TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1919, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

fPEK PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPTBIGHT.] HEAVY RAIN. DUNEDIN, Jan. 27. It lias rained heavily in Central Otago, and Clut-ha and Taieri ltivers threaten to overflow their hanks. LICENSE ENDORSED. DUNEDIN, Jan. 27. John Douglas Warden of Port Chalmers, had his license endorsed for supplying liquor on the Sunday that the Tahiti, with returned soldiers, arrived.

THE MALTA’S TROOPS. SOME INFLUENZA ABOARD. WELLINGTON, Jan. 27. The P. and 0. -Malta arrived here this morning from. Egypt with troops. Oil the trip across the Indian Ocean some of the 268 Raratongaus showed slight pneumonia symptoms and 16 were landed at Freemantle. Eight more cases were reported on the voyage from Freemantle to Wellington. Six of these were Raratongaus, two others being New Zealand soldiers, one being an officer. All the Raratongan soldiers and contacts have been landed on Somes Island as well as the two Now Zealand soldiers affected. All the other troops, after being inoculated and passed through the inhalation chamber are to be allowed to land tomorrow morning

A BIG FLOOD. WAIMATE, Jan. 27. The Waitaki River is iu phenomiually high flood. Ivurow reports a rise of' 2ft. and still rising. Old settlers sav tbe river is the highest since IS6S. EMPLOYERS LIABLE. for WAGES FOR LOST TIME. WELLINGTON, January 27

The liability of employers to pay wages for time lost during the epdemic is the subject of an opinion just given by the Solicitor-General. He advises that the compulsory closing of places by the Health Department does not take away the obligation of an employer to pay wages. The only employers who can refuse to pay arc those who took occasion to terminate the engagement of their servants in a proper manner. However, in certain cases of employment by the day or by the hour, the terms may be such that the mere closing of the premises is sufficient- notice to terminate. The Solicitor General also says that whether premise< are closed or not, employers are linbh,. until employment terminates to pay wages to employees absent from illness, Employers' liability will be the subject of test eases this week.