WELLINGTON.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2223, 22 June 1908, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

[Special to “Times.”]

AVEL'LINGTON, June 20 THE AVEATIHE.It,

Tlio Government meteorologist reports that the weather during the month was on the whole mild and genial, but there, -woro remarkable differences in the rainfall over both islands, while parts, having northerly and westerly aspects had i iall considerably above the average. of former years. The rainfall was generally below the average on the eastern coast from East Cape southwards. The heaviest fills occurred on the western and northern parts of both islands, between'the sth and the 10th. during which dates barometeric pressure was low everywhere. Thunder, lightning and hail were reported with tlfe rising barometer in many places on the Ofcli and 10th. A s.m ill westerly wave of low pressure over the South Island on the loth and Kith brought a heavy rainfall on the West Coast at that time, hut between the 10tit and 22nd anti-cyclonic pressure was generally prevalent-. The days were then mostly warm and bright and the nights cold and frosty. During the 1 ist week of the month the weather was everywhere very unsettled, frequent showers and electrical disturbances being experienced, but on the morning of the 3-lst a hard frost was reported in many parts of the Dominion. MAIN TRUNK LINE.

Air. Hall-Jones says ho expects to hand over the North Island Main Trunk line to the Railway Department on tlio Ist November. TWs wili be a much hotter performance tlnn was anticipated. The Minister says the good progress that has been made could have been increased hut for difficulties for which the Department is not responsible. “We are stopped.” lie said, “in our rail-laying south of Makatoke by the Mongonuiotoau bridge. Instructions have been given to cart the rails and sleepers to the couth side of tin's bridge. Tills will involve considerable expense, but it is more th in justified by the .saving that will he effected in haulage of ballast from the Ohakuno nits instead of bringing it from as far away as Tamnaranui.” On the occasion of the Parliamentary trip to Auckland during fleet week, the journey will bo commenced at 11 p.m. so that the journey over the unballasted parts of the line and through the scenic portion of it will be done during daylight.

DR. FINDLAY’S PROPOSALS. Dr. Findlay's proposals regarding extra wages for increased effort do not meet with the approval of organised labor hero. The general opinion seems to be- that tlio competition amongst workers is keen enough as it is, and that it is not wise to set men at each other’s throats for the sabs of a few extra shillings per week. Tlio “cutting ill” by employers could not be averted, and in the opinion of the Trades and Labor Council anv system of classification or speeding-up is igaiust the well-being.of the workers.