TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 141 



cent. 7. That the number of persons committed for trial for indictable offences in 

 Scotland is greater in proportion than in England and Ireland ; and though she 

 shows less propensity to offences against property, she stands in an unfavourable 

 position as to offences against the person. In ten years, 1857-6G, the average 

 number of persons committed vras, — in England 09.38 per 1000, in Scotland I'll per 

 1000; and in L-eland 0-990 per 1000 of the population. The offences against the 

 person were, — in England 12-10 per cent., in Scotland 29-4-3 per cent., and in Ire- 

 laud .37-31 per cent. The offences against property without violence were, — in 

 England 74 per cent., in Scotland 48 per cent., and in Ireland 34 per cent. 8. 

 That the common assimiption that Scotland consumes more spirits than England 

 is unfounded, when the quantity of spirits in all spirituous beverages consumod is 

 taken into account ; and though we may congi-atulate ourselves on the diminished 

 consimiption of gin and whiskjs there is reason for warning in the fact that such 

 diminution is more than counterbalanced by the greater quantity of spirits con- 

 sumed in the other beverages, principallj- ale and wine. In 1866 the total quantity 

 of spirits consumed in gin and whisky, brandy, beer, wine, cider, &c., was in the pro- 

 portion of 4-437 gallons per head in England, 2-984 gallons per head in Scotland, 

 and 1-631 gallon per head in Ireland. Of British and foreign spirits there were 

 consimied, — in England 0-864 gallon, in Scotland 1-847 gallon, and in Ireland 

 0-857 gallon per head. Of spirits in beer, 3-.393 gallons per head in England, 

 1-050 gallon per head in Scotland, and 0-710 gallon per head in Ireland. Between 

 1857 and 1866 there was an increase in the consumption of spirits thus calculated 

 of 12i per cent, in England, 23 per cent, in Scotland, and 8 per cent, in Ireland. 



9. That during the last ten years the change in the habits of the people as regards 

 the consumption of spirituous beverages was as follows : — 



England. Scotland. Ireland. 



Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. 



1857. 1866. 1857. 1866. 1857. 1866. 



Spirits 21 20 77 62 68 63 



Spirits in beer 76 76 21 35 30 44 



Spirits in wine 3 4 2 3 2 3 



100 100 100 100 100 100 



10. That in so far as the savings of the working classes are represented in the 

 capital deposited in the Sa^vings' Banks, the amount per head in Scotland was 

 18s. 5f/., in England 37»'. od.. and in Ireland 6s. 5d. per head. 11. That the passen- 

 ger traffic on the British railways in 1865 was in the proportion of 23,400 per mile 

 in England, 10,000 in Scotland, and 7200 in Ireland — the proportion travelling by 

 third-class being 76-41 per cent, in Scotland, 58-66 per cent, in England, and 56-86 

 per cent, in Ireland. 12. That the number of letters delivered by the Post-office 

 was in the proportion of 28 per head in England, 21 per head in Scotland, and 

 10 per head in Ireland ; or in the proportion of 47, 36, and 17 per cent, respectively. 

 13. That, as a whole, Scotland appears to be advancing rapidly, her position in the 

 United Kingdom being of considerable importance ; whilst, if we add that in pro- 

 portion to the number of her people she has contributed, and does contribute, a large 

 share of eminent statesmen, lawyers, military officers, men of science, and merchant 

 princes, we cannot resist the conclusion that the Scotch possess in a high deoree 

 that energy of character, persistency of will, and boldness in action which have 

 rendered Britain supreme among the nations of the world. 



On the Ohstacles to the Utilization of New-Zealand Max. 

 By W. Latidee Lindsay, M.D., F.E.S.E., F.L.S. 

 The atithor's propositions are based on 



1. The residts of obseiTations made during a tour in New-Zealand in 1861-62. 



2. A study of the voluminous literature of New-Zealand flax ; and 



3. A previous study (ten years ago) of the general subject of foreign fibres as sub- 

 stitutes for those currently used in this country in the textile arts. 



He assumes — 



1. That the value of New-Zealand flax — as a fibre suitable for the manufacture of 

 cordage, textile fabrics, and paper — has been established. 



