1883 VICTORIA. CENSUS OF VICTORIA, 1881.

PARTS I. TO VIII.

WITH A GENERAL REPORT BY THE GOVERNMENT STATIST.

POPULATION ENUMERATED ON THE 3RD APRIL, 1881.

BY AUTHORITY.

JOHN FERRIES, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, MELBOURNE.

CONTENTS.

ERRATA.

GENERAL REPORT.

PART I.—INHABITANTS AND HOUSES.

PART II.—BIRTHPLACES OF THE PEOPLE.

PART III.—RELIGIONS OF THE PEOPLE.

PART IV.—AGES OF THE PEOPLE.

PART V.—EDUCATION OF THE PEOPLE.

PART VI.—CONJUGAL CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE.

PART VIII.—OCCUPATIONS OF THE PEOPLE.

PART VIII.—SICKNESS AND INFIRMITY.

ERRATA

GENERAL REPORT.

Page 40, Table following 213, heading to figure-columns,fornumbers in every 1,000readnumbers in every 10,000 males living. Page 58, Table following paragraph, 323, first line, third column,for27,757read27,730 ; fourth column,for34.49read34.46. Same table, fourth line, third column,for25,673read25,763 ; fourth column ;for30.26read30.37. Table following 324, second line, third column,for1,236read1,263 ; fourth column,for3,583read3,665 ; fifth column,for5.04read5.16. Same Table, third line, fourth column,for4,567read4,551 ; fifth column,for4.50read4.49.

PART II.—BIRTHPLACES.

Page 50, Table VII.—The population of the Borough of Walhalla having been inadvertently omitted,addthat population from page 32 to columns headed "Total of Mining Districts" and "Gippsland."

PART III.—RELIGIONS.

Table I.—Page 5, first line, from fourth figure-column onwards,for434,467read435,443 ;for213,624read214,185 ;for220,843read221,258 ;for420,061read421,025 ;for233,047read233,659 ;for187,014read187,366 ;for7,818read5,878 ;for5,412read4,239 ; andfor2,406read1,639. Page 7, last line but one, from fourth figure-column onwards,for2,112read3,088 ;for1,077read1,638 ;for1,035read1,450 ;for2,327read3,291 ;for1,543read2,155 ;for784read1,136 ;for2,018read78 ;for1,228read55 ; andfor790read23.

PART V.—EDUCATION.

Table II.—Pages 6 and 7, Education in Counties, General Summary : Column " All ages," first line,for336,476read336,479 ; third line,for21,357read21,356 ; fifth line,for86,131read86,129. Column " 15 to 20," first line,for47,906read47,910 ; ninth line,for49,192read49,196. Column " 65 to 70," first line,for4,952read4,951 ; ninth line,for6,123read6,122. Column " 75 to 80," third line,for132read131 ; ninth line,for1,773read1,772 ; Column " Unspecified adults, &c.," fifth line,for124read122 ; ninth line,for1870read1868.

PART VI.—CONJUGAL CONDITION.

Table II.—Page 10, Evelyn, column " All ages," line married males,for1,105read1,104 ; line unspecified males,for25read26 ; column " 75 to 80," line married males,for9read10 ; line unspecified males,for1read... ; column " Unspecified," line unmarried males,for3read1 ; line unspecified males,for3read5. Page 15, Normanby, column, " All ages," line unmarried males,for4,104read4,105 ; line unspecified males,for24read23. Page 18, Wonnangatta, column " Unspecified," line unmarried males,for2read4 ; line unspecified males,for4read2. Same page, Migratory, column " All ages, " line unspecified males,for1,180read772 ; line unspecified females,for771read481.

CENSUS OF VICTORIA, 1881.

GENERAL REPORT,

WITH

SUMMARY TABLES, DIAGRAMS, AND MAP.

By the Government Statist.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT PURSUANT TO ACT 44 VICT. NO. 667, SEC. 12.

By Authority:

JOHN FERRES, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, MELBOURNE.

CONTENTS.

GENERAL REPORT—

Index to the Report

Preliminary Remarks

Taking of the Census

Office Staff

Compilation of the Census

Numbers and Distribution of the People

Electoral Representation of the People

Proportions of the Sexes

Density, Areality, and Proximity of the People

Domiciliation of the People

Birthplaces of the People

Religions of the People

Ages of the People

Education of the People

School Attendance

Conjugal Condition of the People

Occupations of the People

Sickness and Infirmity

Remarks and Suggestions

Statistics of Victoria, 1871 and 1881

Conclusion

Letter from C. P. Hodges, respecting Belief of the Chinese in God

SUMMARY TABLES—

I.—Population, 1836-1881

II.—Dwellings, 1841-1881

III.—Proportions of the Sexes, Density of Population, Dwellings and Rooms

IV.—Inhabitants and Dwellings—Numbers

V.—Inhabitants and Dwellings—Proportions

VI.—Increase of Population, 1838-1881

VII.—Population, Summary, 1851-1881

VIII.—Numerical Increase of Population in each County, 1851-1881

IX.—Centesimal Increase of Population in each County, 1851-1881

X.—Dwellings, Summary, 1857-1881

XI.—Proportions of the Sexes, 1854-1881

XII.—Density of Population, 1854-1881

XIII.—Density of Dwellings, 1857-1881

XIV.—Persons to a Dwelling, 1857-1881

XV.—Population and Dwellings—Numbers, 1857-1881

XVI.—Population and Dwellings—Proportions per Cent., 1857-1881

XVII.—Population and Dwellings—Numbers, 1861-1881

XVIII.—Population and Dwellings—Proportions per Cent., 1861-1881

XIX.—Population and Dwellings—Summary by Counties

XX.—Population and Dwellings—in Cities, Towns, and Boroughs

XXI.—Population and Dwellings—in Cities, Towns, and Boroughs

XXII.—Population and Dwellings—in Shires

XXIII.—Population and Dwellings—on the Goldfields

XXIV.—Population and Dwellings—in Melbourne and Suburbs (Greater Melbourne)

XXV.—Population and Dwellings—in Cities, Towns, Boroughs, Townships, &c.

XXVI.—Population, Representatives, and Electors in Electoral Provinces

XXVII.—Population, Representatives, and Electors in Electoral Districts

XXVIII.—Birthplaces—Numbers and Proportions, 1846-1881

XXIX.—Birthplaces—Numbers and Proportions, 1854-1881

XXX.—Birthplaces—Proportions of the Sexes

XXXI.—Birthplaces—Numbers and Proportions, with Details

XXXII.—Birthplaces—of the Urban, Rural, and Goldfields Population

XXXIII.—Birthplaces—of the Population of Melbourne and Suburbs (Greater Melbourne)

XXXIV.—Religions—Numbers and Proportions, 1841-1881

XXXV.—Religions—Numbers and Proportions, 1854-1881

XXXVI.—Religions—Proportions of the Sexes

XXXVII.—Religions—of the Population, Chinese and Aborigines

XXXVIII.—Religions—Numbers and Proportions, with Details

XXXIX.—Religions—of the Urban, Rural, and Goldfields Population

XL.—Religions—in Melbourne and Suburbs (Greater Melbourne)

XLI.—Ages, 1841-1881—Numbers, with Increase or Decrease

XLII.—Ages, 1841-1881—Proportions per Cent.

XLIII.—Ages, 1841-1881—Proportions of the Sexes

XLIV.—Ages, 1854-1881—Proportions per Cent.

XLV.—Ages, 1854-1881—Proportions of the Sexes

SUMMARY TABLES—continued.

XLVI.—Ages, 1861-1881, Inclusive and Exclusive of Chinese and Aborigines

XLVII.—Ages, 1861-1881, Numbers, with Increase and Decrease

XLVIII.—Ages, 1881, Inclusive and Exclusive of Chinese and Aborigines

XLIX.—Ages, in Melbourne and Suburbs (Greater Melbourne)

L.—Education, 1846-1881

LI.—Education, 1854-1881

LII.—Education, 1871-1881

LIII.—Education, Inclusive and Exclusive of Chinese and Aborigines

LIV.—Education, of Children by Religious Denominations, 1861-1881

LV.—Education, of Children by Religious Denominations, 1881

LVI.—Education, of the Urban, Rural, and Goldfields Population

LVII.—Education, University Graduates

LVIII.—Conjugal Condition—Married and Single

LIX.—Conjugal Condition—Unmarried, Married, and Widowed

LX.—Conjugal Condition—Unmarried, Married, and Widowed at each Age—Numbers

LXI.—Conjugal Condition—Unmarried, Married, and Widowed at each Age—Proportions

LXII.—Conjugal Condition—Husbands and Wives at each Age

LXIII.—Conjugal Condition—Marriageable Men and Women at each Age

LXIV.—Conjugal Condition—Inclusive and Exclusive of Chinese and Aborigines

LXV.—Conjugal Condition—Marriageable Men and Women, 1881

LXVI.—Conjugal Condition—Husbands and Wives, together and apart

LXVII.—Occupations, 1846-1881

LXVIII.—Occupations, 1854-1881—Numbers

LXIX.—Occupations, 1854-1881—Proportions per Cent.

LXX.—Occupations, Classes

LXXI.—Occupations, Orders

LXXII.—Occupations, Sub-orders

LXXIII.—Occupations, Distinct Callings

LXXIV.—Occupations, of Chinese—Males

LXXV.—Occupations, of Chinese—Females

LXXVI.—Occupations, of Aborigines

LXXVII.—Occupations, (past) of Gold-miners

LXXVIII.—Occupations, (ordinary) of Inmates of Charitable and Penal Institutions

LXXIX.—Occupations, (ordinary) of the Unemployed—Males

LXXX.—Occupations, (ordinary) of the Unemployed—Females

LXXXI.—Employers and Hands Employed

LXXXII.—Employers of Labour

LXXXIII.—Hands Employed

LXXXIV.—Sickness and Infirmity—1861-1881

LXXXV.—Sickness and Infirmity—Numbers

LXXXVI.—Sickness and Infirmity—Proportions to Population

LXXXVII.—Sickness and Infirmity—Amongst Urban, Rural, and Goldfields Population

DIAGGRAMS—

Number 1.—Population of Victoria at the end of each Year

Number 2.—Birthplaces of the People

Number 3.—Ages of the People

Number 4.—Education of the People

Number 5.—Religions of the People

Number 6.—Conjugal Condition of the People

Number 7.—Occupations Condition of the People

Map of Victoria.

Errata

GENERAL REPORT.

INDEX TO THE REPORT.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

CENSUS OF VICTORIA, 1881. GENERAL REPORT.

To the Honorable the Chief Secretary.

Office of the Government Statist,

Melbourne, 19th February, 1883.

SIR,

The Census returns having now been compiled, and the greater portion of them published, I do myself the honor to submit the following Report thereon :—

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

2.

In consequence of the pressure of more urgent business, some delay has taken place in the issue of this Report ; but this has not been without its advantages. Thereby time has been given to the other colonies of the group to complete the compilation of their returns, and thus I am enabled to make comparisons between the results disclosed by the Victorian Census and those brought to light by the Census returns of each of the other Australasian colonies. [Preliminary remarks.]

3.

Meanwhile the public has been kept fully informed respecting the results of the Census of this colony. Not only were summaries of each of the Parts published in theGovernment Gazetteas soon as they could be got ready, and afterwards largely distributed, but several of the completed Parts have been laid before Parliament, and a short digest of the returns under each of the principal heads of inquiry, except the "Occupations" (the compilation of which had not then been finished), was embodied in the last issue of theVictorian Year-Book.

4.

Unusual interest is attached to the Census of 1881, as it was an undertaking in which almost every portion of Her Majesty's dominions took part. As soon as the day for taking the Census of the United Kingdom was fixed, a circular was sent from the Colonial Office to each of the colonies of the Empire, recommending that its Census should also be taken on the same day. This course was agreed to by every one of the Australasian colonies, and it thus happens that for the first time

TAKING OF THE CENSUS.

5.

The Census of Victoria was taken under a Statute (44 Vict. No. 667) specially passed for the purpose of giving legality to the undertaking. This Statute fixed the day on which the enumeration was to be made, gave the Governor in Council power to appoint the requisite officers, roughly defined the process to be pursued, and made the Government Statist the officer responsible for carrying out the work. [Census Act.]

6.

The householder's schedule attached to the Census Act contained the usual inquiries respecting the name, sex, relation to the head of the family, conjugal condition, age, occupation, birthplace, religion, and education of each member of every household ; also whether any of such members were unable to follow their usual occupations in consequence of illness or accident, or were deaf and dumb, blind, lunatic, imbecile, epileptic, or leprous ; what were the materials of the house and what number of rooms it contained, and what number of each description of live stock was kept.

Any person refusing to fill up the householder's schedule, or to supply particulars for entry therein, rendered himself liable to a penalty not exceeding Twenty pounds, except in the case of the inquiry as to religion, which persons might, if they pleased, decline to answer, the word "object" being in such cases entered in the "religion" column. Any officer, enumerator, sub-enumerator, or clerk divulging any of the contents of a householder's schedule rendered himself liable to a penalty of Twenty pounds.

7.

Appended to the Census Act there was a second schedule, called the Educational Schedule. This was specially devised for the purpose of ascertaining what number of children in the colony were receiving education and in what instances this was being imparted at a State or at a private school (the name and address or number of the school being in each case given), or by a tutor, governess, relative, or other person. The information in this schedule was obtained for the purpose of assisting the Education Department in its endeavors to compel every child in the community to comply with the provisions of the law, which requires it to be instructed up to a certain standard. It was therefore, for obvious reasons, not considered confidential, as was the case in respect to all the other information obtained at the Census. Persons refusing the information for this schedule were liable to a penalty not exceeding Ten pounds. [Educational census.]

8.

The Census Act also gave the Governor in Council power to make regulations for the collection of agricultural, educational, and industrial statistics, and accordingly regulations were framed by the Government Statist, and duly submitted and gazetted, to which the following schedules were appended :—(1.) The agricultural schedule, containing provision for obtaining returns of the extent and tenure of land in occupation, the area under and produce of each description of crop, the number and value of the agricultural implements used and the value of improvements made. (2.) The school schedule, containing provision for returning the name and address of every school, the religious denomination, if any, with which it was connected, the number of teachers attached to it, the number, ages, and sexes of the scholars who attended on the day following the Census day, and the average number of those who attended during the previous week. (3.) The manufactory and quarry schedule, containing provision for ascertaining particulars respecting the number of persons and nature and amount of power employed in every establishment in which goods of the total value of £100 or upwards were manufactured annually, all works at which steam, gas, or water power were employed, and all stone quarries ; also the approximate value in all such establishments of the materials used, of the articles produced, and of the machinery and plant, lands, and buildings ; together with some other particulars respecting the goods produced in several descriptions of establishments specially named. (4.) The mining machinery schedule, containing provisions for obtaining particulars, including the value, respecting the steam engines employed in mining, the stamp-heads used, and the puddling machines in operation. Any one refusing to supply the information for these returns rendered himself liable to a penalty not exceeding Five pounds, and any one revealing their contents to a penalty not exceeding Twenty pounds. [Agricultural, school, industrial, and mining census.]

9.

The method of taking the Census was similar to that adopted on previous occasions. In the first place the colony was mapped out by the Government Statist into districts, each of which was placed under the charge of an officer called an enumerator, who in turn divided his district into sub-districts, each to be assigned to an officer called a sub-enumerator, charged with the duty of distributing and collecting the Census papers, but acting in this respect, as in all others, under the direction of the enumerator. [Formation of Census districts.]

10.

On former occasions the enumerators' districts were based upon the electoral districts, but the boundaries of these having been changed since the Census of 1871, underThe Electoral Act Amendment Act1876 (40 Vict. No. 548), it became necessary to entirely redivide the colony for Census purposes. In doing this I determined to make the Census districts fit in as far as possible with the counties, which, being permanent divisions, appeared to be better suited to form the basis of such districts than the electoral districts, the boundaries of which are liable to be changed from time to time.

11.

In forming the enumerators' districts, the chief objects kept in view were—first, that each district should be of such an extent, having regard to its area and the amount of work to be done, as to be readily under the control of the enumerator ;

and secondly, that the boundaries should be well defined and easily discoverable upon the ground. In thickly peopled parts of the colony, a county was necessarily divided : thus, Bourke was partitioned into 23 districts, and Grant and Talbot each into 6 districts. In more scattered parts, as in the case of the counties of Evelyn and Anglesey, one county was taken as a district ; and in very thinly peopled localities, such as Gippsland and the Wimmera, a district was made to consist of several entire counties. The boundaries of counties were followed wherever possible, and when it became necessary to subdivide a county this was done in almost every instance at the boundary of a shire or riding.

12.

The districts into which the colony was divided for Census purposes numbered 76 ; the shipping in places under the jurisdiction of the Melbourne Harbor Trust and that in other ports and places, together with some of the lighthouses, formed two others, so that the total number of Census districts was 78.

13.

For some districts the applications for the office of enumerator were very numerous ; for others there were not many applications ; and for a few none whatever were received. In the last-named cases the municipal authorities were requested to name a competent person to fill the office. The merits of the various applicants were very carefully considered by the Government, and the appointments given to those who appeared most suitable. As a rule the selection turned out to be a judicious one, most of the enumerators having proved themselves eminently fitted for the service. There were a few exceptions, which there probably would have been under whatever system the enumerators might have been chosen. [Appointment enumerators]

14.

The Harbor Master of the port of Melbourne was made enumerator for the shipping in all places under the jurisdiction of the Melbourne Harbor Trust, and the Secretary for Harbors and Navigation for the shipping outside that jurisdiction, as well as for such lighthouses as could not readily be approached by land. [Formation of Census sub-districts.]

15.

Each enumerator, on being appointed, was supplied with specific instructions as to the nature of his duties, also with two maps of his district, on which were delineated not only its boundaries, but any county, electoral, or municipal boundaries which in any direction crossed it. He was told to divide his district into sub-districts, each of a suitable size to be assigned to a sub-enumerator, to mark such subdivisions clearly upon those maps, to make an estimate of the number of houses in each sub-district, and state the number of days he proposed to allow the sub-enumerator for completing it, which particulars he was to enter upon a form supplied him for the purpose, entitled "Enumerator's Schedule A." He was further instructed that, when this was done, one map and one copy of Schedule A were to be returned to this office, so that a judgment might be formed of the propriety of his arrangements, the other map and a second copy of Schedule A being retained for his own guidance.

16.

In dividing his district the enumerator was instructed that he should, if possible, make his sub-districts of such a size as to admit of their being enumerated in three days—viz, one day for depositing and two days for collecting the schedules—to effect which he should, in towns, where the houses lie close together, allow a sub-district to contain from 150 to 200 inhabited houses ; in suburban districts, villages, and goldfields, where the dwellings are not so near to one another as in a closely built town, he should allow from 100 to 150 such houses ; in the more settled agricultural districts, where not more than half-a-mile intervenes between a dwelling and the next nearest, he should allow from 50 to 100, and in more scattered agricultural districts, where intervals of two miles or upwards sometimes occur between two dwellings, he should allow less than 50. In laying out pastoral and other widely scattered districts, he was enjoined to use his own judgment, both as regards the number of habitations in a sub-district and the time to be allowed for their enumeration.

17.

As the maps and schedules showing the plan of subdivision were received from the enumerators, they were carefully examined by the Government Statist and his subordinates. Only a few of the schemes could be approved of in the first instance, and the majority had to be returned for amendment. The tendency in most cases was to make the sub-districts too large, which would have caused the collection to extend over a longer period than was desirable. On this subject a large amount of correspondence took place between the department and the enumerators, and to some of the latter it was found necessary to return their map and schedule of subdivision two and even three times. As a matter of fact only a small proportion even of the town districts were eventually enumerated in three days, and in country districts the

time occupied was generally much longer. Indeed, where so much information, embodied in so many schedules as were used on this occasion, is sought to be obtained, it is questionable whether it is practicable to adhere rigidly to the three days' rule in a country like Victoria.

18.

As soon as any enumerator's plan of subdivision was approved, he was told to appoint his sub-enumerators, and to submit a list of them on "Enumerator's Schedule B" for the approval of the Governor in Council. In making the appointments he was instructed to inform each sub-enumerator of the number of days it was proposed to allow him for the enumeration of his sub-district, and at the same time to tell him he could only obtain payment for that number unless some unforeseen circumstance should occur which might justify an additional allowance. [Appointment of sub-enumerators.]

19.

The sub-enumerators, on their appointment, were supplied with all the requisite forms, and with printed instructions, in which their course of procedure was clearly laid down. In these instructions it was pointed out that the present Census embraced inquiries not only respecting the population and live stock to be embodied in the householder's schedule, but respecting educational, agricultural, and industrial matters to be embodied in schedules specially devoted to those subjects, and that, whilst giving due attention to all the heads of inquiry, they were to bear in mind that the most important were those to be recorded in the householder's schedule, and to secure these correctly should be their first consideration.

