WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12648, 28 April 1903, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

(From Ouk Ow.v Coukksfondent.) WELLINGTON, April 27. Tho award in the case of tho Auckland cabinetmakers is rogarded here both by employers and some unionists to whom I have spoken as a serious blow to compulsory arbitration. It is thought possible that the situation will rosu[t in an endeavour td obtain fresh legislation to meet similar cases in the future.

Captain Abrnm, of the s.s. Kapiti, reporte that when about eight miles from the Pa tea bar six white whales were observed gambolling around the bows of the steamer. From what was seen of them tho whales appear to belong to the same class as the French Pass irhalo ("Pelonis Jaok"). Some were almost white, others partly to, (showing white streaks, as though they had been scraped with an iron or steel scraper. They gave a fine exhibition at the bow of tho little steamer, leaping almost half out of the water. The whales, which wero about 20ft long, followed tho vessel for miles. The last Gazetto contains 'the. annual statement of the position of the Kaitangata Jtelief Fund, During the year ended 31st March last 16 beneficiaries received sums aggregating £432, and the Public Trust Office £112 as commission. Tho proceeds of the sale of mortgage securities brought the funds £2500,. and interest added by the Public Trust Office on the minimum monthly balances brought £186. , The fund haq inpreasod during the ptot year from £3251 to £s«*. ' ■

The Otago Cremation Society is endeavouring to obtain a grant from the Pnblio Health Department for the erection of a crematorium. •