RAILWAY CHARGES.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1447, 11 October 1881, Page 3

RAILWAY CHARGES.

A DLPUTATion of settlers, headed by Mr Richard Bosanko, waited on Mv F. A. Whitaker, M.H.R., on Saturday afternoon, at Lewis's Hotel, Te Awamutu, and brought under his notice a gtievance in connection with the railway tariff. Mr Bosnnko complnined that the effect of the present scale of charges was to handicap the agriculturist unduly, and to deprive the railway of much traffic, which it would under a modified scale speedily secure. He said that whereas, the freight on a truck iond of cattle, was about £2 10s, the charge lor conveying a truckload of horses amounted to £7 or £S. The reason was that while 6s per head was the. charge for horned cattle, the freight for hoi sea was £1 Ss for the first and £1 each afterwards. The settlers were constantly forwarding and receiving hoises, and he thought some alteration should be made ii> their favor. The freight charges upon potatoes was also excessive, sufficient to deter a large exportation, and the same might be said in regard to manures. They found that while an alteration had been made in favor of bonedust, the extremely heavy charge for the carriage of superphosphates was retained. But even in the case of bones, lome further coucesaion was necessary if the farmers were to be encouraged in the work of cultivating their land, and by consequence using the railway for the transport of their crops and produce. Be trusted Mr Whitaker would bring the subject under the notice of the Government with a view to causing an alteration to be made.— Mr Whitaker said he would be happy to forward the interests of so important a section of the community as the farmers, and would without delay move in the .matter. He quite saw the force of the arguments which M"r Bosanko had used, and they might rely upon it that nb effort on his part would be spared. to carry out their wishes.