ABOUT SYDNEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 32, 8 February 1939, Page 20

ABOUT SYDNEY.

FACTS AND FIGURES. NEVER OFFICIALLY NAMED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, February 4. Here are a few facts about Sydney. The city of Sydney wae never officially named. The title "Sydney Cove" was applied in 1788 by Governor Phillip in honour of the Home Secretary, Lord Sydney. In 1790 the name was shortened to "Sydney." Sydney is governed by a municipal council of Lord Mayor and 14 aldermen. The metropolitan area includes the city proper, of 3244 acres, and 46 suburban municipalities, the total area being 233 square miles and the population 1,253,560, or 50 per cent of the population of the State. It is one of the healthiest cities of the world, the death rate being only 9.3 per 1000. The annual rainfall ie 47in, twice that of London, but the sun shines 342 days in the year. The city has over 140 miles of streets and is built on the shores of one of the most beautiful harbours in the world— Port Jackson. From the entrance at the heads, which are 1650 yards apart, it has an irregular coastline of 188 miles, enclosing 14,300 acres of water area, providing safe navigation, and anchorage for the largest ships, afloat. In addition to being the centre of the State's railway eyetem, Sydney is also an important air travel centre, the airport at Mascot and the' flying boat base at Rose Bay being scenes of constant activity. Sydney University was the first colonial institution of its kind established in the British Empire. In the Oreat Tower of this beautiful building is housed a memorial carillon of four, octaves (62 bells).