MOTORMAN'S APPEAL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10298, 5 June 1919, Page 5

MOTORMAN'S APPEAL

A CHRISTCHURCH CASE DISMISSAL FOR ALLEGED DISCREDITABLE CONDUCT. ?.eßs Association. CHRISTCHURCH, June 4." Before the Tramway Appeal Board, Ernest Snow, a motorman, appealed against his dismissal, ostensibly on the grounds of reported discreditable conduct i'u connection with his family affairs. It appears that in August last Snow's wito brought proceedings against him in tno Magistrate's Court for separation and maintenance, on grounds of drunkenness and cruelty. Snow denied the chargos, but consented to the order. The Tramway Board then considered the matter, but took no action. In March last Mrs Snow applied for -uu increase in the order, and after the court proceedings the board gavo him a week's notice, and he gave notice of appeal against his dismissal on the grounds that the full facts of the caso had not been put before- tho magistrate. In to-day's proceedings Mrs Snow repeated her charges against her husband, which he denied, the causes which led up to the separation were the company his wife kept, her attendance at race meetings, and tho disrespectful manner in which she always referred to appellant's parents. Evidence as to appellant's good character and efficiency were given, one witness remarking that from what he had seen and heard in the quarrels between appellant and his wife, ho judged the latter to be a vindictive woman with a vitriolic tongue, and he wondered how Snow had stood it so long.

Counsel for the Tramway Board said it was in the. interests of the public that the board demanded that their employees should be men of unblemished character. There was no question of inefficiency, the only motive that actuated the board was the propriety of Snow's conduct.

The Appeal Board concurred with counsel that only men of irreproachable character should be employed as motormen and conductors, but said that, having heard the evidence adduced in support of the charges of cruelty and drunkenness, it was inconclusive. Having taken no aotion after the first court proceedings, the Tramway Board could not avail itself of what took place in March, as no fresh evidence had been put forward against Snow's character, and the proceedings were only for an increase in separa*tion allowance. The appeal would be upheld, and appellant should be reinstated in the service. Each party was ordered to pay its own costs.