CENSUS OF THE PROVINCE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA,

TAKEN OF THE 8TH APRIL, 1861,

UNDER

PROVISIONS OF ACT OF PARLIAMENT NO. 18, 23 & 24 VICTORIA.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT BY COMMAND OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR-IN-CHIEF.

ADELAIDE:

PRINTED BY AUTHORITY BY W.C. COX, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, VICTORIA-SQUARE.

1862.

ERRATUM.

Part V.—TABLE I.—Females from England and Wales, 1836 to 1840—For " 2,760" read " 2,670;" and total, for " 5,905" read " 5,185."

CONTENTS.

REPORT

PART I.—AGES OF THE PEOPLE.

TABLE I.—Number of Periods of Age in the Province and Chief Divisions.

TABLE II.—Number at Periods of Age in each County and Pastoral District

TABLE III.—Number at Periods of Age in each Municipality, District Council, &c.

PART II.—OCCUPATIONS OF THE PEOPLE.

TABLE I.—Occupations (classified) in each County, &c.

TABLE II.—Occupations (classified) in numerical order, Males and Females

TABLE III.—Occupations (classified) in the Province and Chief Divisions

TABLE IV.—Occupations (classified) in each County and Pastoral District

TABLE V.—Occupations (classified) in each Municipality, District Council, &c.

PART III.—CIVIL OR CONJUGAL CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE.

TABLE I.—Number and Ages of Married, Unmarried, &c., in each County, &c., condensed

TABLE II.—Number and Ages of Married, Unmarried, &c., in the Province and Chief Divisions

TABLE III.—Number and Ages of Married, Unmarried, &c., in each County and Pastoral District

TABLE IV.—Number and Ages of Married, Unmarried, &c., in each Municipality, District Council, &c.

PART IV.—EDUCATION OF THE PEOPLE.

TABLE I.—Number, Read and Write, Read only, &c., in each County, &c., all ages.

TABLE II.—Number, Read and Write, Read only, &c., in each County, &c., at 5 and 21 years of age, and upwards

TABLE III.—Number, Read and Write, Read only, &c., in each County, &c., between 5 and 15, and 15 and 21 years of age

TABLE IV.—Number, Read and Write, Read only, &c., in the Province and Chief Divisions

TABLE V.—Number, Read and Write, Read only, &c., in each County and Pastoral District

TABLE VI.—Number, Read and Write, Read only, &c., in each Municipality, District Council, &c.

PART V.—NATIONALITIES OF THE PEOPLE, AND YEAR OF ENTERING THE COLONY.

TABLE I.—Birthplaces, and Year of Entering Colony, of Inhabitants of Province

TABLE II.—Birthplace of People in each County and Pastoral District

TABLE III.—Year of Entering the Colony in each County and Pastoral District

TABLE IV.—Birthplace and Year of Entering, combined, in each County, &c.

TABLE V.—Birthplace and Year of Entering, combined, in each Municipality, District Council, &c.

PART VI.—DWELLINGS OF THE PEOPLE.

TABLE I.—Number and Description of Dwellings in each County and Pastoral District

TABLE II.—Number and Description of Dwellings in each Municipality, District Council, &c.

PART VII.—SICK AND INFIRM.

TABLE I.—Males and Females Sick and Infirm in each County and Pastoral District.

TABLE II.—Males and Females Sick and Infirm in each Municipality and District Council

PART VIII.—THE ABORIGINES.

TABLE I.—Number, &c., in each County and Pastoral District

REPORT

TO THE HON. GEORGE M. WATERHOUSE, M.L.C.,

CHIEF SECRETARY,

&c., &c., &c.

Chief Secretary's Office, Adelaide, March 15th, 1862.

SIR—

I have the honor to transmit herewith, for the information of His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, Population Tables, Parts I.* to VIII., comprising the information collected at the Census taken on the 8th April, 1861, in compliance with Act of Parliament, No. 18, 23 and 24 Victoria.

The responsible duty of carrying out the Census Act devolved upon me by your appointment, and I have now the honor to preface the information contained in the following voluminous returns, with a few remarks indicating the mode in which this work has been accomplished, and briefly pointing out the more prominent features brought to light during the inquiry, respecting the numerical, social, and domestic condition of the inhabitants of this Province.

More than usual importance attaches to this census, from the circumstance of the population having been enumerated upon the same day in the United Kingdom and in the Australian Provinces ; and the forms, and general plan of action in reference thereto, having been practically in unison.

The Imperial Government—impressed with the advantages to accrue from unity of action, throughout the British Empire, in so important a national undertaking—met with favor the suggestions for a simultaneous census put forward by the Governments of the Australian Provinces, and forthwith invited other dependencies of the Crown to enter into a general arrangement with that object. Circumstances prevented its perfect accomplishment in 1861 ; but there is reason to hope that, on the next occasion, a complete enumeration will be effected of all subjects of the British Crown.

Considerable correspondence ensued with the Imperial and Local Governments in the arrangement of the facts to be inquired into, and the mode of procedure to be adopted in tabulating the results obtained, the effect being a valuable addition to our knowledge as respects existing methods, and the formation of the basis of one uniform system, rendering the ascertained facts capable of being compared with those procured in other countries.

