EIGTH CENSUS OF THE COLONY OF QUEENSLAND,

TAKEN OF THE

FIFTH OF APRIL, 1891.

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

BRISBANE

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

1892

CENSUS OF QUEENSLAND, 1891.

REPORT BY THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL,

WITH

SUMMARY AND DETAILED TABLES, ILLUSTRATIVE MAPS, DIAGRAMS,

AND

APPENDICES.

EIGHTH ENUMERATION OF POPULATION MADE ON THE 5TH APRIL, 1891.

BRISBANE :

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

1892.

CONTENTS OF REPORT

Introductory

General Report

Arrangements made for taking the Census, 1891

Difficulties experienced in taking the Census

Appointment of Officers

General summary of Population

Increase in the Population

Result of Census, Compared with Estimate made of Population

Area of the Colony and Distribution of the People

Population in each of the Great Divisions of the Colony

Reference to Map or Diagram showing Density of Population

Population in Urban and Rural Districts

Population in Municipalities, &c.

Population within Five-mile Radius of Municipalities

Domiciliation of the People

Number and Description of Dwellings

Inhabited Dwellings to Square Mile

Divisional Boards

Population of Divisional Boards Districts

Electoral Reptesentation of the People

Electorates in 1891 compared with Electorates in 1887

Proportion of Representation possessed by each Member in 1891 compared with 1887

Registered Electors on Rolls, 31st December, 1891, compared with adult males in each Electoral District

Electors on Rolls in each great division, compared with adult males in each Electoral District

Synoptical Tables containing total results of enumeration in each Census District

Occupations of the people

General view comparison of occupations between Census, 1886 and 1891

Occupations in which the greatest number of the people were engaged

Ages of the people who follow some of the most important divisions in the occupations

Ages of dependent Scholars and Students

Ages of children attending State Schools

Unemployed in Queensland, number of, and previous employment

Unemployed in Queensland, number of, in certain Districts

Previous occupations of Prisoners

Civil and Conjugal condition of the People

Unmarried portion of Population

Persons of Alien Races included in the Unmarried portion of Population

Married portion of Population

Persons of Alien Races included in Married portion of Population

Widowed portion of Population

Ages of the People

Minors in the Population

Adults in the Population

Males and Females at Self-supporting Ages in Population

Persons of Advanced Age in Population

Ages of Alien Population

Education of the People

Persons who could neither read or write in Population

Persons of Alien Races amongst those who could not read or write

Persons who could read and write in the Population

Ages of persons who could read and write

Persons who could Read Only, in the Population

Children attending State and Other Schools in the Colony

Children attending State and Other Schools in each Census District

Religions of the People

Number of Persons attached to the Principal Religious Denominations in 1891

Number of Persons belonging to Churches of England and Rome in each of the Great Divisions of the Colony

Proportionate Increase in each Church during periods varying from 30 to 5 years

Persons of Alien Races attached to various Religions

Birthplaces of the People

Australian Born People

Great Britain Born People

European Born People

American, Asiatic, and African Born People

Sickness and Infirmity

Number and proportion of persons suffering from sickness, &c., in each great division of the Colony

Number of each sex suffering from sickness

Cost of Census

Cost of Census of 1891, compared with that of 1886

Mode of payment of officers

Cost of Census per head of population in 1891

Public Institutions

Hospitals and Benevolent Institutions

Prisons and Reformatories

Localities in which Prisons, &c., are situated

Religious Profression of Prisoners

Part II. in Appendix, Relative to Boundaries of Census Districts

Conclusion

CENSUS OF 1891. REPORT OF THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL.

TO THE HONOURABLE HORACE TOZER, ESQUIRE, COLONIAL SECRETARY.

Registrar-General's Office,

Brisbane, 5th September, 1892.

SIR,

I had the honour on the 27th October, 1891, to lay before you my Preliminary Report on the Census of 1891, which contained certain Tables showing under particular heads the gross results of the population enumerated on the 5th April of that year, and that report having been laid before Parliament, was extensively circulated both in Australia and elsewhere.

The Census was taken on the 5th of April in order to fall in with the arrangements made by the Imperial authorities to have a Census of the whole of the British dominions taken on that date ; but the time of year chosen is not, in my opinion, the most suitable for Census taking in Queensland. In most years the weather at that period is unsettled, and the country difficult to travel over, which renders it almost impossible for those employed to perform Census work in a proper manner. I will again allude to this subject further on in this Report.

The compilation of the Census returns having been now completed, I am in a position to place before you checked returns in connection with the same, under certain divisions or heads, of which the following is a schedule. Tables connected with each head of information will be found in the Appendix :—

• Population—General Summaries ;

• Area of the Colony and Distribution of the Population ;

• Synoptical Results in the whole Colony ;

• Synoptical Results in each Census District ;

• Occupations of the People ;

• Civil or Conjugal Condition of the People ;

• Ages of the People ;

• Education of the People ;

• Religion of the People ; and

• Birthplaces of the People.

GENERAL REPORT.

In submitting this my General Report on the above returns I will first state the

ARRANGEMENTS MADE FOR TAKING THE CENSUS.

These were, in the main, similar to those made for taking the previous Census in 1886, but the experience gained at that enumeration led me to use additional precautions so as to render the Census as accurate and successful as possible. In the first place, it was considered that the Householder Schedule was not suitable to the requirements of this Colony, as it was an old and almost obsolete form, based almost entirely on the schedule used in the British dominions from almost the commencement of the present century, consequently I put myself in communication with the then Colonial Secretary, and suggested that the Census Act of 1875 should be so far repealed that the schedule to that Act should be abolished and provision made so that the Householders' Schedule should, if necessary, be arranged for at each Census taking, and then be approved by an order of the Governor in Council. The object in view was to afford facilities for having the schedule altered from time to time so as to embrace any additional matters which, from experience, might be found to be desirable or necessary in addition to the subjects of inquiry hitherto in use.

These recommendations were approved of, and an Act was passed by the Parliament of 1890 providing that the schedule should be alterable at the will of the Governor in Council.

Shortly after this object had been attained at the instance, I believe, of Mr. Hayter, Government Statistician of Victoria, it was suggested that a conference of Australian statisticians should be held to discuss the arrangements to be made in connection with the Census to be taken in 1891. I was invited to be present at that conference, but the Government of the day did not consider it necessary that I should attend. I thus lost the benefit of listening to and joining in the discussions which took place on the important subjects brought forward. The conference met at Hobart in the month of March, 1890, at which representatives of many of the principal Colonies in Australia were present, and agreed upon a certain line of action with respect to the Census about to be taken. I am indebted to the courtesy of Mr. Johnston, Government Statistician of Tasmania, for copies of the proceedings of the conference and of the forms, &c., then adopted for use. Amongst the latter was a new form of Householders' Schedule much more comprehensive as to the subjects of inquiry than the one formerly used. Having a desire to conform to the views of the conference, and in order that the Census statistics of this Colony should be compiled on a basis similar to that of the majority of the other Australian Colonies, I recommended to the Colonial Secretary a form of Householders' Schedule as nearly identical with the one approved by the conference as the circumstances of this Colony would permit, of which he was pleased to approve, so that the amended schedule was used during the last Census. There is no doubt the form referred to is a great advance on the form hitherto used, and by its adoption in other Colonies a uniform basis for the collection of information connected with the enumeration of the people will obtain throughout Australia. This will be an advantage to statisticians and others interested, as they will be in a position to make more definite comparisons relative to the statistics published than would be otherwise possible.

The form of Householders' Schedule having been settled, it was printed and each schedule machine numbered in regular arithmetical series. Previous to their being distributed to the enumerators, they were carefully examined in the Census Office to see that no duplicate numbers or omissions to number had occurred. They were then issued to the enumerators, and a schedule of the numbers sent to each was forwarded with his letter of advice. When they reached the enumerators they issued a certain quantity to each collector, and at the same time entered in a form in front of the collector's diary a return of the exact numbers on the schedule so issued to them.

