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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4945, 27 January 1877, Page 2

The returns of the Customs revenue for the past quarter, together with a comparative statement of the returns at each port during 1875 and 1876, have been published for general information. The total collections for the. quarter are set down at £294,128, as against £303,608 during the corresponding quarter of 1875. There was a comparative fall in the collections under the ad valorem duties of nearly £IO,OOO, about £3OOO on spirits imported, but the excise duty collected on New Zealand spirits shows an increase of about £2OOO. Wine and beer, coffee,, sugar, and other goods show increases. The total revenue for the year appears to have been £1,206,791, as against £1,234,967 for the preceding year. The comparative returns for the principal ports are : 1575. 1870. Incrse. Decrse. Auckland .. 200,101 238,933 Wellington .. 153 641 161,000 8,317 Lyttelton .. 170,732 189.300 18,508 Duncdiu .. 302,336 351,999 The Thames, Mongonui, Wanganui, Napier, Wairau, Picton, Haveloek, Nelson, Timaru, Invercargill, and Riverton all showed decreases, in some instances, such as Nelson, very slight (say £600), and comparatively large in other cases, such as Napier, Wanganui, and Timaru, between £2OOO and £3OOO. On the other hand, good increases were shown at the West Coast ports, Hokitika and Greymouth, doubtless owing to the stimulus given to trade by the Kumara diggings and general activity in the mining interest. Russell, Hokianga, Poverty Bay, and other small ports also show slight increases. "It appears, that the proposal of the Otago Convention to send Sir George Grey and Mr. Macandrew to England will come to nothing." So runs the telegram, and there are very few people who will not mentally add " a good thing too." The colony has been dragged through the mire quite long enough by absurd letters and telegrams being sent Home, and there is every cause for thankfulness if we are to be spared the ridiculous spectacle which the Otago Convention was desirous of enforcing upon us. The present is a most convenient time for Sir George Grey to retire from the business altogether. He has fought very valiantly to save Provincialism, and has failed ; the enthusiasm of his followers is fast dying out, as witness the reception of Mr. Reesin Auckland lately; and if Sir George Grey continues to fight he will stir up out of present indifference active .opposition, the probable result being more prayers that he may see the grass grow in the streets of Auckland. He cannot save the country; he had better see to preserving his own reputation as a patriot. ; This may be "done by a judicious retirement. As to the chieftain of Otago, he will be himself again in a short time, only that instead of dabbling with provincial politics .we shall see him giving his whole attention, to the amelioration of the evils of the " maelstrom of colonial finance." When the Convention considers the position, it should decide to return the people their money, and toll them there is to he no " show." - f