NEW ARRIVALS and COST OF LIVING

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 219, 16 September 1939, Page 4 (Supplement)

NEW ARRIVALS and COST OF LIVING

IMPORTANT DATES

In 1841 the population of Auckland was about 1500 people, but in 1842 it leapt to close on 3000, IR-" t0 the arrival of immigrants in the ships menin the sketches. Two of the ships had come from Greenock in Scotland and many of the settlers from that country. They came ashore to such place as described in the last sketches and the settlement was not prepared for them. Remember, f lO wireless or cablegrams could tell of their coming, f#d the voyage took a long time. Later the St. €teorge arrived with 90 boys on board. Some of flie new settlers obtained work, but many had to live in hastily-built whares. We read that many had to cook in the open and wet days must have

H//i Xovember. 1915.—.4 rmistice declared between A llies and (lermany. '21h February, 1909.—Steamer Pen--9a in ipre eked in Cook Strait. (Pelorus Jack often follmccil this ship.) \2th April. 1896.—X ew Zealand population 703.36(1. 13th September. 1933.—First Woman I*. (Mrs. M cCom Its ) elected. 14 th February, 1909. —Main Trunk train begins daily trips. loth April, 186.">.—Auckland first lighted by gas. 17th February. IS6s.—First sod of Auckland-Drury railway line turn ed. 17 th April, 1921.—Xew Zealand population 1,218,913.

caused great discomfort and hunger. This view i: strengthened when we look at the above sketche: and see tHe cost of foods.

Times were made still more difficult by the low wages offered. However, from what Mr. Rough, the man in charge of immigrants, writes: "Many were soon at work making roads." The upp«r part of Shortland Street was cut down and the lower part filled in, and Princes and Queen Streets metalled. These streets were almost impassable in wet weather. A road was formed to Newmarket by cutting away part of Mount Eden and filling in the swamp of which D Urville spoke. This road was called Khyber Pass.

When next you see these streets to-day, try and imagine how they were in their first beginnings.