Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 526, 18 November 1857, Page 4

Local Intelligence.

The comparative statement shown below of revenue derivable from the customs in this pore during two corresponding quarters o.f this ana last year is an unqualified mark of our progress in wealth. This is not an isolated instance; on the contrary an equal or even greater proportion of increase may be observed in the comparison of any other corresponding periods. \ n statement below shows the gross receipts during the quarter. We can safely estimate the gross amount for the year at £19,000, and the net at £17,500. The proportion of two-fifths 01 this amount, which will have been paid to tne provincial chest, amounts to £7000. It n"»J be remembered in analysing the return that during July and August of 1°&O> the old tariff was in force; and thaff experience has shown that the revenue is consideiW benefited by the ecale of duties under the new tariff.

COMPARATIVE ReTUEN OF CUSTOMS E,Evenue at Port Victoria, for the quarters ended September 30,1856 and 1857, respectively:—. 1857. 1856. £ s. d. £ s . d# Spirits 1594 17 G 906 17 o Cigars & Snuff 27 15 0 35 4 9 Tobacco 147 12 6 145 17 g Wine 349 0 5 ...... 81 5 0 Ale & Beer.... 325 1 1 102 8 8 Tea 158 2 6 . 168 9 10 Coffee, &c. ... 86 18 10 812 10 Sugar ......... 311 19 9 97 10 8 Other Goods... 1563 4 3 ...... 826 4 0 Total 4564 11 10 2372 10 3. | There has been very changeable weather of late. No very heavy or continued fall of rain has occurred to compensate for the dryness of the past winter, but showers have been numerous and the weather very unsettled. There have been a good many hot days followed by some of great sejrerity, both generally accompanied by wind. From this weafcher gardens seem to have suffered more than the fields; fruit in unsheltered positions has received some little damage, and compared with former seasons is backward. The great increase in production, however, which continues from year to year, makes us sure of comparative abundance, unless we have still to endure the redoubled severity of a lingering winter. On the farms we notice also a general backwardness' in the crops, visible, indeed, from the first as regards wheat, which was seemingly retarded by the very unusual cause of an over-dry winter. Subjoined is a table showing the fall of rain during each month of the present year, with the number of days on which any rain occurred; as shown by a carefully registered rain-guage in the Heathcote Valley, where, perhaps, the fall of rain is greater than the average amount throughout the province :•— Wet days. Inches. January 8 1.54 February... 7 4.19 March 6 .62 April 9 ..1.48 May ..22 3.89 June..... 5 2.74 July 6 2.57 August 13 ............ 3.60 September 13 ....2.24 October 20 3.92 Total 109 26.79 The greatest fall of rain in one day, during the above period, was 2.54 inches on the 22nd of February. On the 28th July there was a heavier and more prolonged fall of snow than has been witnessed during the preceding six years. The total fall, at the same place of observation, during the year 1855 was-4^.79 in.; during 1856, 55.23 inches. In the former year, 32.25 inches had fallen at the" end of October; in the latter year, 50.29 inches during the corresponding ten months. For this year we are likely to have a larger proportion of the year's rain during November and December; but it is nearly impossible that the total amount should be equal to^ either of the preceding years. The circumstances of the purchase by the Government from the natives of a block of land to the-northward, of upwards of a million acres in extent, in February last, for the sum of £200, is no doubt well recollected by our readers; who will remember, further, that the Maories requested the Commissioner, Mr. Hamilton, to recommend a further payment by the Government; their first demand having been for £500. This recommendation was made, and has been attended to; and the General Government has authorized" a further payment of £300, completing the total of purchase money to the really moderate amount demanded by the tribe. Of this sum £200 was actually paid last week by Mr. Hamilton, at Kaiapoi; and the balance will remain over till it be ascertained whether any further purchases are required in the neighbourhood of the Kaikoras, or from the Arahura (West Coast) Natives. We observe that at the Theatre Royal Friday evening next is set apart for the benefit of the Gentlemen Amateurs, when the comedy of the " Honeymoon" and the screaming farce ' Betsy Baker" will be produced.

By the Oriental we have a copy of the ' New Zealand Spectator' of the 11th instant, which informs us that the Wellington Provincial Reformers have secured all the seats for the Hutt, turning out Mr. Fifczherbert, the Provincial Secretary, and two other Government candidates. The Country District Elections had not taken place; but it seems probable that the Reformers will not be so successful there. There are five seats, five Government candidates and five reformers. Mr. Brandon, the Provincial Solicitor, was one of the former who seemed pretty confident of success.