The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 84

Annual Report of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce [September 1886]

List of Members.

  • Bagley, R. P.
  • Bank of New Zealand
  • Bank of New South Wales
  • Bank of Australasia
  • Baxter, D.
  • Beal, L. O.
  • Begg, A. C.
  • Bell, George
  • Benjamin, H.
  • Berens, A.
  • Black, T.
  • Blyth, George
  • Bradshaw, E. R.
  • Braithwaite, J.
  • Brown, Dr William
  • Brown, Thomas
  • Brown, W.
  • Brydone, T.
  • Burt, A.
  • Cargill, E. B.
  • Chisholm, Robt.
  • Colonial Insurance Co.
  • Colonial Bank of N.Z.
  • Davie, John
  • Denniston, G. L.
  • Denniston, J. E.
  • Dick, Thomas
  • Dickson, William A.
  • Driver, Henry
  • Dunedin Finance Co.
  • Dunedin Iron and Woodware Co.
  • Duthie, James
  • Dymock, W.
  • Edwards, Stanley
  • Elder, William
  • Equitable Insurance Co.
  • Esther, George
  • Ewing, R.
  • Farquhar, G. P.
  • Fox, Capt. James
  • Finker, Meyer
  • Forrest, Alexander
  • Gallaway, J.
  • Gillies, J. L.
  • Glendinning, R.
  • Gow, W.
  • Gregg, William
  • Guthrie, H.
  • Gibbs, Bright, and Co.
  • Hallenstein, B.
  • Hart, H.
  • Hay man, M.
  • Haynes, D.
  • Hazlett, James
  • Hey cock, A. H.
  • Hislop, J.
  • Hislop, Walter
  • Hogg, James
  • Holmes, A.
  • Hosking, J. H.
  • Howison, C. M.
  • Hoy, Sew
  • Inglis, A. and T.
  • Irvine, Major-general
  • Jack, A. H.
  • Joachim, G.
  • Joel, M.
  • Jones, J. M.
  • Kaitangata Coal Co.
  • Kempthorne, T. W.
  • Kenyon, E. P.
  • Lamb, Tompson
  • Lane, W.
  • Larnach, W. J. M., C. M. G.
  • Leary, R. H.
  • Lees, A.
  • Low, Thomas
  • Mackenzie, M. J. S.
  • Mackerras, J. T.
  • Maclean, Hon. G.
  • McKenzie, H.
  • Marine Insurance Co.
  • Marshall and Copeland
  • Martin, P.
  • Meenan, F.
  • Melland, E.
  • Mendershausen, M.
  • Michie, A.
  • Mills, James
  • Mill, John
  • Mollison, A.
  • Morrison, J. H.
  • Murray, R. K.
  • Mutual Assurance Society of Victoria
  • National Bank of New Zealand
  • National Insurance Co. of New Zealand
  • Neill, W. G.
  • New Zealand Insurance Co.
  • New Zealand Shipping Co.
  • N.Z. Refrigerating Co.
  • Nicol, L.
  • Nimmo, R.
  • N.Z. Drug Co.
  • N.Z. Loan and M.A. Co.
  • Oliver, Hon. R.
  • Paterson, A. S.
  • Paterson, R.
  • Pym, M.
  • Pyke, V.
  • Ramsay, K.
  • Rattray, J.
  • Reeves, C. S.
  • Reid, D.
  • Reid and Gray
  • Reynolds, Hon. W. H.
  • Ritchie, J. M.
  • Roberts, J.
  • Robin, J.
  • Rose, H.
  • Russell, Gray
  • Sandtmann, Julius
  • Scott, Admiral
  • Scoullar, W.
  • Scoullar, A.
  • Sievwright, B.
  • Simpson, W. L.
  • Sinclair, J.
  • Sise, G. L.
  • Smith, J.
  • Smith, R. F.
  • Sth. British Insurance Co.
  • Sparrow, R. S.
  • Spedding, D. M.
  • Speight, J.
  • Spence, E. J.
  • Sprent, J. S.
  • Standard Insurance Co.
  • Stanford, R. L.
  • Stewart, W. D.
  • Stout, Sir Robert
  • Strachan, William
  • Stronach, D.
  • Thomson, A.
  • Thomson, A. E.
  • Tower, E. F.
  • Twopeny, R. E. N.
  • Union Insurance Co.
  • Union Bank of Australia
  • Union Steam Ship Co.
  • Victoria Insurance Co.
  • Wales, N. Y. A.
  • Watson, W.
  • Watson, J. F.
  • Westport Coal Co.
  • White, J.
  • Wilkie, James
  • Wilkinson, T. M.
  • Wilson, James
  • Wilson, James
  • Wilson, R.
  • Wise, Caffin, and Co.
  • Wright, J. T.
  • Wright, Wm.
  • Wyper, R.
  • Young, T.
  • Young, H.

