17 JULY 1847, Page 11

The inquest on the body of Thomas Staples ' the engine-driver

on the Ely and Peterborough Railway, adjourned from Friday last, was brought to a close yes- terday. Staples was killed by the accident in which the train ran off the line. The Jury returned a special verdict, imputing the accident oonjointly to too great speed and to a " settlement " of the permanent road, which had lowered the rails below their proper level. They added an expression of their "decided opinion, that whenever an accident occurs it would be much better for public satidaetion that railway companies should leave the line undisturbed until inspected by the Government authorities, in order that a more conclusive and decisive opinion might be arrived at"