RAILWAY APPEAL BOARD

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2473, 28 May 1915, Page 3

RAILWAY APPEAL BOARD

SITTING IN DUNEDIN. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Dunedin, May 27. A sitting of the South Island Railway Appeal Board was held here to-day, wlieir John M'Nair, : assistant engineer at Dunedin, appealed against the action of the Department m superseding him on D 3 list. Mr. M'Villy said that M'Nair was superseded by Jeffreys on the last D 3. Oil the 1913 D 3 M'Nair was above Jeffreys, and in 1914 their respective positions were: M'Nair.No'. 8, in grade 6; Jeffreys No. 44, in grade 6. Since then Jeffreys had been promoted to the position of district engineer at Ohakune. M'Nair was still in grade 6, and Jeffreys in grade 5. James Burnett, chief engineer in charge bf the maintenance branch, said that in making the appointment at Ohakune he came to tile conclusion that Jeffreys was the most'suitable officer for the position, and recommended him accordingly. A person who left the Government .service for increased' remuneration (appellant went from the Public Works Department to the Manawatu Railway), and afterwards drifted back to the Government was not entitled 'to more consideration than, or the same consideration as, those who remained in the Government service. He did not think the same training was possible on the Manawatu Railway. The President: The impression you have given is that a person who leaves the Government for increased pay and returns is not entitled to the same consideration as one who remains in the Government service ? Witness: That is so. To Mr. M'Villy: He would not allow his personal opinion on this question to warp his judgment in making recommendations. Mr. F. W. Mao Lean, inspecting engineer, said he had no hesitation in saying that Jeffreys was the much more qualified man of the two in the work of the Department. Mr. Burnett (recalled) qualified what he had previously said by the remark that he would not let the fact weigh with him in considering the qualifications of the respective officers, but would consider experience and work. Mr. M'Pherson announced that the evidence of public works officers was being taken on commission in Wellington, and this being so the inqufry was adjourned sine die.