The Railways.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 February 1922, Page 4

The Railways.

AN AMENDING BILL

WELLINGTON, Jan 28.

The Railways Act Amendment Bill introduced in the House of Representatives by .Governor-General’s Message early his morning, gives effect to tlie agreement entered into with the Second Division of the railway service some time ago, in relation to the scale of wage sand classification. This part of the Bill will now, of course, have to be read in conjunction with the Public Expenditure Adjustment Bill. Additional powers are given to the Minister to make by-laws. Tf in the opinion of the Minister, the breach of any by-law would l cause or be likely to cause danger or annoyance to the public, or hindrance to tlie proper working, or use of a railway officer to summarily interfere to prevent the occurrence of the danger or annoyance. Interference on the part of a railway officer is not to relieve any person from any penalty to which ho may be liable for the breach of any by-law. Section 40 of the principal Act relating to the grant of easements, is amended by the addition of the following proviso: “Provided that nothing herein shall be so construed as to limit the power of Fie Minister to grant any ease ment under this section, subject to such conditions as to reduction as he thinks fit in addition to the conditions specified herein.” It is prbvided that Orders-in-Council relating to regulations may come into force either before or after tho date of issue. A - specific penalty of £lO is created for breaches of the provisions as to the speed of motor cars a.t railway crossings. Power is <*iven to the Minister to net up a hoard of inquiry from time to time to enquire into* and report upon any mater arising out of the administration of the principal Act, or the control, mainenanee, or working of a railway. The final clause of tho Bill is to meet the wishes of local authorities who desire to contribute towards the cost of erecting a railway bridge or subway. Tlie clause gives local bodies power to agree with tho Minister of Railways for the construction and maintenance, by the Minister, of a subway under, or a bridge over, any Government railway, whether or not the subway or bridge is within the district of the council or hoard, and for tho payment by the authority of the whole or any part of the cost. An agreement of this kind may bo entered into with respect to any existing subway or bridge, or with respect to any proposed subway or bridge. . .. -i-. 1 - i