20.

Wherever any number of Chinese were congregated, persons versed in the Chinese language were engaged as sub-enumerators, for the purpose of securing correct particulars respecting the members of this race. In a few of the town districts the services of European interpreters were obtained, but in most instances the work was performed by English-speaking Chinamen. When these were not able to write English, which was generally the case, they merely accompanied the European sub-enumerator and interpreted to him. They were, however, paid and treated in all other respects as sub-enumerators. [Enumeration of Chinese.]

21.

To secure an accurate enumeration of the Aboriginal population, the co-operation of the Central Board for the Protection of the Aborigines was invited. This was readily granted, and circulars were sent accordingly by the Board to the persons in charge of Aboriginal stations and their other correspondents throughout the colony, requesting that every assistance might be afforded in filling the schedules relating to the Aborigines in their respective districts. [Enumeration of Aborigines.]

22.

Besides causing the sub-enumerators to visit every house, the enumerators were instructed to make provision for taking account of persons who, on the night of the Census, might be camping out, fishing, or taking night duty at mines or elsewhere, and who consequently would not be enumerated in dwellings ; and persons were specially appointed in Melbourne and other principal towns to visit the reserves, river banks, wharves, &c., with the view of discovering any who might be passing the night in such places. As in certain localities supposed to be infested with thieves and vagrants, it was judged that this night service might not be unattended with danger, the co-operation of the Chief Commissioner of Police was requested, and by his direction the force under his control afforded efficient protection to the Census officers wherever this was deemed necessary. [Enumeration of out-door population.]

23.

In towns, rushes at the goldfields, and other densely peopled localities, the sub-enumerators acted on foot, and in more scattered districts on horseback. The total number of the former employed was 684, and of the latter 1,185. The shortest time for which any sub-enumerator received payment was 1 day, and the longest 28 days, and the average time to each sub-enumerator was 6.286 days. [Number of and time occupied by sub-enumerators.]

24.

The payments of the enumerators were fixed by the Government according to the size and presumed population of the different districts, the original amounts varying from £12 to £35. After the Census was over, however, many of the enumerators applied for an extra allowance in virtue of the amount of work, and especially of traveling, they had had to perform, and the difficulties they had had to encounter. This was generally conceded, the result being that the highest amount paid to any enumerator was £65, and the average to each one was about £28. The enumerators for the shipping performed their duties without remuneration. [Payments to enumerators and sub-enumerators.]

25.

The rate of payment sanctioned to sub-enumerators was Ten shillings per diem to those acting on foot and £1 per diem to those who were mounted. The average amount earned by each of the former was £2 6s. 9d., and by each of the latter £7 4s. 5d.

26.

The forms for taking the Census were distributed to the enumerators and sub-enumerators throughout the colony in accordance with estimates of the population, houses, &c., in each district, carefully made beforehand in the office of the Government Statist, but it will be readily understood that it was necessary to have many more forms printed than were actually filled. To avoid risk of falling short, in consequence of possible miscalculations, or of forms being lost or damaged, each of the sub-enumerators had to be furnished with a larger number than it was expected he would require for use ; then each enumerator was obliged to keep a stock in hand to enable him to meet the demands of any sub-enumerator who, notwithstanding the precautions taken, might actually, or might imagine himself likely to fall short, and it was also necessary to keep a large reserve at the central office to satisfy applications from any part of the colony. The following is a statement of the number of forms received by the Government Statist, and of those in which entries were actually made :— [Distribution of Census forms.]

27.

The fact that a very much larger number of forms were printed than were used might, at first sight, lead to the conclusion that a waste occurred which might have been avoided by more careful calculation on the part of the Government Statist ; but this is not the case. The forms originally sent to the enumerators, in the majority of instances, turned out to be about the number which would allow only a fair margin over and above what were actually wanted for use ; but constant requisitions were sent in by many of the enumerators for further supplies, and these, in view of the urgency of the occasion, and the supposed better information the enumerators living in the locality were in a position to obtain, the Government Statist felt himself powerless to refuse. It, however, generally turned out that the documents supplied upon these requisitions were not required, and when the unused forms were returned to the head office, after the Census had been taken, it was found that from most, but not all the districts, about the same number came back as had been specially asked for in the manner stated.

28.

To give a better idea than is conveyed by the figures in the table of the vast quantity of stationery used, it may be mentioned that the forms received by the Government Statist, almost all of which were sent out to the enumerators, amounted in weight to no less than six tons seven hundredweight ; this being entirely independent of the large number of additional forms employed for compiling the Census, which probably weighed fully another ton.

29.

In order to prepare the public mind for the event of the Census, printed notices, ten thousand in number, issued under the signature of the Chief Secretary, were posted by the police at all police stations, railway stations, post offices, and other prominent places throughout the colony, and were thrice inserted as an advertisement in theGovernment Gazetteand all the newspapers. The same notice was translated into the Chinese language by Mr. C. P. Hodges, the well-known Chinese interpreter, and by means of a transfer prepared by him twelve hundred copies were lithographed, a thousand of which were posted in the Chinese quarters of the towns and goldfields, and the remainder distributed by hand amongst the leading persons belonging to the Chinese race. [Notice given of Census.]

30.

Some displacement of population was apprehended in consequence of the Railway Department having, about the time the Census was taken, decided to dispatch several excursion trains at cheap fares to enable country residents to view the Melbourne International Exhibition. As soon as the intention to do this was known, the Government Statist suggested to the Government that the starting of these [Displacement of persons by excursion trains.]

trains should be postponed until a few days after the day of the Census. The Chief Secretary (Mr. Berry) approved of this recommendation, and so informed the Railway authorities, but it seems matters had gone so far that the latter found they could not put off the trains without committing such a breach of faith with the public as they were unwilling to accept the responsibility of, and consequently the trains were duly started. The effect of this was that two or three thousand residents, chiefly of the north-eastern portion of the colony, were away from their homes on the Census night, whereby the population of that portion was by so much diminished, and the population of the other parts, especially the metropolis, by so much increased. But this would not at all effect the accuracy of the enumeration of the population of the colony taken as a whole.

31.

Fears were entertained that the returns of the population would be to a certain extent in excess of what they would be under ordinary circumstances, in consequence of the presence of the strangers who had come to Victoria for the purpose of visiting the Melbourne International Exhibition. There is, however, reason to believe that the numbers were not much affected by these. When the Census was taken the Exhibition had been open for a period of six months, and many visitors had left, which is proved by the fact that, according to the returns of the Immigration Department, the departures by sea recorded in the first quarter of 1881, which was that immediately preceding the Census day, nearly equalled the arrivals recorded during the same period. There is also no doubt that a large number went to the adjacent colonies overland, as this is known to be always the case when the departures thither by sea are numerous. Amongst those who left the colony about this period, it is probable there were many Victorians who had to put off their engagements, whether connected with business or pleasure, until the time for closing the Exhibition was drawing nigh ; it may be expected that these almost, if not entirely, counterbalanced the strangers who still remained in Melbourne. [Disturbance by International Exhibition.]

32.

At the suggestion of the Government Statist the Government gave directions that on the Sunday of the Census all telegraph offices should be kept open until the hour of 11 a.m., to permit of messages on the subject of the Census being transmitted to or from the Government Statist, who with a portion of his staff attended at his office on that day, and dealt with numerous communications which came from various parts of the colony. [Telegrams delivered on Census Sunday.]

33.

On the day preceding that of the Census, and on alternate days in the week following it, advertisements were inserted in the journals throughout the colony requesting that any cases of neglect on the part of the Census collectors should be reported without delay to the Government Statist. This had the effect of eliciting a number of complaints of omission, which were immediately referred to the enumerators for investigation. Many of these complaints were found to be premature, and others groundless ; some, however, were really cases of neglect, and these were immediately rectified. Instead of reporting to the department, in compliance with the advertisement, some persons wrote to the newspapers stating that they or others they knew of had been missed, and imputing great negligence to the collectors. A large portion of the complaints made in this manner were so indefinite that no action could be taken in respect to them, even the editors of the newspapers in which they appeared being unable to give any clue to the writers or the localities they referred to. Whenever the information supplied was sufficiently explicit, the matter was inquired into, and in the majority of instances found to be without foundation. As, however, it was feared that the public might attach more importance to these complaints than they really merited, it was thought advisable to offer a small reward to any who could substantiate cases of omission. Ten shillings was the amount fixed upon, and accordingly an advertisement was inserted in all the newspapers offering that amount to any head of a household who would prove personally or otherwise that his household had been overlooked. This was perhaps as severe a mode as could be devised of testing the completeness of the returns, and the fact of only a few omissions being proved affords satisfactory evidence that the sub-enumerators had done their work efficiently. A number of applications were made in pursuance of this advertisement, but upon the cases being inquired into it was found that many of them were entirely groundless, and evidently had only been submitted for the purpose of obtaining the reward. In every case where it appeared a house had really been overlooked, the Ten shillings was at once paid, but the whole number of rewards amounted only to 81, so that at [Reward for reporting emissions.]

the expense of £40 10s. the Government and the country were placed in possession of the strongest presumptive evidence that the Census had been properly taken. It is doubtful whether in any country except Victoria the completeness of the Census-taking had ever been subjected to so conclusive a test. It had once previously been tried here—viz., in 1871—when, upon the same reward being offered, the substantiated claims for reporting omissions amounted to exactly 100, or 19 more than on this occasion. The persons who reported they had been overlooked were frequently isolated individuals, living alone in out-of-the-way places ; but, supposing each to represent a dwelling containing three persons, the total would amount to 300 individuals in 1871, and 243 in 1881, or 1 person in every 2,438 of the population at the former, and 1 person in every 3,549 at the latter period, both of which proportions must be considered extremely small.

34.

The omissions reported both before and after the reward was offered may be reduced to two classes, the first and most numerous being in town, where places appearing to be out-houses, situated in the back-yards of dwellings and in lanes and rights-of-way were not recognized by the sub-enumerators as independent habitations, and consequently were not visited ; and the second in the country, where dwellings situated about the line of division between two enumerators' districts—the line perhaps running on top of a dividing range, or being otherwise badly defined—were supposed by the sub-enumerator on each side to be in the other's district, and consequently were returned by neither. In very few cases indeed could the omissions be said to arise from neglect or carelessness on the part of the sub-enumerators. It is impossible, under any system of census-taking to guard against some omissions taking place ; it is believed, however, that, owing to the precautions described, the persons eventually overlooked have been so few as not to be worth mentioning.

35.

In the colony of Queensland it is customary to add 2½ per cent.

36.

By the Census Act, as I have already stated,

37.

The night fixed for the Census was that of Sunday the 3rd April 1881. By the Census Act the schedules were to be deposited within the ten days immediately preceding that date and to be recovered as soon as possible afterwards. [Date of Census.]

38.

To guard against the possibility of sub-enumerators depositing schedules at houses, and failing to recover them, each sub-enumerator was obliged to keep a strict account, in accordance with a form supplied to him, of the number of schedules he received, and the manner in which they were disposed of, and to return all unused schedules to the enumerator. [Account of schedules.]

39.

Before giving in their returns to the enumerator, each sub-enumerator was required to copy from the householders' schedules he collected the totals of the population, distinguishing the sexes and the Chinese and Aborigines, into the pages of a book supplied him for that purpose, and to make a summary of the results and of the number of houses in his sub-district, whether inhabited, uninhabited, or in course of erection. From these summaries the enumerator then made out a table on a form entitled "Enumerator's Schedule C," embodying a statement of the total number of persons and houses in his district, and this he forwarded at once to the Government Statist. Every exertion was used to get these statements from the enumerators as quickly as possible, and as soon as all were received a rough summary of the results was published in theGovernment Gazettefor general information. This summary appeared on the 4th May, or just one month after the Census day, and a second return, containing ten tables made up from the same summaries, giving copious details of the European, Chinese, and Aboriginal population in the counties, electoral provinces, electoral districts, shires, cities, towns and boroughs, as well as comparisons with former Censuses, was sent to the printer on the 23rd May, and was laid before Parliament a few days after. It may be stated that, in this respect, the arrangements were perfectly successful, and resulted in the approximate gross results of the Census being made public in a shorter time from the date of its collection than had ever previously been the case in Victoria, and fully a fortnight sooner than any, and many weeks sooner than some, of the other Australasian colonies (in all of which the Census was taken on the same day as in Victoria) were able to issue any of their results. [Arrangements for speedy publication of Census results.]

40.

As soon as the sub-enumerators of any district had completed their returns, all who were willing to accept payment for the time which the enumerator had set down beforehand as sufficient for their work were paid at once, but much delay occurred over the payment of the others, mainly in consequence of the exorbitant claims many of them sent in. As it is difficult to foresee exactly the time the collection within a certain area ought to take, and as, moreover, circumstances might arise to delay the completion of the work, a clause had been inserted in the sub-enumerators' instructions to the effect that, if the time allowed should prove insufficient, the enumerator's recommendation for additional payment would be duly considered. This clause was the occasion of much mischief, as, out of the sub-enumerators employed, numbering nearly 1,900, fully 1,500 professed themselves unable to complete their work in the time allotted them, and claimed extra payment. Some of these claims were perfectly justified by the circumstances, but others were as groundless. The merits of every claim were carefully examined into by the Government Statist personally, and a great deal of valuable time, which could ill be spared, was devoted to this service. Some of the demands made were quite unreasonable ; the enumerators, as a rule, supported the Government Statist in resisting these, but in a few instances they failed in their duty in this particular and sided with the men, which added greatly to the difficulty of dealing with the cases. Much correspondence ensued, and many months elapsed before all the claims were satisfactorily settled. In view of the difficulty of determining whether a sub-enumerator has worked for a certain number of days, and, if so, whether he has worked honestly, or may not have wasted his time for the purpose of obtaining increased payment by making the collection extend over a longer period, I would strongly recommend that on future occasions of the Census being taken each sub-enumerator should be required to sign an agreement to complete his district in a certain number of days, to be arranged beforehand between him and the enumerator, and approved by the Government Statist, the clear understanding being, that if he should complete his work in less time than the agreement specified he should still receive the stipulated amount, but if he should take longer no further payment should be made. Provision should at the same time be made for penalties in the case of any sub-enumerator leaving his work unfinished, whether he might be able to complete it in the stated time or not, and for withholding payment altogether until the work was done in a satisfactory manner. [Exorbitant claims of some sub-enumerators.]

41.

The cost of taking the Census on the last four occasions, so far as the payments to enumerators and sub-enumerators were concerned, was as follows. In addition to the amounts named, considerable sums were expended on each occasion on clerical labor, office buildings, fittings and furniture, stationery, printing, advertising, and other charges :— [Cost of taking Census.]

42.

The population enumerated in 1857 was 410,766 ; that in 1861 was 540,322 ; that in 1871 was 731,528 ; and that in 1881 was 862,346. The rate per head for the actual collection was thus at the first period nearly ninepence (8.91d.) ; at the second period less than sixpence three farthings (6.62d.) ; at the third period about threepence three farthings (3.76d.) ; and at the fourth period less than threepence halfpenny (3.42d).

OFFICE STAFF.

43.

Prior to the Census, a few extra clerks had been engaged to assist in the preparatory work, and these, being retained after the Census was taken, formed the nucleus of the staff employed to tabulate the results. Officers for the latter purpose were appointed by the Government as occasion arose for their services, the understanding being that their engagement was strictly temporary, and would last only so long as they could be kept fully employed. A considerable number of these officers were of fair ability and good conduct, but some were so defective in one or both of these respects as to be from first to last only a burden to the office. The whole were placed under the immediate superintendence of Mr. Joseph Hart, a permanent although unclassified officer of the department, who, by dint of exertion, industry, and patience, managed to make the most of the instruments placed at his disposal. An elaborate code of office regulations and instructions, designed to give full information as to the method of compiling the returns and to provide a solution for every point of difficulty likely to arise, had previously been drawn up by the Government Statist, and a copy was placed in the hands of each officer. [Census office staff.]

44.

That some members of a staff so hastily improvised as that engaged for the compilation of a Census should be found unfitted for the work is perhaps inevitable. No Minister has the leisure to scrutinize closely the capabilities of every candidate, and is sorely tempted to appoint persons urged to his notice by political supporters, who are perhaps eloquent as to the good qualities but silent as to the faults of those in whom they are interested. I submit, however, that it is only due to the officer charged with the conduct of the work, who is expected to produce the best results with as small an expenditure of funds as possible, that he should be empowered to dispense with the services of those who, from intemperate habits, mental incapacity, or defective education, prove themselves unfitted for their position ; or who by disobedience of orders or insubordinate conduct interfere with the discipline of the office. Were this latitude, for the fair and impartial exercise of which he might and ought to be held strictly responsible, allowed to the Government Statist, the results of the Census would be produced in a much shorter time and at a greatly reduced cost.

45.

During the progress of the work, the largest number of extra clerks attached to the Census office at any one time was 59, but the employment of so many only lasted for about five months.

COMPILATION OF THE CENSUS.

46.

An Intercolonial Statistical Conference, at which Victoria was represented by the present writer, was held in Tasmania in the early part of 1875, its object being to arrange that the official statistics of the different colonies should, as far as possible, be compiled upon a uniform system. The matter of Census compilation came under discussion at this conference, but the members felt that, in view of the length of time [Attempts to secure uniformity throughout Australasia.]

likely to elapse before a Census would be taken, they were unable to deal with the subject in a satisfactory manner, more especially as any changes which might be made in the columns of the householder's schedule might render their labors incomplete and perhaps useless. They, therefore, so far as this matter was concerned, confined themselves to a general resolution to the effect that it was desirable the compilation of the Census should accord in all essential particulars with the system in use in the United Kingdom, it being generally understood that an effort should be made prior to the taking of another Census to bring about a second conference for the purpose of settling the details of its compilation. Accordingly, towards the close of 1879, unofficial communications were opened up between the heads of the Statistical Departments in the different colonies, it being their unanimous wish that such a conference should take place in New South Wales, in the early part of the following year, the time being a particularly favorable one, as the Sydney International Exhibition would be open, and several of them contemplated visiting Sydney upon that occasion at any rate. Of course the invitation to the conference must come from the colony in which it was to be held, and accordingly Mr. E. G. Ward, the Registrar-General of New South Wales, was requested to urge the matter upon his Government, which he promised to do, and as much as possible to further the object sought to be attained. No result, however, came from Mr. Ward's efforts ; he stated he brought the subject repeatedly before the Government of New South Wales, but they were opposed to such a conference being held, and so the matter was necessarily abandoned. Subsequently, about the close of 1880, an attempt was made to bring about a conference in Melbourne, but too late, as the forms for the Census compilation had already been printed in most of the colonies ; and besides, the Census being so near at hand, the principal officers of the Statistical Departments were unable to be absent from their posts, and thus it resulted that no conference was held. This is doubtless to be regretted, although in the case of most of the colonies it has been found possible to secure an approach to uniformity by other means. An officer from Queensland and one from Tasmania, sent I believe by their respective Governments, visited Melbourne some months before the Census was taken, for the purpose of consulting with the Government Statist of Victoria on the subject of Census compilation, and at once agreed to adopt his forms and methods, which had been based as far as possible upon those used in connection with the Census of England and Wales. New Zealand had been entirely in accord with Victoria in this matter since 1873.

47.

The work of compiling the returns of a Census is always a laborious one. In order to produce the figures contained in the tables presented to Parliament it is necessary to enter, copy, check, and re-check hundreds of thousands of other figures which never meet the public eye, and the very existence of which is unknown beyond the precincts of the Census office. This will be better realized when it is remembered that there are seven principal heads of inquiry, viz., Inhabitants and Houses, Birthplaces, Religions, Ages, Occupations, Conjugal Condition, and Education ; and the numbers of the population of either sex in the counties, electoral provinces, electoral districts, cities, towns, boroughs, shires, goldworkings, and all other aggregations of population throughout the colony must be got out under each of these heads with so much exactness that the results in every case balance with each other to a unit ; that besides these there are a number of minor heads of inquiry subsidiary to the principal heads, relating to sickness and infirmity, special particulars respecting Chinese and Aborigines, persons in hospitals, asylums, and gaols, employers, employed, and unemployed, husbands and wives, graduates of universities, and a variety of other matters ; that there are also computations to be made—many of them of a difficult and complicated character, but on which much of the usefulness of a Census depends—to show averages, percentages, comparisons with former Censuses and with those of other countries ; [Compilation of Census returns.]

and when it is remembered that the interval between two Censuses in Victoria being ten years, most if not all the persons employed on one Census have disappeared before the next one takes place, and fresh officers have to be taught duties for which many of them possess no natural or acquired qualification whatever, it will readily be believed that the work is one which imposes a heavy tax upon the energies of those whose duty it is to plan and superintend it.

