LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 1189, 5 October 1945, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Vital Statistics. Following are the vital statistics for the month of September with the previous years in parentheses: Births 21 (16); deaths, 4 (3); marriages, 1 (3). For the quarter ending September were as follows: Birth, 50 (37); deaths, 12 (8); marriages, 7 (12). Fencourt W.l.’s Success. At the South Auckland Festival held in Hamilton on Tuesday, members of the Fencourt Women’s Institute gained first place in the verse speaking choir. In the unseen reading class in which there were several entrants, Mrs A. J. Swayne, of Fencourt, was the winner. Seat of Government A written reply was given by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) in the House of Representatives to a suggestion by Mr C. Morgan Williams (Government, Kaipaoi), that the seat of Government should be shifted to Blenheim. Mr Fraser’s reply, was: “The question no doubt will be kept steadily in view by many successive governments.” New Milk Bar Proprietor. In this issue 'Md J. W. Collins, formerly of Waihi, where he was in business as a stationer, announces that he has assumed the management of the “Tip Top Milk Bar” at the Triangle Corner, until recently conducted by Mrs Wilson. A complete line of “Tip Top” products will be stocked and the people will be catered for with all light refreshments. September Weather in Cambridge. Cambridge experienced 14 wet days during the past month, the total raipfall being 5.11 inches compared with 2.81 inches for the corresponding month of the previous year. The maximum fall for any one day was 1.22 inches on the 25th. The total rainfall in this district for the quarter was 13.91 inches, compared with 10.88 inches for the same period of 1944. Fishing Season Opens. The fishing season opened on October 1 in all districts except the Taupo and Rotorua areas, which will open their season next month and close it on May 14. Little success was achieved by the few sportsmen who sought trout in the Waipa River as the water was discoloured. A few parties established camps on the riverside of the Waihou River. Conditions were ideal and the water very clear; although the rainbow trout were small they made good sport. Australian Sales Tax Sales tax on materials required for a £I2OO home, including a hot-water service, amounts to £3O, if built according to the Housing Commission’s standards. The fittings are of low quality, therefore on a more expensive house the sales tax would be much higher. The tax, varying from 121 to 25 per cent, adds to the cost so "much that the Building Industry Congress of Victoria has written to the Prime Minister (Mr Chifley) asking for its removal, claiming that the Government promised some time ago to afford relief by removal of the tax on heavy materials, such as bricks, timber, and cement. However, many fittings carry a tax of 12 h per cent, and those for lighting and heating 25 per cent. The president of the Congress has pointed out to the Prime Minister that the sales tax becomes portion of the capital charge and adds to the burden of homebuilding. Much of the limited building programme has been carried out by Government authorities for rental, and materials purchased are free of sales tax, thereby placing the private building contractor at a disadvantage. ;