COMMISSION ON RAILWAYS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20010, 19 August 1930, Page 10

COMMISSION ON RAILWAYS.

SITTINGS LIMITED. EVIDENCE IN CHRISTCHURCH. "It Trill tako us all our time to have our report to the Government ready on September Ist," said the chairman of' the Railway Commission (the Hon. R. Masters, M.L.C.) to a reporter of The Press last evening. The limited time and the wide order of reference, covering every phase of the working administration of the railways, have necessitated the Commission taking evidence only in the four centres of New Zealand, and Bitting day and night until 11 p.m. When the Commissioners return to Wellington this evening, said Mr Masters, they have still a small amount of evidence to hear. They will probably be unable to 6tart the preparation of their report until Monday, August 25th, just one week before it is required in Parliament. Messrs J. D. Hall, J. Marchbanks, and R. W. MoVilly are the other three members. Evidence Taken Yesterday. Last Wednesday the Commission arrived in Ohristchurch, and, after spending the morning in an inspection of the Addington Workshops, went on to Dunedin. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. were occupied in taking evidence in that city, and in an investigation of the Hillside Workshops. Leaving by the night express on Sunday, the Commissioners arrived at Christchurch yesterday morning and took up their sitting, in private, at the Provincial Council Chambers. Evidence was heard yesterday from officers of the Railway Department," including the Divisional Superintendent, the District Traffic Manager, and the District Storekeeper, and from representatives of the Eyre district (Messrs F. Horrell, C. Morgan Williams, and others). The hearing continued until 10.30 p.m. The witnesses to-day will be the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce (Messrs Norton Francis and W. Machin). the manager of the Addington Workshops (Mr C. A. Jenkins), and representatives from Rangiofa. The Commissioners will leave on their return to Wellington by the ferry steamer this evening.