48.

Before commencing to tabulate the Census returns it was necessary that the schedules should be arranged in order, those relating to each place it was desired to distinguish being kept separate from the others in the same bundle by means of sheets of paper labeled with the name of the county, electoral district, electoral province, parish, city, town, borough, or shire, ward or riding, township, village, or goldfield. When the arrangement of the schedules was completed, these were paged with a numbering machine, a number commencing afresh in each county with No. 1 being assigned to each place, and then the first tabulation, "Inhabitants and Houses," was commenced. For this tabulation the information was extracted from the schedules upon sheets having columns ruled for the purpose, but all the succeeding tabulations were effected by means of cards.

49.

The card system had been used for some years in the department of the Government Statist in the compilation of returns of marriages and deaths, the criminal statistics, and the valuations of friendly societies, but had never been employed here, nor, so far as I am aware, in any other country on the compilation of a Census. I had, however, been so satisfied with the system, in regard to the work which had already been done by it, that I determined on this occasion to extend its operation to the Census. [Card system of compilation.]

50.

The so-called cards were not made of card-board but of thick paper, and were about the size of ordinary playing-cards. For their custody and arrangement nests of pigeon holes were provided, constructed to stand on tables. These nests were 3 feet heigh, 3 feet 8 inches long, and 4½ inches deep, and contained fixed partitions 4 inches—or a little more than the width of the cards—apart, and movable cross shelves constructed to slide in and out between the partitions, through grooves placed every 2 inches apart, so that a large or a small space could be obtained, according as it was required to place a greater or less number of cards therein. These pigeon holes were intended for the cards actually being dealt with, but for those not in use for the time being a small room was fitted up with pigeon holes of various capacities fixed around it from floor to ceiling. A careful officer was placed in charge of this room, whose duty it was to see that the cards were put away in perfect order, so that he could at once lay hands on any which might be required. It will readily be understood that it would have been a serious matter if the cards, numbering, as they did, nearly 900,000, had been allowed to become disordered or misplaced, and that upon the perfection of the methods adopted for the arrangement and disposal of the cards much of the success of the card ----- depends.

51.

The process of being the cards may be briefly described. One card is devoted to each individual enumerated, viz., a white card to each male and a pink card to each female, so that 452,083 of the former and 410,263 of the latter were employed. On each card the name of the county and number of the place are stamped with india rubber stamps provided for the purpose, then the number of the schedule and the various particulars it contains respecting the individual to which the card relates are entered with pen and ink. After the entries are made and their correctness has been verified by examination, the next proceeding is to reduce the results to a tabular form. This is done by sorting the cards of each place into heaps, according to whatever head of inquiry it is desired to work out. Thus, in the case of the religions, say in the portion of La Trobe ward of the city of Melbourne situated in the electoral district of Richmond, the cards of the members of the Church of England are got together, also those of the Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, Wesleyans, &c., after which it is only necessary to count the cards in each heap, and to enter the numbers so obtained in the columns of specially prepared summary sheets. A precisely similar course is pursued in the case of the birthplaces, ages, education, conjugal condition, and occupations, after the last of which is completed, cards containing particulars it is desired to tabulate separately are thrown out from the others. These, on this occasion, embraced all those relating to Austro-Hungarian and Italian subjects (of which special information had been promised to their respective Governments), Chinese, Aborigines, persons laid up by reason of sickness or infirmity, miners who

stated their former occupations, unemployed persons, masters who stated the number of hands they employed, university graduates, husbands and wives whose consorts were absent, and inmates of charitable and penal institutions. The thrown-out cards are afterwards dealt with in the manner already described in regard to those relating to the principal heads of inquiry.

52.

The tabulation of a Census by means of cards being, as I have already stated, entirely novel, it is only reasonable to suppose that many improvements in the method of procedure suggested themselves in the course of the operation, and all these have been carefully noted, for the guidance of those charged with the conduct of future Censuses. One of these is to obviate the necessity of throwing out the cards by providing cards of a third color (not white or pink), on which duplicates could be made of those cards containing information it is desired to extract specially. This would enable the work of tabulating such information to be proceeded with simultaneously with that connected with the larger returns, and would also render it unnecessary to interfere with the arrangement of the original cards.

53.

After the contents of the cards have been arranged in a tabular form in the manner described, much work still remains to be done, especially in combining the information relating to fragments of places so as to show such places as a whole, in preparing subsidiary tables, and in copying the digested returns into forms specially arranged for publication. In these operations, summary after summary and abstract after abstract have to be written out, numbers of heavy additions and other more abstruse calculations have to be made, and the whole has at each step to be called over, checked and re-checked, so as, if possible, to preclude any chance of a mistake remaining undetected.

54.

In all operations connected with the Census under review mechanical appliances were used where possible, and by means of these much saving of clerical labor has been effected. I would particularly mention Edison's electric pen, which, as an instrument for multiplying copies of written documents, is perhaps unequalled ; numbering machines of simple and correct action, specially made to the order of Messrs. Semple and Ramsay of Melbourne ; also a French calculating machine, designatedL' Arithmometre, by Thomas de Colmar of Paris. [Mechanical appliancesused.]

55.

The first Census part, Inhabitants and Houses, is the only one in which detailed returns of the wards, ridings, towns, townships, villages, &c., throughout the colony have been published in full. Under the other heads of inquiry, in order to save time and expense, the printing has been confined to summaries showing the numbers in each county, electoral province, electoral district, shire, city, town, borough, and mining district. Tabular results, however, giving the same details as those contained in Part I. have been written out fairly, and are available for public reference in this office.

NUMBERS AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE PEOPLE.

56.

The population enumerated at the Census of 1881 was as follows :— [Population, 1881.]

57.

The previous Census had been taken on the 2nd April 1871, when the enumerated population amounted to 731,528, viz., 401,050 males and 330,478 females. The increase in the period between the two enumerations was thus 130,818, consisting of 51,033 males and 79,785 females.

58.

Between the Censuses of 1871 and 1881 the excess of registered births over registered deaths was 145,903, viz., 66,923 of males and 78,980 of females. If the colony had retained the whole of this natural increase, the Census would have shown 15,890 more males than it did. It did show females equal in numbers to the natural increase and 805 more, and it thus resulted that the total increase of both sexes was less by 15,085 than the natural increase.

59.

In the same ten years the excess of recorded arrivals over recorded departures by sea was 52,352, viz., 39,314 males and 13,038 females. These numbers being added to those just given showing the excess of registered births over registered deaths, the apparent increase of population between the Censuses will be found to be 198,255, viz., 106,237 males and 92,018 females. The increase actually shown by the Census of 1881 was, however, less than these numbers by 67,437, viz., 55,204 males and 12,233 females. [Enumerated short of estimated population.]

60.

It being very generally known that no record was or could be taken of the arrivals in and departures from Victoria overland, it was at first thought that the missing individuals had crossed the frontiers to the adjacent colonies ; but when the published Census returns of the neighboring colonies showed a deficiency of a similar character, although less in degree, to exist in New South Wales and Queensland, which was only partly compensated by a small surplus in South Australia, it was at once realized that this supposition failed to account for the loss. The following is a statement of the exact deficiency or surplus in the colonies named :—

61.

The simultaneous Census of the colonies thus discloses the astonishing fact that—whilst an exact record is professed to be kept in each colony of the arrivals and departures by the seaboard—in the ten years 1871 to 1881 over 101,000 persons, or about 1 in 18 of the average population of the four colonies, seem to have left the Australian continent unobserved. The registration of deaths in all the colonies is known to be more perfect than that of births, therefore, from this cause, a surplus instead of a deficiency might be expected ; the solution of the difficulty must therefore be looked for either in the inaccuracy of the returns of the Census or of those of emigration.

62.

It is extremely improbable that the Census of 1881 was imperfect, as in all the colonies it was taken under the supervision of the same department as that which had conducted previous enumerations, and the experience gained would tend to make it the most perfect of any. For this reason, if persons were missed at either of the last two Censuses, the chances are that they were so in 1871 rather than in 1881, and this should go towards causing the population enumerated at the latter period to be above rather than under the estimate.

63.

The question of the accuracy of the returns kept by the Immigration authorities was inquired into by the Statistical Conference of representatives of the Australasian colonies held in Tasmania in 1875,

64.

I have made an attempt to ascertain the number of unrecorded persons who left Victoria by sea in the interval between the Censuses of 1871 and 1881, by comparing the numbers recorded as arriving in the neighboring colonies from Victoria by the seaboard with those who were known to leave Victoria for those colonies by that mode of exit in the same period. In this I was quite successful, so far as New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, and New Zealand were concerned ; but I failed to get reliable information respecting South Australia and Western Australia, chiefly, I believe, in consequence of the returns being complicated by entries of persons who left Victoria for England and the East via those colonies, which I found it impossible to separate from entries of persons traveling by the same steamers who were going to remain in Australia. The following is the result of the inquiry, so far as the first-named four colonies are concerned :—

65.

It is thus seen that in the interval between the last two Censuses 214,730 persons were recorded as leaving Victoria for the four colonies named, but as many as 245,825 persons, or 31,095 more, were recorded as arriving from Victoria in those colonies. The recorded departures from Victoria in the same period for South Australia and Western Australia numbered 63,706, which I have already stated I find it impossible to reconcile with the recorded arrivals from Victoria thereat. From inquiries, however, I have made of the agents and captains of the steamers trading to the western colonies, I find that the evil complained of exists in that direction to just as great an extent as it does in the case of the colonies of which the returns are available ; therefore, applying the same proportion to the recorded departures for the former as has been found to apply to those for the latter, it may be assumed that 8,995 unrecorded persons left this colony for South Australia and Western Australia in the ten years' interval. The following would therefore be the estimate of persons who left by the seaboard during the ten years intervening between the Censuses of 1871 and 1881 without their departure being noted by the Immigration authorities :—

66.

The total number of persons the Census of Victoria failed to account for has already

67.

The remarks applicable to Victoria in this respect apply with equal force to the other Australian colonies, in the whole of which the same system exists of taking a complete account of the arrivals, but a defective one of the departures. This is proved in the case of New South Wales and Queensland by the large deficiencies (amounting in the aggregate to over 44,000) found to exist in their Census populations as compared with the estimates, which can be set down to no other cause. These deficiencies would no doubt have been greater if those colonies had not gained largely, just as Victoria had lost considerably, by persons crossing the borders. Until some principle is adopted whereby the departures by sea are noted with the same accuracy as the arrivals, it must be expected at each Census that the returns of the population of the Australian continent will be much smaller than had been anticipated.

68.

The Census under review showed that the Australasian colonies, taken as a whole, contained over 2,800,000 inhabitants, of which about 2,166,000 were upon the Australian continent. The following are the numbers returned in each colony :— [Population of Australasia, 1881.]

69.

The Chinese enumerated in Victoria numbered 12,128 as against 17,935 in 1871, the falling-off being thus 5,807. In the numbers for 1881, 169 half-castes are included, viz., 74 males and 95 females. These are chiefly the offspring of Chinese fathers and of mothers of European birth or extraction. [Chinese in Victoria and other colonies.]

70.

According to the following figures, which express the number of Chinese returned in each Australasian colony, the Chinese in those colonies, taken as a whole, numbered 43,706 when the Census was taken, and of these 37,858 were on the continent of Australia :—

71.

Only 780 Aborigines were enumerated in Victoria at the recent Census, as against 1,330 at the former one. It is not probable that all were returned at either period. It is, however, tolerably certain that, at the present time, there are not 1,000 Aborigines in the colony. [Aborigines in Victoria and other colonies.]

72.

In all the colonies on the Australian continent the enumeration of the Aborigines was incomplete. This is of little importance, so far as this colony is concerned, the numbers here being so small. In New South Wales only the "civilized" Aborigines were returned, which probably represent only a small portion of the whole ; in Queensland only a few Aborigines were returned in the first instance, but an estimate was subsequently made by officers of the Police Department, and the Census figures have been supplemented by the numbers so obtained ; the figures for South Australia do not include the Aborigines in the Northern Territory ; and those for Western Australia

only relate to the Aborigines in service. No Aborigines remain on the island of Tasmania.

73.

During the interval between the Censuses of 1871 and 1881 the increase of the total population of Victoria was 18 per cent., the increase in the male population was 13 per cent., and the increase in the female population was 24 per cent. [Increase of population.]

74.

Between the Censuses of 1861 and 1871 the total population increased in the proportion of 35 per cent., or nearly double the rate at which it increased between 1871 and 1881. Between previous Censuses the increase was still greater. In the four years from 1857 to 1861 it was in the proportion of 32 per cent., in the three years from 1854 to 1857 it was in the proportion of 73 per cent., and in the three years from 1851 to 1854 it was in the proportion of 206 per cent.

75.

The increase of population between 1871 and 1881 was, as may be supposed, greatest in the metropolitan county of Bourke, where it amounted to 70,804, or more than half the total increase in the colony. After this it was greatest in the counties most largely peopled by land selectors. Thus the increase in Moira amounted to 19,420, in Borung to 16,017, in Rodney to 10,769, in Buln Buln to 7,340, and in Tangil to 4,278. In the county of Bendigo the increase was 10,544, but in most of the other goldfield counties, as well as in some of the older settled agricultural counties, the population decreased. In Talbot there was a falling-off of 16,799, in Grenville of 16,758, in Grant of 7,655, in Dalhousie of 5,096, in Bogong of 2,800, in Ripon of 1,669, in Wonnangatta of 1,131, in Villiers of 280, and in Karkarooc of 215. In Hampden, males were fewer by 51 than in 1871, but females being more numerous by 132, the whole county showed an increase of 81 inhabitants.

76.

The shipping in Victorian waters contained fewer males by 467 than in 1871, but, as there were 61 more females, the total diminution of the floating population was reduced to 406.

77.

Omitting a few thinly-peopled districts, municipal government extends over the whole of Victoria. The territory not embraced in municipalities covered 14,000 square miles in 1871, but only about 6,000 square miles in 1881 ; the inhabitants of the extra-municipal portions numbered 11,531 at the former and 7,818 at the latter period. [Population outside municipalities.]

78.

The municipalities are of two kinds, urban and rural ; the former being called cities, towns, and boroughs, and the latter shires. In 1881, the urban [Population of municipal districts.]

Municipalities contained rather more inhabitants than the rural ones, the numbers being respectively 434,467 and 420,061. In 1871, also, the cities, towns, and boroughs were slightly more populous than the shires, the numbers in the former being 374,150, and in the latter 345,847.

79.

In 1881, the shires embraced nine townships which were boroughs in 1871, but had since ceased to be such.

80.

Of the 64 urban municipalities in existence in 1871 the boundaries of several had been changed,

81.

The following are the towns in which the population was smaller in 1881 than in 1871 :—

82.

It will be observed that the total increase of population in the first 30 towns was 89,379, and the total decrease in the last 34 was 20,950, resulting in a net increase of 68,429.

83.

With the exception of Belfast, Geelong, Koroit, Newtown and Chilwell, Portland, South Barwon, and Woodend all the towns in which the population fell off

Between the Censuses were either on or in the immediate vicinity of goldfields. On the other hand, the mining towns of Ararat, Chiltern, Eaglehawk, Inglewood, Maryborough, Sandhurst, and Stawell were amongst those in which more or less increase occurred.

84.

Of the Chinese, 3,962 (of whom 120 were females), or nearly a third, were living in cities, towns, and boroughs ; and 8,018 (of whom 139 were females), or about two-thirds, were living in shires. In the urban districts the largest numbers were found to be in Melbourne, 621 ; Sandhurst, 518 ; Ballarat East, 382 ; Creswick, 252 ; and Castlemaine, 245. In shires, the largest numbers were in Grenville, 746 ; Bright, 685 ; Beechworth, 648 ; Mount Alexander, 375 ; and Stawell, 322. Eight of the Chinese, all males, were on board ships lying in the port of Melbourne. [Chinese in municipalities.]

85.

Only 12 Aborigines, viz., 8 males and 4 females, were abiding in cities and boroughs on the Census night, viz., 1 in Browns and Scarsdale, 2 in Clunes, 1 in Collingwood, 1 in Essendon and Flemington, 3 in Kew, 1 in Portland, 2 in Prahran, and 1 in St. Kilda ; 384 male and 256 female Aborigines were enumerated in shires, chiefly in Avon, Bairnsdale, Echuca, Lowan, Portland, Swan Hill, and Warrnambool. The remaining Aborigines, viz., 68 males and 60 females, were in places outside municipal jurisdiction. [Aborigines in municipalities.]

86.

Excluding from the population in shires that of the nine townships

87.

In the Census return of the goldfields, certain cities, towns, and boroughs are included and certain portions of the shires. The goldfield population of all classes was 270,428 in 1871, and 230,944 in 1881. The diminution between the periods was thus 39,484. [Population on goldfields.]

88.

The Chinese resident on the goldfields numbered 7,840, or 65 per cent. of the whole number. This proportion is much smaller than that which obtained at former Censuses. In 1871, 90 per cent., and in 1861 no less than 97 per cent., of the Chinese in the colony were enumerated on the goldfields. [Chinese on goldfields.]

89.

The Aborigines on the goldfields numbered 128, viz., 70 males and 58 females. The number of Aborigines enumerated on the goldfields in 1871 was 31 ; in 1861 it was 147. [Aborigines on goldfields.]

90.

Melbourne within its corporate limits is more than twice as populous as any other municipality in Victoria, but the city comprises only a small portion of the metropolis, or "Greater Melbourne" as it may be called, which may be considered to extend in all directions for a distance of ten miles from the Melbourne Post Office, and comprises 16 urban municipalities besides several townships and villages which still form portions of shires. The population within this area, which is being rapidly covered with houses, amounted when the Census was taken to 282,947, as against 206,780 in 1871. The increase within the periods was thus 76,167, or at the rate of 37 per cent. It has been stated already that the increase of the total population was at the rate of only 18 per cent., so that the metropolitan population increased in a much larger ratio than the general population. [Population of Melbourne.]

91.

In 1881 the population of Greater Melbourne was in the proportion of 33 per cent. of the total population of Victoria. In 1871 it was in the proportion of 29 per cent., and in 1861 of only 26 per cent. of that population.

92.

Chinese males numbering 1,044 and Chinese females numbering 58 were domiciled in Greater Melbourne at the time of the Census. Only 5 Aboriginal males and 4 Aboriginal females were enumerated in the metropolis on the same occasion. [Chinese and Aborigines in Melbourne.]

93.

The population of 489 cities, towns, boroughs, townships, and villages was ascertained from the Census returns. Of these, 8 contained upwards of twenty thousand inhabitants ; 3 had between ten and twenty thousand ; 2 had between nine and ten thousand ; 1 had between eight and nine thousand ; 2 had between seven and eight thousand ; 2 had between six and seven thousand ; 4 had between five and six thousand ; 6 had between four and five thousand ; 5 had between three and four thousand ; 8 had between two and three thousand ; 30 had between one and two thousand ; and 51 had between five hundred and a thousand. [Population of towns.]

ELECTORAL REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE.

94.

The boundaries of the electorates for both Houses of the Legislature having been changed between the Censuses of 1871 and 1881, it is not possible to make comparisons between the populations of the different provinces and electoral districts at the two periods. Complete information has, however, been obtained respecting the population within the boundaries of the respective electorates, as described in theLegislative Council Act1881 (45 Vict. No. 702) and theElectoral Act Amendment Act1876 (40 Vict. No. 548), which are at present in force. [Boundaries of electorates changed.]

95.

It is prescribed by the Legislative Council Act that each of the new provinces shall return three representatives, but this gives an unequal representation to the population of the different provinces ; the province most largely represented,i.e.,with the smallest number of persons to a representative, being the South-Eastern, and the one with the least amount of representation,i.e.,with the largest number of persons to a representative, being the Melbourne. The following are the numbers to a representative in each province, the provinces being arranged according to the order of the amount of representation they respectively receive :— [Representation for Legislative Council.]

96.

The order of the provinces in regard to the representation of the male population, exclusive of Chinese and Aborigines, differs but slightly from that of the total population ; the South-Eastern Province, with 7,108 such males to a representative, being still at the top, and the Melbourne Province, with 14,582, still at the bottom. Taking one province with another, the average number of such males to a representative was 10,401.

97.

If the male population over 21 years of age be alone considered, and the Chinese and Aborigines be excluded as before, the average number of such males to a representative would be 5,080, ranging from 3,420 in the South-Eastern Province to 8,100 in the Melbourne Province.

98.

The range of the representation in the electoral districts is even greater than in the provinces. The district with the smallest number of persons to a representative is Belfast, with 4,812, and the next Kyneton Boroughs, with 6,092 ; on the other hand St. Kilda had no fewer than 18,275 persons to a representative, or nearly four times as many as Belfast, and Moira had 16,261. The electoral districts have been arranged in the order in which their populations are represented, in the same manner as the provinces, and the result is as follows :— [Representation for Legislative Assembly.]

