WELLINGTON NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 1, 2 January 1901, Page 5

WELLINGTON NOTES.

BIG INCREASE IN LAND TAX

HEVENUE

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

The Commissioner of Taxes in a memo to Mr Ward says that in framing the estimate of the land and income tax for the last Financial Statement, ho thought iie had g-one as far as prudence would allow in forecasting a small increase. Notwithstanding- the concessions made to the taxpayer in the new Assessment Act the "iand tax lias now been completed sufficiently to justify the belief that the 'estimate of £425,----000 will be exceeded by the phenomenal sum of £25,000, which (adds Mr McGowan) is evidence o% general prosperity of the colony.

There was a big demand yesterday at tlie post offices throughout the color y for the universal penny stamp. The limited issue was speediy cleaved out at the several centres. Nine hundred thousand stamps were landed from the Papanui this morning-, which completes the first million. Another ir<iHion are coming by the Gothic.

The export depots of the Agricultural Department in connection with the poultry industry are expected to be opened at the end of the month Each will be in charge of an expert, who will grade the birds as they arc; received, and have them plucked and otherwise prepared, for shipment, and see they are sent to the best market.

Up to yesterday 900 men have enrolled in the Sixth Contingent, and 150 have been provisionally passed. The Department expects that horses and equipment will be ready by the 15th, and that the contingent can be shipped by the 20th. The Waiwera will not be available as a troopship.

Sir Alfred Milner wires that Trooper Martin is dangerously ill at Pretoria.

The Premier of Cape Colony wires to Mr. Ward: "Deeply sensible of the service rendered by your colony to the Empire in South Africa. May the New Year bring general peace and prosperity." It is rumoured that a daily steam service is about v to be established between Wellington and Picton, opening up a trade with Blenheim. "S Havelock Sounds County, which wag valued a few years ago at £90,000, is now estimated to be worth a quarter of a million.

The penny postage stamps issued sold out yesterday before closing- the, Post Office. A further supply is to be printed soon. Eighty certificated school teachers in Wellington district, each averaging eighty pupils, are only receiving £42 annually. This is regarded here as an example of Departmental cheeseparing.