RAILWAY APPEAL BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3244, 17 May 1916, Page 31

RAILWAY APPEAL BOARD.

OHEISTCHURCH, May 13. Judge Hasolden presided oyer a sitting of the Railway Appeal Board at the Magistrate's Court to-day. Engine-man C. Keats appealed against his dismissal from the Addington Workshops for allegedly refusing duty. Mr J. MacDonald appeared for the department and Mr Cameron for the appellant. The evideneo for the department was to the effect that on November 20 Keats was ordered to repair a wash-out in a quarry siding at Cass. He was then employed in the engine room at Addington. This notice was given to him at 2.15 p.m.. being instructed to proceed to Cass by the 4 p.m. train. He, however, returned to the engine room at 4.15 p.m., having missed the train. He explained that as there was no ono at tho house ho was unable to enter and obtain food or blankets. The excuse was considered unsatisfactory, and he was subsequently dismissed. In evidence for the appellant it was submitted that ho declined" to go out to Cass on medical advice, as owing to the heat of the engine room he. ran "a great risk of catching a chill. A medical certificate as to the harm dono to him owing to such, changes previously was produced. The engine room foreman had suspended appellant, on November 20 last from duties at Addington, and ordered him to proceed to Cass to undertake different work. He arrived there on the day following, and was immediately taken ill with influenza. The appellant had been 20 years in the railway service, and wis on the permanent list. Mr MacDonald, for the department, submitted that discipline must bo preserved. The department's businrws could not be carried on if all tho employees tonic up this attitude. The appellant had flatly refused to go to Cass, The board reserved its decision^