WELLINGTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3357, 11 January 1879, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

[special]

Jan. 10.

Great changes are being made in tho Land 'Transfer Department. It is transferred from the Ministerial Department of Justico to that of Stamps, and officers havo to communicato through the Under-Secretary of Stamps. Each branch is required to send in immediate returns of arrears of work, so far as possible. The offices of Registrar Examinoi 1 , and Deputy-Registrar of Stamps will bo amalgamated. >

The returns of revenue for the first ihalf o£ the financial year are most satisfactory, although not complete. The December Customs' quarter amounts to £316,090, mating a total for the half-year of £682,084. The Customs' revenue shows an increase of £ 10,000 in last quarter, as compared with the corresponding quarter of last .year ; and this although little or no duty was ■collected on tea or sugar during the quarter. In stamps, the half year shows nn excess of £16,367 on the estimated revenue. This would have been increased by £7000 had not Mr if. S. Macfarlane, as trustee in Read's «stato, refused to pay the duty becauso of come dispute ahout the title to some Native land. The Government have given instructions to the law officers to immediately sue Jiim.. In March, the stamp duty on Bhodes' estate amounted to £20,000 will bo due. The Immigration department has receivea* information of the sailing of the following vessels : — Taranaki for Port Chalmers from Glasgow, on Nov. 7, with 23 immigrants; Boyne from Plymouth for Lyttelton, on Nov. 18, with 350 immigrants. No advice mt? k feepn received of tho doparturo of the steamer, Tlie Melbourno Argu* states that the Nor: tbam vras burned off Bahia, and that all thq crew and pasaeugors were Bavcd, and had Arrived at Bahia, and that tho cargo was largely -covered by insurance in Sydney. Captain Johnston, of the Marino department, returned this ovening in the Stella from •urvoying tho proposed lighthouse, sites on Kapiti and Stoplions* Island. On Kapifci an •excellent site, with an elevation of 320 ft, at the south-west ond of the island was selected. The only available sito on Stephens' island is almost inaccessible, and botweon 500 and 600 ft high. A special lens reflecting the light downwards will bo required for it.