RAILWAY MATTERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4870, 28 August 1925, Page 3

RAILWAY MATTERS.

NEW TARIFF PROVISIONS.

.business agent interviewed. In conversation with Mr W. H. Welch, business agent in this district for the Railway Department, the new tariff pre-visions were discussed, and in the limited time available it was learned that many important and beneficial alterations have been made to the existing traffic and tariff conditions, on the railway. Mr Welch emphasised the desire of tlie department to cater for the public and improve travelling conditions. He also, stated that the department, realising that the farmer . was the backbone of the country, was making special efforts to reduce the cost of carriage on farm products and necessities; It was also .quite possible that further concessions would be made available from time to time, but the extent and nature of such concessions depended solely on the support the department received from the public. Obviously it,was necessary that the railways should be self-supporting and earn a reasonable rate of interest on K capital expenditure, and 1 this end.was only attainable with the help of the public, which, should look on the railways aS its own concern and support the department accordingly. CARRIAGE OF LIME'. Speaking on the question of lime for use on farm lands, Mr Welch pointed out that the department re- - served the right to decline the con- —< cessions granted for the carriage of lime free to farmers who did not have . their other goods used on the farm carried by rail. This fact appears to be a matter - for serious consideration by farmers in this district. In passing, it is - pointed out that the fanners are nowsupporting the railways by sending cheese from. Hikutaia and.butter from Paeroa to Auckland. By this action the farmers of the district will obtain the goodwill of the department, and are working in the direction of preserving the concessions allowed by the department. ROAD METAL. With reference to the carriage of road metal, it is worthy of note that in the tariff for carriage of metal for to the railway will be carried at a • lower rate than for other roads not feeding the railwayjs. The difference in the tariff fof carriage of metal for the two classes of roads is about 3s a ton. As explained, the idea is not to carry metal for roads at a reduced rate when the metal is to be used to construct rloads to carry heavy motor traffic in opposition to the rail- . ...ways.. ■, CARRIAGE OF STOCK. The alterations in the tariff for the carriage of live stock l were also discussed, and it was learned that provided there was no change of ownership racehorses would be carried on the return journey at half rates. Stud cattle, subject to certain conditions being complied with, would be carried free on the return journey. • SPECIAL EXCURSION FARES. Considerable alterations and extra provisions have been made in con- | nection with passenger fares, and Mr Welch instanced how twelve-trip tickets at reduced rates were nowavailable. These tickets are (subject to a discount of 12% percent., while 50-trip tickets, are subject to a dis- £ count of 20 per cent. This class, of ticket is an ideal one for a family man, for. the reason that the period of availability is unlimited, and the ticket is transferable between members of the family. SPECIAL FAMILY TICKETS. -s. Special provision has been made for the issue of family tickets under >• the new regulations, and the conceu- * sions available under this heading cannot help but appeal to the 1 family man. For instance, a man, his wife, and an unlimited number of a family, provided they arc under the age of 16 years, may travel as a family on payment of three return fares, either ordinary or holiday excursion, as the case may be. Or, to put it another way, a man, his wife, and family of nine children may tarvel on payment Of three adult fares. The only stipulation is that the distance travelled •’ must be- over twenty miles. Concessions have aliso been made in week-end and holiday excursion 1 tickets. ' These fares are at present being computed by the Paeroa station •"S staff" so far as this district is concerned ,and will be published in detai! at a later date. It should be borne in mind that the New Zealand railways are the property of the people, no dividends are paid, and the greater the support accorded the greater will be the concessions allowed.