99.

The order of the electoral districts in regard to the proportional representation of the male population of all ages exclusive of Chinese and Aborigines, varies somewhat from that of the total population, Belfast, however, being still at the top of the list, but Moira, changing places with St. Kilda, at the bottom. In Belfast there were 2,475 such males to a representative, in Geelong 2,962, in Kyneton Boroughs 2,997, in Ararat 3,119, and in Maldon 3,144. On the other hand, there were in Moira as many as 9,034 males to a representative, in St. Kilda 8,062, in Wimmera 8,031, and in North Melbourne 7,117. Throughout the electoral districts, the average number of such males to a representative was 5,080.

100.

Males of 21 years of age and upwards, exclusive of Chinese and Aborigines, were most largely represented in Belfast with a representative to as few as 1,017 ; next so in Kyneton Boroughs with one to 1,329, Geelong with one to 1,369, and Grenville with one to 1,451. Such males had the smallest amount of representation in Moira with a representative to as many as 4,503, then in Wimmera with one to 3,991, St. Kilda with one to 3,889, Richmond with one to 3,774, and North Melbourne with one to 3,600. The average throughout all the districts was one representative to every 2,481 such males.

101.

On the rolls of the 21st March 1881 there were 207,117 electors for the Legislative Assembly, whilst the number of males over 21 years of age, exclusive of Chinese and Aborigines, was 213,363, or only 6,246 more. In 22 out of the 55 districts the electors on the roll exceeded the number of such males. This was partly in consequence of some persons possessing votes in districts other than those in which they resided, partly by reason of the deaths or removals of electors, and partly in consequence of the names of the Chinese ratepayers being still on the electoral roll. The names of the electoral districts in which the electors were more numerous than the adult males of European birth or extraction were—Ballarat East and West, Belfast, Brighton, Carlton, Castlemaine, Collingwood, Dundas, Footscray, Geelong, Gippsland South, Grenville, Kyneton Boroughs, Mandurang, Maryborough and Talbot, Melbourne West, Mornington, Ovens, Richmond, Sandhurst, Stawell, and Williamstown.

PROPORTIONS OF THE SEXES.

102.

In 1881 the sexes showed a closer approximation to uniformity than at any previous period of the colony's history, the average number of females to every 100 males being nearly 91 (90.75), as against 82 in 1871, 64 in 1861, and 67 in 1851. [Proportions of the sexes.]

103.

These are the proportions over the colony taken as a whole. In a few of the counties, however, the uniformity existing in 1881 between the numbers of the sexes was greater, whilst in others it was much less than the average of the colony. In Bourke, in which Melbourne and its suburbs are situated, the females actually exceeded the males, the numbers being respectively 155,948 and 151,634, and the proportion 103 of the former to every 100 of the latter. The other counties in which the sexes were most nearly equal in numbers were Grant, in which Geelong and Ballarat East are situated, with 98 females to 100 males ; Normanby, in which Portland is situated, with 97 females to 100 males ; Grenville, in which Ballarat city is situated, with 94 females to 100 males ; Villiers, in which Warrnambool and Belfast are situated, and Bendigo, in which Sandhurst is situated, each with 92 females to 100 males ; and Polwarth, in which Colac and Birregurra are situated, with 91 females to 100 males. On the other hand, in Weeah, situated in the heart of the mallee district, the inhabitants (which, however, numbered only 4) were all males ; in Karkarooc, situated also in the mallee, there were no more than 41 females to every 100 males ; in Dargo, situated in Gippsland, there were only 56 females to every 100 males ; and in Croajingolong and Tambo, situated in the extreme east of Gippsland, Millewa, situated in the mallee to the north of Weeah, and Benambra, situated in the north-eastern portion of the colony, the proportions were between 63 and 64 females to every 100 males.

104.

In the urban municipalities, taken as a whole, females exceeded males, the numbers being respectively 220,843 and 213,624, and the proportions 103.38 of the former to every 100 of the latter. The individual cities, towns, and boroughs in which the females exceeded the males numbered 26, the excess being proportionally greatest in St. Kilda, Prahran, Hawthorn, and Newtown and

Chilwell in the order named. The following are the names of these municipalities and the relative proportions of the sexes in each :—

105.

In the city of Melbourne, males numbered 33,102 and females 32,757, the excess of males being 345 ; but in Greater Melbourne, males numbered 139,006 and females 143,941, the excess in favor of females being 4,935. These figures furnish a proportion of 98.96 females to 100 males in Melbourne city, and of 103.55 females to 100 males in Greater Melbourne.

106.

In the rural municipalities (shires) taken as a whole there were only 80.25 females to every 100 males. The only shires in which the former outnumbered the latter were Caulfield with 120.57, Mornington with 101.57, Boroondara with 101.45, and Bulla with 100.20 females to 100 males.

107.

On the goldfields, the males outnumbered the females in all the mining districts. The excess was least in Sandhurst and Ballarat, each with 94 females to 100 males ; then in Ararat with 90, Castlemaine with 85, Beechworth and Maryborough each with 77, and Gippsland with 61 females to 100 males. In every one of the mining districts the excess of males over females was relatively less than in 1871.

108.

In all the Australasian colonies males are still much more numerous than females. The sexes are most nearly equal in Victoria, next so in Tasmania, and next so in South Australia ; the inequality is greatest in Western Australia, and next so in Queensland. This will be seen by the following figures :— [Proportion of the sexes in Australasian colonies.]

109.

In every one of the colonies Chinese females, even including the half-castes, bear a very small proportion to Chinese males. In Victoria the former, at the Census, amounted only to a fraction over 2 per cent. of the latter, and in most of the other colonies the relative proportion of females was still smaller. In the colonies, taken as a whole, the Chinese females numbered only 362 ; and as the Chinese males numbered 43,344, the proportion of the former was less than 1 (0.84) to every 100 of the latter. [Proportions of the sexes of Chinese.]

110.

In Victoria, Aboriginal females were in the proportion of 70 to every 100 Aboriginal males. In some of the other colonies the enumeration, so far as it went, showed a higher proportion of females, the proportion on the whole Australian continent being 82 to 100 males. In New Zealand, Maori females were in the proportion of 81 to every 100 Maori males. [Proportions of the sexes of Aborigines.]

DENSITY, AREALITY, AND PROXIMITY OF THE PEOPLE.

111.

The relation the inhabitants bear to the area of a country, or to any of its divisions, may be expressed in three ways, viz., first by what is termed the density of the population, secondly by its so-called areality, and thirdly by its so-called proximity. [Density, areality, and proximity.]

112.

The density of the population is ascertained by calculating the average number of persons to any given area, the most convenient being the square mile

113.

In Victoria, excluding the persons in ships and vessels, the number of persons to the square mile (density) was 9.791, or nearly 98 persons to 10 square miles ; the number of acres to each person (areality) was about 65(65.364).

114.

In considering the mean proximity of the inhabitants of a country or district, they must be imagined to be placed at equal distances apart over its entire area ; when their proximity would be the distance between one person and another, or the extent of ground each would have to travel over to reach his next neighbors.2 The result of such a distribution in Victoria would show the mean proximity of the land population, when the Census was taken, to have been 604½ yards, or about 18 yards more than the third of a mile.

115.

The proximity being dependent upon the same conditions as the areality, and being in fact only another method of denoting the same thing, the two elements will be found to vary in the different counties in the same direction, the ratio of their variation being that of the latter to the square of the former upon the well-known principle of Plane Geometry, that similar figures are to one another in the duplicate ratio of their homologous lines.

2 The following explanation of the manner in which the mean proximity of the population has been calculated is by Mr. E. F. Owen, the actuary for Friendly Societies attached to this department. :—

In presenting an idea of the relative populousness of the different districts of the colony under the form of the comparative proximity of the people, each county is supposed to be divided equally among the persons residing within its boundary, and each person to stand in the middle of his allotment, the shape of which being of necessity in such a case that of a regular figure of six equal sides or hexagon, as shown inthe diagram.

The manner in which the quantities in the last column of the following table were obtained will be readily understood from the following explanation :—

The areaaof each person's allotment was first found in yards by dividing the area of the whole county A by the number of persons in it, P, thusa=The distancedseparating each pair of neighbours will be seen by reference to the diagrams to be double th eapothermp,i.e.,the line drawn form the centre of the hexagon to bisect a side perpendicularly.

In the diagram, P is the perpendicular of the right-angled triangle h p b, which is half of one of the six equilateral triangles into which the hexagon is divided ; b is the base of the same triangle, h the hypotenuse, and obviously, By Euclid I. 47,, and therefore, consequently, By Euclid I. 41, the area of the equilateral traiangle, and the area of the hexagon, thereforeand the distance

This expression for the distance may be put in a form better adapted for calculation, for

The distance apart was thus found in each case by multiplying the number of square yards in each person's hexagonal allotment by 1.1547005, and extracting the square root of the product.

Rhe raltion of the quantities may be exhibited in another form which may perhaps prove useful. Sincewhereand , a result which may be thus expressed :—

The number of persons it would be necessary to assign to a district in order that they might stand at any given distance apart will be found by dividing the area of the distsrict by the square of the given distance and multiplying the quotient by the square root of 1 , that is by 1.1547.

Density, the mean areality, and the mean proximity in each of the counties, and in the whole colony :—

116.

It will be noticed that the figures vary widely in the different lines. In Bourke there were as many as 179 persons to the square mile, or only 3acres to each person, and the inhabitants were on the average only 141½ yards, or less than a twelfth of a mile apart. In Talbot, there were 42 persons to the square mile, 15acres to each person, and the inhabitants were 292 yards, or a sixth of a mile apart ; in Grant there were 36 persons to the square mile, 17acres to each person, and the inhabitants were 315 yards, or more than a fifth of a mile apart. On the other hand, in Weeah there was only 0.001 of a person to a square mile, or one person to 1,000 square miles or to 640,640 acres, and the 4 inhabitants, if equally scattered over the whole area of the county, would be 59,836 yards, or 34 miles apart. In Karkarooc, in the same manner, there were 22 persons to every 1,000 square miles, 28,337 acres to each person, and an equal distribution of the inhabitants would place 12,584 yards, or more than seven miles, between each and his next neighbour.

117.

The density of the population is much greater in Victoria than in any of the other Australasian colonies, as will be seen by the following figures, all of which are derived from the returns of the Census of 1881 :— [Density of population in Australasian colonies.]

118.

It is thus seen that the colonies which approached most closely to Victoria in point of density of population are New Zealand and Tasmania, but in the former of these the population is little more than half as dense, and in the latter it is not

Half as dense as it is in Victoria ; in New South Wales the density is only a quarter as great as in Victoria, whilst in the other three colonies, in which there is only a small fraction of a person to the square mile, the comparison with Victoria is much wider still.

119.

In the continent of Australia, taken as a whole, there was at the Census 0.736 of a person to the square mile, or about 74 persons to 100 square miles ; in Australia, with Tasmania and New Zealand added, there was 0.916 of a person to the square mile, or 92 persons to 100 square miles.

DOMICILIATION OF THE PEOPLE.

120.

The habitations of all descriptions returned in 1881 numbered 179,816, of which 176,719 were dwelling-houses, 465 were stores, offices, or public buildings in which some person abode on the Census night, and 2,632 were tents. Of the dwelling-houses, 9,049 were unoccupied and 681 were in course of erection. In accordance with previous practice no account was taken of stores or public buildings without resident caretakers. [Habitations, materials, and rooms.]

121.

The material of which 45,615 houses were built was brick or stone ; 115,143 houses were built of wood, iron, or lath and plaster ; 12,604 of the dwellings were huts built of slabs, bark, or mud ; the 2,632 tents were constructed of canvas, linen, or some other textile fabric ; and the materials of 3,822 houses were not specified.

122.

The total number of rooms was 765,339, which were distributed as follows :—13,850 dwellings had one room ; 24,615 had two rooms ; 71,785 had three or four ; 37,687 had five or six ; 24,514 had more than six ; and of 7,365 the number of rooms was not returned.

123.

Between the Censuses of 1871 and 1881 the dwellings of all kinds increased by 21,335, and the inhabited dwellings by 19,468.

124.

It is satisfactory to find that the tendency to build substantial habitations is greater than formerly, for whilst brick and stone houses increased 36 per cent. between the Censuses, wood, iron, and lath and plaster houses increased only 13 per cent. ; and huts and tents actually decreased in numbers, the former by 3,895, and the latter by 2,024.

125.

The superior character of the dwellings in 1881 is also indicated by the number of rooms, for whilst houses of one and two rooms decreased by 6,888 and 8,608 respectively, and houses of three and four rooms increased only 14 per cent., houses of five and six rooms increased 72 per cent., and houses of more than six rooms increased 60 per cent.

126.

In 1881, the average number of rooms to a dwelling was 4.26, as against 3.78 in 1871, 2.79 in 1861, and 2.42 in 1857.

127.

The unoccupied houses amounted to about 5 per cent. of the whole. Of the 9,049 returned, 3,603 were in cities, towns, and boroughs, and 5,381 in shires ; the proportion of vacant houses to the whole number being 4 per cent. in the former and 6 per cent. in the latter. The towns which had the largest number of houses untenanted were Melbourne, with 358 ; Sandhurst, with 317 ; Geelong, with 228 ; Stawell, with 192 ; Prahran, with 162 ; Richmond, with 161 ; Collingwood, with 140 ; Fitzroy, with 130 ; Emerald Hill, with 120 ; and St. Kilda, with 110. The shires which contained the largest number of unoccupied houses were Echuca, with 342 ; Swan Hill, with 238 ; St. Arnaud, with 182 ; Marong, with 161 ; Tullaroop, with 149 ; Waranga, with 120 ; and Ballan, with 115. The enumerator for Horsham, Mr. H. R. Usher, gives an explanation of the reason for there being so many unoccupied houses in his district, which may perhaps account for the same circumstance in other parts of the interior. He writes as follows :— [Unoccupied houses.]

"Many of the selectors had left their houses at the time of the taking of the Census for a short time, on account of the dryness of the season and the almost entire absence of water in their immediate localities. Again, in many cases three, four, and five blocks have been taken up by families, the sons or daughters having built upon their selections, intending eventually to reside thereon, but at present residing with their parents. I find, from inquiries which I have instituted, that only about one-third of the number of houses returned as unoccupied can be considered as permanently uninhabited."

128.

The density, areality, and proximity of the houses in different districts is ascertained in a similar manner to that adopted in order to ascertain the same elements in regard to the population. The following is the result of such a calculation in [Density, areality, and proximity of houses.]

Reference to the former for each county in Victoria and for the entire colony. The table relates only to the inhabited houses ; those unoccupied or unfinished not being taken into account :—

129.

As the average number of persons to a house does not differ greatly in the several counties, the density of the houses will be found to vary in about the same ratio as that of the persons. Thus a comparison of this table with a previous one

130.

By the figures in the last column it will be seen that, if a sub-enumerator had to leave schedules at, or a rate-collector had to visit, 100 houses of proximity equal to the average of the colony, and he could go straight from house to house, he would have to travel 77 miles and 430 yards ; if equal to the average of Bourke he would have to travel only 18 miles and 1,180 yards ; but if equal to the average of Karkarooc he would have to travel as much as 1,342 miles and 1,240 yards, and if equal to the average of Croajingolong he would have to travel 594 miles and 650 yards, &c.

131.

At the Census of 1881, 818,843 persons, or 95 per cent. of the population, were living in houses properly so called ; 33,858, or less than 4 per cent., were living in slab, bark, or mud huts ; 4,661, or 1 in 185, were living in tents ; 1846, or 1 in 467, were living in ships, and 1,187, or 1 in 726, were camping out. At no previous Census-period since the discovery of gold was the population so well housed as at the one under review. In 1871 less than 93 per cent., in 1861 only 69 per cent., and in 1857, only 63 per cent. of the population were living in houses. [Population and dwellings.]

132.

Since the days of the early gold discoveries, an entire change has come over the habits of the population in respect to living in tents. In 1857, 135,866 persons were living in 45,161 tents, and in 1861, 122,877 persons were living in 42,750 tents, whereas in 1871 only 8,660, and in 1881 only 4,661 persons were living in tents ; the number of such habitations being reduced to 4,656 and 2,632.

133.

The persons camping out on the Census night numbered 2,621 in 1861, and 2,661 in 1871, but only 1,846 in 1881.

134.

The persons in ships were fewer in 1881 than at any of the three previous Census-periods. In 1857 there were 3,773 persons afloat in the bays and harbors of the colony, but then several hulks containing prisoners were moored in Hobson's Bay. By 1861, the prison hulks having been abolished, the shipping population had fallen to 1,918 ; this had risen to 2,252 in 1871, but had again fallen to 1,846 in 1881.

135.

As the houses are larger than formerly, so also the average number of persons they contain has increased. In 1881, throughout the colony, the mean number of persons to an inhabited dwelling was about 5 (5.06) as against 4.84 in 1871, 4.16, in 1861, and 4.21 in 1857.

136.

As a rule there are more people to a house in town than in the country. In 1881 the average number was 5.18 in cities, towns, and boroughs, and 4.94 in shires.

137.

On the goldfields the average number of persons to each habitation was 4.17 in 1871, and 4.56 in 1881.

138.

The total number of rooms in all the houses in the colony was 765,339, and as the population living on land numbered 860,500, there was not one room to each person. The number of persons, however, approached nearer to the number of apartments in 1881 than at former periods, the proportion of persons to a room having been 1.12, as against 1.22 in 1871, 1.44 in 1861, and 1.65 in 1857.

139.

In cities, towns, and boroughs the rooms numbered 414,806, and the persons 434,467, so that the number of rooms approached closely to that of persons. In shires the difference was much greater, there being no more than 347,136 rooms to 420,061 persons. The proportion of persons to each room was 1.05 in the former and 1.21 in the latter.

140.

On the average, the Chinese are not so well housed as the Europeans, as only 6,832 out of 12,128, or about 56 per cent., were living in houses properly so called. Of the remainder, 5,122 were living in huts, 154 in tents, 12 were camping out, and 8 were in ships. [Domicillation of Chinese.]

141.

It has often been confidently asserted that the Chinese crowd together in their dwellings in large numbers, and that, especially in Little Bourke street, Melbourne, and the surrounding lanes and rights-of-way, they congregate so densely as to be a positive source of danger to the health of the rest of the community. To ascertain the truth of this assertion I have examined the schedules relating to the locality in question and find the statement to be entirely without foundation, there being, on the average, fewer persons in the houses inhabited by Chinese than in those occupied by Europeans. The whole number of persons living in the dwellings represented by the schedules examined was 548, who were spread over 156 houses, containing 637 rooms. There were thus only 3.5 persons to a house, the average of the colony being 5, as already stated, and considerably less than 1 person to a room, the average of the colony being over 1 to a room. Not one of the houses was found to be overcrowded, there being generally no more than from 2 to 4 persons in each. The greatest number returned in any house was 15, the rooms in which (a large building formerly used as a horse bazaar) were set down as numbering 24 ; the next highest numbers were 11 in a nine-roomed house, 11 in a ten-roomed house, and 10 in a six-roomed house.

142.

Nearly all the Aborigines are now living under shelter. Of the 780 returned, 680 were in houses or huts, and only 100 were camping out. At the Census of 1871 the reverse was the case, as out of 1,330 Aborigines, 739 were camped out, and only 591 were housed or hutted. [Domiciliation of Aborigines.]

143.

The following table shows the number of inhabited dwellings returned in each Australasian colony, the average number of such dwellings to the square mile, and the average number of persons to the inhabited house :— [Domicillation in Australasian colonies.]

144.

It will be observed that Victoria is the only colony which has, on the average, more than 1 habitation to the square mile, New Zealand coming next, with a small fraction less than 1 ; whilst Western Australia has only 1 habitation to every 100 square miles ; South Australia, 1 to every 17 square miles, and Queensland, 1 to every 14 square miles. It will be further noticed that Victoria has fewer persons to the habitation than any of the other colonies, and that there are more persons to the habitation in Western Australia than in any of the other colonies.

BIRTHPLACES OF THE PEOPLE.

145.

The country of birth of 857,587 persons out of a total of 862,346 was entered on the Census Schedules, and the information given showed that of these, 826,840 were natives of British, and 30,747 of Foreign, dominions. Of the remaining 4,759, there are grounds for assuming that all but 52 were British. It thus appears that 831,547 persons, or 96½ per cent. of the population, were British subjects by birth, and 30,799, or only 3½ per cent., were foreigners. [Birthplaces.]

146.

As many as 539,060 persons, or 62 per cent. of the population, were natives of the Australasian colonies, and of these, 499,199, or 93 per cent., were born in Victoria ; the proportion of the latter to the whole population was 58 per cent. [Australasians.]

