# Municipal and Official Handbook of the City of Auckland, New Zealand/The City of Auckland

THE CITY OF AUCKLAND, N.Z.
FOUNDATION AND SETTLEMENT.
A little more than eighty years ago the site of the City of Auckland was covered with ti-tree, fern and bush. In the year 1840 Captain William Hobson, Lieutenant-Governor, selected a site on the shores of the Waitemata Harbour as the capital of the young colony, and on the 18th September of that year a flagstaff was erected on Point Britomart (since demolished) and the Union Jack unfurled. This was Auckland's official birthday. The seat of government remained here until 1865, when it was removed to Wellington. Auckland's appearance at that time was tersely described by the late Sir John Logan Campbell, one of Auckland's great pioneers. "The capital!" he wrote, "a few boats and canoes on the beach, a few tents and break-wind huts along the margin of the bay, and then—a sea of fern stretching away as far as the eye could reach."
What a transformation has taken place in this short period of little more than the normal span of a man's life. The ti-tree and the fern have given place to a city with a population (1921 census) of 81,712 inhabitants, or, if the suburbs are included, of 157,757.
AUCKLAND, 1840, SHOWING THE TENTS OF FIRST SETTLERS.
All the Bays have been reclaimed and the Point demolished.
VIEW OF AUCKLAND'S HARBOUR FRONTAGE TAKEN FROM A SEA-PLANE, SHOWING THE WHARVES.
W. A. Waters, Photo.
​the colonists some concern, and Hone Heke's Rebellion in the North (1843–46) and the threatened invasion of Auckland by discontented natives, in 1851, must have occasioned no little anxiety to the settlers. The most serious trouble with the natives occurred during the Maori Wars of the 'sixties, when the City was surrounded by hostile natives, and fears were entertained for its safety. Block houses were erected at various points of vantage, and the entire male population was conscripted. Fortunately the tide of war swept past the City without doing any damage to life or property and without seriously arresting the work of the pioneers, who during the first two or three decades laid the foundation of the prosperity which the City has since experienced.
GROWTH OF POPULATION.
In 1841 the population was estimated to be 1,500 persons, but by 1858 it had reached 6,283, and in 1864 the inhabitants numbered 12,423. This was rapid progress for so young a city, and was due in a measure to the discovery of gold at Coromandel in 1852, which brought many colonists to the City. The war, however, seriously affected the City's prosperity, and for the next ten years the population remained practically stationary, the census returns for 1874 showing the residents to number 12,775.
The following decade found the City making rapid strides, and by 1886 the population had increased to 33,161, due in part to direct immigration, but also to the ​amalgamation of adjacent districts. But the progress had been too great. The advance, which had been steady at first, led to speculation causing a boom, and resulted in a slump in the 'nineties, bringing much hardship to many. A slow recovery followed, and by 1896 the population, which had dropped to 28,613 in 1891, had increased to 31,424, and by 1900 had reached the 1886 figures. From the opening of the Twentieth Century, the progress made by the City has been marked. In 1901 the population numbered 34,213; ten years later it was 40,536, and at the last census the inhabitants of the City alone totalled 81,712, an increase in ten years of more than 100 per cent. The very large increase in the City's inhabitants in the last decade was again partly attributable to the amalgamation of contiguous districts, partly to the movement of population from other districts, and in a measure to direct immigration.
COMMERCIAL PROGRESS.
After an original water colour in the Old Colonists' Museum.
QUEEN STREET FROM THE SAME VIEWPOINT, IN 1922.
​periods, indicate the development which the commerce of the City has undergone:—
| | Exports. | Imports. |
| 1881 | £813,113 | £1,490,124 |
| 1891 | 1,218,321 | 1,595,036 |
| 1901 | 1,922,792 | 3,023,566 |
| 1911 | 3,280,878 | 5,650,734 |
| 1920 | 9,383,603 | 18,732,032 |
These figures, especially the exports, show a remarkable progress for such a young city. The excess of imports over exports is due to the fact that New Zealand is primarily an agricultural country and is dependent upon the overseas manufacturer for the supply of manufactured goods.
Auckland's commercial position is based upon its natural advantages by land and sea. It is the centre of a large agricultural district. The primary products, principally butter, cheese and wool, are shipped to the world's markets; and its port, which can accommodate the largest vessels afloat, attracts ships from all parts of the world. Its situation on the direct line of communication between the Commonwealth of Australia and the Continent of America is excellent from the mercantile standpoint.
THE PORT OF AUCKLAND.
