South Australia

We have received South Australian papers up to the 28th of May, containing the most gratifying intelligence from that colony, in regard to the present position and future prospects of the inhabitants. The Government census which has been published in April, gives the total population at 17,196-viz-Males, 9526, and females, 7670. Compared with the sister colonies, South Australia is much better off as regards the equalization of the sexes, the present disparity being only 5404 males, against 3862 females; while in New South Wales, for instance, the males amount to 76,583, and the females only to 35,762. "The increase of the last three years," says the Adelaide Observer, "appears to be equal to the ordinary proportional increase of ten years in England; whilst vital statistics, the accuracy of which may be depended on, are triumphantly in favor of South Australia as compared with any British population either in the mother country or the (hitherto esteemed) most healthy of her colonies.

The various denominations which must necessarily exist in the colony, have also been classified under their various heads. and are as follows:-

Church of England 9418

Church of Scotland 1691

Wesleyan Methodists 1666

Other Protestant Dissenters 3309

Roman Catholics 1055

Jews 25

Mahomedans and Pagans 32

Total 17,196

From some other statistical returns, published along with the census, we observe that temperance has been gaining ground. The number of houses in Adelaide. Port Adelaide, and Albert Town, licensed for the sale of spirituous liquors in 1840, was 70; in 1841, 67; in 1842, 44; and in 1843, only 34. These facts derive their main importance from the influence which the consumption of ardent spirits has exercised on the amount of crime and the number of convictions in the district; and tend clearly to point out the intimate connection between the moral conduct, and strict sobriety of the inhabitants. In 1840, the number of convictions amounted to 47; in 1841, to 37; in 1842, to 36; and in 1843, only to 30.

(->) The foregoing information is given in the Times and Seasons, to show the Latter-day Saints, what they will have to contend with in the Far West.