50

[h. carter.

J. ■ tjA

131 Was that system in operation in Auckland?—lt was there. _ 32 Do you remember how long it is since it was superseded ?-I cannot give the date, bu it is since Mr Walklate came. I might say with regard to that, that when the cars first started to run in Auckland we used to have a separate sheet something similar to what we have at the present day It was found to be unsatisfactory, and they introduced a bound book, and that Cbeen superseded since the trouble at the Conciliation Board, and we now have the separatesheet system again. ~, „ 133 Do you remember the case where Motorman Veart was suspended '—Yes. ~,,,, 134' Do you remember whether it was immediately subsequent to the extracts of that book being produced by me that the alteration was made?-Yes. They first bound the loose leavesthey clamped them down. 135 Was the clamp fixed on the used leaves?—les. 136\ What did that signify to your mind when the clamp was on?-That we were not to look at the previous record. 137 That was superseded by the present.system I— Xes. 138 You are in favour of the bound-book system ?—Yes, that is necessary 139 Is there anything else you wish to add? Just to assist you with regard to the Appeal Board do you consider the promotions have been properly bestowed in Auckland?-No. The last Br'omotion was that of a conductor to the rank of traffic inspector last _ Neate> He ig dto supervige the motonnen and since Ins anointment a few months ago he has been trained to drive a car We did not have any conScein fuch r aTpointme g nt, and very little respect for the appointee as an expert in these thmg Ul For a time after he was appointed to supervise motormen he was found to be a comnetent motorman ?—No, he learned afterwards. . P 142 Do you consider that would be a proper case for an Appeal Board to consider J-Yes 143. About how many men would he have to pass over to get that appointment?— More than half the employees, motormen and conductors. 144 Would you be safe in saying a hundred I— Yes. 145 He passed over a hundred men at least, senior to himself ?—Yes. 146' Do you consider that a man should be promoted over the heads of a hundred senior to himself without good reasons?—No, seniority and record should count. 147 Even taking record into consideration as well as seniority, this was not a fair promotioll\TBNOHLW;out 6 en Un a f t ai any cases of appeals to the Board from the general manager's de- „;„,• mi, Yes I was on the Tickell case. . . 149 What was the Tickell case?—The case of a uniformed inspector reporting whilst m nlain clothes a motorman named Williams for stopping his car on a curve contrary to regulations and evidence called to prove that the car was not stopped on a curve, but, though the award states haTmisstatements mean dismissal for an inspector, the general manager did not exercise his Tight In appeal was made before the general manager and two directors Evidence was ca led again with a result that, through a threat of the union that we intended to hold the company to the full text of the award, Inspector Tickell was dismissed as having made an untrue statement. consider it was the effect of the evidence that caused the dismissal, _or the fear of the threat being carried out I—lt was the conciliation award that was held over their heads. 151 Was Williams told that he would have to conduct his own case?— Yes 152 Then no official of the union was allowed to appear on his behalf?—No, he had to aPpe is3° n D h o lS V ou n co C nsTder that a fair position?—No, because a man might be unable to conduct a ease before the general manager very often through being nervous.

Friday, 9th September, 1910. Henry Carter further examined. (No. 5.) 1 Mr Bosser 1 You have a statement to make with regard to clause 10?— I should like to add to what was stated with regard to clause 9 A reason for the adoption of the bound volume L that it would prevent any alteration of the booking I have one case under my notice where a'barn hand altered the booking of a motorman 2 The Chairman.] Will you tell us how?—He erased a line of his booking or entry 3 Can you tell us the name of the driver ?—No. . 4' Can you tell us when?—lt was of recent date, I did not take a note of it at the time. 5' Was it reported?— No. I saw it done. The motorman's defect-sheet had a written line on it with others, and the bottom line was erased by the barn hand. I saw it being erased in the lnosp-leaf system. It was a few weeks ago. 6 Mr Bosser 1 Did you see him erase it, or was it erased afterwards ?—I saw it at the time. With regard to clause 12, I think the power of licensing carriages should be in the hands of the Government The reason for that is that we consider those interested pecuniarily and otherwise— S as the City Council individually and collectively-should not be allowed to license the cars running We have had application made by outside bodies for a minimum-fare car, which was not granted, but they allow the company to run them at their own risk.