Dunedin Chamber of Commerce.

Report of the Committee of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce

The retiring Committee have the pleasure of submitting the following Report of its proceedings during the past year.

Several matters only partially dealt with by the Committee of the previous year have received careful consideration, and in some instances with beneficial results. Three General Meetings of the Chamber, and twenty-two of the Committee have been held during the year.

Steamers' Bills of Lading.—One of the first subjects brought up for discussion was the consideration of the objectionable clauses in the Bills of Lading issued by the Steamship Companies trading to these Colonies.

It was Resolved that Messrs R. Glendenning, G. L. Denniston, and A. Maxwell be a Committee to point out the objections to the Bill of Lading required by the Direct Steamers, with a view to their amendment; and that Mr John Ross be asked to represent the Chamber at the Meetings of the British and Foreign Chambers of Commerce with the London Chamber. The subject is still under consideration of the London Conference, who fully realise the importance of the subject.

Indian and Colonial Exhibition.—In October last it was decided to appoint a Committee to collect and classify the proposed Exhibits for the Indian and Colonial Exhibition, and to meet and confer with Dr Von Haast on the subject; at the same time Mr Ross was asked to represent the Chamber at the opening of and other Ceremonies connected with the Exhibition.

Trade with Rio Janeiro.—The Committee of 1885 addressed a series of questions to H.M. Consul-General, Rio Janeiro, relating to Customs Duties, Harbor Regulations, and other information treating of the Trade and Commerce of Brazil, and the opening to which the establishment of a Direct Line of Steamers should lead, for commercial intercourse between that country and New Zealand. A letter, dated the 3rd November, was received from the Consul-General with Annual Reports of the Brazilian Government, Consular Reports, Tariff, Brokers' Charges, Exchange, and other information of interest, a digest of which was printed and circulated for general information through the various Chambers of the Colony. As yet but very trifling interchange of products between the two countries has resulted.

South Sea Island Mail Service.—In answer to a communication from the Hon. the Postmaster General, in which the opinion of the Committee was sought upon a change proposed by the Contractors for the South Sea Island Mail Service, by which Mails and Cargo should be transhipped from the steamers of the U.S.S. Company to and from the contractors at Auckland. The Committee after due consideration did not object to the proposed alteration subject to Freight and Passage Money being the same as at present charged.

Harbor Diies.—The new scale of Import Dues proposed by the Harbor Board, by which the Import Rate would be increased from 2s to 3s per ton, and coastwise dues abolished—being in the opinion of the Committee an extreme rate—the Committee sought and obtained a conference with the Board for consideration of the proposed increase of rates. Ultimately a reduction of six pence per ton from the proposed rate was agreed to, and the present rate of 2s 6d per ton finally arranged.

R.M. Court.—A letter from Mr W. Henderson was received, pointing out a very serious defect in the R.M. Court Act, which did not authorise the attorney or agent of a plaintiff to make the affidavit of jurisdiction required where it was proposed to summon a defendant who resided outside the jurisdiction of the Court. The Parliament being then in session, it was resolved to forward the letter to Mr Wm. Downie Stewart, M.H.R., who brought the matter before the Minister of Justice, but, owing apparently to the pressure of other work, the Local Courts Bill was not proceeded with, so that nothing can be done till next session.

Cable Charges.—Several communications during the present year have passed between the Committee and other Chambers, and also with Melbourne, urging co-operation in obtaining a reduction in the existing rates from the Cable Company on messages passing over the New Zealand Cable. The subject was brought up in the General Assembly by the Colonial Treasurer, without eliciting any satisfactory out-come from the discussion. The Committee are of opinion that it is not desirable to lay a new Cable as has been proposed by the Treasurer, and that Government should be urged to co-operate with the Australasian Colonies in pressing for a reduction of the present rates for ordinary messages to 6d and Press messages to 3d per word; and that a minimum of five words should be established. Such a reduction it is confidently expected would greatly facilitate the interchange of business between New Zealand and the Australasian Colonies without diminishing the existing income of the Cable Company.

