THE RAILWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9610, 7 September 1894, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE RAILWAYS.

MINISTERIAL PROPOSALS.

The Government Railways Act Amendment Bill was introduced on Augusb 21.

The amendments made by the Bill in the principal Acb are as follows— member of the Executive Council is appointed Minister of Railways, who by virtue of such office becomes without salary Commissioner of Railways, together with three Commissioners appointed under the principal Act, and is bo preside ab their meetings and to have an original and casting vote ab their proceedings. When only two Commissioners are presenb and. they differ, the question ab issue is to be deferred for another meeting:. The office of ■ Chief Commissioner under the principal Acb is abolished, and the salaries of three Commissioners equalised and fixed ab nob more than £1000 each.

The Commissioners are to hold office during good behaviour for the term of their appointment. The Governor may suspend any Commissioner from office, and if at a subsequent session of Parliament an address to the Governor to restore him to office is not adopted the Governor may confirm such suspension and the office is vacated. In addition to existing causes a Commissioner who receives any fee or commission of any sort from a contract, etc., is to vacate his office. Power of taking lands for railways under section 24 of the principal Act is taken away from Commissioners, and vested in the Governor or Minister for Public Works. Power of fixing upon sites for stations, etc., under section 31 of that Act, is transferred from the Commissioner to the Minister of Railways. The Minister cf Railways may require the Commissioners to suggest , schemes for reducing expenditure, and,, if disapproved of, may propose his own scheme, the whole matter remaining to be determined by the joint Com- ' missioners. Contracts for supplies above £100 are to be open for public tender. Estimates of expenditure are to be submitted by the Commissioners to the Executive Government before presentation to Parliament. Moneys appropriated out of the Public Works Fund for railways are to be expended only under the direction of ! the Minister for Public Works. Salaries exceeding £300 are not to be increased by the Commissioriers wifchoub the approval of theGovernor-ln-Council. Power of Commissioners to grant leave of absence is limited to that granting short) periods of leave only. Appeals from employees on important questions are to be heard within 30 days by a Board. The employees elect one member of . the , Board in each island. On the resolution- of either House, at a future session thai; the Government * Railways should re-vest in the Queen, the Governor may, by Order-in-Council, fix the day upon and from which the said resolution shall take effect thereupon the principal Act becomes repealed, and the Commissioners vacate their offices, bub are to continue for the residue of their term of office at the same salaries, as officers of the Queen inlhe Railway Department.