The Port's facilities, including electric cranes for the speedy discharge of vessels and for the handling of cargoes, are thoroughly modern. A comprehensive ​scheme of Port development and of concrete wharves was adopted in 1904. The scheme is being steadily developed, and will cost over £2,000,000 sterling.
As an indication of the shipping of the Port, the figures for the year 1921 are given. In that year the total number of vessels (overseas and coastal) which entered the Port was 5,367, totalling 1,800,193 tons. The outward shipping numbered 5,301 vessels, aggregating 1,750,544 tons.
The principal overseas shipping companies trading regularly to the Port are the Union S.S. Company of N.Z., the New Zealand Shipping Co., the Commonwealth and Dominion Line, the Shaw, Savill and Albion Co., the Federal and Shire Line, and the Canadian Government Line.
The coastal trade is maintained by the Northern Steamship Co., whose vessels conduct an extensive trade on both the east and west coasts of the North Island.
A TOURIST'S CENTRE.
The City is also the natural centre for the increasing number of world tourists who are attracted to New Zealand by its climate and scenery, which range from the sub-tropical to the sub-antarctic. North of Auckland some of the few remaining kauri forests are to be found, and to the south are the weird and wonderful Thermal District, with Rotorua as its centre, the ​beautiful scenery of the Wanganui River, the Alpine pleasures of the Tongariro National Park, and the beauties of Mt. Egmont. Connection with the South Island, where the fiords and cold lakes attract the visitor, is easily made.
MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT.
The municipal advancement of the City is also interesting. Auckland has the distinction of being the first Municipal Corporation established in New Zealand under the immediate sanction of the Royal Authority. The first meeting of the Council was held in November, 1851, Mr. Archibald Clark being the first Mayor. The Borough Council, as the Corporation was then called, did not last long, the disallowance in England of the "Land Fund Appropriation Act," from which the Council had expected to derive its principal revenue, causing its termination. The boundaries of the Borough were larger than the City's boundaries to-day, and covered the whole isthmus from the Waitemata to the Manukau, and from the Whau (Cox's) Creek to the Tamaki, an area of about 58,000 acres.
MAYORS OF THE CITY OF AUCKLAND.
First Row:—Arch. Clark (1851–52); P. A. Philips (1872–74); H. H. Isaacs (1874); F. L. Prime (1874–75); B. Tonks (1875–76).
Second Row:—W. J. Hurst (1876–77); H. Brett (1877–78); T. Peacock (1878–80); J. M. Clark (1880–83); W. R. Waddel (1883–86).
Third Row:—A. E. T. Devore (1886–89); J. H. Upton (1889–91); J. H. Gunson, C.M.G., C.B.E. (1915–); W. Crowther (1891–93); J. J. Holland (1893–96).
Fourth Row:—A. Boardman (1896–97); P. Dignan (1897–98); D. Goldie (1898–1901); Sir J. Logan Campbell (1901); Alf. Kidd (1901–03).
Fifth Row:—Hon. (afterwards Sir) E. Mitchelson (1903–05); Hon. A. Myers (1905–09); C. D. Grey (1909–10); L. J. Bagnall (1910–11); Hon. C. J. Parr (1911–15).
​local government was made in 1862, when the Provincial Government passed the "Town Boards Act"; it was repealed in the following year, and its place taken by the "City Boards Act," 1863. On April 24th, 1871, the City was constituted by a Proclamation of the Governor under the "Municipal Corporations Act, 1867," and it has continued to be governed by that Act and its amendments up to the present time. The first meeting of the City Council under this constitution took place on May 22nd, 1871, Mr. P. A. Philips, who had been Chairman of the City Board of Commissioners, being elected Mayor, while Mr. Frank Brodie was appointed Town Clerk.
The City of this date was small, occupying 623 acres, within the following boundaries, viz., Stanley Street, Symonds Street, Karangahape Road, and Franklin Road. From this small area it has grown by the amalgamation of adjoining districts, the Highway Districts of Ponsonby (755 acres), Karangahape (139 acres), and Grafton (88 acres), becoming part of the City in 1882. With these additions, the City continued without enlarging its area until 1913, but since that year a number of other districts have amalgamated with the City, as follows:—Parnell, 15th February, 1913 (490 acres); Arch Hill, 1st April, 1913 (154 acres); Grey Lynn, 1st July, 1914 (900 acres); Remuera, 1st March, 1915 (2,520 acres); Eden Terrace, 1st October, 1915 (95 acres); Epsom, 1st February, 1917 (860 acres); and Point Chevalier, 1st, April, 1921 (1,220 acres). The city now extends over 7,844 acres.
