CO129-290 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [1-4] — Page 193

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Total weight received in 1898.

.50,539 lbs.

Do. number of parcels đo. do...... .12,698

Loss of Revenue 50,539 pence plus 12,698 half pence,

= £237.0.8 on parcels received.

£177.15.10

237. 0. 8

Sa

£414.16. 6

at 1/11 - $4236,51

=

073

Taking 50 cents as the equivalent of one shil-

ling (vide Mr. Forman's letter dated 20th. December last) at

s.a

present rate of exchange, 1/11, would be a gain to the Colony

of $90.17, reducing the loss to $4,146,34.

Whether the decreased rates would lead to an

increased number of parcels I am unable to say but it is not

on all fours with correspondence.

Contents of parcels cost money, contents of let-

ters do not.

(Sa.)W.C.H.HASTINGS,

Acting Postmaster General.

23.2.99.