WELLINGTON  , the

capital of New Zealand, the seat of government and of a bishop . Pop . (1901) 43,638; (1906) 58, 563, and including suburbs, 63,807 . It lies on the south-western shore of North Island, on the inner shore of Port Nichol-son, an inlet of Cook's Strait, the site affording a splendid harbour, walled in by abrupt hills . The original flat shore is occupied by massive walls constructed for the reclaiming of land, as the hills prevent an inland extension of the city . Wood was originally in favour as a building material, owing to the prevalence of earthquakes, but brick and stone subsequently took its place in the construction of the principal buildings . The main street is a winding thoroughfare named in different parts Thorndon Quay, Lambton Quay, Willis Street and Manners Street . It runs parallel to the shore, but the quays properly so called are separated from it by blocks of buildings . It is traversed by an electric tramway . There are two railway stations in the town and one in the southern suburb of Te Aro . Two main lines leave the town, one following the west coast, the other an inland route to Napier . The principal buildings are governmental; the houses of parliament, formerly a wooden erection, are rebuilt in brick and stone; there are also the residence of the governor and court house .

The

fine town hall was founded by the prince of Wales in 1901 .