The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1889.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2598, 7 March 1889, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1889.

In another column will be; found a letter from Mr Hudson, District Traffic .Manager of Railways, in further reference to various questions brought before Mr J. P. Maxwell, by the Hamilton deputation, on his recent visit to the Waikato. It is already known that some of the concessions asked for have been granted, and that a new time-table will come into force on Monday next, which provides for a fast passenger train service, and special goods and cattle trains. We have now before us a further proof of the desire of the Commissioners to meet the wishes of the Waikato people, iu granting such facilitiesas will prove of great benefit to the settlers and the cause of settlement. The important communication we publish to-day, is one of the fruits of the deputation's action, and is in fulfilment of Mr Maxwell's statement that the Commissioners would endeavour to make as substantial a relaxation in the freights on small lots of produce as they could. A special scale of charges has been framed for this class of goods, in which will be found a satisfactory reduction, The charge for fruit as class E, for instance, will in future be two shillings per hundredweight from Hamilton to Auckland, or nearly one-fifth of a penny per Jb, being a reduction of one shilling and threepence. The freight on honey, bacon, hams, cheese, etc., will be two shillings and elevenpence per hundredweight, or one shilling and fivepence less than formerly. The minimum of two tons, to which so much objection was always made, has been abolished, and in future, small consignments of fruit can be sent at class E rates, and will represent a reduction on the old rate, from thirty-four shillings a ton lot to twenty shillings, from Hamilton, equal to fourteen shillings. Grain, potatoes, etc., will be sent as class E, and charged one and a half rates, equivalent to a reduction on a ton, from twentyfour shillings and ninepence to seventeen shillings and sixpence. These concessions will, no doubt, be received with much gratification by the community generally, and will go a long way to remove the feeling of irritation hitherto felt with the old political rajimo of the Railway Department and create a contrary one of confidence in the Board. There is now but one matter which was introduced by the deputation as yet undecided, and that is the question of a reduction of passenger fares to Auckland, or a return ticket system. This, as we have understood, of course, requires very carefut consideration on the part of the Commissioners, but, we are hopeful that they may see their way to meet the views of the Waikato people to some extent in that direction also, as they have in all the other points brought before Mr Maxwell.