RAILWAY INQUIRY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12757, 29 September 1919, Page 7

RAILWAY INQUIRY.

GENERAL MANAGER’S EVIDENCE. [P*a Pima Association.] WELLINGTON, September 29. Mr R. W. M’Villy, general manager of the railways, further examined at the Railway Commission to-day, produced correspondence showing the efforts of his Department to obtain coal from New Zealand and abroad, chiefly from Newcastle, in 1917. In on© letter the then general manager protested against the fact that half of a cargo of opal had been diverted from the railways to the Goal Trade CommitteeMr Hiley at that time was greatly harassed about the condition of tho coal stock. A further letter from Mr Hiley showed that he urged that the railways should be supplied with at least 30,000 tons a month. A cargo of 7000 tons by the Aparima, in July, 1917, which the Railway Department ordered, was diverted. The Minister of Railways wrote to the Minister of Mines and tisp Minister of Munitions urging that the railways should get precedence from the State mines to the extent of 10,000 tons a month That was in August, 1917. The Minister of Munitions wrote in September. 1917^, that the Department would get SO,OOO tons a month from the West Coast bat it did hot get it. The Quantity was cut down to 6000 without the concurrence of the Railway Department. The Railways were unable fo persuade tie Naval Department to cut down its requirements, Mr M’Villy also produced subsequent letters from his Department complaining of the short supply coal for railway purposes.