RAILWAY BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1928, Page 2

RAILWAY BOARD

OHAIR-MAN’S R ETIII EAIE.\ T. POSSII )LE SUCCESSORS. WELLINGTON, .March 18. With the resignation of Air F. J. Jones, Itom the 'chairmanship of the Railway Board, rumour lias been rife, ft has been broadcasttd that the resignation of Air Jones was due to a disagreement in policy between the chairman and the. Prime Alinister who also is Alinister for Railways, and it has also been reported that Air Jones’s retirement will herald a change of po I icy in railway matters. These reports are due Lo a misconception. The Board can have no policy which is not that of the Alinister, and the work of the Board members to date lias been the application of the policy enunciated bv Mr Coates when he took over the portfolio some years ago. No resignations could alter the fact that the new Board would have to carry out the line of action indicated by the Alinister, who is the legislative head of Hie Department. The resignation of Air Jones has no political significance. It is a retirement for health reasons purely. Eighteen months ago the chairman of the Board was forced to take a trip to the South Seas in effort to throw off the neuritis from which lie suffered, and it has been known throughout the service for some time past that Air Jones would he retiring at the end of the month. No fewer than nine names are mentioned as possible successors to Air •Tones, hut the selection appear to he narrowed down to three, Air J. S. Hunter. Air F. C. AViddop, and Mr E. Casey. Air Hunter previously private secretary to the Minister of Railways, became the first official secretary of railways two years ago, passing from the employ of the Legislative Department to that of the railways themselves. Ho voyaged Home with Air ('dates and made extensive enquiries into the conduct of Railways in Great Britain and is prominently concerned with the question of fuel research in in the Dominion. Air W iddop is at present Chief Engineer, and has 30 years’ experience in the department. He succeeded Mr Jones when that gentleman was elevated to the chairmanship of the Board, and his oaieoi in the Department and general oxporionoo has been very much on the lines of his predecessor. Air Casey became Divisional Superintendent of the North Island when the decision to decentralise control was made, and has made his mark with railway matteis. He was associated with the designing of the new Auckland yard, and before being appointed to his present position was Inspecting Engineer for the North Island. Of the three. Mr Hunter and Air AViddop are considered to have the strongest claims, and thcic will he no surprise occasioned if Alt' Hunter is appointed.