Announcing on 4th May the appointment of Mr. H. H. Sterling to the position of General Manager of the New Zealand Railways, the Prime Minister and Minister of Railways (Right Hon. J. G. Coates), stated that “although the Fay-Raven Commission recommended the board system of management coupled with divisional control, it was felt in some quarters that so far as the management was concerned the national transport system had hardly reached the magnitude to really justify the adoption of that method of control. However, the Government gave effect to the recommendation, and, as was expected, the system adequately fulfilled requirements. At the same time the Department's operations were placed on a commercial basis, and that also had led to improved efficiency in administration.

Retirement of Members.

“It has been apparent to the Government for some time past that the commercial aspect of the railways had assumed such importance as to render it exceedingly desirable to secure the services of men with commercial training when the time came to make fresh appointments to the management,” continued Mr. Coates. “The recent retirement of Mr. F. J. Jones (Chairman of the Board of Management), on account of

The Members Of The Late Railway Board.
(Elizabeth Greenwood, photo)
Mr. A. W. Mouat
(S. P. Andrew, photo)
Mr. F. J. Jones
(S. P. Andrew, photo)
Mr. J. Mason

ill-health, created such a position, and it was felt that every effort should be made to secure the services of a fully-qualified railway man with a first-class commercial training. Mr. Mouat, one of the Board members, has already asked to be allowed to retire on superannuation, and this has been agreed to; and although the remaining board member (Mr. J. Mason), has not quite completed his full term of 40 years’ service, the Government considered that in order to secure better continuity of its policy it would be advantageous to make an appointment that would eliminate further changes in the very near future.

“The importance of this policy was fully realised by Mr. Mason, and he readily expressed his willingness to meet the Government in securing in the interests of the service that permanency in administration that is so desirable. Messrs. J. Mason and A. W. Mouat have, therefore, been permitted to retire on superannuation as from the end of the current month (May)….”

“Another important change in the administration is to be given effect to by doing away with the position of liaison officer in the Minister's office, and the occupant of that position (Mr. J. S. Hunter), has been transferred to a somewhat similar office attached to the general manager.”

”A charming scene of nature is displayed.“—Dryden.
At Ohinemutu, on the shores of Lake Rotorua, North Island. (A. A. Boult, photo)