POPULATION OF TOWNS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 219, 12 August 1930, Page 7

POPULATION OF TOWNS.

LATEST OFFICIAL ESTIMATES. PALMERSTON - NORTH SIXTH CITY. Estimates of the population in the four chief centres and 18 larger towns of the Dominion at April 1 are published in the Abstract of Statistics. Tlie former, including their suburbs, have a total population of 550,375, showing an increase during the year of 9515, while the secondary centres have increased by 3080 to 213,370. Though Greater Auckland has a population nearly one and a-lialf times that of Greater Wellington, the estimates show a larger increase in Wellington than in Auckland. Following are the estimates for the four centres for the last two years:— 1929. 1930. Inc. Auckland 208,310 211,905 3,505 Wellington .... 138,235 143,320 5,085 Christchurch . 110,195 110,720 525 Dunedin 84,090 84,430 340 The population of Auckland City alone is 103,600, which is only 530 more than the 1929 estimate. Wellington City contains 108,500 persons, an increase of 3100 during the year. Four of the Auckland suburban boroughs have populations exceeding 10,000. An increase of .500 has brought that of Mount Albert to 20,190 so that it has technically qualified for elevation to the status of city. Mount Eden has 19,770, an increase of 240; Oneliunga 11,120 (120) and Devonport 10.310 (75). One Tree Hill follows with 7920, an increase of 250. Greater Wellington comprises four suburban boroughs and part of the Hutt County. Lower Hutt 12,860 and Petone 10,770 alone have populations running info five figures. Nine of the secondary centres exceed 10,000; in order, they are as follows, the year’s increases being stated in parentheses:—Wanganui, 25,000 (150); Palmerston North, 20,150 (615) ; Invercargill, 20,045 (285) ; Timaru, 16,475 (175) ; Napier, 16,160 (135); New Plymouth, 10,370 (405) ; Hamilton 15,065 (265) ; Gisborne, 13,810 (175) ; Hastings, 11,260 (410); Nelson, 10,640 (60). Palmerston North has taken sixth place this year, displacing Invercargill. Whangarei is credited with an increase of 180 to 7240. In several cases, tho latest estimate is the same as last year’s, but Thames alone is shown with a decrease 15 less to 4735.