CHANGES IN RAILWAY FREIGHTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 43, 22 February 1897, Page 2

CHANGES IN RAILWAY FREIGHTS.

Some important changes have been decided on in connection with railway freights, passengers' luggage, etc, of which the following iaa short summary.

With regard to the question of passengers' SoMJa fide personal luggage, which has been a cau.se of constant friction bebween the railway officials and the travelling public, ib ia well known bhat in many cases where passengers may desire to take with them a small parcel of groceries, a case of fruit, or other articles purchased for domestic use, they are compelled to pay for tha carriage of them, though they may have no other luggage with them, and in other cases some obliging railway officials are not so particular about enforcing payment. In order to put matters on a more satisfactory basis the Minisber has decided that all ordinary passengers shall be allowed to take with them free of charge 112 lb, consisting either of bona fide personal luggage or any goods (furniture or bulky instruments excepted) which they may havo purchased bona fide for bheir own domestic use. Such goods will, however, be conveyed ab the passengers' own risk. No luggage will be allowed free to excursionists by day trips, but excursionists travelling on trips extending over more than one day will be allowed to take with them free of charge 1121b of bona fide personal luggage. Work people will be allowed to take at their own risk any work tools or work which they do ab their homes up to 1121b free of charge as passengers' luggage. The Minister has also approved of a new scale of parcel rates. This scale, which is an exceedingly simple one, has been drafted with a view to its being easily understood; and especially to encourage the carriage of parcels of from 32 b to 261 b by passenger trains. It is proposed to extensively advertise this new rate, which is a very considerable reduction on the existing scale. Tho rates for parcels exceeding 281b have not been reduced. Iv some cases they have been slightly increased. Ib is held that tho carriage of heavy parcels by passenger trains should be restricted, as the goods services are more adapted for the carriage of bulky parcels, and the work of dealing with the parcels an route on passenger trains is calculated to delay them and thereby increase the journey time. The policy of the Department will bo to encourage by low charges the carriage of parcels between 31b and 281b, so that both the consumer and bhe producer may be brought into personal relation by means of the cheap rates. In thia way a 3lb parcel will be allowed to travel any distance on the New Zealand railways for 6rl, a 71b parcel up to 50 miles for 6d, and any distance beyond that for Is, a 141b parcel 30 miles for 6d, 50 miles for 9fl, 100 miles for Is, _00 miles for Is 6d, and a distance of over 200 milea for 2d. A 281 b parcel can be carried 30 miles for 9d, 50 miles Is, 100 mi es for Is 6d, 200 miles for 2a, and any distance over 200 miles for 3s.

Sportsmen will be interosted to learn that, in view of the complaints which have been received in regard to the high rate charged for the carriage of small parcels of sportsmen's ammunition, which are now charged double rates, it has now been decided to carry safety small arm cartridges at single parcel rates. The effect of this will be fchab 141b weight of safety small arm cartridges will be carried 100 miles for Is.

Representations have been made from time to time to the Minister in regard to the rates charged for the conveyance of finished carriages and carts. These are considered by some to be excessive, bub are not considered ho by the Department, looking at the mabtor from the point of view of how such traffic will pay on account of the large amount of space required for a single carriage. The Minister, considering that the trades should be met in some way, has decided to make a considerable reduction in cases where more than one carriage is carried on the same truck; thus two carriages sent from one consignor to one consignee carried on the same truck will bo charged a rate and a half, and three carriages so carried will be charged for as two. Concessions are also made in the caso of carriages sent tor repair or hire. If the return journey be made within three months only half rates will be charged for the return journey, also in the case of old carriages exchanged for new ones the old carriage will be carried ab half rates provided the new carriage be carried in ibs place within three months-

There are one or two minor alterations made iv respect to the charges on small quantities of grain and other agricultural produce by which the loading and unloading will, under certain conditions, bo performed by the Railway Department without any extra charge being made.

