THE RAILWAYS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20083, 12 November 1930, Page 7

THE RAILWAYS.

HIGHER FARES AND FREIGHTS. (PBESQ ASSOCIATION TILEOSAU.) WELLINGTON, November 11, A supplement to the New Zealand Gazette, issued this morning, contains alterations of the scale of charges upon the New Zealand Railways. All fares are to be increased by Jd in every Is or fraction of a Is, and charges for sleeping berths increased, for special sleeping cars from £1 to £1 ss, and for j other sleeping cars from 12s 6d to 15s. j Holiday excursion fares are to be J increased by Id in every Is or fraction of Is. Certain restrictions are imposed on trip bearer tickets, and ordinary season tickets are increased by Id in every Is or fraction thereof. The rates for annual season tickets are to be similarly increased, and rates for workers' weekly season tickets are now fixed on a new basis, the charge rising with each additional mile after two miles. The formor charge for two miles was Is 9d. It is now Is 10d. The ten-mile rate is now 4s, compared with 2s 6d previou The 20 miles is now 5s Bd, compared with 4s 3d previously. Alterations in goods rates are also included. The classified rates for goods show increases of from 2d to 6d a ton over distances up to 10 miles, rising to increases of from 4s 4d to 6s 5d a ton over distances of 700 miles, with increases varying from 3 4-5 dto 4 4-5 d a ton for each additional five miles over 700. With regard to minimum quantities of sawn timber, logs, mouldings, etc., to be carried, the previous recognition of distances under 75 miles is now abolished. Whereas formerly a minimum of 1200 superficial feet could be conveyed on short distance journeys in taeh four wheeled truck, there is now a minimum of 2000 superficial feet all roun,d. The same condition applies to other types of truck. The rates for fresh fruit, vegetables, mushrooms, and nuts show increasas varying from 6d a ton for one mile to 3s 2d a ton for 200 miles, and whereas formerly the maximum rate of 32s 6d a ton operated at or beyond 211 miles, it is now 445, and operates at or beyond 300 miles. Additional alterations include the cancellation of the concession for students of university, agricultural, and technical colleges, travelling for field instruction. In such cases return tickets could formerly be obtained for three-fourths the ordinary rate. The scope of the concession relating to sporting and pleasure parties is widened. It was originally permissible for parties of not fewer than twelve to travel firstclass at second-class rates, or travel second-class at three-fourths the ordinary rate. It is now possible for parties of not fewer than six to travel under these, conditions.

The only alteration affecting railway employee tickets is an increase in the minimum charge for privilege season tickets from 6a 3d to 10s first-class and 7s second-class.