FIFTH CENSUS OF QUEENSLAND, 1876.

PREFATORY REPORT, DETAILED TABLES, AND APPENDICES.

POPULATION ENUMERATED ON THE 1ST OF MAY, 1876.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCI'S COMMAND.

BRISBANE :

BY AUTHORITY : JAMES C. BEAL, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, WILLIAM STREET.

1877.

ERRATA.

Page 50, omit foot notes '*' and '†'

CONTENTS.

REPORT—

REPORT—Preliminary Remarks, Synoptical Table and Maps.

REPORT—Part I.—Dwellings and Inhabitants.

REPORT—Part II.—Area of Land and Distribution of Population.

REPORT—Part III.—Increase or Decrease of Population.

REPORT—Part IV.—Occupations.

REPORT—Part V.—Separate and Conjugal Condition.

REPORT—Part VI.—Ages.

REPORT—Part VII.—Education.

REPORT—Part VIII.—Religion.

REPORT—Part IX.—Birthplaces.

REPORT—Part X.—Sickness and Infirmity.

APPENDICES—

APPENDICES—A.—Quinquennial Census Act of 1876.

APPENDICES—B.—Instructions to Enumerators.

APPENDICES—C.—Instructions to Collectors.

APPENDICES—D.—Proclamation of Districts and Enumerators.

APPENDICES—E.—Index to Census Districts.

APPENDICES—F.—Index to Names of Enumerators.

APPENDICES—G.—Names of Collectors in each District and Sub-district, with Numbers of Sub-divisions.

APPENDICES—H.—Descriptions of Overlappings of Old Registry Districts.

TABLES

PART I. DWELLINGS AND INHABITANTS.

Table 1.—Total Population, General Summary

Table 2.—Dwellings and Inhabitants, 1871 and 1876

Table 3.—Dwellings and Inhabitants, 1861, 1864, 1868, 1871, and 1876

Table 4.—Dwellings, Comparative Table showing Increase of Dwellings and Inhabitants, 1861, 1876

Table 5.—Population in Census Districts, Males and Females, in 1861, 1864, 1868, 1871, and 1876

Table 6.—Increase of Population at each Census Enumeration

Table 7.—Population of Electoral Districts in Census Districts

Table 8.—Minors and Adults in each Census District

PART II.—AREA OF LAND AND DISTRIBUTION OF POPULTION.

Table 9.—Area in Square Miles, Habitations, and Population, Males and Females, in Census Districts

Table 10.—Dwellings, Summary 1871 and 1876

Table 11.—Density of Population, 1871 and 1876

Table 12.—Domiciliation, 1871 and 1876

Table 13.—Density of Habitation, 1871 and 1876

Table 14.—Persons to a Habitation, 1871 and 1876

Table 15.—Shipping, Number of Persons on Board, 1876

Table 16.—Description of Census Districts and Collectors' Sub-districts

Table 17.—Gold-fields, Population of, and the Census Districts within which they are contained

Table 18.—Towns, Population of, 1871 and 1876

Table 19.—Municipalities, Details of Population of, 1871 and 1876

Table 20.—Chinese, Polynesians, Prisoners, Lunatics, Inmates of Charitable Institutions in Electoral and Census Districts, 1876

Table 21.—Chinese, Polynesians, Lunatics, and Inmates of Charitable Institutions in 1871 and 1876—Summary

PART III.—INCREASE OR DECREASE OF POPULATION.

Table 22.—Increase or Decrease of Population in Census Districts, 1861, 1864, 1868, 1871, 1876

Table 23.—Increase or Decrease, Centesimal rate of, in Census Districts, first as to District itself, and secondly as to whole of Colony

Table 24.—Increase, Numerical and Centesimal, in Totals of Population in Census Districts, arranged in groups, 1871 and 1876

PART IV.—OCCUPATIONS.

Table 25.—Occupations of Persons in Queensland in 1871 and 1876, in Classes, Orders, and Sub-orders ; also Increase and Decrease

Table 26.—Occupations of Persons, Number in each Census District, in separate Classes, Orders, and Sub-orders

Table 27.—Occupations, arranged in Classes, Orders, and Sub-orders

Table 28.—Index, Alphabetical, of Classes, Orders, and Sub-orders

PART V.—SEPARATE AND CONJUGAL CONDITION.

Table 29.—Number of Persons, Unmarried, Married, Widowed, and unspecified at each Census

Table 30.—Centesimal proportion of Unmarried, Married, Widowed, and unspecified to the Total Population of each Census

Table 31.—Total Number at Age Periods of Males and Females, Unmarried, Married, Widowed, and whose condition was not stated

Table 32.—Number of Males and Females, Unmarried, Married, Widowed, or whose condition was unspecified, and number in every 100 living at each Quinquennial Period of Age up to 60, and Decennially from 60 to 100

Table 33.—Number of Males and Females in each Census District, Married, Unmarried, Widowed, or whose Separate or Conjugal Condition was not stated

Table 34.—Married Persons at Different Ages in each District—Husbands

Table 35.—Married Persons at Different Ages in each District—Wives

Table 36.—Unmarried Persons at Different Ages in each District—Males

Table 37.—Unmarried Persons at Different Ages in each District—Females

Table 38.—Widowed Persons at Different Ages in each District—Males

Table 39.—Widowed Persons at Different Ages in each District—Females

Table 40.—Persons Enumerated whose Separate or Conjugal Condition is not stated—Males and Females

PART VI.—AGES

Table 41.—Numbers at each Quinquennial and Decennial Age Period, 1871 and 1876—Summary

Table 42.—Proportion per cent. at each Quinquennial and Decennial Age Period, 1871 and 1876

Table 43.—Proportion of the Sexes at each Quinquennial and Decennial Age Period, 1871 and 1876

Table 44.—Ages of Males and Females in each Census District, Minors and Adults, and by Years Quinquennially and Decennially

Table 45.—Sexes and Ages of Persons, Minors and Adults, as Enumerated in each Sub-district

PART VII.—EDUCATION.

Table 46.—Numbers Educated, Degree of Education, and Numbers Uneducated, with Proportion per cent. of each

Table 47.—Proportion per cent. of Educated and Uneducated at each Census Period

Table 48.—Degree of Education at different Ages.—Summary

Table 49.—Degree of Education, Numbers and Proportion per cent., in each Census District, 1876

Table 50.—Numbers Able to Read and Write in each Census District

Table 51.—Numbers Able to Read only

Table 52.—Numbers Unable to Read

Table 53.—Numbers Education Unspecified

Table 54.—General State of Education, Centesimally arranged

PART VIII.—RELIGION.

Table 55.—Number of Persons, Males and Females, of different Religious Denominations, at successive Census periods ; also, Numerical and Centesimal increase

Table 56.—Proportion per cent. of each Religious Denomination to the Total Population and the Sexes, at successive Census periods

Table 57.—Numbers of Males and Females of different Religious Denominations in each Census District

PART IX.—BIRTHPLACES..

Table 58.—Nationalities of Population in Census Returns, 1861, 1864, 1868, 1871, and 1876, with Numerical and Centesimal Increase

Table 59.—Proportion of each Nationality in each Census Period

Table 60.—Birthplaces, Minors and Adults, Males and Females, in Census Districts

PART X.—SICKNESS AND INFIRMITY.

Table 61.—Number of Persons returned as Suffering from Sickness and Accident, May 1st, 1876

Table 62.—Public Institutions, number of persons in Hospitals, Lunatic Asylums, Prisons, Orphan Asylums, and Immigration Barracks, May 1st, 1876, distinguishing between officers and inmates

APPENDICES.

A.—Quinquennial Census Act, 1875

B.—Instructions to Enumerators

C.—Instructions to Collectors

D.—Proclamation of Districts and Enumerators

E.—Index to Census Districts

F.—Index to names of Enumerators

G.—Names of Collectors in each District and Sub-District, with numbers of Sub-divisions

H.—Descriptions of overlappings of Old Registry Districts

REPORT BY THE REGISTRAR - GENERAL.

TO THE HONORABLE THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.

SIR,

In accordance with the provisions of the Act 39 Vic., No. 2, entitled "The Quinquennial Census Act of1875," a Census of the population of Queensland was taken on the night of the 1st of May, 1876 ; and I have now the honor of submitting the results, as contained in the tables 1 to 62.

2.

A preliminary statement, dated 24th July, containing the rough totals of population in the Census and Electoral Districts and in the Municipalities, together with the number of Chinese, Polynesians, lunatics, prisoners, and inmates of charitable institutions in the electorates, was laid before Parliament with the least possible delay after the first posting of the householders' schedules, since which the work has been carefully checked throughout, and some necessary corrections made, showing the final results of the enumeration as now given. [Preliminary Statement.]

3.

Before the passing of "The Census Act of1871 " the labors of the Registrar-General in the arrangement and superintendence of this work were much simplified by the identity of the boundaries of the Census, the Police, and the Registry Districts ; the Municipalities only being taken from their Police or Registry Districts, and formed into additional Census Districts. [Police, Registry, and Census Districts formerly the same.]

4.

By "The Census Act of1871" it was provided that the boundaries of pastoral districts and parishes should be followed in defining the Census Districts. It was pointed out by the then Registrar-General, Mr. Scott, in his Census Report of 1871, that some insuperable difficulties had presented themselves in carrying out the method of division prescribed by the Act ; but in attempting to give effect to its provisions in this particular a new arrangement of the districts was necessarily made, such as destroyed all agreement between the territorial divisions for different purposes which had previously existed. [Altered by "Census Act of 1871.]

5.

"The Quinquennial Census Act of1875" continued the provisions requiring that pastoral and parish boundaries should be followed ; and in the taking of the Census of 1876 even greater difficulties in complying with this method have presented themselves, chiefly in consequence of the extended settlement which within the last few years has taken place in the northern and western portions of the country, making it necessary to create several new districts, and materially to alter the old boundaries of the Census Districts as they were laid down in 1871. [New districts and alterations in boundaries.]

