WELLINGTON WEIGHED.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1016, 4 January 1911, Page 4

WELLINGTON WEIGHED.

AND FOUND FAIRLY PROSPEROUS. ' HON. T. W. HISLOP'S VIEWS. (By Telccrapb.—Special Correspondent.) Christchurch, January 3. According to the Hon. T. W. Eislpp, who is spending his holidays with relatives in Christchurch, Wellington ■ has extricated itself from the somewhat eerious position into which it seemed to be drifting, nud, like other centres, is enjoying u fair measure of prosperity. Speaking, on this subject to a Christchurch reporter ho said that the monthly output of tlio few trading concerns with which he was connected Inst year had exceeded the output of the previous year by from 25 to'3o per cent. As tar as ho. could judge commercial affairs had returned almost to the 'normal point. It was true that some citizens of Wellington told' him that things were not as good as they had been, but 'he was not sure whether their opinions were based on realities or whether they had merely failed to change the old tune. Ee did not make special inquiries at Christmas time, but the retail trade seemed to him to be fairly brisk. The Customs returns showed that there was a substantial increase in shipping, and lately there was a slirfit increase in the beer duty, which had been abnormally low. Trades connected with building operation's had increased, largely, mainly on account of orders from the country. Houses erected threo or four years ago could be nurchased for a good deal less than landand building .were sold for nominally in the first- place. Many of the nominal salqs were made to persons who paid an' absurdly small deposit and who were unable to niako their bargains good by continuity of occupation. Amongst those properties were some which fell into tho hands of mortgagees,'and which were sold through the Registrar. Apart from that there had been a notable increase in the number at new buildings, permits issued by the City Council representing an .expenditure 'at the rate of about .£'250,000 a year.