THE FOUR CENTRES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2120, 20 February 1908, Page 3

THE FOUR CENTRES.

HOW THEY COMPARE IN ' POPULATION. C.IIIIISTC] LURCH CLAIMS SECOND PLACE. Christchurch citizens .have jil .grievance regarding the manner in which Wellington officials "bump’-”'iip tho population returns of that city to the disadvaiVtage 'of other" tovriis: The Lyittdton Times in 7i "put the position thus : ' ’ ? The city of Greater Christchurch is the second largest in the dominion, being passed in population only by Auckland. On tlie 1906 census the populations were given as follows: Auckland -82,101 Christchurch 67,878 Wellington 63,807 Dunedin 56,020

Nevertheless it.he monthly vital statistics telegraphed from Wellington persistently indicate that Christchurch has. the sm-alln t population of the four centres. The matter \Uu> mentioned to a reporter yesterday by the Mayor (Mr 0. Payling), who was very emphatic that attention should he drawn to it. at least in Christchurch. In the vital statistics published this week it was mode to appear that -the population of Auckland and suburbs was 09.149. Wellington 67.535. Dunedin 58,036, and Christchurch 55,263. The figures, of course, are incomplete ill tile case of Christchurch, because Wool,-ton is the only suburb included in. the total. In Auckland, on the other hand, Birkenhead, Devcnport, Newmarket,-G-rov Lynn, Parnell mid Mount Eden are t-aktui into account, in themselves representing a -population of 27.651; and in .Dunedin. (Maori Hill, Mornington. North-East Valley, -ltoslyn, i'Bt Kilda and W'est Harbour account for a population of 20,41 o. Lhe lcason of the error is nartly tint some of the Cliristehureir suburbs are included in road districts, -and consequently. do not a linear as belonging to Cliiustdiurch. With .the inclusion of'Sunnier. New Brighton, Papamu, Fcndalton. Riccarton and many other places within .touch of Christchurch, the total population would he largely increased: The W.hle of. vital sta"ltl.ii- Ll.m-W’ !«K t" Hl« "»• gi na ti on.