Auckland

Auckland, the largest city in the North Island of New Zealand, situated on a peninsula about 7 miles wide on the Hauraki Gulf. It stands on the south side of Waitemata Harbour, one of the finest harbours in New Zealand, with sufficient depth of water for the largest steamers afloat; and its splendid wharves and graving-docks offer the most complete facilities for shipping. Auckland is distant from Sydney 1315 miles; from Melbourne, 1650; and has regular steam communication with both. It possesses also a harbour on the western side of the island in Manukau, only six miles across. It is surrounded by numerous thriving villages, with several of which it is connected by railway. Auckland contains a well laid out botanical garden and two public parks, and shows numerous public buildings, government house, exchange, post-office, custom-house, banks, hotels, churches, and barracks. Most of the stores and shops are of a substantial character. It has a university college and cathedral, and the foundation stone of a Free Library and Art Gallery was laid in 1885. The temperature is singularly equable and free from extremes of heat and cold: the mean average temperature in shade is 59.6° F. The industrial establishments include boiler and glass works, saw-mills, shipbuilding, vinegar and rope works; sugar refinery, boot factory, &c. Auckland has connection with all the chief centres of New Zealand by telegraph. About 230 sailing vessels and 62 steamers are registered as belonging to the port. Pop. (1881) 16,675; but including suburban districts, 30,952; (1891) borough, 28,773; with suburbs, 51,287. The city was founded in 1840, and was named in honour of Lord Auckland, then governor-general of India. It was the capital of New Zealand up to 1865.