LOCAL AND GENERAL

Chronicle (Levin), 13 June 1946, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Big Fire at Awanui A terrific explosion shook Russell early y^terday morning when a fire at Awanui destroyed a large garage. The damage is estimated at £6000 including a large quantity of recently-installed plant. The fire brigade ran out 1600 feet of hose and pumped water from the river. This action saved the adjoining building and prevented the threatened destruction of the whole of the town.

Almontls at Havelock North Sweet almonds, equal in quality and flavour to the overseas product. have been grown in the mild climate of Havelock North. Although the trees were orginally planted for their beauty, the value of the nuts, when they were unprocurable from overseas, was recognised, and it was found that they could easily be dried and prepared for use. The almonds produced this year are selling readify in Hastings, unshelled, at prices ranging from 5s to 6s 6d a pound. Seats on Catchment Boards Trades councils may be given representation on Catchment Boards. The Federation of Labour has approached the Government with the proposal with a view to saf eguarding land against the effects of mining operations. The president of the federation (Hon. A. McLagan) told the annual conference that this proposal was to receive the consideration of the Government, the requests having been made to the Ministers of Mines (Mr. Webb) and Lands (Mr. Skinner) . Pay as You Earn Approaches to the Minister of Finance urging an alteration in the income tax procedure in favour of a pay-as-you earn policy had been made by the federation, stated the annual report of the president, ®the Hon. A. McLagan, M.L.C., to the conference of the New Zealand Federation of Labour in Wellington. The representations brought forth the information that the Government still had the question under review and that every effort was being made to decentralise the Taxation Department to permit the introduction of pay-as-you-earn. the report stated. Small Man Not Included Attempts were being made to frighten small businessmen into believing that the^ Government would nationalise eveiyfching, said the president (Hon. A. McLagan) at the annual conference of the New Zealand Federation of Labour. Enemies of Labour claimed that the Government could go no further in its policy of socialisation without taking over every small business. "The Government would be mad to try to take over every small jetail business and farm in New Zealand." He said there was no likelihood of the Government attempting to do so. Precarious Power Situation During the past wfeek the consumption of electricity in the Horowhenua Power Board's district has been such • as to place it on the border of becoming a defauiter, and only by cut-offs has it.been possible to keep near the allocation. The managing-secretary (Mr. R. A. Frederikson) advised late yesterday afternoon that the allocation for the week ending next Tuesday would be the same as for last week, and that the greatest economy by consumers would be necessary. He added that some cut-offs might be required if there was a return to very cold weather.

New Number Plates Owners of motor vehicles are reminded that the new number plates must- be attached by July 1, according to the advice of the postmaster (Mr. L. A. Whitham) . This means that plates will have to be obtained from the post ofiice before mid-day on June 29,- which will be the latest hour for their purchase. In view of the usual last-minute rush on such occasions, owners would be well advised to relicense as soon as possible. The fees for this year are as follows: — Motor cycle, £1 17s; private car, £3; and trade motor vehicles, £3 12s. Although there are over one thousand vehicles to be relicensed in Levin, only 150 applications have been dealt with so far.