6.

In the necessary re-adjustment of the Census Districts of 1876, the rule has been adopted of making no alterations that could be avoided, retaining the boundaries of the Census Districts of 1871 wherever it was practicable, especially for purposes of comparison ; but many changes being indispensable, wherever it has been found impossible to follow pastoral and parish boundaries the principle has been acted on of making the new Census Districts. [Altered Census Districts identical with Police Districts.]

Districts identical with the Police Districts, thus making several steps in the direction of the old and convenient method of identical districts for the several purposes for which the territory is divided. The boundaries of all the Registry Districts have, at the same time, been re-adjusted and made to correspond throughout with those of the Census Districts. [Registry Districts now made identical with Census Districts.]

7.

After the principal division of the country into 52 districts had been determined on, communications were addressed to the Police Magistrates and others, chiefly from among the officers of the Government, to ascertain their willingness to act in the capacity of Enumerators for the management of the census work in each of these main divisions. With only one or two exceptions the somewhat onerous duties were undertaken by those whose assistance had been invited, most of whom had acted in the same capacity in the enumeration of 1871 ; and this opportunity is taken of acknowledging the carefulness and ability with which the tasks of the Enumerators were performed. [Work undertaken by Enumerators.]

8.

TheGovernment Gazetteof the 11th of February, 1876, contains the proclamation by His Excellency the Governor defining the boundaries of the districts, and appointing the Enumerators in each of them. A copy of this document, together with an alphabetical index to the districts, and an alphabetical list of the names of the Enumerators is contained in the Appendix under the letters D., E., F. The names of the Collectors in each district and sub-district will be found under the letter G. [Procaclamaticn defining boundaries and appinting Enumerators.] [Index to Districts and to names of Enumerators.]

9.

Maps of the districts having been lithographed, to be afterwards appended to this Report, loose copies were in the mean time sent to the several Enumerators with instructions for the formation of the sub-districts. In all cases where the pastoral and parish boundaries could not be followed directions were given to adopt some well defined limits, such as the natural features of the country, railway or telegraph lines, or main roads, as boundaries of the sub-divisions. [Maps.] [Instructions or the formation of Sub-Districts.]

10.

As it was intended that these lesser districts should form a permanent basis for any further partitions that might be required in the progress of settlement, great care was taken to have these instructions carried into effect. The red lines on the lithographed maps hereto appended show the sub-divisions of the Census Districts. [Sub-Districts on Maps.]

11.

With the design of making all the Registry Districts correspond with the new Census Districts, instructions were sent to the Enumerators as follows :—"The special attention of all the Enumerators is called to the necessity of observing the boundaries of the old registry districts, which in some places overlap the census districts. Wherever this is the case it is shown in the two maps herewith forwarded ; and where any one or more of the old registry districts thus impinges upon the census districts, the portion of the registry district which thus overlaps is to be in all cases made to form one or more of the first sub-divisions. The remaining sub-divisions are to be all subject to this." [Overlappings of old Registry Districts forming first Sub-divisions.]

12.

The carrying out of this instruction provided the means of showing the vital statistics in each registry district by comparison with the returns of the previous year. [Means of comparison in Vital Statistics Returns.]

13.

A description of the overlappings of the old registry districts is found in the Appendix, letter H.

14.

With the assistance of the Enumerators, 287 sub-districts were thus formed, and, the collectors having been nominated by the Enumerators, these were recommended for appointment, and their employment was authorised by the Government. A list of the sub-divisions and of the names of the collectors is contained in the Appendix, letter G, with the collectors' names. [Collectors appointed.] [List of names.]

15.

The rule was adopted of having one collector only for each sub-division, but as some changes in this respect became necessary in carrying out the work, the number of collectors was only 285, the number of sub-divisions being 287.

16.

The remuneration of the Enumerators, subject to the approval of their work, was a fee of four guineas, and in addition thereto the following [Renumeration of Enumerators.]

payments, viz. :—Five shillings per hundred or fraction of a hundred persons enumerated up to one thousand ; three shillings per hundred or fraction of a hundred persons over a thousand and not exceeding five thousand ; and two shillings per hundred or fraction of a hundred persons over five thousand. [Instructions for payment of Collectors.]

17.

The instructions for the payment of the collectors read as follows :—"Each Enumerator will have a distinct understanding with each of his collectors as to the rate of pay to be allowed to the latter, which will, as a general rule, and subject to the approval of their work, be on the following scale:—For men on foot, ten shillings a day ; and for mounted men finding their own horses, fifteen shillings per day. This is to be checked by the diaries of the collectors, as provided, clause 16, 'Instructions to Collectors.' Each Enumerator will have a discretionary power of agreeing for "higher rates of pay where absolutely necessary ; but before doing so, unless prevented by distance, will apply to the Registrar-General for authority on the point, and if so prevented will, as soon as possible thereafter, specially report the agreement made. In any case, it must be distinctly understood that, after agreement once made, no extra payment of any kind to any collector will be sanctioned." [Discretionary power to agree for higher rates by permission.]

18.

The rates of remuneration being the same as those previously adopted, were applicable to the more settled portions of the country, but in almost all the more distant parts to which settlement had spread so largely since the taking of the previous census, and especially in the new and gold-finding districts of the North, it was found quite impracticable to obtain collectors at anything like these rates. In several of the districts, particularly in the Cook and Palmer, much difficulty was experienced in procuring collectors for the work, and this was increased by the long drought prevailing about the time arrangements for taking the census were being made. In several cases it became necessary to consent to pay for artificial food for the horses employed ; and in most of these distant places the Enumerators were compelled to apply to the Registrar-General for authority to agree with their collectors for much higher rates than those at first named in their instructions. [Difficulty of getting Collectors in the Northern Districts.] [Higher rates given.]

19.

The lowest rates paid to collectors were ten shillings a day for footmen, and fifteen shillings for horsemen. The highest rates were paid in the Cook, Palmer, and South Kennedy Districts, where thirty-five, and in one instance forty, shillings a day had to be given. [Lowest and highest.]

20.

The cost of collecting in the Cook and Palmer districts was considerably increased by the necessity of the appointment of Chinese collectors in addition to the ordinary officers. [Chinese Collectors.]

21.

The district of the Palmer gold-fields was carefully mapped out by the Enumerator, Mr. Warden Selheim, seen in map No. 1, into the ordinary subdivisions, shown by the red color, in continuous lines, and again into other divisions for the Chinese collectors, as shown by the dotted lines in black.

22.

Including the payment of enumerators, the cost of collection per head of population averaged nearly 9½d. for the whole of the districts collectively. In some well-settled districts taken separately the cost per head of population was low, and in the district of Maryborough it averaged only 2½d. per head. The highest cost per head was in the district of Gilberton, where there were only 67 persons, and there the cost averaged £1 2s. 6d. per head of population in the district. Omitting the district of Maryborough, the average cost of the five lowest was 3¼d. ; and omitting Gilberton, which like Maryborough was exceptional, the average cost of the five highest was 8s. 5d. [Cost of collection.]

23.

It will be seen that the work of enumeration in the outlying districts is very costly ; settlement having now extended itself over almost the whole of the great area of the country, and the population being very sparsely spread over a great portion of it, this scattered condition of the people must necessarily obtain for a great many years to come, and it is evident that the cost of each census-enumeration must be very considerable. [Scattered condition of settlement.]

24.

The cost of taking the census, including payment of enumerators, collectors, office work in tabulating, compiling, &c. ; postages, carriage of parcels and schedules, furniture and gas fittings in offices for census purposes, including clerical aid for correcting tables now passing through the press, together with one or two amounts not yet paid, will be a little within the amount that had been voted by Parliament for this purpose, viz., £8,649 3s. 6d. The total cost per head, exclusive of printing in the Government office, has amounted to a little over 11formulad. [Total cost.]

25.

It may be a matter for consideration whether the advantage of numbering the population so frequently as once in five years is not too dearly paid for ; especially as the exact system of registration, and the means of ascertaining the balance of immigration over emigration, always in regular operation, have hitherto enabled us to estimate the population with a fair approach to exactness.

26.

Householders' Schedules were forwarded to the enumerators in each district as early as the 25th of November, 1875, to secure their being in time for the distant places, such as Somerset, Burke, Palmer, Gilberton, Etheridge, and other districts in the far North and West. The remainder were dispatched in February, 1876. In each case they reached their destination in good time, and the supply was ample for the purpose required. [Householders' Schedules first issue.]

27.

The whole number of householders' schedules dispatched was 115,250. This was many more than were used, but it was of course necessary to guard against the possibility of too scanty a supply, a defect which it might have been impossible to rectify. [Numbers despatched.]

28.

The census was taken on the night of the 1st of May, 1876, as required by the Act. [Census taken May 1st, 1876.]

29.

The first return of schedules was from the district of Stanthorpe, on the 16th of May, the bulk of the remainder came in during May and June ; those from places more remote continued to be received until the latter part of July. The last from Burke were not received until the 14th of August, but the numbers from that district had been previously obtained by wire for the purpose of completing the preliminary statement before alluded to. [First return of Schedules. Last received.]

30.

Some complaints having been made that the schedules had not been called for by the collectors, advertisements were ordered from this office to be inserted in some of the principal newspapers, addressed to any householders who might have been overlooked in the general delivery of census papers, or whose schedules might not have been called for, or who otherwise had cause of complaint, requesting that such circumstances should be at once reported. Each complaint reaching this office was carefully enquired into, and little, if any, ground was found to exist for dissatisfaction, except in the case of the collector of the Rosewood Scrub, where some omissions had occurred, but which were remedied in time, before any authorised return was published. [Complaints.] [Some omissions remedied in one District.]

31.

The Brisbane District might, with advantage, have been more minutely sub-divided, the population having much increased since the last census enumeration ; but the old subdivisions having been retained, some of the collectors found it took longer than they expected to get all the schedules gathered in. [Brisbane District.]

32.

