D.—2

RETURN No. 32. Statement of Altbeations effected in and Additions made to the Scale of Chabges during the Year ending the 31st March, 1897. PART I.—PASSBNGBBS. General Fabes and Regulations. Pares and regulations re tickets for navy recruits inserted. Rates for annual tickets available over all Government lines on both Islands amended. Rates for annual tickets available over all Government lines in North Island and Middle Island respectively inserted. Regulation re replacing lost season tickets inserted. Regulation re transfer of season tickets inserted. Apprentices' and Pupil-teachers' Season Tickets : Age-limit raised from nineteen to twenty-one years. Newsboys' season tickets made available only for use for the purpose of selling newspapers on the trains by bond fide newsboy wholly engaged on the staff of the newspaper, and not following any other profession or occupation. Newsboys not allowed to sell newspapers, periodicals, or books on the station platforms, or in trains whilst same are standing at bookstall stations. School-boarders' Tickets: Age-limit removed. Clause re giving six days' notice removed. Teachers' Saturday Season Tickets : Regulation amended so as to permit of teachers attending examinations held in connection with the training classes. Regulation re school parties, factories, and friendly societies amended. Regulation re students and scholars holding school season tickets, free school season tickets, or school boarders' tickets being required to travel in carriages set apart for them inserted. Regulation re students of agricultural and technical colleges travelling for field instruction amended. Regulation re technical schools commutation tickets inserted. Regulation re issue of tourist excursion tickets during the summer season inserted. Local Fabes and Regulations. Kawakawa Section. Return tickets at single fares to be issued on Saturdays only. Whangarei Section. Alteration of stages consequent on opening of extension to Whakapara. Auckland Section. Fares between Auckland and Kingsland, Morningside, Mount Albert, Westfield, and Papatoitoi reduced. Fares between Newmarket and Mount Eden, Kingsland, Morningside, Mount Albert, Avondale, Remuera, Green Lane, Te Papapa, Onehunga, Otahuhu, and Papatoitoi reduced. Fares between Mount Eden and Kingslancl, Morningaide, Mount Albert, and Avondale reduced. Fares for excursion tickets issued during the year from Auckland and stations in the vicinity of Auckland to Rotorua, Te Aroha, Paeroa, and Okoroire; from Te Aroha and Paeroa to Auckland and stations in its vicinity ; and for round trip tickets from Auckland to Auckland via Te Aroha or Paeroa, inserted. Greymouth-Brunnerton Section. Fares between Greymouth and Brunner for passengers travelling by New Zealand Midland Rail" way Company's trains inserted. Surunui-Bluff Section. Distances for charging fares and season and commutation tickets between Ashburton and Tinwald inserted. Fares between Clyde Street and Bluff or Ocean Beach inserted. Fares for excursion tickets issued during the summer season to Mount Cook, Taieri Beach, Queenstown (Lake Wakatipu), Pembroke (Lake Wanaka), and round trips through Central Otago, insertedFares for excursion tickets issued during the year from Christchurch to Hanmer Plains inserted. PART lI.—LUGGAGE, PARCELS, HORSES, Ere. Rates for season tickets for bicycles accompanying passengers, for distances not over twelve miles, inserted. Rates for annual tickets for bicycles accompanying passengers, available over the whole of the Government railways, inserted. Excess Luggage, Commercial Travellers' Luggage, and Theatrical Companies' Luggage : Regulations amended to read 1121b. weight. Left Luggage : Liability of Minister for loss or damage to left luggage limited to £10. Regulation giving power to demand left luggage tickets inserted. Left Parcels: Liability of Minister for loss or damage to left parcels limited to £10. Parcel Rates: Dead hares included in list of articles charged upon the gross weight. Horses: Regulation re entire racehorses amended. Regulation re horse-boxes partially occupied inserted. Regulation re deposit of ss. when ordering horse-boxes or carriage-trucks removed. Dogs : Regulation amended to provide that dogs must be distinctly addressed with name of consignee and station to which they are proceeding. Puppies properly secured in crates, baskets, or sacks to be carried at parcel rates. Fruit and Vegetables : Provision made for charging maximum rates (not including delivery charge at Auckland, Ohristchurch, Dunedin, or Invercargill) when conveyed as excess luggage. Rates for dead hares in small quantities reduced. Regulations re special goods, and goods carried at owners' risk, inserted. Local Rates and Regulations. Whangarei Section. Alteration of stages consequent on opening of extension to Whakapara. Auckland Section. Rates and regulations for through booking with ports on Kaipara inserted.

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