the close of that year, a downward tendency of the market began again to manifest itself, which, with few and transient interruptions, has continued to the present time. The consumption of 1857 was favoured, doubtless, by the partial remission of the additional duties, which took place in April, and which left the rates as they now stand. Notwithstanding the prevalence of high prices during eight or nine months of the year, it showed a slight excess over the consumption of 1856. But in the following year, 1858, the beneficial effect of renewed abundance in the supply became strikingly apparent. The rate of consumption attained the same high level at which it had stood in 1854, and at or a little above this level it has remained to the close of the year 1861. The generally prosperous condition of the working classes during the latter years included in this retrospect, is a circumstance too important in its bearing on the subject to be overlooked. The unwelcome persuasion that a less favourable state of things prevails at present, and may but too probably continue for months to come, alone opposes the conclusion which the appended statement might otherwise have justified, that the consumption of sugar is steadily and even rapidly progressive. 7th May, 1862. JOHN A. MESSENGER. EXCHEQUER. Account of the Monies received during the year ended March 31, 1862, to the Account of her Majesty's Exchequer, at the Bank of England and of Ireland, under the respective heads of Public Revenue; the Amount of all Royal Orders and Treasury Warrants received, and of the Credits and Transfers made by the Comptroller-General of the Exchequer, the Payments by the Bank of England, and the Balance remaining to the Account of the Exchequer in each Bank on the 31st March, 1862. (66.) ON the 31st of March, 1861, the Exchequer balance amounted to 6,675,3197. 188. 2d.; the receipts, including Revenue and Exchequer Bills, amounted to 84,185,997. 78. 2d.: total, 90,860,8774 The issue was, Exchequer credits, at Bank of England and transfers at Bank of Ireland, 85,569,532, leaving a balance of income at the Bank of 5,291,344l. 138. ld. SUGAR AND MOLASSES. Return of the quantity of Sugar and Molasses used in brewing Beer and distilling Spirits for the year ended the 30th day of September, 1861. (Mr. Locke.) 3rd March, 1862. (78.) In the year ended 30th September, 1861, 83,618 cwts. were used in the brewing of beer, and 5906 cwts. of sugar and 227,619 cwts. molasses in the distillation of spirits. ACCOUNTS OF THE BOARD OF TRADE. IMPORTS AND CONSUMPTION. AN ACCOUNT of the IMPORTS and CONSUMPTION of the PRINCIPAL ARTICLES of FOREIGN and COLONIAL MERCHANDISE, in the YEAR ended 31st DECEMBER, 1862. COMPUTED REAL VALUE OF PRINCIPAL ARTICLES IMPORTED. AN ACCOUNT of the COMPUTED REAL VALUE of the PRINCIPAL ABTICLES of FOREIGN and COLONIAL MERCHANDISE, Imported in the Year ended 31st December, 1862. 1,704,874 maceti ... 1,014,981 |