; and, in the second column of " Totals," for 27901 read 27903, for 6791 read 6889, and for 19995 read 19895.

In page 48, for 30430, in the column of " Totals," read 30440.

In page 49, in the column of Averages for 1856, for 0.90 (opposite Georgiana) read 0.96, and for 0.06 (opposite Albert and Lower Darling) read 0.01.

EXPLANATIONS.

Throughout the Educational matter, the terms " Read" and " Read only" are used as equivalent ; the term " Write" as equivalent to " Read and Write"; also, the term " Elementary," in pages 11, 12, 30, 31, as equivalent to " Primary" elsewhere.

Every similar Table is intended to exhibit similar matter, notwithstanding any slight variation in the heading.