The collector had then to account to his enumerator for every schedule by number when he finally delivered up his returns, and had to satisfactorily account for, or explain the reason, if any of the numbers were missing, otherwise he was fined. By these means it was sought to prevent collectors from carelessly or by accident omitting to collect any of the schedules they had distributed.

Of course before the issue of any documents connected with the Census, the Census districts were arranged in the Registrar-General's Office and the boundaries marked. These were afterwards carefully mapped out, and were then submitted to the Colonial Secretary and approved of by him. It was not thought necessary on this occasion to send maps to the enumerators to fix the boundaries of the subdivisions of Census districts, as that had been done in 1886, and it was thought desirable to arrange the sub-districts on this occasion so as to embrace as nearly as possible the same localities and areas as at the previous Census of 1886. The object in view in making this arrangement was to enable comparisons to be made as to increase or decrease in population, &c., in any particular locality. If, however, for any particular reason it was found necessary to alter the boundaries of a Census district from those fixed at the previous Census, subdivisions were arranged so as to embrace the whole or parts of the area included in the altered boundaries, and were collected separately.

In this manner provision was made so that comparisons could be instituted respecting any given area between the results of this Census and that of the previous one. When the work was completed, the instructions to enumerators and collectors were carefully revised and approved of by the Colonial Secretary. The form of diaries or collectors' books intended for use by the collectors were also carefully revised, and altered where thought necessary. Of these books two kinds were used—one for the distribution and the other for the collection of the Householders' Schedules, and some were made suitable for use in cities and towns, and others for the more sparsely settled districts in the country. In these books provision was made to enable the collectors when distributing the schedules to enter the date of delivery, the name of the person to whom the form was delivered, the situation of the residence, and the hour of delivery. In country districts, the distance between the place where the collector then delivered a schedule and the place where the previous schedule had been delivered had to be recorded in the diary. There was also a column for remarks, in which the collector could enter any noticeable circumstances connected with his tour of distribution. The collection diary was on a similar plan, and the collector had orders to collect his schedules in the reverse order of schedule numbers to that in which he had distributed them, so that one diary was a check upon the other. When they were examined, first by the enumerator and secondly in the Census Office, by referring to the collection route traced on the maps accompanying the diaries, the particulars as to locality, &c., relative to every schedule could be easily ascertained without exception. The work done by the collector, who was paid so much for each day's distribution or collection, could also be ascertained to a great extent, and if his duties had not been satisfactorily performed or his time appear to have been wasted his payment was rated accordingly. With the diaries each collector was furnished with two maps of his district to enable him to ascertain the exact boundaries within which he was to work, to prevent his omitting any part of the locality in which his services were required, and also to prevent his going into the subdivision allotted to any other collector. On these maps the collector was bound to trace his daily route, on one the track he followed during the distribution of the schedules, and on the other that followed by him during his tour of collection. The very best maps, and these on the largest scale obtainable, of each district were issued for this purpose, and were carefully examined after they were returned, both by the enumerator and the officers in the Census Department. The system here described was found to work admirably, and seemed to be the most efficient check that could be devised to ensure that each collector did his duty properly, did not omit to traverse any part of the district allotted to him, and did not overlook or fail to collect any schedules which he had distributed. The diaries and maps were afterwards of the greatest possible use in the Census Office, during the compilation, for many purposes.

To show one instance of the usefulness of the check so devised, persons who took an interest in the enumeration of the population on a good many occasions came to me and stated that they had been informed that So-and-so's schedule had not been collected. When this occurred reference was at once made to the distribution diary kept by the collector of the sub-district in which the omission was supposed to have occurred, and the number of the schedule delivered to the person referred to found out. Once the number of the schedule was ascertained it was easily traced in his collection diary or looked up amongst the schedules, which were arranged in numerical order. In every instance reported the officer in charge was in ten minutes able to produce to the person interested the very schedule which it was said had not been collected.

Previous to the Census steps were also taken to acquaint persons belonging to nations who are not conversant with the English language or customs, such as Chinese and others, with the fact that a Census of the population was about to be taken, explaining to such person the object of the undertaking, as also the duties incumbent upon them and their liabilities in connection therewith. This was done by posters printed in their own language, which were freely distributed and posted up in localities where they were supposed to reside. Collectors were also supplied with copies of same for production when necessary, and in districts where Chinese or other aliens were very numerous interpreters accompanied the collector to assist him in his duties. I had no complaints from collectors as to their inability to obtain information from persons of this kind, and I have reason to think that they readily afforded all the information in their power when required to do so.

Of course many other minor arrangements were made to effect the accurate enumeration of the population which it would be tedious and unnecessary to minutely particularize ; it may be sufficient to say, however, that every step that previous experience or foresight suggested was taken to render the Census taking of 1891 as complete as possible.

DIFFICULTIES EXPERIENCED IN TAKING THE CENSUS.

Unfortunately, just at the time the Census work commenced in this Colony, a most formidable strike occurred in the Western districts amongst the labour population, which at one time threatened to assume the character of a revolution, and which caused the Government considerable anxiety. The men engaged in the struggle massed themselves in large camps, and sent out traveling bands to endeavour to terrorise the more peaceably inclined workmen, and to prevent them from working for their employers. Of course the men so engaged were at war with the Government, and felt little inclined to assist in such a work as Census taking. It was also their object to prevent any information respecting themselves reaching the Government. Under such circumstances it can be readily imagined how difficult, if not impossible, it was for collectors to obtain a return sufficient for Census purposes from men in such a state of exasperation. No doubt the collectors did their best under such adverse circumstances ; but the result was not a success. I had occasion to make the following remarks on this subjects in my Preliminary Report on the Census :—

" With respect to the late Census enumeration, I may be permitted to express an opinion that the results are not correct. The labour troubles which were in full progress at the time of the Census collection, and the extremely wet weather that prevailed, particularly in the Northern and Western districts, which rendered it impossible for the collectors to travel, must have made a serious difference in the results of the Census.

" The difficulty in travelling was so great in some districts that the distribution of the schedules in these places amounted to little or nothing, as shown by the collectors' diaries. In support of this opinion I may state that one enumerator told me that, in consequence of the labour troubles and the difficulties his collectors had in getting information from men in large camps, he felt sure that there were fully 300 or 400 in his district who were not collected. If this be the opinion of one enumerator, in how many other districts may not the same kind of thing have occurred ; so that the aggregate loss to the enumeration would be considerable, and tend to a certain extent to explain the discrepancy between the estimated and Census population of April, 1891."

At the time the above was written I had not had the opportunity to carefully examine the collectors' diaries, which has since been done, and the result has confirmed my opinion that great loss to the enumeration occurred from the causes referred to in the Western and Northern districts.

In addition to the above, as previously pointed out, the season of the year at which the last Census was taken was not the most suitable for that purpose. Extremely wet weather was experienced by the collectors, which militated greatly against the success of the undertaking, and in the Western district the distribution was almost a failure.

Mr. Walter A. Gale, Superintendent of Census of Western Australia, in his Report on the Census of 1891 in that Colony, makes the following remarks on the subject :—

"The day fixed by long usage in the United Kingdom and observed by the British Colonies for taking of the Census is the Sunday nearest the first of April. This period of the year is admirably suited to the inhabitants of the British Isles, since it is not only a season at which residents are most likely to be at their own homes, and labour in connection with the enumeration is easily obtainable, but it is also a season at which the climatic circumstances are most favourable for the traveling necessary in connection with taking of a Census. At the Antipodes, however, the position is naturally reversed. The advantages of a simultaneous Census of the Empire must be considered paramount, but the disadvantages of the time fixed for Census day are, from an Australian point of view, very great."

The circumstances in Western Australia are somewhat similar to Queensland, and unless there are favourable conditions of season and weather, the inconveniences, and even risks to life, to which collectors are exposed in the performance of their duties are very great. Curiously enough Mr. Gale's officers had to contend against the effects of a drought and scarcity of feed for the horses used by the collectors, while the difficulties in Queensland arose from excessive wet weather and the boggy nature of the country at that time. This was particularly felt in the greater part of the Western and Northern country, which rendered it almost impossible for the collectors to travel, and they were, as before stated, quite unable to distribute the schedules before the day appointed for the Census.

APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS.

The enumerators appointed to supervise the enumeration of 1891 were in the majority of cases officers who had previously acted in a similar capacity at previous Census takings. As far as I am able to judge they performed their duties with the greatest care and attention, and were evidently imbued with a sense of the great importance of the undertaking with which they were thus connected.

Judging from an examination of the diaries, maps, and returns sent in by them, received from their collectors, they had evidently taken considerable pains in the selection of suitable men for that office, and I am gratified to be able to state that I did not receive a single complaint of neglect of duty or incivility to the public on the part of any of the collectors appointed, nor had I in the great majority of instances to complain of the way in which their returns were rendered. At the time when the first arrangements were being made for the Census taking it was contemplated by the Government to make use of the police extensively as collectors, but the unfortunate labour troubles which subsequently arose prevented this intention from being carried into effect to any extent. In districts where they could be spared, police officers and members of the Police Force did assist in the collection, and performed their duties, as far as I could judge, in a most satisfactory manner.

The officers who were employed in the Census Office were a superintendent, an accountant, a draftsman, and about forty compilers. The work was started on the 1st of June, 1891, and was carried on so expeditiously under the superintendence of Mr. R. B. Howard that I was in a position to lay my Preliminary Report before the Honourable the Colonial Secretary on the 27th of October following, the whole of the returns having beencompletely extracted, examined, andcheckedby that time, so as to enable me to give gross returns with ascertained and correct figures.

The compilation of the Tables which form Part I. of the Appendix to this Report was then proceeded with, and had been so far completed that I was able to make my first reduction in the staff, consisting of nineteen persons, on the 16th of September, 1891 ; a further reduction, consisting of twelve persons, took place on the 25th of November, 1891. The first set of Tables were completed and sent to the printer on the 1st February, 1892, and the whole of the compilation completed on the 31st May, 1892.

I had every reason to be satisfied with the staff placed at my disposal, who worked well and uniformly during the whole period. I need scarcely say that what is now known as the card system was the arrangement adopted in compiling the returns. Having so far dealt with preliminary matters and arrangements connected with the Census, I will now proceed to consider the results connected with the

GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE POPULATION.

The total population of the Colony,exclusive of aborigines, enumerated on 5th April, 1891, was 393,718 persons—223,779 males and 169,939 females, being a number in excess of those enumerated on the 1st of May, 1886, when the last Census was taken, of

70,865 persons,

including 33,435 males and 37,430 females. The period during which the increase mentioned took place having been exactly four years, eleven months, and four days. The centesimal increase in the population during the periods mentioned was 21.95. Although the above-mentioned numerical increase may be considered satisfactory, it did not nearly equal the increase which took place between the Census enumerations of the years 1881 and 1886, which amounted to 109,328 persons. Taking, however, the increase during the decennial period between the Census of 3rd April, 1881, to the 5th April, 1891, the increase to the population of Queensland was 180,193 persons, consisting of 98,454 males and 81,739 females, an increase of 84.38 per cent. persons, consisting of 78.56 per cent. of males, and 92.67 per cent. of females. I would here draw attention to Table No. VI. in the Appendix, which shows the increase in the population of the Colony by persons and sexes at each Census since 1861, and also the increase in the number of persons enumerated between each Census period mentioned in that Table. In Table VII. Will be found the centesimal increase in the population between each Census taking. So far as the figures at my disposal will permit, I subjoin a comparative statement of the centesimal increase of the population in this and the other Colonies of Australasia between the Census of 1881 and that of 1891 :—

This shows that the percentage increase in the population of Queensland between the Census periods referred to was much greater than that of any of the Colonies of Australasia.

Annexed to the Appendix is also published a diagram which illustrates the progressive increase in the population of this Colony in a manner which will be more easily understood than by a mere reference to figures.

Although the results of the Census of 1891 may be considered satisfactory, it is a matter of considerable moment that the result should have fallen so very far short of the estimate of population made since the Census of 1886 was taken.

I am aware that every effort has been made by the Customs authorities to render the returns of arrivals and departures by sea as accurate as possible, and the railway authorities at the crossing-place of the Great Southern Railway at Wallangarra have also assisted me to the utmost of their power with the same object ; but notwithstanding their well-intentioned efforts the fact remains that the Census population of 1891 is no less than 31,883 persons short of the estimated population to 31st March, 1891, five days before the Census was taken. The exact figures are as under :—

The manner in which this estimate was framed is shown by the statement appended :—

The difference shown between the Census and estimated population appears almost unaccountable ; but, whatever the cause may be which lead to this result, it would appear that the estimates of population made in the manner which obtains in the Colonies of Australasia are not so reliable as could be wished. It appears that in Victoria, even Mr. Hayter, whose well-known carefully prepared figures are looked upon as being as accurate as it is possible for a statistician to prepare them, has had the same difficulties to contend with, as his estimate of the population made between 1881 and 1891, after all due allowances made for errors in recorded departures by sea, &c., exceeded the Census population of Victoria for 1891 by no less than 66,987 persons.

Taking into consideration the immense length of divisional borders between this Colony, New South Wales, and South Australia, and also between Victoria and the same Colonies, it might be said that the error in estimate was caused by the

want of means for checking the transit of the people over these borders from one Colony to the other, of which no accurate account can be possibly taken. Were this the case, it is only reasonable to anticipate that the difference between the estimated and Census population would be found to the advantage of the population of New South Wales or South Australia ; but it is evident that this is not the case, because the Census returns of all these Colonies together, including Western Australia, do not come up to the estimated population made in the whole of the Colonies at the end of 1891 by, I believe, at least 112,000 persons.

If this be the case it would appear that the emigration from the whole of Australia exceeded the immigration by the difference between the estimated population and the population said to be ascertained by the Census. This I do not think any statistician in Australia believes, and it is therefore necessary to look elsewhere for the apparent difference in the estimated and ascertained populations. Having this proposition in view, it seems extraordinary that with the great care and attention paid by the statisticians of Australasia to framing their estimates of population from year to year, such a large discrepancy should appear between the Census population and the estimated population.

After having given most careful and anxious consideration to this subject, it appears to me that no other conclusion can be arrived at than that the fault, to a great extent at least, lies in the Census enumerations, and that they are not accurate, at least to an extent approximating to the figures above given. When the habits of a very large proportion of the male population of the Australian Colonies are taken into consideration, I think the probability of the truth of my contention must be admitted. In support of this theory I would point in the first place to the immense extent of territory in New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland over which there is a very large nomadic population, some always moving from place to place, such as bush labourers, shearers ; others are endeavouring to hide themselves from their fellow-men, such as prospecting diggers, timber-getters, &c., the latter of whom for the most part occupying hidden and isolated positions, in which it would be almost impossible for an ordinary Census collector to find them out.

In the second place, it must be allowed by any person conversant with this subject, and who gives the matter reasonable consideration, that the difficulties collectors have to contend with to schedule wanderers on the innumerable devious roads and bush tracks in the Colonies is almost insurmountable, and consequently that thousands of such persons are overlooked at each Census enumeration. The facts to which I have called attention, coupled with the circumstance that in all the Colonies except Western Australia the population has been over estimated, for which over estimate no satisfactory reason to my mind has as yet been given, except it be by excess of emigration from, over immigration to, Australia as a whole, had led me to conclude that the estimates of the several statisticians are much nearer the actual truth than the returns of a Census.

Having the difficulties I have referred to in view, and with large experience gained from the management of many Census takings in this Colony, I made provision to subdivide Census districts into small areas, so as to overcome the adverse circumstances against which collectors had to contend, as far as it was possible to do so ; but still the result was not equal to my expectations, the various causes to which I have previously alluded having to a great extent defeated the object in view.

In addition to the difficulties above alluded to there were special elements adverse to a correct Census being taken in 1891—namely, the labour troubles previously mentioned, and the existence of very bad weather over a large portion of the Colony. Had not these adverse circumstances occurred at the time of the enumeration I feel convinced that the Census population would have approached much nearer to the estimated population than has been the case.

