If we deduct £140,000 for the land tax absorbed iv the property tax we havo a net inrrease in the appropria tions for the wants of the Central Go vernment amounting, in round num bers, to £90*0,000 a-year. These fig ures are staggering when placed along side the fact that the gross revenue raised from taxation in the colony dur ing last finaticial year was only £1,514,624, and that represented a much greater taxation per head than in any other country iv the world. Under the Gavernment propoeals the revenue raised from taxation will be £2,280,654, or, reckoning the popula tion of the colony at 480,000, a fraction over £5 6s. per annum for every man, woman, and child in the country. Making full allowanco for the taxable articles consumed by Maoris, the rate will bo £5 a head. The taxation in Viotoriais £2 2s 2£d ; in New South Wales, £1 18s 2sd ; in Cueensland, £8 5s 2jd ; in South Australia, £2 8s 2£d; in Western Australia, £2 18s 11 |d ; and in Tasmania, £2 4s 6£d. The bare statement of these figures shows the existance of sometking rotten in our administration that wunts reform ing. They also give strong arguments why every source of revenue should be brought fully into account before fur ther taxation is levied on the people. Major Btkiuson throws the whole in terest of loans on the consolidated. revenue, and liberates the land fund completely, except for the payment of 20 per cent, to certain lucky local bodies, and the cost of administration and surveys, making in all charges amounting to £247,509. — Evening Star (Auckland.)

" What shall I preach about ?" said a minister to a pastor of a coloured flock which he was about to address. " Well, tnos' any subject will be 'cep tible was the reply ; "only I'd like to gib you one word ob caution." — "Ah ! what is that ?"— " Well, ef I was you, I'd touch very light on do ton commandments." — " Indeed ! and why ?"— *' Ob, cos I hab notise dat dey mos' always hab a daiup'uin' effect on the congregation. They had quite an oxcitoment at the Delaware Water Gap the other day. 