TRAMWAY EMPLOYEES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 120, 23 May 1922, Page 7

TRAMWAY EMPLOYEES.

APPEAL AGAINST APPOINTMENT. I A sitting of the Tramways Appeal Board was held in the Magistrate's Court yesterdny when two traffic inspectors appealed against their being superseded by a motorman to the position of motor inspector. Mr. E. C. Cutteii. S.M.. presided, and with him on the Bench were Councillor G. R. Hutchison for the employers, and Mr. J. J. Nixon for the employees. Mr. J. Stanton, city solicitor, with him Mr. Ford, general manager, appeared for the Tramways Department, while Mr. J. F. W. Dickson represented both appellants, Gilbert H. Elliott, and Thomas Noon. The first appellant, G. H. Elliott, stated that he was a traffic inspector in the Auckland tramway service. Recently the City Council called for applications for the position of a motor inspector, for which he applied, but a motorman named Thomas Neal wa3 appointed on April 7, 1922. Against his not being appointed, or against promotion being unreasonably withheld, appellant gave notice of appeal in pursuance of the provisions of the Tramways Amendment Act. 1910. on the following grounds:-—(1) That lie was senior in service and also in grmlr as an officer; (2) his work had always lieen satisfactory, his record and capability good, and there was no reason why he should be passed over in the matter of promotion; (3) appellant was more fitted or suitahle for the position by reason of his experience, and (4) he had been for years an officer in the service, a-, well as having many years' experience as a motorman. whereas Motorman Neal had been motorman only, and it was wrong in principle and also in practice and against the spirit and provision of the Auckland tramways officers' agreement and contrary to the Act to appoint a motorman over the head, of an officer. If such promotions were made it must tend to undermine the authority of the officers and destroy discipline in the service. Argument concerning the constitution of the Appeal Board ensued at some length, and the hearing of the appeals was adjourned sine die.