OFFICIAL WIRELESS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 July 1928, Page 1

OFFICIAL WIRELESS

[Special to Press Assn, by Radio.] RATING RELIEF. BRITISH LEGISLATION. RUGBY, June 20. A Ministry of Health memorandum explains the . proposed changes in local government administration, to take effect when the Government scheme of relief from local rates, now fieforc Parliament, comes into operation. They involve, readjustment of the duties of the smaller local government authorities and transference of some of these duties to tho larger ones. Tho most important change is the transference of poor law administration from local hoards of guardians of the poor to county councils and county borough councils, but it will be open to these local authorities to delegate their poor law functions to the existing committees. Under this scheme the London County Council will take over the poor law duties in London from the Metropolitan Asylums Board, and the cost of relief in London will be spread over the whole county area. It is similarly proposed, in view of the changed character of road transport, that county councils and county borough councils should take over the duties of road maintenance, thus relieving the local authorities of the responsibilities for keeping up important roads in their areas used lor through traffic. In order to distribute local burdens more evenly the rearrangement and increase of State grants is provided for.—British Official Wireless.

TOUR, OF FLYING BOATS. RUGBY, June 29,

Tlio four Royal Air Force flying boats of the Southampton all-metal type, which arrived at Melbourne today, have completed the most ambitious service flight ever attempted. The (light has been remarkable for the iaet that the machines, have throughout flown according to fixed schedule and without mishap. After remaining in Melbourne for about two months, during which period the vessels will be overhauled, they will proceed along the east and north coasts of Australia to Singapore, which will bo their base in future.—British Official Wireless.