London, May 12 (Received May 13, at 1.15am): After a two hours’ meeting to-day the Trade Union Council went to Downing Street. The Daily Chronicle understands that the miners, last night, requested the Trade Union Council to call off the strike in the interests of the miners but the Trade Union Council denied the story. Otago Harbour ferries to cease Insufficient passenger traffic on the two harbour ferry steamers has resulted in the directors of the Peninsula Ferry Company deciding to bring its operations to a close. As a consequence of this step, which has been taken with great reluctance by the directors, the harbour services will cease with the 6.30 p.m. trip on Saturday, May 22.  The motor buses entered into competition with the steamers, and the resultant loss of transport caused the directors to come to their present decision. Palmerston’s new hospital ‘‘It is up to date in every way, and in my opinion is perfectly equipped.…