Railway Extension.—This subject was dealt with at a quarterly meeting held in January, and the following resolution passed:—"That in the opinion of this Chamber it would in the present circumstances, be inexpedient to initiate or undertake any New Railway, but that the lines now in progress should be completed."

Rates of Freight.—The following resolution was carried at a general meeting of the Chamber:—"That in the opinion of this Chamber the ruling rates of freight from London to this port are higher than is necessary, comparing them with rates ruling to the chief Australian ports; and that it be an especial instruction to the Committee to deal exhaustively with this question, and report to the next meeting of the Chamber."

In considering this report the Committee have found themselves confronted with many difficulties which are apparent to every member. Nothing is so difficult as to disturb and successfully encounter a strong monopoly, and it can only be done by concerted and vigorous action both here and in London. The Committee have made representations in the matter to Mr John Ross in London, who has acted for this Chamber on so many occasions, and no reply has had time to reach us yet; meantime much could be done by united and persistent representations to English correspondents, instructing them to give business whenever possible to outside ships and shipping firms while freights continue so high.

Bankruptcy Act.—Nothing has occurred during the past year to bring the present Bankruptcy Act prominently under the notice of the Committee, and no efforts have, therefore, been made to correct its acknowledged imperfections. Each year's experience, however, discloses defects that require amendment, and suggest possible improvements which should receive the careful consideration of the Legislature.

The Annual Statistics referring to the trade of the Colony—compiled chiefly from reports of the Registrar-General, the Department of Trade and Customs, and other official sources—will be found in the appendix to this report.

In conclusion the Committee would direct the attention of the Chamber to its very unsatisfactory financial position, and the necessity for immediate action being taken to obtain a more general support to the institution. The Sub-Committee's report on this subject will be found attached.

Jas. T. Mackerras

, Chairman Dunedin,

Address of the Chairman.

Proceedings at Annual Meeting.

With the permission of the Chamber I will avail myself of the opportunity which our annual meeting affords of referring very briefly to our commercial position, and to the prospects of the year.

At our last annual meeting, in September, 1885, we had to deplore that our two main industries, the agricultural and pastoral, showed no signs of amelioration; and to this circumstance we attributed, in a large measure, the great commercial depression under which the Colony then laboured. This depression, so severe and so prolonged, has not been confined to New Zealand, but has prevailed all over the world, and has led to much consideration being given to the subject, with a view, if possible, to trace the cause and suggest a remedy, in New Zealand much attention has also been given to the subject, which has resulted in revealing to us the gratifying fact that, notwithstanding the depression, this Colony continues to make substantial progress.

Our Secretary for some years past has been in the habit of compiling from authentic sources, and appending to our annual reports, valuable statistics having reference to the various industries, as well as the trade generally, of the Colony; which are well worthy the attention of all interested in our material advancement.

It may be a surprise to some members to learn that during the last ten years the land under cultivation in New Zealand has increased from 2,377,402 acres in 1876, to 6,729,911 acres in 1886. And here I may remark that of the latter area a little over two million acres are land under grass, not previously ploughed and cropped, chiefly in the North Island, where the practice of preparing the land for English grasses is by burning off' the fern, a process in many instances as expensive and effectual as ploughing I hold, therefore, that this area can fairly be held to be land under cultivation.

It is at the same time worthy of remark that the return for agricultural labour in New Zealand exceeds that of any of the Australasian Colonies or the United States of America. The mean average of South Australian wheat crops is barely 8 bushels per acre; that of Victoria, about 12½ bushels; New South Wales, nearly 15 bushels; while the average product of land in the United States is from 18 to 20 bushels. The statistics of New Zealand show an average yield of nearly 27 bushels to the acre.

While the value of our exports for the year shows a falling off of £147,867, this deficiency would be converted into a surplus if account is taken of the increased price obtained in London for the wool shipped during the past season.

Our export of Wheat and Oats shows a falling oft of £240,565 on the former, and £10,398 on the latter, in all £250,943—the yield being:—
  • Wheat, 4,242,285 bushels, as against 6,866,777 bushels last year.
  • Oats, 8,603,702 bushels, as against 12,360,449 bushels last year.