The form of Householders' Schedule, and the particulars to be inserted therein by each occupier, were approved in Executive Council, as required by the Act, and comprise the following :—

1. Name and surname of each inhabitant

2. Relation to head of family

3. Civil or conjugal condition

4. Sex

5. Age

6. Rank, profession, or occupation

7. Health

8. Country where born

9. Year of entering the Colony

10. Religion

11. Education, and

12. Description of dwelling.

The machinery of the Census was also made use of to, institute various collateral inquiries subordinate to the main object. The collection of Agricultural and Live Stock Statistics, Statistics of Manufactories, Trades, and Mines, an inquiry into the Number and Ages of Children attending Schools, with the degree of education imparted, and an enumeration of the Aborigines, were thus secured at a small additional cost. With the exception of the latter—which forms a part of the following tables—the information thus obtained has been already published and laid before Parliament.

The value of the Census has been much enhanced by the mode adopted of dividing the Colony into Districts, so as to permit of the various particulars being abstracted for each County, Electoral District, Hundred, District Council, Municipal Corporation, and principal Township. The information acquired has thus been made available for a variety of local purposes, the same facts being shown for each of those districts as are exhibited for the Province at large.

County boundaries being generally well known, and less liable to alteration than any other arbitrary division, have been chosen as principal divisions for the Census and for other statistical purposes, and form a fixed basis of comparison for use at future enumerations. The outer portions of the Province were divided into convenient Districts comprising the chief pastoral districts not included in counties.

The total number of Districts was 131, to each of which a collector, chosen for his experience and knowledge of the country, was appointed, whose duty it was simply to distribute, collect, and arrange the returns and ascertain their veracity in doubtful cases—the process of abstracting the particulars for publication being performed in this department tending much to the correctness of the work. Minute instructions, for the guidance of each collector, were drawn up, and issued with a plan of his district, a detailed definition of its boundaries, and the necessary printed forms, which, without being complex, contained full directions sufficient to preclude any ordinary grounds for error. Definitions of the boundaries of the several Census Districts were published in theGovernment Gazette, 1861, pages 80 and 135. The organization, instruction, and superintendance of a staff numbering nearly 150 persons in all parts of the Province necessitated considerable labor in correspondence alone.

I have had reason to be satisfied with the creditable manner in which the collectors generally performed their duties ; and the aid rendered by the public in carrying out the work speaks much for the intelligence of the community and its appreciation of the importance of this national undertaking.

The assistance afforded by Mayors of Corporations and Chairmen of District Councils—whose local knowledge was availed of by soliciting their co-operation in certifying to the careful enumeration of their respective districts—must also be acknowledged as of much value.

The period taken to complete the Tables and Report has been more protracted than was at first anticipated ; but—when the necessity for exactness in details, and in the varied computations is considered, upon which rest the value of statistical inquiries, combined with the fact that nearly four times more information is afforded than on any previous occasion—the length of time occupied is not excessive. The press having been supplied for publication with each table as printed (the first was issued in September last, and the total number enumerated was shown in the previous May), the necessity for haste—the too frequent cause of error—was thus obviated.

Before proceeding to analyze the information contained in the population tables, it will be useful to give some particulars respecting the area of this Province. Its computed extent is about two hundred million acres, and the estimated area of the occupied districts altogether amounts to above thirty-five million acres. The number of acres actually alienated from the Crown to end of December, 1860, was 2,233,052, leaving 196,885,512 acres remaining in the Crown's possession, of which 27,063,917 acres were leased for pastoral and other purposes, and 173,590 acres were surveyed and open for sale. The further-most points from the capital reached by the collectors were, to the north, about 500 miles ; to the west, 400 miles ; to the south-east, 300 miles ; and 90 miles to the south. The duty of collection in those very remote districts devolved upon the mounted police ; and the success attending that portion of the enumeration is mainly owing to the zeal displayed by the members of that force engaged in its performance.

The population enumerated at this Census, comprising all who slept or abode in dwellings on the night of the 7th April, 1861, was—

To which may be added for migratory and unenumerated persons, 1,170—a low estimate considering the difficulties attendant upon Census-taking in a country of such vast area, and so thinly peopled ; making in round numbers a total population of 128,000 persons, or an increase on the Census taken on 31st March, 1855, of 41,641 persons, or nearly forty-nine per cent.

Four previous Censuses

Between the Censuses of 1855 and 1861, at which dates the population was enumerated at 85,189 and 126,830 respectively, there has been an increase of 41,641 persons.

The following figures, without including any estimate for migratory and unenumerated population, or making allowance for non-registration of Births and Deaths, or deficiencies in the emigration returns, satisfactorily exhibit how this addition has been brought about :—

The natural increase during the last six years has, therefore, added nearly a fourth to the population, and immigration has given the same increase.

At these rates, it follows that the population will double itself in less than twelve years ; but, without the aid of immigration—trusting alone to the natural increase, it will take about twenty years.

DISTRIBUTION.

Having shown the total inhabitants to number 126,830, it is next desirable to point out the divisions of the Province in which they mostly congregate, and to show how the 41,641 persons added to the community during the last six years, have become distributed throughout the Colony.

The detailed tables indicate the localities where settlement has been most rapid, and afford means of ascertaining their relative numerical importance, which is an important element in determining a variety of claims constantly put forward from all parts of the Colony, such as aid from the central authorities in the way of self government, police protection, postal facilities, telegraph extension, assistance to education, administration of justice, and a long catalogue of other wants, to say nothing of demands for the formation of roads and public works.

