THE RAILWAY CHIEF COMMISSIONERSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9036, 20 April 1888, Page 6

THE RAILWAY CHIEF COMMISSIONERSHIP.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Some time since your Wellington correspondent reported that, as the result of advertising in England and America, only twenty-five applications for the above post were received, and that among these there was not one who had any pretensions to occupying a position as a railway expert. As this statement has never been contradicted, I presume it is correct. I doubt if ever before a prominent position, worth £2500 a-year with travelling allowances in addition, was offered with such a ridiculous result. On the British and American railways there must be hundreds, if not thousands, of properly-qualified men who would be only too glad to accept the post provided they could see their way clearly. Why, then, did they not avail themselves of the opportunity? For this simple reason. Any competent _ man would carefully examine the statistics of the colony as regards our population and our import, export, and internal trade. He would also devote equal care to the study of the map of the colony and the reports of the general manager of our working railways. Having done this, he would inevitably arrive at the same conclusion that I arrived at nearly six years namely, that the English system is utterly unworkable on our lines, and he would not risk his reputation in the attempt. It may be said he would not be tied to that system. Perhaps not; but the Act contemplates it, and he would know no other. I consider this failure to obtain a Chief Commissioner is the strongest endorsement I have yet received as to the truth and soundness of my contentions. I care not who or what the man, or set of men in charge may be, but I emphatically assert that any extension or modification of the English system must and will end in failure, no matter what their qualifications may be.—l am, &c, Samuel Vaile. Auckland, April 18, 1888.