Important cities have been built upon the most desirable locations, both on the sea coast and river banks. Vast agricultural districts are now tilled. New Zealand has become a European country, where the population lives with no fear of the original inhabitants. It is a dependency of England, a colony which since its formation has made great progress. The mildness of the climate, the fertility of the soil, the extent of its forests, the presence of the best materials for industrial occupations, the independence and safety which an insular position gives have marked this island as a privileged region. New Zealand comprises two islands, separated from each other by Cook’s Straits; they are distinguished as North Island and South Island. The development of the country since the occupation by the English has been remarkable. At the commencement of 1881 there remained only 36,000 Maoris; the colonial population numbered 500,910. Some of its cities have acquired considerable importance. Dunedin, in South Island, has 42,794 inhabitants, and Auckland, in North Island, the ancient capital, 30,952; Wellington, the present capital, 20,536. In 1881 there were about 1,310 miles of railroad built, and about 3,000 miles of telegraph lines. The revenues of the government amounted to nearly $18,036,000, and the expenses to $17,644,000. The exportation was valued at $15,212,000, and the precious metals at $5,602,000. There are on the island 100,000 horses, 500,000 cattle, and 10,000,000 sheep, yielding great profit. Ships cross from Canterbury in the eastern part of the country to London in forty days. The linen produced on the island affords a fine branch of industry, and the colonies send it to London, receiving for it not less than $6,000 or $8,000 per year. Trees of the coniferous order furnish a quantity of gum or resin, which is an important source of revenue. The commerce carried on in grain, woods and fats is very great. In the whole country the abundance of combustible material constitutes a great source of wealth. Beside its fine forests, it has numerous coal fields. Petroleum is found in several places, and the colonists affirm that it is inferior in no respect to that found in the United States.