D.—2.

The par value of the kreut/.er is 0-48 cent. These rates are a very great reduction from the former regular rates. A Hungarian newspaper gives the old rates from Puda-Pesth to the following points as under : — Buda-Pesth to — First Class. Second Class. Third Class. Easchau ... ... ... 16-40 ... 11-50 ... 8-20 Grosswardein ... ... '... 14-90 ... 10-40 ... 7-40 Elausenburg ... ... ... 24-10 ... 16-90 ... 12-00 Kronstadt " ... ... ... 42-10 ... 28-90 ... 19-20 Arad ... ... ... ... 15-40 ... 10-80 ... 7-70 Semlin ... ... ... ... 19-90 ... 13-70 ... 9-10 Agram ... ... ... ... 22-70 ... 16-70 ... 11-40 Fiume ... ... ... ... 37-10 ... 27-80 ... 18-60 All of which are now superseded by the 14th-zone rates of 8.00, 5.00, and 4.00 gulden. Kronstadt is in the extreme eastern part of the kingdom, close to the Eoumanian border, and this is the longest journey, doubtless, that can be made under the new tariff. The old fare to this place was about five times as great as the present one. To Vienna the new rates from Buda-Pesth are 9.0, 6-80, and 4-50 gulden, against 10-50, 7-50, and 5-50. The route for about one-sixth of the distance is in Austria. Among shorter distances than those of the 14th zone the reductions are considerable. Thus, for a route 55 miles long the fares go down from 5-30, 3-70, and 2-70, to 3-0, 2-40, and 1-50 gulden, and for 95 miles from 9-30, 6-50, and 4-60, to 5-60, 4-00, and 3-50 gulden. The old rates were about 4-J cents per mile first-class, and 2} third; for this particular shorter distance they are now about 2£ cents first-class, one-fifth less second class, and one-half less fourth-class. Thus, aside from the novelties of the tariff, there is a great reduction, and the tariff as a whole is probably one of the lowest in the world. If there was much long-distance travel it would be decidedly the lowest. With the introduction of the new tariff all of the old reduced-rate tariffs, such as round-trip, mileage, and commutation tickets, are abolished, with the single exception that " next station " and ■' second station" tickets are sold from Buda-Pesth in books of thirty and fifty at a reduction of 5 and 10 per cent., and a reduction of 50 per cent, will continue to be granted on the fares of parties of agricultural and other labourers travelling in search of work. The traffic manager of the Hungarian State Bailroad wrote on 27th August to a German railroad journal, which had criticised the new "zone" passenger tariff, that the result down to that time had been favourable beyond expectation. Exact figures were not then attainable, but it was evident that the traffic had about doubled compared with last year, and that about half of the increase was due to the " vicinity " tickets (tickets to the first and second stations). Even the gross passenger-earnings were decidedly larger than the year before, and whatever falling-off there might be later, it was evident to him that the serious financial loss that some had prophesied would not be realised. ' It was to be expected that the travel at first would be unusually active, as those who had journeys to make would postpone them, if possible, until the new tariff (announced long beforehand) should take effect. The reports of travel for a longer period are therefore looked for with great interest. — Baihvay Press. Note.—The kreutzer has a value of nearly one farthing ; 100 kreutzer-=l florin or gulden—ls. llfd. [Approximate Cost of Paper.--Preparation, nil; printing (1,550 copies), „ ss.]

By Authority: Gboegb Didsbury, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB9o.

14

On linary Tra; ms. 'ast Train: > First Class. Second Class. Distance. First Class. Third Class. Second Class. Third Class. ?o first station Co second station 1st zone, up to 15-^- miles 2nd zone, 16 to 25 miles 3rd zone, 26 to 34 miles 4th zone, 34 to 43i miles 5th zone, 44 to 53 miles 6th zone, 54 to 62 miles 7th zone, 63 to 71 miles 8th zone, 72 to 81 miles 9th zone, 82 to 90 miles 0th zone, 91 to 100 miles 1th zone, 101 to 109 miles .2th zone, 110 to 124 miles .3th zone, 125 to 140 miles 4th zone, 141 and more miles Kr. 30 40 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 700 800 Kr. 15 22 40 80 120 160 200 240 280 320 360 400 440 480 530 580 Kr. 10 15 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300 350 400 Kr. 60 120 180 240 300 360 420 480 540 590 650 710 840 960 Kr. 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700 Kr. 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360 420 480