[STATISTICS]
[Image of page 26]
--No. 3.-- WEATHER.
REGISTRY OF THE STATE OF THE WEATHER ON THE COAST OF BLIND BAY, IN THE NELSON SETTLEMENT, DURING THE YEAR 1845.
Made at the residence of Mr. Stephens, Rewaka, in the Motueka District.
STATE OF THE WEATHER.
RANGE OF THE THERMOMETER. 1
General Observations.
The prevalent winds in fine weather, during the greater part of the year, are from N.E. and S.W., usually termed sea and land breezes. During the summer months, which may be said to include December, January, February, and March, the sea breeze is usually fresh, sets in from nine to eleven a.m., and continues from four to six p.m. In the months of April, May, June, July, and August, the breezes are visually much lighter than in the summer, the S.W. and westerly winds being rather more prevalent. During September, October, and November, the wind is more variable than in the preceding months, the southerly and southeasterly being often accompanied by strong gusts; heavy gales seeming to be more prevalent than at other periods. The N.W. and W. appear to he the most rainy quarters, but the gusty squalls from the S.E. often bring heavy storms.
Thunder-storms are not frequent, but they appear to have occurred oftener this year than during any previous one since the formation of the settlement.
Earthquakes are occasionally experienced, but they are usually so slight as not to be felt by the generality of persons. During this year they occurred as follows, viz.:--on the 26th February, at 7 h. 13 m. p.m., two slight shocks; on the 30th May, 10 a.m., slight; and on the 21st October, at 6 h. -45 m. a.m., two smart shocks. On several occasions we have noticed that thunder-storms occurred at or about the time of the earthquakes, and that close, misty weather is generally prevalent.
A comet was visible during the greater part of January. Its rays were brilliant, extending obliquely about 7 deg. in the south-western quarter of the heavens.
[Image of page 27]
ABSTRACT OF METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, MADE ON THE WAIMEA PLAIN, FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1845, TO AUGUST 31, 1846, BY MR. J. W. BARNICOAT.
Remarks.
The site of the foregoing observations is the open plain, about two or three miles from any hills, and about fifteen feet above the level of the sea.
The quantity of rain here recorded is probably beyond the average fall of twelve months, and its distribution throughout the year is generally more equable. The greatest quantity of rain within twenty-four hours fell on the 1st June, amounting to 2.02 inches.
The rain generally falls at or near the time of full and new moon, particularly the latter. Snow is never seen, except on the mountains.
In the absence of a self-registering thermometer, the height of the thermometer about an hour before sunrise is taken as the nearest approximation to the minimum, and from about half-past one to half-past two (according to the season) as the maximum.
[Image of page 28]
ABSTRACT OF METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, MADE ON THE WAIMEA PLAIN, FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1846, TO AUGUST 31, 1847, BY MR. J. W. BARNICOAT.
[Image of page 29]
--No. 4.--
CENSUS, OCTOBER 1843.
WHITE POPULATION.
Status of the above.
Married....................1234 Widowers................... 23
Single Men above 19 ........ 196 Widows.................... 24
Single Women above 15 ...... 130 Others....................1335
Professions.
Farmers .................... 83 Clergymen .................. 4
Cottiers (not ascertained) .... - Other Professions............71
Farm Labourers & Servants (Male) 323 Merchants and Traders........16
Domestic Servants (Male)...... 2 Storekeepers, Innkeepers, and Tradesmen...132
Do. do. (Female).....81
Lawyers .................... 7 Mechanics..................272
Medical Practitioners..........7
Births from 1st January 1842 to 1st November 1843:--
Males ...................... 102
Females...................... 109
[Total] ..........211
Of whom 1 was illegitimate, 4 still-born, and 6 twins. This does not include the births of any who have left the Settlement.
[Image of page 30]
Deaths from 1st January 1842 to 1st November 1842:--
Males........................26
Females....................... .41
[Total] ........67
Of whom 2 were dying when landed, 2 were infants without medical aid, 2 accidents, 4 infants premature.
The Return does not include 6 drowned, and 22 massacred at the Wairau.