The following figures show the numerical and centesimal proportion of the residents in the several divisions of the Province to the total population, at the census of 1861 :—

It is a matter for congratulation, as indicative of future progress, that eighty-five per cent. of the population are country residents. The rapid settlement of an energetic people upon the agricultural lands of the Province, employed directly or indirectly in its cultivation, and the opening up of new sources of mineral and pastoral wealth in the outer districts, cannot fail to produce a fitting reward to their industry and enterprize, and to advance the general prosperity.

It will be seen that the rural population has increased since 1855 by a number equivalent to the total addition to the Colonists during the last six years ; a comparison of the number of residents in Adelaide and the country districts in 1855 and 1861, respectively, giving the following results :—

During the last six years the rural population has increased by 41,597 persons, or sixty-two per cent. ; and now bears a proportion of 85.57 of the total population against 78.56 per cent. of the population in 1855 ; whilst the residents in the City have remained nearly stationary in numbers, and in proportion to the total population have decreased from 21.44 per cent. to 14.43 per cent.

Although doubtless many who were formerly residents of the City have removed into the interior, to minister to the wants of many rapidly-increasing centres of population, a preference for the surrounding villages and suburbs (which have increased to a large extent), as places of residence for persons engaged in the City during the day, has had its effect in preventing an increase in the number of citizens.

The following table shows the number of male and female residents in each Ward of the City in 1855 and 1861 :—

The addition is, therefore, only 44 persons, females, the increase of which sex is 348 ; whilst there has been a reduction of 304 in the number of male residents.

It is unnecessary to enter into calculations as to the density of the population in a country so sparsely peopled as South Australia ; in fact, were it attempted, erroneous conclusions would probably follow—the area of the principal divisions of the Colony being at present arrived at by computation, and not from actual survey.

Amongst other equally important results of the late enumeration, it may be mentioned that the facts disclosed by the Census of the remarkable increase in the population in some districts since the date of the Constitution Act, aided much to produce a more equitable distribution of the electoral representation, in accordance with the ascertained movements of the people. An equality of adult male population being rendered the basis of representation, additional representatives were awarded to Victoria, Flinders, and the districts in the vicinity of Burra and Clare, and a corresponding decrease made by a reduction of the number of Members for the City, and by the abolition of the District of the Murray. The Select Committee, on the Amended Electoral Act, having published the tables prepared of the number of adult males in each electoral district, it is unnecessary to repeat the figures here ; and I may state that the classification by electorates of the facts ascertained at the Census as originally intended was not proceeded with, owing to the alterations in the boundaries of electoral districts, rendering it, for purposes of future comparison, almost valueless.

SEX.

The whole of the information comprised in the Census tables distinguishes either sex ; but in newly-peopled countries an inquiry into the proportionate number of each sex at various ages is always one of particular interest. Of all the Australian Colonies, South Australia shows the least disproportion in the number of the sexes—the males numbering 65,048, and the females 61,782. This near approach to equalization, maintained throughout the marriageable ages, has been brought about by extensive assisted female immigration, the advantages of which, in increasing the ratio of natural increase to the population by the per-centage of births over deaths, will be disclosed in the coming ten years. The expense of such an immigration has yet to be borne by the other Colonies if the same desirable result is to be attained, but they can never regain the ten years lost by their apathy on this subject. It is well known that in densely-populated countries the number of females exceeds the males—and which is the case in our towns—but the small excess of males in the Colony, will probably be considered a necessary evil—the opening up of new country requiring the isolation of a large number of adult males in the distant portions of the Province.

The following table shows the percentage of males and females on the total population, in periods of age in the Colony, and in the urban and rural districts :—

It will be observed that the proportion of males to females is of all ages 51.29 per cent. of the former to 48.71 of the latter, or an excess of 2.58 per cent. of males. At the early ages—under five—it is only slightly in favor of the males, viz., 0.19 per cent. This seems to indicate that here—as has been proved to be the case elsewhere—more female than male children outlive the period of infancy, as the total number of births of boys always exceeds that of girls, in this Colony the difference being as much as 108 boys to 100 girls. In childhood—five to fourteen years—the numbers more closely approximate, the difference being only 0.06 per cent. In the next period of age—fifteen to twenty, and even up to twenty-five years of age—the females predominate ; but of the whole adult

population the males exceed by 2.81 per cent.—a considerable improvement upon the position at the Census of 1855, when the excess of adult males was nearly four per cent.

The table shows the proportion in the town and country districts ; but the limits of this report will not allow of my entering into many interesting inquiries under this and other branches of the subject, further than to remark that in future immigration it is most desirable that the present approach to equality of the sexes should be maintained.

AGE.

A simple inquiry into the number of the people, unaccompanied by a demand for a statement of their ages, would be of little value ; but the precise age of each individual was not obtained in England until the Census of 1851, not with standing the great importance such information bears upon all statistical inquiries of which population is the basis.

The tendency, however, of persons to state their ages at decennial or quinquennial periods is so considerable—partly from ignorance or forgetfulness of the exact age, and partly from disinclination to impart it—that it has since been recommended that the ages should be published in quinquennial periods—which is considered sufficient for the actuary's use and other practical purposes.

