BELGIUM.
The basis on which the rates are fixed in Belgium is:—
(a) A fixed charge of one franc per ton, irrespective of distance, which is practically equivalent to a structural terminal charge for the use of stations and for clerkage.
(b) A mileage scale, graduated according to distance.
On all lines worked by the State, whether constructed by it, purchased by, or the subject of a concession, the local tariff of the State Railways is applied generally. Before 1884, the Grand Central Belge had a distinct classification and a tariff of rates on the whole higher than that of the State Railways, but the rates charged on the independent lines are now based on those adopted by the State Railways, and sanctioned by the Minister.
The rates for traffic with France are framed by assimilating the Belgian to the French scale, based on the shortest route; for certain important kinds of traffic there are exceptional tariffs, by which each Company make a reduction from their ordinary rates.
In addition to the weight and distance, the value, and bulk of the goods are taken into consideration in the classification, if it can be said that any classification exists.
The tariff of the State Railways contains a classification which divides the Petite Vitesse goods into four classes. Besides these, twenty special tariffs have been adopted.
| No. 1 Tariff. Parcels by Passenger Train. ———————————— | No. 2 Tariff. Parcels by Goods Train. ———————————— | No. 4 Tariff. Bulln., Bnds.,&c., by Passngr. Train. ———————— | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DISTANCES. | Prepaid Packages weighing 5 Kilos and under. | 6 to 10 Kilos and non-prepaid Packages. weghng. 5 Kilos& under. | Over 10 Kilos. ———— Minimm. Charge per parcel | Prepaid Packges. weighing 5 Kilos and under. | 6 to 10 Kilos and non-prepaid Packges. weighing 5 Kilos & under. | Over 10 Kilos. ———— Minimum Charge per consignment. | ———— Minimum Charge per consignment. | Per 1,000 francs. |
| {Uniform Rates | 0.60 | 0.60 | 0.70 | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.20 |
| 1 to 25 {Delivery at Kms. {Consignee’s { Address | 0.20 | 0.30 | 0.40 | 0.20 | 0.20 | 0.30 | 0.20 | 0.05 |
{Uniform Rates | 0.60 | 0.70 | 0.80 | 0.30 | 0.40 | 0.40 | 0.40 | 0.25 |
| 26 to 75 {Delivery at Kms. {Consignee’s { Address | 0.20 | 0.30 | 0.40 | 0.20 | 0.20 | 0.30 | 0.20 | 0.05 |
{Uniform Rates | 0.60 | 0.80 | 0.80 | 0.30 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.30 |
| Over 76 Kms. { Delivery at {Consignee’s { Address | 0.20 | 0.30 | 0.40 | 0.20 | 0.20 | 0.30 | 0.20 | 0.05 |
| No. 1 Tariff. | No. 2 Tariff. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
DISTANCES. | Passenger Train. | Goods Train. | |
| Per[122] 100 Kgs. | Per[123] 100 Kgs. | ||
| TERMINAL CHARGES | |||
| 1.05 | 0.40 | ||
| MILEAGE RATES. | |||
| 1 to 25 kil. per Kilomètre | 0.03 | 0.02 | |
| TERMINAL CHARGES | |||
| 1.05 | 0.40 | ||
| MILEAGE RATES. | |||
| 26-75 kil.,extra per kil. | 0.03 | 0.03 | |
| 76-100 ” ” ” | 0.02 | 0.016 | |
| 101-125 ” ” ” | 0.02 | 0.016 | |
| 126-150 ” ” ” | 0.02 | 0.016 | |
| 151-200 ” ” ” | 0.016 | 0.012 | |
| 201-350 ” ” ” | 0.012 | 0.008 | |
| 351 and over ” ” | 0.012 | 0.008 | |
