THE LOCOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5938, 19 February 1881, Page 3

THE LOCOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—The letters of "Argus" and "Reformation" prompting me to make a few additional remarks, with your permission I attempt to do so, stating but a few of: the many grievances our railway servants are afflicted with. Could any of your numerous readers tell the reason why Dunedin railway men are pushed out of place to make room for the more favoured hands from Christchurch. If this is doubted, lwould aiready point out the many.hands who are no more to be found in the positions they long held. First, we had a batch of cleaners imported from Christchurch •■ we have also from some part of Canterbury imported a locomotive foreman, who, it was said, was a skilled locomotive mechanic; and for this reason the late locomotive foreman had to give place, as he never pretended he was a mechanic. It now turns out thatthis Canterbury importation is not a mechanic, but an" engine-driver of limited Colonial experience. This does seem strange after the promise Riven by the Government, that such positions in future would be held by only competent men, and without any favour. Next, I would point out how in the engine stores department, storeman first, then the clerk, who, after over five years' service, are pushed out aud their places now occupied by men from the favoured city. On the North road may be seen any'day, a junior enginedriver, and as fireman with him one who was a driver long before our junior driver; but as the senior is a Dunedin man, he is reduced and degraded to make way for our young driver from Christchurch. This may be suitable and pleasing to the management, but it is very unjust. Should any en gihe be detained on the road through any cause, whether the fault of tho driver or otherwise the driver, at least some of them, are invariably fined. This is a-new way of repairing an enwin*, and fining men is a recen move from Christchurch. It some of the drivers complain about an engine not being in order, and they not having time to satisfy themselves on that point, they must turn out on the road commencing the journey, often injurious to themselves and risk to the general public. Now the locomotive men are ordered to wear a cap and badge as uniform, they having to pay for the same—this to' please the whim or caprice of the management. It does seem strange that guards, porters, &c, are provided with uniform apparel gratis, and a few of the! railway servants are thus singled out and compelled to pay for this new uniform bonnet. It ought to be that. the railway servants should reside under the roof and; care of Jlr Caldwell—then-the system would be complete. Some time ago the brass moulder and patternmaker were discharged, now the tinsmith must follow. Sure'y there is enough work from Palmerston to the Bluff to employ one poor tinker. On a Sunday morning a few weeks ago, two engines, No. 13 and 34, went from here to Christchurch for repairs, and lately three carriages followed suit; tho last of these a short time ago, a long carriage, No. 218, all for the favoured city

of the plains. That the railway men will have their grevie-ices ventilated is beyond a doubt, and from some public platform ere long the public may learn now the railway men have been treated under the present Government; and when another election takes pace tho railway men and a great majority of workmen outside tho railway will show they are a power in the country.—l am &c

Ed. Wilson.