RAILWAY APPEAL BOARD

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2414, 20 March 1915, Page 8

RAILWAY APPEAL BOARD

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) Wanganul, March 19. At a sitting of the Railway Appeal Board to-day three cases were heard. Geo. Duncan, relieving officer in the traffic _ department, appealed against reduction to grade 8 from grade 7. John Edward Armstrong said that on May 9 appellant, who was acting stationraaster at Feilding, took French leave to visit Wanganui. returning two days later. When the matter was investigated it was found that appellant had filled in a voucher claiming travelling expenses for two nights away from his post. In reply to the chairman of the board, Mr. W R. Haselden, appellant denied putting in the Voucher in order to hide his absence from Feilding, which was due to illness in his family. For the Department, counsel said the appellant could have obtained leave if he had asked for it. The vouchor incident was regarded by the Department as a serious offence. Counsel for the appellant contended that the punishment did not fit tlio crime. Charles Horsnell, clerk, New Plymouth, appealed against his classification in grade 8. Andrew Duncan, District Traffic Manager, said that the appellaut did not possess the qualifications for higher service. As the result of a disagreement over a ruling by the chairman of the board, counsel for the appellant (Mr. C. I'. Ryan) refused to continue with the appeal, a decision supported by appellant. H. W. Laing, stationmaster at Feilding, appealed against his classification in",grade 7. J. E. Armstrong, Traffic; Manager, said the appellant showed weakness in the control of the staff. Appellant gave evidence of the ivork supervised by him, pointing out a big increase in the Feilding traffic. Last vear 103,000 more sheep were bandied, while the passenger returns increased by £31,000. Judgment m the three cases was reserved. |