EXCURSION RATE QUESTION

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 208, 29 May 1926, Page 12

EXCURSION RATE QUESTION

FOR SHOW EXHIBITORS RAILWAY DEPARTMENT’S ATTITUDE “That the Railway Board bo urged to grant excuisiou rates on secretaries’ certificates to Oona-fide exhibitors and attendants with live stock for the A. ana P. shows in the Dominion, and that the new tariff be amended to cover tlie concession.” The above remit was moved at the Royal Society ot Agri cult a re’s conference yesterday. On behalf of the Mauawatu A. and P. Association, Mr. M. A. Conway stated that at present the Government mapped out certain excursion radii for the various shows. The Manawatu radius stopped at Waipawa, while most of their visitors came from Hastings. They wanted the Government to be a little more considerate, and to issue excursion tickets from all parts to these shows. Mr. H. H. Fraser (Timaru), who seconded the remit, said he did not think that this would be a great hardship for the Railway Department. The number of tickets, concerned would be small —probably 50 for Manawatu,, half a dozen for Timaru, and from 50 to 60 for Christchurch. Very often a farmer was prevented from exhibiting an account of ll'o I'-nyv travelling oxnenses. Mr. G. T. Wilson, of the Railway Department, who attended, stated that the Department had agreed to the granting of excursion rates to exhibitors and attendants of live stock for the Royal Show at Auckland. The concession applied only to live stock exhibitors. He had listened carefully to what had been said and would convey the representations to tlie Railway Board. “The past experience of the board has' shown,” continued Mr. Wilson, "that we would be immediately deluged with applications for concessions if we agreed to the request. A person might contemplate a trip to Pa’merston North from Invercargill. Ho would put in a small exhibit. . . Mr. Fraser: A cake. (Laughter.) "And then get a cheap trip,” added Mr Wilson. The speaker concluded that the board would forward a considered reply to the society’s request. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Fraser; I wish to point out that our contention applies only to live stock. These animals must have somebody to look after them. Mr. Wilson: A person showing a milking machine or a deodoriser would then contend that he was entitled to excursion rates. Mr. J. E. Hewitt (Jfangamaire) thought that the Government had treated tne exhibitiors very liberally in the master of the Royal Show. They must remember that it is a national affair, while the.others were merely local. The question of travelling expenses was going to be a great factor in the success of the Royal Show. The motion was carried. Royal Show Patrons. A further remit by the Manawatu Association: "That the Railv.ay Board be asked to grant railway excursion fares in both of the islands for the Royal Agricultural Society's Show patrons from any part of the Dominion," was next considered. Mr. Conway stated that at Home the Royal Shows were held in various districts, and it was possible to book at excursion rates to them from any part of England, Scotland, or Wales. "I believe that there are people who would take advantage of the proposed concession," remarked Mr. Conway. “In fact, I might do it myself. (Laughter.) But then, the Department has at least got mo traveling, whereas I might not have done eo if there were no show excursion rates.” "Mr. Wilson: "The question to be considered is: Would the .Department gain more on the show traffic than we would lose as a consequence of the concession on the regular traffic? However. I will put the matter to the Railway Board. The report, was adopted.

ALLEGED BREACH OF CONTRACT CROSS ACTIONS SETTLED BY MAGISTRATE. By Tblegkapu Pit::s» •v<sortAT>r:N Hamilton, May 28. Reserved judgment by Mr. Justice Ostler was to-day delivered in the action brought by Dynes Fulton, chairman of directors of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, against English and Luxford, accountants, Hamilton, for £lOO damages for alleged breach of contract. The case arose out of an address- given at Matangi by Fulton. This resulted in defendants bringing an action which was settled on condition that the terms were kept confidential. but which it was alleged that defendants had disclosed. Defendants counter-claimed for £lOOO for an alleged similar breach. Judgment was for defendants on the claim with costs, expenses, and disbursements. On the counter-claim defendants were granted £1 damages, defendants to pay their own costs.