RAILWAY ROLLING STOCK.

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 March 1917, Page 3

RAILWAY ROLLING STOCK.

SITTING OF COMMISSION AT UHRISTCHURGH.

MR. HILEVS EVIDENCE

[PER PltKSa ASSOCIATION.] CIIRISTCHURfcH, ararch 10. M,r. Hiley ■ (General .Manager fur the New Zealand Railway:,) was examined before the Government Railways Rolling Stock Commission' today. He was asked vhvther he had" any reason to suppose that there luid been any deterioration in Ihe rolling stock. He rephed: "1 have every reason to know that the. reverse is the ease. The rolling stock in New Zealand is as complete as on any railway in any country; certainly as complete as on the two railways 1 'was connected with before coming to Nevv Zealand—the North Eastern and the Great Northern Railways, which are lines of firsts class importance, maintaining their rolling stock in fiisl-ckiss order.' Continuing. Mr. Hiley said he knew that Mr. Jackson, Chief Mechanical Engineer, was out inspecting and was frequently on the. road. He (witness) knew that Mr. Jackson's inspection was exceptionally keen. "'I Ihink Mr. Jackson is ,n exceptionally keen and practical officer, and llir Le.it 'practical proof 1 can give of that is that although he is due to retire, and wishes to reti'ie, 1 have personally asked him to stay on because 1 have the •■re..test conliilence in him. and ! am glad to say he. i.s staying on for some time to come.'' Mr. Hilcv referred to the . emphasis lie had laid in his special report in 1914 upon officers receiving sufficient Opportunities to get a'loul and see I mil"- for themselves, and his recommendations in that matte- had been given effect to. Ho had taken the verv ereatest exception to statement* made by Mr. T. M Wilfnrd, M. P.. in Parliament, and had written to'Mr. [terries (the Minister) telling him that he and, his 'offii ers were preparing complete siatcincms in reply to Mr T. M. Wiit'mci's allcgaiious. In his (witness'.-) CM.vering letter lie had said that he did i-i,l think an enquiry was justified unless Air, Wilforti produced more UicU to subr«itiiiii.;le hi* statements. Later Mr. Wi1t.,,.1 t.,,.1 had repeated !lis allegiiiions respecting i'l.e unsafe condition " r tne rolling -.lock, ami also staled thai he preferred to leive t in' <iaieilii'lil of his unnamed illfurtniiiii iigniii.-st the coii.-ddered statement nj' the responsible oll'ieer of the Department, Witness, in \?ew of this had, in conjunction with other ,din ers of the Department :iski-il for the present inquiry, as he considered it. unwise and unfair ill (he public interests, and in the interests i,f his oliicets, to leave things not cleared Mr. Hiley was not. asked any questions bv the ('tmiiiiissioiier.