BRITISH AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 18969, 16 June 1923, Page 5

BRITISH AFFAIRS

BETTING TAX COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME OUTLINED (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright). (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, June 14. The Betting Tax Committee, listened to an expert witness of the Customs Board to explain a scheme for collecting the tax. It was proposed to issue tickets at sixpence, shilling, five shillings and ten shillings. which would be punched at the post t)ftices. The bookmakers will be required ro deface each, preventing stamped tickets being used again. This could be done by the Bell punch system to that used by tram conductors. The chairman: Would a punch be posable in the great rush before a race. Witness: There was bound to be inconvenience in the collection of all taxes. When the bookmaker was supplied with •very kind of ticket there should not be any difficulty . The scheme recommends that licenses should be issued to offices for book hets, to replace street betting. A personal license, on similar lines to that for an auctioneer, should be issued for bookmakers and a separate license for each betting office. Betting could be either cash, •rvdit or totalisator. FATAL HOSPITAL FIRE. LONDON, June 14. A fire occurred in the open air ward of the Ministry of Pensions Hospital for disabled soldiers at Birmingham. Of 20 men in the ward at the time of the outbreak twelve spinal patients who were strapped in their beds were unable to move. They became terror-stricken as they saw the flames approaching. A constable and two hospital orderlies made gallant efforts to rescue them. The smoke was so dense that they had to take spells in the fresh air. The fire spread with the greatest rapidity. Owing to a high wind several patients had their clothes burned, but all were saved except two. In a final effort the rescuers reached a burning bed and brought out a mass of bed-clothes, but the man inside died In a few moments. The other man was bULued alive. A NOTABLE WEDDING. LONDON, June 14. (Received June 15, 2.10 p.m.) The marriage of Lady Mary Campbridge to the Marquis of Worcester at Saint Martaret’s Church was shorn of must of its brilliance, including the cancelling of a big reception, owing to Court mourning. The King, Queen and other royalties were present and took leave of the couple at the ehurch gate. The bride was dressed in white silver brocade. The dresses wgre beautiful but simple.