​At the present day, Auckland occupies a high position among the municipalities of the Dominion. Its civil engineering works are large, and include at the present time the erection of two dams, one designed to contain 69,000,000 gallons of water and the other 540,000,000 gallons. The smaller dam is practically finished, and the larger will be completed in 1923. The Council owns and operates an electric tramway system which covers 27 route miles. The revenue last year was £502,000. The Corporation has just sold its electricity business to the Auckland Electric Power Board, which will supply the City and district with electric energy. Gas is provided by a private company. Water, as already indicated, is under Corporation ownership. The drainage and sewerage work of the City and suburbs is thoroughly modern, and is administered by a Board, upon which the City has representation. The Fire Brigade is similarly controlled by a Board. The health and sanitation of the community is another of the Council's responsibilities. It owns a modern abattoir and a fish market, employing for the latter two steam trawlers, and the fish caught is sold at its own retail department. On the æsthetic side, the Council provides its citizens with Organ and Choral Concerts and subsidizes band performances in the public parks; the Art Gallery caters for the artistic requirements, while the Public Library satisfies the intellectual demands of the community. The public parks and reserves, both within and beyond the City's boundaries, provide for ​many forms of recreation. The Council's annual revenue and the annual valuation of the City will summarize the various activities. In 1920–21 the former was £1,075,840, while the latter for the same period was £1,497,095. The progress of the City in the last twenty years may be estimated by a comparison of the figures for 1901. In that year the annual revenue was £82,657 and the annual valuation £349,765. All of the City Council's undertakings are fully dealt with in the following pages.
THE HARBOUR BOARD.
The Auckland Harbour Board, to which the administration of the Port was delegated under "The Harbour Boards Act, 1870," came into being in the same year as the City Council. These two bodies are the principal corporations of the City, and are largely responsible for the great impiovements which have taken place.
SITUATION AND CLIMATE.
Nature has dealt bountifully with Auckland. Sunshine and rain she has given with equal generosity. The mean annual temperature is about 58°; the coldest month (July) has an average of 51°, and the hottest month (December) an average of 65°. The average rainfall is about 43 inches. Frosts are rare, and a serious drought practically unknown.
The City itself is beautifully situated between the Waitemata and the Manukau Harbours. Leaving Auckland City by electric tram, one may travel across the narrow isthmus to the Borough of Onehunga, on the Manukau Harbour, in less than forty-five minutes, the distance being about seven miles. At the narrowest point the distance is less than a mile. For many years proposals that these two harbours should be connected by a canal have been discussed; such a canal would add enormously to the City's commercial facilities. The Northern Boroughs, ​which are growing rapidly, will no doubt, in due time, be brought nearer to the City by means of a bridge across the Harbour.
Between these two harbours Auckland City stands, its northern and eastern boundaries mingling with the waters of the Waitemata. To the south and west its frontiers push across the isthmus. Salient features of the City's topography are the ridges and gullies which dissect it, and the many stretches of undulating land between. Another striking feature of the locality is the large number of hills, which are locally known as mounts, although the largest of them does not exceed 650 feet in height. They are, almost without exception, of volcanic origin, for many generations extinct. From sea level these mounts and ridges lend a pleasing and varied feature to the scene, and from their summit exceptionally beautiful views of land and sea can be obtained. Travellers of world-wide experience have expressed their pleasure and surprise at the views obtained from Maungawhau (Mt. Eden) and Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill). It is a pleasure to state that nearly all these vantage points have been reserved as domains and will belong for ever to the people.
The City is pleasingly laid out, although it might not call forth the encomiums of a modern expert in town planning. The early colonists seem to have followed the natural method of laying down streets, following the easiest routes. The main streets are ​broad and well made, but some of the older streets in the heart of the City are narrow. This was an error in the original plan which is only being overcome at great expense. For many years Auckland roads were not good. Concrete paving is now being used, however, and a vigorous roading policy having been adopted, the City is making rapid progress in roading improvements, and will soon have the reputation of being the best roaded city in Australasia.
BUILDINGS.
