106 STATISTICAL EEYIEW — NEW SOUTH WALES. 



attempt to indicate tlie important bearing wlaich statistical inves- 

 tigation has upon legislation. Empirical treatment of subjects 

 without knowledge derived from facts must be as dangerous in 

 its eifect upon the body politic as upon the human frame ; for it 

 has no guide bat opinions, the truth or fallacy of which — be they 

 rational or be they visionary — is equally unsusceptible of proof 

 from scientific data. Hypothesis and conjecture may be necessary 

 in the pursuit of any investigation, but it is by the results of 

 observations carefully recorded that Grovernments should be 

 guided in their endeavours to promote the welfare of the people 

 whose interests are confided to their care. 



I will then, under the belief that the premises will be freely 

 admitted, proceed to point attention to the facts recorded in the 

 volume before me ; and I am happy to bear testimony to the care 

 and industry manifested by the compiler, in the collection, as well 

 as in the preparation of the figures set forth for our information. 



I am not going to weary you with long columns of figures in 

 pursuing the investigation of the facts as I find them recorded ; 

 I purpose, for pBrspicuity and simplicity's sake, to take the 

 averages of the quinquennial periods, and to exhibit the results 

 Avith as much conciseness as is compatible with a clear elucidation 

 of the facts to which I am about to invite your attention. The 

 subjects will be treated under five principal heads, viz. : — 



1. Population. 



2. Production. 



3. Manufactures. 



4. Trade and commerce. 



5. Accumulation, 



1. — Population. 



The number and increase of the people must always be regarded 

 as the most important element in the progress of a Country. Let 

 us see then what information we can gather on this head. 



The Census taken on the 7th of April, 1861, resulted in a total 

 population of 350,860 souls, of which 55 per cent, were males, 

 and 45 per cent, were females. 



The Census taken on the 2nd of April, 1871, resulted in a total 

 population of 503,981 souls, comprising males and females in very 

 nearly the same proportion as ten years ago. 



The aggregate gaia to the Country was 153,121 souls, equal to 

 43 per cent, in the decennary. Of this number, 108,972, or 31 

 per cent., was the result of natural increase by the excess of births 

 over deaths ; whilst the balance, equal to 12 per cent., is due to 

 the excess of immigration over emigration. 



Teeming with mineral wealth beyond calculation, abounding in 

 the richest pasturage, and possessing a soil which, properly culti- 

 vated, yields to the occupier no stinted return for the toil and 



