THE EXHIBITION TRAFFIC.

Otago Witness, Issue 972, 5 September 1889, Page 16

THE EXHIBITION TRAFFIC.

The Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand have for some time past (says the Wellington Post of Saturday) had under consideration a complete revision of their ordinary fares throughout their service, and new table of fares has just been brought out and will come into operation on the Ist November next.

The main features are the reductions in the fares between Auckland and Sydney, Wellington and Sydney, and Melbourne and the Bluff. Between Auckland and Sydney and Wellington and Sydney a reduction from £10 saloon and £5 steerage to £8 saloon and £4 steerage will be made ; while the fares from Bluff to Melbourne will also be reduced to £8 saloon and £4 steerage.

Between these ports the usual summer excursion return saloon ticket will be £12, instead £13 10s as at present. Between Wellington and Lyttelton the single fares will be 30s saloon and 20s steerage, instead of £2 saloon and 25s steerage as at present, while between these two ports excursion return tickets will be issued during summer months at £2 5s and £1 10s saloon and steerage respectively.

Corresponding reductions are provided for in other aoastal fares. In some cases the reductions may appear small, but in others, such as between Wellington, Auckland, and Sydney, the reduction amounts to 25 per cent , while it is computed that the aggregate reduction will be no less than £20,000 on the year's takings, but it is anticipated the company will to a large extent be recouped for this sacrifice by the greater travel induced by reduced rates.

Special exhibition tickets will also be issued at further reduced rates, available for a limited period, probably a month or six weeks from date of issue. These, for the return journey, will be from Melbourne to Bluff,' Sydney to Wellington, and Sydney to Auckland, £10 saloon and £5 steerage. Between Wellington and Lyttelton the exhibition tickets by all steamers will be £2 return saloon, and 25s return steerage ; while to Dunedin by steamer the return fares will be £3 10s saloon, and £2 10s steerage. It is also hoped to arrange for extra steamers at cheaper rates as occasion requires.

In connection with the Union Company's steamers, the Railway department have arranged to issue return tickets from Lyttelton to Dunedin at 40s first-class and 25s secondclass, as well as first-class tickets available all over the Southern section of railways from Lyttelton to Invercargiil and Lake Wakatipu, available for a period of one month, for £5. These tickets will no doubt be largely availed of, as holders can travel freely in any direction for the one payment. The Railway Commissioners will also issue tickets at stations throughout the North Island, representing both railway and steamer journey.

To overtake the traffic special steamer arrangements will be made by the Union Company. The Takapuna will run an express service between Manukau and Lyttelton, calling at New Plymouth and Wellington, while a similar service will be arranged between Lyttelton and Nelson, calling en route at Wellington. Between Lyttelton and Wellington there will be a daily steamer each way. The company have exercised a great deal of forethought in devising these arrangements, which will no doubt be fully appreciated by the large number of people from all parts of the colony who intend visiting the Dunedin and South Seas Exhibition.