147.

This is the first Census of which the returns showed half the population to be natives of the colony. The Victorian born, in proportion to the whole, amounted only to 45 per cent. in 1871 ; 26 per cent. in 1861 ; 17 per cent. in 1857, and 13 per cent. in 1854.

148.

Of natives of the other Australasian colonies living in Victoria, the most numerous were those of Tasmania, which numbered 11,876 ; then those of South Australia and New South Wales, which numbered respectively, 9,928 and 9,826 ; of New Zealand, which numbered 2,885 ; of Queensland, which numbered 1,120 ; of Western Australia, which numbered 404, and of Fiji, which numbered 95. Besides these, there were 3,727 persons simply stated to have been born in Australia or Australasia, without the name of the colony being mentioned.

149.

Next to the native Australasians, persons born in the United Kingdom formed the largest section of the population. These numbered 282,339, of whom 142,906 were born in England, 86,733 in Ireland, 48,153 in Scotland, and 4,547 in Wales. [Other British subjects.]

150.

Of the other British subjects, 3,564 were born in British possessions outside Australasia and the British Isles, 1,877 were born at sea, and of 4,707 the birthplace was not specified.

151.

The other British possessions referred to may be divided into European, Asiatic, African, and American. The European possessions comprise Heligoland, Malta, and Gibraltar, which jointly supplied 136 persons to the population ; the Asiatic possessions comprise India, which supplied 998 persons, including 32 of British race, and Ceylon, Burmah, the Straits Settlements, and Hong Kong, which together supplied 132 persons, including one person of British race ; the African possessions comprise the Cape Colony, which supplied 380, the Mauritius, which supplied 169, and Natal, Basutoland, St. Helena, Ascension, and Sierra Leone, which together supplied 89 persons ; the American possessions comprise the Dominion of Canada, which supplied 1,118, the West India Islands, which supplied 432, and Newfoundland, the Bermudas, British Guiana, and the Falkland Islands, which together supplied 110 persons.

152.

The foreigners by birth may be divided into natives of European, Asiatic, African, American, and Polynesian countries. To the first of these divisions, Germany—which next to China is the foreign nationality most largely represented in the Victorian population—contributed 8,571 persons ; Sweden and Norway, 1,375 ; France, 1,334 ; Switzerland, 1,314 ; Denmark, 1,039 ; Italy, 947 ; Russia, 369 ; Holland and its Dependencies, 342 ; Austria, 323 ; Portugal and its Dependencies, 153 ; Spain and its Dependencies, 148 ; Belgium, 112 ; Greece, 90 ; and Europe (country not named), 194. To the Asiatic group, China—natives of which are of all foreigners the most numerous in Victoria—contributed 11,799 ; Persia, 16 ; Japan, 5 ; and Borneo, 1. To the African group, Egypt contributed 3 ; Madagascar, 2 ; and Africa (country not named), 92. To the American group, the United States—which after China and Germany is the foreign nationality most largely represented—contributed 2,343 ; Brazil, 42 ; Chili, 24 ; Hayti, 6 ; Mexico, 5 ; Peru, 2 ; and South America (country not named), 50. [Foreigners.]

To the Polynesian group, the South Sea Islands contributed 19, and the Sandwich Islands, 10. Besides these, 17 foreign subjects were stated to have been born at sea, and of 52 foreigners the place of birth was not stated.

153.

Of natives of foreign countries, 183 were stated to be British subjects by naturalization, viz., 128 born in Germany, 10 in Russia, 6 in France, 6 in Denmark, 6 in the United States, 5 in Greece, 4 in Italy, 4 in China, 3 in Austria, 3 in Portugal, 3 in Sweden, 2 in Holland, 1 in Belgium, 1 in Spain, and 1 in Central America ; 17 were stated to be of British parentage, viz., 11 born in the United States, 1 each in France, Sweden, Russia, and the Ionian Islands, and 2 in the South Sea Islands. [Naturalized British subjects.]

154.

Between the Censuses of 1871 and 1881 natives of Victoria increased by 169,602. Natives of all the other Australasian colonies, resident in Victoria, also increased in numbers, viz., natives of South Australia by 3,034, of Tasmania by 2,579, of New South Wales by 1,510, of New Zealand by 1,338, of Queensland by 457, of Western Australia by 92, of Fiji by 77, and of Australia or Australasia (colony not named) by 2,087. Natives of almost all countries, outside of Australasia, which found place in our population in 1871, showed smaller numbers in 1881. Natives of England decreased by 21,381, of Wales by 2,067, of Scotland by 8,057, of Ireland by 13,735, of other British Possessions by 1,780, of Germany by 424, of China by 6,058, and of the United States by 80. There were slight increases in the case of France and a few other foreign countries, but in most of these the tendency was in the direction of decrease. The total diminution in the number of natives of countries outside of Australasia was 49,958. [Increase or decrease of each nationality.]

155.

The increase of the native Victorians was greater by 21,920 between 1861 and 1871 than between 1871 and 1881, the numbers of Victorian born added to the population in the two intervals respectively being 191,522 and 169,602. The first of these increases was upon a population of 540,322, and was in the proportion of 35 per cent., whilst the second was upon a population of 731,528, and amounted to only 23 per cent.

156.

It is a remarkable fact that amongst natives of all the Australasian colonies, except Queensland and Fiji, resident in Victoria, females were more numerous than males, the net excess of Australasian females over Australasian males being 5,788. In the case of natives of Victoria, the excess of females was 4,143 ; of New South Wales, 330 ; of South Australia, 162 ; of Western Australia, 46 ; of Tasmania, 788 ; of New Zealand, 49 ; and of Australia (colony not named), 459. On the other hand, males exceeded females in the case of natives of Queensland by 170, and of Fiji by 19. [Proportion of the sexes.]

157.

Besides these instances, the only other important case of the females of any nationality living in Victoria, outnumbering the males of the same nationality, was that of the Irish, amongst whom the excess of females was 4,281.

158.

The following were the proportions of the sexes in every 1,000 persons of different birthplaces living in Victoria :—Victorians, males 496, females 504 ; other Australians, males 479, females 521 ; English, males 578, females 422 ; Welsh, males 609, females 391 ; Scotch, males 545, females 455 ; Irish, males 475, females 525 ; natives of other British possessions, males 643, females 357 ; French, males 781, females 219 ; Germans and Austrians, males 723, females 277 ; Americans, males 702, females 298 ; Chinese, males 995, females 5. Taking British subjects as a whole, the proportions in every 1,000 were—males 512, females 488 ; and taking foreign subjects as a whole, the proportions per 1,000 were—males 861, females 139.

159.

Of the 11,869 Chinese males returned—which include half-castes—126 were set down as being born elsewhere than in the Chinese Empire, viz. :—81 in Victoria, 4 in New South Wales, 38 in the British Possession of Hong Kong,

160.

All the Aborigines were not natives of Victoria. Of the 460 males, 26 were stated to have been born in New South Wales, 15 in Queensland, and 6 in South Australia. Of the 320 females, 18 were returned as natives of New South Wales, 2 of Queensland, 4 of South Australia, and 1 of Western Australia. [Birthplaces of Aborigines.]

161.

Natives of Victoria, backed by Victorian enterprise, energy, skill, and capital, have made their way into every other colony of the group. The exact number of Victorians in New South Wales, Queensland, and Tasmania, has been ascertained from their Census returns, but it is to be regretted that in the tables of South Australia, Western Australia, and New Zealand, the numbers born in Australasia outside those colonies, have not been shown separately, but have been merely grouped under the head of "Other Australasian Colonies." Judging, however, from the proportions shown in the colonies in which the numbers are known, and from other circumstances, it may fairly be estimated that one-third of those grouped as stated, are natives of Victoria. This would give a total of 539,000 Victorians distributed throughout Australasia, of whom 40,000 were living outside the boundaries of the colony of their birth. These were spread over the different colonies as follow :— [Victorians in other colonies]

162.

The following table contains a statement of the birthplaces of the people of each Australasian colony, according to the returns of the Census of 1881 ; also the number of males and females of each birthplace :— [Birthplaces of persons in each Australasian colony.]

163.

The table shows the natives of the Australasian colonies resident therein to have numbered 1,740,000, of whom 1,370,000 were born on the Australian continent. The former number furnishes a proportion of 62 per cent., and the latter one of 63 per cent. to the total population.

164.

Although New South Wales had been settled fully twice as long as Victoria,

165.

By comparing figures in the last two tables, it will be found that the natives of other Australasian colonies, resident in Victoria, were about equal to the Victorians resident in the other Australasian colonies, the numbers respectively being 39,906 and 39,766. Victorian males, however, living out of the colony were more numerous than male natives of the other colonies living in Victoria, the reverse being the case as regards the females. The following are the figures :—

166.

The Chinese in the Australasian colonies are shown by the last table to have numbered 43,400. It is estimated that in 1859 nearly that number (42,000) were in Victoria alone. [Chinese in Australasian colonies.]

RELIGIONS OF THE PEOPLE.

167.

At the Census under notice, as well as at the two previous Censuses, a statement of religious belief was not made compulsory, persons having a conscientious objection to make such a statement being allowed to enter the word "object" instead. For this reason the information respecting the Religions of the People, although correct as far as it goes, is not quite so complete as that obtained under the other heads. The total number of persons who made a return of their belief was 847,291, those who stated their objection to do so numbered 8,598, and those who left the space for it altogether blank numbered 6,457. [Religions.]

168.

In classifying the religions, the exact entry made in the Census schedule was copied upon the cards and afterwards placed under the proper head, and in the event of there being no entry of religion in the schedule, the person, if an adult, was set down as unspecified. Children, respecting whom no return of religion was made, were entered as of the religion of their parents if the father and mother were of the same religion, or if the religion of only one parent was stated. If, however, the parents were of widely different denominations, as for instance one being a Protestant and the other a Roman Catholic or a Jew, no assumption was made as to the religion it was intended to bring such children up to, and they were classed with the unspecified ; but if the parents were of different Protestant sects the boys were entered as of the religion of the father, the girls of that of the mother. If such children were the offspring of a woman of European extraction and a Chinaman, they were all set down as of the religion of the mother.

169.

Protestants and Roman Catholics together numbered 821,872, and amounted to 97 per cent. of those whose religious beliefs were stated. The number of each of these bodies, and its proportion to the sum of the two, was as follows at the last three Censuses :— [Protestants and Roman Catholics.]

170.

It will be observed that, relatively to their combined numbers, Roman Catholics lost and Protestants gained by a small fraction between the last two Censuses. This is different from the experience between the Censuses of 1861 and 1871, when, in proportion to their joint numbers, Roman Catholics gained and Protestants lost considerably.

171.

Relatively to the total population, both Protestants and Roman Catholics gained slightly between 1871 and 1881, the gain of the former being, however, the greater. Between 1861 and 1871, while Roman Catholics gained considerably in proportion to the population, Protestants lost ground. This loss was, however, more than made up between 1871 and 1881. The following are the proportions to every 10,000 of the total population at the three periods :—

172.

Of the Protestant sects the most important numerically are the Church of England, and the Presbyterian, Methodist, Independent, and Baptist Churches. The following are the numbers and proportions to the total number of Protestants of each of these denominations at the same three Censuses :— [Protestant sects.]

173.

It will be seen that, in proportion to the whole number of Protestants, the Church of England and the Presbyterians lost, and the Methodists, Independents, and Baptists gained between 1861 and 1871 ; also that the Church of England, the Methodists, and the Baptists gained and the Presbyterians and Independents lost between 1871 and 1881.

174.

The following are the proportions of the same Protestant sects to every 10,000 of the total population at the three periods :—

175.

In proportion to the total population, the Church of England lost in the interval between 1861 and 1871, but gained slightly between 1871 and 1881 ; the Presbyterians lost and the Methodists and Baptists gained during both intervals, the Independents and Other Protestants gained in the first interval, but lost in the second.

176.

In 1881 the Jews numbered 4,330, or 759 more than at the previous Census ; they amount to about half per cent. of the population. [Jews.]

177.

In accordance with a practice which has always prevailed in Victoria, the persons who returned themselves as Protestants, without any qualification, are classed with members of the Church of England. Their numbers, however, which on this occasion amounted to 11,639, have been kept separate, so that they might be [Church of England.]

eliminated by any who might disapprove of this classification. The adherents of the Free Church of England, which numbered 110 are also included with the Church of England.

178.

Partly in consequence of want of accord between the two principal branches of the Presbyterian denomination, and partly from the fact that a large proportion of the members of that church do not use any qualifying term to the word "Presbyterian" when entering their religion in the householder's schedule, there has at each Census been some difficulty in classifying the members of this sect. Before the Census which is the subject of this report was taken, I had some correspondence with the heads of the two branches referred to, viz., the Presbyterian Church of Victoria and the Free Presbyterian Church of Victoria, on which occasion I suggested that those who returned themselves simply as Presbyterians might be considered to belong to the former, and those who returned themselves as Free Presbyterians to the latter. The governing body of the Free Presbyterian Church of Victoria was willing to accept this arrangement, but not so that of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, and in consequence it became necessary to make four divisions of these two branches of the Presbyterian Church instead of two, which would have sufficed if my proposition had been acceded to. As the figures stand, the Presbyterian Church of Victoria shows a falling-off of no less than 44,677 persons, but if those who were returned as Presbyterians without definition be embodied with these, the numbers would amount to 126,249 and the increase to 33,737. Those who were returned as of the Free Presbyterian Church of Victoria fell off largely, as also did those who were returned as Free Presbyterians only, their joint number in 1881 being only 5,748, as against 20,160 in 1871. Besides these Presbyterian bodies, there were, in 1881, Reformed Presbyterians with 114, United Presbyterians with 390, Welsh Presbyterians with 40, Dutch Presbyterians with 3, the Presbyterian Synod of Victoria with 42, the Presbyterian Church of England with 3, and the Puritans with 2 adherents. [Presbyterians.]

179.

By far the largest body of Methodists are the Wesleyans, who numbered 97,115 in 1881, and increased in ten years by 16,624. Then there are Primitive Methodists, who numbered 8,707 and increased by 807 ; United Free Methodists, who numbered 1,625 and increased by 299 ; and New Connection Methodists, who numbered 159 and decreased by 70. Besides these, the returns showed 2 Particular Methodists, 16 Independent Methodists, 17 Welsh Methodists, 5 members of the Wesleyan Free Church, and 747 persons returned simply as Methodists. [Methodists.]

180.

Next to the Church of England, the Presbyterians, and the Wesleyans, the most important Protestant sects were as follow :—The Baptists, which in 1881 numbered 20,373 and increased in ten years by 4,062 ; the Independents, which numbered 19,878 and increased by 1,687 ; the Lutherans (composed almost entirely of Germans or their descendants), which numbered 11,149 and increased by 590 ; the Bible Christians—formerly classed with Wesleyans, but at their own request kept separate from that body in the returns of the Census under review—which numbered 6,660 and increased by 2,466 ; the Disciples of Christ—styling themselves also Members of the Church of Christ or simply Christians—which numbered 4,859 and increased by 1,319 ; the Unitarians, which numbered 942 and decreased by 74 ; the Calvinists—originally a Welsh sect, also called Calvinistic Methodists, but more closely resembling Presbyterians—which numbered 712 and decreased by 720, or more than half ; the Christian Brethren—also called Plymouth Brethren or simply Brethren—which numbered 648 and increased by 455 ; the Society of Friends—also called Quakers—which numbered 282 and decreased by 51 ; and the Moravians or United Brethren, which numbered 172 and increased by 79. Besides these there were a number of minor Protestant sects with a few adherents to each, the Calvinistic Reform Church with 11, the Free Church of Victoria, with 24 (all females), the United Free Church with 10, the Union Church with 25, the Reunion with 3, the Welsh Union with 8, the Welsh Church with 51, the French Reformed Church with 7, the sect of Waldenses with, 1 (a sailor on board the Italian war transportEuropa), the Dutch Reformed Church with 9, the Church of Denmark with 3, the Reformed Church of Hungary with 2, the Church of Sweden with 1, the Reformed Church of Switzerland with 1. Then there were 4 Sandemanians, 3 Morrisonians, 3 Reformed Protestants, 100 Evangelists, 7 Evangelical Reformers, 4 members of the Evangelical Union, 7 Second Adventists, 1 Huguenot, and 1 Sankeyite. Thirty-six persons were returned as Dissenters, 42 as Nonconformists, 2 as of the Gospel Hall, 5 of the Christian Meeting House, 4 of the Town Mission, and 4 of the Mission School. [Other Protestant sects.]

181.

Of those classed as Roman Catholics, 6,323 were returned as Catholics, without any qualification. These increased in ten years by 3,171, whilst those returned as Roman Catholics increased by 29,689, the whole increase being 32,860. The Greek Catholics, which numbered 103 as against 332 in 1871, are not classed with the Roman Catholics. [Catholics.]

182.

Of the sects not classed either as Protestant or Catholic, the following were probably Christian :—The Catholic Apostolic Church with 383 adherents, the Apostolic Church with 5, the Israelites—also called Christian Israelites—with 238, the New or Swedenborgian Church with 292, the Mormons or Latter Day Saints with 15, the Christadelphians with 155, the Church of the Holy Disciples with 2, the Church of the First Born with 9, and the followers of Bishop Colenso with 1. The following were distinctly non-Christian :—The Jews, which numbered 4,330 and increased since 1871 by 759 ; the Chinese sects : Confucians, Buddhists, Taou, &c., all combined in the returns under the name of Pagans, which numbered 11,159 and decreased by 6,491 ; the Mahometans, which numbered 111, the Hindoos, which numbered 21, the Parsees and the Worshippers of the Sun, each of which numbered 1. But little is known of the tenets of the following sects, or whether they profess to follow any form of Christianity :—The Spiritualists or Spiritists, which numbered 853 and increased by 682 ; the Universalists with 68 adherents, the Theists with 14, the Memnonites with 2, the Josephites with 8, the Borrowites, Millerites, and Walkerites, each with 1, the Church of God with 4, the Church of Eli Sands with 5, the Broad Church with 2, the Orthodox Church with 8, the Separatists with 5, the Primitives with 2, the Mosaic Dispensation with 2, the Original Session with 6, and the Brotherhood of New Life with 1. [Other religions.]

183.

Besides 3,475 persons who returned themselves as of No Denomination, the following were also classed under that head, making a total of 4,979, as against 2,737 in 1871 :—Freethinkers 1,174 ; Unsectarian 84 ; "Unknown, Uncertain, Not Determined, Not Decided" 84 ; " No Church at Present, No Creed" 20 ; Neutral 2 ; Eclectic 2 ; Rationalists, Reasonists 7 ; Rational Christians 2 ; "Natural Religion" 4 ; "Liberal Views" 2 ; "Liberty of Conscience" 3 ; " Moses and the Laws " 3 ; " Bible Truth" 7 ; Saved Sinners 3 ; "Doctrine of Jesus Christ" 6 ; "Love and fear God, Godfearing" 8 ; Pantheists 5 ; Deists 69 ; Theosophist, Man of God, Believer in parts of the Bible, "Justice and Liberty," Free Religion, Silent Admirer, and Humanitarian, each 1. Also 12 children, respecting whom the entry was made "Choose for themselves," "As they please," or "What they will." [No denomination.]

184.

The Census clerks were specially cautioned not to classify any one as of no religion, unless that term or some other which might fairly be held to express the same meaning was used respecting him. The numbers so placed were 2,607, as against 2,150 in 1871. Of these, 2,428 were returned as of No Religion, 17 of No Profession, and the remainder as follow :—53 Agnostics, 37 Atheists, 7 Secularists, 1 Positivist, 6 Socialists, 24 Materialists, 1 Immaterialist, 1 Iconoclast, 1 Fatalist, 2 Students of Philosophy, 1 Heretic, 1 Sceptic, 14 Infidels, and 4 Unbelievers. In 4 instances "Cosmopolitan," in 3 instances "£ s. d.," in 1 instance "Nature" ; and in 1 instance "Free Trade" was entered upon the schedule. [No religion.]

185.

The persons returned as of no denomination and no religion amounted together to 7,586, or 1 in 11 of the population. If to these be added the numbers of the Unitarians and Spiritualists, a total is arrived at of 9,381, or 1 in 90 of the population, who have not hesitated to return themselves amongst those who are sometimes spoken of as unorthodox.

186.

The persons who stated their objection to make a return of their religion were more numerous by 1,367 in 1871 than in 1881. They amounted to rather more than 1 per cent. of the population at the former period, and not quite 1 per cent. of the population at the latter period. [Objectors.]

187.

In most of the denominations there were more males than females. The reverse was, however, the case in the following :—The Free Church of England, the [Proportions of the sexes.]

