News in Brief

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 494, 1 July 1932, Page 6

News in Brief

Butter in the Factories. “ The quality of butter is often affected in the factories and not in the cowsheds,” said Mr I. Elmslie at a meeting of the Wanganui executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. The speaker pointed out that nowadays practically every cowshed was a model of cleanliness and its concrete floors were washed down every day. Referring to the old days, he recalled that cows often walked up to the cowshed knee-deep in mud and yet, in spite of the present-day improvements in caring for cream and milk, tests were lower than they were in years gone by. He considered that the factories were being “ too Scotch.” Maori Rents Unpaid. The reason why so many Maoris were approaching the Taranaki Hospital Board for charitable aid was that they were not receiving their rents for Maori land, said Mr E. R. C. Gilmour at a meeting of the board in New Plymouth last week. “ The position to-day is that the Maoris are not getting their "rents, and they have been dealing with butchers and bakers who will no longer give them credit,” Mr Gilmour added. “In the course of a few days it is expected that the whole matter will be made public. I have been informed from two or three sources that the rents due to the Maoris are two or three months overdue.” Income Tax Payments. From to-day income tax certificates to the value of £1 or multiples of £1 can be obtained in Christchurch. This is intended to assist taxpayers who wish to avoid the embarrassment of paying income tax in a single lump sum and, instead, spread the payment over six months. Interest by way of discount is allowed on the certificates at the Post Office Savings Bank rate of 31 per cent. This means that income tax certificates of £1 may be bought to-day for something over 19s. Until he receives his assessment, the taxpayer who wishes to take advantage of the scheme is apparently expected to estimate the amount of the levy himself, and to purchase as many certificates as he wants at any times that suit him. Any over-payments will be adjusted by the Income Tax Department at the end of the year, while under-payments will then have to be brought up to the required amounts. Wanganui Town Bridge. Work is in progress to protect the approach of the Wanganui town bridge from damage by earth falls. This bridge has an interesting history. It was originally built for erection across a French river, but for some reason was not used. The Wellington Provincial Government heard of the failure of the deal, and the bridge was bought for the Wanganui River. The » foundation stone was laid in 1809 with Masonic honours, and the bridge was opened by the Governor, Sir George Ferguson Bowen, on November 2S, 1871., Until about twenty years ago the bridge was provided with a central swinging portion tQ allow ships to pass up and down the river. With the increase in tonnage of vessels, however, the swinging section was not required, and conduits were laid along the pathway. As soon as the bridge was ready for traffic, and until March 30, 1883, a toll of a penny was charged every person crossing the bridge, and the proceeds were equally divided by the Wanganui Harbour Board and the Borough Council.