Of course the arguments I have made use of and the difficulties I have pointed out would affect the collection of what is termed the rural population more than the urban population, and I think that it is amongst the former the greater part of the loss, whatever it may have been, occurred. This has been proved to a certain extent by a circumstance which has occurred connected with the returns from certain districts relative to the proportion of adult males collected in each electorate compared with the number of names on the electoral rolls. I will further allude to this matter in a future part of this Report.

I have been taken to task by Mr. Hayter, by Mr. Coghlan of New South Wales, and later by Mr. Gale of Western Australia for including in my estimates of population a percentage for non-collection at each Census.

Having thus explained my views on this subject, and for the reasons I have given, I consider that to show what I believe is the true population of this Colony I am quite justified in making a fair allowance for non-collection. I would further point out that my predecessors in office held similar views on this subject, and made allowances for non-collection at Census enumerations.

AREA OF THE COLONY AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE PEOPLE.

The Colony at the present time is divided for certain purposes into three great divisions—the Northern, the Central, and the Southern. The total area of the Colony is computed to be 668,497 square miles, and of this the Northern division embraces an area of 250,237 square miles, the Central division, 208,980 square miles, and the Southern division, 209,278 square miles. On the night the Census was taken the following population was enumerated in each of the divisions referred to :—

• The Northern Division 78,077 persons

• The Central Division 46,857 persons

• The Southern Division 268,784 persons

When the Census of 1886 was taken the population of each of these divisions was ascertained to be as under :—

• The Northern Division 62,526

• The Central Division 37,977

• The Southern Division 222,350

so that the respective increase in the several divisions since the Census of 1886, a period of nearly five years, was as follows :—

• The Northern Division 15,551

• The Central Division 8,880

• The Southern Division 46,434

but if the result of the Census of 1881 be compared with that of 1891, it will be found that the following increase in each division took place in that period of ten years :—

• The Northern Division 43,163

• The Central Division 19,185

• The Southern Division 117,845

The distribution of the population according to the area of each division at the Census of 1891 was as under :—

• The Northern Division 0.31 persons to the square mile

• The Central Division 0.22 persons to the square mile

• The Southern Division 1.29 persons to the square mile

And the distribution of the population in these Divisions at the Census of 1886 was :—

• The Northern Division 0.24 persons to the square mile

• The Central Division 0.18 persons to the square mile

• The Southern Division 1.05 persons to the square mile

In Table XI. in the Appendix is shown the actual number of persons located in each Census district in each division at the Census enumeration of 1881, 1886, and 1891 ; so that the respective population of any of these areas in each of the divisions mentioned, and the increase or decrease in each such locality between the periods mentioned, can be ascertained.

Table XXIII. further shows the area of each Census district in such division and the number of persons to a square mile.

Thus from Tables XI, and XXIII. can be ascertained, by any person interested, the population of each Census district in each division, the area in square miles, and the number of persons to each square mile.

To illustrate the proportionate extent to which settlement has taken place in each Census district of the Colony at the time the present Census was taken, I have caused an outline map of Queensland to be added to the Appendix, with the boundaries of the Census districts marked thereon, and each Census district is so shaded as to show from the depth or otherwise of the shading the comparative ensity of the population in each district.

Taking the whole area of the Colony to be as now computed, it will be found that, exclusive of occupants of shipping, there are 0.59 persons to a square mile, compared with 0.48 persons at the Census of 1886.

As it may be convenient to show in a compendious form how the population was distributed throughout the Colony at the Census of 1891, I append the following statement, partially prepared from the Tables above mentioned, which shows the population of each Census district as contained in each division of the Colony, the area in square miles in each, the number of persons to each square mile, and other information which may be acceptable to the reader :—

This statement also contains a return of the number of inhabited dwellings in each Census district and in each division, exclusive of shipping. Analysing this information it will be found that there were—

in the Colony. From this return the following computation of the number of inhabited dwellings to the square mile in each division of the Colony has been made, with the following result, viz. :—

• The Northern Division 0.07

• The Central Division 0.05

• The Southern Division 0.24

Comparing this result with that shown by the Census of 1886, the following is the percentage increase of inhabited dwellings in each division, namely :—

• The Northern Division, increase 0.02

• The Central Division, increase 0.01

• The Southern Division, increase 0.04

At the time of the Census the returns show that 19.83 per cent. of the total population resided in the Northern Division, 11.90 per cent. in the Central Division, and 68.27 per cent. in the Southern Division. Comparing this result with the previous Census, it will be seen that the proportion of the population resident in the Northern Division increased 0.46 per cent., while in the Central Division it decreased by 0.14 per cent., and in the Southern Division it also decreased by 0.60 per cent.

To arrive at the distribution of the population, as settled in urban and rural districts, respectively, the population in towns, where the number of persons who lived in such localities numbered over 100, has been considered as urban population, and the remainder of the population has been deemed to be rural. As this was the arrangement made at the last Census in 1886, it will enable a definite comparison to be made as to the tendency of the population to settle since that period in the urban or rural portions of the Colony.

It will be seen from the statement that—

• In the Northern Division 38,863 persons lived in urban localities

• In the Central Division 28,604 persons lived in urban localities

• In the Southern Division 162,157 persons lived in urban localities

making the total urban population of the Colony 229,624.

With respect to the rural population, it will be seen that persons who resided in such localities were as under :—

• In the Northern Division 39,214

• In the Central Division 18,253

• In the Southern Division 106,627

making the total rural population 164,094.

The percentage of the population residing in urban and rural localities respectively, was—

If the figures and percentages given above be compared with the results of the previous Census enumerations of 1881 and 1886, the following result will be apparent :—

From this Table it will be seen that, while the percentage of persons living in the rural districts in the Northern Division is slightly increased compared with the percentage of the urban population, the contrary was the case with respect to the Central and Southern Divisions, where the percentage of the rural population was much less than it was in 1886, and where the percentage of the urban population increased considerably. From this it would appear evident that there is a tendency amongst the population in the Central and Southern Divisions to settle in urban localities in preference to rural.

In connection with this subject, Table XXIX., page 42 in the Appendix, shows the population enumerated in the municipalities and shires of the Colony, which consisted of 168,400 persons, being 42.77 per cent. of the total population of the Colony. Taking the position of the shires into consideration, it may be stated that Coorparoo, Ithaca, Toowong, and Windsor Shires are all situated within the ten-mile radius of Brisbane, and may be therefore fairly considered to contain an urban population, and the same may be said of Drayton and Southport ; but with respect to Middle Ridge and Tiaro, they should be considered more in the character of a rural population ; but the population of the last-named places is not numerous. It may be well here to state the relative populations of the municipalities, comparing the population ascertained in each at the enumerations of 1886 and 1891 respectively. Commencing with Brisbane municipality, the population was enumerated at 25,889, compared with 28,529 enumerated within the same boundaries in 1886, a decrease in the city proper of 2,640 persons ; but this may be accounted for by the fact that, as time progresses, the city is being less used for residence and more for business purposes, the population having their private residences in more suitable localities in the suburbs. A better comparison may be made with respect to the population of the two Census periods mentioned by taking the population enumerated in 1891 and 1886 within a five-mile radius from the centre of the city. The number of persons enumerated within these boundaries in 1891 was 93,657, compared with 78,649 in 1886, being an increase in 1891 of 20,008 persons. In order to compare the population of Brisbane and suburbs with that of some of the principal cities of Australia within a given area, a Table has been prepared (No. XXXI., page 44 in the Appendix) which shows the population within a ten-mile radius from the centre of the city. At the time the Census of 1891 was taken 101,554 persons resided within that area ; but I think the city of Brisbane and suburbs are best comprehended within a five-mile radius, as a considerable number of what may be more properly considered as a rural population are included in the area between the five-mile and the ten-mile radius. Relative to other municipalities, the largest increases, comparing the Census of 1891 with that of 1886, have taken place in Bundaberg, 1,659 persons ; Charters Towers, 1,284 ; Cairns, 1,084 ; Rockhampton (including North Rockhampton), 958 ; Gympie, 790 ; Toowoomba, 737. The only decrease in municipal population worth mentioning since the Census of 1886 is in the municipality of Mackay—viz., 509 persons. By referring to Table XXIX., before alluded to, the population of any

of the municipalities can be ascertained ; but as the area contained within the boundaries of the various municipalities differ to a very great extent, as much as from 1 square mile to 37 square miles, it was thought desirable, so as to equalize the proportion of population in each within a given area, to ascertain the number of persons living within a certain distance from the centre of each municipality ; consequently a Table has been prepared showing population resident within a five-mile radius of the centre of each of the principal municipalities. This, it is considered, will give a better idea of the density of the population in each place ; Omitting Brisbane, the result is as follows :—

