RAILWAY INCREASES

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1920, Page 4

RAILWAY INCREASES

IN FORCE TO-DAY

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, August 24

The following are details of the new railway rates, Which come into force tomorrow:—“ln making the revison, the additions made for war purposes fn 1915, and again in 1917 have been taken into consideration, and the additions now made have been consistently kept as low as possible. New rates have been scheduled for ordinary excursion and suburban tickets. Ordinary tickets have been increased by about 25 per cent., as compared with the rates in 1914, amounting to an increase of about 7 per cent on the fares now in force for this class of ticket. Holiday excursion fares have been increased by about 25 per cent., as compared with the rates in 1914, amounting to an increase of about 7 per cent on the fares now in force for this class of ticket. Hobday excursion fares have been increased hv a flat rate of 2/- for both first and second class. The rates for weekly 12-trip fares have been slightly advanced, the increased rate varying from one-eighth of a penny per mile at two miles to one fiftieth of a penny per mile at tWenty-five miles. Workers 12-trip tickets have also been slightly increased and the two to ten miles stage divided into two stages, resulting in increased charges per trip per mile from one eighth of a penny at two miles to one hundredth of a penny at twenty-five miles. The rates for other classes of tickets have been increased 'by 25 per cent on the rates in force in 1914. With regard to charges for conveyance of parcels traffic, the tabulated rates have'not been altered, but the rates for luggage, bicycles, horses, carriages etc., have been increased by one third. Left and lost luggage will under the new scale be charged fourpence instead of 3d per package, and the fee for checking luggage is also to be advanced to fourpence. The charge for checking lugjgage between the North and South Islands and vice versa has been increased to 9d per package. No alteration lias been made in the charges for the conveyance if -bread, flour, fresh milk, fresh fruit, fresh fish( fresh meat, tea and sugar. The rates for these remain as at present. The rate for timber, which has hitherto been free of any impost, has been increased by one seventh of the pre-war classified rates. With regard to all other goods and live stock, and charges, for haulage, storage, demurrage, and similar services, the charges have been increased by 40 per cent on the 1914 rates. These additions to rates absorb the increases in the charges made in 1915 and 1917

which amount variously from 17 to 21 per cent. A number of minor adjustments have also been made. Corresponding adjustments have been made in.the rates on Lake Wakatipu steamers and for goods handled at wharves under control of the Department.