THE RAILWAY SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 165, 8 April 1921, Page 5

THE RAILWAY SERVICE

IMPORTANT APPEAL BOARD DECISION.

By Teles Mph—PreeH Association.

Auckland, April 7.

An important decision was given today bv the chairman of the Railway Appeal Board (Mr. Page, S.M.) upon certain vital points regarding section 48 and 61 of the Government. Railways Act and regulations made thereunder, which were formally referred to the board by Mr. C. R. Bell for an appellant (C. P. Lyall) nt the recent sitting in Wellington The effect of fihe board’s decision was adverse to the whole of the contentions, four 11} number, made by Mr. Bell. According to the board’s decision, tho onus is upon ftfl appellants before the board to challenge the General Manager’s decision by actual evidence, and that L.e Genera Manager has, in effect, complete power of selection of officers for promotion irrespective of the Classification Act ot 1896, and any subsequent amendments of that statute. . I Mr Bell announced that it nos intended to appeal to the Supreme Court upon these points and that the o-ijjaiu. ed body of railway officers would bo very keenly interested in putting th matter upon a definite footing. Iho de- . cision of the board upset, m cffec.i the efforts made by all the railway sameties for the past 30 years. Mr. Bell expressed his appreciation of the deal and prompt decision given by the «' jnlrniai1 ’ but stated that, it was one which the staff would be obliged to oppose.