Free and Reformed Presbyterian Churches, the Wesleyan and New Connection Methodist Churches, the Independent, Baptist, and Bible Christian Churches, the Church of the Disciples of Christ, the Roman Catholic Church, the Catholic Apostolic Church, and the New or Swedenborgian Church. In the Moravian Church the number of males and females was exactly equal.

188.

Of the 12,128 Chinese (including half-castes) returned at the Census, 11,139 (embracing 11,102 males and 37 females), or 92 per cent. of the whole, were set down as Pagans.

189.

Of the Aborigines, 422, or about 54 per cent., were stated to have embraced Christianity. Of these, 255 were returned as members of the Church of England, 50 as Presbyterians, 57 as Methodists, 4 as Lutherans, 54 as Moravians, and 2 as Roman Catholics. Of the remainder, 44 were set down as "Unsectarian," and 314 as of no religion. Upon inquiry of the superintendents of the Aboriginal stations as to the precise meaning of the last two terms, it was explained that the first was used to indicate those who had received religious instruction and had apparently been more or less impressed thereby, but had not embraced Christianity ; and the second, those who had not received any religious instruction, also those upon whom such instruction having been given had produced no visible effect. [Religions of Aborigines.]

190.

The following table shows the principal religious denominations in each Australasian colony, except Tasmania, in which no census of religions was taken ; also the number of males and females adhering to each denomination :— [Religions of Australasian colonies.]

191.

Combining the Protestant sects so as to obtain the total number of Protestants in each colony (except Tasmania), and contrasting them with the Roman Catholics and Jews, the proportions given in the following table are obtained :—

192.

The proportions in the table are those of the Protestants, Roman Catholics, and Jews to the sum of the three bodies combined ; and it should be pointed out that such proportions would all be somewhat lower if calculated to the whole population of specified beliefs, which, in addition to the bodies named, contains Pagans and other non-Christian sects, as well as persons of No Denomination, No Religion, &c. In proportion to the total of the three combined bodies. Protestants were most numerous in New Zealand, and next to that in South Australia, those being the only colonies in which they amounted to more than 75 per cent. of the whole ; Roman Catholics were most numerous in Western Australia, next so in New South Wales and Queensland, those being the colonies in which they exceeded 25 per cent. of the whole, and Jews were most numerous in Victoria, that being the only colony in which they amounted to over ½ per cent. of the whole.

AGES OF THE PEOPLE.

193.

Entries of the ages of 449,744 males and 408,804 females appeared upon the Census schedules. On the other hand, no statement was made of the ages of 471 male and 347 female children, and of 1,868 male and 1,112 female adults. The unspecified have since been distributed amongst those whose ages were recorded, according to the same proportions the latter are found in, so that the probable ages of the whole population are shown. [Ages.]

194.

It is to be regretted that a considerable want of accuracy occurs in making the return of ages not only here but elsewhere, and, from whatever motive, a tendency is observed, in almost every country where a Census is taken, to date back the age to the preceding decennial or quinquennial period.

195.

The increase or diminution in the numbers of the population at each age at one Census-period, as compared with the previous one, is easily shown by placing the numbers in parallel columns and taking the difference between them. This, however, [Increase or decrease at each age.]

only indicates whether there are more or fewer persons at each age at the later than at the earlier period, but does not show how the numbers would have stood if the same people had lived, and remained in the country, and consequently whether, between the two Census-periods, a loss occurred by emigration and deaths, or a gain by immigration and births. There having been an interval of 10 years between the Censuses of 1871 and 1881, it is evident that every person who lived would be 10 years older at the latter period than at the former. As, however, some must have died at each age, and none of those born between the Census-periods would be more than 10 years old in 1881, it follows that there would necessarily be a smaller number in 1881 than in 1871, at each period of life over 10, unless the places of those who died were supplied by immigrants. To show the gain by immigration, or loss by emigration, which occurred at each age, I have constructed a table in which the numbers in 1881 are placed side by side with those who were returned as 10 years younger in 1871, and the births between the Census-periods are placed beside the numbers under 10 in 1881. The difference between the numbers in the two columns is then taken, to show the increase or decrease at each age, and the figures thus obtained are collated with those representing the deaths which have occurred during the decenniad intervening between the censuses ; the sum of the two, if there has been an increase, or the difference if a decrease, will then indicate the gain by excess of arrivals over departures, or loss by the contrary, which has taken place at each age during the 10 years. The following is the table in which this is shown, males and females being distinguished :—

196.

The sum of the numbers returned in 1871, and of the births which took place between then and the Census of 1881, expresses the whole number of persons to be accounted for, viz., 538,358 males and 462,041 females. A glance at the fifth column will show that the only periods at which the immigration was so great as to outnumber not only the deaths but also the emigration, were 25 to 30 (15 to 20 in 1871) in the males, and 20 to 25 (10 to 15 in 1871) in the females ; the excess of the former being 1,218 and of the latter 751. The sixth column shows the deaths at each period in the ten years, the difference between which and the numbers in the fifth column, where

the minus sign occurs, or their sum where the plus sign occurs, gives the numbers in the last column, which express the actual gain by excess of arrivals over departures, or loss by excess of departures over arrivals at each period of age during the ten years.

197.

It will be observed that, in the case of both males and females, a gain is shown in the period "Under 10" (not born in 1871), but this can scarcely have been caused by more infants being brought here than have been taken away, as the opposite has generally been noticed so far as the arrivals and departures by sea are concerned ; it is therefore probable that this apparent excess has resulted entirely from unregistered births. There has, however, undoubtedly been a net gain by immigration of 3,318 males at 25 to 35 (15 to 25 in 1871), and of 795 at 70 and upwards (60 and upwards in 1871) ; also a net gain of 3,244 females at 15 to 30 (5 to 20 in 1871), and of 883 females at 60 and upwards (50 and upwards in 1871), a loss being shown at all the other periods.

198.

The difference between the sum of the plus quantities and the sum of the minus quantities in the last column shows a net loss by emigration of 15,890 males, and a net gain by immigration of 805 females, which numbers agree exactly with those quoted in a previous paragraph,

199.

In 1871, a smaller number of males were returned at all the years of age from 20 to 35, and a smaller number of females at 24, and at each year from 26 to 28 than in 1861, but larger numbers at all the other years up to 90. In 1881 there were smaller numbers than in 1871 at various periods of life, which, together with the larger numbers that appeared at other periods, are shown in the following table :— [Excess of males and females at each age.]

200.

As the headings indicate, the first two columns of males and females show the excess of the numbers in 1881 over those in 1871, and the last two columns the opposite. The term "excess" is used in place of "increase," since, as has been already shown, the fact of there being higher numbers at one period than at a former one does not necessarily denote that an increase, or the contrary fact that a decrease of population has taken place, as, if immigration and emigration be left out of account, the numbers at the later period depend upon the numbers at quite another age at a former one. It will be observed that the principal ages at which the numbers at the later period exceeded those at the former were—males, all the years from 8 to 26 and from 44 to 92 ; females, all the years from 8 to 27 and 41 to 92 ; and the principal ages at which the numbers in 1881 were less than those in 1871 were—males, the years from 27 to 43 ; females, the years from 28 to 40. The whole diminution being deducted from the whole excess, the net excess at all ages of males is shown to have been 51,033, and of females 79,785, as has been previously stated.

201.

The total population of Victoria halves itself at 20 years of age, there being about as many persons at and above as below that age. Upon the same principle the male population halves itself at 21 years of age, and the female population at 19 years of age. [Age at which population halves itself.]

202.

The legal age of infancy ends and that of majority begins at 21 years. The following are the numbers and relative proportions of those of either sex above and below that age when the Census was taken :— [Persons under and over 21.]

203.

The term "infant," although applied in its legal sense to all persons under 21 years of age, in its popular sense is applied only to those who have not yet completed their first year. The following are terms of like common application which to many would convey more meaning than a mere statement of the age in figures :—"Children," to denote persons of from 1 to 5 years of age ; "boys and girls," from 5 to 15 years ; "youths and maidens," from 15 to 20 years ; "young men and young women," from 20 to 30 years ; " middle-aged men and middle-aged women, " from 30 to 50 years ; "old men and old women," 50 years and upwards. The following were the numbers at these different periods of life returned at the last Census :— [Persons at various periods of life.]

204.

According to the returns, 1,099 males or 1 in every 411, and 842 females or 1 in every 487 had passed their eightieth birthday ; 69 males and 66 females had passed their ninetieth ; and 11 persons, all males, had passed their hundredth. Of the last named, 5 were stated to be 100 years of age, 2 were set down as 101, 2 as 103, and 2 as 105. [Octogenarians, nonagenarians, and centenarians.]

205.

Males as young as 14 and females as young as 12 may, with the consent of their parents or guardians, legally marry. Those at and above these ages, or in other words at a legally marriageable period of life, were 295,224 males and 277,456 females, or 65 per cent. of the whole number of the former and 68 per cent. of the latter. [Persons at marriageable age.]

206.

The average age of males was greater in 1881 than at any previous Census since that of 1854, whilst the average age of females was greater than at any previous period of the colony's history. The following are the figures at successive Census-periods :— [Average age of the population.]

207.

It is evident that a population which, relatively to the total number of units of which it is composed, contains a great many children and very old people, is not so physically effective as one which has a larger proportion of persons at the middle period of life. Speaking generally, it may be said that persons between 15 and 65 years of age are able to contribute largely to their own maintenance, and often to support themselves altogether, whilst those under 15 and over 65 are supported by others. Upon this principle the Victorian population was relatively somewhat stronger in 1881 than in 1871, although it was not at either period nearly so strong as in 1861 ; this will be seen by the following figures, which show the numbers in every 10,000 living at the supporting and dependent ages at the three periods :— [Effective strength of the population.]

208.

It will be observed that the dependent classes in every 10,000 of the population, which numbered 3,553 in 1861, had risen to 4,371 in 1871, but had again fallen to 4,092 in 1881 ; whilst the sustaining classes in every 10,000, which, from 6,447 in 1861, had fallen to 5,629 in 1871, had again risen to 5,908 in 1881.

209.

If males alone be considered, the numbers at the supporting ages would be higher, and those at the dependent ages lower at each of the Census-periods than when the whole population is taken into account, but, as in the latter case, the supporting classes are found to have been in a larger, and the dependent classes in a smaller proportion than in 1871, whilst the former were not in so large, and the latter not in so small a proportion as in 1861. This will be seen by the following figures :—

210.

From 15 to 45 may be called the fruitful or child-bearing age of females. The proportion at this period of life, as compared with the whole female population, was observed to have fallen off greatly in 1871 as compared with 1861 ; but as the youthful female population have grown to womanhood, the proportion has again increased, and in 1881 was 159 per 10,000 higher than in 1871. It had not, however, reached so high by 587 per 10,000 as the proportion in 1861, that being a period at which, although the stream of immigration which had been attracted to Victoria by the fame of the goldfields had ceased, its expanding influence upon the ranks of the adult population had not subsided. The following figures express the number of females in 10,000 living at the reproductive age at the last three Censuses :— [Females at the reproductive age.]

211.

Notwithstanding the continuous stream of adult immigration which has been flowing to most of the other Australasian colonies under the auspices of the State, Victoria has still, in proportion to the total population, more people at the middle period of life, and fewer of the young and very old, than any other colony of the group except Queensland. In this respect South Australia and New South Wales stand fourth and fifth, and New Zealand last. This will be seen by the following table, in which the colonies are arranged in order according to the position in which they stand in regard to the proportion of persons at the sustaining, as [Relative effectivement of population of Australasian colonies.]

contrasted with those at the dependent periods of life. The former are placed in the first column, and the latter in the last two columns :—

212.

Relatively to the numbers of the population, it will be observed that, whilst Victoria has more persons at the middle period of life than any other Australasian colony except Queensland, as has already been stated, she has fewer children than any of the other colonies except Tasmania, but more old people than any except Western Australia and Tasmania.

213.

If, in regard to relative strength, as measured by the proportionate numbers at the middle period of life, the male population only be considered, the positions of most of the colonies change. Queensland is still at the first, but Victoria falls to the fifth place. Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, and New Zealand rise to the second, third, fourth, and sixth places, whilst Tasmania falls to the last. The following are the figures :—

214.

The figures in the last column but one show that, in proportion to the male population, Victoria contains a larger number of boys than any other Australasian colony except New Zealand, but in this respect is closely approached by New South Wales ; and the figures in the last column show that, in proportion to that population, Victoria has about as many old men as New South Wales, but a larger number than any other colony except Western Australia and Tasmania. Attention is called to the very large proportion of old men contained in the population of the latter.

215.

In proportion to the total number of females, Victoria contains a smaller number at the reproductive ages than South Australia, but a larger number than any other Australasian colony. New South Wales and Queensland follow next in order, and then Tasmania, New Zealand being last on the list. The following are the numbers living at such ages in each colony and their proportions to its total female population :— [Women at reproductive ages in Australasian colonies.]

216.

To every 10,000 persons of both sexes living in England and Wales in 1871, those at the supporting period of life were in the proportion of 5,916, which is higher than the proportion existing in 1881 in any Australasian colony except Queensland ; males at [Effectiveness of population of England.]

the same period were in the proportion of 5,842, which is lower than in any of the colonies except Tasmania. The following were the numbers in 10,000 at that and at the dependent periods of life in England and Wales, when the Census of 1871 was taken :—

217.

According to the returns of the same Census, women in England and Wales, at the reproductive period of life (15 to 45 years), were in the proportion of 4,496 per 10,000 females at all ages. This is a lower proportion than that which obtains in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, or Queensland, but higher than that in the other three colonies. [Women at reproductive period in England.]

218.

From 20 to 40, being the age at which the first call upon the male inhabitants of a country would be made in order to repel an invasion, is designated "the Soldiers' Age." It appears that the Australasian colonies could raise an army of over 450,000 such males, the following being the numbers obtainable from each colony :— [Men at "Soldiers' age" in Australasian colonies.]

219.

It will be noticed that the contingent available from this colony is smaller by 18,000 than that from New South Wales, and a simple calculation will show that, relatively to the total population, males at the soldiers' age are fewer in Victoria than in any of the other Australasian colonies. In fact, it may be stated that the deficiency of males at this important period of life is the weakest point in the Victorian population. The following are the numbers of such males in every 10,000 of the population of both sexes in each colony. The colonies being arranged in order, it is shown that Victoria occupies the lowest position, as has been already stated :—

220.

The following table shows, in quinquennial periods, the ages of the people in each of the Australasian colonies :—

221.

It will be observed that, notwithstanding the smaller total population of New South Wales, she returned more males than Victoria at each of the periods between 25 and 40. Males at all the other age periods, however, and females at all the age periods, were more numerous in this colony than in New South Wales.

222.

Almost all the Chinese males living in Victoria are adults, as many as 11,516, out of 11,869, being over 21 years of age ; most of these were in the prime of life, no less than 8,924 being between 35 and 60 years. Of the 259 Chinese females, the majority were children, only 46 being over 21 years of age. It is probable that most of the young Chinese of both sexes were half-castes, although not always noted as such. Twenty-five of the Chinese males were set down as being between 75 and 80 years, 7 as being between 80 and 85 years, and 1 as being 85 years of age. [Ages of Chinese.]

223.

According to the returns of the Aborigines, children under 5 amounted to 12 per cent. of the whole, the same proportion in the general population being 13 per cent. ; persons under 15 amounted to 34 per cent., and persons under 21 to 43 per cent. of the whole, as against 38 per cent. and 52 per cent. at the same periods of life in the general population. Four of the male and 1 of the female Aborigines were set down as being between 75 and 80, 1 of the males as being between 80 and 85, and 1 of the males as being 90 years of age. [Ages of Aborigines.]

EDUCATION OF THE PEOPLE.

224.

The Census return of education embraces the result of an inquiry as to the ability of each member of the population to read and write, but does not extend to any higher attainments, except in the case of individuals possessing University degrees, respecting whom the sub-enumerators were instructed to enter the letters by which the degree was expressed, and the name of the University at which it was obtained. An account of the holders of University degrees will be given later. The present portion of this Report, therefore treats only of the extent to which the inhabitants of the colony were versed in the rudimentary arts of reading and writing. [Education.]

225.

Probably most of the Chinese acquire some proficiency in reading and writing their own language, but as the characters in it number, it is said, at least 40,000 (words not being built up of letters as in our own system, but each character standing for a word), and as the ability to decipher and form a few of these characters is probably attained by almost every Chinese during the course of his lifetime, whereas a perfect knowledge of every character in the language is rarely, if ever, gained even by the most advanced scholars, it is difficult to say where the ability of a Chinaman to read and write begins and where it ends—how many characters it is necessary for him to know and be able to make before he could be stated to be instructed, or how few would warrant his being classed as illiterate. This being the case, and considering also that a knowledge of a certain number of the characters of their own language would but slightly, if at all, add to their usefulness as citizens of this community, I was instrumental in causing a short instruction to be inserted at the head of the Education [Chinese and Aborigines eliminated.]

Column of the Householder's Schedule used at the Census of 1871, to the effect that the Chinese not able to read or write English should be set down as illiterate. This was noticed with approval in the other Australasian colonies, and on the occasion of the present Census a similar instruction was embodied in the schedule of almost every colony of the group. As, however, such a number of illiterate adults would give a false view of the educational state of the community, I have had tables prepared excluding them as well as the Aborigines from the numbers, and shall, in the present portion of my Report, treat of the population exclusive of the members of those two races.

226.

The returns of education were not so complete as those given in response to most of the other Census inquiries, the schedules being silent as to the degree of education possessed by as many as 8,119 males and 6,468 females over five years of age. These have, however, been distributed by proportion amongst the other numbers, and thus, after eliminating the Chinese and Aborigines, I am able to treat of the whole residue of the population.

227.

The persons able to read numbered 700,193, of whom 650,809 could also write, and those unable to read numbered 149,245. The population treated of being 849,438, it follows that 82 per cent. of that number could read, 77 per cent. could write, and 18 per cent. were unable to read. [Education at all ages.]

228.

These figures apply to the population at all ages ; but it is evident that, to obtain a correct knowledge of the educational condition of the community, it is necessary to eliminate those who are not old enough to receive instruction. Taking then the population of 5 years of age and upwards, numbering 735,499, it is found that 696,025, or 95 per cent., could read ; 650,809, or 88 per cent., could write, and only 39,474, or 5 per cent., could not read. [Education at over 5 years.]

229.

The returns show rudimentary education to have been more widely spread in 1881 than at any previous period since the discovery of gold. This is made plain by the following figures, which indicate the measure of such education at successive Censuses :— [Education at successive Census.]

230.

It will be noticed that education retrograded somewhat, between 1857 and 1861, but an improvement took place between the last-named Census and that of 1871, and a still further and considerably greater improvement between 1871 and 1881.

231.

The returns of 1881 show the instruction of females to have been slightly inferior to that of males. In proportion to their respective numbers (viz., 382,053 males, and 353,446 females over 5 years of age), they were about equal in point of ability to read, but more males than females could write. The following are the figures :— [Education of males and females.]

232.

From 6 to 15 years is the age during which the law prescribes that children should be receiving education, and is therefore called the school age. The returns of the Census showed 194,979 children at that age, of whom 97,722 were boys and 97,257 were girls. The following are the numbers of these who could read, who could also write, and who could not read :— [Education at School age.]

233.

The present Education Act (36 Vict. No. 447) came into operation 21 months after the Census of 1871 was taken, and thus the returns of that Census and of the Census under review afford an opportunity of comparing the state of children's education before and since the passing of that Act. Such a comparison is made in the following table, the education of children being reduced to a common standard, the numbers per 10,000 being taken as such at both periods :—

234.

In 1881, as compared with 1871, an increase will be observed in the numbers of both sexes able to read, but a much larger one in those able to write, the increase of the former (the returns of the two periods being reduced to a common standard) being about 5 per cent., whilst that of the latter was over 20 per cent. ; at the same time the decrease of those unable to read was 48 per cent.

235.

It will be noticed that at both periods rudimentary education was rather more common amongst girls than boys, the numbers of the former able to read and to write being greater, and the numbers unable to read being smaller, than those of the latter.

236.

The degree of education at the school age is found to differ according to the religious denomination. In the following table the numbers of, and proportionate amount of primary instruction possessed by, the children belonging to each of the principal sects are shown :— [Education of children of different denominations.]

237.

According to the table, the children of the Bible Christians, in proportion to their numbers, stand higher than those of the members of any of the other denominations, so far as the ability to read is concerned ; but the children of the Jews stand the highest in reference to the ability to write, in which respect the children of the Independents and Baptists also surpass those of the Bible Christians. The children of the Roman Catholics appear to be less instructed, both in reading and writing, than any of the others ; the next less instructed being the children of the Lutherans, and then those of the members of the Church of England.

238.

