RAILWAY APPEAL BOARD

West Coast Times, 22 April 1909, Page 4

RAILWAY APPEAL BOARD

Wellington, April 20,

Two appeals wtre heard by the Ncrth I laid Rai'way Appeal Board to-day, each oase being tbab of a train examiner, clas«fied in grade 100 tbe clasßifioation list of 1907, butplacad in grade 2 during the following year, Tha Board comprised Messr* H Eyre Kenny, S M (chairman), C P Ryan (representing the firstdivißion),andD McKenzie (rapre* sentiug the second division.) Thomas Edward Hatching!* train ex* ammer at Woodvil'e, was represented by Mr T W Ei T B0n; and complained of a reduction in grade which prevented htm receiving further increment. He had bean a train examiner for twelve years, and there h*d been only one complaint against him, He wf sin charge of a staff of three examiasrs and a b»y. He hkd never been informed of the reason for hi* reduciioD. Replying to Mr R W M*Villy, who re» presentid tbe Railway Department, appellant laid bis wages hvl not eafEared by the reduced grading. George A Piatsan, looomo'ive enginesr at Wellington, gate evidence on behalf of the Department, to the effect that the work at Woodville was unsatisfactory, and Hutchings was informed that unleia things improved he would be transferred to the worksbops, Tbe Board's decision was reserved,

A similar appeal was made by train examiner H J Seaton, of Cross Creek who state J that Ma work was mo-e res, poc sible than that of train examiners in in other placet, yet seven' een men of less experience than himself had supers seded him by being placed in grade 1 on the 1908 list, When he complained he was informed thai he bad been passed over because he lacked experience in lifting, aud had not bsen long enough in the.exaniner's position, Several witnesses were called by Mr Lee, who conducted the appeal, to show that Seaton had been **li*iog" bhe loco, motives at Gross Creek, a more intricate operation than ordimry ♦Miftiag." A letter was produced indicating that toe appellant was in July, four months after bis rtdaction to grade 2, regarded as a senior train examiner at Cross Creofe. Tke hewing was adjoined until next morning. An Auckland clerk, J H Harris, has lodged an appeal against bia dismi9?a\ Being unable to attend, owing to illness, he forwarded a statement of h ; s case wbioh wis accepted ai evidence by the Bard.

G M'Villy. cbieE clerk ia tbe General Manager's Office, testified briefly to the Department's attitude. The fiecsion was reserved, Wellington, April 21

Tbe Railway Superannuation Fund Board has pawed allowances involving an annual liability of £5,576 13s 6d. Sixtyi sis ex-members are inten sted in the dis» tribution. Allowances totalling £264 a year were made to four widows and four* teen children, Tbe secretary reported that cbe fund f rem tbe Deceased Con« tributora Fnnd, wes in a satisfactory condition.