Feb. 2.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 281

Population of the Colony.

RETURN of the Estimated Population (exclusive and inclusive of Maoris) of the Colony of New Zealand on the 31st December, 1904.

CHINESE.—Chinese are included in the population given above. The number in New Zealand on 31st December, 1904, was estimated to be 2,829, of whom 35 were females.

REMARKS.—Excluding Maoris, the population of the colony increased by 25,028, or at the rate of 3·01 per cent., during the year. To this increase, excess of births over deaths contributed 14,673, and excess of arrivals over departures 10,355. The birth-rate for the colony in 1904 was 26·94 per 1,000 of mean population, and the death-rate 9·57, as against 26·61 and 10·40 respectively in 1903.

The deaths in 1904 (8,089) were fewer than the number registered in 1903 (8,528) by 439, and a decrease in the rate per 1,000 from 10·40 to 9·57, as stated above.

The number of marriages (excluding those contracted between Maoris) solemnised in 1904 is estimated at 7,073, giving a rate of 8·37 per 1,000 of the mean population, against 6,748 and 8·23, the actual number and rate in 1903.

The fluctuations of the birth, death, and marriage rates for the last ten years are as under:—

*Estimated; subject to revision.

E. J. von DADELSZEN,
Registrar-General.

Registrar-General’s Office,
Wellington, 1st February, 1905.

Results of Election of Trustees of Drainage Districts.

Colonial Secretary’s Office,
Wellington, 28th January, 1905.

THE following results of the election of Trustees of Drainage Districts have been received from the Returning Officers, and are published in accordance with the provisions of “The Land Drainage Act, 1904.”

HUGH POLLEN,
Under-Secretary.

Otokia Drainage District, County of Taieri :
James B. Reid.

Maungatua Drainage District, County of Taieri :
Neil Black.
John Hoddinott.
Richard Arnold Kempshall.
George Lyall.
John Stevenson.

Sale of Unclaimed Property.

Police Department (Commissioner’s Office),
Wellington, 18th January, 1905.

THE unclaimed property described hereunder, and now in possession of the police at the stations named, will, unless previously claimed, be sold by public auction, at the respective police-offices, on Saturday, the 18th February proximo, at noon, in accordance with the police regulations:—

AUCKLAND.—Four revolvers, three pistols, ladies’ saddle, gentlemen’s saddle, three coats, gold ring, bangle, two umbrellas, and sundries.

NAPIER.—Two brooches, gold ring, boa, two portmanteaux (empty), and purse.

WANGANUI.—Gold scarf-pin, two lockets, portmanteau, two coats, two metal watches, and sundries.

WELLINGTON.—Eight bicycles, two watches, four brooches, three coats, suit of clothes, and sundries.

GREYMOUTH.—Waterbury watch and sundries.

CHRISTCHURCH.—Nine bicycles, two umbrellas, six watches, two brooches, ladies’ bangle, five coats, pair opera-glasses, and sundries.

DUNEDIN.—Three watches, two revolvers, two coats, two umbrellas, and sundries.

INVERCARGILL.—Bicycle, two watches, gold-wire ring, buggy-rug, and sundries.

W. DINNIE,
Commissioner of Police.

P. 04/2417.]

Notice of the Laying-off of Road through Native Land in Mangorewa-Kaharoa Block, Rotorua Survey District, Auckland Land District.

NOTICE is hereby given, under the authority contained in section seventy-two of “The Native Land Court Act, 1894,” that the road mentioned in the Schedule hereto was, in July, 1902, surveyed and laid off over the Native land therein mentioned, under my direction; and that, in terms of the said Act, the site of such road is deemed to be a road dedicated to the public and vests in His Majesty.

SCHEDULE.

ALL that parcel of land in the Auckland Land District, containing by admeasurement 17 acres 3 roods 23·7 perches,