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THE BRITISH EMPIRE: — NtiW SOUTH WALES

A (jcnl- General in London.- Secretary.— "Y. G. White.

-T. A. Cotrhlaii, I.S.O.

Local. Goveknment,

Under the Local Government Act of 1906, tlie system of Local Govern- ment has been extended to the whole of the State, with the exception of the Western Land Division. The 190 boroughs and municipal districts which existed under the Act of 1867, still remain under the title of municipalities, and in addition thereto, 134 new corporate bodies have been established, which are called shires. ..

Under the 1867 Act the State grants an endowment to every munici- pality for a period of 15 years after its incorporation as follows: For each of the first 5 years a sum equal to the local revenue raised during the past year, in each of the next 5 years one moiety, and in each of the next 5 years a fourth of the amount raised by general rates. Under the 1906 Act, however, municipalities which are not entitled to a subsidy under the ori'J-inal Act may receive endowments up to 3s. 4rf. in the £ on the general^rate. Shires receive endowments when the receipts from general rates are insufficient to meet requirements. All persons who are owners, occupiers, or lessees, whether male or female, in any municipality or shire, and paying rates, are entitled to vote for the election of aldermen or councillors.

Area and Population.

The area of the State is 310,367 square miles, into various districts for departmental purposes division being that into 141 counties.

The population (including aborigines) at five consecutive censuses was

The State is divided the most important

Year

1871 1881 1901 1911
 * 1891

Males

Females

275,551 411,149 612,562 712,456 858,850

228,430 340,319 519,672

646,677 789,896

Total

503,981

751,468

1,132,234

1,359,133

1,648,746

Pop. per square mile

1-62 2-42 3-65 4-38 5-32

Average in- crease percent, per annum.

3-7 4-1 4-2 1-8 2-0

The estimated population on June 30, 1912, was 1,729.765.

According to the race or origin, percentages were as follows at the census of 1911 (exclusive of aborigines) :— New South Wales, 74-51 ; other Common- wealth States, 9-67; New Zealand, 0-85; English, 7-49; Irish, 2-85 ; Scotch, 1-91; Welsh, 0*27 ; other British subjects, 0-45 ; total British sub- jects, 98-00. Chinese, 0-47 ; German, 0-45 ; other foreigners, 0-99 ; total foreigners, 1-91. Born at sea, 0-09. Aborigines :— Males, 1,152; females, 860 ; total, 2,012. ., ,•

According to occupation the number of actual workers (not including aborigines) was distributed thus at the census of 1901 :—

Professional .... Domestic (receiving remuneration) Commerce and Trade Transport and Communication

41,384 72,818 77,664 43,867

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