Observations on Tasmanian Statistics. 18 



■during the last ten years. Of the births, the proportion to 

 population upon the average of the three years 1851 to 1853 

 is as 1 to 30, — the average population being 66,298, and the 

 average births 2142; and the excess of males over females 

 upon the average of the ten years is 4 per cent. The num- 

 ber born in 1853 was 1194 males and 1039 females, or 

 a total of 2233. 



Of the deaths, the increased mortality of the last two 

 years from the scourge of epidemics is painfully evident 

 from their increased proportion to population; the ratio 

 being in 1851 as 1 in 62, in 1852 as 1 in 43, and in 

 1853 as 1 in 32. The males who died in 1853 were 

 1138, and the females 879, making a total of 2017 deaths, 

 nearly equalling the births it will be seen, and being in the 

 ratio of 3'3 per cent, to population. It must also be noted 

 that the deaths of convicts are not registered in the several 

 registry offices. 



Of the marriages, the number solemnized in 1851 was 

 993; in 1852 the number had increased to 1213, or an 

 addition of 22 per cent. ; in 1853 they had further increased 

 upon a diminished population to 1479, or 21 per cent, upon 

 the preceding year, — one effect of the gold fields with which 

 the experience of all present may be familiar, as being caused 

 in great measure by the numerous lucky diggers upon their 

 return from Victoria selecting brides to share their good 

 fortune. Again, of the marriages performed in 1853, 57"8 

 per cent, were celebrated according to the rites of the 

 Church of England, 7'6 per cent, the Church of Scotland, 

 21 per cent, the Church of Eome, 3' 9 per cent. theWesleyans, 

 5'3 per cent, the Independents, 3*4 per cent, the Baptists. 

 The .Jews record 2 weddings, and the Deputy Eegistrars 5. 



Tables 6 and 7 show the extent of emigration to and 

 ft'om Van Diemen's Land, exclusive of the troops, together 



