RAILWAY WORKSHOPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9078, 12 June 1888, Page 5

RAILWAY WORKSHOPS.

THE CHANGES AT NEWMARKET. | INTERVIEW WITH MR. MITCHEL* SON. A FULL EXPLANATION. [by telegraph, —special correspondent.] Wellington, Monday. To-day I interviewed Mr. Mitchelson relative to the statement in the New Zealand Herald of Friday last as to impending trouble in the Newmarket Railway workshops. The Minister was kind enough to give me a frank and full explanation. It is as follows :— There have been no reductions in the ordinary sense of the term. All that has been done is to make the pay on a uniform scale among carpenters, carriagebuilders, and painters, as explained by me in a previous telegram. The foreman fitter has not been discharged, but promoted to Greymouth. The foreman of carriages and wagons has been changed to "inspector," and a man removed from Napier to fill his previous post. Tho late inspector of carriages and wagons has been reduced, but has the option of remaining on as a tradesman at Auckland, or of removing to Napier. The foreman of blacksmiths is not needed, as the foreman fitter has also to take tho foremanship of the blacksmiths. This is the rule at Addington, the largest railway shops in the colony. He also has tho option of remaining as a tradesman at current wages. No new regulations have been issued." These changes have been effected by Mr. Rotheram, the Locomotive Engineer, who has recently paid a visit of Inspection in Auckland. The Department considers that these changes have largely reduced expenditure, and also largely improved the efficiency of the establishment. It is intended to move the foremen of the various departments about from station to station in the colony, as the exigencies of tho public service may require. Tho late changes in the Railway Department at Auckland have caused a good deal of stir, as Sir George Grey, and Mr. Moss, and Mr. Goldie, have received letters and tslegrams respecting them. Mr. Goldie has received a communication on the subject from the Engineers and Ironworkers' Society. I understand the Government intend to place railway matters outside tho range of political influences, and political pressure, even pending the appointment of a Chief Railway Commissioner.