A BIT FROM A RAILWAY INQUIRY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1195, 2 August 1911, Page 4

A BIT FROM A RAILWAY INQUIRY.

ME. lIASELDEX TURNS DOWN THE OFFICIAL "EVIDENCE." , . IBs Telegraph,—Press Association.) Duncdin, August 1. - A sitting of the Railway Appeal Board was held to-day to hear tho appeal by G. D. Cameron, formerly stalionmaster at Palnierston South, against his reduction to a lower grade. The details as set out were that, on the evening, of March 3, the chief clerk at "Palnierston South had reported to Cameron lhat the guard on a train was intoxicated. Cameron wns\iiot on duty at the time, and took no action in tho matter'until about 'three hours later, when he returned to ascertain the guard's condition. The guard was then sent back to Duncdin as a passenger, another man taking charge of the train. The Department thereupon contended that Cameron had' shown himself incapable of dealing with cases of emergency, and had transferred him to Winton, the salary there being .£220 as against .E2JS at Palmerston South.' At the outset of the hearing appellant, a advocate, who had been supplied with a precis of the evidence given at the Departmental inquiry, asked if he was entitled to a copy ol the complete evidence. The chairman of the board (Mr. Hasclden) replied that ho did not know why tho Department did not supply full evidence. ' , ■ Mr. Davidson (representing tho Department) said that, the precis was a very fair statement of the evidence. The chairman and Mr. Urny (another member of the board) then started to compare the precis with tho full ovidenco but, before going far, tho chairman remarked that tho precis was no use, and was misleading. , ' ' _ ~ After further discussion Mr. Davidson said that he would permit Mr. M'Pherson (advocate for appellant) to sob Cameron s evidence, but nothing else. Tho chairman: "I won't hold an inquiry then; 1 won't sit." Mr. Davidson then said that, ho would hand over tho whole evidence under protest. The chairman reiterated that, otherWise, he would not. sit. It was contrary to the first principles of justice. Mr. Davidson rejoined that he had protested because he had no instructions in the matter, and he had to guard against mi ulterior action that might bo taken. They had to meet, on all hands, any attempt t'o put the Department in a false position. An adjournment was then made to enable M'l'herson to pursue the evidence. After hearing the evidence of appellant the board reserved its decision.