ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24606, 14 May 1941, Page 6

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

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

"Fair Play."—The statement which you make with reference to the last election has been publicly denied. "Absent Voter" (Oamaru).—There is no provision for absentee voting in local elections. "An Interested Onlooker," Owaka.— You have plainly no direct interest in the contest. " 1938-1941."—The Government has no voice in the appointments to the hospital staff. 'Anti-Humbug."—The letter to which you wish to reply did not appear in our columns. " Patent." Lawrence.—lnformation as to the procedure to be adopted in patenting an idea can be obtained from Messrs A. J. Park and Son. patent attorneys. A.M.P. Buildings, Princes street, Dunedin. "Curious," South Canterbury.—A man called for territorial service who is classed as C 3 would not be sent overseas, even if his name appeared in a ballot in which men were called for that service. Only Grade I men are sent overseas. "Fifty-fifty."—Under section 7 of the Local Elections and Polls Act. 1925, a returning officer has authority to set up a polling booth outside his electoral district, provided that he gives the notice required by the Act. This year the Government has made a special request that polling booths be set up so that electors will be able to economise in petrol to the greatest degree. "Builder," Waitati.—(l) Provided that the freehold section is wholly unencumbered, it is possible that the State Advances Corporation would accept it as security for a loan for building purposes. On application to the Dunedin office of the corporation full particulars, will be forwarded to you. (2) It is doubtful whether any firm or agency would make a loan on the section unless there were a building on it. •Inauirer." Dunedin.—(l) There is no definite scale of solicitors' charges in respect of deceased estates. The usual charges,' however, are £5 5s per £ 100. plus 1 per cent, of the eross value. Extra fees are charged on any real estate dealings. (2) The scale of death duties is too lengthy and comprehensive for publication in these columns, but trustee companies issue concise pamphlets which would probably give the information required. •Eager." Central Otago.—(l) A man discharged from the army as medically unfit for home service would not'be accepted for'overseas service because he is not in Grade I. His name may appear in the ballot, but he would not be called to camp. (2) Should he desire to reenter the army, he should put his case before the registration officer at the Drill Hall. Dunedin. in . which case he would probably appear before a medical board to determine his state of physical fh> ness. "Nurse."—When a nurse employed in a public hospital becomes ill. the action taken by the hospital authorities depends so much upon the circumstances of the case that it is difficult to indicate how much > • sick pay she would receive. It anpears to be the general rule that the Social Security Department and the Hospital Board contribute to a nurse's sick pay so that she receives an amount equivalent to her weeklv wage, with a maximum of £2 If she spends more than a month in hospital, the Social Security Department reduces its benefit to 5s per week as long as she is in the institution, but the hospital board's subsidy is not reduced.