SHUNTING INQUIRY

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 8 September 1925, Page 9

SHUNTING INQUIRY

CONDITIONS AT PALMERSTON

(BY TELEGRAPH —PKEBS ASSOCIATION.; PALMERSTON N., Sept. 8 When the Railway Inquiry Board resumed this morning, Mr O’Shea, the stationmaster, read a prepared statement dealing with the points in the older of reference. Witness detailed the hours worked by different gangs and employees in the yard, showing 49j lours per week continuous time, about the maximum in the, schedule, while in tlie case of some gdngs the meal interval was not deducted from the hours worked, which, if allowed for, niakerthe hours worked for the week 48. Palmerston North was the best staffed station as far as shunting gangs were concerned. Witness gave figures showng the number of cars and waggons handled in the local yard from' 1915 to 1994, together with particulars of the staff, number of vehicles handled per man. The figures were: —1915, 294,475 vehicles, 11 shunters and six porters, average per man, 17,322; 1924, 339,154 vehicles, 14 shunters, 8 porters, average 10,416. The foremen’s duties were detailed by witness, who said that as the result of the vigilance of these officers thefts from the yards during Khe past three years had practically CCiVSGcL. Mr O’Shea, continuing his evidence, said that although 800 to 1000 waggons were handled in a day in the yard, its holding capacity was only 591. The weekly average of vehicles shunted was 706 cars and 6275 waggons. Witness exercised a. general supervision over the station and yard. He had never had conrolarnt from the lhen as to being dissatisfied with conditions locally, or that the yards and work therein was dangerous. Witness considered that rU<i "'yard was well lighted, and that the layout of the yard was according to standard. Compared with other yards, the local one was well drained. "Witness denied statements that had been made that many changes were effected ; n the personnel of the shunting gangs. Durihg the period of his service here lie had received verv few complaints from the staff, which, unless serious, were dealt with oh the spot.