New Zealand Railways

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 256, 25 July 1936, Page 19

New Zealand Railways

The recent change made by Parliament in the control of the railways of New- Zealand brings to mind the various other changes made since the first railway was built in New Zealand. In the early days prior to 1878, the New Zealand Government Railways were supervised by the engineer-in-chief of the Public Works Department, and each province had its own general manager controlling- its own railways These managers were retained until the railways were amalgamated under the one control. In IS7B the engineer-in-chief was replaced by two commissioners, one being responsible for the North Island, and the other for the South Island railways. This system, however, remained in force for barely two years, as on October 12, 1880, the two commissioners gave way to a general manager, who was appointed to manage all the' railways of New Zealand. A further change in the administration- was made on January 23, 1889, when the management was handed over to three commissioners, who retained their positions until the last day of December, 1894. On their retirement, another general manager was appointed, and this system persisted until December 13.. 1924. This change involved the formation of a Railways Board of three members, but did not remain in force for very long, as, on June 11, 1928, the control was again %iven to a general manager. The latter was once more deposed when another Railways Board, this time consisting of five business men, was formed in 1931, With the exception of the five years between 1889 and 1894, the New Zealand Railways have always been subjected to direction by the New Zealand Parliament.— -M. Vernon (Raetilii).