Prior to the passing of the present Education Act, which defined the school age as that between 6 and 15 years, the period between 5 and 15 years was accepted as the school age ; therefore to compare the education of children of adherents of the different sects, as returned in 1881, with similar information obtained from previous Censuses, it has been necessary to add the year 5 to 6 to the grouping

in the last table ; the degree of education shown, viz., that of children between 5 and 15 being naturally not quite so high as that there indicated. This being done the result has been embodied in the following table, the figures being placed side by side with similar figures derived from the Census returns of 1871 and 1861 :—

239.

Every one of the denominations shows a satisfactory improvement from Census to Census, the advancement of all, during the 20 years ended with 1881 being most encouraging. Even the Roman Catholic children, which at the date of the Census under review were still less educated than those of the members of any other denomination, showed an amount of education which ten years previously was only surpassed by a few of the best instructed sects.

240.

The school age prescribed by law differs in the various Australasian colonies.

241.

It will be observed that Victoria stands easily at the head of the list, being much in advance of all the other colonies, both as regards reading and writing. As the arrangement is in accordance with the numbers able to read, South Australia is placed below New Zealand, and Tasmania below Western Australia ; but the order in these cases would have been reversed had the arrangement been in accordance with the numbers able to write, as the proportion of such was greater in South Australia than in New Zealand, and greater in Tasmania than in Western Australia.

242.

In Victoria children were sometimes returned as able to read when 2 years and even 1 year old, and as able to write at almost equally early ages ; but, as the Census is, I conceive, not intended to record the acquirements of infant phenomena, in all probability exaggerated by parental fondness or vanity, I instructed the compiling clerks not to tabulate any child as able to read until it was 3 years, or as able to write until it was 5 years of age. Between 3 and 6 years of age the number of male children returned was 34,101, and of female children 33,211, of whom the degree of education, as finally made up in the tables, was as follows :— [Education under school age.]

243.

Before they arrive at the school age, girls appear to be more capable of receiving instruction than boys, as the proportions of the former able to read and able to write were higher than those of the latter. Some doubt exists as to the reliability of the information given as to the acquirements of very young children ; but if it be true that over a fifth of the boys and nearly a fourth of the girls between 3 and 6 years of age could read, as is shown by the figures, it cannot be said that instruction, even at this early age, is entirely thrown away.

244.

The persons above the school age may be designated adults. The following are the numbers of those of either sex, returned as able to read, as able also to write, and as uninstructed :— [Adult education.]

245.

Education amongst adults was more general in 1881 than in 1871. This is especially the case as regards female education, the improvement in which is very striking. The following table shows the number of male and female adults, per 10,000 living, able to read and to write, and unable to read at the two periods :—

246.

It will be observed that at both periods the amount of education respecting which the Census supplies information, was rather more general amongst male than female adults. This is especially the case as regards writing, although the difference between the sexes in this respect was not so marked in 1881 as in 1871.

247.

In compiling their returns of education, most of the colonies of this group have excluded the Aborigines, but several of them have not separated the Chinese, or distinguished their educational attainments so as to admit of their being accurately deducted from the remainder of the population ; and as the Chinese have been set down as illiterate if not able to read English, which few of them are able to do, the view which such colonies have given of the state of adult education within their borders is not so favorable as it should have been. To rectify this, and to enable fair comparisons to be made between the different colonies, I have in these cases assumed the bulk of the Chinese to be included amongst the adults unable to read, [Adult education in Australasian colonies.]

and have deducted them therefrom, so that the state of adult education in all the colonies is given, as nearly as possible, exclusive of Chinese and Aborigines. Upon the number so obtained, the following proportions have been based :—

248.

Victoria, it will be observed, is no longer at the top of the list, but is below New Zealand, although only slightly so, South Australia in like manner, being slightly below Victoria. New South Wales, as in the case of the education of children, occupies the fifth place on the list and stands below all the other colonies, except Western Australia and Tasmania.

249.

Twenty-one being the age at which both sexes attain their legal majority, it is interesting to know the state of education from that age upwards. When the Census was taken there were in Victoria, exclusive of Chinese and Aborigines, 214,978 men and 184,396 women who had arrived at that period of life. The following table shows the numbers of those who could read, who could also write, and who could not read ; also the proportions of those of each degree of education to every 10,000 of the same age and sex living :— [Education of men and women.]

250.

A comparison of these figures with those in a former table will show that males and females of 15 and upwards were more generally educated than those of 21 and upwards, thereby proving that the standard of education in the former was raised by the nearer approach to universal education existing amongst those between 15 and 21.

251.

Education amongst males of 21 and upwards was more common than amongst females at the same period of life, which is more especially apparent in the matter of writing. Girls were more generally educated than boys, as has been already mentioned, but at almost all the adult ages the absence of instruction was found to be more common amongst females than amongst males.

252.

Exclusive of medical men with no other than professional degrees entered, the number of persons stated to be possessed of University degrees was 236 ; there were probably many more, but no entry appeared in the schedules to indicate the fact. Of these, 104 were said to have attained the degree of B.A., 89 that of M.A., 32 that of LL.B., 10 that of LL.D., and 1 that of B.Sc. The following are the Universities at which the degrees were obtained and the number who graduated at each :—Aberdeen, 9 ; Berlin, 1 ; Cambridge, 31 ; Christiania, 2 ; Durham, 1 ; Edinburgh, 4 ; "French University," 6 ; Glasgow, 2 ; Gottingen, 2 ; Halifax, 1 ; Harvard, 1 ; King's College, Scotland, 1 ; London, 5 ; Melbourne, 85 ; Oxford, 26 ; Paris, 7 ; Queen's College, Ireland, 3 ; Rostock, 1 ; Sydney, 1 ; Trinity College, Dublin, 36 ; Yale, 1 ; York, 1 ; not stated, 9. [University graduates.]

253.

I have thought it desirable to tabulate the University degree in connection with the occupation, so that it might be seen what calling the possessors of such qualifications were following. Subjoined is a summary of the information so obtained :—

254.

The "Other Occupations" mentioned in the lowest line include—an M.A., Oxford, following the calling of a laborer ; a B.A., Berlin, that of a bootmaker ; an M.A., Cambridge, that of a printer ; a B.A., London, that of a drover ; a B.A., Trinity College, Dublin, that of a livery-stable assistant ; and a B.A., university not stated, that of a cabdriver.

255.

Of the Chinese males over 15, 11,265 out of a total of 11,680, or 96 per cent., were unable to read English. The remainder, numbering 415, were said to be able to read our language, and of these 367 were stated to be able to write it. Of the Chinese females, at the same age, numbering 78, 40 were set down as able to read and 38 able also to write English. At the school age 170 Chinese and half-caste children were returned, of whom 139 could read and 117 could also write. [Education of Chinese.]

256.

The Aboriginal children at the school age numbered 153, of whom 132 could read and 113 could also write, while only 21 were altogether uninstructed. The Aborigines over 15 years of age numbered 511, of whom 164 were returned as able to read and 118 as able also to write, whilst 347 were set down as entirely uneducated. [Education of Aborigines.]

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.

257.

By a regulation, issued under the 20th section of the Census Act 1881, it was ordained that the sub-enumerators should obtain from every school, whether State, private, industrial, reformatory, orphan, or of any other kind whatever, particulars as to the religious denomination with which it was connected, the number of teachers, and the number and ages of the scholars who attended during any portion of Monday the 4th April 1881. The following is a summary of the information obtained in pursuance of this regulation :— [Schools, teachers, and scholars.]

258.

The number of schools returned being 2,354, the number of teachers 5,807, and the number of scholars who attended on the day succeeding the night of the Census 157,185, there were, on the average, 67 scholars and nearly 2.5 teachers to each school, and 27 scholars to each teacher.

259.

In State schools, which numbered 1,711, there were 4,291 teachers and 129,051 scholars in attendance. There were thus 75 scholars, and rather more than 2.5 teachers to each school, and about 30 scholars to each teacher.

260.

The private schools numbered 643, with 1,516 teachers and 28,134 scholars. To each such school, therefore, there were 44 scholars and rather less than 2.4 teachers, and to each teacher there were about 19 scholars.

261.

In private schools returned as connected with religious bodies, the average number of scholars entrusted to each teacher was found to be generally greater than in such schools returned as secular institutions, the proportion in the former being 1 teacher to 25 scholars, and in the latter, 1 teacher to 12 scholars. [Denominational schools.]

262.

The authorities of the different religious bodies were found to vary greatly in regard to the number of scholars they deem it expedient to entrust to each instructor. Thus, whilst in the Church of England schools the average was 11 scholars to each teacher, in the Roman Catholic schools it was as high as 30 to each, or exactly the same as in the State schools. The following are the proportions of scholars to each teacher in the schools returned as attached to the different sects :—

263.

It is right I should point out that the name of the denomination with which the private schools were stated to be connected, is believed to have been sometimes meant to imply merely the religion of the head teacher or proprietor of the school, and perhaps the principles on which the establishment was conducted ; not that it was recognized as attached to his church or was subordinate to its clergy. The exceptions to this are believed to be most of the schools returned as Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Jewish, a few of those returned as of the Church of England, and one or two of those returned as Presbyterian and Wesleyan, but probably none of those returned as connected with any other denomination.

264.

The numbers of children below, at, and above the school age, who attended school on the 4th April, may be compared with the numbers at the same periods of life in the general population, the scholars under the school age being assumed to be between 3 and 6 years, and those above the school age being assumed to be between 15 and 18 years. As a fair proportion of the few young Chinese (mostly half-castes) and young Aborigines in the colony would probably be at school, the individuals of these races need not in this instance be eliminated. The following are the numbers of children in the population and at school at the three periods of age referred to ; also the proportions of the latter to the former :— [Proportion of scholars attending school.]

265.

It will be observed that nearly 37 per cent. of the children in the colony who had passed the age of infancy, but had not reached the school age, were attending school on the 4th April ; but that only 65 per cent. of the children at the school age so attended, which, considering that the numbers were taken on a day specially appointed and made known beforehand, can hardly be considered a satisfactory result. Between the school age and 18 years the proportion who attended was

rather over 8 per cent., which, considering the early age at which persons of both sexes enter into business pursuits in this colony, is perhaps as high a proportion as could be expected.

266.

The figures given show the actual school attendance on Monday the 4th April, or the day succeeding the Census Sunday. As, however, it was thought only natural that the teachers would endeavor to secure as full an attendance of scholars as possible on that day, which might give larger numbers than were in the habit of attending under ordinary circumstances, it was deemed expedient also to obtain a statement of the average attendance during the five school days of the week preceding the Census ; and, as this was not generally known beforehand, it is believed that the numbers so obtained afford a fair view of the ordinary school attendance. These numbers in the following table are placed side by side with those showing the actual attendance on the Monday after the Census :— [School attendance on Census day, and in previous week.]

267.

It will be observed that the average number of scholars attending during the week preceding the Census was less by 13,000 than the number attending on the day after it. The excess of the numbers at the latter period was almost entirely amongst the State schools and the Roman Catholic schools, in the former of which the attendance was nearly 10 per cent. and in the latter nearly 11 per cent. greater on the 4th April than the five days' average. In other cases there was no evidence of any special effort having been made to collect the scholars on the Monday, the difference between the numbers at the two periods being in all cases trifling, and the figures for the five days being in most instances slightly in excess of those for the 4th April.

268.

The children mentioned were no doubt all actually at school, but they evidently do not represent all the children receiving education in the colony ; for some children, attached to and on the books of both State and private schools, must necessarily have been absent during the week preceding and on the day following the Census, and some were doubtless receiving instruction at home under tutors or governesses. The number of children set down as scholars in the occupation column of the Census schedule may be supposed to afford means of ascertaining the whole number of children being educated, the result being much in excess of the return of those attending school at either of the periods named, as will be seen by the following figures :— [Children being educated.]

269.

All the "scholars" just referred to are known to have been under 20 years of age, but further than this their ages have not been ascertained. The numbers, however, can be divided approximately into those below, at, and above the school age, by

considering the "scholars" at each period of age to bear the same proportion to the total number of "scholars" that those returned at each such period as attending school did to the total number so attending. The result of such an estimate is shown in the following table, also the proportion of the "scholars" of each estimated age to the numbers of the same age in the population :—

270.

According to this table, nearly 43 per cent. of the children between 3 and 6 years, or before they had reached the school age, nearly 77 per cent. of those between 6 and 15, or at the school age, and nearly 10 per cent. of those between 15 and 18, or after they had passed the school age, were receiving instruction about the time the Census was taken. The figures in the table on which these proportions were based probably give a fair statement of the numbers being educated at that time ; but it is known that many children are sent to school only during broken periods of the year, being removed at times to suit the convenience of parents, and again sent as they can be spared from home duties, and thus many more children than those whose numbers are given in the table were probably reached by the schoolmaster for a longer or shorter period during the course of the year. The Education Department have estimated that as many as 195,526 distinct children attended at State schools during some portion of 1881, of whom 156,206 were at the school age. These with the numbers at the same age, returned as attending private schools and being educated at home, give a total of 188,265, or 38,810 more than the numbers at the school age shown in the table ; the latter being the probable number of children at that age who, although attending school during some portion of 1881, were not so attending when the Census was taken.

271.

The Chinese under 20, including half-castes, numbered 494, viz., 286 boys and 208 girls. Of the former of these, 84, or 29 per cent., and of the latter 73, or 35 per cent., were returned as receiving education ; which, considering many of them must have been under and some over the school age, is not an unsatisfactory result. Of the whole number being educated—viz., 157—85 were attending State and 10 private schools, 18 were being instructed at home, and of 44 the mode of education was not stated. [Chinese at school.]

272.

The Aborigines under 20 numbered 325, of whom 167, or 51 per cent., were returned as being educated when the Census was taken. Twenty of these were said to be attending State schools, 101 private schools, 35 being instructed at home, and of 11 the mode of instruction was not specified. It is probable that those returned as receiving instruction at private schools and at home were at Aboriginal stations. [Aborigines at school.]

CONJUGAL CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE.

273.

The entries in the Census schedules afforded information as to the conjugal condition of all the adult inhabitants of Victoria, except in the case of 2,821 males and 2,053 females, and as to their exact ages except in the case of 1,460 males and 822 females. The unspecified, however, have been distributed by proportion amongst the different groups, and thus, in considering the conjugal condition, it becomes possible to deal with the numbers of the whole population. [Conjugal condition.]

274.

Of the males at all ages from infancy upwards, 314,563 were set down as unmarried, 124,654 as husbands, and 12,866 as widowers. Of the females at all ages, 262,478 were set down as unmarried, 126,042 as wives, and 21,743 as widows.

275.

The wives exceeded the husbands by 1,388, as against an excess of wives over husbands, amounting to only 133 in 1871, and an excess of husbands over wives, amounting to 4,290 in 1861. [Husbands and wives.]

276.

Up to the age of 40, wives exceeded husbands at every period of age, the total excess being 21,591 ; but after 40 years of age husbands exceeded wives at every period, the total excess being 20,203.

277.

Although, throughout the colony the number of husbands was nearly equal to that of wives, it does not follow that the husbands all belonged to the wives, or all the wives to the husbands. Of the 124,654 husbands and 126,042 wives returned, only 112,539 abode in the same house on the Census night ; thus the husbands whose wives were absent numbered 12,115, and the wives whose husbands were absent numbered 13,503 ; the difference between the detached husbands and detached wives was of course the same as that between the whole number of husbands and the whole number of wives, viz., 1,388, as already stated.

278.

The proportion of husbands whose wives were absent was smaller, but the proportion of wives whose husbands were absent was somewhat larger on the Census night of 1881 than on that of 1871 or 1861. In every 1,000 married men returned in 1881, 903 were with, and 97 apart from their wives ; the corresponding numbers in 1871 being 898 and 102, and in 1861, 852 and 148. In every 1,000 married women returned in 1881, 892 were with, and 108 apart from their husbands ; the corresponding numbers in 1871 being 897 and 103, and in 1861, 895 and 105.

279.

In 1881, of every 1,000 of the population of the colony, 291 were in the marriage state ; of every 1,000 males, 276 were husbands, of every 1,000 females, 307 were wives.

280.

At 20 years of age and upwards the number of husbands was about equal to that of wives, there being 124,599 of the former and 124,569 of the latter. There were, however, at this period of life 41,290 more men than women, and thus it happens that whilst of every 1,000 of the men, only 529 were husbands ; of every 1,000 of the women, as many as 641 were wives.

281.

At the age of 40 and upwards, there were 78,633 husbands, but only 58,430 wives. At that period the whole number of men living exceeded that of women living by 40,989. Of the former, 647 in 1,000 were husbands, of the latter, 726 in 1,000 were wives.

282.

Males at the age of 14, females at the age of 12, may marry, as has been already stated,

283.

Fifty-five youths at the age of 19, and 228 at the age of 20, were returned as husbands. Five females at the age of 14, 14 at the age of 15, 46 at the age of 16, 176 at the age of 17, 405 at the age of 18, 827 at the age of 19, and 1,533 at the age of 20, were returned as wives. Thus, 283 of the husbands, and 3,006 of the wives had not attained the age of 21 years.

284.

Husbands under 21 years of age were in the proportion of 23 to every 10,000 husbands of all ages, or about 1 in 440. Wives under 21 years of age were in the proportion of 238 to every 10,000 wives of all ages, or about 1 in 42.

285.

The average age of husbands was 45.54 years, and the average age of wives was 40.46 years. Therefore, husbands were, upon the average, 5 years and 29 days older than wives.

286.

There were more wives than husbands in the counties of Bendigo, Bogong, Bourke, Dalhousie, Dundas, Grant, Grenville, Heytesbury, Normanby, Polwarth, and Rodney ; but in all the other counties, except Millewa, where the numbers were equal, there were more husbands than wives.

287.

In the cities, towns, and boroughs, taken as a whole, wives exceeded husbands by 3,963 ; but in nine of the individual boroughs, husbands were more numerous than wives ; and in two, viz., Malmsbury and Tarnagulla the number of husbands was identical with that of wives.

288.

In the total of the shires, husbands were more numerous than wives, the difference in favour of the former being 1,506 ; but in 44 of the individual shires the reverse was the case, wives being in excess of husbands ; and in two, viz., Ballarat and McIvor, the number of husbands and wives was equal.

289.

The following are the numbers of husbands and wives in each Australasian colony, those under and over 21 years of age being distinguished :— [Husbands and wives in Australasian colonies.]

290.

Victoria is the only one of the Australasian colonies in which wives exceeded husbands. In Queensland the numbers were equal, but in all the other colonies husbands were in excess. Wives relatively to husbands were fewest in Western Australia, and next so in Tasmania. The following are the proportions in the different colonies :—

291.

The tendency of males to marry under age appears to be greatest in Tasmania, and least in New Zealand, Victoria standing above the latter colony and South Australia. The following is the order in which the colonies stood in this particular, the colony in which the proportion of husbands under age was largest being placed first, and the rest in succession :—

292.

The tendency of women to marry under age appears to be greatest in Western Australia and Queensland, and least in Victoria—the first two being the colonies in which the proportion of females to the total population is lowest, and the last the colony in which it is highest. The following is the order of the colonies in this respect, the colony in which the proportion of wives under age was greatest being placed first, and that in which it was least last :—

293.

If it be assumed that each wife represents a family, there were, when the Census was taken, 126,042 integral families ; but there were also 34,609 families in a state of dissolution, 12,866 by the death of the wife, and 21,743 by the death of the husband at the head, the former being the number of widowers, and the latter the number of widows returned. [Widowers and widows.]

294.

The widows exceeded the widowers by 8,877. In 1871, the former were also in excess of the latter, the difference being 3,865, but at all previous Censuses taken since the discovery of gold, widowers were more numerous than widows ; the excess of the former being 211 in 1861, 1,181 in 1857, and 1,518 in 1854. The inference is that, since the sexes have become more equalized, the facilities for widows to re-enter the marriage state are not so great as they were when males were very greatly in excess of females.

295.

The proportion of widowers to the whole male population was 1 in 35 ; that of widows to the whole female population was 1 in 19.

296.

At every one of the periods of life in which the numbers of widowers and widows have been grouped, the latter are found to be more numerous than the former.

297.

At the age of 20 and upwards, in proportion to the total numbers of their respective sexes, widows were twice as numerous as widowers, for whilst, at that period of life, 1 woman in 9 was a widow, only 1 man in 18 was a widower.

298.

At all ages, the husbands were to the widowers in the proportion of 10 to 1, and the wives to the widows were in the proportion of 6 to 1.

299.

Up to the age of 80, there were more husbands than widowers, and up to the age of 70, there were more wives than widows at each quinquennial age-period ; but after the age of 80, there were more widowers than husbands, and after the age of 70, there were more widows than wives.

300.

The youngest widowers were 20 years of age, at which period of life, 6 youths were so returned. Forty-seven females under 21 years of age were returned as widows, viz., 2 at 16, 5 at 17, 6 at 18, 7 at 19, and 27 at 20.

