DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7, 6 May 1912, Page 2

DOMINION NEWS.

(Per Press Association.) Palmerston, May I

The findinge of the Railway Appeal Board were delivered tin's morning in the cases heard yesterday. In regard to Porter Short’s appeal against dismissal, the Court was unanimously of the opinion that the appellant was not under the influence of liquor; but it was at the same time of the opinion that appellant should have signed on time, as requested. .The Court recommended that a fine of £1 would meet the case. With regard to the appeal of Porter Murphy against dismissal, the Court was of the opinion that there were faults both on the part of appellant and the coaching foreman, and that both parties were heated. The exercise of tact on the part of the superior officer would, in the opinion of the Court, probably have prevented the occurrence (refusal to put luggage in van). The incident is an isolated one in the service. The appellant considered that the punishment outweighed the offence: The opinion of the Court was that , the appeal should be upheld. Dr.' .McArthur congratulated all concerned on the amicable manner in which proceedings had been conducted. Auckland, May 4. The Talune brings news that a French syndicate 'under the auspices of' the French Government intend to carry out harbour improvements at Papeete in view of the opening of the Panama Canal. It is stated that £900,000 will be spent in the construction of wharves" and a dry dock capable of accommodating the largest vessels passing through the Canal and deepening and improving the approaches to the port. A representative of the French Government was at Papeete making arrangements for labour and the supply of material. The work is to be commenced in three or four months. The trouble existing for some time among the nursing staff of the hospital has culminated in the resignation of the deputy lady superintendent and practically all the heads of the nursing department, who, (in a petition to |the Board, state that they cannot tf|th justice either to the institution or to themselves continue under the management of the present lady superintendent. This action followed upon Mr P. M. Mackay, who had championed the cause of the petiI tinners, being removed from the chaiir- ! rnanship of the Board, on a ballot ren- ; derccl necessary by equal voting for ' himself and Mr Schofield, the rival candidate. John Norman Bigg, 21, and Robert Pomcry, 17 were arrested yesterday and charged with the theft of a steward’s portmanteau containing articles worth £6O aboard the Aorangi in Wellington yesterday week. Pomcry was employed on the boat while Rigg was a hotel porter. Both disappeared after the theft and were traced to Auckland. They were remanded to appear at Wellington.