RAIL FREIGHTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1920, Page 5

RAIL FREIGHTS.

I TO-DAY'S NEW CHARGES. DETAILS OF INCREASES. By Telegraph.—Press AsMclstion. Wellington, Last Night. Following is a further statement in regard to the new railway rates which come into force to-iaorrow:— In making the revision the additions made for war purposesi in 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 holiday excursion and suburban tickets. Ordinary tickets have been increased by about 25 per cent., as compared with the rates in 1914, amounting to an in crease of about 7 per cent, on the fares now in force for this class of ticket. Holiday excursion fares have been- increased by a flat rate of 2s for both first and second-class rates.

For weekly twelve trip tickets the rates 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 mile stage has been divided into two stages, resulting in increased charges per trip per mile from oneeighth of a penny at two miles, to onehundredth 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 the charges for the 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,. he charged <4d instead of 3d per package. The fee for checking luggage will also be advanced to 4d.

The charge for cheftking luggage between the North and South Islands, and vice versa, has been increased to Oct per package. No alteration has been made in the charges for the conveyance of bread, flour, fresh milk, frenh fruit, fresh fish, fresh meat, tea and sugar, the rates for which remain as at present. The rate for timber, which hitherto had 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 the charges for haulage, storage, demurrage, and similar services, the charges have been increased by 40 per cent, on the 1914 rates. ' These additions to the 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, and corresponding adjustments have made in the Tates on the Lake Wakatipu steamers, and for goods handled at the wharves under the control of the department.