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1 correction by Rollo - Show corrections

THE STEAM COMPANIES.

Yours, LOVERS OF FAIR PLAY. North Brisbane, March 25.

SIR: You would oblige a great many of the public if you could throw any light on the affairs of the Q. S.N. Company—whether it is likely to run again or not; or is it "bunged

up, the same as all other companies, or so- cieties, or banks. &c, having the name of Queensland attached to them. The name "Queensland" seems to us to be what the Yankee captain calls an unlucky fellow—a Jonah; or perhaps, Mr. Editor, there are a few Jonahs amongst the shareholders—it is just possible. Shareholders dealing in tallow and costic don't want to see the freights too low, for I kuow it is a great drawback to their manufactories. The tallow and costic can be manufactured into domestic articles in Sydney, and sold in Brisbane as cheap and cheaper than those manufactured in Brisbane; so, Sir, to see the Q.S.N. Company handed over to the A.S.N. Company would suit their views nicely, because don't you see, Mr. Editor, if a man puts three irons in the fire at one time, lie don't mind spoiling one if he feels certain he can save the other two coming out all right. Mr. Editor, I am such a duffer at this kind of work, I don't know whether you understand me or not; but I will try and explain another way. Suppose a man is in business in Brisbane, doing pretty well; but, not content, he takes a share or shares in the A.S.N. Company. Some time after, don't say how long, he hears a great fuss about another company forming. This troubles the poor fellow; he scarcely knows how to manage ; he don't want opposition, so takes shares in new company (I mean Q.S.N. Com- pany) also. He feels certain and confident both companies won't stand long, and, whichever   gives way, he won't be very much out. But   here is a fine catch. He never expected the Q.S.N. Company to weather it out so long, and it is an awful go, nearly a smasher with the poor fellow, we pity him. He has close up too many irons in the fire for one time. Can nothing be done to get out of this fix ? Ah, the banks stop the steamers. Poor man, he gets another chance. Freights rise immediately; things look up; Sydney market can't compete with his goods. Fine chance this —won't loose this chance. He uses the best of his ability. As Bobby Cribb said the other day, seeing the fourth boat laid up and earning nothing, but the expenses and interest frightfully running up. Now, Mr. Editor, is this the stamp of man you would like to have for a director if you were an unfortunate shareholder ? I must con- fess I would not like to be one of them. Again, how many Brisbane men do the A.S.N. Company employ in their boats ?—not   many. Only when they happen to be jammed in the corner the same as we have seen their present worthy agent not such a great while ago. Bat old times are passed away and worse come, and people that used to be little are now become big. Talk about the task-masters of the   Children of Israel. The Egyptians always allowed them feeding time — that was usual. But it is not so on the A.S.N. Company's wharf. Their bell rings two or three minutes after the gun fires, and three or four minutes before any other bell begins to ring; and this always happens when there are extra men employed; so the poor Brisbane laborers gets jewed out of so many minutes. I have heard it spoken of by many. My attention has been called to the fact, and I know it to be the truth; and for this, and many just reasons, we hope the A.B.N. Company will never possess the Q.S.N. Company's boats, but do trust the Queenslanders will try their luck again, and bundle the Jonah ont of their midst. He is easy to be bowled out, if the shareholders take the trouble. And then, Mr. Editor, we are certain that the company would prosper, and employ some of the idle men in Brisbane. Betail business men would be able to sell to poor men on more reasonable terms. We feel confident there is as much room in Queensland for two companies as there is in the Hunter trade. Opposition is the life of trade, and let us have it. By inserting the above you will express the. opinion of many poor men who have never' troubled you before with any letters. Yours,

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