The Evening Star. THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 1874

Evening Star, Issue 3532, 18 June 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star. THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 1874

The principle on which railway freights for goods and passenger traffic should be based was the subject of discussion at a special meeting of the Christchurch Chamber of Commerce on Friday last. It appears the Provincial Government has intimated that a reduction will be made in the chai’ges, with a view to increasing traffic on the lines; and the Chamber met for the twofold purpose of considering the policy of the proposed tariff, and to suggest the best site for a new passenger station at Christchurch. The Christchurch papers report the proceedings fully, but we do not see that through the observations of the members much light was thrown upon the principle which should guide fixing traffic charges. Judging by the report published, we conclude that although one or two of the members had made up their minds on the matter, the greater number had either not considered it at all or had formed no strong opinion upon it. Mr Jameson, one of the members at whose desire the meeting was convened, moved the following general resolution:— That this Chamber, while approving of 'moderate charges for carriage by the railways, respectfully submit to the Government, that the proposed reductions would be inappreciable and not calculated to increase traffic. That the cost of freight presses most on those living at considerable distances from Christchurch or the Port; that reduced rates for long distances would prove a great boon to the outlying districts, and encourage settlement; that cheap .passenger fares to these named neighborhoods would tend to increase the revenue; that the traffic between the Port and Christchurch, and vice versa, less requires this reduction in the rates, than more promptitude and facilities for shipping and unshipping cargo.

No one at first appeared prepared to affirm or deny the principles laid down by the proposition, so Mr Jameson proceeded to explain that the total reductions proposed would amount to about one-sixth for haulage of heavy goods, grain, and timber—that is, one halfpenny per ton |per mile; while for second-class passengers, between Lyttelton and Christchurch, the reduction would be one-eighth. In addition to the haulage on goods, terminal charges are added, which as a matter of course are unchanged, whether for long or short distances. Estimated, therefore, by the facts, the cost of transit and terminal charges by railway for short distanccs must be proportionately heavier than for long distances, haulage per mile being equal; and though we do not think decrease of the rate necessarily tends to increase of traffiic, the tendency is in that direction. The question brought so prominently before the mercantile public of Canterbury must, at no distant date, be one with which we shall have to deal in Otago ) and it is advisable that we should be prepared to enter upon it in an intelligent and not merely experimental manner. We do not look upon the railway system, on the working of which we are about to enter, as so much the means of direct]as of indirect profit. If the traffic, pays the cost of interest of money, maintenance, and construction, within the specified period, the question of profit may be considered fairly solved—the indirect advantage will be far beyond any percentage that might be derived through fixing the tariff at the highest point at which it would be possible to use the line. We do not think this point an inappreciable one. It is measurable by the rate at which goods can be carried on common roads by private enterprise. If at any point of a line of railroad it will pay to convey goods on ordinary roads at or about the charge for conveyance by railway, it may be fairly assumed that the tariff is too high; and the public are not reaping the benefit derivable from the outlay on the construction of the railway. This is a good test for short distances, but another may be necessary for a long line of railway. The object of constructing railway lines is two-fold : it is not merely to add to the value of property already utilised, but to give value to districts that without such means of access would be valueless. This object can only be attained through a process of equalising cost of conveyance of produce to a market. It becomes therefore questionable policy to adopt a fixed rate of haulage per mile, for on suclx a principle the profit on produce is gradually reduced, in proportion as the district in which it is raised is distinct from a market or port of shipment, until at last the cost of carriage would reduce land to no value whatever. When this point is reached the main object of railway construction is neutralised. The principal aim is to equalise the value of property throughout the country, but it is evident that this cannot be effected by a mere mileage rate. In Great Britain the mileage principle is very frequently departed from, where long distances are concerned, and special rates between specified districts are adopted. This principle is also acted upon to some extent in Victoria, and if railways are to succeed it will have to be done in Otago. The discussion in Christchurch did not exhibit the merchants there to much advantage. Jt was somewhat desultory, but indicated that the whole system of .charges had yet to he bases

upon well-grounded and economical principles. It was made very plain that the management of the Canterbury Railways is capable of great improvement j that they have not yet fully answered the purposes they are capable of realising • that there are absurd inequalities in charges, and some very anomalous distinctions made. The natural conclusion is that their present rates are tentative, and that the managers are groping their way into knowledge of their business. This is not desirable. In all new undertakings there is no doubt much to be learnt, but those should be employed to manage them who through past experience are most likely to conduct them well.

