THE RAILWAYS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 109, 10 May 1935, Page 8

THE RAILWAYS

NORTH ISLAND LINES

DISTRICTS ALTERED

STAFF CHANGES

For the purpose of improving North Island railway services from a financial and commercial point of view the railway districts at present used are to be altered and reorganised at an early date. In making this announcement on behalf of the Government Railways Board today, the General Manager (Mr. G. H. Mackley) said that the alterations proposed were the result of an important decision made by the board affecting the general organisation of the Railways Department. The financial result of all. the changes was estimated to be a net saving in expenditure of £2200 a year. The changes will mean the abolition of the Ohakune Railway District, which was established for reasons that no longer exist, and the grouping of North Island lines into three districts instead of four. Consequent upon the reorganisation a considerable amount of reorganisation of staff has become necessary and the changes made were also announced by Mr. Mackley. NORTH ISLAND DISTRICTS. There are four principal North Island railway districts at present—Auckland, Ohakune, Wanganui, and Wellington, said Mr. Mackley. Consideration has been given on different occasions to the question of abolishing the Ohakune District and absorbing portion of it in the Auckland District and the balance in the Wanganui District. The proposition was a prominent feature of the Fay-Raven Commission's report but was not given effect to because at the time,, and since, the Department's communications were not such as would permit of satisfactory and efficient control being exercised from the more remote headquarters at Auckland and Wanganui in the event of a serious breakdown of any kind in the Ohakune District. Recently, however, the last link in the scheme of improved telephone communication between Wellington and Auckland has been completed and train-control facilities have been installed and are operating successfully. The cuttings and fill ings en route, which,. in the earlier history of the Main Trunk line, were a source of anxiety, give little trouble today. District headquarters at Ohakune Junction were never justified from a purely commercial or business point of view but were established on the opening of the line solely on account of train running and transport considerations. In view of the considerable eco nomies that can now be effected, without in any way impairing the internal efficiency of the organisation, or the service the Department can give to its patrons, the board has .decided to abolish the district headquarters at Ohakune Junction as soon as may be reasonably practicable. NEW DISTRICTS. The" boundaries of the North Island traffic and maintenance districts will be readjusted as follows:— 1 The Northern or Auckland District will include all lines north of but not including Okahukura Junction and all lines radiating east from Frankton Junction. The Middle or Wanganui . District will include all lines soutlv of and including Okahukura Junction up to but not including Palmerston North and all lines radiating west from Marton. The Southern or Wellington District will include all lines from Wellington to Napier via Manawatu and Wairarapa and including Palmerston North station, also Foxton, Greytown, Port Ahuriri, and Hutt Valley Branch lines as at present. - Under the rearrangement of districts, the positions of district traffic manager and district engineer at Wanganui, as well as those of their responsible officers, will be raised in status to correspond with similar positions in the other principal districts. In order to simplify train-control, wagon supply, and local train arrangements between Okahukura Junction and Marton Junction (143 miles) and relieve the district headquarters at Auckland and Wanganui of as much detail as possible, it is intended to utilise portion of the existing organisation at Ohakune Junction for this work. Similarly the existing organisation at Frankton Junction will be used as far as possible to cater for the requirements of the area, between Frankton Junction and Okahukura. HEAD OFFICE ADMINISTRATION. Some strengthening of the personnel on the head office administration side, taking account of present and future requirements, has been decided upon. These changes are consequent upon, firstly, the staff economies which were, of necessity, effected during the worst period of the depression; secondly, the subsequent improvement in traffic generally; and thirdly, the considerable volume of work involved in meeting keener competitive conditions and preparing data for submission to, and taking cases before, the various transport licensing authorities throughout the Dominion, and also, when necessary, by way of appeal before the Transport Co-ordina-tion Board. These circumstances have undoubtedly increased the burdens of the board's chief executive officers, and the board has therefore decided to make the following changes and restore the^following positions in order to strengthen the organisation and afford relief to the personnel where it is most needed. Mr. G. T. Wilson, District Traffic Manager at Auckland, has been promoted to the position of Transport Superintendent, with headquarters at Wellington, and with the duties and responsibilities previously appertaining to this office. Mr. A. Urquhart* the present Staff Superintendent, has been promoted to the position of Staff Superintendent and General Inspector, which will include more frequent visits of investigation and inspection in order to see that the staffs- in the various districts and branches of the service are organised and worked to the best advantage and in accordance with established standards. . OTHEE CHANGES. Other head office staff changes are as follows:—Mr. F. K. Mackay, chief clerk, commercial branch, is appointed chief clerk, head office; Mr. A. L. Smith, goods clerk, Christchurch, is appointed chief clerk, commercial branch; Mr. A. J. Levick, chief clerk, Ohakune Junction, is appointed assistant staff superintendent; a personal clerk with head office administration experience, and who is familiar with the policy of the board, is to be attached to the General Manager and the position of assistant Law Officer is to be revived. The following district staff changes lave been made:—Mr. H. C: Couch, District Traffic Manager at Wanganui, is promoted to District traffic Manager,, Auckland; Mr. W. P; Miller, District Traffic Manager, Ohakune, is promoted to District Traffic Manager, Wanganui; Mr. I. J. Howell, District Engineer, Wanganui, is promoted to the same position in the enlarged Wanganui District; Mr. A. H. Murison, District Engineer, Ohakune, will, in the meantime, be attached to the Chief Engineer's staff and engaged on special duties.