RAILWAY APPEALS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 241, 20 March 1915, Page 5

RAILWAY APPEALS.

A NEW PLYMOUTH CASE. •JUDGMENT RESERVED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wanganui, Last Night. At a sitting of the Railway Appeal Board to-day three cases were hoard. George Duncan, relieving officer in the traffic department, appealed against a reduction to grade 8 .from grade 7. John Edward Armstrong said that on May 9 appellant was acting stationmaster at Feilding, and took French leave to visit Wanganui, returning two days later. When the matter was investigated it was found that appellant had filled in a voucher claiming travelling expenses for the two nights away from his post. In reply to the Chairman of tjie Board (Mr Haseldon), the appellant denied that lie put in a voucher in order to hide his absence from Feilding, winch was due to illness in the family. For the Department, counsel said appellant could have obtained leave if he had asked for it. The voucher incident was regarded by the department as a serious offence. Counsel for appellant contended that the punishment-did not fit the crime. j Charles Horsnell, clerk at New Plymouth, appealed against classification in grade 8. Andrew Dutican, District Traffic Manager, B aid appellant did not possess qualifications for higher service. As the result of a disagreement over a ruling by the Chairman ofi the Board, counsel for appellant (Mr. C. P. Ryan) refused to continue with the appeal, a decision supported by appellant. 11. W. Laing, stationmaster at Feilding, appealed against classification in grade 7. Mr. ,T. E. Armstrong, traffic manager, said appellant showed weakness in control of liis staff. Appellant gave evidence of work supervised by him, pointing out a big increase in Feilding traffic in the last year; 105,000 more sheep were handled, while the passenger returns increased £31,000.

Judgment in all three cases was reserved.