Mr Justice Chapman sat in Banco this morning—but the case, a Southland one, in which a rule for prohibition was moved for by Mr Barton, and shown cause • against by Mr Macassey, was unimportant.

Notwithstanding its being winter time, the labor market of Southland is (according to the' ‘ Times ’) in an active state, and as a proof of this we may note the fact that the last batch of immigrants have all found employment at fair rates of wages. Another fatal case of diphtheria has occurred at Invercargill, the victim on this occasion being the second youngest child of Mr Stevens, of the Survey Office. In the same family all the children are suffering more or less from the same disease. The election of two {members for the District Road Board of Mornington took place at the District Hall yesterday, under considerable local excitement, a ad. l-esuited iu securing the return of Mr James Anderson, solicitor, and Mr Henderson Law,insurance agent, by a large majority. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, before Messrs J. Logan and J. Brown, J. P.’s, Kenneth Kennedy, Edward Beaufort, and Christina Kerr were severally fined ss, or twenty-four hours’, for drunaenness ; and Henry Lord, for a similar offence at the Immigration Barracks, 10s. or forty eight hours’. J The drama of “ Camille” was given at the Princess Theatre last night to a first-rate house, with.a very successful result. The interest centred in the character of Camille, admirably sustained by Mrs Walter Hill who was well supported by Mr oteele, as Armand Duval, and Mr Musgrave, as the father of the latter. The afterpiece, the “ Milliners’ Holiday,” brought the entertainment to a satisfactory conclusion. A district meeting of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows was held at the Oddfellows’ Mall last evening, Palmer, P. G. M-, presiding. The special business before the meeting was the advisability of voting LIOO trom the relief fund to assjst m improving the Friendly Societies’ ground at Sawyer’s Bay. Every lodge in the Province was represented, and- after discussion the amount was voted. The Ancient Order of Oddfellows and the Ancient Order of Foresters having also each voted a sum of a LIOO for the same purpose, L3OO is available and will be at once laid out. This will make a very good commencement, but to maae the grounds wliat is desired at least •-.1,200 or L 1,300 will have to be expended. Dr Carr’s entertainment is well worth see ing. Somehow he manages to so humorously illustrate the mysterious science of mesmerism in the volunteer subjects as to while away au hour in a very happy and instructive way. Last, night none of the gentlemen who were ooerated upon—with one exception—were public men, and consequently the audience had no opportunity of testing the genuineness of the Doctor’s treatmen , except by the very natural absurdities into which be led those mesmerised * but everything appeared to be fair, and Di’ Carr disavowed any collusion with his patients. The house was full— uncomfortably so in the pit; and the Doctor was frequently applauded. The entertainment will be repeated to-night.

‘Wanganui Herald’ says that Yankee grab,” a game well understood and too well practised in Wanganui, has been made penal. The 11th sectibu of the “ Wellington Publicans’ House Management Act, lately passed through the Council, says If any licensed publican shall permit any game of chance or skill to be played by persons under sixteen years of age, or to be played for money or money’s worth by persons above that age, in or upon the premises with respect to which he shal. be the holder of a license under the said Act, he and the parties engaged in such game shall severally be liable to a penalty not exceeding five pounds, and the said licensed publican shall on a second conviction forfeit his license, and be incapable of holding another within- the Province of Wellington for six months after such conviction.” routing of Dunedin shareholders in the Dtanic Steel and Iron Company, will be held in the Provincial Hotel, to-mor-row afternoon, at 4 o’clock.