TELEGRAPHIC.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1628, 8 March 1884, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

: . (PRESS ASSOCIATION,) Wellington, Friday. Arrived—Barque Loch Ken, captain Wilson, under charter N.Z. Shipping i Co., left London December 4. She had fair weather during the passage, Great changes are contemplated in the Public Works and Railway Departments in the direction of amalgamations and- retrenchments. The officials in the Colonial Architect's Department having already received notice that their services will not be required after the 31st of March, the business formerly conducted by this Department will now be undertaken by tho Public Works It is probable that amongst other reductions the establishment of an Engineer-in-Charge of the Middle Island will be abolished. These changes will effect a saving of £4,000 a year, As the railway revenue has not realised expectations (owing to heavy reductions in tariff in 1881-1882, while 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 Gaw, late of Christchurch, has received the appointment of Traffic Manager at Invercargill, and he will now relieve Mr Grant, of Gore. This change has been rendered necessary owing to the increase of traffic that has taken place south of Dunedin.

New Plymouth, Friday. , A fire occurred here last evening at the. Sash and Door Factory, which, however, was quickly suppressed.; ';' Tfc

ovorheated and igniting the floor of the second story;, not much damage was done. . .

An attempt to burn down a build-1 ing at the corner of Devon and Brougham street, was discovered yesterday afternoon, The fire had, however, burnt itself out, Haweka, Friday, A fire broke out last night in the same premises as where tho fire ocouved on Wednesday morning. Suitor's place was on this occasion gutted, and Brooke's partly so, Eobins, Pierard, and Company, Messrs Pilchor, M, D, King, and several others lose, owing to damage done by the removal of goods. The circumstances are so suspicious that Suitor was arrested on a charge of arson. He was brought up this morning and remanded, £SOO bail being demanded.