Statistical Diagrams.

With the view of presenting a ready means for observing the rate of economic progress of New Zealand, some of the leading statistical features have been collected and thrown into graphic form—a method of representation which has the double advantage of appealing to the understanding by means of an expression of form as well as of figures, and is especially applicable to purposes such as the present.

The period shown is that from 1868 to 1881, and the diagrams will afford opportunity for much interesting comparison, illustrative of the more or less rapid advances in material prosperity.

The diagrams treat of the following subjects :—

No. I. Population.—This shows the birth-rate and death-rate per 1,000, and the ratio of increase per 100 in the population of New Zealand. The great leap made by New Zealand in 1874 was due to the fact of the Immigration and Public Works Act having that year page 120 come into active operation, under the provision of which an extraordinarily large number of immigrants were brought out by the Government. The somewhat low position shown in 1878 and 1881 is accounted for by the circumstance of an error having accumulated in the estimated yearly returns of population between the periodic census of 1874 and 1878 and 1881, which necessarily lowers the apparent rate of increase for these years.

No. II. Marriages.—The marriage-rate per thousand of population has fluctuated considerably. This fluctuation is also a peculiarity of the Australian Colonies, with the exception of Victoria.

No. III. Total Trade : Imports and Exports (produce of the colony).—New Zealand has not maintained the position held at the commencement of the period under notice.

No. IV. Savings.—In this diagram, which exhibits the rate of deposits in Post-Office and other Savings Banks to population, the colony, it is shown, has made considerable progress.

No. V. Railways.—The proportion of constructed railways to population is shown in this diagram.

No. VI. Telegraphs.—This diagram is similar to the above.

No. VII. Wheat.—The average yield of wheat per acre, shown in this diagram, contrasts favourably with the general average given of America, which is about 11½ bushels per acre.

No. VIII. Cultivation.—This diagram exhibits the area of land in cultivation (including land under sown grasses) in proportion to the population. The extraordinary progress made by New Zealand in this direction is very strikingly shown.

No. IX. Gold.—The value of gold raised in proportion to population during the years 1868—84 is shown in this diagram. The decline in the quantity of gold raised in New Zealand is very marked.

No. X. Relative Increase of Population and Public Debt.—For the purpose of comparison the increase of population since 1868 (from 220,000 to 570,000), and that of the public debt (from £7,000,000 to £30,000,000), have each been divided into twenty equal parts.