TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1921, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

[BY TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] PUBLIC SERVICE. NEW CLASSIFICATION LIST. WELLINGTON, July 12 The Public Service classification list has just been issued, and is being examined with much interest in Government Departments. Very many of the salaries particularly in the middle grades are unaltered, and the list shows evidences of a demand for economy in the Public Service. Fairly substantial increases in salary have been granted, however, to senior officers in some of the Departments. Among the increases are the following:— Secretary to Public Service Commission. 6700 to £750; Inspector of Public Service Commission, £6OO to £700; Chiet Clerk, kilblie Service Commission, £550 to £6OO : Chief Clerk Treasury Department, £6OO to £650; seven audit Inspectors, Audit Department, £6OO to £650; Secretary P.S. Superannuation Office, £6OO to £650; Commanders Government steamers, £7OO to '£7so; Dominion Analyst, £BSO tb £959 ; Director Dominion Architect Public Works Department, £BSO to £900; Assistant Engincer-iit-Chief Public Works Department, £9OO to £950; Supt. Government Printing Office £6OO to £650. WELLINGTON CITY FINANCE. WELLINGTON, July 7. There has been a fair response, to the Mayor’s appeal to ratepayers to pay a proportion of their rates in advance anil so help to reduce the Council’s overdraft. One firm paid in £430 on account—others paid sums varying from £lO to £IBO. Other ratepayers are expected to follow tho example set hy those who appear to appreciate the Council’s difficulty. 'Hie Mayor (Mr R. A. Wright, M. 1 has expressed gratification at the result of his appeal,

At the City Council meeting to-night a statement showing the financial position of the city was presented. The gross overdraft was stated to be £3Bl, 796, while accounts in credit as a setoff against the overdraft represented £130,185. The sum advanced hy the bank on the security of debentures was £96,265. The public debt of the city was £2,455,800, less accumulated sinking funds £499,200; net debt £1,956,600. The assets were set dowrt at £4,000,000

It was agreed that the figures disclosed a fairly strong financial position notwithstanding the overdraft.

AN ILLICIT CONCESSION. AUCKLAND. July 12. Air Po.vnton S.M. gave his reserved decision in the charge against Cornelia”. AlcDevitt, who used an order for a railway concession ticket without being entitled to do so. Accused was not a railway servant. Ho presented all older at Auckland for a quarter fare c-oti-cossion ticket to Wellington, saying it was for his wife. Accused used tin ticket for himself, and when detected tried to bribe the inspector. How got possession of the order was noi disclosed. The Magistrate sentenced accused to fourteen days imprisonment without the option of a fine. On Conn set's representation, he increased it to thirty two days, allowing the aechsed to lodge an appeal. A charge against F. C. Brewing ot having permitted AlcDevitt to exercise the concession in question was dis missed. MINERS UNION CITATION WELLINGTON. July 12. In a statement in reference to the citation of the Miners Union under the Industrial Conciliation Arbitration Act. Air Bishop, acting-Seeretary of the Aline Owners Association -states that thUnions have been invited to confer with the representatives of the Com panics. Only if those negotiations fa 1 will the present applications be proceeded with. The companies only availed themselves of the methods provided by the law of the land. In the proposals an attempt is made to remove certain anomalies but the rates of wages and tonnage rates remain the same as in the existing agreement. Mr Bishop appeals for a little friendly spirit of co-operation and abstention from expensive direct action methods.

Tliompson-Hotop Commission.

THOAIPSON EXONERATED. WELLINGTON July 12. The report of tlje Thonipson-Hotop Commission conducted by Air T. I<. Martin has been received. The Commission was set u]) to report on the proceedings and judgment of the courtmartial, which found Thompson guilty of knowingly making a false statement affecting the character of an officer by stating Captain Hotop was noticeably under the influence of alcoholic liquor when reporting on him at the Medical Board. Tlk> finding of the Commission is.that there was no objection to the constitution of the Court or its personality, and no objection was made by Thompson that the eourtmartinl acted wrongly in throwing the onus of proving th e good faith of his accusation up on Thompson, who made the accusation believing it to he true and had grounds for the. belief in the reputation of llotop in camp, and therefore the finding of the Court must he reversed. Hotop was sober at the Medical Board and bis reputation for insobriety was due to his manner. It was incredible that be should have been allowed to perform a larger number of operations than any other medical officer, if his condition bad been that which Thompson’s witnesses described. Had the accused been ; properly convicted, the sentence would | not have been excessive. Costs amount , ing. to £35 12s are awarded Thompson. and the Commission also' expresses the I opinion that he should be allowed costs j of the-eoiirtmaritial. Costs as awarded j are to be paid ,»it once by the Government, but the question of compensation, which was not submitted to th ( , Commission will ho referred to a Committee of Parliament for recommendation ip the usual way