OUR RAILWAY MANAGEMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 7233, 8 June 1887, Page 4

OUR RAILWAY MANAGEMENT.

“ King ” Maxwell appears to manage affairs by the “ rule of thumb.” Instances of how things in hia department are bungled might be cited by the hundred ; but the repetition of them would become monotonous, as they are virtually of the same kind. An example of what recently occurred to a gentleman in this district will, however, bear perusal. Mr John M ‘Lennan, the enterprising manager of the Oroua Downs Station, purchased 7,000 sheep in the Napier district. He asked Mr Maxwell what he would charge for trucking them to Woodville. The reply was lOd per head. Mr M‘Lennan did his utmost to procure a reduction, as the charge was so exorbitant and the “ job ” was such a big one. However, the “ king ” of the Railway Department was perfectly obdurate, and Mr M‘Lennan decided to adopt the old-fashioned means of bringing his 7,000 sheep to Woodville by road. He employed drovers, and got the sheep to Woodville at a gross coat of Cd per head ; that is, 4d per head less than the price asked for conveying them by rail. By taking the road instead of the rail, Mr M'Lennan saved nearly Ll2O. Talk of the benefits of steam ! Talk of the advantages of using “ the iron horse !” Why, these must he mere moonshine as long as our railwavs are managed or mismanaged as they are at present.—‘ Rangitikei Advocate.’