FREIGHT REDUCTIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1950, 4 April 1889, Page 6

FREIGHT REDUCTIONS.

An important reduction has been made by the Railway Commissioners in the rates charged for the conveyance of small lots of produce. It has been for long a standing ground of complaint that in many instances it has cost more to send small

parcels of produce, such as fruit, vegetables, butter, &c, from the country districts to Dunedin than the actual value of the articles. With the low rates now charged, these complaints may be considered as entirely thing of the past. Formerly the lowest quantity of a consignment at goods rates was lewt, so that lots of, say, 561b had either to be charged the same as for lewt or at parcels rates, which jire of course higher than goods rates. The effect of the .present reduced rates is that small lots of fruit, vegetables, fish, butter, cheese, bacon, eggs, &c, are now delivered within a specified radius in Dnnedin at such rates as must prove of material benefit both to country producers and their town custom ars, whether produce merchants, fruiterers, or private people. For instance, one hundred-weight of potatoes or fruit can be sent from Waikouaiti to consignee's residence at Dunedin for Is, and from Palmerston for Is 3d. At the old rates the charge would have been Is 6d and 2s respectively. The Railway Commissioners are to be congratulated on this their first comprehensive attempt at liberalising the tariff, and we trust it may be but the beginning of reforms that will induce satisfaction with the new management of our railways, and prove of benefit to the revenue.