WELLINGTON. October 13.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 7266, 14 October 1891, Page 2

WELLINGTON. October 13.

Ministers havo decided to give effect to the arrangement foreshadowed in the Public Works Statement for the amalgamation of tho Marino Department with the Public Works Department. Tho Public Works Department is to take over till tho functions of tho Marine Department in record to tho construction and maintenance of the lighthouses and harbor works and inspection of steamers and inspection of machinery. All other duties of the Marine Department, auch as examination of masters and mates, otc.» will be transferred to tho Customs. Mr H. J, H, Blow is to bo confirmed in the position of Under Secretary for Public Works, the responsibilities of which he has held for some time past. There will be some amount of alteration in the official positions in tho amalga mated departments. Tho inquest on Mrs Bickhouse, who died Romo days ago under suspicious circumstances, was resumed this morning. The result of the examination of tho raodicioo by tho fioverninent analyab was of a negative character and proved nothing. Tho jury returned un opon verdict. The revenue for tho last six months is well up to tho mark. On tho whole tho Customs nhow an increase, and the beub months ot the beer duty have to come* Tho railway receipts suffered materially by tho diminution of the grain traffic, but are improving, and, with the summor passenger traffic, the Commissioners have good hopes of producing their estimated net revenue of L414,0CJ for tho yoar. Captain Fairchild, of tho s.s. Iiinemon, which left for ono of her regular cruison this morning, has instructions to double tho sizo of tho food depots on the Auck* land and Campbell Islands, to build a boathouso at the Aucklands, and to loave two boats there, and also to orect a new depot at Bounty Island, Tho steamer lenic, from Lyttelton, lefb Rio for London yesterday with hor meab in good condition, Information has reached hero that Mr John Southern, formerly New Zealand rcpteseutativo of Messrs Ry lands and (Sons, of London, was run over by a rail" w<\y train at Perth, and killed, on tho 6tlt instant. Tho llotokiuo, with horses from Wellington, arrived at Calcutta on tho 8th instant. %