New Zealand Times. SATURDAY, MAY 8, 1875.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4410, 8 May 1875, Page 2

New Zealand Times. SATURDAY, MAY 8, 1875.

The New Zealand Gazette, May 6th, contains a return of the Customs revenue at the several ports of New Zealand, for the quarter ending March 31st, 1875. The following are tire totals;— Customs Revenue. - March quarter, 1875., .. .. £320,523 March quarter, 1874 297,705 Increase .. .. .. .. £22,758 This increase should be considered satisfactory: not that we regard it as indicative of an increased purchasing power on the pari of the people, but simply as an indication that the new arrivals find ready employment, and contribute at once their quota to the revenue. Taking the principal ports of the colony, we have the following results : March qr., 1875. Ditto, 1874. Auckland £03.082 £52,708 Thames 2,493 1,785 Taranaki .. .. .. 1,912 2,839 Wanganui .. .. 6,187 6,020 Wellington .. .. 30,930 32,806 Napier 11,439 10,707 Wairau .. .. .. 1,750 1,315 Nelson 10,003 10,911 Westport.. .. .. 3,749 4,528 Grey mouth .. .. 8,200 10,350 Hokitika 6,814 9,254 Lyttelton 44,531 45,227 Timaru 6,519 4,903 Oamaru .. .. .. 2,184 2,043 Dunedin 100,678 91,962 Invercargill .. .. 8,341 0,472 Riverton 1,648 1,201 These figures conclusively show the lead which Otago has taken in the commerce of the colony, because although that province appears as contributing £113,332 of Customs duties for the last March quarter, in reality this sum represents imports for distribution throughout the colony, which thus pays Customs duties that are credited in the public accounts to Otago. In this way, the enterprise of the Dunedin merchants adds to the revenue of their province, by supplying other settlements with imported goods. Auckland stands second on the list, with Lyttelton a bad third, considering the relative populations of Canterbury and Auckland. But here the preceding remarks apply with greatest force. Dunedin merchants supply a great deal of imported merchandise for Canterbury consumption; hence the apparently small consumption of dutiable goods in the latter province. Now, at the close of 1874, the population of Canterbury was 58,775, which has been increased by immigrants since that period, while Auckland numbered 67,451 souls, exclusive of Maoris, and has been less fortunate in its increase by immigration. It will be seen, therefore, that the disparity of numbers cannot account for the disproportion in the amount of Customs revenue contributed by these two provinces, throwing the Maori population into the bargain. Money was plentiful in Canterbury; it was scarce in Auckland; but Otago undoubtedly is credited with Customs duty which has been paid indirectly by Canterbury. In like manner, we may explain the apparent falling - off in revenue on the West Coast and Nelson. Since the new Tariff came into operation, the trade of the West Coast and the Cook Strait settlements of the Middle Island has been gradually passing out of the hands of the Melbourne merchants into those of Dunedin and Wellington importers, Otherwise, we could not explain the anomalies of the return before ns. Thus, Marlborough, with a population of 6145, is only credited, at its four ports, with £2334 Customs duty for the last March quarter, while Hawke’s Bay, with a population of 9228, paid £11,439 during the same period at the port of Napier. The fact is that Wellington has largely engrossed the Marlborough trade, while Dunedin is a keen competitor. Coming to the heads of revenue, we find that luxuries—spirits, wine, ale, and tobacco—contribute most to the State. Were a virtuous economising fit to seize the people, it would be a very serious matter for the Colonial Treasurer. “Drink deep, thy country calls,” should be written over every Custom-house in the colony. The items are : March qr., 1875. Ditto 1874. Foreign spirits .. .. £81,109 £73,125 New Zealand spirits .. 5,044 5,556 Cigars and snuff .. .. 3,925 3,952 Tobacco 25,560 25,10 l Wine 9,581 9,708 Bottled ale, &c. .. .. 5,919 0,550 Tea 17,002 15,357 Coffee, &c 1,010 1,350 Sugar and molasses .. 31,842 28,893 Opium 740 708 Goods (weight) ... .. 14,225 14,643 Ad valorem, 10 per cent. 111,919 101,906 Other duties .. .. 11,196 9,770 When the largo stock of New Zealandmade spirits is worked off, the revenue returns under this head will, no doubt, show a considerable increase, inasmuch as distillation has been suppressed by law.

“The disestablishment of the Scottish Company (No. 2) Volunteers,” we are informed by the Otago Daily Times, “ was celebrated at the head-quarters drill-shod, when about 200 ladies and gentlemen were present.” The reporter then proceeds to describe “ the gay and festive scene,” with a graphic pen and appreciative eye. The music was “ discoursed by the Artillery string band; the large hall was beautifully draped with flags, and the gay. assemblage ” danced and supped, and danced again till morning. But the supper was the special attraction, for we find that Colonel Cargill made “one of his characteristic speeches" (whatever kind of speech that may be,) when presenting Captain Jamieson with the company’s belt, and that Captain Jamieson “ blamed the Defence Office for the want of esprit de corps among the volunteers, and he believed the company would reform if required, if the Government would accept* its services.” Bless his great heart, what services does he, think the Scottish Company (No. 2), “disestablished,” could render that the Government should make a demand upon its members to risk their lives in the public service. What enemy is there to encounter? what rebellion is there to quell ? Major Bathgate, ex-Ministor of Justice, and Eesident Magistrate of Dunedin, evidently scents the battle from afar. He was present at the supper, and in a moment of exaltation, “ referring to the sword presented to him nine years ago by the Scottish Company, said he trusted it would always remain an heirloom in his family. If the Government ever called upon the Scottish’ Company, they would find it the best, and ho would say, the bravest company in New Zealand.” Bravo Bathgate. Led by your invincible arm and glittering sword it would cleave its way to victory through whole battalions of enemies. Seriously, it is a pity that grey-bearded men should make fools of themselves as Major Bathgate and others appear to have done upon this occasion. Wo advise him fraternally to turn his sword into a ploughshare, and pray to bo delivered from the influence of sanguinary thoughts. It is not becoming a gentleman in his position to speak as ho has done, neither does it tend to edification. “To the law and to the testimony,” Mr. Bathgate : therein lies your work.