Auckland Provincial Government Gazette.

273

be the case, clearly the fault of any errors or defects which may be allowed to exist in it, must for the future, to a great extent, be charged upon the apathy or want of union of the inhabitants of New Zealand.

4. But as in the case of the country in the vicinity of Auckland, it will probably often be found that there are various localities in New Zealand which, from occupying a position favorable to commerce, will attract a large population to their vicinity: and in such places it will be requisite for the Government in the first instance to construct various public works, and to establish charitable and educational institutions of divers kinds adapted to the wants of the inhabitants, for the support of which endowments will have to be set apart from the Crown lands; and secondly, it will be generally found necessary in such cases to create Municipalities with very extensive powers of local self-government, and further to vest in such Municipalities the various public works which have been constructed, the institutions which have been established, and the endowments which have been provided for their support. In such instances as the inhabitants of all the immediately contiguous Hundreds will have a joint interest in the proper management of, and in the right of admission to, such charitable and educational institutions, and in the efficient maintenance of such public works, it will be requisite that they should be included within the limits of any Municipality which may be created for these purposes.

5. In the instance of the Borough of Auckland now under consideration, it will be found from an examination of the Schedules attached to the Charter, that it comprises within its limits six Hundreds, and is thus made to embrace a district which possesses great capabilities and many natural advantages; which is about sixteen miles in length from the Wao on the West to Howick on the East inclusive: and which has a varying breadth from five to seven miles, being bounded on the North by the Waitemata, and on the South by the Manukau.

6. Thus defined, the Borough of Auckland comprises within its limits two large harbours, one on either side, and one of which (Auckland) is of a most superior description; a river (the Tamaki) navigable for small craft, which nearly intersects the Borough; a water frontage (not including the Tamaki with its numerous creeks) of not less than forty miles, having shelter and anchorage for shipping throughout the greater part of its extent; and an area of about 58,000 acres, the whole of which, with the exception of about 2,000 acres, is available for cultivation, and is generally of very superior quality.

7. Of the land thus comprised within the limits of the Borough, about 40,000 acres are already the property of private individuals, held under grant from the Crown, and of this quantity of land about 7,500 acres are in a state of cultivation, well fenced, and for the most part heavily stocked with cattle.

8. About 2,000 acres are the property and in the occupation of the natives; and the remaining 16,000 acres, including portions of the town of Auckland, and of the villages of Onehunga, Howick, Panmure, and Otahuhu, remain demesne lands of the Crown, available for sale and settlement.

9. The European population of the Borough amounts to about 8,000 souls, upwards of 4,000 of whom occupy the town of Auckland and its adjacent suburbs, whilst the aggregate population of the Pensioner settlements of Onehunga, Howick, Panmure, and Otahuhu, may be estimated at about 2,500 souls, leaving a population of about 1,500 souls who are scattered over the rural districts of the Tamaki, Epsom, and the Wao, and are chiefly engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits. The whole European population of the Borough may thus be divided into three distinct classes, viz., a commercial class residing in the town of Auckland; the landed proprietors and farmers residing in the suburbs of the town, and in the villages and agricultural districts; and a mixed or intermediate class, who inhabit the Pensioner settlements.

10. For the convenience of the inhabitants of the Borough, the principal streets, the main lines of road throughout a great part of its extent, and useful causeways and bridges have been constructed and are now in good repair, so that they can for the future be maintained in an efficient state at a comparatively small cost. An extensive wharf and landing place in the town of Auckland is also now in progress; the funds for its completion have been advanced, and there can be little doubt that whilst it will greatly promote the commercial facilities of Auckland, it may be made the means of yielding a considerable revenue for the Corporation.

11. Various other public and charitable works have been undertaken and established within the limits of the Borough, several of which have been for some time in full and most useful operation: such as a public hospital, a native hostelry, a market house, public washing, bathing, and drying grounds; and valuable portions of the Crown lands have in some instances been set apart as endowments towards the support of these public Institutions. As a temporary measure, and until some competent body should be organized for their management, these reserved lands thus set apart as endowments have been vested in official trustees; but so soon as the Council of the Borough shall have been duly constituted, it is intended to vest in that body these Institutions and the endowments for their support and maintenance. In like manner a considerable endowment has been provided for the support of a college and free grammar schools within the Borough; and so soon as one of these schools in the town of Auckland can be put into an efficient state, it is intended to vest also these establishments and the endowments for their maintenance in the Corporation of the Borough.

12. I trust that ample funds will be thus placed at the disposal of the Corporation for the maintenance of these Institutions without their being compelled in these early days of the Colony, to impose any great amount of additional taxation upon the inhabitants of the Borough, and in the same manner I hope that the considerable portion of the land fund which is to be placed at their disposal will enable them, by a judicious management of their resources, to make and maintain all really necessary roads through the Borough, without their being compelled at present, to impose on its inhabitants any heavy rate of assessment for such purposes.

13. In pursuance of the plan I have thus traced out, the enclosed Charter, in its preamble, recognises the inhabitants of the Borough themselves as being best qualified, as well by their more intimate knowledge of local affairs as by their more direct interest therein, to provide for the efficient management of such institutions, works, and endowments; and recites that with a view to that end, and to the good order, health, and convenience, of the people, it is expedient that the inhabitants of the district should be constituted a Body Corporate, with the powers thereinafter mentioned.

14. As it is not the object of the Charter to confer upon any particular class, by means of a Council to be chosen by that class, the power of governing the Borough: but to give to the inhabitants at large the