THE RAILWAY COMMISSIONER.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2625, 9 May 1889, Page 2

THE RAILWAY COMMISSIONER.

(liV ■J'KI.Ki.iIt.H'II.— OWN' (.•OIIUKSI'OXDKXr.) Auckland, Wednesday. A i>Kl'lT..vriON' consisting of Messrs (Jarr, Rose, Wiiistono and Byron representing the various Waikato Coal Companies, waited upon Mr McKerrow with a view of obtaining a reduction in freights to Auckland. They showed Mr McKerrow that in a great many instances it was possible to obtain Newcastle coal at a much cheaper rate than local coal. At present the freight for coal is 7s (id per ton from ITuntly, and the deputation asked to have this reduced to about 5s li,i. They were sure the output would ba doubled, and they suggested a freight of Id per ton per mile from the mines to Mercer, and l.d per ton per mile from Mercer to Auckland. The consumption of coal in the city is from 80,000 to 100,000 tons a year, so that the possibilities for tho local mines wore very good. Mr MoKerrow promised that the matter should be given ovory consideration by the Commissioners. The Commissioner was also interviewed by Messrs Sm-agg and Fry, on behalf of the Auckland Dairy Association, with the object of obtaining a reduction in rates for cwnveying milk to various centres on the line, the cost from these centres to Auckland to remain uuchauged. Mr Spragg stated that just now the Association paid 2h per gallon, and that, if tfie concession now asked for were granted, it was probable that they would be able to offer 3d per gallon next season. Mr McKerrow referring to a previous communication received from tho Association on this subject, said that the matter had received careful consideration, and would be taken up again. The proposal now made virtually amounted to this, that the Kaihvay Department was for a time at least, to subsidise the dairy business. The Association did not insist upon the concessions upon a commercial basis but on tlie ground that they would promote tho settlement of tho country and of course if the country could be iiiadii innre prosperous it would bring more people to the land, and he was greatly in sympathy with the views expressed. There were, howovor, many things to bo thought of; ho had every .sympathy with the poor settler and knew his toils and difficulties. Mr Spragg said that last season they gave settlers an advanced price for their milk in hopes that they would receive a concession in the shape of lower rates to the creameri'.!-, but tiio reduction did not come. Mr McKerrow promised to bring the matter before the (iojnmissiionors.