Calves, sheep, goats and pigs, such as are usually sent to market for consumption, will bo charged at the tonnage rates, bub valuable sheep, calves, pigs, goats for stud or show purposed will be charged at bead rates, and if a separate truck and special despatch are required then ab truck rates. In consequence of representations by marine store dealers in different ports of the colony the Minister has decided to carry in four-ton lots mixed consignments of scrap zinc, scrap lead, scrap copper, scrap brass, scrap pewter, old rope, waste paper, old rags, common bottles, old sacking, broken glass, bones, and scrap iron, at the mineral rates, Class ft.

Pressed chaff, which has hibherbo been charged aba rate and a-half, will be charged ab single rates. Coke, which has hitherto been charged a rate and a-half, Class P., will bo carried at Class N rate.

The charge of 2a 6d per waggon for haulage from the Auckland Railway Station to bhe Auckland Railway Wbarf for lime, sulphur, bricks, and pumice, has been abolished. The farthing per bale per mile for wool exceeding 4cwt per bale ia abolished, and the excess weight above 4c*vb per bale will be charged pro rata actual weight at Class A rates.

The special charges on the railways constructed under the Disbrict Railways Act, and subsequently purchased by the Government, which have been in existence for many years, and have been the cause of much irritation to settlers living on these lines of railways, have been entiroly abolished, and the charges levied in future will bo those in force on the New Zealand railways as a whole. This reduction is quite outside the branch charge of per ton per mile in addition bo the classified rates on numerous branch lines in the South Island recently remitted by tho Government. Tho district railways affected by bbis latest concession are Aahburton-Forka, Waimate-Duntroon, Hakataramea-Waimea Plains.

The district rates on the Thames Valley and Rotorua line have already been remitted.

Ah previously announced, considerable reductions have boon arranged in the cause of education by the Minister for Railways in conjunction with his colleague the Minister for Education. Unfortunately, it lias boen found that there ia a tendency on the part of aome to abuse theae privilueos and to use them for purposes not intended. In future the Department will only issue tickets on condition that a roll is kept in each educational or examination p'lnco, subject to inspection by tho officers of tho Department. Regulations will be gazetted to give eflect to this.

All tho above alterations to the present alylo of rates will come into force on the Ist April, 1897.

The Senato of the Univorsity of New Zealand holds its sittings in Auckland this year, commencing on Wednesday next ab the College, corner of Parliament and Eden Btreots, ab noon. Sir James Hector (Chairman), Mr W. M. Maakeli (Registrar) and Dr. Fitchebn have already arrived. The remaining memburs of th«* Senate are expected during tho week. The sitting is likely to laso about 10 days.

To the Editor : Sir, — Within the past few weeks Auckland has become notorious tor record breaking. Thoro is still ouo left unbouchod, for how long I know nob, bub I can safely predict success the firab spirited attempt made to lower same. Ab present it takes tho Post Office authorities from noon Saturday bi'l 9 a.m. Monday Co deliver bhe Southern mails (par Takapuna and Gairloch) from Shortland-stroet to middle Queen street, say 150 yards, ju«bbh6 time ib takes the Union Company to carry it 350 miles. Surely bho Auckland public have a right to a bebbyr service bhan this— and more especially as tha Southern mail per Takapuna frequently closes at 7.55 a.m. on Monday, one hour before delivery of the inward mail.—l am, otc.,—Queenstreet.

Cr. Farroll has given notice to move ab the meeting of the City Council on Thursday next, "That tha drainage works in Hepburn-street, plans of which were submitted by the Engineer and approved by Council in Juno, 1889, be now referred to the Finance Committee re ways and moans."

The funeral of tho youth, Frederick C. Knight, who was killed in Karangahape Road by being thrown from a horse on Friday, took place yesterday, the remains being interred ab Purewa Cemetery. There was a very large attendance of friends, the procession of vehicles and horsemen alone reaching from the corner of Gundry-streeb to near Pitb-streeb, while there was also a greab number of followers on foot. A service was held at Pitt-street IVesleyan Church, the Revs, Williams, Peters aud Bull taking part. The church was crowded, and as bhe procession left the building Mr W. F. Forbes piayed the "Dead March" in " Haul." Air T. MoIvor acted as undertaker, the hearse being decorated wihh white plumes and the coffin was covered with floral garlands.

