Increasing.
p. 36 · Read in the full issue
Tonga's Population Is Increasing.
From Our Own Correspondent.
Nukualofa, Feb. 22.
THE census taken last year shows the Tongan population is 31,753. Com pared with 26,128 in 1927, this is an increase of 5,621 over a 10-years’ per iod.
The Tongans are steadily increasing.
Though the birth rate is high, the infant death rate is proportionately high, too; however, th,ere is a noticeable de crease in the latter due to the efforts of the Medical and Public Health Depart ments.
In 1840 the Tongan population was 18,500 (excluding the two Niuas), accord ing to the estimate Commodore Wilkes received from the missionaries. The first official census, however, was not until 1900, when the population was 20,019, Since then there has been a steady in crease until it fell from 24.245 in 1917- 1918 to 22,689 in 1918-1919, owing to the influenza epidemic. Subsequent figures show a steady improvement.
The native population is composed of 16,076 males and 15,677 females and is distributed among the chief groups as follows:
The census gives the figures for non- Tongans as follows (1926 figures in par enthesis): —Europeans 433 (611); half castes, 306 (225); other Pacific Island ers, 296 (302); foreigners (mostly Asiat ics), 63 (65).
The total population for the Kingdom is now composed as follows:
Senor Manuel Bosch-Barrett, President of the Joint Court of the Condominium of the New Hebrides, arrived in Sydney from Vila by the February “Pierre Loti”. He sailed later by the “Nieuw Holland” to spend the Court vacation in Bali, Dutch East Indies.
Male.
Female, Tongatabu 7,209 6,883 Haapai 3,495 3,584 Vavau 4,011 3,998 Niuafoou 721 614 Niuatobutabu .. 415 383 Eua 225 215 Total 16,076 15,677
1937. 1927.
Tongans . . 31,753 26,128 Non-Tongans 1,108 1,203 Total 32,861 27,331