Mr Pinkerton's amendment, as far as sub-section 2, but containing the principle of complete State control of the railways was then proposed to be inserted m place of clause 3, and was carried by 36 to 27. The following is the division list:— Ayes (36)— Messrs Oarnell, Carroll, Collins, Orowther, Duncan, Earnshaw, Hall, Heke, Hogg, Hutchison W., I Joyce, Kelly J W., Kelly W., Lawry.i Millar, Mackintosh, McGowan, Mc- Kenzie J., McKenzie R., Mills, Morri son, Newman, O'Regan, O'Rorke, Parata, Pinkerton, Pirani, Reeve*,

Russell G. W., Smith E. M., Stevens, Stewardj Stout, Tanner, Ward, Willis. Noes (27)— Messrs Allen, Bell, Buchanan, Buddo, Buick, Button, Flatman, Fraser, Graham, Hali Jones, Harris, Hutchison G,, Lang, Mac kenzie T., Maslin, Massey, McGuire, McLachlan, McNab, Meredith, Mit chell, Montgomery, Sounders, Smith G. J., Te Ao, Thompson, Wilson. Pairs—Ayes: Messrs Cadman, Lar nach, Duthie. Noes: Messrs Russell W. R., Green, Oarncross. Mr i>. W. Russell urged the classi fication scheme for the railway service similar to the post and telegraph clas sification scheme. Mr Seddon suggested that a short clause should be put m the Bill giving the Governor-in-Council power to make regulations m this direction. Subsections 3, 4, and 5 of Mr Pin kerton's amendment were then replaced by three subsections proposed by the Premier, providing that those persons m the railway service before the ap pointment of the Commissioners should resume their positions m the civil ser vice, this also applying to any Com missioners who were previously m the civil service. The clause as thus amended was added to the Bill. Consequent upon this amendment, clauses 4 to 15 inclusive were struck out of the Bill. In clause 16, providing for a Board of Appeal for railway servant*, there was considerable discussion as to the chairman. Eventually the proposal providing one Board for the whole colony was lost, and it was agreed that the chairman of either Board should be a Judge of the District Court or a Stipendiar The remainder of the Bill was altered to read m accord with the amendment of Mr Pinkerton, abolish ing the Board of Railway Oommis iioners. Mr J. W. Kelly moved a new clause giving every railway officer and em ployee one week's leave of absence m the year. 