588
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 20

above sea-level, visible all round for a distance of six miles in clear weather, will be exhibited from a punt moored 600 ft. N. 73° E. of the beacon referred to (or in line with existing beacons).

Persons navigating this channel are requested not to pass too close to this punt, so as to avoid fouling its moorings.

QUEENSLAND.

TIMANDRA BANK BUOY.—KEPPEL BAY.

Notice is hereby given that on and after Thursday, 3rd February, 1916, the occulting light now shown from the gas-buoy moored at the north-western extreme of Timandra Bank will be altered to a fixed white light.

Charts affected: Nos. 363 and 345; Australia Directory, Vol. II.

Notice to Mariners No. 14 of 1916.

LAUNCH-LANDINGS, AUCKLAND HARBOUR.

Marine Department,
Wellington, N.Z., 22nd February, 1916.

THE Auckland Harbour Board notify that the following beacons and lights have been erected for the guidance of launches using the landings, and all launches when approaching or leaving the basin between the Queen’s and Hobson Wharves should keep the beacons in line by day and the lights in line by night :—

1. The lower or outer one is the memorial obelisk at the base of No. 3 Landing, from the top of which is shown a red light at night.

2. The inner or upper one is the diamond-shape on the upper S.W. corner of the Sailors’ Home, and from the centre of which is shown a green light at night.

Charts, &c., affected: Admiralty Charts Nos. 1896 and 1970; “New Zealand Pilot,” eighth edition, Chapter ii, page 28.

GEORGE ALLPORT,
Secretary.

Notice to Mariners No. 15 of 1916.

MOTUEKA HARBOUR BOARD OFFICES.

Marine Department,
Wellington, N.Z., 22nd February, 1916.

THE Motueka Harbour Board has given notice that it is closing its present offices, and that in place of them new harbour, wharf, and Harbour Board offices, situated at the northern entrance to the Moutere Lagoon, will be used.

Charts, &c., affected: Admiralty Charts Nos. 2616 and 3619; “New Zealand Pilot,” eighth edition, 1908, Chapter vi, page 192.

GEORGE ALLPORT,
Secretary.

Population of the Dominion.

RETURN of the Estimated Population of the Dominion of New Zealand on the 31st December, 1915.

*Subject to revision.
† Decrease—Excess of emigration.

CHINESE.—Chinese are included in the population given above. The number in New Zealand on 31st December, 1915, was estimated to be 2,474, of whom 120 were females.

REMARKS.—Excluding Maoris, the population increased by 6,831, or at the rate of 0·62 per cent., during the year. Excess of births over deaths contributed 17,916 extra persons to the total, but the departure of Expeditionary Forces for the Front caused a net migration decrease of 11,085.

The number of births registered during 1915 (27,882) was less than that for 1914 (28,338) by 456, and the rate was only 25·36 per 1,000, as against 25·99. The birth-rate in 1915 is the second lowest in the history of New Zealand, the lowest rate (25·12) having been recorded in 1899.

The deaths in 1915 (9,966) were less than the number registered in 1914 (10,148) by 182, and the rate per 1,000 fell from 9·31 to 9·06.

The number of marriages (excluding those contracted between Maoris) solemnized in 1915 is estimated at 10,075, giving a rate of 9·16 per 1,000 of the mean population, against 9,280 and 8·51, the actual number and rate in 1914. The estimate for 1915 is subject to revision, and the final figures cannot be given until all returns come to hand; but unless a considerable reduction requires to be made, the rate for the year will be found to be higher than in any year since 1868.

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

*Subject to revision.

Registrar-General’s Office,
Wellington, 23rd February, 1916.

MALCOLM FRASER,
Government Statistician.