Judging from the experience of most of the Enumerators who had assisted on previous occasions, and from the evident ability and energy they manifested in the performance of the work entrusted to their management, there is every reason to believe that their duties were carefully and well performed. [Duties of Enumerators well performed.]

33.

The diaries of the collectors were certified to by each of the Enumerators, who were immediately responsible for the correctness of the work done and the days charged for ; but, as a further precaution, the [Diaries of Collectors.]

accounts were again carefully examined with the diaries in this office, and in some few cases the charges were disallowed. The diaries were found generally to have been well kept ; some few were meagre and of little value, but others had been carefully and minutely written. [Some charges disallowed.]

34.

The work of collecting the census was no doubt on the whole efficiently done, and allowing the usual 2½ per cent. for some omissions which must occur in numbering a comparatively small population scattered over so wide an area as 669,520

35.

The clerks employed in posting the schedules were engaged at first at seven shillings and sixpence a day ; two only received ten shillings a day ; but as soon as it had been ascertained how many schedules ought to be posted by each person, all were paid at a fixed rate of three shillings a hundred, and each was required correctly to post a minimum of 250, but was paid at the same rate for any number over this. The census staff proved on the whole very efficient, performing their work carefully and correctly. Valuable aid was received from Mr. Charles James Whitley, and under him Mr. George Bourne has been a diligent worker. [Remuneration of Clerks.]

36.

The dispatching of the schedules, most of which had to be sent through the post office, necessitated a cost of £73 3s. 10d. In this, as in every other part of the work, the greatest economy has been observed. [Cost of first posting of schedules.]

37.

The information to be obtained, and provided for under schedule A of the Act, included the name and surname of each member of the household, their relationship to the head of the family, their sex, age, separate or conjugal condition, rank, occupation, religion, and degree of primary education ; also, a description of the dwelling in which the family resided, whether of wood, stone, or brick, linen, &c. The posting consisted in condensing this information by putting the contents of the schedules into large tabular sheets, the males and females separately arranged, under the following general heads :— [Information sought for.]

• Social Condition.

• Ages.

• Occupations.

• Birthplaces.

• Religion.

• Education.

• Domiciliation.

• Ailments.

38.

After the preliminary statement had been prepared to be submitted to Parliament, a fresh arrangement was made for checking the whole of the previous work, and for compiling the figures hereto appended. [Checking figures and compling information.]

39.

The classification comprises a series of tables under each one of the several heads, including those above named, arranged under Census Districts, Electoral Districts, Municipalities, and Towns. An index is given with the several parts into which the classification is divided, and summaries generally precede the tables. [Classification.]

POPULATION.

40.

In a new country like Queensland, embracing a territory of 669,520 square miles,

41.

The total population, as returned by the Enumerators, and as shown in the General Summary, Table No. 1, numbers 173,283 persons, consisting of 105,009 males and 68,274 females, this being exclusive of the aborigines of the country, who have not been numbered in this or any previous enumeration of the people. [Total population as returned, 173,283 persons.] [Exclusive of Aborigines.]

42.

It is to be regretted that means have not been devised for getting some approximate estimate, at least, of the aboriginal inhabitants ; but there are great, if not insuperable difficulties in the way, arising out of the habits and condition of the natives ; and the only plan that could be thought of for attempting a rough estimate in connection with this enumeration was considered likely to interfere too much with the ordinary work of the census collectors.

43.

It has been pointed out in the preliminary statement that the estimated number of persons as given in the Vital Statistics of 1875 was 181,288, and that these estimates from year to year are arrived at by adding to the numbers as ascertained at each census, first 2½ per cent. to allow for omissions, and then the increase from the excess of births over deaths in each year taken from the Registers, and the increase from excess of immigration over emigration by sea. [Manner of estimating Population from year to year.]

44.

Hitherto it had been presumed that the exchange by immigration and emigration overland between this and the neighbouring colony had been about equal, and this had been borne out by the results of each census, which made the population very nearly as it had been thus estimated. The difference shown on this occasion may have its explanation in a slight degree in the almost insuperable difficulties experienced in collecting the census on the Palmer Gold-fields, from the occurrence, just at the time arrangements were being made, of the rush to the Hodgkinson, upon which the Enumerator, Mr. Warden Selheim, thus remarks :—"Owing to the breaking out of the Hodgkinson rush, no more unfavourable time for the taking of the census could have been selected as far as my district was concerned. The whole population, European as well as Chinese, were on the move, and it has been a matter of extreme difficulty and expense to secure anything like a correct return. The difference, however, is no doubt chiefly accounted for by a balance against us during the five years since the census was taken in 1871 of immigration and emigration over the border. [Exchanges by Immigration and Emigration Overland.] [Census on Palmer Gold-fields.] [Rush to the Hodgekinson.]

45.

To allow for a proportion certain to be overlooked in counting up so scattered a population as we have, in many parts of the colony, it has been customary to add 2½ per cent. in order to arrive at a correct estimate of the actual population. This would bring the number to 177,615, which is no doubt a very near approximation to the population of the colony. [Actual population.]

46.

The population as enumerated in 1871 having been 120,104, and as taken in this census, 173,283, there is an increase of 53,179 souls, which is at the rate of 44.28 per cent in the five years. By the Census Report of the neighbouring Colony of New South Wales for 1871, the last received, it is seen that the increase in the population since 1861 in that colony had been 43.64 per cent. for the ten years. [Increase since 1871.]

47.

The proportion of females to males in the Queensland Census Returns of 1876, shows a still greater inequality in the sexes than had been estimated during the last decennium. The average for ten years from 1866 to 1875, had been 66.30 females to 100 males ; the proportion as shown by the census being 65.01 to 100. A considerable increase of males as compared to females took place in the year 1875, chiefly from a larger immigration than usual of South Sea Islanders, and from a great influx of Chinese to our Northern Gold-fields. [Proportionof females to males.] [Increase of males in 1875.]

48.

It will be observed that the inequality of the sexes varies very much in different localities ; and, indeed, as might be expected, chiefly obtains in the pastoral and mining districts of the country. In the Census District of Brisbane, the proportion of the sexes is nearly equal. In the districts of Drayton and Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Maryborough, Warwick, and Fassifern, there is no great disproportion. In the Census District of Ipswich, the females outnumber the males. In Darling Downs, North and East, in the Leichhardt, Wide Bay and Burnett Districts, the number of males is nearly double that of the females ; while in the more remote pastoral, and in the gold mining districts, the number of females to males is very small, constituting only a fifth, a sixth, a seventh, an eighth, a tenth, a twelfth of the whole population. In the District of the Palmer, the female population forms only one 76th of the whole, the great bulk of the population being Chinese. [Disproportion obtaining chiefly on Gold-fields, &c.]

49.

The disproportion between the sexes is found chiefly among the adult population ; the births of males and females in Queensland, as in other parts of the world, being nearly equal. [Disproportion only among adults.]

50.

Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, are summary tables, showing population, inhabitants, and dwellings comparatively, in the several years in which a census has been taken. It is curious to observe, and perhaps it may be taken as indicative of a somewhat varying rate of general prosperity, that in 1864 there were 658 dwellings returned as uninhabited ; in 1868 there were 2,039 empty houses ; and in 1876 there were 862 dwellings unoccupied. [Summary tables of population, &c.] [Uninhabited dwellings.]

51.

The number of houses returned as in the course of construction, in the last enumeration, is 28 only. This appears a very small number, though it exceeds by three, the number returned as in building at the previous census. In 1864 the number of houses being erected was given as 678. It appears likely that the collectors have omitted, in many instances, to observe what buildings were being put up in their sub-districts ; as in Brisbane alone, there must have been a larger number of houses in the course of construction than the total number returned for the entire colony. [Houses in building.]

52.

No. 5 table shows the population in Census Districts in each of the enumerations, as far as this can be presented in a tabular form, the several changes made in the district rendering this somewhat difficult. [Population in Census Districts compared, 1871 and 1876.]

53.

Table 7 gives the population of the Electoral Districts within the Census Districts, showing the whole number divided into males and females, and the number of minors and adults in each Electorate. [Electoral Districts within Census Districts.]

54.

The Electoral Districts are given as fixed by "The Electoral Districts Act of1872," 38 Vic., No. 10, which includes Burke, previously unrepresented, and by "The Cook District Representation Act of1875," 39 Vic., No. 6. [Electoral Districts Act, 1872.]

DISTRIBUTION.

55.

The total area of Queensland being now computed at 669,520 square miles, instead of 678,600 as before estimated ; and the boundaries of several of the districts having been altered, it has been necessary to give a corrected estimate of population to the square mile in the tables referring to density of population, for purposes of comparison, in the several Census Districts. [Area.]

56.

The relation that the number of the people bear to the area of the country is a question of interest and importance in connection with the settlement of the territory, apart from other considerations determining its capabilities for supporting a population. [Population to the square mile.]

57.

The density of the population in England in 1861 was given as 344 persons to each square mile. Including the whole territory of Queensland, much of which is yet unoccupied, and taking the numbers found by the census 173,283, it is seen that to each person living in the Colony there are 3.86 square miles of country ; or, in other words, that the proportion of persons in the population to the square mile is 0.26. [Density of population in England.]

58.

In the Brisbane District the area of the country is 8fracformula; square miles ; the population, exclusive of shipping, 26,520 ; giving 3030.86 to the square mile. The united district of Drayton and Toowoomba contains a population of 9,499 souls, the area is 103 square miles, giving 99.22 to each square mile. The next in order, as to density of inhabitants is the Census District of Maryborough, area 104 square miles, population 8,588 exclusive of shipping, or 82.58 souls to the square mile. Next comes Rockhampton District, with 196 miles of country, the population exclusive of shipping being 7,903, which gives 40.32 persons to the square mile. Then follows Oxley, with an area of 354 square miles ; population 7,035, number to the square mile 19.87. The very unequal manner in which settlement has taken place throughout the country is further seen by an examination of Table 11, showing the area of each, and the number of persons to the square mile of each Census District in Queensland. The table also shows the area in square miles of the Census Districts at the two census enumerations of 1871 and 1876. [Comparison of density in several districts in Queensland.] [Unequal progress of settlement.]