This diminution in yield is entirely on account of the large areas thrown out of grain cultivation caused by the low prices ruling of late years; our farmers having directed more attention to Dairy Produce and Frozen Meat, two industries which show a decided increase in our list of exports.

The value of Butter and Cheese exported for the year amounts to £138,129, against £97,705 last year.

The total production according to the Government return being:-
For 1886. For 1881.
Butter, 12,170,964 lbs., against 8,453,815 lbs.
Cheese, 4,594,795 lbs., against 3,178,694 lbs.
The total shipments of frozen mutton for the year ending 31st August, were:—
  • 628,556 Carcasses, as against 507,428 for the previous year

Attention is only now being given in earnest by our settlers to the production of Dairy Produce, and the necessity for improvement in the manufacture by the aid of Dairy Factories; and in consequence several new factories have been added during the year to the number previously at work, while numerous others are in course of construction throughout the Province. We may reasonably expect therefore, that the export of Butter and Cheese will be largely increased from year to year.

Our principal market, hitherto, has been Australia, involving only a short sea voyage; but in view of the production being greatly increased next year, and reaching a point possibly beyond what can be taken off in that market, it would be well for those controlling our Factories to aim at producing an article capable of standing the voyage to Europe, and of being placed on the market there. This is the more needful as a favorable season in Australia might enable those colonies to produce sufficient for their own requirements, and thus deprive us of the outlet upon which we have hitherto been depending.

The total number of Sheep in the Colony, according to a return published by the Registrar-General, is 16,564,595; being an increase of 3,579,510 since 1881, and this notwithstanding that during last year
628,556 were Exported Frozen.
69,214 were Boiled Down.
97,579 were Preserved.
Total 795,349
There has also been a satisfactory increase in the quantity of wool exported for the year from
  • 80,324,631 lbs. in 1885
  • To 90,760,253 lbs. in 1886.

A large proportion of which would participate in the advance in prices at the June-July, and September Sales.

In the list of exports from Otago I notice two which have begun to assume large proportions. I refer to the export of Cattle and Horses. Of Cattle we exported during the year 706 head of the value of £11,075, and 3,020 Horses of the value of, £75,150.

While the active prosecution of public works in New South Wales occasioned a demand for Draught Horses in that Colony, and accounts to some extent for the large export of these, I think that this does not account altogether for the magnitude which that export has reached. Our neighbours over the water have come to realise our superior breed of Cattle, and will no doubt continue to improve their stock from Otago herds.

The prize lists of the recent National Cattle Shows of Victoria and New South Wales conclusively prove the very superior quality of New Zealand bred stock, particularly Clydesdale Horses, Ayrshire and Polled Angus Cattle.

Our industries and manufactures continue in full operation, and employ an increasing number of hands.

The woollen mills in Otago alone have worked 4,130 bales of wool, of the value of £43,365, and employ 600 hands.

The total output of coal in the Colony for the year amounts to 511,063 tons, against 480,831 tons last year, being an increase of 89,299 tons—the number of miners employed being 1,483.

In the midst of the depression that has so long prevailed, it must be gratifying to observe from the Savings Banks Returns that a large increase has taken place both in the number of depositors and in the amounts on deposit, affording evidence of a large and frugal population of what may be termed the working-class.

The deposits at the end of the year amounted to £2,142,729 being an increase of £216,119 for the year.

The falling off in the Colonial Revenue has been a source of uneasiness to most of us, and on account of the contradictory statements on this subject which have lately appeared in the public prints, I wired to Sir Julius Vogel to furnish me with correct information, and with the prompt courtesy which characterises that gentleman, I received a reply from him to the following effect:—That the Revenue receipts for the first six months are £57,000 (omitting smaller figures) less than the amount estimated, and while this fact cannot be gainsaid, the large amount may be in part accounted for by the fact that the Treasurer gave no notice this year of the Budget, and in consequence the commercial community did not take out of bond large quantities of goods, which they had been in the habit of doing. When a course like this is pursued, it leads to so much more being taken out of bond in succeeding months; the Treasurer therefore hopes that the natural course of trade not being interfered with, the last six months of the financial year, so far as Customs are concerned, will show better. The Treasurer also adds, that Stamps, Pastoral Revenue, and Passenger Traffic by Railway keep up well to his estimate. Altogether, the Treasurer is confident the year will wind up better than present appearances indicate; let us hope his anticipations will prove correct.

