RAILWAY ENQUIRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1924, Page 4

RAILWAY ENQUIRY.

ciiidSTcnußCa, Octoi*,,- 20

The Railway Commission appointed to report on the New Zealand railway system, comprising Sir Earn Fay and Sir AT'nccnt Raven, two English railway experts, arrived in Christchurch on Tuesday from Blenheim and proceed to Otago and Southland, returning to Christchurch on Nov. /in. ORDER. OF REFERENCE.

The Governor-General’s warrant for the order of reference for the commission states that Sir Sam Fav and Sir Vincent Raven are appointed to he a conr'iui-xic.ni 10 inquire into and report as to the financial arrangements, management, equipment and general working—including the administration, control and economy—of the railway service in New Zealand, and more

particularly: (1) The organisation and running of the passenger am! goods traffic, the services rendered, the- scales of fares and freights operating, the finance, and financial return,

(2) Matters appertai tiing to the organisation and conduct of the mechanical section of the system in relation to the respective types of locomotives and rolling stock adopted, cost, economy of life, and use, equipment, renewal and maintenance charge's. (3) Matters relating to the construction, renewal and maintenance of permanent wav including station buildings, yards, deviations, etc. and the order in which such works should he carried out.

(I) AVhether the present discretionary powers licit! by district traffic: managers are sufficient under existing conditions having regard to the increasing competition by toad and sea. (b) Whether more satisfactory and expeditions handling of traffic could he brought about by decentralisation, ((j) Delegating power to district mantigers. to enable them to make reel tic oil quotations for traffic in exceptional cases to counteract competition or secure business.

(7) The general viewpoint of the stall’ in dealing with the Department’s business. (8) Whether the steps at presenttaken to secure excursion traffic in connection with big events are sufficient. (il) AVhether the present statistical data compiled by the Department arc sufficient to enable transportation office rs to accurately gauge the cost of service.-, in dealing with general transportation matters. (10) The policy of the Government in connection with the leasing and the construction of private sidings. (11) The use of rail motor-cars and the type suggested for New Zealand conditions.

(12) The construction of special roll ing stock, heavier or lighter, to meel special conditions in various districts.

(13 The costing and statistical methoil in the maintenance workshops am other lira itc hes.