TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1919, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

[PSU I’IIEBS ASSOCIATION. OOPXJUUUI. )

A RESIDENT MISSING. WELLINGTON, March 21. Stanley W. Horner ,a well-known Wellington business man, is reported to be missing. He left his home on Wednesday’ morning for his office, but did not arrive there, and he has not been heard of since. He has been in illhealth for some months and has been rather depressed since a severe attack of influenza.

FREEZING WORKERS’ DISPUTE. AUCKLAND, March 21. A decision to resume work was arrived at to-day by those men employed at the Westfield freezing works who had ceased work on the previous day owing to dissatisfaction with their wages, and conditions. The men will leave the settlement of their claims to the conference to be held in Wellington next month.

RAILWAY FARES AND FREIGHTS AUCKLAND, March 21.

The Minister of Railways, when visiting the Matamata A. and P. Show, stated .that the whole system‘of fares and rates was being enquired into, and would be altered entirely, though he could hardly bold out any great hope that the big increases which had been put on to meet war conditions would he taken off. All depended on the answoi he would have to give to the railway servants in the middle of April regarding increases of their salaries.

DEPARTURE OF MAKURA. AUCKLAND, March 21

The Makura was to have sailed at .5 p.m. for Vancouver, but at that hour eighteen firemen were absent front the the steamer. The men came down in a leisurely way to the boat, in twos and threes, and eventually the Makura got away at 8.15. p.m. Owing to the trouble at the AY estfield freezing works the Makura was unable to take 900 carcases of beef, and had to fill up with flax instead. AN UNUSUAL APPLICATION. CHRISTCHURCH, March 22 A unique applicaion was made to the Arbitration Court to-day, when the Tramway Board applied for a bonus of ten per cent, to its employees. F. Thompson, General Manager, explained 1 that the Union refused to meet the Hoard in Conference. It had voluntarily given the bonus of .71 per cent, since October last. It now asked the Court to legally fix the bonus under the War Regulations Act. H. Hunter, Union Secretary, opposed the application on the ground that Christchurch employees should receive the same wages as were given in Wellington. He submitted counter proposals but Court said it could not alter the award, unless a ballot of members of the Union were taken on the proposed alteration. The Court reserved its decision on the Board’s application.

PICTURE THEATRE HOURS. CHRISTCHURCH, March 22. Hon. G. W. Russell said a number of picture tea ti cs had opened in defiance of the Act passed last session. The Crown Law officers were of opinion that it was a breach of the Act and prosecutions has been ordered in several cases. Any proprietor found opening his theatre outside the hours allowed would be proceeded against. CASUALTIES. HAWERA, March 21. George Gray'a plumber, married wii four children, failed to return to town after work yeterday. A search was made, and iho man’s'body was found hanging from n tree about four chains away from the house where lie had been working. Deceased was of a. quiet disposition and apparently had no reason for his act. INVERCARGILL, March 21. The body of William Fred Dejoux, aged 20, who disappeared from home a week ago, was found floating in the harlitur near the jetty. Deceased had been suffering from the after-effects of influenza.