AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1164, 12 April 1884, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Melbourne, April 9. An inquest has been held at Geelong on the body of Kitchen, driver of the cattle train, who was killed by the River collision. The evidence taken showed that the * staff ’ regulations hare of late been constantly in abeyance. The trial of Biddle, the Weribea stationmaster, for manslaughter, is fixed \ for July. The proposed official investigation of the circumstances attending the collision is not yet commenced.

The following re-arrangement of Ministerial offices is announced Mr Gillies becomes a Minister for Public Instruction, and retains the portfolio of Works ; Mr Berry relinquishes the Postmaster-Generalship, which is to be taken by Mr James Campbell ; and Mr Tbornley, M.L.C., joins [the Ministry without portfolio. The Navigation Board concluded the ) inquiry into the Adelaide-Wairarape collision to-day, and delivered its decision. This was that the Adelaide being the overtaking vessel, was bound by the regulations to keep out of the way of the Wairarapa, and that Captain Lockyear was therefore responsible for the casualty. Taking into consideration the darkness, and the danger of the channel, the Board considered it higWf reprehensible to proceed at such a high rate of speed, when the vessels were in dangerous proximity. The Board bus- __ . pended the certificate of Captain * Lockyear for two months, and severely censured both masters, and cautioned them as to the future. Captain Derhin, Nautical Assessor, entered a protest against the finding of the Board, being of opinion that both masters were responsible for the collision. Sydney, April 9. Tawhiao visited the Government y offices to-day, and received some attention from the Ministers who were present. In the Legislative Assembly to-night, the Bill empowering the University Senate to grant additional degrees, and also to confer degiees upon women was agreed to.