THE RAILWAY ROYAL COMMISSION AND ITS CHAIRMAN

Temuka Leader, Issue 263, 27 May 1880, Page 2

THE RAILWAY ROYAL COMMISSION AND ITS CHAIRMAN

(From the Lyttulton Times) 0 ! Curtis was a citizen Of credit and renown, Superintendent he had been In famous Nelson town In Parliament for many years He long had held a seat, But at the last election he Unhappily was beat Th n Johnny Hall to Ciirtis said* C'eer up mvl be consoled, I’m ruler of the C’O'ony. Tuough yon are in the cold Roy 1 Commissions now Tnei'e’s one about railways, Just suit yon—cost no object, and Grand four—New Zealand pays We’ll give yon Pearce and Wright, Clariv, a ad a man called Reid, And you will fill th • chair, and smoke The strong nicotia > weed

He six n replied, I do admire Of Ministries but one, And that is yours, my dearest Hall> Therefore it shall be done

I am a sound Conservative, A* all my lif e cloth show, Though my good friend the Treasurer Is Liberal, we know If he will freely fork out cash I’ll vouch to hold it tight, Boyal Commissions should, of course, In sovereigns delight” John Hall embraced his loving friend, O’erjoyed to find that none, Although oh duty bent, would take More care of number one Commission met —Curtis in chair, Stood up, and did explain, Pircr duty was to order in Cigars and dry champagne. A motion then was passed nem con For list of crack hotels, And prepa’ ations made to go About like royal swells. They drove in coaches four-in-hand* And trains express went in Five precious souls and all agog, To dash through thick and thin;

They lived regardless of expense, And sent each little bill To their good friend the Tre.isUrer, For payment from his till. Like lightning they flashed thro’ the laud— No sooner seen than gone ; The thunder in a public growl Cjme slowly rolling on. From special coaches and from trains Minute inspection made, They saw at oiccwhnl lin-s would pay — Cost traffic, haulage, grade. And then at plays, bet wen the acts, They got, with their cigars, Xmpo"tant imformation from Maids who preside at bars. They did each Island in no time, But twice made lengthened stay, At Hokitika two whole hours, With two more at the Grey. Away went Curtis neck or nought, With colleagues in full fig, We little dreamt when they set out Their running such a rig. Away went Curtis and his four, The scandal spreads around, For each Commissioner ’tis said, Will cost a thousand pound Feasts, journeys, sights, at public cost, All goes like marriage bells, Our small great men the oyster get, The public gets the shells ! Then let us all beware of those Commissions uf the Crown, Which, like ballons, go up so high, ynd then again comedown. We feel no wiser than before, Fxeopt, inde-d, 'las ! That we have lost a tidy sum Of money gone in gas ! Now, lot us say long live the Queen, And Curtis long live he And when lie writes his grand report May we be there to see !