EXCAVATION WORK.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 11327, 3 October 1930, Page 5

EXCAVATION WORK.

PROPOSED EXTENSION OF 'INSPECTION LAW.

(Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Oct.'2

In moving for the committal of the Scaffolding' and Excavation Amendment Bill ia the House to-niglit, the ;Hon. S. G. Smith said ft. gave greater security to those engaged in excavation .work. Local bodies and other public bodies were .brought within the scope of .the Bill. This clause had given rise to a certain amount of criticism on the. part of one or two local bodies,- but there was no doubt the provision was a necessary one. Objection was raised on 'lie ground that there would 'be a. duplication of inspection in the case of work under tho direction of a city engineer. f lho Minister pointed, out that, in most cases at any Tate, the inspection would be delegated by tho engineer to a foreman, and, for that reason, tile provision in the Bill that local bodv excavation work should, like all' other excavation work, bo under the supervision of an inspector. was necessary. Mr. Wright !It) said that even H a city onrrineer did delegate the inspection work, it could lie presumed he would delegate it to a capable person. Ho contended tlint tho immunity of such work indicated that the provision was unnecessary. Air. Holland (Li said that it- was difficult to understand how any opposition could be raised when tho matter of safeguarding life. war. conMcKern (L) .stated that mo Bill would offer relief for city engmeers. The debate on Hie motion lo commit the Pea (folding Bill was interrupted hv the rising o! the House at midnight till 10.30 n.m. to-day.

COMMISSION’S REPORT. FAR-REACHING RECOMMENDATIONS. SHOULD SA/E N.Z. £628,000 A YEAR. DEARER FARES AND FREIGHTS DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM POLITICAL CONTROL. SHOULD BE ADMINISTERED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS. REDUCTION OF STAFFS. LINES SHOWING LOSSES SHOULD BE CUT OUT. ROAD AND RAIL TRANSPORT SHOULD BE CO-ORDINATED. NEW LINES SHOULD BE ... “DEVELOPMENTAL LINES.” LOSSES SHOULD BE PAID FROM SEPARATE ACCOUNT. (Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 2. The report of the Railways Commission to inquire into possibilities of increasing ’.lie revenue and decreasing the expenditure of the New Zealand railways, was presented in the House of Representatives this afternoon. The Commission, the members of which were tho Hon. B. Masters (chairman), and Messrs. J. D. .Hun, It. W. MoVillv arid J. Marclib.iriks, submitted a lengthy doeumont containing numerous recommendations, involving important alterations in the present system, including the de-politicalization of control. The estimate approximately of the additional revenue which would he obtained if effect were given to the recommendations, would amount to £334,000, and economies effected would amount to approximately £294,000, assisting the finances of the Department to the extent of about. £028,000, per annum, and, the Commission adds that a further and a substantial saving would also he made in the event, of the staff being reduced tn t-lie minimum required tn meet, the business needs of the Department. Among the more important rer< li:mendations are the following:— That the existing Departmental organisation, with, t wo divisional superintendents super-imposed thereon; lie abolished, and full divisional control ho instituted, the Chief Engineer of the maintenance branch and the .Chief Mechanical Engineer of the locomotive branch to retain full responsibility for the maintenance of track, structures and buildings and of locomotives, rolling stock and workshops respectively. That rates lor passenger traffic be increased, concession fares increased and rates on ."Ham goods freight be increased.

That- a higher charge be made lor handling mails. That unless arrangements can he definitely made to ensure that the Railway Magazine can he printed and distributed free of cost to the Department it 1m discontinued. That the advertising branch be thoroughly re-organised and placed under the control of a competent and experienced man. That a close investigation be made of the whole staffing arrangements in all branches, and the personnel reduced to a minimum, the regulations be reviewed and as far as practicable brought into line with the economic needs and circumstances now prevailing. . . That the grading of positions be abolished and promotions made .solely on merit, efficiency and suitability for the positions lo be filled. That tho Appeal Board be reconstructed;' and the final decision in nil cases he with the Minister or other authority on whom for tho time being rests the burden of responsibility for the efficiency of service and'the safety of tlio public. That the permanent head of the Department be invested with full powers effectively to control the staff and authority to appoint-, promote and discipline.

That in connection with the maintenance of permanent way works and signals, the staffing he reduced by disposing of all surplus labour. That a general reserve fund of £2,000,000 be' built up by setting aside a sum of £1,000,000 out of the revenue of the Department, and for that purpose .-barging to the working expenses •; fixed sum not exceeding ‘ £200,000 in any one year, and crediting this to the general reserve account- annually.

* That a further £1,900,000*0f the capital account he written down. That in respect of railway and road combined bridges, the present arrangements ' j>'-p not satisfactory. The Railways Department should receive from local bodies an additional sum of £11,193 rnnually through the Arain Highways Board, that legislative authority should ho given to enable an equitable charge to he made on the hasis of tallies of traffic for determining what additional further sum the railways are entitled to receive in respect, of interest, depreciation and maintenance charges on these main structures) That care he taken not to carry the system of running engines beyond the limit within which economic results are combined with efficiency. That the system of costing in workshops he it organised to show more accurately the post- of the work done, and more equitably distribute the overhead rating for each department. « That a chief mechanical engineer he appointed immediately and made ■responsible for the running and maintenance of all locomotives and rolling stock and the workshops, and establishment of the locomotive branch. Tlia the stalling arrangements ho reviewed and Hie costs of same reduced.