RELIGION.
Church of England............................1515
Roman Catholic .............................. 189
Christians of other Denominations ..............1200
Jews........................................ 3
Religion not ascertained........................ 35
It should be observed, that a great many persons return themselves as members of the Church of England who do not in any way partake of its ministrations or submit to its discipline,--hundreds who never go inside of a place of worship; nearly all, in short, who do not belong to any other religious denomination return themselves as members of the Church of England, This is not the case with other denominations, few returning themselves as belonging to them except such as are bona fide members. For practical purposes, therefore, the number of the members of the Church of England may be considered as greatly over-estimated.
EDUCATION.
LIVE-STOCK. LAND CULTIVATED.
Horses .................... 50 Farms ................540 Acres.
Grazing Cattle.............. 439 Gardens ..............133 "
Working Bullocks............ 121 Total..........673 "
Sheep......................1130 Cleared but not cropped.. 50
Swine......................1152
Poultry ....................2202
LENGTH OF ROADS, exclusive of Streets..........50 Miles.
[Image of page 31]
NUMBER OF BUILDINGS, THEIR VALUE, AND NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDERS.
The above Statistics for 1843 were collected by the Officers of the New Zealand Company under the direction of Mr. M'Shane, the Immigration Agent, and may be relied on as accurate, great pains having been taken to make them so. From that date the Returns have been made by the Government, under the direction of the Police or Resident Magistrate, who has usually employed the constables on the service. They are also, I believe, accurate enough.
--No. 5.-- CENSUS, 1844.
TAKEN AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
WHITE POPULATION.
[Image of page 32]
EDUCATION.
Church of England..in the Town..Day and Sunday..Boys and Girls..60
Church of England..Waimea West..Sunday........20
Church of England..Waimea South.................. 20
British and Foreign..Town..........Day school......60
British and Foreign..Town..........Sunday school..180
Wesleyan..Rewaka........................30
Wesleyan..Town..........Day school......18
Wesleyan..Town..........Sunday school....24
* It appears from the last year's Census, that the number of Children whose ages were between 6 and 14 was 607.
LIVE-STOCK.
Horses.................... 76
Horned Cattle.............. 918
Sheep .................... 5782
Goats .................... 250
Pigs...................... 1512
Poultry.................... 3582
CULTIVATED LAND.
LABOR.
Agricultural...per week 10 to 12 shillings,
Mechanics do. 18 to 21 do.
[Image of page 33]
--No. 6.-- CENSUS, 1845.
WHITE POPULATION.
NATIVE POPULATION.
EDUCATION.
[Image of page 34]
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
Cases Tried.
Supreme Court..Criminal, 4 acquittals, 2 convictions....6
.....................Civil....................5
Jurisdiction up to 20l.
Court of Requests.. . .Under 40 shillings.............34
.................Above 40 do. and under 51..............17
Above 5l. and under 10l...............8
Above 10l.................................6
Cases summarily disposed of before Justices of the Peace..Acquittals.... 15....Convictions......32
LIVE-STOCK.
Horses .................... 82
Horned Cattle ..............1233
Sheep.....................7473
Goats...................... 453
Pigs........................2409
Poultry ....................4160
Clip of Wool ..........bales 70
CULTIVATED LAND.
[Image of page 35]
BUILDINGS.
--No. 7.--
CENSUS, 1846.
WHITE POPULATION.
EDUCATION.
[Image of page 36]
PLACES OF WORSHIP.
Church, of England................3
Wesleyan ......................2
Roman Catholic..................1
German Lutheran..................1
Total .......... 7
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
Supreme Court..........Criminal cases.......... 2
...............Civil........... 1
Court of Requests......Cases decided.......... 23
Summary Conviction by Justices................ 16
LIVE-STOCK.
Horses.................. 107
Horned Cattle ........... 1591
Sheep ..................10,022
Goats.................... 1029
Pigs .................... 2866
Poultry.................. 5934
CULTIVATED LAND.
The average was given very low, the weather being droughty; but rain afterwards falling, it was subseptently estimated at previous averages.
