RAILWAY APPEAL BOARD.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1833, 21 August 1913, Page 9

RAILWAY APPEAL BOARD.

• SITTING AT DUNEDIN. IBy Tolezrach.—Press Association.] Dunedin, August 20. A sitting'of the Kailway Appeal Board •was held to-day when two appeals against dismissal were heard. W. J- Veal, cxetationmaster at Clinton, appealed against his 'dismissal from tho Service for being nndex tho influence of liquor ■whilst on duty. On May 21 tho Audit Inspector • (Mr. Parsons) was at Clinton and warned Veal that lie had evidently ■been drinking. Two days,later Veal was so much nnder the influence of liquor that a cadet had to take tho tablet arrangements out of his hands and perform them himself. The facts were admitted, bat it was contended on behalf of appellant that the punishmont was too severo for a first offence, seeing that in some cases men had been given another chance. Appellant had been 31 years in tho Service . and had never been warned previously. Tho chairman of tho boatd, Mr. C. Haselden, said he did not think tho board should grant the application as a matter of principle:-, .It was a matter which could bo dealt with by personal application to the General Manager, supported by evidence which would not bo admissible before the board. The chairman then intimated that tho board would consider tho matter.

Bobert Wilson, formerly a porter at Waipiata, appealed against his dismissal for being under tho influence of liquor ■whilst on duty. Frederick Meggett, sta'tionmaater at-Banfurly, said that at 4.5 p.m. on May 10 appellant was under the influence of liquor. Witnoss found three {or four dozen- empty beer bottles in the ( office cupboard. Appellant said ho gathered these in the-yard.. Several witnesses 'were called by appellant and evidence that he did not appeal to bo nnder the influence of liquor. Appellant admitted having had a "nip" of whisky on May 10 as he was not feeling .well. He was hot very strong, having met with an accidont on the railway. The chairman said the board would consider the matter.