RAILWAY APPEAL BOARD.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14343, 1 May 1912, Page 11

RAILWAY APPEAL BOARD.

Tho Railway Appeal Bo.ird for the '.South Island "sat in. Christchurch yes-t-crclay.- the members of. tlmJßoard. lining- Messrs W. H. Hasolden, K.M. (president), John Gray, and P..(«aines. William James Cadmnn appealed against his reduction from tho rank of guard to porter on account of his alleged running ,of a train without having it properly coupled and continuous brakes connected, on 26th December last. Mr 1. C. Watson appeared for appellant, and Mr H. Davidson for tho Department. Evidence on behalf of the Department was given by Hugh Wylio, who stated that on the day in question tho train came into Addington station with tho side chains hanging down and tho hoso uncoupled. Evidence', for. tho Department was also given by Hugh Bros-, nahan, James Trevella, and Alfred Henry ."Redmond. . . • Appellant said ho was tho guard on tho llangiora train from Christchurch on December 36th. When ho arrived at'Kaiapoi a branch train was coupled on, this operation being required to bo done by tho porter at Kaiapoi. He made tho usual tests before leaving Tvainpoi, and Mas thoroughly satisfied that the trains were properly coupled. He had no difficulty in working the brake." The train stopped at every station between Kaiapoi and Aldington, and in no case did the driver overrun tho station. At Addington appellant felt a rebound in the rear part of the train. At Aldington he wn.s informed of irregularities in the train by one of the shunters who shouted something like: — i; I don't think your train is properly coupled." , Ho considered that the uncoupling of the bqso had been done by somo malicious individual. A similar incident had happened just before on the Dunedin express, when the disconnection of those pipes had brought tho train to a standstill. On tho day after defendant's case a similar oase happened at Addington. Evidence on behalf of appellant was (riven by James B. Simpson, portor at Kaiapoi. who said he coupled up the trains pronerly. by William J. H. Bradley. William J. Smith. Edmond ('•co. Cheeseman. Thomas Horace Blackburne, P. F. Coldicutt. and 15. I*. Sward. Tho Board then adjourned till 10.30 this morning.