THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, MAY 24, 1886.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7645, 24 May 1886, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, MAY 24, 1886.

©. The fact that the city of Auckland with its immediate suburbs possesses a. population of not less than 62,000 will doubtless astonish those in the mother country, who are interested in its progress quite as much as it has persons resident in this colony. There, too, as here, some may be inclined to question the accuracy of the figures which we have placed before the public ; but the recent census returns leave no room for even the shadow of a doubt on this point. These show conclusively that since the census of 1881 the increase has been at the average rate of 4000 per annum. And what is specially noteworthy respecting this progress is the circumstance that it is in no way due to any unusual event, such as the discovery of a new goldfield, which gave so great an impetus to Melbourne in 1851, and similarly to Dunedin in 1861. The growth of Auckland is attributable to no such adventitious causes and,. as a matter of fact, the goldfields, whether remote or near, have hitherto had a tendency to reduce rather than to increase the number of her inhabitants. The position she now occupies as one of the leading cities of Australasia is to be accounted for by a variety of causes, all of which have had a cumulative effect in making her forge steadily ahead. Among these may be classed a genial climate, magnificent natural surroundings, an unrivalled ! harbour and the advantage of being in 1 the highway of the Pacific trade, her

numerous industries, the variety of her exports; and though last, yet not least, the patient determination and enterprise of her citizens, which enabled them for many weary years to bear up against andultirnately overcome all the peculiar difficulties arising out of the native disturbances. These are what have made Auckland what she is to-day. No city in New Zealand, none even in Australasia, owes so little to Government patronage or State expenditure ; and, even on the admission of the present Premier, who is generally credited with strong Southern proclivities, her architectural as well as her commercial advancement is attributable to the energy and self-reliance of her people. Owing to this combination of influences she has, from being small and despised, steadily stepped forward in the path of progress until she has outstripped all New Zealand cities, is indeed entitled to rank as third in importance among all the cities of Australasia, and is now regarded as one of those great centres of activity, whose progress is promoted in good measure by the momentum it has acquired. The proud distinction which Auckland has thus won for herself becomes thus also the pledge of her future preeminence. For if such be the true account of her recent rapid march to the front, as we are confident it is, then the same causes which have produced such a result will, during each successive year, cooperate more powerfully for the same end. And this largely because the circumstances are daily becoming more favourable. The connections of Auckland with all the Pacific island groups are destined henceforth to be more intimate, her trading relations with them more extended and remunerative ; while, before another five years are passed, the opening of the Panama Canal may be relied on to place her more prominently than ever on the line of traffic between Australasia and both the old world and the new. Of the principal ports in the South Pacific hers will be the first reached by the merchantmen of America and England as well as of the leading commercial communities of Continental Europe. Added to these advantages will be the immense impulse certain to be given to her enterprise by the accelerated settlement of the unoccupied lands in the North Island which the cessation of the obstructive attitude so long maintained by the King natives has now openened the way for. Judging from the past, the inhabitants of Auckland will not be slow in availing themselves of the opportunities thus afforded them to enlarge their enterprise ; and, according as this is pushed forward population with its concomitant developments of industry will proportionately increase. Thus the lead which Auckland has by commendable perseverance acquired, will be maintained, and become even more decided until she is universally acknowledged as n ne of the leading emporiums of the j - .id. Less than two years ago it was predicted by one of her former leading citizens, while on a visit to the colony, that in ten years from that time this city would be able to boast of 100,000 inhabitants, and, if her advancement be in the same ratio as that which has distinguished the last five years, the probability if not the certainty is that the prediction will be fulfilled. Hero ''.here is abundance of scope, with all ■■he conditions favourable to the building up of a large city, and, if the builders are true to their mission, as we firmly believe they will be, the census of 1891 will furnish evidence that its destiny has been assured. In the meantime sufficient has been made patent to warrant the representatives of Auckland in demanding that without any delay she should have a greater voice than she now has in the Legislature of the colony. This, of course, is a question which does not concern Auckland alone, because, as compared with the South Island, the increase of population in the North Island generally is a noticeable result of the present census ; and, it is to be presumed, that the representatives of all the Northern constituencies will, in their own interests, participate in such action as may be necessary to secure a redistribution of seats according to the principles of justice. But on the Auckland members especially devolves the obligation not to allow the present session to pass without a Representation Bill being introduced which will honestly recognise the changes that have during the last five years affected the basis of population in the respective divisions of the colony. Supported by indisputable facts they can legitimately take their stand on the principle sanctioned in 1881, that representation shall be regulated by population, and insist on at least four additional members being accorded to Auckland. If they rise to the occasion and inspire with confidence the representatives of the other Northern constituencies in the legitimacy of their demands, an impulse to the settlement and progress of the North Island will be experienced greater than has ever been heretofore witnessed; and, while the whole of the North Island will reap the advantage of this, Auckland's share therein will certainly not be the least.