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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 64

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Since the first number of the New Zealand Almanac was published December, 1859, considerable changes have taken place in the social commercial, and financial position of this colony. Twenty-one year ago we were but a few isolated, enterprising Europeans, living on sufferance amongst a race of independent and warlike natives; their number, estimated at that time by the Attorney-General (Mr Swainson) at 70,000, has now, by war and disease, decreased to about 40,000. The white population in 1859 was 71,000; it is now estimated at 470,000. Our trade and facility of intercourse has also increased and extended in like proportion. The inland settlements are now connected with each other and with the principal seaports by railway. Our rivers are navigated by small steamers, and our coasts are traversed by a numerous fleet oil large and powerful steamers. Great Britain in 1859 was distant from New Zealand four months by sailing vessel; but it is now brought within forty days by steamer, and we can have almost instantaneous communication with any part of the European world by the telegraph.

The number of vessels registered in this colony in 1859 was 213; it is now 551. One-half of these, or 266 vessels, are registered as belonging to Auckland, thus proving it to be the leading port of the colony. Of land under crop in 1859, there was 157,000 acres; we have now 2,219,000 acres. Of sheep, we had 1,523,000; we have now between 12,000,000 and 13,000,000, and, as will be seen by referring to our statistical summary, New Zealand takes second place in wealth and importance amongst the Seven Australasian Colonies.

With the present issue, as with all the others, we have taken every care personally to make the New Zealand Almanac comprehensive and correct. By condensing and re-writing a greater part of the matter we have been enabled to add considerably to the amount of useful information the book contains.

In 1876 we published along with the almanac "The New Zealand Coasting Pilot and South Pacific Sailing Directory." As it is now sold out, we are preparing a new edition, combining all the corrections and discoveries. This will be published shortly, at the same price as the New Zealand Almanac—One Shilling.