Mr Culpin the read his paper on “The Study of Statistics” of which the following is a synopsis

“Statistics” is a method of scientific investigation. The knowledge derived therefrom may be classified under three headings.
(1). Simple enumeration, as furnished for instance by a census.
(2). Facts which cannot be learned from ordinary observation, such as the average duration of life
(3). Relations of cause & effect, of which the relation between the cost of food, & the number of number of marriages may be taken as an example.

Care must be exercised when dealing with statistics that the exact meaning of the clarifications has been understood by those who provide the details as well as by those who arrange them; that those figures only be used that are based on a wide experience, & the same should be verified by going to the original sources.

The utility of figures in the power of comparison & in order to compare they must be reduced to a common base. To do this the totals & how they are made up should be thoroughly shown, effects should be compared with their immediate causes, & the data should be similar in character.