| No. 3 Tariff. | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goods Train. | ||||||||
| Per 1,000 Kilogrammes. | Furniture Vans per Vehicle. | |||||||
| DISTANCES. | (A) | 1st Class | 2nd Class | 3rd Class | 4th Class | (B) | (C) | (D) |
| TERMINAL CHARGES | ||||||||
| 0.40 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 0.50 | 5.00 | 6.00 | 7.02 | |
| MILEAGE RATES. | ||||||||
| 1-25 kil. per Kilomètre | 0.04 | 0.10 | 0.08 | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.20 | 0.60 | 0.702 |
| TERMINAL CHARGES | ||||||||
| 0.40 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 5.00 | 6.00 | 7.02 | |
| MILEAGE RATES. | ||||||||
| 26-75 kil., extra per kil. | 0.04 | 0.10 | 0.08 | 0.06 | 0.04 | 0.20 | 0.60 | 0.702 |
| 76-100 ” ” ” | 0.032 | 0.08 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.10 | 0.48 | 0.5616 |
| 101-125 ” ” ” | 0.032 | 0.08 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.05 | 0.48 | 0.5616 |
| 126-150 ” ” ” | 0.032 | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.05 | 0.48 | 0.5616 |
| 151-200 ” ” ” | 0.024 | 0.06 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.05 | 0.36 | 0.4212 |
| 201-350 ” ” ” | 0.016 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.05 | 0.24 | 0.2808 |
| 351 and over ” ” | 0.016 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.05 | 0.24 | 0.2808 |
(A) = | Minimum per Consignment. | |||||||
| (B) = | Railway Carriages and Trucks on Wheels. Rate per Carriage or Truck on 2 Axles. | |||||||
| (C) = | Property of Private Parties. | |||||||
| (D) = | Provided by the Railway. | |||||||
| No. 5 Tariff. | No. 6 Tariff. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Passenger Train. | Horses and Cattle by Goods Train. | ||||
| DISTANCES. | Carriages. (each.) | (A) | 1st Category. | 2nd Category. | 3rd Category. |
| TERMINAL CHARGES. | |||||
| 6.00 | 6.00 | 3.00 | 4.50 | 6.00 | |
| MILEAGE RATES. | |||||
| 1-25 kil. per Kilomètre | 0.60 | 0.40 | 0.12 | 0.18 | 0.24 |
| TERMINAL CHARGES. | |||||
| 6.00 | 6.00 | 3.00 | 4.50 | 6.00 | |
| MILEAGE RATES. | |||||
| 26-75 kil., extra per kil. | 0.60 | 0.40 | 0.12 | 0.18 | 0.24 |
| 76-100 ” ” ” | 0.48 | 0.32 | 0.09 | 0.135 | 0.18 |
| 101-125 ” ” ” | 0.48 | 0.32 | 0.09 | 0.135 | 0.18 |
| 126-150 ” ” ” | 0.48 | 0.32 | 0.09 | 0.135 | 0.18 |
| 151-200 ” ” ” | 0.36 | 0.24 | 0.06 | 0.09 | 0.12 |
| 201-350 ” ” ” | 0.24 | 0.16 | 0.04 | 0.06 | 0.08 |
| 351 and over ” ” | 0.24 | 0.16 | 0.04 | 0.06 | 0.08 |
| (A) = | Horses by Ordinary Passenger Train. Rate per every 3 heads. | ||||
B—TARIFF FOR INTERCHANGED INLAND TRAFFIC.
The General Tariff comprises two Standard Scales, viz.:—Scale A and Scale C.—Scale A is the same as the Local Tariff except as regards the 4th Class rates for distances from 1 to 4 kilometres, for which a minimum of 5 kilometres per ton has been fixed.
Scale C differs from Scale A only by an increase of—Franc 0.10 per 100 kilogrammes on the Tariff Rates Nos. 1 and 2, and Franc 0.10 per 1000 kilogrammes on the rates of Tariff No. 3[124] (except in the case of Railway Carriages and Trucks on wheels), which latter charge is credited to the Western of Flanders Railway Company.
