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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4320, 25 January 1875, Page 2

Contrasting the Customs Revonuo for the December quarter of 1873 and 1874, in Saturday's paper, -we pointed out that the increase, during the last-mentioned period, was £12,010, or at the rate of £48,000 a year. The increase on the year, however, was much greater, being £223,148. But we prefer the former comparison as by far the fairer, inasmuch as the new Tariff was not in operation during the first half of 1873. It was, however, in force during tho December quarter of 1873, and therefore tho comparison of the last quarterly period of 1873 and 1874 is fair. A comparison of the years is apt to mislead, for the re;isou already stated by us. We are, therefore, prepared to accept the increase, at the rate of say £50,000 yearly, as fairly representing the contributions to tho revenue by the newarrivalsduring 1874, and the extension of trade consequent thereon. Indeed, this is quite as much as we had a right to expect, as the vast majority of the immigrants added nothing to the common stock .beyond their capacity for labor, and creating an enlarged demand for the common necessaries of life. As an investment, therefore, the immigrants have paid interest on the money spent in bringing them here ; and every year they will go on adding to the fixed wealth of the country, and swelling the rovenue returns. Relatively, Wellington shows more satisfactory returns for tho quarter under review than any other port. Thus (selecting the principal towns) :

In other words, nearly half the increase on the last December quarter accrued at Wellington. Turning to the revenue receipts for the year, we have the following details :

Again, those figures speak for themselves, and attest the marked commercial progress Wellington is making. It needs but the completion of the railway to the rich valley of tho Wairarapa, there

tapping the country beyond, to double, within a comparatively short period, the revenue and trade of the port, and we trust that every effort will be made to push on that great colonial work.

Increase. Decrease Wellington.. £ .. Auckland .. 403 Dunedin 2912 Lyttelton .. .. 2150 Invercargill .. 2307

Auckland .. 1874. .. £200,755 1873. . £193.709 Thames 0,307 .. 9,095 Russell 050 1,352 Mangonul .. 605 052 Ilokianga .. Taurunga .. 1,150 471 1,835 .. 145 Poverty Bay 5,585 4,050 New Plymouth .. 7,765 0,005 Wanganui Wellington .. 25,101 .. 21,781 .. 124,330 .. 88,500 Napier .. 42,800 .. 32,080 Walrau .. .. 5,411 .. 5,007 Picton 1,721 1,582 Havelock .. m 910 .. 833 754 .. 40,089 .. 40,730 Westport .. .. 18,071 .. 10,180 Greymouth .. 43,029 .. 30,011 Hokitika .. .. 37,123 .. 35,202 Okarita ,. .. 620 .. 1,019 Lyttelton and Christchurch .. 171,030 .. 120,378 Akaroa 150 .. 299 Tlmaru .. .. .. 21,408 .. 14,078 Oaoiaru .. 10,209 0,072 .. 357,543 .. 282,004 Invorcargll and Bluff .. 31,902 .. 26,251 Riverton ,. .. 14,728 .. 5,440 Total .. £1,188,013 .. £905,600