Auckland's buildings are a quaint mixture of past and present. In the main streets large buildings of modern design stand side by side with one, two, or three storey structures which have passed their prime in terms of years. This contrast is not to be deplored from an artistic point of view, for what it lacks in symmetry is more than compensated by the effect of a broken sky-line. The sky-scraper happily does not exist—an eight-storey building being the tallest in the City. Amongst notable buildings may be mentioned the Post Office, Ferry Buildings, the New Zealand Insurance Buildings, some of the banks, including the Auckland Savings Bank and the Bank of New Zealand, which is the gem of Auckland's commercial buildings, the Public Library and Art Gallery, the Town Hall, the Supreme Court, the Magistrate's Court and the city churches, noticeably St. Paul's, St. Matthew's, St. Andrew's and the Tabernacle.
A GARDEN CITY.
If Auckland cannot be described as an ideal example of city planning, according to the town planner's standards, it can fairly be described as a garden city. One cannot walk any distance in the City—except, of course, the purely business part—without finding a garden. The public parks and reserves, which are fully described in the succeeding pages, are tastefully laid out, and every house, be it large or small, has a garden or trim lawn. In a climate where extremes do not exist, with a good average rainfall and abundant sunshine all the year round, the cultivation of flowers, fruit and vegetables is an easy matter, and the universal garden is the result.
The domestic architecture of Auckland and suburbs helps to accentuate this feature. Tenements are practically unknown. The type of building used for dwellings is either the cottage or the bungalow, and occasionally a more formal house of two storeys. Nearly every household is self-contained, or at worst occupies a semi-detached dwelling. Seldom are two houses together of the same design. The rows of dwellings of a uniform pattern, so common in English towns, do not obtain here, and this adds to the variety and charm of the Auckland home.
EDUCATION.
The educational interests of the City are represented by the University College (which is about to commence ​the erection of a large modern building), the Grammar Schools for boys and girls, and a number of private secondary schools, the Seddon Memorial Technical School, and the State primary schools. Of the latter there are eighteen within the City boundaries alone. There is also a School of Art, and, attached to the University, a school of music. The Auckland Museum is another educative institution, notable especially on account of its Maori collection, which is reputed to be the largest and best in existence.
BUSINESS.
The business activity of the City is exemplified in the large banking concerns carried on in it, which now number six different companies, including the progressive, locally promoted Bank of New Zealand. This bank has now branches throughout New Zealand, the Commonwealth of Australia, Fiji and Samoa. There are also a number of insurance companies, including two large companies of native origin, viz., the New Zealand Coy. and the South British Coy. Both have made good their positions among similar concerns throughout the world.
AMUSEMENTS.
The amusements which the City affords are limited naturally by the numbers of the population. A city of Auckland's size cannot expect to be catered for to the same extent as London. Yet, despite this limitation, the City has been fortunate in receiving visits from ​world renowned artistes. Generally speaking, however, the City has to depend for its entertainments upon the talent contained within the Dominion and periodical visits by Australian companies. This dependence upon its own resources has led to the development of the local musical and dramatic talent, and has resulted in the fostering of a number of organisations which provide entertainment of a good standard. Entertainments of a more solid character than those already indicated are provided by courses of lectures arranged by the Auckland Institute, the Leys Institute and other libraries and organisations.
SPORTS.
In the sporting world the City is fortunate. The genial climate and the natural facilities for outdoor sports richly endow Auckland. At football the Dominion has proved its prowess against all comers. Both the Rugby and the League codes have large followings; Association is also played; and hockey is popular. The "sport of kings" has a democratic following. The Auckland Racing Club's course at Ellerslie will stand comparison with any course in the world, and its extensive grounds are most exquisitely laid out in lawns and gardens. Yachting and aquatic sportsmen have one of the finest waterways in the world to exercise on, and the Hauraki Gulf attracts thousands of devotees. Throughout the season regular races are held, and the annual regatta, which takes place on Anniversary Day (January 29th), is one of the sporting events of the ​year. Cricket, lawn tennis and bowls attract many, and golf is rapidly coming into favour. Athletic sports also claim a number of adherents.
A FORTUNATE CITY.
Auckland has been fortunate in many ways, but especially in respect of its benefactors. To the visitor, the number of endowments which the City manifests is a source of constant remark and not a little justifiable envy. Beginning in the 'eighties with the gift of Sir George Grey to the citizens of his collection of valuable books, pictures and curios, the Roll of Benefactors has increased, until to-day it is one that any city would be proud to possess. A list of the most important benefactions is included in an appendix.
This brief survey of the City's foundation and progress is intended to serve as a background to the more fully detailed sections which follow. Other information of a general and statistical character will be found in the appendices.
JOHN BARR,
Chief Librarian.
THE TOWN HALL, WITH THE SIR GEORGE GREY STATUE.