The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1873-04-09
The Census of 1879.
REFORT OF TEE ISsrncTOR-GKSEkAL or SCHOOLS,

To the Honorable, the Board Of Education:
GENTLEMEN II have the honor to announce to
you that the census OF the population of the king
dom, for the sexennial period ending December
9th, 1872, has been completed. There is every
reason for believing that the work has been faith
fully performed by all concerned.
Extraordinary pains were taken at the Depart
meut Office to have the agents, sub-ageuts. and
the public at large fully instructed as to the
ner in which the work should be done. Original
returns, representing one half of the total popu.
lation Of the Kingdom have been inspected, sheet
by sheet, at the Education oHice in Honolulu !;
and, out Of the whole number thus inspected,
amounting to over six thousand sheets, but feo
were duplicated.
The great majority of returns bear evidence of
having been filed out as required, by the head Of
the household. or some member Of it, and are re-
markably accurate, when the confusing nature Of
statistical tables. on the Hawaiian mind. is duly
considered. In fact, the returus from Hawaiian
households Indicate as full an appreciation of
what was required. as do those from foreign fami-
lies. am satisfied that the statistics contained
in the census table, are as reliable as the census
returns of older, and more enlightened nations.
The study of this census has been an interesting
one, but shall merely dwell upon the returns
most nearly related to the educational interests
Of the nation especially the aboriginal portion
of it.
The showing is gloomy. yet not entirely dis
hearteuing. The abOngnes are still passing
away. Figures show the
Total decrease Ct abOgnes since 1866 to have been ssl
whole Population since 1886 to have
been 6os2
This decrease Of pure HaEaiians represents
1897 per cent, of the aboriginal population, or
an annual decrease of 2.S2s per cent, for the
sexeuuial period inst past
The census of 1853. taken December the 18th,
after the smallpox had ran its course, gives to-
tai of 700S6 pure Hawaiians This shows de-
crease Of 1871 in the aboriginal population,
during the period Of thirteen years from Decem-
Der 26th. 1853. to December 9th. 1866 an an
nual percentage Of Lar.
Thus, whilst as a nation we have made marked
advances in the civilization and christianity of the
nineteenth century, the percentage of decrease
Of our aboriginal population has not been stayed
1t is on the increase. Yet the intelligence of 1
this vast majority OF our popuIaiion-ihe nation.
may call it-hss not lain dormant; il is far in j
advance Of what surrounding circumstances would /
lead most persons TO suppose. The cloud which /
threatens our national life Is gloomy, but has 4
silver lining. as the following facts viii show:
Children q the school a-c-oeasus of 1874 , Sqsl /
Children stfending sohol-bieuniAl report IS72 ss-
Here We have at least 90 per cent Of all the |
children Of the nation, between the ages Of six 1
aud fifteen years, in our schools.
Again allowing the same proportion Of child
ren under IS, 70 total population, which the cen
sus Of 1866 shows We shall have
obiareu under l5-oe1sus q $50 ............22zs
census o. lsoe ----------. -------lS,4se
Decrease in ten years - ....-.-.-.. ass
Children under ls-eensus Of $50. .lssss
census q ISIS --.--.--....--.-.--Ie,s7s
Decrease in six years lITI
cis7'a 'Ha' l's s.s.s. :. sl isss Iss
Decrease in siH ysArs,.. ---.-.---.--,--.--. SIS
AsnuaI percentage q as--e... in u. number Of
Children 1adsr l5---Isso --lsse -.--I7I7
iss.. iSss asss
Anal Psssa.,Es of ssEsa. { sAarsa sl.s
1s5o.- 1s56 -. -........2sS
s''.,--le' --------r- --7-r-----.-i-ss
Pscsatass or children 70 total poBg.iion. 1s.s z.s
eAa i. Isz2.... ................ ............. u
e,rgsa.-z, q gil. under Is . so.l
1856. .12GS 1
u,-.,r 49, -
0l u A''--- -.'-...-- --.-.----.------- ---- esl
'srrsus.se q eaaa-sa saasr1s ao.-rsss ua.aIsss ~
Gaia in Is7s....-.....-......... ..-.........-. n
The ADORE figures prove. beyond a question,
bat the vitality Of our rising generation Is great