the bottom of the neighboring sea.

Though we were told that the city was suffering from business
depression, we saw some tangible evidences of growth and
prosperity,--such as the erection of large and substantial buildings for
business purposes, for offices and dwellings. A mammoth flour-mill,
among other structures, was nearly completed; it was located very near
to the wharves, between them and the railroad station. This mill was
built upon the American plan, and all the machinery, as the proprietor
informed us, was imported from the United States. This establishment is
seven stories in height, substantially built of brick, and covers with
its immediate outbuildings an acre of land. The business depression
referred to had arisen almost entirely from the arbitrary acts of Labor
Unions, scores of whose members were seen idling away their time about
the bar-rooms of Queen Street, or being assisted to the police-station
in a drunken condition. Many workmen who were doing well had lost their
situations, and were now eking out a precarious living by resorting to
the gum-fields, where with pick and shovel they could at least keep from
starving. Even the noisy drones who had incited industrious men to
bring about this state of affairs, were now themselves compelled to work
or starve. Some few men have shown sufficient intelligence and
independence to think for themselves and have cut loose from
organizations which cost them so much to support, and which are only
successful in involving in trouble all concerned.

We were a little startled when informed of the magnitude of the public
debt of New Zealand, which aggregates nearly thirty-three million pounds
sterling. This sum, large as it is, represents only the national debt,
to which must be added an equally large sum representing the aggregate
indebtedness of the several cities. The English creditors may be sure,
however, that so long as they are prepared to lend money, New Zealand
will be ready to borrow it. It has now become necessary to borrow large
sums annually to pay the interest upon this growing debt. One is
reminded of Falstaff's sentiments: "I can get no remedy against this
consumption of the purse; borrowing only lingers it out, but the disease
is incurable." A citizen of Auckland said to us, "The necessity for a
fresh, additional loan is aggravatingly obvious; but we have no security
to offer, for we are nearly beggared." The country may and doubtless
will come ou