This course has been pursued, showing, however, in addition, the precise ages of all under fifteen—because the information is essential to the due consideration, amongst other important subjects, of education, and sickness and mortality amongst children ; and the reasons for inexactness above given would not apply with equal force at the earlier periods of life.

The proportion per cent. which the number of males and females at the undermentioned periods of age bears to the total population, is given below :—

It will thus be seen that, in a population of 126,830 souls, 19.11 per cent. are in infancy ; 24.56 per cent. are in years of childhood ; 10.66 per cent. are between 15 and 21 ; and 45.67 per cent. of the whole number of adults, of whom 24.24 per cent. are males, and 21.43 per cent. are females. In 1855 the proportion of adult males was 25 per cent., and of adult females 21 per cent.

The above table further shows the proportion of males and females to the total males and females in the urban as well as the rural population.

The Registrar-General of New South Wales has taken—as fairly representing the class upon whom devolve the duty of sustaining the extreme youth and the bulk of the old age of the country—the number of persons between the ages of 14 and 60 ; which class in South Australia forms 56.41 per cent. of the population, leaving 43.59 per cent. dependent upon them for protection and support. The proportion of non-effectives in New South Wales in 1855 was 41.34 per cent., and in Great Britain (1851) 57 per cent.

CIVIL OR CONJUGAL CONDITION.

Great interest attaches to investigations into the conjugal state of the people, as an accurate knowledge of this subject is considered indispensable to the complete solution of many important questions connected with the social and domestic condition of a community. It is even recommended by the Statistical Congress that the ages of husbands and wives should be shown in combination, but this operation would be too extensive to undertake at present ; the ages in quinquennial periods of unmarried, married, and widowed

are, however, shown in the accompanying tables, affording means for ample inquiries to those interested in the subject.

The following table shows the proportion of unmarried, married, and widowed persons, males and females, of the age of fifteen years and upwards, to the total population of either sex at those ages :—

In addition to the above there are 27,846 boys and 27,538 girls under fifteen years of age ; they form respectively 21.96 per cent. and 21.71 per cent. of the whole population.

Unmarried persons of the age of fifteen years and upwards number—Bachelors 14,625, or 39.31 per cent. of total males above fourteen ; Spinsters 10,314, or 30.12 per cent. of total females above the same age—a difference of 4,311, or nearly 10 per cent. in favor of the ladies. But if the number of bachelors above twenty years of age is compared with the number of females of seventeen years of age and upwards, the proportion of bachelors and spinsters atprobablemarriageable ages is about equal. Under twenty-one years of age there are returned eighty-seven married men, 784 married women, and nine widows.

At the English census of 1851 the proportion of widows was 198 to 100 widowers, and in Scotland 271 widows to 100 widowers ; here it is 211 widows to 100 widowers, or nearly the same rate as in England. This large excess in the number of widows over widowers has been attributed to the greater probabilities of re-marriage on the part of the latter class ; but another circumstance operates to increase the disparity, viz., that men of advanced age, who are really "widowers," failing to understand the necessity for the distinction, frequently return themselves as "unmarried."

The number of married males is 21,606, and of married females is 21,880, or 274 more wives than husbands ; and, although that simple fact is no criterion of the amount of wife-desertion, the slight difference seems to indicate that the absence from the Colony of the heads of families is not now, as formerly, of any great extent.

As might be expected, the married women exceed the married men in towns, the reverse being the case in the rural and pastoral Districts, where also the bachelors preponderate considerably.

OCCUPATIONS.

These tables have been prepared in accordance with an arrangement agreed upon after much correspondence with other Australian Colonies for a uniform classification of Occupations, the advantages of which are clearly apparent in neighboring countries so dependent upon their laboring populations, essentially of migratory disposition and habits.

The general grouping is precisely similar to that of Victoria, which was recommended as most serviceable by Mr. Archer, the Registrar-General ; the sub-classes only being modified to meet the peculiar nature of such of our employments as differ from those pursued in that Colony. It is also practically the same as that of Great Britain, although the sub-divisions are necessarily less numerous from the absence here of so many descriptions of industrial employment.

Many considerations suggest the adoption of a scientific classification, founded upon principles agreed to in the International Statistical Congress ; and, whilst utility has not been sacrificed for the sake of uniformity, means of comparison with other communities have been insured.

In abstracting from the householders' schedules the various occupations, the system recommended by the Congress was adopted, by which the numbers of either sex living at each quinquennial period was determined by one operation, as well as their occupations. The voluminous nature of such a return would, if published, be so expensive in printing, that it is not desirable to show the ages and occupations in combination ; these particulars are, however, ready at hand for future reference.

The first summary of this portion of the Census shows the occupations of the people, of both sexes, in each County and Pastoral District, classified under eleven general heads. The following table shows the numerical and centesimal proportion of each class to the whole population for the Colony :—

For general purposes, the above classification is sufficient ; the detailed information is, however, given under fifteen heads, divided into sub-classes, in one or other of which some seven hundred distinct occupations were systematically classified. Table II., Part 2, distinguishes persons in the city and towns from the rural districts, an important and useful distinction, although the totals will of course be partially disturbed by the number of persons who follow rural occupations having sleep in towns on the night of taking the Census, andvice versa, as in the case of merchants, traders, &c., who have places of business in town, but who reside in the suburbs.

