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New Zealand Mail, Issue 889, 15 March 1889, Page 29

New Zealandjrailway revenue for the four weeks ended 2nd February, amounted to L 85,286, as against L81,Q04 last year, a substantial improvement. The expenditure was L 53,371, against L 54,212, a continued decrease. For the 44 weeks of the financial year up to the same date the revenue and expenditure were L830,355and L 541,661 respectively, as compared with L835,746.and L 553,549, last year. Thus the. net, profits were. L 37,000 larger than last year. The working expanses absorbed 65 per cent of the receipts. Last year they absorbed 69 per cent. This is a marked change for the better,

The result of the inquest on the unfortunate woman Maltha Aslridge, unsatisfactory as it must needs appear, was only what must have been expected by everyone possessing any acquaintance with the law of evidence. There was no evidence such as the law regards as admissible touchingtheallegedcircumstances to which the woman’s death was due. There were simply depositions as to certain statements said to have been made by the deceased, but there was nothing in the shape of a dying declaration on her part which could have been received in Court. Consequently in default of any admissible testimony, the jury had no alternative but to follow the Coroner’s direction and return an open verdict. Both Dr Collins and the police authorities deserve warm commendation for their determination to have a thoroughly exhaustive inquiry into this revolting affair. If it be true that practices such as those referred to during the proceedings are in common use, it is to be hoped that an effective check may have been administered, alike by the repulsive publicity which the matter has necessarily obtained and by the extreme danger which has been proved to attach to such practices. In this way some good may come out of a very shocking ease.

It is understood that Parliament will probably not meet earlier than June next, as there is no object in assembling sooner, and the later date is deemed more convenient to the majority of the members.

The land revenue up to the end of December last is, we understand, considerably in excess of any return in the same period for the last four years. As one or two large sales are to take place this month it is expected that the revenue for the financial year will reach a very satisfactory amount.