AUSTRALIAN STATISTICS.

Journals brought from our Southern Colonies by late mails enable us to throw together some interesting facts regarding their public finance, bank- ing, trade, gold-production, &c., of the most recent date ; while for some figures re/erring to earlier periods we are indebted to a pamphlet published by Mesas. Low, The Commerce and Finance of Australia ; and a Parlia- mentary paper gives the Imperial expenditure on the Colonies.

REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE OF VICTORIA.

In the year ending 30th September 1865, the General Revenue of Victoria amounted to 1,893,0691. ; the Territorial Revenue to 953 3301.-total, 2,846,400!.- 438,5071. was also raised on Debentures. The sum of 259,441/. was received for gold-licences and other imposts connected with gold, including escort-fees ; while in addition the new duty on exporting gold, in place of the licences, produced 135,608/. The Customs, including gold, figure for 1,086,183/. ; Spirits gave a revenue of 590,8411.; Tobacco, 118,981/. ; Wine, 55,1941. ; Beer, 60,0891. In the Miscellaneous Revenue, the receipts for Postage-gross, we presume-were 84,7041. ; Liquor-licences, 145,632/. Nearly the whole of the Territorial Revenue arose from the Sale of Lands-896,160/. ; Leases and Licences, 37,969/. The Debentures were issued to raise money for the construction of public works.

We have not access to any recent account of the Expenditure. The following table of the revenue and expenditure from 1850 to 1854 is from the pamphlet already mentioned.

Year.

Crown Revenue. Ordinary Revenue.

Total. Expenditure.

1830

£138,651 ....

£122,781 , £259,432 £196,460 1851 300,874 ....

198,167 499,041 .... 410,864 1852

720,900

914,591 .... 1,635,494 .... 981,566 1853 1,553,825

1.648,423 3,564,858

1834 1,426,449 ; 1,796,723 .... 3,223,172 ....

4,045,291

Though the income of the colony increased so fast after the gold-dis- covery, the ruling powers managed to beat it by their exertions in spending. Since 1854 the revenue has diminished, but there has also been a vigorous curtailment of the expenditure.