1.

Agricultural, Pastoral, and Horticultural pursuits occupy the attention of the majority of the industrial population ; the number actually engaged therein being 23,135, or 18.24 per cent. of the whole community, and 60 in every 100 males above 14 years of age. The number returned of each class, with the proportion to the population, are as follow, viz. :—

Since 1855, the farmers have increased from 5,321 to 7,090, or 33 per cent., and farm servants from 5,105 to 7,985, or 56 per cent. The proportion of farm servants to the male population above fourteen in 1855 was 19 per cent., against 21 per cent. at the present time. The foregoing relates only to males ; a comparison cannot be effected as respects the females, this Census being the first occasion of distinguishing their occupations. It has been ascertained, that 3,093 females are employed as servants in the farm-yard, dairy, &c., and not merely performing the duty of "domestic servants."

The few instances (152) of females returning their occupation as "assisting on farm,"

would seem to indicate rather a want of knowledge as to the nature of the information required, than that the great majority of the farmers' wives and daughters are solely engaged in "domestic duties," and are not ordinarily assisting in the lighter labors of the farm.

It may here be stated that the return of cultivated land in the season of 1855.6 gave thirty-eight acres to each farmer ; in 1860-61 the cultivated land was sixty acres to each agriculturist. It appears that, whilst the number of farmers has increased one-third only, the breadth of land under crop has more than doubled during the last six years. This extension of operations may indicate progress in the agricultural interest ; but as we find that there is now only one farm servant to every fifty-three acres cultivated, where six years ago there was one laborer for every thirty-nine acres under crop—it follows that less labor is now bestowed upon the land than in 1855, and leads to the supposition that less produce, and consequently less profit, await agricultural operations than would be the case were a greater amount of labor expended in the tillage of our farms.

With reference to the above it should be borne in mind, on the one hand, that farmers' sons "assisting on farms" are included amongst the "farm laborers," of whom, therefore, a large number are youths of from ten to fourteen years of age, physically incapable of performing the work of an able-bodied man ; and, on the other hand, that a certain proportion of persons tilling the small parcels of land of which they are proprietors tends to swell the list of farmers—as they would be so returned, although probably acting during a great part of the year as employes rather than as employers.

2.

The Stockholders in 1855 numbered 237 against 392 in 1861, an increase of 65 per cent., and their station employes have increased from 1,338 to 3,099, or nearly 132 per cent. The proportion to the whole population in 1855 of persons engaged in squatting was 1.85 per cent., against 2.75 per cent. in 1861. In addition to the above, nine females returned themselves as stockholders, and 394 females as employed on stations as hut-keepers, station servants, &c.

Returns of live stock not having been taken in 1855, an exact comparison of the position of the pastoral pursuits, as far as exhibited by the Census, cannot be instituted ; it will, however, suffice to take the number of live stock early in 1856, when the following results are observable :—

From these figures the proportionate increase in the number of persons employed is shown to be so much greater than the additional number of stock tended, that some explanation appears due ; but the only explanation that can be offered is that the returns of stock for 1861 are understated. The circumstance of the rapid opening up of new pastoral country and the dispersion of the flocks and herds into the far districts is insufficient to account for so great a difference, although, doubtlessly, accompanied by considerable risk, necessitating the employment of a proportionably larger amount of labor in their attention and management.

3.

Horticulture engages the attention, including vignerous, &c., of 635 males and 28 females, against 393 gardeners returned in 1855.

4.

Mining.—Considerable pains were taken to ascertain correctly the numbers employed in this important branch of industry. Circulars were addressed to all known proprietors of mines, requesting that they would take steps to secure a correct description of the occupations of the persons engaged upon their property, so that the actual number of persons engaged in mining in its different branches might be ascertained, and some estimate formed of the amount of skilled labor at present in the Province available for the further development of our mineral resources. The total number engaged in mining was 1,908, of whom 1,264 were returned as copper, 33 as lead, and 55 as gold miners ; smelters, ore-dressers, &c., numbered 157 ; carters, slabbers, engine-drivers, and others, 247 ; and miners, diggers (otherwise undefined), as 152. The number of miners at the Census of 1855 was 840, which compared with the present number of miners of all descriptions, viz., 1,504, shows an increase of 79 per cent. It will probably be considered that this

comparatively small number of persons engaged in mining is far below the quantum of labor for which the undoubted richness and extent of our mineral properties would render profitable employment, to the general advantage of all classes of the community.

The exports of mineral produce in 1855 were valued at £155,557, or £185 3s. 9d. per head of 840 miners. In 1861 the export was £452,172, or £300 13s. per head of 1,504 miners. The mineral exports in 1855 were, however, below the average, from the suspension of operations consequent upon the high rates of labor following the gold discoveries.

5.

Trade, Commerce, and Manufactures, engaged the attention of 13,899 persons of both sexes, forming 10.96 per cent. of the whole population. This class comprehends the trading community, numbering 2,152, or 1.69 per cent. ; persons providing lodging, clothing, food and drinks, 4,556, or 3.59 per cent. ; the carrying class, both of men and goods, 2,129, or 1.68 per cent ; and persons engaged in manufactures, and artificers and mechanics generally to the number of 5,062, or 4 per cent. of the population.

