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will readily be able to resist any attempts (should such ever be made) on the part of the large stockholders to acquire such rights over the Crown lands, as might be injurious to the interests or future prospects of the less wealthy portions of the community; whilst on the other hand the stockholders, being also by a recent law enabled to be in like manner incorporated for the management of large pastoral districts, will have the means, through regularly constituted bodies, of maintaining their rights, either as against any temporary party in the Legislature, or against the hostile interests or prejudices of other classes of the community. I anticipate that from this adjustment of the respective rights of the two most important interests in this country there will result a better system for the administration of the waste lands of the Crown than has ever yet prevailed. At least, if such should not 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 favourable 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 2000 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 2000 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 8000 souls, upwards of 4000 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 2500 souls, leaving a population of about 1500 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 hereafter 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