A COMPLAINT ANSWERED.

Southland Times, Issue 2140, 25 June 1875, Page 2

A COMPLAINT ANSWERED.

(to the editor ov the tijibs.) Sib, — Having observed in yesterday's issue of the Times a letter headed " A Complaint," which I consider is likelj to mislead the public if the true facts of the case are not made known. Your correspondent charges the engine-driver on the Invercargill and Winton railway with constantly using foul language, to the annoyance of passengers in the train, and being probably aware when he wrote his precious epistle that Government emyloyees are forbidden to hold c mmunication with the Press, be no doubt thought that ljis slanderous letter would go unconrradicted. Since the opening of tb,is railway I hare been compelled to travel very frequently on it, more frequently, I think, than ''A Daily Passenger," who, for aught I know, might have been a daily passenger for about three weeks only, and during these excursions 1 can con. gcientiouslv say that I never heard the driver Use improper language, although^ numerous occasions have arisen which would justify any amount of tall swearing — even from a saint. In, my opinion, your correspondent's letter was the result of what ocourred on the lino a few days since, and aa I happened to

bo in the train at the time, I am enabled to give the true version of ifc. At one of tha saw-mills, some stupid fellow had a waggon nearly out on the main line, loading it with timber, which obliged the driver to pull up quick to prevent a collision, and it was with the greatest difficulty he could do bo, owing to the " greasy" Btate of the railioa'i, the fact of its being nearly dark at the time. Having done so, however, ha quietly remonstrated with the fellow, who, instead of regretting his conduct, gave abuse, told him to shut up, And mind his own business, which necessitated from the drive the use of language more emphatic than polite, to convince tho ignoramus. As the driver had no time to pick his words, there were some unparliamentary expressions used, but I did notliear him swearing. In conclusion, Sir, I think the writer of the letter must be either that stupid fellow, or some narrow-minded person having a grudge against the driver alluded to, and I nay inform him that if it was not for the well-known vigilance and attention to duty of this driver, I am confident that mxny accidents would occur on the line, aud your correspondent may bless his stars and thank the drivor that his neck has not been broken long since, which I imagine — judging from his communication — would bo no groat loss to the community. — Yours. &c, A Railway Tbavellee.