ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23512, 28 May 1938, Page 14

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

Questions will not be answered unless accompanied by the name and address of correspondents.

" Subscriber," Otago.—The Health Department controls septic tanks, and it would be wise to get into touch with the local officer. "Levy," Portobello.—The wages payable to an agricultural worker under 17 years of age are 18s 6d per week. For workers of the age of 17 years but under the age of 18 years, the wages are 24s per week. "Foggy," Oamaru.—As the total Income is in excess of £lO4 you are liable for the instalment of the employment levy. Repayments of loan money are not allowed as deductions in arriving at the net income. You are also liable for payment of the tax of 8d in the pound on income other than salary or wages. " Waitaki."—The motorist who repaired his tyre on the Waitaki bridge would have destroyed it by travelling 20 chains before repairing it. There is no provision in the by-law governing the passage of road traffic over the bridge under which a motorist is requfred to travel the whole length of the bridge without stopping to attend to any defect in his vehicle. " Subscriber."—The interest on British free-of-tax war stock is assessable for income tax in New Zealand. A widow is entitled to have an income of £2lO free of income tax. The rate of tax on earned income is Is 8d in the pound, increased by 1-100 of one penny for every £1 of income. The tax on unearned income is 33 1-3 per cent, in addition, " X Y Z," Allanton.—lncome from the rent of land, in the absence of a deed of partnership between husband and wife, is computed as husband's income. Where this exceeds £lO4 it becomes liable for the emergency charge on income other than salary or wages, irrespective of the husband being over the age of 65 years. If the net income from rent exceeds £2OO an income tax return must be furnished. "Never Too Old to Learn," Otekalke.— (1) In order successfully to bottle tomatoes it is Important to observe the following points:—(a) Choose sound, firm, ripe tomatoes, (b) With a damp cloth wipe each tomato clean, and then dry with another cloth, (c) Have the bottles heated before using, and while filling them stand on a folded towel. These precautions are necessary to prevent the cracking of the bottles, (d) Be careful to exclude all air. To ensure this fill the bottles to the top with water. Screw on the tops tightly and seal without delay, (e) Put away in a dry, cool place. Stand the bottles upside down if possible. Method: Put the tomatoes Into perfectly clean, warm jars, stand each jar on a folded cloth, and fill up with boiling water; then put the cover on, but not the rubber ring. Stand a preserving pan, or, better still, a kerosene tin, on the stove, place a very thick cloth or 'two or three kitchen towels evenly on the bottom. Then put in the jars containing the tomatoes, and fill the pan to within an inch of the top of the jars with cold water; then bring the water slowly to the boil. Let the water boil very gently from eight to twelve minutes, or until the tomatoes show signs of cracking, and then remove from the stove. If the tomatoes sink, fill up from another bottle or with more boiling water. The essential point is to fill to overflowing, so that all air is excluded. Now put on the rubber rings and fasten down. Leave in the water until cold. Next day the tops should again be screwed down, as glass contracts on ■ cooling, and the bottle turned upside down to see that no juice is escaping. (2) Amateur transmitters in New Zealand are allowed to put over occasional recordings, but the practice is being discouraged as much as possible. (3) The address is Mr M. Geddes, South Hillend, Winton R.D., Southland. (4) If you are wise you will consult the inspector of the Power Board before you attempt experimenting with electric currents.