LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 January 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There is still a shortage of labor on the coast, and factories in particular are experiencing difficulty in obtaining the necessary number of men to carry out the work they have on hand (writes our Pungarehu correspondent). A London cable states that the Eastbourne beach murder appeals were dismissed. The two men sentenced to death for the murder of a girl typiste will therefore suffer the extreme penalty. The housing problem in Greymouth (says the Star) continues to grow more acute. It is impossible for a housewife to take down her curtains for a wash without having the place beseiged with house-hunters anxious to know if the house is to let.

The postal authorities advise that the s.s. Tarawera sailed from Sydney at noon on January 15 for Bluff. She carries 57 bags of mails for Wellington and Auckland. The s.s. Somerset sailed from Melbourne at noon on January 15 for Wellington, with 76 bags of mails, including two bags from Africa. The Wanganui Harbor Board are looking towards Mount Egmont for a supply of stone to complete the moles. The Board has decided to open negotiations with the Minister of Public Works to get a quotation for a supply of up to 100,000 tons of stone from the source referred to. —Chronicle.

At the last meeting of the Egmont County Council, outstanding rates were stated to be £7049. These carry, since the 6th inst., 10 per cent addition, or £705, and Or. W. R. Wright pointed out that as the interest on overdraft came to £660 the ratepayers were enjoying the benefits of a big overdraft at the expense of the careless ones, without one penny of cost. The Home liner Pakeha signed off thirty-one stewards at Lyttelton yesterday, the men having been engaged only as far as Lyttelton. When the Pakeha was signing on the stewards at Home there were hundreds of applications. Some of the Pakeha’s men yesterday signed on the Manuka, but it is stated they wer£ not aware that the Manuka’s stewards had given notice when they signed on. They will have to make the round trip before they can sign off.— Press Association.

Speaking at a meeting held under the auspices of the at New Plymouth last night,, for the purpose of-forming an orchestra, the president of the association A. M. Mac Diarmid) said that a rumor had gained currency that the movement by the R.S.A. was with the idea of working against the Citizens’ Band. Mr. Mac Diarmid gave this j«a complete denial, pointing out that the proposal was' mooted long before there was any general idea ns to the trouble in the band.

Inquiries have been made from the Wanganui Borough Council by the Batea County Council in connection with a supply of hydro-electric power. At a meeting of the Borough Council on Tuesday evening the Mayor moved that Patea County Council be informed of the negotiations in progress, which so far have not reached a definite stage. The Mayor believed that it would be open for Patea County Council to come into the proposed power board area.—Wanganui Chronicle.

A return of Egmont County road balances shows that the Main South Road, Rahotu riding, from Oaonui to Puniho Rpad, is £3444 in credit, three by-roads are £144 in debit, while the remaining by-roads of the riding are £2623 in credit. In Upua three roads, including the Main South, are £B5O in debit, all the other roads being £B5B in credit. In Oeo nine roads, including the Eltham Road, are £3221 in debit, against six roads £4476 in credit, the Main South qnd the Skeet roads contributing £3066 of this.

A speaker at' a meeting of those interested in the formation of an orchestra, held in New Plymouth last night, said he thought some effort should be made to get in touch with the conductor of the New South Wales orchestra and put the request that on the next visit a better class of music should be played than on the occasion of the last tour. Mr. R. N. Nenaud replied that he understood New Plymouth would not ne included in the tour owing to the difficulty of theatre accommodation, and that the orchestra would only go to Hawera.

Speaking with regard to the section of the new Land and Income Act which provides for the next collection of land and income tax, the Prime Minister said that it was necessary to bear in mind that the increase in the total maximum rate, from 7/6 to 8/9, was not so heavy as would appear from a superficial comparison of the rates, and, by the way, this increase, if it was required, would not come into operation until, in the case of land tax, November of this year, and in the case of income tax, February of next year—just about the time when, according to present appearances, increased revenue might be urgently required. The existing taxation was 3s in the £ ordinary income rate, levied on taxable income, and 4s 6d in the £ levied on assessable income, that was, income before exemptions had been deducted (the proposed 8s 9d was taxable income only). The tax was admittedly heavy, but lie thought that the probable effect had been greatly exaggerated.

\“A baby in the home is a well-spring of pleasure,” so quotes the proverb. Every fond mother will be pleased to note an offering of babies’ soft clothing made by the Big Store Waitara, on page 4.

A sale of more than ordinary interest is now running at the New Zealand Clothing Factory, New Plymouth. This firm is noted for the large and well-as-sorted stocks that they carry each season, hence the necessity for a clearing sale at the end of each season, prior to the arrival of new season’s goods. Parents will be well advised to visit the

“H. 8. store while solid savings can be made on all purchases of clothing, mercery, and boots. Genuine reductions have been made in all departments. — New Zealand Clothing Factory, New Plymouth.

The Commissioner, of Taxes draws the attention of taxpayers to the notification appearing in to-day’s issue that the due date, of payment of the. income tax and special war tax is on Monday, the 7th day of February, 1921. Additional tax will accrue if the tax is not paid on or before February 28, 1921. The demands will be posted from the office of the Commissioner of Taxes on or about January 31, 1921. It should be noted, however, that individuals whose surnames commence with the letters I, J. K, N, O. P will not receive their demands until some days Jater. In these cases a new due date—viz., February 21, 1921—will be fixed under section 127. Additional tax will accrue twenty-one theraafter.