thorities. As this and farther anticipated immigration will probably consist, for the most part, of male population, the Local Government have already represented to the Home Authorities the necessity of promoting more particularly the emigration from Britain of the female sex.
The scale of commercial operations has been commensurate with the rapid increase of the colony in wealth and population. There is an immense and increasing business in the articles flour, tea, coffee, sugar, tobacco, spirits, wines, beer, every kind of ready made clothing, canvas, tarpaulings, &c., all of which have flowed in from every quarter, and found a ready and remunerating market. The amount of duties received at the Customs, Melbourne, for the last quarter, has exceeded that for the same quarter of 1850 in the proportion of £26,681 to £16,205.
The Customs' Duties are:—Rum the produce of sugar, wiskey the produce of malt, of or from any place whatsoever, pay duty at the rate of 3s. 6d. per proof gallon; brandy, gin, and other spirits 6s. per proof gallon; foreign cordials and sweetened spirits 6s. per gallon. Tobacco, manufactured, pays 2s. per pound; unmanufactured, 1s. 6d. per pound. Tea, sugar, rice, flour, and grain, pay five per cent. ad valorem; wines fifteen per cent.; all other imported goods, except the produce of the United Kingdom, ten per percent.
The New Legislature of Victoria has recently passed an Act reducing the rates of pilotage for this Port, and altering the mode of levying from draft of water to register tonnage. The rate is now 3d. per ton, which averages about one half of previous rates, and the new system appears to deal more equally than its predecessor with all classes and dimensions of shipping. Coasters and vessels under fifty tons, have the option of dispensing with a pilot, and thus avoiding all charge; but availing themselves of his services, they pay the full rate. Vessels outfitting or refitting, vessels in ballast, or vessels not breaking bulk, may also decline pilots, but on taking them they pay half rate: and vessels proceeding from Hobson's Bay to Geelong, with similar option, pay one third.
The harvest has now been nearly all secured. The reaping has been generally taken at 25s. per acre, or upwards of twice the ordinary rate. Incessant importations of flour and other provision stuffs have retained farming produce at moderate prices,
