The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-10-30
The Revenue or Great Britain.

the quarter as they are now known, we believe
that the result for the quarter and the year will be
most satisfactory, as regards comparison both
with the quarter and with the year ending the 10th
of October, 1913.
We may commence by stating that there will be
a small Increase on the gross revenue for the quar-
ter over the corresponding quarter of last year |;
and that, on comparison OF the two years ending
on the 10th OF October, lS4S and lS9 respectively,
similarly satisfactory result may be expected.
That II is satisfactory and encouraging TO keep
up to the standard OF last year and quarter, Is most
easily shown by state nent of the several receipts
The customs will show actual decrease,
compared with the quarter ending the 10th OF De-
t0ber, 1913, OF not less than from f300,000 to
14O0,OOO. This decrease, large as II looks on
single quarter, is more than accounted for by con-
sderlng what large quantity OF foreign corn has
been imported in the corresponding quarter of last
year, Just at the time when our own harvest was
not yet available, and when the distress and de-
icency in Ireland were at their height. The loss,
too, OF so large proportion of the sugar and tim
Der duties has had its due intluence-an influence
which, FIVE reason from all previous experience,
of in the customs, we happy to say, is the only
apparently uniavorable item in the account, and Is
more than made up by the actual prosperity of the
others.
The excise will show a gratifying increase, al
most sufficient in itself to cover the temporary
falling off in the customs. This is the more salts
factory, when IT Is stated that 1t arises from a
comparison with most excellent quarter last
excise revenue is so strong criterion OF the COM
fort of the working classes, this increased and in
creaslng improvement is beyond all price.
The stamps, which had so greatly fallen off dur
ing the check to commerce and trade last year,
exhibit most remarkable activity, and will yield
an increase OF not less than 100000 over the Oc-
tober quarter of 1913.
The atxes will also show small increase.
The Post Office, TOO, will add its most instruc-
tive evidence TO the increased activity OF trade,
by showing an improved net revenue of 100000,
In spite OF the heavy expenses incurred IN order TO
give enlarged accommodation to the public in
town and country.
The increase In the property-tax will also appear
with Its most decisive evidence in favor of the i'm
provement OF the general prosperity over the de-
preston OF the corresponding period of the last
year
Upon the returns of the year ending the 10th of
October, ISiS and the 10th of October, 1919, res
pectlvey II may be sufficient to remark that they
will exhibit comparison not very materially diff
fering from the comparative statement of the cor
responding quarter, which we have given above.
The customs will show decrease from the same
which We're taken into account when the changes
in the tariff were made. The only difference be-
tween the calculations and the actual result is, that
the calculations were made on the safe side las
they ought to be) and that the depression Is not
great as was expected
The taxes, stamps, Post Office, and property
tax VIII all show most gratifying proof OF increas-
ing prosperity IN the returns tor the year. Tbs
revenue, and, not being subject TO casualties, are
ordinarily reckoned the tests of the national pros
perty The sales of stores, crown lands, and mis-
cellaneous, vary so much according TO circum-
stances which are wholly casual, that they are not
taken much INTO account, although they serve, as
far as they go. TO balance quarterly or an annual
account.
1t may not be out of place to remark, In refer
TO the receipt of the revenue, that the nato
al expenditure has been, and is, IN process OF con-
siderable reduction, and that both the imports and
exports of the country exhibit an increase and an
activity that must be attended with the most de-
cisive aud beneficial results every point of view.
---
THE CuNARD LINE OF PAcKETs.-The Times, on
the llth instant, described the origin of the PENN
sular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company,
and its various contracts with the government,
detailed in the evidence recently Issued
on the contract packet service; The same paper
also gives some important particulars OF the Bos-
ton and Halifax, or Cunard Company-The cor
tract for this line was first advertised in Nov
ember, 1883. Upon that occasion two tenders
were received-one from the Great Western Com
pany, who proposed 10 go once month TO Halifax
only, and TO provide three vessels of $50 horse
power, for Gi5,0O0 per annum the other from the
ST. Georges Steam Packet Company, who pro-
posed to go once month from Cork TO Halifax tor
ei5,000 Tor f65,000 il New York were included)
with vessels of 2i0 horse power, the engagement
10 be for seven years Neither OF these was accept
ed, and subsequently proposition was made by
MIR. Cunard. He submitted that by going once a
by the steamers. and the American liners would
cease 10 take them, and he offered to do this at
less than halfthe sum per voyage required in either
ofthe tenders. An agreement was made with hun
in the first instance TO 90 twice month to Halifax
and Boston, with vessels of 300 horse power, for
600 000 This contract was for seven years. Ii
commenced July 4, 1910; and the terms were al.
forwards extended to 5000 in consequence of add
dtional vessels and larger size being required
Subsequently II was found that New York compa-
MES were establishing lines, and MIR. Cunard then
pressed the government to fulfil the original plan
OF once week. Ills existing contract contained a
clause that upon extension OF the service tofour
! times month"; the came rate in proportion should
be paid; but the government considered EGO, 900 a
sufficient sum IN addition to the cS5000 already
payable, and a ten years contract was accordingly
entered into in 1916 for weekly mail for Gl45,-
| coo; not, however, until delay had taken place,
during which American lines had been formed,
which will now increase and divide the trafhc,
| both regards passengers and letters. From the
first organization of this line, government got back
/ in postage as much as they paid, and the receipts
have steadily increased The service Is now per.
formed every week from Liverpool 10 Halifax, and
! thence to New York and Boston alternately, the
average speed being IL knots, and the vessels IL,
use belng $50 tons and 700 horse power, instead
Of 800, as in the original contract. Additional yes
sells are at present building, which will be 20oO
| tons, and 500 horse power. The company are al
liberty TO go to New York without going to Hall
| fax, and, according to Mr. Cunard, they will pro-
badly do SO as soon the powerful opposition ves-
sells now preparing at New YORK snail have com
menced running The Bermuda contract, which is
branch Of the Halifax line, had existed for Is or
/ 30 years by sailing vessels, the annual payment
being c54C0, and for year past IL has been con-
| Quoted by screw steamers on the same terms
Their average speed 10 about knots, and they per-
form the passage between Halifax and Bermuda,
| which occupies from 81 to days, twice month.
| The vessels are between 20 and 90 horse power,
the stipulation in the contract being that they shall
| not be less than 80 horse power.
/ -
TRADE OF GREAT BRrrArS.-We have just re-
| ceived the Board Of Trade returns for the month,
and eight uunths ending the 9Th September last.
| The retn show that the total importation OF
coffee y the month was $3.50, $40 lbs against
4,7ll 6IS lbs. in the corresponding month OF last
year Of which 1884, S55 lbs. were entered for
home consumption IN the month Of this year,
against 29l4 ,202 lbs. last year; ,f95 cwt OF
unrefned sugar have been imported, against ~ 657
| cwt. in the corresponding month in the previous