MR ARMSTRONG AND THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2318, 21 August 1880, Page 3

MR ARMSTRONG AND THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.

Mr Conyers has written to the Minister of Public Works on the subject of Mr Armstrong’s dismissal. The Commissioner encloses a letter addressed to him by Mr Armstrong, in which the latter gentleman reviews and defends himself from the charges brought against him in the report of the Civil Service Commission. Mr Conyers says Without attempting to prejudice the matter, I cannot help sympathising with Mr Armstrong. Air Armstrong’s statement that the locomotive engineership of the Otago railways was conferred upon him by the Provincial Government unsought is strictly true ; and I am in a position to bear emphatic testimony to the ability, integrity, and faithfulness which he lias evinced in the discharge of his-duties, both under the Provincial and General Governments. I sincerely trust that some means may be found to obviate, or at all events to mitigate the disadvantages which the remarks contained in the newspaper version of the report of the Commission arc undonhtely calculated to entail upon him.” Mr Armstrong complains of the unfair version of the Civil Service Commissioners’ llcpon published in the newspapers, which eliminates important matter affecting himself. Ho says the explanatory part of his replies to questions has been suppressed to his disadvantage. For instance, in informing the Commission that he was apprenticed io a carpenter and builder, he added that his subsequent apprentice and practice had been professional—first as a road engineer and then under Messrs Brogdcu and Sons as constructor of railways ; that lie had first-class testimonials in such capacities ; and that he never sought the position of locomotive engineer, which was voluntarily offered to him by the Provincial Government. He explained to them, that in addition to having charge of the locomotives, he had the supervision of building carriages and waggons, for which his training peculiarly fitted him, hut of which duties, as discharged by him, the He port made no mention. He also complains that although he entered into the service with high credentials, the unfair version of the evidence published bids fair to permanently injure his credit mid prospects. It will probably be moved that the letters be printed, and so be added to the other papers of the Commission,