RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 147, 23 June 1924, Page 13

RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION.

COSTLY SOUTH ISLAND. MR. McVILLY ON" HIS CRITICS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Sunday. The conference of the Railway Officers' '■ Institute concluded on Saturday. A social was held in the evening, presided over by Mr. R. \V. McVilly, General Mnnager of Railways. Mr. Robertson, president of the institute, stated that during the three andhalf years he had been president, he had always received every courtesy at the hands of Mr. McVilly. When he was able to grant requests, Mr. McVilly had done so, and when he was not able he had always given the reasons. The members of the institute could co-operate with the general manager without sacri- i firing their principles in any way. Mr. McVilly stated that after 45 years of service he could say that, having J regard to the policy under which they were run. and the special circumstances created—he did not create them—the railways performed a useful service in spite of "mismanagement." In the North Island, where the principal railway business was, they had a chance to run things, and bad paid £6 10/6 per cent. In the South Island, with its level roads, much poorer country, and sparse population, they paid £2 2/6 per cent. The South had been a burden to them, and the Department was not responsible for 1 the policy which decided where lines 'should be laid. If, at the end of the year, things were bad, it was said to be i mismanagement. I It was hinted by Mr. McVilly that it I would not be long before he would be • retiring. !