THE LOCOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5949, 5 March 1881, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE LOCOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT.

-. .., ". TO THUS EDITOR. ".'"

Sir,—l was astobislied .to see James Crawford express himself in the manner he did in your issue of to-day. The bad taste of Wilson, indeed ! Now Wilson took the most lenient view, of the truth. I wonder ■what driver, if.any, told Crawford that the foreman driver wasthe right man in/the right place. 1 know most of the drivers and firemen, arid they tell me the very opposite. It is a great pity we hadn't a few more .Ned .Wilsons among the railway employes :,it would be tetter for both Government and men. -'■- . •■,- ; - L:

"I agree with Crawfordas regards our youthful management: it would not be tolerated in any other •country. The, superintendent, as .well as the; workshops manager, are mere striplings. His not their youthful appearance that indicates their ability to fill the responsible positions they hold. . I: sincerely believe a great deal is lost to the Colony through such -inexperienced men,,but thpy seem to be more appreciated than older and abler men. . '■. ' !

Having had occasion tovisit Christchurch, and reading- so much/about the work, all going there, I hada look at the workshops, and made a few inquiries, and was told-that Christchurch never,was in' a moire flourishing state than it is now. There was never half as .-much; work nor half as many men in the workshops before. I also saw engines there that I knew well as running between the Port and Dunedin, and one employed by Mr Pritchard at the reclamation works —a green-painted one. Is this what the Government call retrenchment, paying off men at Dunedin and putting them on at Christchurch 1 I call it robbing Peter to pay Paul—a very one-sided, selfish move. Why not give each place a fair share of the; work? ■ I am really at*a loss to know what the new shops are being built for. Is it a blind to' keep Dunedin people quiet till the monopoly is thoroughly effected beyond redemption? It has the appearance of it. ■. But I suppose Dunedin people are like a' Scotch folk, "they're aye wise ahint the time." They will open their eyes,when it U perhaps too late. Prevention is better than cure. As lam about to leave for our sister Colony; I'll not be here to see the change if any does' take place, but-1 sincerely hope to hear of Dunedin people making a move in the. right direction, -and. not; allowing themselves to be robbed of their .birthright.—lam, &c,

James -Prbsiok.

.Manor place, March 2nd.