INTERPROVINCIAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3460, 3 January 1901, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL.

I , Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, January 2. [ . The Commissioner of Taxes, in a memo, to the Hon. J. 6. Ward, says that in framing the estimate of land and income tax foi the last Financial Statement, he thought he had gone as far as prudence would allow in forecasting a small increase, notwithstanding the concessions made to taxpayers in the" new Assessment, Act. The land tax has . now been collected,-J: Bind the' assessments for mcome tax have' been 'completed sufficiently to justify a belief that his estimate (£425,000) will be exceeded by the phenomenal sum of £25,000, which (adds Mr McGowan) is evidence of the general prosperity of the colony. '■'._-■.. There was a big demand yesterday at the Post Offices throughout the colony for: the universal penny.stamp. The limited issue was speedily cleared out at several centres. Nine hundred thousand stamps were landed from the Papanui this morning/ which completes the first million, and.another million is coming by the Gothic. The export depots of the Agricultural Department; in connection with the poultry industry are expected to be opened at the end of the month. Each will be in charge of ah expert, who will grade the birds as they are received, have them plucked and otherwise prepared for shipment, and see that they are sent to' the best market. Police sub-Inspector ''Mitchell, who is transferred to Auckland, will be succeeded by sub-Inspector Wilson, now of Auckland. ' CHBISTCHUBCH, January 2. The total number of letters, newspapers, and book* delivered by the letter carriers at the General Post Office in the morning delivery to-day was nearly 30,000, as compared with 6000 on an ordinary day. DUNEDIN, January 2. The first issue of the universal ptnny postage stamps sold out yesterday ffiihin an hour. The office was.thronged yith persons anxious to buy. The amount of purchase was restricted to one shilling fcr each customer.'. Host of .the samps were posted the same day, to enable the. senders to get letters bearing, the.datVbt thfrfrst day of-the hew> century. ." \'