59.

The distribution of the population is arranged in the second part of the classification under the heads, Dwellings, Towns, Municipalities, Census Districts, and Shipping. [Dwellings, Towns, Municipalities, Census Districts, and Shipping.]

60.

Table 9 shows the area in square miles, dwellings, and population exclusive of aborigines, persons, males, and females, in Census Districts.

61.

Table 10 gives the number of dwellings of all descriptions in Queensland in the two census enumerations of 1871 and 1876 in a summary form. [Number of dwellings, 1871 and 1876.]

62.

Table 11 presents the density of population in the two last census enumerations, showing the area in square miles in each Census District, and the number of persons to the square mile in each.

63.

The domiciliation of the people, as shown in table 12, describes dwellings as constructed of stone, brick, or wood, &c. Under the description of wooden the greatest variety of buildings are included ; some of the most costly and commodious residences in the colony are constructed of sawn timber, and these are perhaps in many respects the best suited for the climate ; while under the same head there is often the greatest possible difference, from the spacious mansion to the rough slab hut or unsightly gunyah. [Domiciliation.] [Wooden dwellings.]

64.

A number of the buildings in and around the larger towns are elegant structures of cut stone, and within the last five years especially some very handsome bank buildings and other places of business have been erected in some of the principal places, more particularly in Brisbane. Too many of the habitations, however, even in these larger towns are not remarkable for architectural design, or for the taste or variety displayed in their construction. The same square four-roomed cottage style, with a plain projection in front [More durable buildings.] [Mode of construction.]

for the verandah, the door in the middle, and a square window on each side, is the invariable pattern, beyond which too many seem to find it impossible to rise.

65.

In the country districts many of the wealthy class engaged in pastoral pursuits have large and handsome residences ; and in the agricultural districts an increasing number of the farming class are getting out of the slab-hut style of cottage, and constructing their dwellings of sawn timber, many of them neatly built, and in some cases well painted. It is contended, however, by many residents in the Australian "bush" that the "open-house" style, with an inch or two between the rough slabs forming the wall, and with window places innocent of glass, are the most healthy of all habitations in this country ; and indeed there can be little doubt that in such a climate as we posses, persons may live almost out of doors during a great part of the year without taking much damage, and the great healthfulness of the country in the well settled districts as compared to the Australian towns is in proof that superiority of house accommodation and the possession of robust health are by no means coincident. [In country districts.] [Open-house style.]

66.

The large gold-digging population residing in the Colony generally dwell in "houses by courtesy," that is, in such habitations as by the Census Act may be designated by this term, viz.: —"Any house, building, booth, tent, hut, or other erection in or under which," &c., &c. Table 13 shows the number of inhabited dwellings to the square mile in 1871 and 1876. [Habitations on Gold-fields.]

67.

The number of inhabited dwellings of all kinds is returned as 36,552. This gives an average number of occupants of nearly 4¾ to each dwelling, exclusive of shipping, as seen in table 14. In 1871 the proportion given is 4½ inhabitants to each dwelling. In the last Census Report received from New South Wales it is seen that in 1871 there were 196 to every 1,000 persons, or a proportion of 5.11 to each habitation. [Number of Inhabited Dwellings.] [Average Occupants to each Dwelling.]

68.

The number and description of ships and vessels in Queensland waters on the night of the 1st of May, the locality of such ships, and the number of persons on board of each, is given in table 15. This shows the places where the vessels were lying, and the Census Districts to which the locality belonged. The total number of persons was 1,267 ; the number of officers and crew, 1,011 ; the number returned as passengers, 256 ; the number of sea-going vessels, 77 ; the number of river vessels 54, including 27 steamers. [Shipping.] [Total number of Persons on board.]

69.

Although the total number of persons on ship-board is not very large, it approaches to double the number as found in the census of 1871.

70.

The proportion of females to males on board the shipping is seen to have been 2.9 per cent. [Females to Males.]

71.

The boundaries of the Census Districts and the Collectors' Sub-districts will be found described in table 16. Fifty-two Census Districts were proclaimed in theGovernment Gazetteof the 11th of February, 1876. (See Appendix, letter D.) The districts were arranged geographically in groups, as shown in table 24. An alphabetical index is contained in Appendix, letter E. [Boundaries of Districts and Sub-districts.]

72.

In the final arrangement of the districts it was determined to adopt the three great divisions of the territory recently projected, namely, Northern, Central, and Southern ; then to retain, where practicable, the census divisions as they were in the previous enumeration of 1871, but forming some new districts in localities where a considerable increase of settlement had recently taken place. This necessitated some alteration of the adjoining districts, but in carrying out these unavoidable changes the boundaries of the Police Districts were strictly adhered to. [Territorial Divisions.] [Alterations in Districts.]

73.

The Police and Census Districts thus made identical were SOMERSET, PALMER, COOK, ETHERIDGE, GILBERTON, BURKE, MARATHON, BLACKALL, TAMBO, CHARLEVILLE, STANTHORPE, GYMPIE, TIARO, BUNDABERG. Cunnamulla is also the same in its outside boundaries ; the Census District of that name being taken out of what had formed the Police District of Cunnamulla [Police and Census Districts.]

74.

The newly formed Census Districts are eleven, namely, SOMERSET and PALMER, out of the former district of Cook ; ETHERIDGE, out of the former districts of Cook and Gilbert, now called Gilberton ; MARATHON and BLACKALL, out of the former districts of Burke and Mitchell, the last-named district being now absorbed in the two first named ; TAMBO, out of the old district of Mitchell ; CUNNAMULLA and CHARLEVILLE, formed out of part of the old district of Warrego ; STANTHORPE, taken out of Darling Downs East ; BUNDABERG, out of Wide Bay and Gladstone ; and TIARO, formed from portions of Wide Bay, Maryborough, and Gympie. [New Census Districts.]

75.

The following may be useful in showing at a glance the alterations made :— [Alteratiion made.]

76.

On the authority of the Under-Secretary for Lands, Mr. Tully, the boundaries of all the districts have been checked, and their correctness verified in the Survey Office. [Boundaries checked in Lands Office.]

77.

The approval of the Government having been obtained, all the Registry Districts were made identical with the Census Districts, and were proclaimed as thus altered in theGovernment Gazetteof the 26th of February, 1876. The advantage of making the Registry and Census Districts alike will be very great in furnishing the means of making the registry returns so that they may be compared with the returns of population as shown in the census returns at each quinquennial period. [Registry Districts and Census Districts made alike.]

78.

The Enumerators were instructed to take the portions of their new Census Districts that were overlapped by the old Registry Districts as the basis of their subdivisions, and the District Registrars were requested to keep the particulars of the vital statistics separate for these portions ; and this has proved quite successful, so that the registry returns, even for the first year, in the new order in the altered portions of the districts have been in a proper form for showing a comparison of the vital statistics of the last and previous years. [Overlapping of old Registry Districts taken as first sub-divisions.]

79.

The maps accompanying these tables and report show the districts in plain black lines, and subdivisions in red lines. The zigzag lines show the overlappings of the old Registry Districts, the boundaries of which are described in the Appendix hereto, letter H. [Maps.]

80.

The number of persons living on Gold-fields is shown in Table 17. It will be seen that there are now 20,288 persons connected with the industry [Population on Gold-fields.]

of gold-finding, forming nearly 12 per cent. of the whole population. This is a considerable proportionate increase since the census taking of 1871, when the proportion was a little over 10 per cent.

81.

It is questionable whether, from the peculiar circumstances before alluded to, there may not have been a considerable number of persons on the Palmer Gold-fields who have been overlooked in the enumeration. Had it been possible to get an exact return of the number in that district, our gold-digging population would thus probably have appeared more than as now shown. It is, however, very satisfactory to observe how large a number of persons are now obtaining a livelihood by this means, and over what an extent of country the precious metal has been already found deposited in considerable quantities. The Hodgkinson field, the rush to which so much interfered with our census arrangements on the Palmer, has proved to be very rich, and before the taking of the next census a very large population will, in all probability, have been settled in that locality. [Hodgkinson.]

82.

The mineral productions of the country will be remarked upon more fully under head of Occupations.

83.

The population of towns and townships, exclusive of municipalities, as given in the list of towns, table 13, Census Report of 1871, and as now returned for 1876, is shown in table 18. [Population of towns and townships.]

84.

It will be seen in table 18 B that several of these places are almost without inhabitants, some of them being returned as containing so few as from two to ten residents. The list of Reserves, surveyed for townships but returned as without population, is appended to the last-mentioned table.

85.

The population of Municipalities is shown in table 19, with increase or decrease for 1871 and 1876. [Municipalities.]

86.

There is some difficulty in making a comparison in a tabular form of the population of the whole of the towns, so that it would be clearly understood, chiefly in consequence of the omission in the list of the towns in 1871 of those places connected with gold-fields, these having there been given only under the latter head. [Comparison of 1871 and 1876.]

87.

Where settlement is rapidly increasing, and while some few places are deserted, other towns and villages rising up in many new localities, but subject to the fluctuating and disturbing element of gold-finding, it is somewhat difficult to distinguish fairly and intelligibly between what ought to be classed as rural and town population. To make the comparison as fairly and plainly as possible, it has been thought well in this Report to take such places as contain as many as a hundred inhabitants and upwards, classing these among the town population, the remainder being considered as belonging to the rural districts. [Rural and town population.]

88.

In the subjoined table the population of Municipalities proper, as returned in 1876, is shown compared with that of 1871 ; to which is added the population of all the towns containing as many as a hundred persons, including the portions of those townships connected with gold-finding, which are outside the boundaries of the proclaimed gold-fields ; with the addition also of the population outside the municipal boundaries, but within the towns or their immediate suburbs, and the shipping. The list of towns as seen in table 18 B, does not show the shipping or the population in municipal towns, nor does it include the gold-fields portion of any towns ; this being given in table 17, under the head of "Gold-fields." [Towns with as many as 100 inhabitants.]