The Census Returns of 1855, unfortunately, do not permit of comparisons being instituted as to the relative increase since that period in the above and succeeding classes of occupation—the basis for future comparisons is, however, now formed, and periodical inquiries into the progress of our industrial pursuits of a most important and varies character may hereafter be instituted, and correct conclusions arrived at without much labor.

6.

Professional persons and their immediate subordinates, numbering 1320, are divided into two classes—one comprising those engaged in the learned professions, not in the Government service, 468—of which the number ministering to religion was 144, or one in every 881 of the population, 191 ministering to health, and 133 ministering to justice ; the other class, those engaged in education, 658, or one in every 21 scholars—and the remaining 194 in literature, fine arts, and sciences.

7.

Persons engaged in the general and local Government and defence of the Province, are, for the first time, separately classified, and are divided as follows :—

The proportionate number of this class has declined considerably since 1855, notwithstanding an addition of 49 per cent. to the population, a very much augmented area of settled country, and a large distribution of power amongst local authorities and District Councils.

8.

Persons engaged in "Domestic offices or duties, and of no specified occupation," consist of women and children—all males, except scholars and children, being included in some specified employment—and are classed as follows, viz :—

It appears there are 34,244 females above the years of childhood (14), of whom 23,898, or 70 per cent., are employed in household duties ; and as there are 23,930 married women and widows in the Colony, allowing one-fifth of the female domestic and farm servants to be married persons, it follows that nearly the whole of the single women of fifteen years of age and upwards, capable of service, are returned as employed in one or other of the occupations mentioned in the tables.

9.

Domestic servants, numbering 691 males and 4,926 females, together, 5,617, are returned separately from farm servants, as before pointed out, and show an increase of 800 female domestic servants upon the Census of 1855, or only 20 per cent. more than

the number employed six years ago. Their proportion to the whole population of 1861 is 3.88 per cent., against 4.80 per cent. in 1855.

10.

Unskilled labor.—In Class XI. are returned "Laborers (branch of labor undefined)." designating 3,306 male persons simply returned as laborers, apparently hiring their services as required by the day, week, or piece. They form about 2.60 per cent. of the population, and were distributed throughout the various districts of the Colony, the greatest number (2,092) being in the County of Adelaide, and about (1,177) one-third of the whole number were resident in the city and suburbs.

11.

The remaining classes are fortunately composed of very trifling numbers, viz., those "persons maintained at the public cost or by the community," 417 ; of whom 191 were prisoners, and 226 inmates of the Hospital, Lunatic and Destitute Asylums. The number returned as "unemployed," "no occupation at present," or whose pursuits have not been specified, is 585, or 1 in 217 ; and 518 persons omitted to state their occupations.

EDUCATION.

The education of the people has not been made a subject of inquiry at any previous Census of this Province, and although the information acquired upon the present occasion is certainly not a test of the intellectual status of the community, it is, nevertheless, a most useful and necessary addition to our statistical knowledge, and is quite as full as the returns of most countries. It affords means of comparing our position as regards the state of education among the masses with that of older and more settled communities, and of ascertaining the effect of instruction or ignorance in the diminution or development of crime—subjects intimately connected.

These returns are necessarily voluminous, as they comprise age, sex, and education—and particulars are given for each district of the Colony.

In a population of 126,830 persons enumerated, 71,263 can read and write ; 18,297 can read only, and 35,642 have no education at all ; the remaining 1,628, or only 1.28 per cent., failed to supply the desired information.

Omitting children under five years of age, the proportion to the population of that age and upwards who can read and write, is 69.46 per cent. ; who can read only, 17.07 per cent. ; and cannot read, 11.96 per cent.

Of the children under five years of age, five boys were returned as able both to read and write ; and 408 boys and 376 girls to read only, or a total of 789 children under five able to read ; but as the School Statistics show that of this period of age nearly double the number (1,520) attend school, it may be inferred that half of them have not yet attained the art of reading, and are probably attending infant schools, principally for the care and protection they there receive.

The following table shows the proportion of persons at each of the principal periods of age who can read and write, read only, and cannot read, to the total number at those ages :—

It appears, therefore, that about one-half of the children between five and fifteen can read and write ; about one-fourth can read only, and less than one-fourth are wholly uninstructed. A much more favorable state of things than in England and Wales, where more than one-half—fifty-eight per cent.—of the children between three and fifteen are totally uneducated.

The next period, fifteen to twenty-one years, shows proportions still more encouraging, for nearly eighty-five per cent. can read and write, viz.—11,413 out of 13,526 persons ; or 5,458 out of 6,459 males—and 5,955 in 7,067 females ; 698 or 5.16 per cent.

only are totally ignorant of the art of reading—therefore, a less percentage at this than any other period of age.

Amongst adults, it is also gratifying to record that only 4,825, or 8.33 per cent., are unable to read ; the number able to read and write is 44,718, or 77.20 per cent. ; of these, 25,214 are males, and 19,504 females. 2,792 males, and 4,920 females, at this period of age can "read only."

Between the ages of five and twenty-one, the number of the female sex who can read and write exceeds the male sex, but above the age of twenty-one the reverse is the case ; more men can read and write than women. The explanation is apparent—in the former case, it is well known that young girls are less frequently called upon to assist in the occupations of their parents than boys ; and, in the latter, that a number of uninstructed female immigrants have been added to the adult community. It is gratifying to find that parents who have had the misfortune to be without education are alive to the advantages of it in their children, and are affording them the means of instruction. This is proved by the fact that, whilst amongst adults, eighty-three in every 1,000 are uninstructed, the number between the ages of fifteen and twenty-one, who cannot read, is only fifty-one in every 1,000.

