THE CUSTOMS REVENUE. A GRATIFYING RECOVERY. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6817, 22 September 1883, Page 5

THE CUSTOMS REVENUE. A GRATIFYING RECOVERY. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

i WiaMXGToy, Friday. I am glad to be able to give a more en--1 couraging account of the Customs revenue than previously during the current financial year. The August returns nhow a most rej markable recovery, ths total Customs for the month beinrr no less than £139,804, which, with three exc-'ptions (August 1881. September 1882, and March 1883), is the largest monthly return yet recorded. It is as nearly as possible £30 000 in excess of the previous month, and brings up the total for five months to £595,385, which is only £37,947 short of.five-twelfths of the estimate for the year. Seeing that the June quarter's return was £50,000 below the estimate, it will be perceived that there ia a most satisfactory and rapid improvement. Tho beer duty ia always behindhand in winter, but has realised £22,057 for the five months, which is £3776 below the estimate. This ia sure to be picked up during the summer, and evidently the Customs will also be to a large extent, if, indeed, all the arream b« not recovered before the close of the financial year, which is by no means impossible, although scarcely probable, as the amount of deficit is still so large.