First in size and beauty, she is to-day second to no other New Zealand city in prosperity and progress.
In 1841, however, by way of making as bad a start as possible, little Auckland began with a land boom.

Forty-four acres were sold at auction by the Government for L24,275.

Small suburban lots a few months later fetched L45 an acre, and cultivation lots L8 an acre.

For one or two picked city frontages as much as L7 10s.

a foot was paid.