90.

The number of persons thus considered as residing in towns in 1876 is 95,783, consisting of 52,226 males, and 43,557 females, being 55.27 per cent. of the whole population. The remainder, that is 77,500, constitutes what may be called the rural population, consisting of 52,783 males, and 24,717 females, forming together 44.73 per cent. of the population. [Town population.] [Rural population.]

91.

The occupation of gold-finding having now developed into large proportions, it appears necessary to separate the considerable part of the population connected with this industry. In the above simple classification of urban and rural population, all persons resident on gold-fields are included among the latter : these being deducted, the population is distributed as follows :—Total as returned, 173,283 ; urban, 95,783, or 55.27 per cent. ; pastoral and agricultural, 57,212, or 33.02 per cent. ; gold-finding, 20,288, or 11.70 per cent. [Urban, pastoral and agricultural, and gold-finding population.]

92.

In the report of the last census, 1871, it is seen that the gold-fields and towns population, including the shipping, numbered 64,467, while that which would have been fairly classed as rural, numbered 55,687. Dividing the population in this way, simply into town and country, if the shipping and gold-fields are included in the former, the rural population as returned in 1871 would show a smaller number than the towns ; but by the classification now adopted, considering those occupied in gold-finding apart, the portion of the population connected with pastoral and agricultural pursuits is seen to have been in a larger proportion in 1871 than that of the towns ; the former being 55,637, the latter 52,101. [Classification in 1871.]

93.

It is seen by the figures given above for 1876 that the proportion of the rural population is less now than in 1871. The population of several of our large towns has considerably increased, and Cooktown, the metropolis of the gold-producing districts in the North, has sprung into existence and become a populous place within the last five years. A decrease in the proportion of those employed as servants in pastoral occupations, from the causes presently to be noticed, has helped to alter the proportions between the town and country population ; but the diminished proportion of the rural population, as shown in the enumeration in May last, is greatly attributable to a decline in the proportion of persons engaged in agriculture, which, as will be shown under the head of Occupations, has fallen from 11.4 to 9.85 per cent. of the population. This may probably be accounted for by the fact that so few comparatively of our new arrivals now settle on the land, the bulk of them being mere laborers or mechanics, a great number of whom find regular or frequent employment in the larger towns. [Rural population decreased.]

94.

The proportions per cent. of the population as thus divided, omitting those resident on gold-fields, in the two census periods of 1871 and 1876, are as follow :—

95.

The increase since 1868 of what may be called the principal towns, such as contain as many as a thousand inhabitants, is shown as follows :— [Increase in towns contaning as many as 1,000 inhabitants.]

ILLEGIBLE TABLE

96.

It will be seen that the largest increase has been in Brisbane, the numerical increase having been 12,688 during the period from the census enumeration of 1868. The next in order comes Maryborough, with an increase of 5,683 ; then Rockhampton, increase 2,833 ; Townsville, 1,828 ; Warwick, 1,424. Toowoomba has an increase in the municipality alone of 1,795.

97.

Brisbane contains a population of 26,953 persons, of whom 20,645 are within the municipality, and 6,308 in the suburban portions of the town, including the shipping. The whole number consists of 13,855 males and 13,098 females. [Metropolis.]

98.

The increase of the Metropolitan population is shown as follows, by a comparison of the several census enumerations :— [Increase.]

ILLEGIBLE TABLE

99.

The population of Municipalities, divided into wards wherever these exist, with increase or decrease, in the census enumerations of 1871 and 1876, are given in Table 19. The males are divided into minors and adults in the usual way in these returns. [In Municipalities.]

100.

Table 20 shows the number of Chinese, Polynesians, prisoners, and inmates of charitable institutions. These are placed together in Electoral and Census Districts, not being estimated for electoral purposes. [Chinese, Polynesians, prisoners, &c., &c.]

101.

The number of Chinese has increased since the taking of the last census in 1871 from 3,305 to 10,412. The explanation of the great augmentation of this class of the population is found in the attraction of the Palmer Gold-fields, its proximity to the "flowery land," and the convenience of the Torres Straits line of steamers. [Increase of Chinese.]

102.

It appears by the report of the Census of 1871 that one female only was to be found among the 3,305 returned as Chinese. A slight improvement in this respect is seen in 1876, when 13 females are returned as included in the 10,412 persons enumerated under this head. [Females.]

103.

Since the former Census was taken in 1871 there has been a considerable increase by Polynesian immigration. The number returned in 1876 is 5,108 persons, of whom 4,938 are males, and 170 females. The increase since 1871 is 2,772, the number then returned being 2,336. The number of females in 1871 is returned as 81, and no improvement is seen here, the proportion of females being 3.3 per cent. as against 3.4 in 1871. [Increase of Polynesians.]

104.

Table 21 shows the number of Chinese, Polynesians, prisoners, lunatics, and inmates of charitable institutions in the years 1871 and 1876, with increase of males and females separately. [Females.]

105.

The number of lunatics returned is seen to be 357, which is in the proportion of 206 to one hundred thousand of the population. This is an increase of 141 persons thus afflicted during the last five years, the number returned in 1871 being 216, which was in the proportion only of 179 to one hundred thousand of the population. [Lunatics.]

INCREASE OR DECREASE OF THE POPULATION.

106.

The changes which have been made from time to time in the boundaries of the Census Districts, render it difficult to give an exact return of the increase and decrease of population in each in a tabular form ; and as far as some of the separate districts are concerned, to do so has, in fact, become an impossibility. This is given as nearly as it is now practicable in table 22, which shows increase or decrease numerically by persons in the districts in periods from 1861 to 1864, from 1864 to 1868, from 1868 to 1871, and from 1871 to 1876 ; these being the years in which the census enumerations [Increase or decrease in Census Districts.]

tions have been made. The table also shows the increase or decrease in these districts of males and females. The numbers are given for Brisbane, Ipswich, and Gladstone separately within the municipality and ex municipality.

107.

Table 23 shows the centesimal rates of increase of population within the same periods in the districts, and on the whole population of Queensland. [Centesinal rates.]

108.

The impossibility of showing perfectly the increase in each separate district from the changes in the boundaries, has partly suggested the arrangement of districts in groups, as seen in table 24. In the Northern group, commencing with Somerset, and including the more settled country on the coast as far as Mackay, the population has very largely increased during the last five years, the centesimal increase amounting to 171.52. The North-central group, still keeping to districts near the coast line, shows an increase of 25.65. The South-central, in the same manner, shows 34.17. The West Moreton group, including Stanley, West Moreton, Ipswich, and Fassifern, shows an increase of 15.58. East Moreton, including Caboolture, Brisbane, East Moreton, Oxley, and Logan, show an increase of 43.25. The great western pastoral districts, including the whole of the far west through the length of the country from Burke to Cunnamulla, have largely added to their population in the same period, the centesimal increase in this group being 97.78. [Arrangement of districts in groups.] [Increase.]

109.

Taking the whole of Queensland, by far the largest average annual increase was during the period from 1861 to 1864. The census interval in this period was 2.71 years, the numerical increase was 31,408 persons, and the centesimal increase of population was 104.48, the average annual rate being 38.55. [Average annual increase.]

110.

The smallest rate of increase was between the census enumerations of 1868 and 1871. The interval then was 3.50 years ; the numerical increase was 20,203, and the centesimal rate of increase 20.22, showing an average annual rate of 5.78. [Smallest.]

111.

Between the census enumerations of 1864 and 1868 the interval was 4.17 years, the increase in the number of persons was 38,434, and the centesimal increase 62.53, an average annual increase of 14.99. [Increase, 1864-1868.]

112.

The last period between the enumerations of 1871 and 1876 was an interval of 4.66 years, during which the population has increased by 53,179 persons, the centesimal rate being 44.28, giving an average annual increase of 9.50. This is seen at a glance, as follows :— [1871-1876.]

113.

The boundaries of the Electoral Districts having been re-adjusted by the Act 36 Vic., No. 10, of 1872, the population of these districts appears for the first time in this enumeration of 1876, and no increase can be given or comparison made, the boundaries of these districts having been greatly changed since the census of 1871. [Electoral Districts new boundaries.]

OCCUPATIONS.

114.

The present scheme of classifying occupations differs somewhat from that adopted in the last Census Report, being more nearly assimilated to the English system as modified by that in use in Victoria, arranged under classes, orders, and sub-orders. [Occupations.] [Classification.]

115.

There are twelve principal heads called classes, most of them embracing several orders, and some of them re-subdivided into sub-orders. [Twelve classes.]

116.

Table 25 shows the occupations of all persons in Queensland, males and females, at the census enumerations of 1871 and 1876 ; the proportion per cent. of the whole population of persons of each class, order, and sub-order, and the numerical or centesimal increase or decrease since the last census enumeration.

117. CLASS I. GOVERNMENT.—

The classification under this head shows the whole number of persons employed in the public service, exclusive only of the native police ; who, as Aboriginals of the country, are not accounted in the census. The total number given is 3,104, of whom 2,861 are males and 243 are females. The proportion of persons thus returned as in the Government service forms 1.79 per cent. of the population. [Government.]

118.

What are called the principal officers of Government, including the Governor, the Ministers of the Crown, officers of the Army and Navy, Under Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Registrar of Supreme Court and Sheriff, number 39 ; the number in 1871 having been 36.

119. CLASS II. LEARNED PROFESSIONS—

includes the Clergy, the Law, and the Medical and other educated professions, with all persons engaged in literature, science, and art. As in the previous enumerations, midwives and nurses have been classed in the order of Medicine ; females returned as engaged in religious duties in connection with churches or public institutions, are classed under the head of Divinity. [Learned professions.] [Divinity.]

120.

In this class there are 1,310 males and 544 females ; the whole number of 1,854 constituting 1.07 per cent. of the population.

