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349. Are the differences in the rates heavy?—ln some cases. 350. Then, it would be quite in keeping with what has been done already, if the Government acquire these lines, to maintain the present tariff ? —I could not say what any Government might do. I can only say that at present we are working different rates—widely different rates—and always have been ever since trie provinces gave up control of trie railways. Triere has never been uniformity of rates in New Zealand, and there is never likely to be, as far as I can see. 351. Do you speak of different rates levied on different lines in the same provincial districts, or of different rates in different provincial districts ? —We do not take cognizance of different provinces ; we only, as far as possible, take cognizance of conditions. 352. I asked the question, because you stated since trie Provincial Districts of Canterbury, Otago, and otrier parts of trio colony gave up the lines ?—They always have been different. There was no uniformity trien, because the railways were in different hands. 353. And there is no uniformity now ?—No. 354. Dr. Newman.] Have the Waimea Plains Bailway raised their rates? —Yes; all four lines, whicri were worked in the way I have described. 355. And all four raised their rates?—l do not think the Waimate rates were raised, because it was not working so soon as trie otriers. 356. The Chairman.] Could you give the Committee any information or the names of any of trie lines on which trie larger rates are charged, either in Canterbury or Otago ? —Trie Lyttelton and Christchurch line. Trie rates differ entirely there—more than in any other part, except on the Port Chalmers and Bluff line. 357. But I mean the branch lines—the country lines?—Here are the principal branch lines on which higher rates are charged—Oxford, Springfield, Little Eiver, Mount Somers, Waimate, Duntroon, Ngapara, Tapanui, Wyndham, Kingston, Eiverton, Outram. 358. And is trio extra charge on these lines as great as on the district lines?—No. 359. Nearly as great? —No, not nearly as great. No railways in the hands of trie Government have such heavy mileage charges as on these district railway lines. 360. Mr. Cowan.] Does not the discrepancy on the Government line resolve itself into a question of haulage?—To some extent. 361. You say that in Canterbury the rates are lower than in other districts ? —No ; on branches, higher. 362. Mr. Dargaville.] With reference to the remark in D.-5, " Notwithstanding the fact that the rates have been raised, the public still continue to largely use trie line." You have seen that, I presume ? —Yes. 363. Does the fact of the company having raised its rates in that way induce competition by way of road traffic ? —No. 364. Then, notwithstanding trie raising of trie rates, the line affords a great convenience to the public ?—Yes. 365. It is largely used? —Yes. 366. Mr. Wilson.] Is it your opinion triat the prices offered are fair prices?—l could not give any opinion on that. 367. What I mean is, if you were acting for a private company, would you, as an expert, advise that company to buy triose lines at these prices ? —I could not give an opinion on such an abstract question as that. 368. Mr. Barron.] Mr. Maxwell is really the only expert we have examined, or are likely to examine, in regard to the profit of working trie railways. I think one question is very important, if he will only answer it, and that is this : Whether, looking at the question from an economical point of view, and apart altogether from trie Government relations witri trie company, he would consider these prices to be advantageous. That is, whetrier he would advise a private company or individual to buy these railways?—l think, on a mere profitable or economical view, No ; but it would not be prudent for the Government to take that point of view. It, is assuming a state of things which does not exist. It is not reasonable for the Government to take a view of that kind. Of course it is competent for the Government to take any view they please. 369. You say it is not reasonable. Why do you not think so? —I do not think it is reasonable that the Government should put itself in the position of a private speculator, considering that the colony is the owner of trie main system of railways with which these are connected, and that trie districts served are a part of the colony. 370. Mr. Dargaville.] But, if the Government wished to purchase these lines with the sole object of making them a profitable speculation, they could effect that by raising the rates to an extortionate amount ? —lf you raise trie rates in certain directions; but I doubt very much whether it would be advisable to raise them beyond what triey are at present. Triey are already very high. 371. The monopoly the Government would have, if it choose to avail itself of that monopoly, would place the people of trie district very mucli at its mercy for trie transit of goods ?—Yes, to a certain extent. 372. The position of the Government, however, in that respect is different to the position of a private company, whose only object would be to make the highest profit on trie traffic ? —Yes; certainly. 373. Mr. Montgomery.] Have we got the rates and fares as compared with trie Government lines?—You have it in the memorandum of agreements for working trie line. 374. The Chairman.] As contrasted with trie Government lines ? —No. 375. Dr. Newman.] Where would we find the Government rates?—Triey are in trie Gazette. 376. Mr, Montgomery.] Will Mr. Maxwell supply the rates—mileage rates—upon these lines