RAILWAY BOOK STALLS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1924, 24 April 1880, Page 3

RAILWAY BOOK STALLS.

To the Editor of the Globe. Sib, —As the matter of the book stalls has been brought before the public, I would wish to give you my experience of them. When first the tenders were called, I tendered for the Christchurch Station for the sum of £l3O per annum, and got it. At this time Mr Lawson was General Manager. He knew his business. A short time after the stall was erected Mr Lawson asked me as a favour if I would have any objection to have it removed, as it interfered with the light in the Telegraph Office. I consented there and then, the only request I asked was that he would let me knew when he would do it, and not to do so on a Saturday. About two Saturdays afterwards Mr Lowe, without giving me any notice and during my absence, sent two meD, who pulled the stall down, and when next I saw it, the books and stall were soattered on the platform. The Becond year I paid for Christchurch, Rangiora, and Lyttelton, £122 10s. That year the Ashburton stall was let for £l3. I advised Mr Back to call for fresh tenders. He did so, and it brought £32 ss. The same year I introduced a tin of lollies and a few apples for sale at the Christchurch book-stall. Mr Bick sent a policeman and removed those goods to the parcel office. This is the compensation I got for offering no objection to the removal of the stall at the Christchurch Station, and for increasing the rent of the ABhburton one close on £2O. What harm would it do the Government to jell other goods required by the travelling public t On the contrary, they would derive a benefit, as it would make the stalls more valutible. Ihose country stalls, such as Ashburton, Rangiora and Lyttelton, will not pay with books and newspapers alone. It was very hard for me, after establishing those stalls at a heavy rental, and going to an expense of over £3O in erecting them, to be compelled to give them up at a time they were about to pay me, and to have two of them laying idle through railway bad management. Thanking you for inserting the above. Yours, &c, RICHARD SHANNON. 90, Colombo street, Christchurch, 23rd April, 1880.