THE RAILWAYS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1199, 22 February 1895, Page 34

THE RAILWAYS.

REVISION OF THE TARIFF. Mr Hudson, assistant manager of the railways, has returned to Wellington, after meeting in conference at Dunedin the accountant and the three traffic managers of the South Island. They thoroughly discussed a large number of matters relating to revision of the railway tariff and to the working of the railways, and drew up a report upon them for submission to the general manager. The numerous recommendations contained in it will be laid before Cabinot in due courso. Amongst othor things outsido the tariff it was decided that all tho first-class sta-tion-masters and a number of Che secondclass station-masters should be placed in full uniform, and that station-masters of all grades should be supplied with a distinctive uniform cap, so that they may be easily recognised by the travelling public. Tho Railway Department are now considering the advisability of appointing a medical man in each of the principal centres to examine candidates for employment in tho railway service.

DEPUTATION TO MB RONAYNE. On Monday morning a deputation, consisting of Messrs W. A. Fitzherbert (Mayor of the Lower Hutt), R. C. Kirk (Mayor of Petone), W. H. Ballinger, A. Burns, R. Mothes, C. Harper and J. Edmonds, waited on Mr Ronayno,. General Manager of the Railways. ~ Mr R. C. Kirk said that the deputation represented a meeting of season ticketholders which was held at Petono recently. He pointed out that although the population of the Hutt and Petone districts had increased from a few hundreds to several thousands, yet the faros had not been reduced. He quoted statistics to show the great increase that had. taken place in the passengor traffic. The Government should revise the whole of the suburban fares. The hardship was felt more by tho working man who could only pay for a monthly ticket than by the man who could afford to take a yearly ticket. The difference was very noticeable, too, in.the case of quarterly tickets. Ordinary single and return fares between Wellington, Petone and tho Hutt were too high. He advocated tho issue of family tickets in packets of 50. ' Messrs Fitzherbert, Harper and Mothps also spoke in support of the suggestions made by Mr Kirk. Mr Edmonds instanced the case ol the Tramway Company carrying people to Newtown and back for 3d, and thought the railway authorities could carry passengers to Petono for the,same amount, tho distances being about equal. Mr Ronayne replied that he thought the monthly season tickets were too high, and he would recommend tho Minister to make a reduction. Ho pointed out that suburban rates wore always lower than general rates, Annual suburban tickets wore cheaper in Now Zealand than in any other colony, but lie considered tho annual season ticketholder had too great a proportionate advantage over the monthly, quarterly and i half-yearly ticket-holders. There was no

comparison between the Tramway Company and the railways, as in the former case rates were kept down by keon competition. The question of commutation and other tickets would be considered. With reference to a remark by one of the deputation that a reduction on the charges for goods between Wellington and Potone was necessary, Mr Ronayne pointed out that tho rate on coal ha I been reduced from 3s Gd to 2s Gd, but as goods sent by rail required to bo handled at both ends quantities would always be sent by road. He would look into this matter also. Messrs Edmonds and Kirk pointed out that it was felt as a hardship that junior clerks and others from Potone were denied the advantage of cheap faros if they happened not to be apprenticed. Mr Kirk also suggested that if sixpenny excursion trains were run on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons they would bo well patronised.