The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 268, 26 May 1855, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times.

Saturday, May 26, 1855

Whixst we are waiting for news from the seat of war, we may gather encouragement from the account of the last year's Revenue in England. We doubt whether any other power in the world could show a increased revenue for the first year of hostilities carried on on so large a scale as the present war makes necessary :— " The Revenue tables for the year ended on the sth inst. have been published ; and the result upon the whole is highly satisfactory. In figures the gross increase presents the following respectable amount: —On the year, £2,291,356; on the nine months, £1,928,316; and on the quarter ending sth inst., £1,440,567, equivalent to more than five and three-quarter millions per annum. But for an accidental decrease in the revenue from " Miscellaneous" sources, in consequence of the item for the corresponding period of 1853-4 having been swollen by casual payments, and a fallingoff of about £50,000 "in the Post-office— which is rather apparent than real, since it arises from a comparison with periods in which the receipts were augmented by the release of sundry balances through improved business arrangements in the department— the recorded increase for the past quarter would have reached the total of £1,635,000. Gathered in a table, the results for the financial year and quarter are as follows : On the Quarter. On the Year Customs, Inc, .. .. .. Dec. . 021 Excise, Inc 602,952 .. Inc. '.'. 792,120 Stamps, Inc 79,439 .. I nc . .. 102,590 Property-tax, Inc. .. 483,932 .. I nu . ..1,867,853 " The expansion on the quarter in the Customs is derived principally upon the article of sugar, though the imports of currants, rum, brandy, and tobacco, have also increased. From corn the receipts are less, owing to the happy fertility of nur harvests, and on tea there is a more considerable decline, for \vhieh the tenor of our late intelligence respecting the Chinese rebellion will sufficiently account. The slight decrease in the Customs on the year may be mainly ascribed to the repeal of the soap duty, which occasioned a sacrifice of more than £500.000, and the loss of the hop duty, from the vicissitude of the season, estimated at £260,000. " The increase on the Excise is produced by an augmentation of more than half a million on spirits, and £150,000 on malt but diminished by a loss of some £70,000 in the

hop duty, attributable solely to the almost total failure of the late crop. From stamps there has also been drawn au enhanced revenue, proving , the extension of business transactions, as it has continued through the whole period embraced in the return, and has accrued from bill and newspaper stamps, as well as from the legacy and succession duties.

" The vast increase in the income and property tax took place chiefly in the latter part of the year, owing to the double tariff the application of the tax to incomes under £150, and the extension of the tax to Ireland. The post-office receipts for the year have increased £184,234. The assessed taxes, owing to the reduction of the rates of duty have diminished £114,058."— H0me News, Jan. 9.

The usual Anniversary Ball took place on Her Majesty's Birth-day in the Lyttelton Town Hall, There was a large attendance of visitors from the Plains. Dancing was kept up with great spirit until 4 o'clock in the morning, when the party broke up after singing the National Anthem.