Rockhampton and North Rockhampton, within a radius of five miles from its centre 14,392 persons

• Charters Towers, within a radius of five miles from its centre 13,320 persons

• Ipswich, within a radius of five miles from its centre 13,059 persons

• Maryborough, within a radius of five miles from its centre 11,724 persons

• Gympie, within a radius of five miles from its centre 10,972 persons

• Toowoomba, within a radius of five miles from its centre 10,936 persons

• Townsville, within a radius of five miles from its centre 10,356 persons

• Bundaberg, within a radius of five miles from its centre 7,423 persons

• Mackay, within a radius of five miles from its centre 3,937 persons

• Warwick, within a radius of five miles from its centre 3,742 persons

• Cooktown, within a radius of five miles from its centre 3,721 persons

• Cairns, within a radius of five miles from its centre 2,511 persons

• Roma, within a radius of five miles from its centre 1,857 persons

• Bowen, within a radius of five miles from its centre 1,358 persons

• Normanton, within a radius of five miles from its centre 1,270 persons

• Gladstone, within a radius of five miles from its centre 1,067 persons

The abovenamed municipalities have been arranged in the order of the greater number of persons living within the five-mile radius in each, from which it will be seen that Rockhampton heads the list with a population of 14,392 persons. With respect to that municipality, as the radius line includes North Rockhampton as well as Rockhampton, the population within a five-mile radius of each cannot be given. The population in Charters Towers and Ipswich approximates closely ; Maryborough has a population of nearly 12,000. Gympie and Toowoomba are nearly equal, and next is Townsville, some 600 less than the lastnamed municipalities. Bundaberg has a population of over 7,000, and the others mentioned above range from over 3,000 to over 1,000 each.

In order to show the density of the population to the square mile in each municipality within the five-mile radius, a statement showing the result is appended :—

The area contained within a five-mile radius is equal to 78.54 square miles.

Those interested in the subject will find a map of each municipality mentioned attached to the Appendix, on each of which is delineated the exact position of the five-mile radius line.

The number ofmalesandfemalesembraced in the population within the five-mile radius, from the centre of each of the municipalities above referred to, is shown in Table XXXII., page 44 of the Appendix.

The gross population of the smaller towns and township reserves can be ascertained from Table XXXIII., page 45 of the Appendix, as also the number of males and females resident therein at the time of the Census. The Table referred to is a comparative one, and shows the number of persons, males and females, in these townships, &c., at the time the Census of 1881, 1886, and 1891 was taken. The increase of population in these localities during the period from the Census of 1886 to 1891 was 7,899 persons, consisting of 4,435 males and 3,464 females, and the increase for the ten years, 1881 to 1891, was 20,930 persons, comprising 12,439 males and 8,491 females.

In Table No. XXXIV. is given, in alphabetical order, the names of the towns and township reserves which contain a population of over 50, and the population which is mentioned therein is the same as that grouped in Table XXXIII. above alluded to. That Table also shows the Census district in which each such township, &c., is situated, and its population, both males and females. The population in each township named in that Table is the same that has been comprised in Table No. XXXIII., which Table shows a comparison of the population enumerated in such townships at Census 1881, 1886, and 1891.

Table XXXV. shows the Census districts arranged in alphabetical order, and the towns or township reserves included in each district, with the population in each, both males and females.

DOMICILIATION OF THE PEOPLE.

The number of inhabited and uninhabited dwellings of all descriptions returned at the Census of 1891 was 78,429 inhabited, and 2,224 uninhabited. Compared with the returns of the previous Census, the above figures show an increase in inhabited dwellings of 14,736, and a decrease in uninhabited dwellings of 39. Particulars respecting each class of dwelling returned will be found at Table XXIV., page 37 in the Appendix. In Table XXV. is given the proportion of inhabited dwellings to the square mile in each Census district included in the three great divisions of the Colony, and in Table XXVI. is shown the average number of persons to an inhabited dwelling (exclusive of shipping) in each Census district in each of the divisions.

Referring, first, to the information contained in Table No. XXIV., it will be found that the number and description of the dwellings of the population at the time of the Census was returned as under :—

In addition to the above, there were 2,224 houses returned as being uninhabited, but the material of which they were constructed was not described. Comparing the above return with a similar one at the Census of 1886 shows that the following increase or decrease in the number of the different kinds of dwellings had occurred since that period :—

Stone houses, a decrease of 26 ; tents, a decrease of 51 ; brick houses, an increase of 322 ; ships, a decrease of 37 ; wooden houses, an increase of 11,913 ; drays used as temporary dwelling-places, a decrease of 104 ; metal houses, an increase of 1,551 ; other dwellings, an increase of 1,170.

The number of uninhabited houses also decreased 39 since the Census of 1886.

The kind of house most in favour in Queensland is that build of wood, preferred probably because they are quickly built and are more economical than the more permanent structures built of brick and stone. They are also very suitable to the climate and healthy to live in, and are durable, if properly protected from white ants, because the timbers used in the Colony for building purposes last for a long time. There is another reason why in this Colony wooden houses are preferred to brick or stone—namely, because in a climate like this in summer time both the last mentioned kind of houses absorb the heat from the sun during the day-time and continue warm almost through the night, making the interior uncomfortable to the

inhabitants, while the wooden house, if warmed at all, soon cools after the sun goes down. Of course brick and stone structures are most suitable for warehouse and other business purposes, and the number will no doubt increase as the cities and towns of the Colony become more centres of business. Buildings of metal, mostly of galvanized iron, show an increase of 1,551 since 1886, but if the column in Table XXIV., in which the number of such houses in each Census district is given, be referred to, it will be found that buildings of this kind have been principally erected in districts in which wood is scarce, and the carriage of iron costs less than the timber required to build the house. The number of drays returned as having been used as temporary dwellings were not so numerous at the time of the Census of 1891 as in 1886, the decrease, as shown above, being 104. Of the uninhabited houses mentioned in this Table, the largest number returned in any one district—viz., 483, appear in the Brisbane Census district. The other Census districts in which the greatest number of uninhabited houses are situated are Enoggera 210, Caboolture 142, Moreton East 124, Moreton West 122, Oxley 111, and Bundaberg 105 ; in all the other districts the number of uninhabited houses is under 100.

Table XXVII. contains a return of the number and description of vessels of all descriptions in the Queensland waters on the day the Census was taken. It also shows the locality in which the vessel was at the time, and the number of persons who were on board these vessels. From that Table it will be seen that at the time above referred to there were 97 sea-going vessels in the waters of the Colony, consisting of 48 steamers, 17 sailing ships, and 32 schooners, &c. There were in addition 127 river-going vessels, including 33 steamers, 28 punts, and 66 cutters, &c. Of course the vessels last enumerated include all those which were the property of the Government for harbour service, dredging, &c. The total number of persons on board these vessels, including officers and crews, was 2,255, consisting of 2,125 males and 130 females. Of these, 438 persons—viz., 321 males and 117 females, were passengers ; and 1,817 persons—namely, 1,804 males and 13 females, were employed as officers and crews. Comparing this with similar results obtained at the Census of 1886, a falling off is apparent, both in the number of vessels and the persons on board. At that time there were 107 sea-going vessels and 177 river vessels, with 3,560 persons on board.