121. CLASS III. DOMESTIC DUTIES—

comprises more than half the population, including as it does, all females not returned as assisting their husbands, or as themselves engaged in business ; also, all children at home under fifteen years of age, as well as children under tuition. [Domestic Duties.]

122.

The proportion of females under this head is, of course, very large, being 56,705, to 30,807 males. The total, 87,012, forms 50.21 per cent. of the whole population.

123. CLASS IV. PERSONAL OFFICES.—

Under this head are included all engaged in the distribution of the necessaries of life, such as hotel-keepers, eating-house and board and lodging-house keepers, together, in many cases, with wives assisting in the business ; also, domestic servants, office-keepers, porters, messengers, and others of a like class. These number together 8,723 persons. [Personal offices.]

124.

In this class also, the proportion of females greatly predominates, being 5,610 to 3,113 males. Together, they constitute 5.04 per cent. of the population.

125. CLASS V. COMMERCIAL—

includes capitalists, annuitants, and persons returned as of independent means ; all persons engaged in commercial pursuits, bank officers and clerks, ship-owners, shop-keepers undefined, general dealers, &c. [Commercial.]

126.

Among this class there are few females, the total number under this head, 3,534, being composed of 3,263 males, and 271 females, forming together 2.04 per cent. of the population.

This class does not include ordinary storekeepers, whose business is defined, such persons being put under the head "industrial" in Class IX.

127. CLASS VI. PASTORAL—

is divided simply into employers and employed, signifying Crown lessees and others engaged in grazing stock and their assistants and servants. It should be observed that the number returned as employed under this head would, no doubt, have been augmented had the census been taken nearer to the shearing season. [Pastoral.]

128.

Employers under this division number 1,965, an increase of 54 since the last census was taken. The employed number 8,541 ; and here we have a decrease of 908 since 1871. It may be taken into account that the enumeration of 1871 took place in September, nearer to the busy season on sheep stations, but this will certainly be insufficient to account for such a decrease. No doubt the system of fencing in the runs, now so general, enabling sheep-owners to do with much fewer hands in the management of their large establishments, has chiefly to do with the decrease in the number of persons employed as servants in pastoral pursuits. The total number under the head pastoral is 10,506, or 6.06 per cent. of the whole population. [Employers and Employed.]

129.

The proportion of females to males in this class is very small, showing only 144 females to 10,362 males ; but it must be borne in mind in

comparing the returns of males and females under this classification, that the large number of females returned under the head of "domestic duties" are not included in the "employers" and "employed."

130. CLASS VII. AGRICULTURAL—

embraces all who are engaged in tilling the soil, including wheat-growers, sugar-planters, vine-growers, gardeners near the large towns, &c. It might have been desirable to have had this class divided, showing it under several separate orders, but the method previously in use has been again adopted as provided for under schedule A, of "The Quinquennial Census Act." This class is also divided into employers and employed. This distinction is perhaps less obvious among the agricultural class than in any other of the occupations, a number of the small proprietary farmers doing their own work except during the harvest season, when neighbours assist each other. Such persons are not properly speaking "employers," and they are not in any sense servants. Those classed as "employers" as returned under this head number 10,535, the employed numbering only 6,534. [Agricultural.] [Employers and Employed.]

131.

The number of females in this class is only 2,324, the males being 14,745. It must be remembered, as mentioned above, that this does not include those returned under the head of "domestic duties."

132.

The total number returned as "agricultural" is 17,069, this being 9.85 per cent. of the whole population ; a decrease in the proportion since 1871, when they were 11.4 of the whole.

133.

The proportion per cent. in the two classes, pastoral and agricultural, to the whole population in the years 1871 and 1876, will be clearly seen as follows:— [Proportion per cent. in the two classes in 1871 and 1876.]

The number of employers and employed in the two periods are as follows :—

134.

It will be seen that under the class "pastoral" the employers returned in 1876 are in the proportion of about 2 to 8½ employed, but in the agricultural class the employers as returned far outnumber the employed, being in the proportion of 10 of the former to 6 of the latter ; so that many returned as employers are not really so, but are proprietors of land doing the work of their farms themselves, or with the assistance of members of their own families, without paying for hired labor. [Proportion of employers and employed.]

135. CLASS VIII. CARBIERS.—

This signifies carriers of persons, animals, goods and messages, and includes all drivers of locomotives and vehicles, shipmasters, officers, and seamen, ship servants, watermen, porters, &c. ; but exclusive of persons employed in these capacities under the Government. [Carriers.]

136.

The number of females under this class is only 28, that of males is 5,302. The total number being 5,325, is 3.07 per cent. of the population. [Industrial.]

137. CLASS IX. INDUSTRIAL—

is very numerous. It comprehends workers and dealers in art and mechanical, animal, and vegetable productions, and in minerals.

138.

Great interest and importance attaches to this class of occupations from the numbers thus already finding employment, and from the prospects of increasing wealth derivable from the mineral resources of the country. Already the yield of gold exceeds in value that which had been long almost the only important staple of the country ; the exports of wool during the years 1874 and 1875 having been less in value than that of the precious metal. [Mining.]

139.

Under the division of minerals there are five sub-orders, namely :— gold alluvial, gold quartz, copper, tin, and coal. [Sub-Orders.]

140.

Tin mining appears now for the first time among the industries of the country, the extensive tin deposits in the district now appropriately named Stanthorpe having been discovered since the census enumerations of 1871. [Tin.]

141.

The development of tin mining, like that of copper, has been fluctuating, but there can be little doubt that mining in both these metals is destined to become a source of considerable wealth in this part of Australia. [Copper.]

142.

The number engaged as tin miners, all returned as males, is 799. There are 396 persons employed in obtaining Copper, all but one returned as males. Coal mining employs 194 persons, all males. Some of the coal obtained is of a superior quality. Probably this may be procured before long in much larger quantities. [Coal.]

143.

Gold mining, including alluvial, employs 12,541 persons, three only being returned as females. The numbers resident on the gold-fields, seen in table 17 to be 20,288, includes women and children, returned under the heads of "domestic duties" and "personal offices," as well as a great many persons resident on gold-fields, and more or less dependent on this branch of industry, but not themselves engaged in digging or reefing. [Numbers employed in gold-finding.]

144.

The whole number returned under the mineral division of this class is more than double the number returned as thus engaged in the census enumeration of 1871 ; this was 6,630, the number for 1876 being 13,930, which is in the proportion of 8.04 per cent. of the whole population of the colony. [More than doubled in five years.]

145.

The sixth subdivision of this class, "Others," includes gold-buyers, pile-drivers, quarrymen, lime-burners, brickmakers, potters, goldsmiths, jewelers, ironfounders, smiths, gas-fitters, &c. [Others.]

146.

The total number under the class here termed "Industrial" is 28,177, of whom 1,735 are females, and 26,442 are males, the whole constituting 16.26 per cent. of the entire population.

147. CLASS X. LABORERS.—

Under this head are included, as hitherto, all such laborers as mechanics, manufacturers, shopmen and women, apprentices, contractors, managers and foremen, whose particular branch is not defined in the returns. [Laborers.]

148.

This classification indicates a wide range from unskilled laborers upwards. Possibly the more severe descriptions of labor might with stricter propriety be thus classed, but, in fact, no apology is necessary for placing any class in such a category, as in this country, happily, the term laborer might include almost every resident exclusive of those who are too young or too old for work.

149.

Of this class the number returned is 5,123, of whom there are 5,107 males and only 16 females.

150. CLASS XI. PUBLIC BURDEN.—

This is divided into four orders :— [Public Burden.]

1. Pensioners, whether dependent on private or public funds.

2. Paupers, inmates of charitable institutions, public or private.

3. Lunatics, inmates as patients or asylums and reception houses.

4. Prisoners in gaols, penal establishments, reformatories, lock-ups, and those in charge of the police.

151.

It is gratifying to see that though the population has increased by upwards of 53,000 persons, the number of paupers shows an actual decrease. In the census of 1871 it was returned as 744, in that of 1876 as 569, decrease 175. [Paupers, decrease.]

152.

The number of lunatics has increased numerically by 141 persons, and centesimally 65.28 since the census enumeration of 1871, or from 0.18 to 0.20 of the population. [Lunatics, Increase.]

153.

The proportion of prisoners to the whole population shows a decrease, the centesimal rate in 1876 being 0.20 as against 0.22 in 1871. [Prisoners, decrease.]

154.

The total number returned under the class public burden is 1,286, the number in 1871 having been 1,229.

155.

There are 871 males of this class, and 415 females. The whole number is in the proportion of 0.74 of the entire population. In 1871 it was 1.02 of the whole. [Proportion of Males and Females.]

156.

It must certainly be a matter of congratulation in Australia that, as compared with most other countries, we are so free from pauperism, and, consequently, from crime ; and Queensland, happily, will compare favourable in this respect with the other colonies.

157. CLASS XII. UNSPECIFIED—

shows the number of persons whose occupation is not stated in the Census Schedules, as returned. [Unspecified.]

158.

The increase or decrease in the number of persons engaged in some of the more important professions and branches of industry in the five years from 1871 to 1876, may be thus summarised ; the minus sign - being used to denote decrease :— [Increase or Decrease in Principal Occupations.]

159.

Table 28 is an alphabetical index of occupations, which may be useful for reference, showing under what class and order and sub-order particular occupations have been placed.

SEPARATE AND CONJUGAL CONDITION.

160.

This is not an uninteresting or unimportant part of the subject under consideration. The proportion of persons of all ages and both sexes already married, the number and proportion of the unmarried, and the number who are widowed as well as the few whose condition was not stated, are shown in tables 29 to 40. [Unmarried, Married, and Widowed.]

161.

Table 29 exhibits a comparison of the number under these heads shown in the successive census enumerations, 1861, 1864, 1868, 1871, and 1876. [Comparison in the several census enumerations.]

162.

