H—4o

63. The following table shows the applications dealt with during the year, and in summarized form are given the Tribunal's decisions. In all cases where rates have been increased, sundry amendments have also been made to the conditions of the schedules :

In all cases where increases were granted by the Tribunal, the Minister of Stabilization directed that the increased cost was to be borne by the user. 64. During the year the Tribunal also reviewed 36 general and 71 mail contracts. Since its inception to 31st March, 1946, the totals of applications dealt with by the Tribunal, and in respect of which decisions have been given, are asfollows : Country schedules .. .. .. .. 32 Town schedules .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 General contracts .. .. .. .. .. 124 Mail contracts .. .. .. .. .. .. 222

65. When dealing with applications for general increases in country or town schedules the accounts of a selected number of operators within each district are checked by the Department's Investigating Officers. The revenue accounts and balance-sheets, along with certain other statistical data, are then placed before a committee of accountants (one representative each of the transport industry, users, and the Department), which adjusts the accounts in accordance with conventions laid down by the Tribunal. The adjusted accounts are then summarized and copies forwarded to the parties interested in the application.

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Application in respect of — Decision of Tribunal. Date. Terms. 1945 Hamilton Borough April 10 Schedule prescribed and authorized. Gisborne Borough „ 10 Rates increased by 2\ per cent. - (Schedule prescribed 20th June, 1941.) Southern Hawke's Bay „ 10 Rates increased by 10 per cent. (Previous increase granted 30th November, 1940.) Poverty Bay „ 10 Amended rates prescribed for one commodity only. North Auckland „ 10 Rates increased by 10 per cent. Certain new rates prescribed. (Schedule prescribed l§t April, 1941.) Marlborough July 27 Rates increased by 5 per cent. (Schedule prescribed 17th June, 1940.) Hastings Borough „ 27 Schedule prescribed and authorized. General application in respect „ 28 Rates increased by 4 per cent, in Area Schedules and 5 per of goods-service charges cent, in city, borough and town district schedules conthroughout New Zealand sequent on wage increases granted by Court of ArbitrationReview of wheat-cartage Nov. 23 Rates amended. Application in respect of Canterbury,. rates South Canterbury, Cheviot, and Waipara-Amuri Areas, Christchurch Shingle Metal „ 23 Rates amended. Supply Association Westland Co-op. Dairy Co., » 23 Increases authorized of £d. per pound butterfa.fc in respect of Ltd. charge authorized for transport of cream, and 12J per cent. (inclusive of general increase of 4 per cent.) for carriage of other goods. Governor's Bay Area 23 Schedule prescribed and authorized. Nelson .. ■ • • „ 23 Rates prescribed for cartage of boulders, metal, gravel, and similar goods ; also for the hire of dump trucks. Christchurch Exempted Area » 23 lQ4.fi Schedule amended. Auckland 1 i/tU Jan. 25 Rates prescribed for carriage of sand, metal, metal chips, and shingle. Waiheke Island „ 25 Schedule prescribed and authorized.