MESSAGE, No. 29.

Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives, 1854 Session I-II

MESSAGE, No. 29.

His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government forwards to the House of Representati.ves a copy of a letter, with its enclosure, received by the Colonial Secretary, from the Collector of Customs at New Plymouth, having reference to the subject matter of a resolution, dated the 27th May last, requesting that the House might be furnished with a " Return of the value of all goods im- " ported into New Plymouth from the other Provinces, and the estimated amount " of such duties during the past year." R. H. Wykyakp. Government House, Auckland, 9th August, 1854.

(Copy.)

No. 38

Custom House, New Plymouth, 27th June, 1804. Sir \ I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter (duplicate) under date the sth instant, by the Overland Mail, on yesterday, requiring a return of all goods imported into New Plymouth from the other Provinces, on which duties have been paid, and the estimated amount of such duties, during the past ' ear 'ln reply I have the honor to state for the information of His Excellency the Officer administering the Government, that the regulations oft is epartment o not require Bills of Entry for goods coastwise, when duty paid, and 1 have therefore no official records of the packages of such goods, other than the general description contained in the Transire, such as Drapery, Haberdashery, Slops &c which generally consist of assorted and repacked goods, of the import value ot which for duties it is doubtful whether even the original consignee could iurnish satisfactory information. I am, however, reluctant to leave His Excellency without any information on the subject; and after a careful review of the Coast Iransires inwards during the past year, have drawn up the accompanying estimated memorandums, which I am inclined to think a reasonable approximation to the value of, and duties on, the goods in question, due consideration being given to the increase of population, of wealth, and of goods on which the duties have been paid at this Port during the period referred to. I have the honor, &c„ &c., (Signed) W. Leech, Collector.

PORT OF NEW PLYMOUTH. Return of the estimated value of all Goods imported from the other Provinces during the year 1853, on which duties had been paid, and of the estimated amount of such duties. Estimated value of Goods, A £3,500 Estimated Duties, B £250. A. The regulations of the Department not requiring Bills of Entry for Goods Coastwise, when duty paid, no official record of such goods exists, other than the general description contained in the Transire. The Packages consist, to a great extent, of assorted and repacked Goods, of the import value of which, for duty, it is doubtful whether the original consignee could furnish satisfactory information, and in some instances such goods come even from second hands. B. The average rate of duties, fixed and ad-valorem, taken together, exclusive of those on Spirits and Tobacco, may be estimated at about 7 P er cent. (Signed) W. Leech, Collector. Custom House, 27th June, 1854.