The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1896.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 106, 7 May 1896, Page 4

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo.

THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1896.

_» . I-i^lis.oftatts G_-t lacks noßteUncs, Ifartth*' vrong that m.eds r.Bistancs, J.«r;feo .ftetue in tha dlstanos. An 4 the good that ts can Ho.

The returns of the recent census have been so far completed as to. enable us to ascertain what numerical change has taken place in the population of our city and suburbs since the enumerators made their investigations five years ago. It is gratifying to learn from the figures that the change is decidedly one very much for our benefit. Since the previous census was taken, the population of the city and the immediate suburbs has increased from 44,692 to' 50,373. And this increase does not represent the entire gain which the city may reckon for the period. We are entitled to count as among the suburbs of the city such districts as Mount Albert, One Tree Hill, Mount Roskifl, besides the boroughs of Devon port, Northcote, Birkenhead and Chelsea. The additions to their populations have been very considerable, and probably we should not be far out in our calculation if we credited the City by the Waitemata with something over 68,000 souls,

Here is a large community, and although to those who have come amongst us of recent years from the great cities of the old world it may seem nothing to. boast of, old New Zealanders who can remember when the Maori canoes were paddling where the busiest part of the city stands, will certainly feel a thrill of pride to think that Anglo-Saxon energy and enterprise have accomplished so much. What a different aspect the whole country must wear to those who can recall the embryo city—a few shanties and tents dotted on the sea shore—with its inhabitants none too secure from the attacks of hostile, natives. We can fancy the old, identity standing on Mount Eden to-day, and reviewing with his mind's eye those small beginnings, while his actual vision embraces a scene as prosperous and fair as one could wish to look on. Where the sombre hills rose terrace on terrace to the base of the mountains, and were traverstd by wretched paths, there now lies a beautiful city, rich in every con-

venience of civilisation. Splendid public and private buildings have taken the place ot the tent and hut, wide viaducts lead in every direction, where there was only an occasional track, the gullies have been converted into gardens, the mud flats reclaimed, and great ocean steamers lie where a ship from the old country used to be a most welcome but infrequent sight.

. It is to the old Aucklander and not to the newchura that such records of our advance as the census furnishes us with will appeal most strongly.. The former has ever the past in his mind, and he feels himself personally involved in the rise of the city of his choice. But all true colonists, even if they are only comparatively recent arrivals beside the men of " the forties," must feel an interest in this population question which they could never experience in the old country. In Great Britain no one is very much concerned in the results of the* census. It is taken for granted that there will be an increase, and there always is. No one is particularly elated at the fact. Indeed, it is questionable whether it should not be a matter for regret. England is full enough already, and there is surely little reason to look with approbation on great cities, with all their squalour and misery growing greater. But the case is very different in a young colony like this. We want population to settle on our great areas of fertile land. We are crying out for williog hands and active brains, and we hail with satisfaction any evidence that they are coming to us. We rejoice over increase of population, whether by births or immigration. On the one hand, it is a proof of the healthiness of the country and the lertility ot the colonists; on the other, it shows the attraction this fair land exercises on the less favoured dwellers in other parts of the world.

Naturally, any addition to the population of the colony as a whole is a matter for satisfaction to every part of it. But so strong is the feeling in the different cities and districts that no small amount of jealousy exists between them on the question as to which has the largest population. If largeness of population is an index of the healthiness, the social advantages, the commercial and agricultural wealth and conveniences of a district — and we believe that generally speak'mg all these things combined determine the ebb and flow of population—then this jealousy is most natural, and the "rivalry it induces can only be beneficial to all. the rivals. Auckland has always been the envy of i the other towns of the colony on account of her unrivalled scenic attractions, Wellington again has held a strong position because of ber central position and splendid shipping accomodation, while Christchurch and' Dun-din have based their claims to superiority on the large tracts of splendid arable land in their vicinity. We would not like to say which of the four cities would come first if there were some method of weighing their several advantages. Nor are we anxious at present to know. One fact suffices us at present, and it is that our own beautiful city is steadily gaining in attractiveness. No one ever doubted that it wa* so, for it is easy to see that Auckland is \ daily becoming more beautiful and more prosperous. The census returns were never needed to ( teach us that, but they are useful to convince outsiders that our praise of the northern city is not empty flattery.

Among the causes that will certainly contribute to the popularity of Auckland in the future is the situation of the place and the beauty of its suburbs. These may, to some people, appear small advantages from a commercial point of view, but it must be remembered that in the Old Country at present there are scores, nay thousands, of moneyed individuals who are looking out for a mild climate and beautiful surroundings such as we can offer. '■■

Again, we must not neglect to mention another great attraction which we hold out, and one which few can resist. Within the last eighteen months the neglected gold-bearing areas of Auckland have leaped into prominence, and now foreign capital is bidding for a share in the El Dorado of New Zealand. The cry is, "Still they come," with unlimited gold at their command. There are miles of rich veins to be ripped from the bowels of the earth, and labour is needed for the work. The labourer in turn needs tools and must be clothed and fed, and it is the city merchant and the city artizan that roust supply his wants. What immense advantages does this revival in a great industry mean for our city. We shall not prophesy, but it seems to us that five years hence, when the next census is taken, it is very probable there will be six figures instead of five opposite the name of Auckland city and suburbs.