In Table XXV. is shown the proportion of inhabited dwellings to each square mile in the whole Colony and in each division thereof. As previously stated the proportion in the whole Colony is 0.12 ; in the Northern Division the proportion is 0.07 ; in the Central Division, 0.05 ; and in the Southern Division, 0.24. The proportions at the time of the Census in 1886 were :—The whole Colony, 0.09 ; Northern Division, 0.05 ; Central Division, 0.04 ; and Southern Division, 0.20. From this it will be seen that the proportion has fairly increased since the Census of 1886 in the whole Colony, as also in each of the divisions. In Table No. XXVI. is shown the average number of persons to each inhabited dwelling at the Census of 1891 (exclusive of shipping) in the whole Colony, in each division of the Colony, and in each Census district situated within the boundaries of the different divisions. This Table shows that the average number of persons to each inhabited dwelling in the whole Colony was 5.04 ; that in the Northern Division the proportion was 4.39 ; in the Central Division it was 4.89 ; and in the Southern Division it was 5.29. The returns of the Census of 1886 showed that in the whole Colony the proportion of persons to an inhabited dwelling was 5.04 ; that in the Northern Division it was 4.74 ; in the Central Division, 4.51 ; and in the Southern Division, 5.32. From this it will be observed that at both Census periods the proportion in the whole Colony was exactly the same ; that in the Northern Division it decreased from 4.74 to 4.39 ; that in the Central Division it increased from 4.51 to 4.89 ; and that in the Southern Division it decreased from 5.32 to 5.29.

DIVISIONAL BOARDS.

Local government, in addition to that included under the Local Government Acts, has been in force in this Colony for many years. It was first brought into existence generally throughout all parts of Queensland under "TheDivisional Boards Act of1879," but so many changes have been made in the boundaries of the divisions since the last Census in 1886 was taken it has been found impossible to institute any comparisons as to the population in each Divisional

Board district, or the increase or decrease in each since the Census of 1886 was taken. The population at the time of the Census of 1891 in each Divisional Board district will be found in Table XIX. in the Appendix. The total number of persons residing within the boundaries of Divisional Boards districts at the time of the Census was 221,875 persons, consisting of 134,884 males and 86,991 females. At the time the previous Census was taken in 1886 the total number of persons living within the boundaries of the districts referred to was 203,808, comprised of 126,115 males and 77,693 females ; consequently the increase in the population in the total of such localities between the Census of 1886 and 1891 was 18,067, consisting of 8,769 males and 9,298 females. It is a strange circumstance, as shown by these figures, that the increase of the females exceeded that of the males in these districts. At the time the Census of 1891 was taken there were 115 Divisional Boards districts in the Colony, compared with 93 in existence at the time of the Census of 1886. At that time the board district of Woolloongabba had the largest population—namely, over 13,000 inhabitants ; but since then the division has been merged into the municipality of South Brisbane. At the time of the Census in 1891, the most populous division was Dalrymple, in the neighbourhood of Charters Towers, which contained 11,761 inhabitants ; the next in point of population was Pioneer Division, in the neighbourhood of Mackay, with 6,941 persons ; the next Booroodabin, outside Brisbane, on the north-east, with 6,853 persons ; the next Gogango, outside Rockhampton, with 5,995 persons ; the next Tarampa, with 5,091 persons ; the next Goolman, in the Logan District, with 4,862 persons ; and the next Gooburrum, outside Bundaberg, with 4,160.

The following are the Divisional Boards districts which had a population of over 3,000 :—Caboolture, Clifton, Glengallan, Jondaryan, Kargoolnah, Murweh, Purga, Stephens, and Toombul. Those which have a population of over 2,000, are —Aramac, Balmoral, Belyando, Brassall, Bundanba, Burrum, Calliope, Croydon, Esk, Glastonbury, Hamilton, Highfields, Hinchinbrook, Maroochy, Nundah, Paroo, Ravenswood, Rosalic, Sherwood, Stanthorpe, Taringa, Thuringowa, Tiaro, Ula Ula, Walloon, and Woongarra. All the other divisions contain less than 2,000 persons, the smallest division in respect to population being Torres, at Somerset, in which only 22 persons were returned, and Burke with 284 persons.

The percentage of males contained in the whole population of the Divisional Boards districts was 60.79, and of the females 39.21.

ELECTORAL REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE.

As it was of the greatest importance that a correct and reliable enumeration of the population in the various electorates in the Colony should be obtained at the Census, great pains were taken when the preliminary arrangements were made in the Census Office to give the best information possible to enumerators and collectors as to the boundaries of every electorate in the Colony. Maps showing such boundaries were issued, marked in the clearest manner possible, and in cases, which frequently occurred, where a collector's subdivision embraced two, and even three, parts, situated in different electorates, the boundaries were clearly and distinctly marked and tinted in various colours to show the several parts of electorates situated in his Census subdivision. He also received instructions to be careful to keep separate the schedules collected in each subdivision of his district, as marked on the map furnished to him, and to carefully endorse on the back of each schedule the name of the electorate in which it was collected. The instructions so given were faithfully observed ; and, in consequence, the compilers had no difficulty whatever in compiling the population by electorates ; the Tables published on the subject are therefore quite accurate so far as the Census enumeration is concerned.

The electorates in 1891 number 60, compared with 44 when the Census of 1886 was taken. In 1887 a new Act was passed, intituled "The Electoral Districts Act of 1887," which increased the representation of the people, and each electorate was constituted on the basis of the population ascertained in each Census district, and subdivision of Census districts, at the time the Census was taken, and also on the proportion of adult males, exclusive of persons of alien races, &c., living in each district or sub-district at that time. A schedule of the population apportioned in each electorate was laid before Parliament, and, after some amendments, was finally approved of in Committee of the House on the 25th October, 1887. That schedule has been now taken as the basis for a comparison between the population in electorates, as so constituted in 1887, and as ascertained by the Census of 1891.

The electoral districts having been thus entirely changed in 1887, no good purpose would result from endeavouring, if it were possible to do so, to compare the population in electorates as constituted when the Census of 1886 was taken with those in existence in 1891. It has been thought advisable, therefore, in the first place, to give the results obtained in each electorate as constituted in 1891, so far as the gross population and the adult male population is concerned, exclusive of Chinese, Polynesians, and persons of other alien races, prisoners, lunatics, and inmates of charitable institutions, and to show the proportion of representative power possessed by each representative to each 100 of the adult male population in each electorate, exclusive of Chinese, &c. The result will be found in the following statement :—

I may say that in my remarks relating to electorates, where in future I make use of the term adult males, it is to be understood, unless the contrary is stated, that I mean adult malesexclusive of Chinese, Polynesians, persons of other alien races, prisoners, lunatics, and inmates of charitable institutions.

Reverting to the above statement, it will be perceived that at the time of the Census there were 107,675 adult males resident in the several electorates in the Colony who could claim the political franchise, subject to the possession of the necessary qualifications, compared with 92,075 adult males in the same position at the time of the Census in 1886, being an increase of 15,660 adult males since the electorates were constituted in 1887.

Further information under this head will be found in Table XVI., page 15 in the Appendix, which sets forth a different view of the subject, as that Table gives the total population in each electorate at the time of the Census in 1891, both males and females. It further shows the number of minor and adult males which composed such male population, and the number of males, minor and adult, who were Chinese, Polynesians, persons of other alien races, and those who were prisoners, lunatics, and inmates of charitable institutions included in such total male population, and, lastly, it shows the total adult males entitled to the franchise. If the Table referred to be analysed it will be found that in the male population who were resident in the electorates that, exclusive of the 107,675 adult males entitled to vote, if possessed of necessary qualifications, there were 8,423 adult male Chinese, 6,461 adult male Polynesians, 1,481 adult male persons of other alien races, 2,244 adult males who were prisoners, lunatics, and inmates of charitable institutions, making the total adult males disqualified as above 18,609. There were also in the male population 96,969 males who were minors, and therefore not entitled to the franchise, of whom 104 were Chinese minors, 2,126 Polynesian minors, 267 minors of other alien races, and 650 minors amongst the prisoners, lunatics, and inmates of charitable institutions. In addition to the above, the Table referred to further shows that on the night the Census was taken there were 526 males, of whom 71 were minors and 455 were adults, employed on board the shipping who were not included in any electorate. The above abstract would not be complete without stating that there were 25 officers and 804 men of all ranks and positions in the Police Force returned as such who, less 19, that were minors, would be included in the 107,675 adult males, although from their occupation they would be excluded from the franchise.

