408 



Parliamentary Publications. 



performed for the Revenue Departments ; as well as of 

 miscellaneous samples sent by other Government Depart- 

 ments. Of the total numxber of analyses (65,313 in 1897-8) 

 nearly 95 per cent, were for the Revenue Departments ; 

 12,952 samples in the latter year being of worts and materials 

 (in connection with the beer duty) ; 11,817 of tobacco, for 

 moisture; 9,157 of medicinal tinctures, for drawback; and 

 8,857 of beer, for exportation. 



The samples analysed at the Government Laboratory on 

 behalf of the Board of Agriculture were far more numerous 

 than for any other branch of the Government ; they numbered 

 1,071 in 1896-7 and 1,516 in 1897-8. The great majority of 

 these were of imported dairy produce, and details concerning 

 these are given elsewhere (p. 369). Of other articles analysed 

 by Dr. Thorpe on behalf of the Board mention may be made 

 of feeding-stuffs, and particularly samples of cakes which 

 were suspected, and found, to contain anthrax germs. 



Aimztal Local Taxation Retums [England and Wales)^ 1896-7. 



These accounts of the receipts and expenditure of the various 

 local bodies in England and Wales are issued in seven parts*, 

 of which the last forms a summary of the information detailed 

 in the other six. This summary shows that the aggregate 

 receipts (excluding loans) of all these local authorities in 

 1896-7 were ;£66,5 12,267, and the expenditure out of these 

 receipts ^64,710,459, both these totals having steadily 

 increased during the last five years. 



The chief item in the receipts was rates, which amounted 

 to £37,542,016, equivalent to 4s. 6Jd. in the pound on the 

 rateable value, ox £1 4s. 5d. per head of the estimated popu- 

 lation. The metropolitan rate, 5s. 8jd. in the pound, was 

 considerably above the 4s. 2jd., which was the average in the 

 rest of England and Wales. All these rates have shown a 

 steady increase from year to year during the past quin- 

 quennium. 



The numbers and prices of these Parliamentary papers are as follows : — Part I., 

 No. 250, price is. ; Part II., No. 351, 6id. ; Part III., No. 351, I., 5s. 6d. : 

 Part IV., No. 351, II., gid. ; Part V., No" 289, 6d. ; Part VI., No. 325, 7d. ; and 

 Part VII. (smnmary), No. 351 III., is. i^d. 



