THE NEW RAILWAY TAKIFF.

Manawatu Herald, 5 November 1880, Page 3

THE NEW RAILWAY TAKIFF.

Each day brings to light new proofs of the stupid character of the new railway tariff, but one of the latest is with reference to the charge on gravel. This district is destitute of that material, and consequently Foxton is dependent on the County pft at Palmerston for its supplies. Under the old tariff, the cost ofhauliug each truck containing 4 yards of gravel was 10s sd, but under the new tariff for the same work £1 5s lOd is paid. Counting 16 yards of metal to th© chain, the cost of loading up trucks and hauling to Foxton would therefore be, under the new arrangement, about £6 10s per chain, independent of cartage from Foxton, and the cost of spreading. Putting the whole together, the new tariff will probable necessitate the people of Foxton paying about £8 10s for every chain of metalling done iv the district. At the Council meeting, a tender was received from a contractor, who was willing to do the work for £5 8s 6d. His tender, however, was manifestly drawn up on the idea that the old railway rates were still in existence, and as its acceptance would simply have involved the forfeiture of his deposit, the Council, acting on the advice of the County Engineer, refused to accept the tender. At the Council meeting on Monday, Messrs. Macarthur, Linton, and Rockstrow, who were about to visit Wellington, were appointed a deputation to bring under notice of the Government the excessive charges under the new railway rates, as regards the haulage of both timber and gravel. It is to be hoped their mission may be successful, though we are afraid Mr Oliver's reply will simply be that the matters mentioned will be " kept steadily in view."