The number of members of the present Legislative Assembly of this Colony being seventy-two, it will be seen from Statement C that, supposing each electorate to have an equal number of persons entitled to the franchise, each member would represent 1,495 of adult males who could qualify themselves to vote, or they would each represent 1.39 per cent. of the total adult males, as above described. Referring again to the same statement, it will be observed that in the electorates of Brisbane Charters Towers, Fortitude Valley, and Brisbane South, in the order named, there was proportionately the greatest number of adult males resident who could qualify themselves to vote, and that as the members who represented them represented considerably above 3 per cent. of the total adult males, instead of 1.39 per cent., the equalised proportion above stated, the electorates above named were consequently those in which, on the basis mentioned, the least amount of representative power existed. The electorates of Barcoo, Gympie, Rockhampton, Townsville, Bulimba, Toowong, Maryborough, Drayton and Toowoomba, and Woolloongabba, show the next greatest number of adult males, and a proportionate representative power of above 2 per cent., consequently they have in a smaller degree a less amount of representative power than they were entitled to on the basis above referred to. The electorates who have the smallest number of adult males who could qualify themselves to vote, but whose number represents less than 1 per cent. of the total adult males, and are consequently represented in the highest proportion, are Murilla, Dalby, Normanby, Carnarvon, and Leichhardt.

Having thus dealt with the representation of electorates on the basis of adult males as specified in Statement C, it has been thought desirable to add a return showing the proportion of representative power possessed by each member

to every 10,000 of the adult male population. This further exemplifies the inequalities in the proportion by which the several electorates are represented :—

From the above it will be seen that on the basis above described Wide Bay is the best represented electoral district, and that Dalby, Murilla, and Leichhardt are the next best, in the order named, while Brisbane South, Charters Towers, Brisbane North, and Fortitude Valley, in the order named, are proportionately the least represented. Having possessed the smallest proportion of the representation, and the comparison thus instituted is contained in a statement to which reference will be made in a subsequent part of this Report.

As the above statement describes the proportion of representative power possessed by each member according to the Census returns of 1891, first, calculated at per cent. of the adult male population, exclusive of Chinese, &c., and secondly, the proportion of representative power to every 10,000 of the adult population, it may be useful to see how the representative power under these heads has increased or decreased in each electorate since 1887. It has been previously stated that it is impossible, and would lead to no beneficial results, to compare the electorates as constituted in 1886 with those as constituted in 1891, but a statement has been prepared, and is appended, which shows the population under two heads—adult males, exclusive of Chinese, &c., and the gross population—as assigned by the Legislative Assembly in committee to each new electorate in 1887, on the basis of the returns ascertained by the Census of the previous year, and comparing the population thus arranged with the population ascertained to be in each electorate by the Census of 1891.

This statement shows that at the period mentioned in 1887, and also at the date of the Census in 1891, first, the number of adult males in each electorate, exclusive of persons as described, and, secondly, the proportion of representative power possessed by the members of each electorate on that basis at each of the periods referred to. It also shows the gross population of each electorate, and the proportion of representative power possessed by the members of each electorate on the latter basis at the periods mentioned. In addition, it gives the increase or decrease in 1891 in the proportion of representation on the adult male basis, as fixed by the Legislative Assembly in 1887. If the first-mentioned basis—namely, adult males, be taken, the following electorates show the largest percentage increase in the proportion of representative power they should possess—namely, Bulimba, Port Curtis, Barcoo, Burke, Charters Towers, Fitzroy, Cairns, Burnett, Toombul, and Toowong, in the order named ; and the electorates which, according to the same basis, have lost to the greatest extent the percentage of representation to which they were entitled on the arrangement made in 1887 are Brisbane North, Mackay, Brisbane South, Townsville, and Fortitude Valley. The deductions thus drawn can be proved by examining the first and second columns of the statement and comparing the figures therein given with the result of the Census of 1891 shown in the fifth and sixth columns of that compilation ; and the last column therein shows increase or decrease in the proportion of representative power, as fixed in 1887.

Bearing on this subject a statement is appended, which shows the number of registered electors on the electoral roll of each electoral district on the 31st December, 1891, the number of adult males, exclusive of Chinese, &c., which were in each electorate at the time the Census of 1891 was taken, and also the percentage of registered voters to the adult males living in each district on the basis of the Census returns :—

An examination of this statement will exhibit some curious anomalies. It shows some electorates, to which reference will be made later on, which have far more names on the roll than there were adult males in the district, according to the Census returns of such district. The electorate of Burke shows the greatest discrepancy in this respect, as there were 814 more names on the roll on 31st December, 1891, than there were adult males in the district at the time the Census was taken in April of that year, consequently there were 38.18 per cent. more registered voters on the roll than there should have been had every adult male in the district placed his name on the roll. It appears extraordinary that, from a comparison of the kind above instituted, such a fact should be apparent. No doubt there has been considerably more interest taken lately by political parties of all kinds in the registration of voters' names, and that is proved by the fact that, comparing the number of names on the rolls of the Colony on 31st December, 1891, with the total of adult males at the time of the Census, as shown in Statement F, it will be found that 80.73 per cent. of the total adult males were registered as electors, compared with 54.48 per cent. when a similar comparison was made in 1886, after the Census of that year. When making this comparison it must be considered that

there is nine months' difference between the Census date and the date when the rolls were perfected ; but that nine months is considerably reduced if the time required to enable a person coming into a district to qualify for registration as an elector of that district is taken from it, no matter what kind of qualification the person may possess. The difference, therefore, between the Census date and that for which the rolls were in force is not so great, if allowance be made for the time required to enable the elector to qualify, so as to be entitled to get his name on the roll. If this be so, making all allowance for migration of adult males into the districts mentioned since the Census was taken, the dual names on the lists, the names of non-resident electors, roll-stuffing, &c., and, taking into further consideration that the average of names on the rolls of the great majority of electorates is less than 81 per cent. of the whole adult males in each district, I think the circumstances to which I have pointed attention is an additional proof that there must have been large percentage failure to ascertain the true Census of the population in 1891, at least in the districts so affected. I have instanced Burke as being the electorate in which the greatest discrepancy of this kind has occurred, but as there are other electorates in the same position, particulars relative to the whole of them are presented in a tabular form :—

As a converse of the circumstances contained in the above statement, in some electorates the percentage of registered voters to adult males in the district entitled to the political franchise is low. To illustrate this I here name certain electorates in which less than 50 per cent. of the adult males have registered their votes :—Balonne, 28.52 per cent. ; Warrego, 32.80 ; Gregory, 34.43 ; Bulloo, 36.29 ; Clermont, 40.74 ; Carpentaria, 44.58 ; Port Curtis, 47.94 ; Barcoo, 47.99 ; Flinders, 49.23.

To show the number of registered voters on the rolls compared with the adult males in each electorate, situated in the different divisions of the Colony, the following statement is given :—

From the above it will be seen that in the electorates in the Northern division there are 18,911 electors on the rolls, or 81.08 per cent. of the total number of adults males (exclusive of Chinese, &c.), living in the division at the time of the Census. In the Central division there are 10,197 electors on the rolls, being 61.98 per cent. of the total adult males living in the division, and in the Southern division there were 57,817 electors on the rolls, being 85.15 per cent. of the adult males living in that division.

From this it will be apparent that in the Northern and Southern divisions a much larger percentage of voters have placed their names on the roll than in the Central division—that is, compared with the number of adult males in the division who are entitled to claim the political franchise.

