_European._ In 1844 the total European population was 13,128 " 1851 " " " 26,707 " 1856 " " " 45,540 " 1861 " " " 99,021 " 1866 " " " 204,114 " 1871 " " " 256,393 " 1874 " " " 299,684 " 1879-80 " " " 463,729 _Maori._ In 1820 the total Maori population was 100,000 (supposed). " 1874 " " " 46,016 " 1879-80 " " " 42,819 The present total population of all New Zealand, both of Europeans and Maoris, may be set down at 506,548. POLITICAL DIVISIONS. In 1876, the old provincial divisions, with all their cumbrous local governments and legislative machinery, were finally abolished. Politically speaking, therefore, the provinces of Auckland, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago, and Westland no longer exist. The names are still retained to some extent in general use, but they will probably pass away as the new arrangement takes deeper hold. The colony is now divided into sixty-three counties, which are here enumerated, together with the three principal cities, towns, villages, or settlements comprised within each. The arrangement is from North to South. County. Towns or Settlements.