A large number of entries were received on Saturday nighb for the Premier picnic sports, to ba held ab Lake Takapuna on Saturday, March 6th. As the whole of tho entries from country lodges have nob yeb coma to hand the Committee have extended the time of receiving entries till Thursday next, from seven to nine p.m., in the Cookstreet Hall.

The annual Sunday school breab and parish picnic of Sb. Paul's Church book place ab St. Helior's Bay on Saturday afternoon. The children left by the morning; steamer, a second boat following ab two o'clock. Both steamers were crowded with excursionists, and a very enjoyable day was spent. Canon and Mrs Nelson, Mr« Nairn (lady superintendent), and other church officers and teachers were untiring in their efiorfes bo render the outing a successful one. A programme of sport, was* gone through in the afternoon, Masters L. Whitley and J. Peachey winning the bwo medals presented by Mr J. Endean.

In reference bo bhe Lending Library subscriptions, we nnderßband bhab the Legal Committee of the City Council recommends thab subscriptions bo the Lending Library (ratepayers included) be 10s per annum, 5e half-yearly,.or 3s quarterly, quarterly subscribers to require a guarantor.

Chief Detective O'Brien, whe brought Thomas Carroll over from Sydney in the s.«. Tasmania, returns to bis station ab Wellington to-morrow. Sergeanb A. Clarke, promobed to charge of tlie Auckland police station, took up his new duties to-day He was welcomed back by a number of old friends. Aba sitting of the Magistrate's Court this morning, Mr Northcroft, 8.M., gave judgment for defendant), with costs £L U, in the action \V. Monaghan v, J. F. Hawkey, claim £7, in connection with a p.n. The action, Mayor, councillors, and citizens of the City of Auckland, v. W. J. Speighb, local manager of Government Life Insurance, was adjourned until 11th March, to enable evidence bo be taken in Wellington. The claim is tor £98 16s 3d, city rates on the Company's premises in Queenstroet. A miner, whoso name is not as yeb ascertained, who was working in the Wentworth Company's mine, Whangamata, died on Friday, somewhat suddenly, through the bursting of a blood vessoj. He was a ebrong, robust man, between 50 and 60 years of age. He came from the Reef ton district, where he had bsen employed as a miner. He has a wife in Reef ton, and is a member of the Miners' Union, VVaihi Branch.

At' a numerously attended meeting et parishioners hold last evening ab St. Benedict's Presbytery, a Committee was formed to give effecb bo the unanimously expressed desire of the meeting, namely, collect subscriptions for a testimonial to be presented, with an addroas, to the Rev de G. Gregory, 0.5.8., who is about to leave this country and carry oub his desire of returning to his monastery in Belgium. By the departure of the Reverend Father St. Benedict's parish will suffer a heavy lops, as during more than five years Fabher Gregory's ever faithful ditcharge of all his parish duties and self-sacrificing care of tho sick and suffering has deservedly gained him the affection and gratitude of the parishioners.

A cyclisb when riding round the corner of Karangahape Road and Pitb street yesterday morning, came into collision with a horso and trap. He was thrown from his machine, and apparently escaped withoub serious injury, bub the horse put his feet through the bicycle wheels, and one of the wheels of the trap went over tha bicycle, which was very badly damuged.

The death of an infanb six weeks old named Broslin boarded out under bhe Infants Life Protection Acb has been reported to the police at Newmarket. The usual inquest will be held by the Coroner to-morrow.

The Shaw, Savill and Albion Company Limited, have now reduced the ratea of freight on dumped wool from tho colony to London to one halfpenny per lb (per steamer) and three eights of a penny per lb (per sailing abip) for greasy wool, with proportionate rates for alipe and scoured wool, and primage as customary,

Mr W. M. Maskell, the Registrar of th« New Zealand University, informs us tha* as Profesaor Wallace, whose death U reported in our cables today as the result ot a cycling accident, was one of the examiners of the New Zealand University, tho results of the laat examinations will be probably delayed. The examiners were to have held their meeting next Saturday, in which case the Registrar would have beon informed of the results by cable on Monday. It is now pocsible the doath of Professor Wallace will delay the mooting, and that the candidates will not hear of the results of the examinations quite so soon as they expected.