THE "UNEMPLOYED" QUESTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4862, 29 November 1883, Page 3

THE "UNEMPLOYED" QUESTION.

A COMET REPORTED. [Pbb Pbbss Association. J DUNEDIN, Nov. 28. The Ohairman of the Ohamber of Commerce having telegraphed to the Minister of Publio Works about the stoppage .of work on the unemployed section of the Otago Central line, Mr Mitchelaon replies as follows :— "Mr Blair has evidently misunderatood his instructions. The following telegram waa sent by my directions to Mr Blair on Saturday :— 1 Hon Mr Mitohelson direots me to point out that the Government do not wiah to throw such a large number of mon immediately out of employment, yet they muat insist on the number being gradually reduced, giving tbe preference of work to those who most need it, keeping in view the oompetenoy of the men employed ; and I am to > remind you of telegraphing every Saturday tbe number of men employed.'" He adds thit he has now authorised the re-letting of the Deep Stream contraot, whioh the first tenderers failed to oarry out, and this, he says, will get over the difficulty. of the unemployed. DUNEDIN, Nov. 28. The repairs to the Botomahana are expeoted to be oompleted so that she will be ready for sea by Tuesday, in whioh case she will make the next trip to Melbourne. The Bingarooma will not leave for Melbourno tomorrow, as was intended. The Queenstown correspondent of the Star telegraphs :— " At two o'clook this morning a comet, nearly due south, was seen in the heavens. At 2.5 p.m. to-day a lurid mass shot through the sky, and was followed by a loud rumbling noise as of an explosion. Its direotion was north-east to south-east." -