CHANGES IN RAILWAY MANAGEMENT.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2356, 5 October 1880, Page 2

CHANGES IN RAILWAY MANAGEMENT.

[By Tur.KGUArn.] WKIJiINGTOX, Oct. 4. Many rumors were alloat on Siturday as to impending departmental changes, but I was assured by Ministers that nothing was definitely settled. To-day, however, a decision was finally arrived at, and was given effect to immediately. It lias been decided to abolish the olliec of Commissioner entirely as quite unnecessary. The commissionerships of botli islands are therefore to bo done away with altogether, and Mr J. P. Maxwell, who at present acts as assistant to Mr Blackett, engineer in charge of the North Island, will be placed in charge of working railways as General Manager, while Mr Hannay, District Manager for the Oamarn section of the Amberley-King-ston Railway, who acted as substitute for Mr Conyers while be was suffering from his accident, will be Assistant General Manager. Both gentlemen are said to be sufficient!}’ qualified for the duties. The present Commissioners of Railways, Messrs Conyers and Lawson, will retire on compensation allowance, and notice has been given them to that eifect to-day. A considerable saving will be effected by the changes, as the abolition of the commissioner ships will involve dispensing with the expensive staff of clerks, &c., attached to the respective offices. Messrs Maxwell and Hannay also will receive smaller salaries than those paid to Messrs Conyers and Lawson. It was currently rumored to-day that a similar change was to be made in respect to the engineer in charge of both islands, and Mr Blackett would probably retire, but I am authorised to give this report a distinct contradiction, no steps of the kind being in contemplation.—“ Press ’* correspondent.