RAILWAY MANAGER RESIGNS.

Wairarapa Age, 16 December 1924, Page 5

RAILWAY MANAGER RESIGNS.

MPoSto differences WITH MINISTER.

A BOARD OF MANAGEMENT. There was a considerable stir in railway circles yesterday, says the “Post ’’ at the - announcement that the General Manager of Railways (Mr R, W. MeVilly) had forwarded his resignation to" the Government. Mr MeVilly has had over 45 years’ service in tho railways, and has been fuDy entitled to retire long before the present juncture, but his retirement, although forecasted some time ago, is stated to he snn-ounded by unusual circumstances.

Mr McVillv declined to make any comment when interviewed, and the aiinister of Kailways (Hon. J. G. Coates) was similarly uncommunicative, and would not say whether or not the reported resignation was correct or otherwise.

It is stated that matters as between the Minister and the administrative heads of the Railway Department have not been running altogether smoothly of recent months because of differences of opinion as 'to the methods adopted in bringing about an alteration in the departmental system of

working. Although the report of the Railway Commission is not yet available for publication and consequently its recommendations arc not known except to the Government, it is believed that a change is pending in the control of the Railway Service, and that the establishment of a Board of Management consisting of three members is contemplated. It is stated that the chairman of the board will be located in Wellington, but that each of the other two members will be stationed in the North and South Island respectively, the idea being that the railway system is each inland should be run as separate concerns from the point of view of earning power in order toft void North Island profits having to be balanced against South Island losses.

Although official confirmation is l&eking, there is an expectation in railway circles that Mr F. J. Jones, Chief Engineer of the .Railway Departinent. will be appointed chairman of the Board of Management.

MINISTER’S STATEMENT.

CHAIRMAN OF BOARD APPOINTED.

WELLINGTON, Dec. 15.—The Hon. J. G. Coates (Minister of Railways), when seen to-day concerning the reorganisation of the New’ Zealand railways, stated that he had come to the conclusion some time ago that, on the retirement of Mr R. W. MeVilly, a board of management, consisting of three, would provide the most satisfactory form of management to cope with existing railways problems. The step was held in abeyance, owing to the decision of the Government to invite Sir Sam Fay and Sir Vincent Raven to investigate the system. Naturally, the question of management was one that occupied a prominent place in the order of reference. “The question of Mr MeVilly’s retirement,” continued Mr Coates, “was deferred at my request until the completion of the Commissioners’ report. This has now been received by the Government and Mr MeVilly’s active association with the Department terminated on Friday last. The Commission has concurred in the to constitute a railway board, consisting of three trained railway men, capable of bringing the New Zealand._railways up to the average world standard of cheap and efficient transport. The matter was referred to Cabinet, which decided to accept Mr MeVilly’s resignation and form a board on the lines originally proposed by me. The First Appointment.

“So far, only one appointment to the Board has been made—that of Mr F. J. Jones, who has been appointed chairman. Mr Jones has held the position of chief engineer since the retirement of Mr McLean, and will carry on in his new capacity as head of the department, pending the appointment of the two> remaining members. I expect to i tk further statements in the course of a day or two.”—(P.A.)