With reference to the comparative degree of education in the towns and country districts, it may be said that the rural districts possess—considering their extreme limits—a fair proportion of instructed persons ; as appears by the following summary showing the percentage of each class, excluding children under five years of age :—

The employment of children at an early age in the lighter labors of the farm combines, with the scattered state of the country population, to increase the disproportion which naturally exists between the numbers educated in urban and rural districts.

In addition to the information above afforded, as respects the whole population, the machinery of the Census was taken advantage of to ascertain the number of children actually attending school—of which it had hitherto been a matter of much difficulty to obtain even an approximation. The returns were made out by the masters of all licensed and private schools, were willingly and, apparently, correctly given, and have been of much value in the consideration of the general question of education. An abstract was laid before Parliament, showing for each district the number of teachers and scholars, sex and age, on the roll and in attendance, and the number receiving instruction in the chief branches of education.

The total number of scholars returned as attending was 6,465 males, and 6,305 females ; and these figures are verified by the number shown in the occupation tables, viz., 7,022 males, and 7,004 females, including, it must be remembered, children receiving instruction at home—such having been particularly requested to be so described in the householders' schedules, and which accounts for the difference.

RELIGION.

The original intention was to ascertain the number of persons belonging to the several religious denominations, and for which a column was provided in the householders' schedules, but the information, instead of being compulsory, as in other Colonies, was distinctly understood as being voluntarily supplied at the request of Government. Strong objections were, however, made on the part of some denominations at the time of the Census-taking to any inquiry at all, and efforts were made to induce members of those bodies to withhold the particulars requested. The result has been, that their numbers have been very imperfectly returned ; and, under these circumstances, it has not been considered desirable that the facts ascertained under the above heading should be abstracted for publication—hence their omission from the following tables. The particulars

affecting the more numerous denominations appear, however, to have been willingly afforded, and are available for any reference that may be desired.

NATIONALITIES AND YEAR OF ENTERING THE COLONY.

Under this heading are given returns showing the birth-places of the people, and the year of their entering the Colony. Equally important with an exposition of the countries whence a Colony has derived its population, is a statement of the periods of the residence of the Colonists within it. This latter subject has only been inquired into in this Province ; its important bearing upon an investigation into the condition of a community constantly under the influence of migration will be admitted—the results being given for each district in combination with birth-place and sex. The following is a summary for the whole Province :—

With reference to nationality, it appears that the native-born amount to 38.35 per cent. of the population ; the next largest class are persons of English birth, forming 35.36 per cent. ; Ireland has contributed 10 per cent. ; Germany 6.98 per cent. ; and Scotland 6.03 per cent. The remaining portion is composed of persons born in "other British Possessions," or 2.06 per cent., and 0.70 per cent. of foreign birth ; the number born at sea, 562 ; and 109 unspecified. The relative proportion of males and females of the several countries is about equal, excepting that there is about one-sixth more Englishmen than Englishwomen—24,015 to 20,828 ; the reverse being the case as regards the Irish, of whom there are 7,286 females to 5,408 males, or about one-third more Irishwomen than Irishmen. Of the 8,863 Germans, 4,879 are males and 3,984 are females.

With respect to Colonists of foreign origin, endeavors were made to ascertain the number bearing allegiance to the British Crown, but it is regretted that the result shows the difficulty of making the object of the inquiry clearly understood was greater than anticipated ; I have therefore refrained from publishing the incomplete information obtained.

As to the periods of the Colonists' residence—exclusive of those born here—it appears that 10.63 per cent. arrived prior to 1840 ; 3.95 per cent. between 1840 and 1846 ; and 24.25 per cent. in the next five years—showing that 38.83 per cent. of the present residents are Colonists of more than ten years' standing. Between 1851 and 1856, 36.24 per cent., and since 1856, 22.18 per cent. of the present residents arrived in the Colony.

That so large a proportion of its population are residents of lengthened experience of

its climate and capabilities, is a fact worthy of record ; and, whilst it should afford encouragement to those who have but recently made South Australia their home, may with advantage be made known to those in the old country desirous of improving their social and domestic condition by emigration.

It appears that, of the Colonists of above ten years' standing, the Germans come next in number to the English and Welsh, then the Irish, and afterwards the Scotch. Two-thirds of the total immigrants from Ireland having arrived during the last ten years, now places the Irish above the German population in numbers—half of the latter have, however, been more than ten years in the Province.

DWELLINGS.

The information under this head comprises a statement of the number of houses, the number of rooms contained in each, and the description of material of which built. Irrespective of the benefits, in a sanitary point of view, and especially with reference to the climate of this country—to be derived from a knowledge of the manner in which the people are housed—the progress a community makes in material wealth may to some extent be measured by the improved description of residences at different periods.

In 1861, each inhabited dwelling had on the average 5.1 inmates, against 5.04 in 1855—showing that the considerable addition to the population has been met by a corresponding increase in house accommodation, and that of a superior class, as exhibited in the following return of the number of dwellings of each description :—

An increase of substantial buildings in the city was to be expected, but the extent to which improvements of this nature have been effected in the country districts is very great. The following is a comparative table :—

SICK AND INFIRM.

