RAILWAY APPEAL

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1533, 31 August 1912, Page 6

RAILWAY APPEAL

CASB OF A THOENDON GANGEE, A sitting of the Railway Appeal Board, was held at tho Magistrate's. Court yesterday afternoon. Tho board comprised— Dr. M'Arthur, S.JI. (president), with him Messrs. C. P. liyan (First Division) and J. L. Clnirchhouse (Second Division). Peter Lawson, maintenance ganger in charge of Thorndon station yard, appealed against his reduction to thG position of lino ganger, grado 1. It was alleged by tho Department that ho was unsuitable for tho former position, and had been reduced on that account. Mr. M. Leo appeared for tho appellant, and Mr, 11. Davidson ou behalf of tho ltaihvay Department. John Gordon, inspector of permanent ways for Wellington, gave cvidenco to the effect that appellant, had not carried out his duties in a satisfactory way. Appellant had come under his charge in May; 1911, and a'month later he had had cause to take exception to the way In which appellant was tightening joints in the track in the Thorndon yard. Ho had also had to complain to appellant regarding som'o union plates that were broken on tho main line. These appellant should have noticed in the ordinary course of his inspection of tho track. Witness went on to say that ho had no personal feeling towards appollant when reporting him. Ho simply wished to certify to the safe upkeep of the track and yard under his control. Frederick Charles Widdop, district engineer at Wellington, stated that lie had taken steps to ascertain whether or not there we.ro good grounds for the inspector's report regarding Lawson., After making inquiries, lie was of opinion that tho inspector's report was justified. On consideration of theso reports the general manager had decidcd that Lawson should be reduced. Lawson had had ample chances of showing what he could do, and, as - far as lie personally was concerned, Widdop denied any personal feeling ■in tho matter whatever. What, he had done was in tho course of his duty as district engineer. At the conclusion of tho case for the Department, *.o sitting was adjourned till 2.15 p.m. on Monday next. The death occurred on July 18 at his home at Clapham Common of Mr. 1 red. ,T. llacaulav, aged eighty-two, a director of Ill's) London and Routh-Wostcrn Kailway. ITe joined their ycrvice in ISSO. became assistant secretary in 18G5, secretary in 1(8-0, and in IS9S was elected to n seat on the board.