THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1879.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5371, 3 February 1879, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1879.

We give elsewhere, from the Gazette, tables shewing the return of the Customs revenue at the several ports of New Zealand during the quarters ended 31stDecember, 1877 and 1878, and also a return for tho different ports for the year. A gratifying incfease is shewn, both on the quarter and on the year, and it must be kept in mind that 1877 considerably exceeded its predecessors. The largest increase on the quarter was at Auckland, where the revenue shews an increase of £8,210 over the corresponding quarter of last year, from £45,030 to £'53,746. Wellington increased from £45,586 to £47,881 ; Lyttelton, from £50,314 to £50,347, while Dunedin, which has in respect of Customs revenue long maintained the premier position, shews an actual decrease from £85,817 to £84,344. There is an increase in the duty from spirits, tobacco, and wine. Ale, beer, etc., in bottle, shew an increase from £5,359 to £7,120, whicli would seem to shew that, notwithstanding the heavy duty on English bottled ale, it is coming again more into use. It was, indeed, hardly to be expected that there should be an iucrease in the revenue during last quarter, seeing that the duty on tea has decrease from £23,425 in the corresponding quarter of 1877 to .£10,960. This was entirely caused by merchants not importing or not taking out of bond, in order to secure the reduction of duty. Sugar and molasses, for the same reason, shew a decrease from £30,649 to £29,123. Considering the fiscal change made, it might have been expected that the quarter ending December would have shewn a decrease, and that it does not do so proves how rapidly the trade of the country is increasing. The largest increase is in goods by weight, ad valorem, and other duties. On the year, Auckland also sliewa the large increase of £28,755, from £196,232 to £224,987. Tho mo3t rapid increase in wealth and prosperity lias, of late years, undoubtedly been in the South, but there are indications that the North will shortly take up tho running. Should tho Government succeed in obtaining land from the natives, and in running a railway to Taranaki, tho North Island, and especially the port of Auckland, will make material advances in their contributions to tho revenue. Even should that not be attained, if the Government push into the market the land they have purchased of late years, and clear away obstructions in disputed titles that exist witli regard to other lands, tho progress of till! North Island during the next five years must be steady and rapid.