RAILWAY MANAGEMENT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1532, 14 April 1887, Page 3

RAILWAY MANAGEMENT

That there is universal dissalisfactkn with the manner m which the railways are managed needs scarcely to be staled, for from end to end of the cobnythire is a thorough conviction that it is as bad as it can possibly be We do not know of a single journal that has a word to say m its favor, even those which are staunch supporters of the Government joining m che unanimous chorus of condemnation. We have ourselves, over and over again, expressed our belief that radical reform is necessary, and whether that reform take the shape of placing the railways under the control of a Board, or by whatever means it be brought about, we care very little so that the thing aimed at is gained, namely, a complete remodelling of the whole business. Rightly or wrongly it is the universal belief that the mismanagement complained of is to be laid at the door of Mr Maxwell, and the public will have no confidence m any pioposals of reform which do not include the removal of that officer from the position which he at present occupies," The "Auckland Bell," a

strongs Government supporter, is most outspoken m this matter and is as condemnatory of the Minister as of his first officer. Writing of the proposal to transfer the control of the railwajs from a political .to a nonpolitical body of Commissioners, it sa y S : — «lt is not from subjection t^ any political influences that have been brought to bear on the working of our railways that the public suffer, bui solely from the intolerable stupidity existing m the permanent head of the department and worse than useless figureheads. Now, if it is to get rid of these two that Mr Richardson is bringing m his Bill, the object might be compassed m a much simpler way — by sending Mr Maxwell back to be a railway porter or signalman again, or by Mr Richardson stepping aside on n retiring allowance. Whatever may be the feeling down South, we are convinced that if Auckland Province was polled from end to end there would not be less than fifty to one that this is the first and most pressing reform that is demanded m order to make the railway system work." We may tell our contemporary that the " feeling down ! South " is exactly the same, and that i. will take a very great deal to convince the public that it is not a just feeing. But the "Bell" goes on to. refer to a rumor that if a per manent "Railway Board is appointed Mr Richardson would be placed at its head as permanent chairman, and Mr Maxwell would have his position confirmed under a new and higher designation, and wants to know whether there is any foundation for the statement that the object of the Bill is "to permanently foist these two wretched barnacles on the railway system for ever ?" It has " a difficulty m restraining its impatience at the thought of such a thing being possible," and thinks it expresses universal public opinion m saying that " such a change would be exasperating beyond endurance." More, it declares that " highly «s it believes some members of the Government to be deserving not only of the highest public confidence, but of hearty public gratitude, if the Government favored such an outrage on public sentiment it would go m heart and soul for politically dynatriling the Government's existence," We do not suppose the Government will be so unwise as to propose anything of the sort, for to do so would be to invite certain defeat. But while we are strongly of the opinion that the Slate railways could be made of much greater service to the colony than they are at present, and at the same time to yield a larger revenue, we have reason to think that there is not the tremendous disparity between the financial result of their working and that of working the Wellington-Mana-watu private line, which would appear from the bare statement published thai whereas the colonial lines are yielding 2j^ per cent, interest upon cost of construction, the Wellington-Manawatu shows " more than 5 per cent, on the total cost of the line, equal to 7 69 per cent. • on the debentures sold m London." For we are informed upon excellent authority that m the Welling-ton-Manawatu case maintenance has been charged to capital account, and that if it weie charged against revenue there would be either no profit at all, or a much smaller profit even than is shown by the Government lines.- Nay, we have heard it stated that ouly recently the Company were anxious to sell to the Government, which we' imagine would scarcely be the case if the line were proving so remunerative an investment as stated. But be that as it. may, we shall certainly wait until we see how the Company's balancesheet is made up before we credit I hestatement - that the line has proved so remarkable a financial success. Whatever, though, the actual results of the Manawatu line may prove tc be, we do not abate one jot our belief that those of the Government lines could be made much more satisfactory than they ar<\ There can be no doubt either that that is the universal belief of the whole colony, and m view of that belief it may be regarded as certain that Parliament will insist upon a radicil reform m our railway administration. The bazaar m connection with the Tiawald Anglican Church which has, through the inclemency of the weather, not been re-opened since last Monday will bo again opened tomorrow at three o'clook, when the wholo of the unsold goods will be disposed of by auction. Refreshments will be provided. — (Advt.) It is rumored m some Conservative Clubs at Home that Her Majesty will on the day she celebrates her jubilee raise tho Prince of "Wales to the position of Trince Regent, as from her increasing infirmities she feels herself m want of more rest from the arducm dutios of State, and as she does not feel inclined to abdicate.