RAILWAY SERVANTS' WAGES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3003, 4 October 1911, Page 13

RAILWAY SERVANTS' WAGES.

ACTION AGAINST DEPARTMENT. WELLINGTON, September 26. A question concerning the -payments of a railway servant was discussed in an action before Mr Justice Edwards this afternoon. The parties were Donald Wemyss Finlay San, of Wellington, plaintiff, and the General Manager ol the Government Railways, defendant. Between April 1, 1908, and July 14, 1909, plaintiff said he was rated as porter and acting shunter. Since then be had acted as relieving guard, but was still rated as a porter. He asked that a writ of mandamus be issued to defendant requiring him to certify for the years 1908, 1909, and 1910, designating plaintiff as a member to whose pay an increase is attached ■whether plaintiff's efficiency- and good conduct have hot been such as.to entitle him to receive an increment. For the,defence, it was. stated that plaintiff was not qualified for promotion, as others had a prior claim. When he acted as shunter, guard, or signalman he received 8s 6d per day instead of 8s .as porter. Defendant had no power to certify as asked. Mr W. H. D. Bell appeared for plaintiff, end Mr J. W. Salmond (Solicitor-general) for the department. His Honor reserved his decision.