B. W. MCVILLY.j

57

I.—6a.

68. Then the position has not been reviewed every year?—lt has been reviewed every year. 69. When was it reviewed last? —On the Ist April of this year. 70. Was it reviewed in 1909?—1t was reviewed in 1908, 1909, 1910, and 1911. It has been reviewed every year, and the man who is in that position is in the position of other people I mentioned the other day—working through. 71. He is still in grade 6 notwithstanding the enormous increase in revenue?—He is still in grade 6. The increase in revenue has been compensated for by additions to staff. 72. Which carries more responsibility to the Stationmaster?—Oh, we know all about responsibility. 73. Palmerston North: Staff employed, 1908, 72; staff employed, 1910, 84; increase, 12. Increase passenger traffic, 13,708; live-stock increase, 4,864; goods tonnage increase, 1,551; revenue, £17,346: Maximum salary of Stationmaster —1908, £355 (less house-rent); 1910, same. You do not consider that that'position should be regraded?—No, and the Stationmaster evidently concurs. He was offered promotion, which he declined to take. He was so satisfied with his position that he elected to stay at Palmerston North at the present pay. 74. That is no reason why it should not be regraded? —The Department is the judge of regrading. 1 have already stated that the regrading is considered every year, and in the opinion of the management £355 is a reasonable pay for the position. 75. Napier: Increased revenue, £3,866; maximum salary of Stationmaster—l9oB (less house-rent), £355; 1910, same. What have you to say about that?— Yes, that is right. He will continue to remain in that grade till the management is satisfied that the grade of the station should be raised. 76. Timaru and wharf: Increased passenger traffic, 4,937; parcels increase, 9,677; live-stock, 11,041; goods tonnage, 47,714; revenue, £3,680: Maximum salary of Stationmaster— 1908 (less house-rent), £355; 1910, same. Do you not consider that position should be regraded?— No, I do not. 77. Wellington Goods: Increased revenue, £18,733; maximum salary of Goods Agent — 1908, £355; 191(1, same. You do not consider that position should be regraded?—l did not say so. It may surprise you to know that it has been regraded in accordance with the review of the staff in April, 1911. On the review of the staff in April, 1911, certain positions were regraded and that is one of them. 78. Frankton Junction: Increase of staff, 13; increased hours open, 8i; passenger traffic increase, 10,732; revenue traffic increase, £7,486; Stationmaster, 7th grade, maximum salary £300 (less house-rent) —1908, £300; 1910, same. Do you consider that position should be regraded? —I consider that station is fairly remunerated for the work, and I do not think it should be regraded at the present time. 79. Feilding : Passenger traffic increase. 5,366; live-stock increase, 31,579; revenue, £9,441 : St ironmaster's salary —1908, £220; 1910, £255 (less house-rent). Do you consider that man is sufficiently remunerated? —Yes, I do. 80. Hawera: Passenger traffic increase, 7.629; revenue increase, £5,551; Stationmaster, maximum salary (less house-rent), 1908 and 1910, £300. Do you consider that position should be regraded ? —No, I do not. I consider those positions are fairly remunerated at the present time, and I have stated that when the Department is satisfied they should be regraded then the regrading will be done, and I have quoted instances in which regrading has taken place. 81. Marton : Staff increase, 10; passenger traffic increase, 8,421; revenue increase, £4,713; Stationmaster, maximum salary (less house-rent), 1908 and 1910, £255. Do you consider this position should be regraded?—l consider the pay attached to that station is reasonable for the services performed. 82. Stratford: Passenger traffic increase, 12.350; goods, 10,059; revenue, £4,738; Stationmaster, in grade 8, maximum salary (less house-rent), 1908 and 1910, £255. Do you consider that position should be regraded?—l have already stated the position with regard to regrading. I consider all those stations are fairly well remunerated for the positions, and when the Department is satisfied that they should Jbe regraded. then the Department will consider the matter and give effect to it. 83. Eltham: Passenger traffic increase, 2,428; revenue increase, £1,891; Stationmaster in grade 9, maximum salary (less house-rent), 1908 and 1910, £220. Do you consider that this position should be regraded? —Not at the present time. 84. You consider he is adequately remunerated? —I consider he is amply paid. 85. Wanganui: Coaching and goods, increased staff. 45; revenue increase, £3,497; Stationmaster, grade 7, salary (less house-rent), 1908 and 1910, £300. Do you consider that this station should not be regraded?—That case has been fully considered by the Department, and the remuneration attached is what the Department considers the position is worth. 86. Notwithstanding the very large increase of 45 in the staff? —The increase in the staff has been put there to cope with the increased business, and the expenditure has gone up accordingly. 87. Foxton : Passenger traffic increase. 1.1 78 ; goods tonnage increase, 2,854; revenue increase, £4,352; Stationmaster, grade 8, salary (less house-rent), 1908 and 1910, £255. Do you consider that, position should be regraded?—l consider that station is well paid. 88. Oamaru and Breakwater: Passenger traffic increase, 7.825: revenue increase, £5,165; Stationmaster, grade 6, salary (less house-rent), 1908 and 1910, £355. Do you consider that that position should be regraded?—No. it is not worth any more than Timaru. 89. The Booking Clerk in that position has been reduced from grade 9 to grade 10? —The position of the Booking Clerk has not been reduced. £220 a year was never assigned to the position of Booking Clerk at Oamaru That happens to be one of the results of the Department puting up more men than it could place,

B—l. 6a.