The Colony's Drink Bill

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 37, 12 August 1893, Page 3

The Colony's Drink Bill

Probably the best gauge of the condition of the Colony is its drink bill, for whatever moralists may say, the people drink more as tboir prosperity becomes greater. Therefore, as shown by a return presented^ to Parliament, tho consumption of New Zealand brewed beer increased lnrgely last year. In 1891 it reached 4,567, • 955 gallons, the duty on which was £57,099, or 2s 9$ per head Last year the quantity was 4.752,720 gallons, tho duty paid being £59,409, or 2s lOd per head. Ale and boer show in the two years an increase from 248,039 gallons to 261,867 gallons, the amount of duty being larger in 1892 by £1000. In spirits there was also an increase from 442,360 gallons in 1891 to 456,995 gallons in 1892, while the duty was £339,758 in the former and £351,154 in the latter year. More wine was drunk last year than in the previous twelve month*, there being 111,701 gallons consumed as against 108,066 gallons in 1891, the duty swelling from £31,513 to £32,607. There was a falling off in tobacco, but an increase in cigars, cigarettes and snuff. Sugar shows a large increase, and tea a slight one, while the consumption of coffro and cocoa has decreased In reading this return, it should also be remembered that the population of the Colony increased between 1891 and 1892 by 16,649.