Having now considered this part of the subject at some length, it appears only necessary to call attention to the Tables in the Appendix which give further information relative to electorates. Table XVII. Shows the Census districts or parts of Census districts included in each electorate, and the population of each Census division or subdivision. Table XVIII. Shows the number of Chinese, &c., included in each Census district or part of a Census district embraced in each electorate ; and Table CXXXVII., page 400, in the Appendix, shows the ages of all adult males who resided in the several electorates in 1891, divided so as to exclude Chinese, Polynesians, and others from the rest of the adult males.

SYNOPSIS OF THE RESULTS OF THE CENSUS ENUMERATION.

Tables have been prepared showing a synopsis of the results ascertained in each Census district of the Colony in the same manner as at the Census of 1886, which will be found at pages 50 to 173 in the Appendix. A Table has also been framed for the first time which shows similar results for the whole Colony. This Table, which is numbered XXXVI., and will be found at page 50, it is thought will be very suitable for the purpose of reference when total figures under any particular head are alone required. The Tables referred to have all been compiled on the same basis, and contain the following items of information :—In the first place, the geographical situation of each Census district ; then the number of persons, males and females, at various ages who were living in each district at the time of the Census of 1891 ; the number of persons at various ages, males and females, who were married, unmarried, widowed, and whose social condition was unspecified ; the number of persons at various ages, males and females, who were able to read and write, who were able to read only, who could not read, and whose degree of education was unspecified. They further contain a return of the birthplaces of the people, grouped as males and females and persons, and also the religious profession of the inhabitants in each district, arranged in a similar manner, together with the kind of habitations they occupied and the amount of sickness reported amongst them. Then follows a return of the different occupations in which residents, both males and females, in such districts are engaged, classified according to the new system adopted by the Statistical Conference held at Hobart in 1890 ; and, lastly, each Table shows the population in the Census district to which it refers ; the number of Chinese, Polynesians, and persons of other alien races living therein ; the population, exclusive of the above ; the total adult male population, and the adult male population, exclusive of Chinese, Polynesians, and other aliens ; and, further, the centesimal proportion that females bear to males living in the district. In fact, each Table gives an epitomised view of the whole results of the Census in each particular Census district. This, it is hoped, will enable any person interested in any particular locality in the Colony (or in the whole Colony) to ascertain, in a compendious form, any of the particulars above specified without having occasion to search through the more elaborate Tables in the Appendix dealing with the results of the Census under different heads. As these Tables have been prepared in exactly the same form as at the Census of 1886, and as the boundaries of the Census districts have been very little altered, a fair comparison can be made of the results in each Census district between the Census enumerations of 1886 and 1891 under any of the heads of information above mentioned.

As the Table XXXVI., to which I have previously referred, was designed to show the whole of the results of the Census of this Colony in 1891 in a synoptical form, and as it was therefore likely to be of some use to statisticians in other places in making comparisons of Census results in the Colony in 1891 with that of the Census taken in their own country, I obtained the permission of the Government to have a number of extra copies printed, and they were sent to all the principal Government Statisticians in the British Empire and other places in advance of the publication of this Report and its Appendices.

OCCUPATIONS.

When writing my Report on the Census of 1886, I made the following remarks :—" When classifying the returns under the heading of ' Occupation,' the primary object sought to be secured is to give a faithful record of the particular means of existence adopted by every member of the community. It must be obvious that this is a work requiring considerable thought and skill, so as to present in a classified form, and in an intelligible shape, the profession, business, trade, &c., relative to every resident in Queensland, as given in the Census Schedules. Again, to render returns of this kind valuable, they should be prepared on some systematic plan, which would enable results to be compared from time to time of the progress and development of industries in this community, as well as with those of other countries. Unfortunately, even in the British Dominions—i.e., at least, in England, Scotland, and Ireland—the system of classification, although apparently the same, has not attained, even provisionally, that uniformity or oneness of plan so much to be desired on the part of statisticians." Since the above was written, results have shown that I was not alone in the opinions I then expressed ; as, no doubt, this subject was not the least important of those connected with the arrangements for the Census of 1891, which led to the conference of statisticians in Hobart in 1890. Looking at the results of that conference, and at the minutes of their proceedings, it is evident that the proper classification of the employments of the people occupied the most serious attention of the members thereof, and I congratulate the conference on the result of their painstaking efforts, as the new classification is a great step in advance of any hitherto in use. The effect of the change made on that occasion will be to secure the adoption of that classification of occupations by all statisticians in Australasia in compiling the Census returns of 1891 ; and thus a comprehensive and systematic return of the avocations of the people of Australasia on a very much enlarged basis will have been prepared, exactly in the same manner, so that suitable and reliable comparisons can be made respecting the prevailing industries in which the people of the several Colonies find employment. It is to be hoped that the same classification will be ultimately adopted in other portions of the British Empire, so that a systematic return of the occupations followed by all people living under the rule of Great Britain may be ultimately obtained.

The adoption of the new system of classification has only one disadvantage—namely, that it renders it almost impossible to compare the occupations of the people of this Colony at the Census of 1891 with the returns on this subject compiled at previous enumerations in Queensland. Efforts have been made in this direction, and considerable time was spent over the operation, but the result has not been as successful as could be wished. The information so compiled, such as it is, will be found at Table No. CI., pages 178 to 197 in the Appendix, to which I will further allude in a subsequent part of my Report. Although the new classification, framed by the conference, saved me much labour in attempting a revision of the old classification adopted in this Colony in 1886, which I had determined to undertake from notes made during the compilation at that Census, yet, amongst other preliminary arrangements for the Census of 1891, it rendered it necessary that I should prepare a totally new index of occupations for the use of the compilers to show the class, order, sub-order, and number in sub-order under which each trade, profession, business, &c., should be classified. This was a very arduous undertaking, and occupied much time ; it also necessitated a considerable amount of trouble and labour ; but the result was of the greatest service to the compilers, as it enabled

them to arrange the Occupation Tables in a systematic way, which it would have been impossible to do without such assistance. The index so compiled occupies 27 pages of closely printed double-column post paper.

The new scheme for classifying occupation divides all means of livelihood adopted by the population, as well as that portion who were dependent on relatives, or who had no specified employment, into seven great classes, as under :—

Class I. Professional.

Class II. Domestic.

Class III. Commercial.

Class IV. Industrial.

Class V. Agricultural, Pastoral, Mineral, and other primary producers.

Class VI. Indefinite.

Class VII. Dependents.

The classes, as above, are subdivided into orders, and the orders re-subdivided into sub-orders. There are figures in the sub-orders, against which are set out specifically the name or description of the exact occupation or other means of support which are known as likely to be adopted by each member of the community. Notwithstanding the care with which the classification was prepared, and the way in which it was extended, many instances occurred of occupations being named in the Householder's Schedules which were new or unusual, and, consequently, did not appear in the sub-orders ; but this is always likely to occur in new communities such as settle here and elsewhere in Australia. The difficulty in each case was, however, easily overcome, and when the occupation was properly classified, additions were made to the index to which I have previously referred, so that that record will be increased in scope, and rendered more valuable as a guide at future Census compilations.

In giving the results of the classification of occupation in the Synoptical Tables relating to the Census districts, from want of space it was only possible to give the number of individuals, males and females, returned in such class and order ; but it is hoped that even then the information afforded by these Tables will be found useful. For the benefit of those who require more specific information, exact and extended particulars relative to the occupations followed by the people in each Census district will be found at Table CII., page 198 in the Appendix.

Reverting again to Table CI., page 178 in the Appendix, it is sought to show therein a comparison of the occupations followed by the people at the Census enumerations of 1886 and 1891, together with the numerical and centesimal increase in each, and the proportion per cent. of the population, males and females, who followed each kind of occupation. But owing (as I have previously stated) to the complete change made in the system of classification, the arrangement of this Table was a matter of considerable difficulty, and the result sometimes disappointing ; on the whole, however, I think it gives an approximate comparison of the chief employments followed by the people at the enumerations referred to. The following statement has been prepared to show the result of such a comparison so far as it affects the great "industrial" class comprehended under the different classifications at the periods referred to :—