THE STEAM TUG COMPANY AND "BROAD DAYLIGHT."

Grey River Argus, Issue 124, 27 October 1866, Page 3

THE STEAM TUG COMPANY AND "BROAD DAYLIGHT."

(To the Editor of the Grey River Argus.) Sir— Amongst the varied contributions to the columns of a newspaper is occasionally found one that engages the attention of tho reader, not from its possessing any general interest, but rather as affording an unhappy illustration of the curious mental imbecility of its writer. The last number of the " Argus" contains one of tliese, in tho shape of a letter signed " Broad Daylight." The impression produced by reading this production is that its auto • belongs to the genius Micawber, an individual " waiting for something to turn up," and that he feels aggrieved because the Provisional Directors of the Steam Tug Company have overlooked the valuable assistance he was prepared to render (for a consideration, no doubt) in " putting their affairs through," Now, it will no doubt be some satisfaction to him to be infor:ned that when the Company require the services of a permanent and paid secretary, " Wide Awakes" — I crave "his pardon, " Broad Daylight's" — claim to the appointment, on tho ground, no doubt, of his being " the right man in the right place," will be duly considered, " Daylight". informs us that he has drawn an inference — so did the clodhopper who accounted for the formation of the Goodwin Sands. He says, too, it is not for him to question the appointment made by the Directors. How refreshing to find snch genuine humility in an arrogant and pretentious a^e ! But, " Daylight " (excuse the familiarity) you are clearly wrong in the assertion implied in your question that it is usual "in companies of this kind" to advertise for the purpose you name. It will, no doubt, be highly proper for the Grey mouth Municipal Council (if ever we should have one) to advertise for a Town Clerk or an Inspector of Nuisances, but the reason why some fifty private individuals who join together to carry out a purely business object should be under the obligation to advert "se for their employees can only be clear to your own acute perception. You know, and probably have felt much disgusted thereat, that the Great Saltwater Railway Company did not advertise for a secretary, but confirmed the temporary appointment they had made. No doubt, you may reply, that in this instance it would have been clearly superflous to do so, as that gentleman was known to possess abilities that placed him beyond the rango of ordinary competition, You do the public the honor of making it known that it is your opinion that the servants of the Directors should be prevented from lelng under the influence of the Directors ! What may be intended to be meant by this it is not easy to see, but it would seem to imply the very grave charge that the score of Provisional Directors of the Company, holding at least three-foui ths of the shares, are capable of influoncingthesecretaryinsomemysterioiis way that may be injurious to the holders of the remaining fourth. Now, if the secretary is not to be under the influence of the whole of the Directors, then, pray, Tinder what other? You, "Broad Daylight," it must be concluded, would act entirely on what you would probably term " your own hook," or you would go on the " independent ticket." To conclude, you have "Daydawn," evidently mistaken your vocation, and you have laid yourself open to the imputation of being guilty of having written drivelling nonsense. • Vindex,