GENERAL TELEGRAMS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 109, 8 June 1909, Page 3

GENERAL TELEGRAMS

RAILWAY SERVANTS AND THE . MINISTER. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Chiistchurch, Last Night. An emergency meeting of the committee of the Canterbury branch ot tii; Amalgamated Railway Servants was held yesterday. The chairman stated that the meeting had been called for the purpose of considering what action should be taken with regard to the position in,which the railway employees had been placet! by the attitude of tile Minister for Railways vetoing the Uncling of the South Island Appeal Hoard in the case of a train examiner who appealed against his (reduction from a higher to a lower position. A eopv of the decision, which had ,l>een unanimously agreed to by members of tin Board, and a copy of the letter received from the General Manager of Railways stating that the Milliner, alter careful consideration, could not see his way to give.ell'ect to the 1 Ward's liiuling, were read. After a long discussion, during which it was slated that the intention of 'Parliament was being deliberately set aside, it was resolved to forward copies of tlit! Board's finding and the Minister's decision to the senior member of Parliament for Canterbury, with a request that he should convene a meeting of all members of Parliament interested in railway matters, with a view to having the whole question reviewed by them. It was also resolved lo request the General Secretary of the Society to cooperate with the branch.

SOLAR STORMS. Christchnrch, Last Night. Clement L Wraggo writes that a great storm lias suddenly broken out near the centre of the Mill's disc, ami measures about 23,000 miles in diameter. It may be regarded as abnormal, and in connection therewith we mav expect to hear by cablegram of further seismic disturbance and auroral displays. Probably, also, ship's compasses will be affected Vv vtheric vibrations and the acceleration of electrons caused by this unusual energy. The abnormal prolongation of solar storms may be due to the influence of a dark sun acting from without our solar system. ; SEARCH I'OK TIIE WOOTTON. Cliristchureh, Last Night. The Union Company's tug Terawhiti, which left Wellington on Friday afternoon and zigzagged down the coast in search of the steamer Wootton, arrived i at Lvttelton at 7 odock last night. '.I lie ] tug left Wellington at the same time I as the Wootton was reported ftt Lytel-1 . ton Heads, and consequently it was too late to recall her. After an hour's stay in *port, the vessel left on her return to Wellington. The services of the tug were obtained by the Kaiapoi Trading Company at the rate of £5 an hour.

THE GEAR MEAT COMI'AN Y. Wellington, Last Night. The directors of t'lie fii'itr Meat * "■ to-day declared an interim dividend of five per cent, for tile six months end id May 31st. DKKACIIKS OK AWARD. Kotorna. List Xight. At the Stipendiary Magistrate's Convt to-day. the Mountain Itiimi Tinilier Co. was prosecuted liy the Inspector of Awards in paying a carpenter less than j the 'award wa;;e. The wages paid was eight -billinjrs and sixpence and the award wage is nine shillings. Defendants urged that the man employed was a general useful hand, not a carpenter. The company wis fined ,£2 and 12s costs', 'llie liartlioloniew Timiier and Land Co. was also prosecuted by the ' s;nne inspector on the same charge. Defendants urged that one shilling a week was kept hark for rent of a cottage in which the man lived. The company was lined £7. and costs and mileage ,'ltte. A CONSTABLE DTRMTSSKI). Wellington. Last Night. Constable Mills was to-day dismissed from the. service for lieing intoxicated while on duty in Wellington city on Saturday niglit.

VNfVRRSAL TMIXim hiluierston X.. fast Xight. t\rr. K. MeXal> addressed an iimncns" and enthusiastic meeting at the Opera llou*e to-night. He was applauded throughout, and at the close of his address a resolution in favor of universal militiirv training was carried unanimously. The meeting closed with dicers for the Kinir. A message from Col. Gori ton. cordially endorsing "Mr. McXah's crusade, wan received with hearty cheeks ! mul a message of sympathy was sent to I Col. Gorton.