Feb. 3.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 199

Parcels for Distribution at Destination.

When more parcels or articles than one are packed in hampers, crates, bags, cases, or other packing, or fastening, and are consigned from one consignor to one consignee for express companies or forwarding agents, and are for distribution at destination, the whole weight will be charged at rate and a half.

The onus of proving that parcels are not packed rests with consignors.

Newspapers.

Newspapers (published at intervals not exceeding seven days) and periodicals (published at intervals not exceeding one month) will be conveyed subject to the following regulations, viz. :

The packages must be open at both ends.

No receipts will be given for the packages; they will be conveyed at owner's risk, the Commissioners not being liable for damage, delay, detention, or loss; and they must be brought to, and taken from, the railway by the owners. If the owner desires them conveyed at Commissioners' risk, the ordinary parcel rates will be charged.

The packages must be prepaid by affixing stamps, which can be obtained from the Managers' offices. Packages insufficiently stamped will be charged the difference between the amount represented by the labels affixed and the full ordinary parcel rates, and the Commissioners will not be responsible for any delay which may arise in consequence.

A declaration that the parcels do not contain other than the articles mentioned above must be printed or plainly written on the address, thus: “Newspapers only.”

The Commissioners reserve the right to open out and examine packages.

Rates.

A single newspaper will be conveyed, irrespective of distance, at the uniform charge of ½d. per copy, otherwise at the scale preceding.

Horses and Carriages.

Entire horses requiring a special box will be charged a rate and a half, but if allowed to travel with an additional horse belonging to the same owner ordinary rates will be charged.

Foals, one year old and under, mules, and asses, half-rate.

Horses, foals, mules, and asses may be sent in cattle trucks, at rates charged for cattle in truck-loads.

Horses, Carriages, and Dogs.

The Railway Department does not undertake to forward horses, carriages, or dogs by any particular train; but when sent they must be at the forwarding station half an hour before the departure of the train. The owners of horses must provide means of securing them in the horse-box, and the Railway Department will not be accountable for any injuries sustained through their breaking loose or otherwise, nor will it undertake to carry unbroken or vicious horses. Horses of members of Hunt Clubs travelling to meets and returning on or before the third day will be carried the return journey for the single charge.

Horse Boxes and Carriage Trucks.

Persons requiring a horse box or carriage truck must, when ordering it, pay a deposit of 5s., which will be forfeited if the box be not used. Requisitions for horse boxes and carriage trucks must be made the day before they are wanted.

Dogs.

Dogs must be provided with chains, or sufficient means of securing them. They will not be allowed in carriages, and the sender must obtain a ticket, to be given up at the end of the journey before the dog is delivered.

The charge for conveyance of dogs, for every twenty-five miles or fractional part of twenty-five miles, will be for the first twelve dogs, per head ... 0 6

The maximum charge per head ... 5 0

Each additional dog above twelve will be charged half-rates.