I have not referred to any of the numerous matters which have been dealt with by the Chamber of Commerce during the past year, as the Annual Report now in the hands of members render this in a great measure unnecessary. I now content myself by simply moving the adoption of the Report and Balance-sheet as printed and circulated.

Mr G. L. Denniston seconded the adoption of the report.

After some discussion, and one amendment, the report as printed was adopted.

Dr. RECEIPTS.£s.d.£s.d. To Cash in hand from last year ...145., Waste Paper ... ... ...181., Sale of Reports470., Use of Hall ... ... ...48 160., Rents ... ... ... ...32500., Donations ... ... ...81 160., Subscriptions219 16668137Balance ... ...33919£102199 EXPENDITURE.Dr.£s.d. £s.d.By Balance from last year ... ...40100132 106., Rates and Taxes ... ... ...., Interest on Mortgage31500., to Exchange Company20000., Bank Interest ... ... ...27175., Balance High School Medals ...3106., Cleaning Offices ... ... ...3420., Printing, Advertising, and Stationery3319., Printing Annual Report ... ...1336., Petty Disbursements ... ... 251011., Books and Newspapers ... ...2380., Secretary ... ... ...15000., Telephone ... ... ...800., Insurance on Building ... ...800 ., Repairs ... .... ... ... ... 31110 8885 15 11., Cash in hand ... ... ....334£102199By Balance ... ... ... £33919

Dunedin Chamber of Commerce.

Cash Account, from 1st July, 1885, To 30th June, 1886.

Dunedin, Examined and found correct—

John Davie.

Henry Houghton,

Secretary.

Extracts from New Zealand Statistics.

Population.—Census, 1886.

Census of New Zealand, March 28th, 1886, population 578,283

Being an increase of 88,132 since the census of April 1st, 1881, on total Population of Colony.

Otago and Southland 149,154
An increase of 14,983
Dunedin and suburbs 45,518

Being a decrease of 1,026 of population for the same period.

The Maori Population is 41,432, in addition to the above, a decrease of 2,665 for the same period.

The Occupations of the People are in process of tabulation.

Customs Revenue Returns for the year ended 31st March, 1886, for all Ports of Entry.

Total value of Imports into New Zealand......... £ 7,49,921Total value of Exports ... ............ 6,819,939Total amount of Duty ... ............ 1,428,809 Cost of Collection £2 10s. 10s. per cent. Of which was collected at—Dunedin......... £356,801Invercargill and Bluff ... 44,325Oamaru ... .........12,461 413,587 Being a decrease on the previous year of £31,593 Value of Imports per head of European population ... ... £12 16 11 " Exports.," "... ... 11 15 10

Principal Items of Export.

Agricultural Products—£s.d.£ s. d.Butter ... ... ...... 102,38700Cheese ...... ...... 35,74200Flour ...... ...... 41,37900Barley ...... ...... 33,69300Oats ...... ...... 260,39500Wheat ...... ...... 181,76600Oatmeal ...... ...... 16,90900Grass Seed ...... ...... 32,51600Hides ...... ...... 39,29000Flax ...... ...... 16,31600Potatoes ...... ...... 38,62500Sheepskins ...... ...... 35,55500 Wool ... ... ... ... Frozen Meat ... ... ... ... Preserved Meat ... ... ... ... Tallow ... ... ... ... Kauri Gum ... ... ... ... Leather ... ... ... ... Rabbitskins (9,869,065) ... ... ... ... Timber ... ... ... ... Gold ... ... ... ... Other Colonial and British and Foreign Produce ... Miscellaneous ... ... ... ... 1,002,937 ... 3,205,275 ... 373,857 ...81,401 ... 176,962 ... 299,762 ... 47,054 ... 108,640 ... 157,367 ... 819,056 ... 228,028 ... 141,9630 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Total New Zealand Produce... ...£6,642,30200

Return of Shipping at the Port of Dunedin for the year ending 31st July, 1886.

TONS.Tons.Foreign ... ...90 Vessels= 118,479 In, and 43 Vessels= 82,555 OutIntercolonial ...124.,= 103,383" 92 "= 82,318.,Coastwise ...647.,= 191,883., 721.,= 260,606.,Totals, 1886 ...861= 413,745856= 425,479" 1885 ..871= 390,667847= 379,766

Registered Tonnage of Colonial Owned Vessels, Port of Otago.

