THE RAILWAYS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 913, 29 May 1877, Page 3

THE RAILWAYS.

To the Editor of the Globe,

Sib, —Will you kindly publish the following, for the purpose of showing how a railway servant can be discharged from the Canterbury Railway without any cause being assigned for his dismissal. Some six or seven month ago I applied to J. Lawson, Esq., traffic manage]-, for a situation on the railway, taking with me testimonials, one of them being a ten years' character from a general manager on one of the home railways, which was pronounced perfectly satisfactory, and I was promised a situation when one became vacant. I was sent for on several busy occasions, and was informed by the late station master (Mr Lewis) that I had given perfect satisfaction, and that I should have the first permanent vacancy which occurred. After waiting for about three months, a vacancy did occur, and I was sent for according to promise, to act as porter at the Christchurch Station. After being employed for nearly three months (during which time I acted as ticket collector, excess collector, assistant guard, and in other capacities too numerous to mention), I received the following memo., which please insert :—" Christchurch Station, April 9th, 1877.—Memo, for J. Eldred,-I am directed to inform you that on and after Saturday, the 14th inst., your services will not be required.—A. Gi-AKSTIN, S.M." On the receipt of this, which I got on the 10th, I went and saw the station master, requesting that lie would assign some cause or other for my discharge. This he refused to do, telling me that I was only a daily laborer, |aud could be discharged at a day's

notice, and that I might think I was well off to get a week's notice (which, in reality, was only four days notice), although I was paid fortnightly. After this I sent him the following letter :—" Mr G-arstin, station master. Sir, —In reference to your memo, of the 9th instant to me, I beg to state that whilst fully recognising your right to discharge any of your casual hands whom you may choose, I at the same time think it would only be an act of courtesy on your part to assign some cause for so doing, when requested to do so. If it is for the purpose of shortening hands, I bow to your decision, as you are perfectly justified in discharging or retaining any one whom you may see fit. But if it is for any fault, I think it would be far more manly and straightforward on your part to tax me with it, and at least give me a chance to defend myself. I may state that when I came hero I brought a ten years' character with me, and that I have not always held the menial position which I now hold. Since I have been on the Canterbury Railways I have never to my knowledge neglected a single duty which has been entrusted to mo. I have always done all I have been told to do, and many things (for your'credit) which I have not been told to do. Hoping that you will assign some cause for my discharge, 'I am, sir, yours respectfully, John Eldred." This letter was returned to me by the head porter, with the verbal message that as I was only a laborer no explanation was necessary. I hope, sir, that this insertion may be the means of preventing any other servant being discharged in a similar manner, as I can assure you that it has put me to great inconvenience and expense in waiting for a situation, as I have a wife and six children to support, and that I cannot give any one any satisfaction why I have loft the railway. I can only tell the truth (which I think is often doubted), and that is that I do not know why I was discharged. I leave it to an impartial public to judge whether I have been justly used or not, as I believe it has stood in my way of getting other employment in Christchurch, and necessity compels me to leare it thereby. Yoiirs respectfully, JOHN ELDRED. St Asaph street cast, May 26, 1877.