NEW SOUTH WALES RAILWAYS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12364, 1 December 1905, Page 8

NEW SOUTH WALES RAILWAYS.

COMMISSIONERS AT LOGGERHEADS. United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright. (Received November 30th, 11.52 p.m.) SYDNE"S November 30. Papers have been tabled in tho Assembly covering correspondence in reference to the acceptance of the tender of the Lithgow Coal Association for the 6upply of coal to the Western Railway system. Theso dhcloso tho fact that strained relations between the Railway Commissioners have existed for some months, until tho situation has become acute. According to the correspondence, the coal contract was extendod for four years, on the decision of the two junior Commissioners acting against the chief Commissioner, so that a better prico was obtained by the Lithgow Association than had been previously paid. The chief Commissioner a'leges that his colleagues did not stand 'shoulder to snoulder with him in tbe effort to protect the'department agaiust the <ffjcts of the breaking down of competition between the erstwhile suppliers. The other Commits oners defend their action as in the interest- of the department. The papers show that instead of seeking an amicable settlement by a personal discussion, the Commissioners allowed themselves to drift apart by embittered corrospo id_nce. (Reee.vtd Deoember Ist, 0.59 a.m.) SYDNEY, November 30. In the Assembly, Mr Holroan rased th. question of the dissensions between the Railway Conimi sioners, and said the j position was intolerable, and must be I ended. He 6tated that the Commissioners had agreed to pay 7s 3d a ton for . coal, which wai competing against ! collieries supplying coal at 4s 6d. Apparently i-ome officers of the department .' were deliberately misleading their superiors in the interests of certain suppliers. He urged that a searching enquiry shcnlrl be held. Mr Cariu.heiß, in promising the appointment of a Commission of Enquiry, stated that be had already informed the Coinmksion*re that the present state of i things could not continue.

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