Steamers. Sailing Vessels.
No. Tonnage. No. Tonnage.
1st July, 1884 46 16,499 60 7,371
1st July, 1885 46 17,964 60 9,524
1st July, 1886 47 19,107 54 9,044

Return showing the number of Foreign and Intercolonial Vessels Entered and Cleared at New Zealand Ports during the year ending 31st March, 1885.

Inwards 786 Vessels = 519,700 Tons.
Outwards 780 Vessels = 513,000 Tons.

Return of Gold Exported from 1st April, 1857, to 31st December, 1885.

Total Quantity for New Zealand 10,849,261 ozs.
Of the value of £42,566,135
Exported from Otago 4,467,227 ozs.
Of the value of £17,621,610

Exported for the year ending 31st December, 1885, 237,37 ozs., of the value of £948,615, of which Otago exported £71,359 ozs., of the value 286,517.

Number of miners employed, 11,178.

Crown Lands.

Total Area Sold or otherwise disposed of from the foundation of the Colony 18,264,285 acres
Total Cash received £12,718,169
Open for Selection 12,192,755 acres
Total Area for future disposal 19,803,413 acres

Land held Under Pastoral Lease.

Area, approximately 11,099,714 acres
Annual Rent Paid £166,218

Average per acre ranging from ¼d. in Auckland to 4.36d. in Canterbury, Otago 4.3d.

Twenty-four small grazing runs in Otago, comprising 55,739 acres, let at an average of 8½d. per acre.

Acreage of Land alienated from the Crown from the Foundation of the Colony to December 31st 1885.
Area of Districts 66,710,320 acres
Land Sold or otherwise disposed of 18, 305,594 acres

Amount Remaining Secured by Mortgage under Land Transfer Act.

For the Year ending 31st March, 1886 £27,735,376
For the Year ending 31st March, 1885 26,089,774
Increase £1,645,596

Freehold Estate.

30,684 persons and 80 companies own 18,511,350 acres Freehold Land outside Boroughs and Townships, of the value of £53,350,812.

Of these, two companies own areas over 150,000 acres, two over 100,000, one over 75,000, and three over 50,000. The total number of Freeholders in the Colony is 73,000, of whom 30,764 own 5 acres and upwards of country land.

Agricultural Statistics.

1886.
Total number of holdings 31,763
Extent of land broken up—in acres 219,270
Extent of land sown in wheat—in acres 173,891
Estimated gross produce of wheat—bushels 4,242,285
Extent of land sown in oats—in acres 329,488
Estimated gross produce of oats—bushels 8,603,702
Estimated gross produce for green food or hay—acres 83,521
Extent of land in barley—acres 34,603
Estimated gross produce of barley—bushels 896,816
Extent of land in potatoes—acres 24,823
Estimated gross produce of potatoes—tons 113,753
Extent of land in turnips or rape—acres 316,171
Extent of land in other crops—acres 21,996
Total number of acres under crop, exclusive of grasses 984,493
Extent of hay—acres 40,304
Estimated produce—tons 45,818
In grasses after having been broken up—acres 2,793,272
Grass sown lands, not previously ploughed—acres 2,671,885
Peas and beans—acres 10,580
Mangold, beet, and carrots—acres 3,437
Hop—acres 714
Garden or orchard 21,908
Plantations, orest trees 24,352
Average yield per acre in New Zealand, 1886 Wheat 24.24 bushels
Average yield per acre in New Zealand, 1886 Oats 26.05 bushels
Average yield per acre in New Zealand, 1886 Barley 25.45 bushels
Average yield per acre in New Zealand, 1886 Potatoes 4½ tons
Average yield per acre in Otago, 1886 Wheat 25.53 bushes
Average yield per acre in Otago, 1886 Oats 25.28 bushels
Average yield per acre in Otago, 1886 Barley 32.04 bushels
Average yield per acre in Otago, 1886 Potatoes 4.11-20 tons

The Official Statistics for Victoria give the total yield of wheat in that colony for the year 1885 at 10,433,146 bushels, being an average yield of 9.52 bushels per acre; Oats, 23.40; Barley, 17.38.

Classified Average of Occupied Holdings.

