WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4732, 7 March 1884, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

This day.

[Pee Pbess Association^

At aoanquest on Thqs. Madigan, killed on the railway, a verdict of " Accidental Death " was returned. The evidence showed that the train was going 17 or 18 miles an hour. The whistle was sounded and every effort made to warn the deceased and stop the train, bat without effect. Hetpas standing with his back to the line, apparently taking no notice. • The Harbor Board has approved of Mr Napier Bell's plans for the improvement of the Harbor. .

H.M.S. Espeigle leaves for Auckland on Monday. Arrived: Barque Loch Ken, Captain Wilson, under charter for the New Zealand Shipping Company. She left London, December 4. She had a fair weather passage.

Great changes are contemplated in the Public Works and Railway Departments in the direction of amalgamation and retrenchments. The officials in the Colonial Architect's Department have already received notice that their services will not be required after the 31st March. The businesl formerly conducted by this department will be now undertaken by the Public Works. It is probable that, amongst.other reductions, the establishment of the Engineer in-charge of the Middle Island will be abolished. These changes will effect a saving of £4000 a year. As railway revenue has not realised expectations (owing to heavy reductions in the tariff in 1881-1882), whilst the cost of maintenance has considerably increased owing to heavy renewals that are requisite as the lines continue to age, it is most likely that the tariff will be increased so as to make railways pay at least 3 per cent, upon their cost.

Mr Gow, late of Christehurca, has received the appointment of traffic manager at Invercargill, and he will now relieve Mr Grant, traffic manager at Dunedin, of all lines south of Gore. This change has been rendered necessary owing to the increase of traffic that has taken place south of Dunedin.