RAILWAY SCANDAL IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12845, 1 December 1905, Page 5

RAILWAY SCANDAL IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

THE COMMISSIONERS AND COAL SUPPLIES. SOME VERY GRAVE CHARGES. United Press Association—Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received 11.52 p.m., November 30th. SYDNEY, November 30. Papers which were tabled in the Assembly covering correspondence in reference to the acceptance of the tender of the Lithgow Coal Association for the supply of coal to the western rai'.way system disclosed the fact that strained relations between the Railway Commissioners had existed for some months, and that the situation had become acute. According to the correspondence the coal contract had been extended for four years on. the decision of the two Junior Commissioners acting against the Chief Commissioner so that a better price was obtained by the Lithgow Association then was previously paid. The Chief Commissioner alleges .-that his colleagues are not standing shoulder to shoulder with him in his effort- to protect the department against the effects of breaking down the competition between the erstwhile suppliers. The other Commissioners defend their action as in the interests of the Department.

The papers fehow that instead .of seeking by personal discission to arrive at. an amicable settlement the Commissioners allowed themselves to drift apart by embittered correspondence. DISCUSSION IN THE ASSEMBLY. SEARCHING ENQUIRY WANTED. Received 12.56 a.m.. December Ist. SYDNEY. November 30.. In the Assembly Mr Holman raised the question of the dissensions among; the Railway Commissioners. • The position was intolerable, and must end. He stated that the Commissioners had agreed to pay 7s 3d

a ton for coal which, the competing collieries could supply at 4s 6d. Appaiently some of the otticers of the Department were deliberately misleading their superiors in the interests of certain suppliers. He urged a searching inquiry. Mr Carruthers. in promising the appointment of the Commission of Inquiry, Mated that he had already informed the Commissioners that such a state of things could not continue.