WELLINGTON NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 813, 30 January 1903, Page 3

WELLINGTON NEWS.

By Tolegraph—Press Association. ' Wellington, last night,

Commissioner Tunbridge is not sure when ho will leave the service of the New Zealand Government, but expects to be relieved very shortly. He will then leave for England. During tho year ended December 31st there were 508,0450 z of gold, of the value of £1,951,433, exported from the colony. During the past twelve months 69 Chinese arrived in tho colony, and 87 took thoir departure. There were four Japanese, and among the foreigners of European birth who arrived the Germans were the most numerous, 255 landing in the various porta. During the quarter onded Dec. 31st the customs revenue collected at all ports of Now Zealand was £593,030, against £524,016 during the Decembor quartor of 1901. Ad valorem duties yielded £201,238, and spirits £120,859. Last year £2,285,157 was collected, against £2,191,798 in ths preceding twelve months. A The Premier went to Carterton to-day,

where a Liberal picnic was to bo held and a presentation made to Mr Hornsby, but tho weather was so bad that tho function had to be postponed. . The Governor has received a cablo mes- - sago from the general officer commanding So°uth Africa, stating that owing to tho War Office not having settled the Cape Colony stations the tenders for meat contracts were delayed. Agents in South Africa can still tender. It is impossible to oxtond tho time of tendering, as new contracts must begin by April.