RAILWAY EMPLOYEE'S CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 300, 28 May 1915, Page 8

RAILWAY EMPLOYEE'S CASE.

A QUESTION OF PROMOTION. Ey Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. A sitting o.t the South Island Railway Appeal Board ivas held to-day, when John McXair, an assistant engineer at Dunedin, appealed against the action of the Department in superseding him on 1)3 list. Mr. 'MoVilly said that McNair was superseded. by Jeffreys on list 'D3 in 11)1.'). McXair was above Jeffreys and in 1914 their respective positions were ItcXair No. S in grade (t, Jeffreys No. 44 in grade G. Since then Jeffreys had been promoted to the position of district engineer at Oliakuna. McNair was still in grade (i and Jeffreys in grade 5. •James Burnett, chief engineer in charge, of the maintenance branch, said in making the appointment at Oha.kune he came to the conclusion that. Jeffreys was the most suitable officer for the position, and so recommended accordingly. A person who left the Government service for increased rename!ation (appellant went from the Public Works Department to the Manawahi railway) and drifted back to the Government was not entitled to more consideration or the same consideration as tlioso who remained in the service of the Government. He did not think the same training was possible on the Manawatu railway. The President: The impression you. have given is that a person who leaves the Government for incron"cd pay and returns is not entitled to tin; same consideration as one who remains in the Government service? Witness: That is so. To Mr. McVilly: He would not aUivv his personal opinion on this question to warp his judgment in making a. ircommcndation. I'\ W. MaeLean, inspecting engineer, said he had no hesitation in saying that Jeffreys was the much more' qualified man of the two iii the work of the Department. James Burnett, recalled, qualified what he had previously said by the remark that he would not let the fact weigh with him in considering the qualification of the respective officers, but would consider their exporicncw and work. 'ilr. McPherson announced that the evidence of the Public Works officers was being taken on commission in Wellington. and, this being so, the inquiry was adjourned sine die.