17

D.—6

SCHEDULE OP EATES— continued. For any distance Per mile after not exceeding 10 first 10 miles, miles. Wool. s. d. s. d. Undumped, per bale per mile (bale not to exceed 4 cwt.) ... ... ... 0 1-| Ditto, for each bale exceeding 4 cwt., extra per mile ... ... ... 0 0-J-Ditto, minimum charge per bale ... ... ... ... ... 10 Double-dumped, per bale per mile (bale not to exceed 8 cwt.) ... ... 0 2-f Ditto, for each bale exceeding 8 cwt., extra per mile ... ... ... 0 Of Ditto, minimum charge per bale... ... ... ... ... ... 16 Each loading or unloading done by the Company, per bale, undumped ... 0 4 Ditto, dumped ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 8 Timber. Sawn timber, per 100 ft. super., per mile ... ... ... ... ... -0 Of Ditto, minimum charge, per 100 ft. super.... ... ... ... ... 7 0 Heavy timber, per 100 ft. super., per mile ... ... ... ... 0 1 Ditto, minimum charges, per 100 ft. super. ... ... ... ... 10 Australian timber, rate and a half for each loading or unloading done by the Company, per 100 ft. super. ... ... ... ... ... 0 4 A truck load is computed at 5 tons. A fraction of a mile is counted as a mile. A truck of firewood must not exceed 3 tons. Passengers. First-class, per mile ... ... ... ... ... 0 3£ Second-class, per mile ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 2-J-First-class (minimum charge) ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 6 Sec.ond-class (minimum charge) ... ... ... ... ... ... 04 Beturn fares equal one and one-half single fares. A fraction of a mile is counted as a mile. Notice is also hereby given that a maximum rent or charge to be made for the storage of goods, produce, or merchandise, shall be as follows:— Storage. On all goods not removed within twelve working hours of their arrival, per ton per day ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 Demurrage. On all trucks not unloaded by the consignees within four workinghours of their arrival, per truck per day ... ... 20 0

No. 29. The Under-Secretary for Public Works to the Eailway Commissioners. Public Works Department, Wellington, 18th July, 1893. Ec Midland Bailway: Proposals for a new Contract. I have the honour, by direction of the Minister for Public Works, to inform the Commissioners that the Midland Eailway Company is making proposals to the Government for a new contract for the construction of their line, and that, inter alia, provision is made in the said proposals : —■ 1. For the extension by the company of the section of line now under construction at Belgrove, to the Motueka Valley. 2. For the purchase of the same by the Government, within six months of completion, for £100,000. 3. For the working by the Queen of any portions of the main line between Springfield and the eastern end of the Incline line until the main line shall be completed, and the Belgrove-Motueka Section until the same shall be purchased by the Queen. The Queen to maintain the rails, sleepers, ballast, formation works, and bridges, and to pay the company 40 per cent, of the gross receipts, but only to run such number of trains as she may consider necessary. Any additional rolling-stock that may be required for the working of the Belgrove-Motueka Section to be either provided by the company, or the company to pay interest on the cost of providing the same. The Minister will be much obliged if the Commissioners will kindly favour the Government as early as possible with their opinion as to the advisableness or otherwise of accepting the above proposals. H. J. H. Blow, The Eailway Commissioners, Wellington. Under-Secretary for Public Works.

No. 30. The General Manager, Midland Eailway Company, to the Hon. the Premier. Sir,— Wellington Club, Wellington, 17th July, 1893. I have the honour to request you to inform me what action the Government intend to take relative to the proposals submitted by my directors in their letter dated 14th April, 1893, and set out in the draft of the proposed new contract forwarded to you on my return to the colony. 3-D. 6.