RAILWAY APPEALS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3031, 17 April 1912, Page 3

RAILWAY APPEALS.

DIFFERENCES ON THE BOARD. Tho South Island Railway Appeal Board sat at Dunedin and Timairu to hoar the appeals of Mr J. Brown. S.M. (Burkes); Mr F. Graham, S.M. (Ross); Mr H. Green, S.M. (Milburn); Mr E. P. Moir, clerk (Dunedn}; Mr P. J. Bond, clerk fChrietohurohl; Mr R. J. Buchanan, clerk (Christchurch); Mr P. H. Hartland, clerk (Groyinouth). Tho decision of the chairman (Mr W. R. llase-lden) was that all these appeals should be dismissed. Tho elected members of the board, Mr J Gray (representing the first division) and Mr P. Gaines (for the seccaid division), held a contrary opinion. The Railway Review states that they forwarded the following elissenting view to the Minister: We, the elective members of tho board, dissent from the decision of tho chairman that these appeals should be dismissed. We have given no sufficient reason for the advancement of Messrs Wellings and M'Govorn over tho heads of the appellants It has been admitted by the department that the appellunts are capable anel efficient officers, aoid that they are fully capable of doing their duties, •also that they were equally recommended for promotion with Messrs We J lings <tnd M'Govorn; also, seeing that tho appellants have as long or kvigor service than Messrs Wellings and M'Govern, we are of opinion that the appeals should Ik* allowed. A similar point oanie up in Wellington, whero William Thom&on, stationmaster, Grevtown, appealed a.gainst the promotion of W. A. Wellings and P. J. M'Govorn to Grade 9 on the classification list of 1911. Tho Chairman (Dr _M'Arthur) said that the case was a very important one, which requred o well-considered judgment. A hasty decision was not desirable. Tho board proposed to adjourn the matter, so that re could go thoroughly through tho act and ascertain the power of tho superintendent in such affairs. Tho case was adjourned sine die.