NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 102, 26 October 1929, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

Yesterday in Parliament.

Taxation matters again occupied the House of Representatives for the whole of yesterday's sitting, but by 5.55 p.m., when ■' tho House adjourned until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, the House had something to show for its labours. The Land and Income Tax Ameudment Bill, which had been before the House for the best part of tho week, was read a third timo by 43 votos to 2ii and passed, but not boforo a fairly lengthy discussion, during whieb members oXprcssod themselves in very plain terms in rogard to tho proposals of the Government. With this hurdle out of the way, the House gavo a rapid passago to tho Land and Income Tax* (Annual) Bill, although the Opposition challenged, the clauso providing for special land taxation. On a division the clauso was retained by 41 votes to 23. Just before t.ho House adjourned the Acting-Leader (tho Hon. G. W. Forbos) made a statement in reforenco to the London loan mystery in which it was admitted that the Prime Minister was acting under a misapprehension whon ho made- his previous statements. New Zealand Birds Exported. A consignment of swans, ducks, and wekns forward on tho steamer Canadian Transporter as a gift from the Auckland City Council to tho City of Toronto arrived in good condition, according to advice which has reached Mr. J. B. Patorson from the Canadian National Steamships offico in Montreal. With the exception of the death of one of tho black swans during the voyago, tho shipment was in overy way successful (states the "New Zealand Herald"). Tho gift was mado in return for one from Toronto to the Auckland Zoo. Tho "Toronto Mail and Empire" of 11th September said: "Eight blaek swans, four grey ducks, and two wolcas, the gift of the city of Auckland, Now Zealand, to Toronto, havo arrived at Riverdalo Zoo. Thoy finished their lengthy voyage in good hoalth and buoyant spirits, which is a good thing, particularly as regards the wekas, for J tho weka is rapidly passing into tho class of the dodo. Ho is a tailless sort of woodcock." Shifting tho Blame. A correspondent, "Disgusted" writes protesting against, the "haphazard methods of the Post Office authorities" in regard to tho delivory of South Island mails on Saturday mornings. Since tho inauguration of "dolivery from Newtown Post Office," ho says, "South Island mail is more often than not held over for delivery on Monday morning, which means a lobs of timo, and is also a great inconvenience." Tho complaint was submitted to the Post Offico authorities, who give the following reply: "Itcnn be stated definitely that tho mails' received from tho South by ferry steamer reach tho Wellington South Post Offico on tho morning of arrival at Wellington, and aro included in tho morning delivory the same day. A proportion of correspondence for dolivery n Newtown from the Wellington South Post Offico is wrongly nddressod to Wellington, notwithstanding requests to the public that it bo addressed to Wellington South. Occasionally some of this correspondence misaos dolivery on tho morning of arrival, owing to the fact that the sorting at the Wellington Chief Post Office is not comploted in time to permit of the correspondence connecting with tho first delivory by postmon from tho Wellington South Post Office."

Destructors or Dumps? Commenting further upon tho several suggestions which have been made at various times for the removal of the city destructor from Clyde quay and its replacement by some other system or systems, the Mayor, Mr. G. A. Troup, remarked this morning that the problem would by no means be easy of solution, chiefly on the score of cost. It would be a very costly business to set up complete destructors in three or four districts. The matter of establishing dumps in suitable localities in outlying districts would have to be looked into, said Mr. Troup, for there were several gullie3 away from the immediate vicinity of -houses where tips and dumps could be established without giving] cause for complaint, and which, in the long run, would transform unusable land into valuable level spaces. If such dumps were established a triple system of tipping, burning, and covering tbe remaining spoil with clay or broken rock, would be followed, to form a sound I filling—a different business altogether from the old-style dump, on which all sorts of material was tipped in no sort of order, in a loose, untidy" mass. Drains on City Subdivisions. Satisfaction was expressed in the Legislative Council yesterday with the power conferred in the Wellington City and Empowering and Amendment Bill requiring owners subdividing land to construct sewerage and storm water drains. On the previous day Sir Francis Bell had expressed the view that the power was excessive. Replying to the point yesterday, the Hon. T.'S. Weston, the piember in charge of the Bill, said he had conferred with the City Solicitor (Mr. O'Shea), and was.satisfied that the clause was a reasonable one. Mr. 0 'Shea had frankly admitted that the power given was in excess of that conferred in the Municipal : Corporations Act, but he had pointed out that- there were special circumstances in Wellington owing to configuration of the city and consequent difficulties in regard to drainage on comparatively small subdivisions of land, especially in the suburbs. Owing to the necessary drainage work not having been done when the land was originally subdivided, the position now.jras that somebody had to pay for it, and the Bill enabled the City Council to place the responsibility on a subdividing owner. If the City Council was required to do the work' it would find the obligation rather expensive. Sir Francis Bell said he.was glad of the explanation. The clause appeared to be quite reasonable. The Bill was passed without amendment. Tramway Passes. The question of free tramway' passes for councillors has been discussed several times by the Auckland City Council since the tramway undertaking was handed over to the Transport Board, states the "New Zealand Herald." Some time ago the board offered to issue yearly passes to members of local bodies in its area at £6 6s each. After some further discussion on Thursday evening the City Council decided to authorise the Town Clerk to furnish certificates, as required by the board, in respect of any councillors who wished to take advantage of the offer. The Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, explained that the Government had been asked to amend the law to allow of free passes boing issued. If this were done, proportionate refunds would be" allowed to pass-holders. "Will the council lend us the £6 6s in the meanwhile?" jocularly asked Mr. T. Bloodworth. "No," replied the Mayor. "The law would not allow it."