THE CONDITION OF AUCKLAND.

Colonist, Volume XII, Issue 1254, 1 October 1869, Page 8

THE CONDITION OF AUCKLAND.

The following information is from an intelligent and observant correspondent, who writes from Onehunga on the 16th instant :—

Two and a-half years have elapsed since I was in Auckland, when failures, and depressed trade, with worse prospects for the future, were apparently to be the fate of Auckland.

How changed is it all now ! Instead of houses to let or to be sold for a mere song, suitable residences are difficult to obtain ; the value of all property has increased; business is active, and men of business have smiling countenances, in<tead of care-worn melancholy faces —such as were presented in 1867. The population of the city husvisibly increased, and Queenstreet looks as it used to do in the happy, jolly days of Auckland's prosperity, when General Cameron, with his 10,000 men, lived within a convenient distuice of Government House! The road from Onehunga to Auckland is one of the most charming drives in either Island of JNow Zealand, perhaps the very prettiest. Fine parklocss, laid down in English grasses, with neat stone dividing walls, and here and there beautifully designed villas, occupied by many of Auckland's well-to-do men, in and out of business. Two theatres are in full swing.

I went to the Thames, and was guile astonished at the size of the place, and the number of people there congregated. There must, between Grahamstown and Shortland, be as many houses as there are at Hokitika and the Grey put together. What all those Isaw there do for an honest living, however, puzzles me, and time has not yet allowed me to ascertain the number of shavebrokers trying to exist there and in Auckland. Before I leave I trust to make up an approximate estimate. I have heard it stated on good authority, however, that, if the total produce of the Thames goldfields were.divided amongst them, it would not be half sufficient to pay their board and lodging! At present there is a great fall in the value of all shares, both in good and bad claims and companies, for the market has been " bulled" to an awful extent, and hundreds of poor devils have fallen easy victims to the desire of making money easily and rapidly. As is frequently the case when ih; s pleasing operation is attempted, the very reverse ie the practical result. A great collapse is about to take place, or rather has already set in; and during the next few weeks scrip of all kinds will rule very low, some will be quite unsaleable and may be had no doubt in some cases for the same number of shillings as pounds were asked for it a few weeks since.

I don't like quoting any particular prices of any Co., but let me ask you to warn your friends and the public not to place cany reliance in the published sharebrokers' lists. In every case, without an exception, I feel confident in assuring you that you can buy for much less privately; in some cases at an enormous difference.