ADDITIONAL BENEFITS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20495, 21 February 1930, Page 15

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS.

MERCHANDISE FOR WAIKATO. FREE CARRIAGE FROM SHIP. CUSTOMS CLEARING SERVICE. [BY TELECRAI>H. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] HAMILTON. Thursday. Further concessions in freight charges on goods transported from Auckland to the Waikato are to be made by the Railway Department. From next Monday merchandise for Hamilton, Frankton, Cambridge and Te Awamutu will be carried from the ship to the rail at Auckland free of charge, thus effecting a saving of 6s 3d a ton to traders. A system of customs clearing for country customers will also be instituted, and a special officer appointed to control this work. In effect, the railway will organise a shipping department of its own. It is stated that the new system is regarded with favour, especially by the large country firms which indent their own merchandise. Figures are available showing the increase in inward goods traffic at Frankton, Hamilton and Cambridge since the system of free delivery was brought into operation in these towns. For the first 16 weeks the traffic was 6111 tons, compared with 4297 tons for the same period the previous year. Since the reduction in freight charges on butter came into

operation, large quantities formerly carted to Auckland by road have been carried by rail. For the first 16 weeks the quantity of butter sent to Auckland by rail from Frankton increased by 2337 tons. Over the 16 weeks for which figures are available, the value of the inward and outward goods traffic at Frankton, Hamilton and Cambridge increased by £5134. This figure was reached after making allowance for the cost of transport to rail and free delivery.

CHRISTMAS RAIL TRAFFIC.

VERY GRATIFYING INCREASE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Thursday. An increase in the Christmas railway traffic compared with that of the previous Christmas was referred to to-day by the general manager of the railways, Mr. H, H. Sterling. "The figures for the Christmas traffic are now available," said Mr. Sterling, "and they show a very gratifying increase over those of last year, more especially when having regard to the unfavourable weather during the holiday. This must be regarded as extremely satisfactory. "As is well known to those who study the railway position in New Zealand, the outstanding problem is that of the passenger traffic, and this makes it all the more pleasing that we should have more than held our own during the one outstanding travel period of the year.''