It will be seen that the number of unmarried persons in 1876 is 114,611 ; the married numbering 53,237. The proportion of married is very nearly the same as in the census enumerations of 1871, the centesimal rate being 30.73 in 1876, and 30.77 in 1871.

163.

The proportion of unmarried very nearly approximates in the two periods, the centesimal rate of unmarried to the whole population being 66.13 in 1876, and 65.74 in the former period of 1871. [Unmarried.]

164.

The increased number of Chinese and Polynesians now in the Colony will be more than enough to account for this disadvantage in the latter as compared to the former period, this class having numbered 5,641 in 1871 are found to be nearly trebled in 1876, numbering 15,520, of whom 183 only are females.

165.

Among the unmarried the proportion of males is greatly in excess ; the males being 73,249, the females 41,362, showing an excess of males of 31,887. [Proportion of males and females.]

166.

The disproportion of the sexes obtains chiefly in the adult population. Summary table 31 shows that at 15 years of age the males and females are nearly equal ; from 15 to 20 there is a considerable disproportion, approaching to half as many more males than females ; from 20 to 21 there are about two and a half times, and from 21 to 25 nearly four times as many males as females ; and this disproportion continues to increase until at the period of age from 40 to 45, the number of single males is thirty times that of the single females, which is the highest difference shown.

167.

Of the married persons 28,520 are returned as males, and 24,717 only as females, giving 3,803 husbands more than wives, and, of course, showing that there are this number of married men in the Colony without their wives. To a certain extent a difference of this kind might be expected in a country where the population is rapidly increasing from immigration, with, no doubt, a considerable number of men coming out as pioneers to make a home for their families. [Married.] [More husbands than wives.]

168.

It appears that in England there are many more wives than husbands, a great number of those absent from their families being seafaring men. [More wives than husbands.]

169.

AGES AT MARRIAGE are seen in the same table 31. It shows that early marriages are chiefly among the females, and those under 15 years exclusively so ; fifteen females only being returned as married under that age. The disproportion continues great up to 21 years, and then diminishes, until at the period from 30 to 35, the number of males preponderates, and at the more advanced age periods is considerably in excess. [Early marriages chiefly among females.]

170.

The number of widowers and of widows is 1,837 of the former to 2,152 of the latter. None are returned as widowed under 15 years of age. [Widowed.]

171.

Among the unspecified, the proportion of males is large, being 1,403 to 43 females, but the greater part of the unspecified are doubtless Chinese. [Unspecified.]

172.

Table 32 shows the number of males and females, unmarried, married, and widowed, or whose condition is unspecified ; and the number in every hundred living in each quinquennial period of age up to 60, and at each decennial period from 60 to 100. [Numbers in every 100 living.]

173.

Table 33 separates the numbers in each condition into those belonging to each Census District, also divided into males and females. [Numbers in Census Districts.]

174.

Husbands in each quinquennial and decennial period are given in the same way for each Census District in table 34 ; wives in table 35, unmarried males in table 36, and unmarried females in table 37, with the totals under 21 and over 21 years in each case. [Husbands.] [Wives.]

175.

Tables 38 and 39 give widowers and widows, and table 40 persons whose condition is unspecified under the same arrangement. [Widowed.]

AGES.

176.

The tables under this division, 41 to 45, give the numbers at periods of ages, quinquennially and decennially, the proportion per cent. of each period to the total of all ages, the proportions of the sexes at each quinquennial age period up to 60 years, and decennially from 60 to 100 each for the census enumerations of 1871 and 1876 ; also, ages of males and females in each Census District, minors and adults ; and, finally, the sexes and ages of persons, minors and adults, enumerated in each sub-district in Queensland. [Numbers at age periods ; proportion to total of all ages.] [Sexes and ages of minors and adults in each Sub-District.]

177.

In the detailed tables under this head, the numbers are given in five periods, from under 1 to under 5 years ; thence in groups of five years to 60 years, and upwards in groups of ten years.

178.

In the three first, which are summary tables, the ages are grouped from 0 to 5, thence by periods of five years to 60, and thence in periods of ten years to 100. [Summary tables ages.]

179.

It may be useful to divide the population by ages into three classes, thus—children under 15, adults over 15 and under 70, and adults over 70 years of age. [Children under 15, adults under and over 70.]

180.

An examination of table 41 will show that the children in 1876 numbered 63,967, the adults under 70, 105,264, and the adults over 70, 704 ; the number of those whose ages are unspecified being 3,348.

181.

The proportion of children is about 37.0 per cent. of the population, and that of adults under 70 a little over 60.0. The proportion of persons over 70 is 0.04 per cent., that of persons whose age is unspecified is about 2.0 per cent. of the total of persons enumerated.

182.

The following table will be useful, showing the proportion of the sexes in every 100 of the population in each quinquennial period of age up to 60 years, and decennially from 60 to 100, in the years 1871 and 1876 :— [Proportion of the sexes in every 100 of the population.]

PROPORTIONS OF THE SEXES AT EACH QUINQUENNIAL AGE PERIOD UP TO 60 YEARS, AND DECENNIALLY FROM 60 TO 100, IN THE YEARS 1871 AND 1876.

183.

Taking the sexes separately, it is seen that in 1876, the total number of males being 105,009, the number to 15 years was 32,409, or 30.8 per cent. of the males ; the number of adults to 70 was 68,934, or 65.6 per cent. ; and the number over 70 was 447, or 0.4 per cent. In 1871 the percentage of the male population to 15 was 32.74, between 15 and 70 64.12, and over 70.03. [Percentage of male population in 1876.] [In 1871.]

184.

The total number of females in 1876 being 68,274, it is seen that the number to 15 is 31,558, or 46.2 per cent. of the whole number of females ; the number of adults under 70 is 36,330, or 53.2 per cent. ; and the number of adults over 70 is 257, or 0.3 per cent. In 1871 the percentage of females was 46.53 to 15, 53.06 over 15 and under 70, and 0.2 over 70 years. This may be more plainly seen as follows :— [Percentage of female population, 1876.] [In 1871.]

185.

In both years there was a large proportion of males and females, especially of the former, between the ages of 15 and 70. In 1876 there was a smaller proportion of both males and females under 15 than in 1871, and a correspondingly larger number of the sexes together between 15 and 70 than in 1871. [Large proportion between 15 and 70 years of both sexes-Smaller proportion of children in 1876.]

186.

The proportion of children of both sexes to the whole population in the two last census enumerations is seen as follows :— [Proportion in 1872 and 1876.]

187.

Table 44 shows the ages of males and females in each Census District, divided into minors and adults, and the same arrangement is carried into the subdivisions of the districts as seen in table 45, showing sexes and ages of persons in the Sub-districts, minors and adults. These sub-divisions throughout the country having been made with great care, are intended as permanent bases for any divisions that may at any time be required ; and though the Electoral Districts are at present different to the Census and Registry Districts, should they at any future time be made to correspond there would be much labour saved in compiling the census returns, and this table, giving the population of the sub-divisions, would prove most convenient in showing at a glance in what portion of the district the population was principally settled. [Ages in Census Districts.] [In Sub-districts.] [Settlement in Sub-districts.]

188.

The number of persons of 21 years and upwards is shown in the last or right-hand column of this table, opposite each sub-district, males and females. The total number of adults in the colony is seen to be 91,970 or 53.0 per cent. ; the total under 21 years is 81,313, or 47.0 per cent. of the whole population. [Total number of Adults in the Colony.]

189.

The total number of males among the adult population is 62,892, or 36.3 per cent. of the whole population. [Males among Adults population.]

EDUCATION.

190.

The returns under this important head exhibit the condition of primary education in the Colony, showing the number able to read and write, those able to read only, and those unable to read. Persons having made no return as to their education are set down as unspecified. The information contained in the returns is confined almost exclusively to the degree of education as indicated merely by a capability to read and write ; a good number of persons are returned as members of Universities, but beyond this no information is afforded. [Returns showing condition of primary education.]

191.

A comparison of the four grades is given in table 46, showing the numbers male and female, for the years 1861, 1864, 1868, 1871, and 1876. [Comparison in the several enumerations.]

192.

Table 47 shows the proportion per cent. which these bear to the total population in each census enumeration, divided into males and females.

193.

A summary table, 48, shows the degree of education of males and females at different ages in Queensland in 1876. The degree of education, taking total of all ages, males and females, taken from this table, shown numerically, is seen as follows :— [Degree od education.]

194.

Table 49 shows the number and proportion per cent., males and females, who can read and write, those who can read only, those unable to read, and those whose degree of instruction is unspecified, in each Census District. [Read and Write, Read only, Cannot read, &c.]

195.

The number at different ages able to read and write in each Census District is shown in table 50 ; the number of those able to read only is seen in table 51 ; the number unable to read in table 52, and the number whose degree of instruction in unspecified in table 53. [Tables.]

196.

Table 54 shows the general condition of education in Census Districts by age periods, from 5 to 10, from 10 to 15, and from 15 years and upwards. [Education in Census Districts.]

197.

The proportion per cent. of persons able to read and write, males and females, is readily seen as follows :— [In age periods. Read and write.]

The proportion per cent. of those returned as able to read only, is— [Read only.]

Those who cannot read are returned in the following proportions— [Cannot read.]

198.

It will be seen that from the ages 5 to 10 more than 40 per cent. of both sexes can both read and write ; from the ages of 10 to 15 this proportion is largely increased, averaging between the two sexes nearly 85 per cent. [Percentage.]

199.

The proportion unable to read or write between the ages of 5 and 10 is too large, showing an average between the two sexes of 0.29 per cent. It may be presumed that the free and compulsory system of education now in operation will effect an improvement in this respect to be shown in the next census enumeration. [Too many unable to read.]

200.

The progress made in primary education since the last census enumeration is shown numerically by the following table :— [Progress in primary education during 5 years.]

201.

Centesimally, the comparison between the periods of 1871 and 1876, may be thus plainly seen :— [Centesimally.]

202.

