LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1128, 16 May 1911, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

"BLENHEIM—WARD SECTION" N.Z. RAILWAYS. Sir, —The opening of the Seddon-Ward railway line lias at last been carried out. The public, as well as the Flaxhnurno settlers, alter years of patient waiting, are at last able lo travel a few miles further south than they could six years ago. When they will be able to travel to Invorcargill, is a question that no one but a lunatic would venture to fiivo an opinion about; one can fairly predict that as yet there can be no "baby" born in 1911 who can daro to expect to see if an accomplished fact. That is if the same rate of progross is made in the future as in tho past and co-operative labour employed lo swell the already huge! national debt of our little colony by, a still further huge sum, which at the present t«lmc ought to stagger any sensible man who lias a stake in tlie country.

When the celebrated Flaxbourno Estate was open for selection to the public some six years ago the applicants were told that tlie Government had every expectation of having the lino open for traffic in three years at the outside. "The successful applicants" at the ballot would never have applied for their sections had they known they wero going to he treated as they have been, and it must only prove again that these are the class of settlers wanted by New Zealand; they stick so long, under very adverse conditions, to their holdings and never call on this socalled Liberal Government for a reduction in rent because of' the unnecessary delay in completing the railway line whereby they could get their produce, etc., away to tho port at fair freights, instead of having to pay road freights to iScddon. These road rates were 15s. per ton to Scddon, and then railage on to Picton. It has been a gross waste of public money and a solid sysof consistent bungling, almost from its inception. Tho "opening ceremony" was celebrated by, a free train on tho opening day, advertised in our local columns as such; and by the issue of tho railway authorities in charge of the new time-table calculated to suit only "non-settlers," and maybe, perhaps, the local constable whose time hangs heavily on his hands, owing to this being such a peaceful district and the inhabitants accustomed to unlimited waiting and being content to put up with anv unusual treatment.

A very largo number of settlers arrived in Scddon on Saturday morning with their families, bent on having a froo ride to tho opening ceremony and without the wherewithal to nay for tickets, but alas! how chagrined were they an learning there was a free lunch, but no "free train." This, in many instances, caused not only annoyance, but engendered a bit of animosity against the powers that lie, that is not likely to he forgotten in a hurry, especially by ono strong Government supporter who, being equipped in his Sunday best and looking' tho height of contentment, with his daughter likewise attired, on arriving at tho station and being acquainted with tho procedure took tho "huff" and straightway journeyed home where, I venture to predict, the Justice of tho Peace Act was consulted to see if there was any redress. But alas! none could be found. Finally tho position was nobly saved by that astute Marlboroughito who is aspiring to Parliamentary honours coming forward with his usual generosity with tho kindness of his Scotch heart, guaranteeing the fares of some 150 souis, who, after the usual "take your scats please" from Guard Francis and a whistle from Driver Cuncli(To with his very much worn-out engine, proceeded down along this, gigantic undertaking of six- years' duration about 14 miles in length, which, wo, arc told by those in the knd«'; ; cos't""£'l'o,ooo, per mile. I venture to predict had tenders boon called for making it £5000 per mile, would have returned a handsome profit to the contractors and the line would have been open for traffic years ago.

On arriving at Ward, the ribbon being duly cut in two, something "froo" at last came along in the shape of a lunch, which made amends; for such consistent "bungling." Several settlers looked forward with keen excitement to the usual speeches which generally take, place at such an auspicious occasion, but alas! tlioy wcro doomed to bitter disappointment, as with ono or two exceptions the most "utter rot" and the sound "Government twaddle" - was the order of tho day. The Minister, in a speech, predicted that 10 years would soo the completion of tho South Island Main Trunk line. The gentleman evidently suffers from bad memory, as a few weeks previous, in opening the Cheviot-ATaiau Bridge, he told his hearers eight yeais would see it an accomplished fact, which I lcavo to my readers can only be classed as the usual Government promises. I ask, sir, if this is genuine,, why are the. Public, Works Department removing the four Government cottages from Seddon to Picton, instead of to Ward'; and the thousands of feet of timber stacked in their yard at Seddon they are taking baoa'c to Blenheim? This looks like giving tho completion of'tho lino quick dispatch.