SIZES OF HOLDINGS.NUMBER OF HOLDINGS.Over 1 acreto 10 acres inclusive...9,172" 10" 50.,...7,507" 50" 100 "...5,014" 100" 200 "...5,926" 200" 320 "...3,161" 320" 640 "...2,804" 640" 1,000 "...977., 1,000" 5,000.,...1,396., 5,000" 10,000 "...222., 10,000" 20,000 "...170., 20,000" 50,900 "...106., 50,000" 100,000 "...26Upwards of 100,000 acres...4Totals...36.485Of which 11,728,236 acres were Freehold, and 5,348, 838 acres Leasehold.

Sheep Returns.

Total number of Sheep in New Zealand, 1884 13,978,520
Total number of Sheep in New Zealand, 1885 14,545,801
Total number of Sheep in New Zealand, * 1886 16,564,595
Sheep in Otago *1886 4,446,855

An increase of 3,579,510 since 1881.

Number of Owners, 500 sheep and upwards 8,631

Wool Shipments.

Total Quantity of Wool exported from New Zealand for the Season of 1886 90,760,253 lbs.
Of the value of £3,002,731
Of which there was exported from Otago and Southland 75,807 bales
And of the value of £795,973 Being an increase of 2,632 baleson the year.

During the past year 4,130 bales of Wool, of the value of £43,365, were consumed by the Mosgiel, Kaikorai, Roslyn, and Oamaru Woollen Mills. These, added to the quantity exported, raised the production of Otago for 1886 to 79,937 bales, and the value to £839,338. An increase of 2,262 bales.

In addition to the above, the Kaiapoi Mills, Canterbury, worked up 2,250 bales.

Banking Returns for the Quarter ending June 30th, 1885.

Notes in Circulation £984,463
Deposits.
On Government Account 691,853
Bearing Interest 6,686,180
Not Bearing Interest 3,450,7711
£10,828,804

Being an Increase of Deposits of £944,023 on the Year.

Advances, £15,864,823, being an increase on the Year of £557,836.

Savings Banks—Government and Private.

Total Amount of Deposits in the Colony at the end of Year 1885, £1,638,036; Interest thereon, £62,228, and an increase of £138,924 on the year.

Depositors, 69,557, being an increase of 3,840, averaging £23 8s. 4d. each Depositor.

In addition to the above, there were in Private saving Banks Deposits amounting to £504,691, with 15,812 Deposits, averaging £31 18s. 4d. each Depositor.

The total Deposits at the end of the year amounted to £2,142,729, an increase of £216,119.

Annual Interest and Sinking Fund, £1,667,873.

Receipts and Expenditure for the financial year ended 31st March, 1886.

Revenue, including Balance brought forward £3,966,837
From Loan, &c. 2,075,886
Expenditure £3,980,979
Public Works 1,027,479

Railways.

Total Mileage open for Traffic, March 31st, 1886 1,613 miles
Total amount expended for their construction £13,726,166
Equal to a cost for Construction, Rolling Stock, &c. £8,575 per mile
Total number of Passengers carried 3,362,266
Total amount of Tonnage carried 1,823,767 tons
Total number of Live Stock carried 868,180
Total receipts for year £1,047,418

Railway Revenue over Expenditure is approximately estimated up to 31st March last at £357,078. The amount realised on the estimated cost of the Railways is £2 18s. 6d. per cent, per annum, and the proportion of expense to revenue, 65.91.

Post Office for the Year 1885.

Letters posted and delivered 35,829,855
Post Cards 1,319,933
Books and Parcels 3,233,960
Newspapers 14,235,878
Expenditure £171,281
Revenue £267,671

Telegraphs.

Miles open. March 31st, 1886 4,463
Cost of Construction £571,893
Cost of Maintenance £42,872
Receipts, exclusive of Government Telegrams £88,013
Number of Messages 1,774,273

Telephone Exchange.

Cost of Construction £37,319
Annual cost of Maintenance £8,985
Annual Revenue, exclusive of Government connections £14,404
Number of Subscribers 1,765
Cost of each connection £20 8s. 6d.

Australian Statistics.—Total Cultivation.

Victoria in cultivation 2,323,493 Acres.
New South Wales in cultivation 552,027 Acres.
Queensland in cultivation 199,580 Acres.
South Australia in cultivation 2,785,490 Acres.
Western Australia in cultivation 79,669 Acres.
Tasmania in cultivation 425,845 Acres.
6,666,104 Acres.
New Zealand 1,132,441
Grass Land broken up 2,793,272
Grass Land not previously ploughed 2,671,885
6,597,598 Acres.

* These figures are taken from the Returns Gazetted 1st October, 1886.