The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-23

The Material and Social COndition-Kevenu
Returns and Income-Agricultural Statis-
tics.
DUBLIN, Oct. T. 1858.
The Irish revenue returns for the financial year
ending the Goth OF September last have just been
completed and brief consideration Of the principal
items conveys much reliable information on the con-
dition Of the country The results may, perhaps be
considered satisfactory In imperial point Of view
as there Is fair balance to the credit sde but they
rather the to Irish traders and the people
generally. The total returns OF revenue exceed by
fS37Oss the totals OF the preceding similar period
and after deduction Of all charges, including the
penses OF the large military force engaged in the
suppression OF Fenan disturbances, there is q sur
plus balance OF f146 000 1t is to be regretted that
this is not be traced to expansion or vivacity Of
trade. 1t is entirely due to the increase OF property
and income tax. which was one penny In the
pound higher than the preceding year, this tax
bringing in the large sum OF f7,2S1, 0O0
or 2l,5s6,OOO more than the preceding year.
The returns from the Excise Department show de.
crease OF EASE 00Othe result OF long period OF de-
pressed trade and absence OF continuous employ
ment OF the working classes which circumstance
compelled retrenchment in the use OF those articles
which pay excise duty. The amount realized by
stamp duties also falls short OF the preceding period
by f359, 600, which indicates that there have been
fewer commercial transactions and fewer contracts,
purchases or sales requiring stamps In the Post
Office Department there IN an increase OF f15 900;
but this sum is not az all in proportion to the pro-
gressve augmentation in that department which
has hitherto been the rule. The general result
plainly indicates that the country Is still suffering
from the depressing influences Of the political and
other disturbances OF last winter and although there
is an indication of general trade commencing TO re-
cover its elasticity, healthy reaction has not yet
The new Chief Secretary for Ireland has assumed
the active duties OF his post ut Dublin Castle and up
to the present there is every indication that he will
be fav0rte with the general public; but his abili.
ties as political pilot have yet to be tested.
Considerable interest ia at present created here by
a great annual gathering which Is being held at Bal
linasOe In the county Galway, an institution origin
ally intended as sheep, cattle and horse fair but
which for some years past has assumed most exten,
Trustworthy test OF the condition and progress or
the agricultural community. 1t Is held this year
drought OF summer months inflicted great injury on
pastures and green crops, and the probability OF
kets which are largely supplied from this country;
but 1t is now asceraned that much less damage has
been sustained than was at first asserted and
although the returns OF the Collector General show
decrease OF 1905 in the stock OF sheep in Ireland
as compared with last year, the increase In value
consequent on the great demand from England
makes good the loss to fockmasters. When it is
considered that the number OF sheep in Ireland Is
4S35, 519-vaue f5, 07lths progressive increase
first class wethers was thirty shilngs each in 1855
1t reached sixty shilling; in 1854 eighty shings in
The following is q return OF the number OF sheep
sold during the past five years at Ballinasloe-
1858. 73494 1865. ........... 1852
1895. ....:....... aessss9 -a,,s.
The competition OF English buyers this year has
raised the total offered to 1852.
There has been also good demand for all articles OF
agricultural produce, and the best markets Of Great
Britain are represented, so that bright future Is
turalist supplying the wants of the sister country
and increasing the bond Of union by mutual de-