A still further waste of the Dominion's money can bo seen at Seddon in the shape of the engine-shed, which is having a rido to Ward and by the timo it gets there very little of the original can bo left.. I understand it has to bo rc-erected at Ward to do duty for another period. It certainly is in keeping with the engine, as they are both worn out with old age. It is a great pity tho Minister had no occasion to use the telephone system at Seddon whilst tho wrangling over the free train was'on the go. Ho would then have seen "tho dog kennel" of a telephone, box in such a hovel of a post office where no privacy exists, even although the office made £170 clear profit last year, after having paid the worthy postmistress a paltry £120 per annum for all the work she lias to do, and her cadet £50 for helping her in her arduous duties. I venture to predict tho biggest part of his "screw" goes in shce-leather earning the 3d. for the Department summoning those, persons who are wanted on tho telephone. When will this district got an up-to-date telephone _ service and other requirements it is justly entitled tfl is a question very much talked of lately, and more especially when ono sees the waste of money taking nhce every day. The few examples I have enumerated will do for the present, but later on, Mr. Editor, with your kind permission, I will give you further examples. Thanking you for your valuable space.—l am, etc., DOG ROSE. "LITTLE BIT 0' RED." Sir—"Gnmsuckor" is farther out than j Cnplnin Ilejinali in his recital of how Cuniow stopped the police train, which led to the capture of the Glenrowan. Hi his story, "(.iumsuekor" states that it was on liis way home from Mrs. Jones's that Cuniow stopped the train. According (o "The True Story of the Kel'lv Gang of Bushrangers," Curnow, after gaining Ned Kelly's consent tn leave the hotel, drove to his wife's mother's (Mrs. Mortimer's) house, but hardly had thov reached there when his wife's'fears broke out again, and, fearing that the outlaws would seek to find out if they were safe at home, she persuaded her 'husband to drive homo again. This he did. "Jl:'h sister," to quote tho book, "took Mrs. Curnow to her room, assuring her thai her husband was likewise, going presently to bed, and ho (Curnow) made all haste ta harness *Up his horse for the race lo Bcnnllu (his original intention being lo inform the police there). Suddenly 57e heard tho train approaching. It was at some distance still. Sound travelled far on a. clear frosty night, but. there was uk& for desperate haste. Leaving the

buggy, Mr. Cumow snatched up a cnndlp, a red heart', and matches, and, rushing away lei (he railway lino, ran as last as tho could between'tiic rails in the direction of tin- approaching train. It liad Hashed across his mind lli-.it villi a light behind it (ho scarf might ho u-cd as a diuiKPixsigii.il, and now Iho lost »i' its ussliilnvis had come. ... lie lit tho caudle, and hold (ho shawl in front of il. There was a lung warning whistle, the engine, wliioh was- bearing down upon him, slowed and came to slop a low yards from whore he stood."

This story is practically the same as told bv" l.'iiplain Ilennah, with the exception of tho hitler's version that Curnow alter seeing his wife safely put to rest got out of the window wilh a buggy lamp. ''Gumsucker" endeavours to doueh. the credit due lo Mr. Gurnow by relating how the latter ingratiated himself with Xed Kd.lv. and in the hotel ."gave away" one of the imprisoned who carried n revolver T maintain that the tact shown bv Curnow in ou.twitlinij the Kellvs was more than justilrible. In tins case' it fivcd a train-load: of lives, and meant the capture of the blackest lot of scoundrels that ever existed m Australia. -I am, etc., GLENROWAN. A RECENT PROMOTION. Pi r _ln the Press Association telegrams I noticed that Detective M'lllyaney h-is been promoted. ' onld yon bo so kind as to inform me if it is the same detective who was associated with inspector Black in tho Wostport murder ca=e? Thanking you in anticipation.—l al "' e,C " W.R.R. Westport, May 11. [Yes. Wo understand that he is the E-amc officer.]