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New Zealand Mail, Issue 1536, 7 August 1901, Page 30

A despatch from the German Government, which is published in the “Gazette ” announces alterations in taxation in Samoa. The export duties and th© capitation tax on coloured plantation labourers other than Samoans are abolished; and the 2 per cent, ad valorem duty on certain imported goods is increased to 10 per cent. These amendments cam e into force on April 1. At the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday Joseph Richards was fined 7s, in default twenty-four hours’ imprisonment for drunkenness. Elizabeth Allen was granted a separation order against her husband, Joseph William Allen, on the ground of persistent cruelty. Mrs Allen was granted the custody of th© children. Defendant was ordered to pay £1 a week maintenance and £2 2s 6d costs. Mr W. R. Haselden. S.M., presided. Mr Claude M. Banks, who has just returned from a visit to Europe, extending over thirteen months, was entertained by his staff at Godber’s rooms last Friday. Mr John M. Wilson, who acted as manager during Mr Banks’s absence, was in the chair. The toasts were, “Th® King,” proposed by Mr Sands; “Th® Guest of the Evening,” by th© chairman ; and “The New Concern/’ by Mr O. R. BendalL Mr Banks thanked the staff for its support and successful management during his stay in the Old Country. He was thankful to state that he had almost recovered from the accident h® met with on the voyage out, and hoped in a short time to be able to notify the successful conversion of his business into a limited liability company.

A gentleman in Wellington having written to Colonel Pole Penton, expressing sympathy with him in th® matter of the “Newtown Park Scandal,” has received the following reply.— “Many thanks for your kind letter of the 7th inst. It reached me on my arrival at Dunedin, and I had no opportunity- of answering it till my arrival here this morning. lam very gratified to find that there are scan® of my friends who have not been led away by malicious newspaper misrepresentation, and who recognise that I hav© tried to carry out nay duty impartially during my stay in the colony. There is no question about my being removed from New Zealand in October. The period for which L took service with th© colony expires in that month, and I have ’ no wish, nor have I asked th® Government to renew my appointment. When I leave for England it will h® pleasing for me to remember that in the colony there will he many peopl® who wish me well. —Yours truly, A. JP. Penton.” In 1860 English people received 20 let. ters a head. In 1892 thiswtrumber had gT®wn t® 55.