THE RAILWAY COMMISSIONERSHIPS AND SOME OF THE APPLICANTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1755, 1 February 1888, Page 3

THE RAILWAY COMMISSIONERSHIPS AND SOME OF THE APPLICANTS

In ft recent letter I told yoa that applications for the Railway Commissioner■hips were rolling m thick and fait from all pacts of the colony and from ail sorto and condition! of people. A few day* ago I wai favored with a glimpse at a few of these, and anything more Interesting and amculng it would be diffioalk to ecmeelve. Some of them read like deliberate jokes at the expense of the government, bat the tone of earnestness and supplication m which they are conohed convlnoes one of their undoubted sincerity. The first that came under my notice was from an ex-police inspector, who claimed to hare »n idea, oonceived and matured In bis own brain, for the management of railways and public tramways By this, be assnres the GoTernment, it is poaiible to save half the present working expenses and increase the revenue by many thousands of pounds anonaily. He will either sell the soheme for £5,000 cash, or accept the chief commisslonership at a salary of £500 a year and a bonus on results. Another application Is from an official of the Victorian railways, who claims to have discovered the secret of Mr Speight's principle, and Is ready to administer it here at a salary of £1000 a year, or £750 with a five years' guarantee. Then comes a New South Wale* politician, who claims to have studied railway manage* mant under Mr Denvlr, of the NorthWestern, for fire years, and concludes with the rent arc that " Mr Danvir will be happy to tenify as to his fitness." A Ta»m»nlan parson who bai had i rouble with his congregation, tells tbe Minister that " he always had a genius for managing something," and encloses a testimonial from his Bishop, that "he Is a capital man at figures, and can be trusted to handle money m targe »utu»." A gentleman who hss been a bank maoager for tea years will " take tbe bil!et at any salary whioh tbe Government may see fit to offer, remuneration not being so muoh an object at oonstant employment" An American " Colonel " who Is travelling for hit health, sayi, as he likes the New Zealand climate, he would not be averse to tetillng amongst us for a oontideratiun, and "running your tramways on genuine American pricoiples." Then comes the ex-editor of an agricultural newspaper, whose only reoommendatlon is that he hss twelve of a family, an invalided mother-in-law, and is, m his own words " a moot deterring subject for appointment." A lady whose husband U an arch deacon, ■ski the Minister not to be m a hurry to fill the position as she has a brother who will shortly arrive m the colony, and who "has had an extensive expetlenoe as a direotor of an Irish suburban tramway company." She feels convinced that he will work for any salary they may off jr. A lawyer gives as his qualifications that be " possesses the knack of turning anything into money," and is a total abstainer ; but perhaps tbe most worthy and deserving Mia of.the lot is that of a superannuated government official, who describes himself M the " nephew of a distinguished noblenan, and the brother of tbe late member foe an Otago constituency." — "Taapeka Times" correspondent."