TBACK TALK. The Klo tiraiHle Western Hroad Gauge The Hille Creek Kxlension, J. B. Pierce, representing J. A. Me-Mitrlie, Me-Mitrlie, contractor for widening the gauge anil straightening the line of the Rio Grande Western, Is in the city on business. Mr. Pierce reports that the track work is completed, anil that the contractor is now engaged in completing!., complet-ing!., lateral canal at the east end of the road, which will occupy him until about the middle of the present month. The work on the Rille creek exten-sion exten-sion of the Midland Mr. Pierce thinks will he completed by the first of June. A letter received by him from a friend on the work states' that they were Imv-ing Imv-ing wnm little difficulty in obtaining material and supplies, but not sufficient to cause any serious delay. Mr. Pierce is of opinion that broad gauge trains will be running between. Salt Lake and Colorado Spriugs in less than two months. Votes and I'ersonnls, The stockholders of the Colorado Midland , ill hold their annual meeting tit Colorado Springs April 7. The Denver Republican: The Denver & Rio Grande continues to do an enormous en-ormous ticket business. On Tuesday twelve steamship tickets In Liverpool were sold over the Ctuiard line, to one parly. Mr. AlcxanderSlrulhers has been appointed ap-pointed master mechanic in charge of the machinery and car departments of the Denver iv Rio Grande at Grand Junction, Colorado, and Mr. H. H. De Reiner has been appointed master mechanic me-chanic of the second division, with head-quarters at Lcadville. The Union Pacific is to establish a monthly steamship service between Portland. Oregon, and Transpacific points. The Union Pacific owns a considerable con-siderable interest in the. Occidental and Oriental Steamship company, wIiom' ships sail from San Francisco, and there, is, consequently, eonsiderahle speculation specula-tion about the prospects of the new line, V. Union of folic. Japan, is said to he the proprietor of the new line.