RAILWAY APPEAL BOARD.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13415, 30 June 1911, Page 3

RAILWAY APPEAL BOARD.

(Per United Press Association). • CHRISTCHURCH, June 28. Tire Railway Appeal Board, consisting of Mr W. R. Haselden (chairman), J Gray (representing the first division), and I‘. Liaines (representing the second division), sat at Lyttelton this morning to consider ;he upper.! of William Joseph Harrington, •ievk, against his dismissal from the service for being under the influence, of liquor. Mr Davidson, who appeared for the Department, said that the appellant practically admitted being under the influence of liquor on February 24th last, when he was suspended. In reply to Mr Haselden, the appellant admitted that he was intoxicated on that occasion, hut he had been unwell and had taken some brandy as a medicine. Evidence on behalf of the appellant was given by Joseph Smart (a casual railway hand), AA’illiara Stewart, (railway clerk), George Cludstophor Smith (merchant), John Foreman (retired railway servant), Wm. AVales, and Jas. T. Norton. Appellant stated that lie had been in tho service of the Railway Department since 1x74 and was within ci-Hit months of retiring on a pension after 37 years’ service. Ho admitted his knowledge of the regulation providing for dismissal from the service for being under the influence of liquor while on but considered that, ur h.-r tho circumstances his punishment was too severe and Was unjust. Mr Davidson briefly addressed Hie Board, which then adjourned.