301.

There were more widowers than widows in the counties of Anglesey, Benambra, Buln Buln, Croajingolong, Dargo, Gladstone, Karkarooc, Lowan, Moira, Millewa, Tambo, Tatchera, and Wonnangatta ; but more widows than widowers in all the other counties except Weeah, where there was neither widower nor widow.

302.

In nearly all the cities, towns, and boroughs, widowers were more numerous than widows. The following are exceptions :—Carisbrook, Dunolly, Majorca, Raywood, and Walhalla ; also Tarnagulla, where the numbers were equal.

303.

In 26 of the shires the number of widowers exceeded that of widows ; in two, viz., Kowree and Romsey, the numbers were equal ; but in all the remaining shires widows were in excess of widowers.

304.

Of those returned as unmarried (never married), 216,409 males were under 20, and 164,738 females were under 15 years of age. If those beyond these ages be designated bachelors and spinsters, there were, when the Census was taken, 98,154 of the former, and 97,740 of the latter in the colony. [Bachelors and spinsters.]

305.

These numbers include the Chinese and Aborigines ; but as the Chinese seldom marry in this country, and since they, as well as the Aborigines, have been excluded from the returns of previous Censuses, and are also generally excluded from the Census returns of the other colonies of the group, both races will be eliminated upon the present occasion, which will leave the number of bachelors (over 20) as 87,071, and the number of spinsters (over 15) as 97,667.

306.

The figures just given furnish a proportion of 112 spinsters to every 100 bachelors ; but to ascertain the full marrying power of the population, it is evidently necessary to add the widowers to the bachelors, and the widows to the spinsters, when the proportion of marriageable women will be found to be nearly 120 to every 100 marriageable men. The following are the numbers :—

307.

The Census under review is the first which has shown the number of marriageable women to be larger than that of marriageable men. At the previous Census there were only 73 of the former to every 100 of the latter, and in 1854 the proportion was as low as 21 to every 100. The relative increase of marriageable

women has, however, been steady since that period, as is seen by the following table, which contains a statement of the numbers and proportions at the last five Censuses :—

308.

It will be observed that each Census, as compared with the previous one, showed an increase in the number of marriageable women, but not so of marriageable men, whose number was much largest in 1861. The subsequent Census, that of 1871, showed a falling-off of 17,019 ; but the next, that under review, showed an increase of 9,946, which, however, still left the number of marriageable men fewer by 7,073 than in 1861.

309.

The returns for 1881 show a smaller number of marriageable males than marriageable females at each of the quinquennial periods of age at which they jointly occur. The reason of the whole number of the former being greater than that of the latter is that, in consequence of the ages at which marriages are found to take place, the marriageable age of females is assumed to commence at an earlier period of life (15 years) than that of males (20 years), which gives an addition of 49,677 to the former. Were 20 to be assumed to be the commencement of the marriageable age of females, as it is of males, the marriageable females would number only 69,701, or 30,166 less than the marriageable males.

310.

I have elsewhere shown, upon more than one occasion,

311.

The numbers in the last column but two, and those in the last column, show such a falling-off that, if the proportion that marriages bear to the total population or to the number of single females, were to be accepted as an index of the prosperity of the community, an alarming amount of depression would be indicated at the last two periods. The figures in the last column but one, however (hereafter called the "marriage rate"), tell a very different tale, and exhibit just such fluctuations as might have been expected from the changes which took place in the circumstances of the population between the different periods. Thus, in 1854, there was a very large influx to the colony of single adult males, some of whom brought money with them, which they saw, or

thought they saw, every prospect of speedily increasing, whilst others actually did make money very quickly, and consequently the "marriage rate" was high, but doubtless not so high as it would have been had it not been for the discomfort of living in tents, and other privations incident to a life on the early goldfields to which a large portion of the community was then subjected. By 1857 immigration had, for the time, been overdone, the result being that the gold obtained was very much less in proportion to the number of miners at work than it had been, whilst the discomforts of a goldfields life were as great as ever, and so the "marriage rate" naturally declined. By 1861 the yield of gold had seriously diminished, and as persons had not yet turned, to any great extent, to other pursuits, much distress was experienced, and the "marriage rate" fell to a minimum. By 1871, and in a greater degree by 1881, a large proportion of the population had settled on farms, whilst some, unable to obtain congenial occupation, had left the colony ; tents had almost disappeared from the goldfields ; the miners were, for the most part, working for wages, and did not, as formerly, rush about from place to place ; manufactures had been started, and had made considerable progress, and accordingly the "marriage rate" improved. In 1871 it was higher than at any previous period of the colony's history, and in 1881 it was still higher than in 1871.

312.

If unmarried men above 40 and unmarried women above 30 be termed old bachelors and old maids, there were in Victoria, when the Census was taken, 31,293 of the former and 9,716 of the latter ; but if these designations be not applied until single men have reached the age of 50 and single women the age of 40, there were in the colony only 16,216 old bachelors and 4,209 old maids. [Old bachelors and old maids.]

313.

Single males were more numerous than husbands at all ages up to 30, and single females were more numerous than wives at all ages up to 25 ; but after the age of 30, husbands were more numerous than bachelors, and after the age of 25, wives were more numerous than spinsters. [Single and married persons.]

314.

Divorced persons were tabulated with the unmarried, the fact of their being divorced being noted. They numbered 19, viz., 9 males and 10 females. As a matter of interest, I have caused their birthplaces, religions, ages, and occupations to be extracted from the schedules, with the following result :— [Divorced persons.]

315.

According to a rule which, at my suggestion, was introduced at the Census of 1871, and which has since been adopted throughout the Australasian colonies, instructions were given to the sub-enumerators to enter all Chinamen as unmarried except those who had at the time of the Census or had had at some previous period wives in Australasia. Following out this principle, 11,102 male Chinese of 14 years old and upwards, or 95 per cent. of the whole, were set down as single, 560 were set down as husbands, and 30 as widowers. Married Chinamen were therefore in the proportion to the whole number over 14 as 1 to 21, and married and widowed together as 1 to 20. Of the 86 female Chinese over 14 years of age, 36, or 42 per cent., were wives, 36 were spinsters, and 1 was a widow. [Conjugal condition of Chinese.]

316.

Of the 325 male Aborigines of 14 years of age and upwards, 129 were returned as single, 156 as married, and 40 as widowed. Of the 201 female Aborigines at the same period of life, 38 were returned as single, 132 as married, and 31 as widowed. [Conjugal condition of Aborigines.]

317.

The following table shows the number of marriageable men and women in each Australasian colony, the unmarried (never married) being distinguished from the widowed :— [Bachelors and spinsters in Australasia colonies.]

318.

It will be observed that there were more bachelors in New South Wales than in Victoria, and thus, although widowers in the latter were more numerous than in the former, the whole number of marriageable men was greater in New South Wales than in this colony.

319.

Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia are the only colonies in which the marriageable women exceeded the marriageable men. The following are the proportions of the former to the latter, the colonies being arranged in order :—

320.

New South Wales was the colony in which the marriages in the Census year bore the highest proportion to the total population, and next to it Queensland. Victoria stood fifth in this respect, being above New Zealand and Western Australia. [Marriage rates in Australasia colonies.]

The following are the figures :—

321.

Comparing the marriages with the marriageable men, which is the most correct way of computing the marriage rate, South Australia—essentially an agricultural community

322.

Women would appear to have a smaller chance of getting married in Victoria than in any other Australasian colony, as in 1881 the proportion of marriages to those of them who were marriageable was much lower here than in any of the other colonies. The colony which stood highest in this respect was Queensland, where nearly 1 in 10 of the single women married in the year, or about twice the proportion obtaining in Victoria :—

323.

To ascertain the relative fruitfulness of women in different countries it is necessary to compare the number of married women at the reproductive ages with the legitimate births. This can be done in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and New Zealand, but not in the other Australasian colonies ; as in the returns of the latter, no distinction is made between the infants born in, and those born out of wedlock. By means of such a comparison in regard to the four colonies named, it would appear that the highest degree of fecundity exists in New South Wales, and the lowest in Victoria, this being probably owing to the fact that the married women are, on the average, younger in the former and older in the latter than in the other two colonies. The following table shows the number of married women under 45 years of age, the number of legitimate births in the Census year, and the proportion of such births to such women in each of the four colonies :— [Fecundity of women in Australasian colonies.]

324.

The number of single women living in concubinage is ascertained approximately, by making a calculation based upon the assumption that the illegitimate births bear the same proportion to the single women at reproductive ages that the legitimate births do to the married women at such ages. This gives a number which does not include public prostitutes, who, as they very rarely have children, are excluded from the computation. By comparing the number of women so found, with the total number of single women at childbearing ages, the proportion of the latter living irregularly may also be ascertained. A calculation founded upon this principle shows that concubinage is most rife in Queensland, next in New South Wales, and next in Victoria and New Zealand, there being only a fractional difference between these two colonies. In the following table, the colony in which the largest proportion of concubinage exists is placed first, and that in which the smallest proportion exists, last :— [Concubinage in Australasian colonies.]

325.

The figures in the last column show the proportions which the single women leading a sexually immoral life, without being public prostitutes, bear to the whole number of single women at the fruitful period of life in each colony. These proportions will, perhaps, be better understood if expressed in another manner as follow :—

OCCUPATIONS OF THE PEOPLE.

326.

The occupations of the people have been tabulated upon a form similar to that used in 1871, this having been adapted by me at that time from the form of classification originally devised by the late Dr. Farr, C.B., F.R.S., for use in the United Kingdom, such changes alone being introduced as were required to render it suitable to the circumstances of the colony. [Occupations]

327.

The framer of this mode of classification formed the groups and combinations as far as possible according tothe materials on which people worked, and this being kept in mind, a ready explanation is found of the reason of some of the groupings, the principle of which it might otherwise be difficult to understand.

328.

On the present occasion the Victorian form for tabulating this portion of the Census has been followed in all the Australasian colonies except New South Wales. Close comparisons of the occupation returns of all the colonies with this exception are thus rendered easy, and the form being, as I have stated, based upon that used in the United Kingdom, comparisons can also be made without difficulty between the returns of the concordant colonies and those of the mother country.

329.

It is to be regretted that, in this respect, New South Wales should have chosen to stand apart from her neighbours. The inquiry as to occupations is generally considered to be the most important made at the Census, and any difference in the mode of treating the returns from that based upon recognized and generally adopted methods, must render the result less valuable not only to the diverging colony but to every other in the group, and indirectly and with less force to other and more distant countries.

330.

An instruction was printed on the householder's schedule to the effect that if a person followed two or more occupations he was to enter them in the order of their importance to himself, and this has been borne in mind in tabulating the returns, the first named being the only occupation of which account has been taken, subsequent ones being necessarily ignored, as no person can be tabulated more than once under any head of inquiry. The sole exception to this rule is in the case of Government officers following some other calling ; as for instance a deputy registrar or postmaster being also a storekeeper or a farmer, in which event he would be tabulated as the latter, although he may have placed it second. The number of public officers of the different grades is always known, but the number of storekeepers and farmers can only be ascertained when a Census is taken.

331.

The occupations of the people of this colony are grouped into 6 classes, which are subdivided into 15 orders, which are further subdivided into 62 sub-orders. Under the sub-orders 380 distinct callings are shown, some of which are still further subdivided, the result being that, in all, the names of over 1,600 occupations, and the numbers of either sex following each occupation, appear in the tables.

332.

It would, no doubt, have been desirable that the ages of the persons following the different callings should have been shown in quinquennial or decennial periods, but the labour attending such a compilation, and the bulk to which the returns would have been swelled thereby, deterred me from attempting such a task ; the numbers under and over 20, however, of each occupation are shown, in this respect the practice being followed which was introduced at the Census of 1871.

333.

All the classes and all the orders in which the occupations are grouped contain both males and females. One of the sub-orders, however, contains no male, viz., that relating to wives and widows engaged in domestic duties ; and four of them contain no female, viz., those embracing persons engaged in defence, connected with law, connected with arms, and connected with water. Of the 380 original callings, 221 were followed by both males and females, 144 were followed exclusively by males, and 15 exclusively by females. In all 365 of these callings were followed by males, and 236 by females.

334.

Males over 20 numbered 235,619. This number is distributed amongst all the headings in which males are found except three, viz., Errand boys (Order 6, Sub-order 5), Milliners and Dressmakers (Order 9, Sub-order 2), and Inmates

of Reformatories (Order 15, Sub-order 2). With the exception of 656 males over 20 returned as sons, relatives, or visitors ; 154 returned as students or scholars ; 1,221 returned as "gentlemen," "of independent means," &c.; 5,194 returned as supported by the community, including inmates of charitable institutions, paupers, prisoners, &c. ; and the unspecified, who were probably for the most part unemployed, numbering 5,216 ; the balance, 223,178, or about seventeen-eighteenths of the whole, were returned under the head of some business pursuit or calling.

335.

The number of females over 20 was 194,329. These are distributed throughout 222 of the 236 headings under which females are found. Making deductions from these in the same manner as has been done in regard to the males, viz., wives and widows of no specified occupation, numbering 100,082 ; daughters, relatives, or visitors, numbering 15,669 ; scholars, numbering 78 ; those returned as "ladies," "of independent means," &c., numbering 705 ; those supported by the community, numbering 2,585 ; and the unspecified, numbering 1,422 ; the residue, representing those following some trade or business, amounts to 73,788, or 38 per cent. of the whole.

336.

Males under 20 find a place under 311 of the headings. The total number of males at this age was 216,464. Deducting from this number those returned as sons, relatives or visitors, numbering 73,168 ; those returned as students or scholars, numbering 91,979 ; those returned as "of independent means," numbering 18 ; those returned as supported by the community, numbering 1,087 ; and the unspecified, numbering 1,214 ; there remains a total of 48,998, or about 23 per cent. of the whole, who were earning, or attempting to earn, their livelihood in the pursuit of some recognized trade or occupation.

337.

The number of females under 20 amounted to 215,934. Females at this age are found under 153 of the headings. Deducting wives and widows of no specified occupation, numbering 953 ; daughters, relatives or visitors, numbering 90,429 ; scholars numbering 92,444 ; those returned as "of independent means," numbering 35 ; those supported by the community, numbering 1,035 ; and the unspecified, numbering 60 ; the remainder is 30,978, or rather more than 14 per cent. of the total, representing those engaged in some description of business occupation.

CLASS I.—PROFESSIONAL (ANDRICI).

338.

The first class may be defined as consisting of persons engaged in the government and defence of the country, and in satisfying the intellectual, moral, and educational wants of its inhabitants. In 1871 it contained 14,131 and in 1881 18,444 persons, the increase during the interval being 4,313, or 31 per cent. At the former period it contained rather less than 2 per cent., and at the latter period rather more than 2 per cent. of the population of the colony. [Professional class.]

339.

This class is divided into two "Orders— (1) The governmental, which contained 3,524 persons in 1871, and 4,494 in 1881. (2) The professional, artistic, and scientific, which contained 10,607 persons in 1871, and 13,950 in 1881.

340.

Order 1 is divided into 3 Sub-orders—(1) Officers of general Government, which numbered 2,637 in 1871, and 3,477 in 1881. (2) Officers of local Government, which at the same periods numbered 453 and 518. (3) Persons engaged in defence, which numbered 434 and 499. [Order.]

341.

The following occupations are placed in Order 1, Sub-order 1, the numbers of either sex under and over 20 following each occupation, at the last two Censuses, being also shown :— [General Government.]

342.

The numbers in the foregoing table do not embrace all persons in the Public Service, but are exclusive of the following, which are included in the Orders and Sub-orders stated :—Law Court officers (Order 2, Sub-order 2) ; mining surveyors and registrars (Order 12, Sub-order 1) ; Government short-hand writers andHansardreporters (Order 2, Sub-order 4) ; Inspectors of Stock (Order 7, Sub-order 4) ; persons employed in working (not constructing) railways (Order 6, Sub-order 1) ; Telegraph officers (Order 6, Sub-order 5) ; officers under the Education Department (Order 2, Sub-order 6) ; persons connected with ports, harbors, lighthouses, &c., (Order 6, Sub-order 3) ; officers of the Melbourne Public Library (Order 8, Sub-order 1) ; officers of the Museums or Observatory (Order 2, Sub-order 5) ; officers of Government Lunatic Asylums (Order 4, Sub-order 1 and 2, and Order 15, Sub-order 1) ; officers of Industrial Schools (Order 4, Sub-order 1) ; officers of the departments of Agriculture and Botanic Gardens (Order 7, Sub-order 1) ; officers of Water Supply (Order 12, Sub-order 4) ; pilots (Order 6, Sub-order 3) ; officers in the Royal Mint (Order 12, Sub-order 5) ; Government photographers and lithographers (Order 2, Sub-order 7, and Order 8, Sub-order 3) ; Government printers and binders (Order 8, Sub-order 1).

343.

It will be observed that only 3 Ministers of the Crown are accounted for in the returns of 1871, and 4 in those of 1881 ; and only 15 Members of Parliament are accounted for at the former, and 8 at the latter period. The reason of these numbers being so small is, that when the ordinary as well as the official occupation is given, the former is always taken in preference to the latter. The number of Ministers and of Members of the Legislature is known irrespective of the Census, but the whole number of those who follow the professions or trades to which such Ministers or Members belong can only be ascertained when a Census is taken.

344.

The principal officers, whose numbers are given in the fourth line of the table, should include the President and Chairman of Committees, Legislative Council ; the Speaker and Chairman of Committees, Legislative Assembly ; permanent heads of departments and other first-class officers not specially excepted ; the Commissioner and Examiners of Titles ; the Police Magistrates, &c. The reason of the numbers in 1881 being smaller than in 1871 probably is, that more at the latter period than at the former returned themselves indefinitely as "Civil servant," "Government officer," &c., without stating the office held. Want of precision in the original entry necessarily causes vagueness in the completed return.

345.

The intermediate and subordinate officers in the seventh line should embrace sorters, lockers, weighers, tide-waiters, nurses, cooks, Laundresses, messengers, doorkeepers, office keepers, carters, boatmen, gardeners, laborers, &c., employed under Government, not in excepted departments.

346.

The "Other Government officers," in the last line, are Coroners and Crown Prosecutors ; Postmasters and Postmistresses, not in the civil service and not otherwise described ; Deputy and Electoral Registrars, Official Assignees, &c., as well as all those returned indefinitely as "Public officer," "Civil servant," &c.

347.

Members of municipal councils are not tabulated as such if any other occupation is stated. Those included in the second line returned no regular occupation. The reason of their being placed where they are is that the letters "J.P." stood against their names in the "Householder's Schedule."

348.

This table contains a statement not only of persons in the Victorian military and naval services, but persons in or retired from the Imperial service, and persons in the service of other powers. Thus in 1881, 7 of the military officers were stated to be in the Imperial service, 3 in the Indian service, 1 in the Austrian, and 2 in the Italian service, and 16 to be retired. Of the naval officers, besides 5 in the Victorian Navy, 5 were stated to be in, and 1 to have retired from the Royal Navy ; 10 were in the French, and 14 in the Italian Navy. Of the petty officers and sailors, besides 92 in the Victorian Navy, 1 was in the British, 207 were in the French, and 96 in the Italian Navy. It should be mentioned that the French transportFinistereand the Italian transportEuropa, were in the Port of Melbourne when the Census was taken.

349.

The following Sub-orders, nine in number, form the subdivisions of Order 2. The numbers in 1871 and 1881 are placed against each—(1) Clergymen and church officers, 899 and 1,237 ; (2) Law Court officers, lawyers and their subordinates, 1,152 and 1,243 ; (3) Medical practitioners, druggists, &c., 1,308 and 1,595 ; (4) Authors, literary persons, &c., 132 and 197 ; (5) Scientific persons, 232 and 300 ; (6) Teachers, 5,428 and 6,795 ; (7) Artists, 444 and 734 ; (8) Musicians, music teachers, &c., 669 and 1,289 ; (9) Actors, &c., 343 and 560 :— [Order 2.]

350.

Of the irregular clergy in 1881, 26 were lay readers of the Church of England, and the remainder were returned as missionaries, catechists, local preachers, &c. In one instance the anomaly occurred of a person returning himself as a clergyman, and objecting to state his religion from conscientious scruples. Of those whose numbers are given in the last line as "Others," 32 were cemetery officials, gravediggers, &c., 42 were Chinese priests, or Josshouse keepers, and the remainder were persons connected with religious societies or associations. [Law.]

351.

One female law clerk will be noticed in the returns for 1871, but no female performing any duty connected with law appears in the returns for 1881. The numbers contained in the line "Others" at the latter period consisted of 7 law, 3 parliamentary and 2 patent agents ; 15 law stationers or writers, 2 process servers, &c.