GRAIN AND RAILWAY CHARGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8964, 31 January 1888, Page 5

GRAIN AND RAILWAY CHARGES.

Recently a notice appeared stating that the farmers in tho Papatoetoc and adjoining districts were displeased at the railway regulations, which limited the weight of grain to be sent in one bag. So displeased were the farmers over this regulation that they had threatened to provide other ways of conveying tho grain to market than by railway, unless this restriction were removed. We have made inquiry into the matter, and have learned from Mr. Hudson, district manager, that the regulation complained of is an old one, at least six or more years in operation. By this regulation the weight of grain in one bag is restricted to 2401b5, and the reason why such a regulation was framed' was that such largo bags were formerly used by some farmers that it was very difficult to deal with them at the railway station. Ten of these bags are allowed to a ton, so that in reality the railway, every time it carries a ton of grain, actually carries 24001b, or 1601b more than a full ton. Here the farmer has an advantage. In the South, where there is a very much larger quantity of grain handled than there is in Auckland, all connected with the shifting of the grain object to the 2401b bags as being too large rather than too small, and are agitating for bags to contain not more than, 2001b. If this . agitation succeeds, then ib will be necessary to use only three-bushel instead of those containing four bushels. But instead of measuring the grain ■ into the bag by tho bushel measure, farmers may find it handier to uso the Steelyard, as is done with potatoes and some other agri,-. cultural produce. It can' r make no difference to tho farmer, whether he fills his bags by weight or by measure, for it is by •weight that he is paid for his crop. In the event of 2001b becoming tho rule, the railway department will givo tho farmers the same advantage they have at present, and carry 12 such bags for a ton.