METHOD OF OCCUPATION.
BUILDINGS.
[Image of page 37]
EMPLOYMENT.
Commerce.................................. 85
Manufactures................................ 158
Agriculture 2 .............................. 397
[Total]..........................640
VESSELS BUILT.
Sarah Berry.............................. 11 Tons.
Ocean Queen .......,.................... 16 "
Mary Anna.................... ......... 27 "
Phoenix.................................. 37 "
Total.......... 91 Tons.
--No. 8.--
CENSUS, 1847.
WHITE POPULATION.
[Image of page 38]
NATIVES.
Does not include beyond Wakapuaka.
EDUCATION.
PLACES OF WORSHIP.
As last year.
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
Supreme Court........Criminal Cases............6
.........Civil..............None
Court of Requests.............................. 20
Summary Convictions before Justices.............. 36
LIVESTOCK
Horses..................132
Mules....................11
Horned Cattle.............. 2106
Sheep.............. .....16450
Goats ........... 2180
Pigs............. 3236
Poultry............6350
CULTIVATED LAND.
VESSELS REGISTERED............ 6 = 90 Tons.
[Image of page 39]
--No, 9.--
COMPARATIVE STATEMENTS OF STATISTICAL RETURNS OF THE NELSON SETTLEMENT.
FOR THE YEARS 1843, 1844, 1845, 1846, & 1847.
EUROPEAN POPULATION.
NATIVE POPULATION.
This return decs not include the Natives resident in the Wairau, who alternate between that district and Port Underwood, about fifty souls; nor
[Image of page 40]
any farther north than Wakupuaka, on the east coast of Blind Bay. There are some in D'Urville's Island, Croixilles, &c, not returned, who occasionally visit Nelson, but they are not numerous, and not properly within the limits of the Settlement.
The decrease between 1845 and 46, and the increase between 1846 and 47, is not explained in any way. Possibly it may have arisen from the departure and re-arrival of travelling parties; but it is more likely to be an error, arising from inaccuracy in taking the Census.
EDUCATION.
* The accuracy of the Returns for 1847 or else for the previous years is questionable. The largest schools in the Settlement have increased their number by nearly 100 during the year 1847, and I am not aware of any falling off in the other schools. The schools conducted on the British and Foreign plan alone educate 480 children, and besides them there are two or three others. Native Schools there are none.
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
[Image of page 41]
LIVE-STOCK.
1843. 1844. 1845. 1846. 1847.
* This item is not correct, it should be increased by 20 or 30, there having been that number imported, and many foals born in addition.
** The Government return of Sheep for 1847 gives 20,450, but it included 4000 belonging to a Wellington settler, which were being depastured in the lower part of the Wairau, on their road to a station not within this Settlement, and to which they have been now removed. The number above given consists of Sheep belonging to Nelson settlers, within the limits of the Nelson district.
LAND CULTIVATED. 1843. 1844. 1845. 1846. 1847.
* There were no Native Returns under this head till 1846. Previous to 1845 the Natives grew little or no wheat; in that year I believe they had about 40 acres of wheat, besides their usual crops of potatoes, &c Flour is now generally superseding the potato among them as an article of food.
[Image of page 42]
--No. 10.--
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF PRICES IN THE NELSON SETTLEMENT, DURING THE YEARS 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1846, 1847, and 1848.
[Image of page 43]
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF PRICES.--(Continued.)
[Image of page 44]
--No. 11.--
COMPARATIVE STATEMENTS OF THE AMOUNT OF POPULATION, LIVE-STOCK, AND CROPS IN THE DIFFERENT SETTLEMENTS OF NEW ZEALAND FOR THE YEARS 1845, 1846, and 1847.
[Image of page 45]
COMPARATIVE STATEMENTS OF STATISTICAL RETURNS--Continued.
--No. 12.--
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF THE NUMBERS IN EACH SETTLEMENT ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE, MANUFACTURES, and COMMERCE, in 1845--taken from the Government Gazette of 9th July 1846.
[Image of page 46]
London:
Printed by STEWART and MURRAY,
Old Bailey.
