WELLINGTON NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7978, 6 April 1904, Page 2

WELLINGTON NOTES.

«. — [Fbou Our Cobbespondent.] WELLINGTON, April 6. To his private friends the announcement of Mr'W. H. Gaw's impending retirement from the railway service was not altogether' unexpected, owing to the fact that for the past year his health has been somewhat precarious. Mr G»w, who" joined the railway service as 4 clerk in the Dunedin branch nearly thirty years ago, was appointed! chief traffic manager of the colonial railways when Mr Hudson quitted the service in order to take up a responsible and lfccW tive position in Tasmania. Mr H. Burton, who is to be Mr Gaw's successor, has obtained all his railway experience in New Zealand, he having joined the ranks just on twenty-nine years ago aa a clerk in the accountant's branch, Christoburch, where he subsequently got his first important post as goods clerk. Mr Buxtons promotion will carry with it an .increase in his present salary of from £460 to £700 a year, the maximum salary attached to the chief trafflo managership being £900. There is some surprise shown in railway circles at Mr Buxton being chosen to replace Mr Gaw, as it was generally anticipated that Mr Grant, traffic superintendent at Dunedin, would -have been singled out for the distinction. During Mr Gaw's enforced ab* eence on several occasions Mr Grant acted as his substitute. Nothing as yet has been decided in the' way of replacing Mr Buxton at Auckland, but I would not be surprised if a southern railway official were promoted, or transferred, to fill the vacancy. - >v Colonel Hume, Inspector of Prisons, informs me that th& Department has all arrangements well under way for the extension of the planting system by prison labour at Dumgree, Blenheim, and Waipft Valley, near the Whakarewarewa River. Huts for the accommodation of the prisoners are being constructed at "Newmarket and Fetone railway workshops^ and it ia expected that everything will be ready ior . an early start next month. It is intended to send a squad of thirty-five prisoners to Dumgree, thirty-five to Waipa Valley and forty additional men to Waiotapu. So far 'the results in connection with this outdoor prison labour system have' exceeded all ex*' pectations, while the general effect on th* prisoners has been most marked.