A comparison of the proportions per cent. under the three grades, omitting the unspecified, at the three age periods for the two census enumerations of 1871 and 1876, is seen as follows :— [Comparison by age periods.]

203.

It will be seen that among the young, or up to 15 years, the proportion of both sexes who can read and write, is considerably increased since 1871 ; while the proportion returned as unable to read shows, of course a proportionate decrease. [Progress of education among younger population.]

204.

Looking at the figures in table 54, showing general state of education centesimally arranged in Census Districts, it will be observed that there are considerable differences, the rate for instance in males able to read and write, varying from 36.40 to 89.30 ; but it should be borne in mind that the fewness of total numbers in some of the districts renders them an unsafe guide in a centesimal arrangement of figures. [In Census Districts.]

205.

The district of Cook shows well in the comparison of this table, for though a large proportion of the population there, as before shown, are Chinese, it is found that a large number of these persons can both read and write their own language. [District of Cook.]

206.

In Brisbane, as might have been expected, from the facilities of obtaining instruction in the primary schools, the figures in this table show higher than in any other of the populous districts. [District of Brisbane.]

RELIGION.

207.

The numbers of persons, males and females, of different religious denominations, at the successive Census periods of 1861, 1864, 1868, 1871, and 1876, are shown in table 55 ; also, the numerical and proportionate increase or decrease in the interval of each census period. [Religion.]

208.

Table 56 shows the proportion per cent. which the numbers of each denomination were found to bear to total population at the several census enumerations. [Proportion per cent. of denominations.]

209.

The population by denominations, as returned under the head of religion in 1876, is thus divided, taking them in the order of numbers :— [1876.]

210.

The proportion per cent. under these descriptions of the whole population is as follows :— [Per cent.]

211.

The centesimal increase of each is seen as follows :— [Centesimal Increase.]

212.

The several divisions in the order of their largest increase is seen as under, the increase being shown centesimally :— [Order of increase.]

213.

It is seen from the above table, showing centesimal rates from the returns made which are doubtless approximately correct, that the largest proportionate increase since a census was first taken in Queensland has been of the Hebrew Church, but the aggregate numbers of this church are too small to be of much value in showing increase centesimally. The next in the rate per cent. of increase are Wesleyans in their two sections as returned, then Roman Catholics, then Presbyterians ; after these Congregationalists or Independents ; following these members of the Church of England. [Comparison of increase.]

214.

The members of the Baptist and Lutheran Churches appear to have made no return until 1868 ; a comparison can therefore only be made from that period, and it appears probable that their numbers are not even now fully returned. It is observable that although the figures under "other denominations" (see foot-note, table 57) are lower than in 1861, showing a decrease of 29.12, yet that under the head "religion not stated," the increase is much larger than that connected with any of the denominations, from which it may be fairly presumed that an increasing proportion of persons are indisposed to make any return under the head of religion. It should, however, be observed that the whole number thus practically objecting in the census of 1876 are only 3.43 per cent. of the whole population. [No returns from Baptist and Lutheran Churches till 1868.] [Increasing number indisposed to make return.] [Aggregate few.]

215.

Table 57 shows religion by denominations in the Census Districts, males and females, minors and adults. [Census Districts.]

BIRTHPLACES.

216.

Table 58 shows the number of persons, males and females, of different nationalities, living in Queensland at the census enumerations of 1861, 1864, 1868, 1871, and 1876 ; also, the numerical and centesimal increase or decrease during the interval. [Nationalities.]

217.

Table 59 exhibits the proportion of each nationality, males and females, to the entire population of the Colony at the different census enumerations. [Nationalities at each census enumeration.]

218.

It will be seen that in 1861 by far the largest proportion of the population were born in England and Wales ; these show 28.85 of the whole, the proportion of Queensland-born at that time being 20.64 In 1876 the proportion born in Queensland had greatly out-numbered those born in England and the principality of Wales, showing 33.92 of the former to 20.89 of the latter. [Large proportion born in England and Wales, first census.] [1878 larger proportion in Queensland.]

219.

Persons born in the other Australian Colonies, including New Zealand and Tasmania, were in larger proportions in 1861 than in 1876 ; the percentage being 12.01 in the former period, and 7.00 in the latter. [Other Australian Colonies.]

220.

The numbers returned in 1876 as born in Queensland are 58,773. The next in order are those born in England and Wales, counting 36,203, being 32,560 males, and 13,643 females. Then follow those born in Ireland, numbering 24,883, or 13,603 males, and 11,280 females. Other Australian Colonies come next, numbering 12,133, the males 7,184, the females 4,949. [Queensland, 1876. England and Wales. Ireland.] [Other Australian Colonies.]

221.

Chinese, including Japanese, are returned as 10,412, of whom 10,399 are males, and 13 are females. [Chinese.]

222.

The German nationality shows 9,889, or 6,064 males, and 3,825 females. Those born in Scotland number 9,374, being 5,866 males, and 3,508 females. [Germany. Scotland.]

223.

Polynesians number 5,108, of whom 4,938 are males, and 170 females. The next in order come persons born in European States not British ; these number 3,682, of whom 2,601 are males, and 1,081 are females.

224.

The number born in the United States of America is returned as 394, or 320 males, and 74 females. The British North American-born are 354, of whom 265 are males, and 89 females. [United States of America.]

225.

The returns show 370 as born in India, 292 in France, 157 in other American States, 87 in Africa, 545 in other countries, and 627 unspecified. [India.]

226.

It will be observed, that of the Queensland-born the sexes are nearly equal, showing 29,643 males, and 29,130 females. [Sexes.]

227.

Of those born in other Australian Colonies there are 7,184 males, and 4,949 females. The disproportion of the sexes is larger among those born in other countries, as in England and Wales, 22,560 males to 13,643 females ; Germany, 6,064 males, 3,825 females ; Scotland, 5,866 males, 3,508 females.

228.

Table 60 shows birth-places of the population of each Census District, divided into males and females, minors and adults.

SICKNESS AND INFIRMITY.

229.

The number of persons returned as suffering from sickness and accident is seen in table 61. The total number, including private houses and hospitals, is 864 : from sickness 814, from accident 50. [Sickness and Infirmity.]

230.

The number returned in the schedules cannot, of course, include all persons in the Colony affected by illness of every description, but may be understood as indicating the more serious cases of sickness and accident.

231.

Table 62 shows the number of persons in hospitals, asylums, prisons, and immigration barracks. The number of these public institutions, in Queensland is 50, viz., hospitals 21, lunatic reception-houses 3, prisons, including reformatories, 15, orphan and benevolent asylums 7, and immigration barracks 4.

232.

The total number of persons in these institutions, including officers and their families, is 2,136, the officers and their families numbering 426, the number of special inmates as patients being 1,710, of whom 1,219 are males, and 491 females. [Number in Hospitals.]

233.

The table also shows the name of each of the institutions, the locality in which it is situated, and the Census District to which it belongs, detailing the number of persons, males and females, attached to each. [Public Institution.]

234.

Immediately following this Report is a synoptical table containing particulars in a condensed from for the convenience of easy reference, of the census enumerations of 1861, 1864, 1868, 1871, and 1876.

235.

The figures for each of the five census periods are given in the synopsis, showing the total population, males and females, the number and description of dwellings, the number engaged in various occupations under the twelve principal classes, the ages at quinquennial and decennial periods, the state of primary education, the number of persons, males and females, as returned under various religious denominations, the birthplaces, the number of persons returned as suffering from sickness and accidents, and the number in public institutions as patients and inmates.

236.

In conclusion, it may be proper to say, this Report would have been published earlier, but for the indisposition of several of the officers connected with this department.

Sir,

I have the honor to be,

Your most obedient Servant,

HENRY JORDAN,

Registrar-General.

Registrar-Generals' Office,

11th March, 1877.

PART I.—DWELLINGS AND INHABITANTS.

1—TOTAL POPULATION—GENERAL SUMMARY

2—DWELLINGS AND INHABITANTS—1871 AND 1876

3—DWELLINGS AND INHABITANTS—1861, 1864, 1868, 1871, 1876

4—DWELLINGS, COMPARATIVE TABLE, SHOWING INCREASE OF DWELLINGS AND INHABITANTS—1861, 1864, 1868, 1871, AND 1876

5—POPULATION IN CENSUS DISTRICTS, PERSONS, MALES, AND FEMALES—1861, 1864, 1868, 1871, AND 1876

6—INCREASE OF POPULATION AT EACH CENSUS ENUMERATION

7—POPULATION OF ELECTORAL DISTRICTS IN CENSUS DISTRICTS

8—MINORS AND ADULTS IN EACH CENSUS DISTRICT

PART II.—AREA OF LAND AND DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION.

9—AREA IN SQUARE MILES, HABITATIONS, AND POPULATION—MALES AND FEMALES IN CENSUS DISTRICTS

10—DWELLINGS—SUMMARY—1871 AND 1876

11—DENSITY OF POPULATION—1871 AND 1876

12—DOMICILIATION—1871 AND 1876

13—DENSITY OF HABITATIONS—1871 AND 1876

14—PERSONS TO HABITATIONS—1871 and 1876

15—SHIPPING—NUMBER OF PERSONS ON BOARD

16—DESCRIPTION OF CENSUS DISTRICTS AND COLLECTORS' SUB-DISTRICTS

17—GOLD FIELDS—POPULATION OF—AND THEIR CENSUS DISTRICTS

18—TOWNS—POPULATION OF—1871 AND 1876

18B—TOWNS AND TOWNSHIP RESERVES IN CENSUS DISTRICTS—POPULATION IN EACH

19—MUNICIPALITIES—POPULATION OF—1871 AND 1876

20—CHINESE, POLYNESIANS, PRISONERS, LUNATICS, AND INMATES OF CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS IN ELECTORAL AND CENSUS DISTRICTS

21—CHINESE, POLYNESIANS, PRISONERS, LUNATICS, AND INMATES OF CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS IN 1871 AND 1876—SUMMARY