Not included in the above statement is the small population of the outlying Chatham Islands, 184 at the date of the census, which brings the total number of inhabitants of European descent, exclusive of British troops and their families, to 218,688. The troops, in December, 1867, comprised 918 officers and men, 148 women, and 389 children.

The total number of inhabited houses and other dwellings found at the census of December 19, 1867, in the colony was 54,015, or four individuals to one dwelling. Of these, 38,844 were described as constructed of wood; 1,182 of stone, or brick; 870 of 'Raupo'; and 8,524 of other materials; while 4,595 were simple tents.

The number of aborigines, or so-called Maories, in New Zealand, is only known through official estimates, which however, are believed to be tolerably accurate. From these it appears that, at the commencement of the year 1868, there were in the North Island, 37,107, and in the South Island 1,433 Maories, or a total of 38,540 in the whole colony. The native population of North Island comprised 14,897 men, 12,353 women, and 9,857 children; and that of South Island 535 men, 427 women, and 471 children. According to all accounts, the Maories, like the aborigines of other countries settled by Europeans, are declining in numbers from year to year. The result of a native census taken all over the colony between September 1857 and September 1858, was the enumeration of 55,970 Maories -31,667 males, and 24,303 females-so that, in the ten years from 1858 to 1868, the decline amounted to no less than 17,430 souls, or above 30 per cent. of the total native population. With a continuation of decay at this rate, the aborigines of New Zealand will have ceased to exist in another generation.

The following table shows the native countries of the white population of New Zealand, according to the census of December 19,

The white population of New Zealand, composed, as will be seen from the above table, to nearly one-half, of natives of the United Kingdom, is scattered in small communities over the colony. The wide intervals between these settlements are occupied by the aboriginal Maories, who are well armed, skilful in the use of their rifles, and addicted to war. They mostly avail themselves of the natural fastnesses afforded by the country, and large armed bodies of them pass rapidly from place to place, subsisting where European troops cannot live. Won by the teaching of English missionaries, the natives have almost all embraced Christianity, and a great proportion of them are able to read and write. The Maories not openly hostile to European settlers are represented as being fond of agriculture, and the Government has encouraged them in this taste, while they have been induced also to construct mills, to acquire .vessels, and to attend to the breeding of cattle and horses, for which they have a great partiality.

The immigration into New Zealand in the year 1867 amounted to 11,126 persons, while 6,267 individuals emigrated from the colony. By epitomising the net excess of immigration over emigration in the provinces, taken separately, it is found that the excess was in Otago, 1,772; in Taranaki, 10; in Wellington, 449; in Hawke's Bay, 170; in Nelson, 387; in Marlborough, 33; in Canterbury, 2,325; and in Southland, 13. In Auckland the balance was on the other side, the emigration from this province having exceeded the immigration by 300 persons. Of the immigrants arriving in 1867, there came 4,460 from the United Kingdom, 6,272 from the Australian colonies, 12 from other British ports, and 382 from foreign states.

Trade and Industry.

The commerce of New Zealand increased more than twenty-fold in the fifteen years from 1852 to 1867. The imparts, which were of the value of 359,4447. in 1852, had risen to 5,344,6077.-in 1867; and the exports, valued at 145,9727. in 1852, amounted to 4,644,6787. in 1867. The following table exhibits the value of the total 'imports and exports of the colony, including bullion and specie, in each of the five years 1863 to 1867:

The quantities and value of the imports in each of the two years 1865 and 1866 were as follows:

The quantities and value of the exports, in each of the years 1865 and 1866, were as follows:—

The commercial intercourse between New Zealand and the United Kingdom is shown in the subjoined tabular statement, which gives the total value of the exports of merchandise-exclusive of gold and specie-from New Zealand to the United Kingdom, and of the imports of British and Irish produce and manufactures into New Zealand, in each of the five years 1864-68 :—

The staple article of export from New Zealand to the United Kingdom is wool, the value of which amounted to 1,041,655l. in 1864, and rose to 1,588,3187. in 1867, but sank to 1,314,9547. in 1868. The British imports comprise mainly textile fabrics.

Ship-building and the trade in timber are, next to wool-growing, the chief elements of the industry of New Zealand. Among the mineral productions are gold, copper, iron, and coal. The golddiggings are in Auckland, Nelson, and Otago.. Mineral stores of immense extent are believed to be in existence not far below the soil in various parts of New Zealand.

QUEENSLAND.

Constitution and Government.

THE form of government of the colony of Queensland was established December 10,1859, on its separation from New South Wales. The power of making laws, and imposing taxes, is vested in a Parliament of two Houses, the Legislative Council, and the Legislative Assembly. The former consists. of twenty-three members, ten nominated by the Crown for five years, and thirteen nominated for life. The House of Assembly comprises twenty-six deputies, elected for five years by all natural-born or naturalised citizens, who pay taxes, and have undergone no condemnation for any criminal act. The executive is vested in a governor appointed by the Crown. Governor of Queensland.-Major Samuel Wensley Blackall, formerly in the 85th Light Infantry, and commandant of the Longford Militia; represented the county of Longford in Parliament from 1847 to 1851; Lieutenant-governor of Dominica from 1851 to 1857; Governor of Sierra Leone, 1862–67; appointed Governor of Queensland, November 1867.

The governor is commander-in-chief of the troops, and also bears the title of vice-admiral. He has a salary of 4,000l. per annum, ' and allowances.' In the exercise of the executive authority he is assisted by an Executive Council, consisting of four members, the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney-General, the Colonial Treasurer, and the Secretary for Public Lands and Works. Each of these ministers has a salary of 1,000l. per annum. They are jointly and individually responsible for their acts.

Revenue and Expenditure.

The public income and expenditure of Queensland, during the of its existence, were as follows:years

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