Burke Manuscript

Burke Manuscript: Page 124

Transcript

The Railway Managers.

When the line was first opened from Heathcote to Chch (the tunnel was not through) and after from Town to Selwyn – one of the Managers was Mr John Marshman, an early arrival, an educated, but free and easy man, affected a cabbage tree hat &c. There is no doubt whatever that the concern was manned by a drunken lot, and the engine was often driven by drunks. Things got hot and there was an enquiry. One point was, the guard, he was charged with on one occasion, being drunk when passing Hillsborough. Mr Marshman, in his evidence, gave as his opinion, that a guard was not drunk if he recognized Hillsborough and could shout it. An Irish Sergeant McGrath, of Melbourne (a saddler in Christchurch in the fifties) told the Magistrate, “That he did not think a civilian drunk, unless he was holding on to the floor”.

Another said “He is not drunk, who from the floor ) Mr Marshman’s was

Can rise and drink and call for more ) a new test

But he is drunk, who prostrate lies

And can neither drink nor rise.”

Mr Henry Thompson was not a success as a manager, nor was Mr Warner.

Mr Conyers had a reign of a few years. But, when it came to the pinch of economy, he succumbed.

Mr Back (like the fly in amber, “How the devil he got there”) not only managed well, but has been a great success in Tasmania.