NEW SOUTH WALES RAILWAY COMMISSION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13934, 16 December 1905, Page 7

NEW SOUTH WALES RAILWAY COMMISSION.

THE COAL QUESTION. ' Unite! Prose Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, December 16. The Railway Commission has taken lengthy evidence for and against the contention that the coal from outside ports which was offered at a considerably lower price, was as good as that supplied by the Lithgow Coal Association. A number of witnesses, including some railway engine firemen, favoured the outside coal. (Received December 15, 11.5 p.m.) At the sitting of the Railway Commission, Mr Thow, mechanical engineer of railways, was called. Before he was examined Mr Holmah, a member of the Assembly, asked to bo allowed to make a statement. He said that he had made a statement: in the Assembly which further knowledge had shown him was of an exceedingly regrettable character. He deeply regretted it, and would take an opportunity to make reparation as far as possible in Parliament. He had done Mr Thow a deep injury. Mr Thow was then examined. He denied that he or his officers had directly or indirectly ever taken a bribe from the representative of any colliery with whom the Railway Commissioners dealt. He was not in anyway interested in any of the Lithgow collieries. He gave evidence that the acceptance of coal tenders on the railways was based on tests which proved- that coal from the Lithgow Association collieries was better suited for steaming purposes. (Received December 16, 1.5 a.m.) At the Railway Commission, Mr Holman, M.L.A., stated that the whole course of the inquiry satisfied him that no suspicion oould rest on the integrity of Mr Thow, mechanical engineer of railways.