A CLEVER IMPOSTOR.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3564, 18 July 1890, Page 2

A CLEVER IMPOSTOR.

Sydney, July 7, Some .extraordinary disclosures relating to a clover imposture, of which the Railway Commissioners were the victims, are made in a paper whioh was laid ou the table of the . Assembly last week by the Colonial Treasurer. At the end of last year a person, self as Mr William Pullman, ofVflO Pullman Company, the builders of the woll-known Pullman cars in' Amerioa, arrired in Melbourne, and it was announced that ho had come herewith the view of introducing the cars into Australia. The New South Wales EailwayCommissiouers sought an interview with Mr Pullman who shortly afterwards oarSto Sydney, Several interviews took, place,- in which the so-called Pullman represented himself as armed with full powers to negotiate on behalf of the' firm. Proceedings advanced so far that on Cth January last an agreement was drawn, uuder whioh tho Pullman Company was to receive 8d per train mile for the use of carriages for ten years, and after that time 2d per mile, tho extra fare for the use of vestibule' cats'ani berths to be limited to 8d per passenger. It was further provided that should more favorable arrangements be made wjth the other polonies this colony should liavo power to varj the agreement. Other regulations were provided for, and tho JRailway Commissioners wore to- have tho right to purchase tho cars at £OOOO ■ for each dining car, and £4OOO each drawing-room car, an allowanoo to be made for wear and tear. After considering the matter Mr Pullman decided that if the airs wore to he purchased he must have £2OOO profit on each, but on tho Chiqf Oomraf flioner refusing to agree, to thisffo reduced the amount to £IOOO for each oar, and this was by the Commissioners. On the 20th January, after further consideration, ■ tho agreement was modified in several minor respects, and there the matter rested. Before the agreement was prepared for signature, the Bailway Ppmraiasionerg wonted to see, Mr authority' to' 1 aot -toy'', the fii'm,' : l)ut : ''fcliaT jmiMk 'seemed ■ strangely roluotant to produce it. 1 No's;atisfation being: obtained,'from hjm, and as lie disappeared sopwljat mysteriously for about six weeko, jjs iEddy,'tho ''Chief'Commissioner, cabled to : Mr Cfeo, Bull'maii"a'i follows:-" Negotiating with .Wm, Pullman. Are you, preparing agreement?" A reply came short and sharp on the same day, "Party uniaowßi'' TtowaafoUowedby the next mail by a letter liluiUiiilng of pie pompany vf.as in Mori,' thaf th'e party calling himself Wm. Pullmatj % p 'uflkjiqwn, and" that tlio company f would'thahVthe,Oommissigriers tq - remit 18'dql's'20c, the cost"'of Jo cable ppgo sip)'■ in,' reply,'': shi money was remittod, tiinoo tjiaj tjje Pullman Company have, written. fa. •'•rine their entire ignorance of the .i', ■ * ¥ *nfl,f firm t so-called member uiv .<