POLITICAL ITEMS. Wellington. January 22.

Otago Witness, Issue 2239, 28 January 1897, Page 60

POLITICAL ITEMS. Wellington. January 22.

Mr J. C. Martin, tbo Public Trustee, hu been appointed the commissioner to investigate the old soldiers' claims.' 3 ' * The Government have decided that the colony shall nob be represented at the Hamburg Horticultural Exhibition. Mr R. Hay, engineer, of Dunedin, will bo offered the supervision of 'the drainage scheme at Rotorua. Free railway pastes will be granted to firemen attending the Fire Brigades' Conference, but no other assistance. The Premier has received a letter from the Melbourne Trades Counoil congratulating him on the succeis of his party at the general election. It is understood that the licensing committee elections will take place on the 24th or 25th of March. The Government have decided to obtain an expert from Europe to manage the thermal springs of the colony. The revenue for the nine months ending December 31, 1898, was £3,288,814; for the nine months ending December 31. 1895, it was £3,025,218. The increase for 1896 over 1895 is £263,595. The public aocounts made up from January 1, 1896, to December 31, 1896, show the following receipts : — Customs ... .„ £1,767,151 Stamps 682,957 Post and telegraph ,„ .„ 65,038 Land tax , ... 274.372 Income tax „, ... 93,370 Property tax ... ... M 4 Beer duty j, 67,814 Railways 1,262,320 Registration and other fees ... 51,053 Marine ... .„ .„ „, 20,736 Miscellaneous ... .„ „. 79.262 Territorial revenue .a M . 298,267 Total ... „ £1,662,345 Total for year 1895 .=. ... 4,311.332 Increase for 1596 over 1895 ...£ 350,963 At the railway station on the 20th inst. Mr George De Clifford was presented with a dress> ing case suitably insoribed on the ocoaaion of bis promotion to the Auckland section. Mo Crombie made the presentation, wishing Mr De Clifford prosperity in his new home. Mr De Clifford, in a few well-chosen remarks, thank«d the donors for the handsome koensajce and kind wifekea.