Amongst the inquiries instituted has been one relating to the number of persons sick or infirm at the date of taking the Census. Each householder was distinctly requested to write against the names of the family, who by reason of illness or accident were unable to follow their usual occupation, the word "Sick," "Crippled," or " Accident ;" or if inflicted by incurable infirmity the words "Deaf and dumb," or "Blind," or as might be applicable to the case.

Little requires to be said of the value to science of such information accurately recorded—which it probably will be when it becomes clearly understood that the particulars are desired not out of mere curiosity, but with a view to afford to benefit and other societies for the alleviation of suffering and distress, some means of deducing from statistical facts, the average probabilities of future demands upon their benevolence.

This being the first occasion of asking for such information, there is no standard to judge whether the results obtained are worthy of credence, but there is no reason to suppose them otherwise. The following summary relates to the whole Colony, and the particulars for each district in combination with sex and age, recorded for reference

but not published, forms a most interesting addition to our knowledge of the personal condition of the people.

It appears, therefore, at the date of taking the Census, that the number of persons incapable from sickness from following their usual vocations was 1.03 per cent. ; the deaf, dumb, and blind formed 0.10 per cent. ; and the crippled and maimed 0.07 per cent. of the whole population. Each sex furnishes an equal number of non-effectives ; but the females number most sick, whilst the males have a greater proportion inflicted by incurable infirmity, and nearly double the number of crippled and maimed.

ABORIGINES.

The attempt to take a Census of the roving aborigines has proved as successful as could be expected—much valuable information has been collected as regards the localities, numbers, and state of the native tribes, which will prove of service in the consideration of the amelioration of their condition. The particular attention of the collectors was directed to the subject, and the following are the numbers returned in the occupied districts of the Province ; in the Far North the number of a few tribes could only be ascertained by estimate :—

The proportion of the sexes is nearly equal, but the number of children appears remarkably small—and the sick in the counties or settled districts bear a much higher percentage to the total than in the pastoral and outer portions of the Province. The number of males employed by the settlers at the date of the Census was 475, or nearly one-fourth of the healthy adult males—in addition to these, several adult female aborigines were stated to be in the employ of stockholders, shepherding and hut-keeping.

CONCLUSION.

Before closing this report it will be useful to introduce a table showing the productive power of the population at the dates 1855 and 1861, the Census of those years enabling a fair exhibition of the number actually engaged in the creation of wealth.

The institution of comparisons by the common method, that of taking the whole population as a divisor, and giving the "rate per head," frequently leads to erroneous conclusions, for in no two countries, nor even at two periods in a Colony's history, is the population of the sameeffectiveforce. The number capable of contributing to the common weal, and upon whom devolve the support of the young, aged, and infirm, and that portion of the feebler sex not engaged in other than purely domestic duties, is ever varying, especially in young communities constantly under the influence of migration. A truer system of comparison is therefore wanting, if just and reliable conclusions are to be arrived at, of the relative progress of this and the neighboring Colonies the producing power of each differing at various periods. The following figures illustrate this clearly, being the proportion per cent. the males of fourteen and upwards bear to

the total population in this and the neighboring Colonies. The number of this class being used, as a divisor gives the "rate per head of the producing population"—a fair method of comparison :—

The following statement shows the position of South Australia in 1855 and 1861 in relation to the productive power of its population—as denoted by the number of males of fourteen and upwards—at those dates, and the progress during the interval as regards its combined import and export trade, its exports of staple products, and land under cultivation. The length this report has reached precludes the introduction of other heads :—

The investment of capital—brought from the gold-fields, or the result of high rates ruling for exportable produce during 1852, 1853, 1854, and 1855, in the purchase of land, and the consequent increase in the moiety of the Land Fund, then set apart by law for the introduction of immigrants, but the influence of which could not be immediately felt, tended to bring about the extraordinary increase in trade and cultivation in the years immediately following. A continued application of the moiety of the Land Fund to immigration, as in preceding years, must in like manner have largely increased these sure signs ofgrowthin national wealth.

Great as has been the development of our resources during such period, the progress must have been still greater in the export of produce had the producers increased in an equal degree with the non-producing portion of the population—the former class having only increased 42 per cent. during the last six years, whilst the latter have increased 52 per cent.

The circumstance that now more than two-thirds of the population are women and children having to be supported by the producers, is a matter to be considered in estimating the progress made in the export of breadstuffs and other articles with which the wants of the community must first be supplied.

That a community of 128,000 souls, in which the producers form less than one-third, after supplying its own necessities, should have exported in a single year staple produce of the value of £1,838,639, or at the rate of £48 for each person engaged in its production, is a matter as much for surprise as for congratulation. It would be difficult to name any other portion of the British dominions, exclusive of gold countries, where the return is so abundant for the labor expended.

The foregoing investigation into the numerical, social, and material condition of the people of this Province, now brought to a close, gives means of accurate knowledge both here and in other countries, of the position this Colony has attained in the short space of five and twenty years, yielding a result worthy of the labor devoted to the collection of the facts, and their subsequent compilation.

I have, &c.,

J. BOOTHBY,

Superintendent of the Census of South Australia.

PART I.

AGES OF THE PEOPLE.