The following tables show, in English money, the terminal charge per ton, and the mileage rate per ton per mile:—
| 1st Class. | 2nd Class. | 3rd Class. | 4th Class. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terminals. | Per 1000 kilos. | Per ton. | Per 1000 kilos. | Per ton. | Per 1000 kilos. | Per ton. | Per 1000 kilos. | Per ton. |
| Station terminals up to 25 kilom. (15 miles) | fc. 1.0 | 10d. | fc. 1.0 | 10d. | fc. 1.0 | 10d. | fc. .50 | 5d. |
| Station terminals above 25 kilom. (15 miles) | fc. 1.0 | 10d. | fc. 1.0 | 10d. | fc. 1.0 | 10d. | fc. 1.0 | 10d. |
| Loading and Unloading charged in addition | fc. 1.0 | 10d. | fc. 1.0 | 10d. | fc. 1.0 | 10d. | fc. 1.0 | 10d. |
| 1st Class. | 2nd Class. | 3rd Class. | 4th Class. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basis of Rates. | General goods under 5 tons, minimum charge as for 8 cwt. | 5-ton lots. | 5-ton lots. | 10-ton lots. | ||||
| Per 1000 kilos. per km. | Per ton per mile. | Per 1000 kilos. per km. | Per ton per mile. | Per 1000 kilos. per km. | Per ton per mile. | Per 1000 kilos. per km. | Per ton per mile. | |
| miles. | cts. | d. | cts. | d. | cts. | d. | cts. | d. |
| Up to 25 kiloms. (15) | 10 | 1·56 | 8 | 1·25 | 6 | 0·94 | 6 | 0·94 |
| ” 75 ” (46) | 10 | 1·56 | 8 | 1·25 | 6 | 0·94 | 4 | 0·62 |
| ” 100 ” (62) | 8 | 1.25 | 4 | 0·62 | 3 | 0·47 | 2 | 0·31 |
| ” 125 ” (77) | 8 | 1·25 | 4 | 0·62 | 2 | 0·31 | 1 | 0·15 |
| ” 150 ” (93) | 8 | 1·25 | 2 | 0·31 | 1 | 0·15 | 1 | 0·15 |
| ” 200 ” (124) | 6 | 0·94 | 2 | 0·31 | 1 | 0·15 | 1 | 0·15 |
| ” 350 ” (217) | 4 | 0·62 | 2 | 0·31 | 1 | 0·15 | 1 | 0·15 |
| Over 350 ” | 4 | 0·62 | 2 | 0·31 | 1 | 0·15 | 2 | 0·31 |
The foregoing Tariffs do not include the following various additional charges which are authorised and are, in fact, charged over and above the ordinary tariff rates:—
| Tariff No. 1. | Tariff No. 2. | Tariff No. 3. | Tariff No. 4. | Tariff No. 5. | Tariff No. 6. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frs.C. | Frs.C. | Frs.C. | Frs.C. | Frs.C. | Frs.C. | |||
| Booking per consignment, compulsory | 0.20 | 0.20 | 0.20 | |||||
| Collection from domicile, per 100 kilos.[125] | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.30 | |||||
| Collection from domicile for Bullion per 1,000 francs (£40), with a minimum of 30 cents. (3d.) per consignment | 0.15 | |||||||
| Collection of Furniture Vans provided by the Railway | 10.00 | |||||||
| Delivery to domicile per 10 kilos.— a ” in Brussels ” ” [126] | 0.05 | |||||||
| b ” in other localities ” [127] | 0.03 | |||||||
| Delivery to domicile after9 p.m. of Express parcels, per consignment | 0.25 | |||||||
| Delivery to domicile by Express any distanceof prepaid parcels not ex- ceeding 5 kilos. (11 lbs.) any dist- ance within 5 kilometres (3.10 miles) beyond the ordinary radius of delivery | 1.00 | |||||||
| Delivery to domicile of Furniture Vans belonging to the Railway | 10.00 | |||||||
Delivery to consignees’ cellars. | {Maximum charge per 100 kilos.— { a Goods in casks[128] { b Goods in sacks, cases { or baskets[129] | 0.50 0.25 | 0.50 0.25 | 0.50 0.25 | ||||
| Loading and Unloading, per 100 kilos.[130] | 0.10 | |||||||
| Numbering of packages, per 100 kilos. | 0.01 | |||||||
| Postage for the advice of goods consigned to wait at the Station | 0.10 | |||||||
Tariff No. 1 applies to parcels carried by Passenger Trains, and includes all charges for terminal services and delivery to domicile, but not collection.
Parcels up to 5 kilos. (11 lbs.), the carriage of which is prepaid, are carried at an uniform rate of franc 0.80 (8d.), irrespective of distance, but if the carriage is not prepaid, they are charged as for 10 kilos. (22 lbs.)
Parcels 6 to 10 kilos., whether the carriage is or is not prepaid, are charged as for 10 kilos.
Parcels above 10 kilos. (22 lbs.) and up to 20 kilos., are charged as 20 kilos.; above 20 kilos. fractions of 10 kilos. are charged as 10 kilos.
Parcels of no declared value sent by Passenger Train must in all cases be prepaid.
In towns where there are cartage arrangements, delivery to “domicile” takes place immediately after arrival of the trains up to 9.0 p.m.
Parcels to be delivered between 9.0 p.m. and 7.0 a.m. are charged franc 0.25 extra each parcel.
Tariff No. 2 applies to packages up to 200 kilos. (4 cwt.) in weight to be forwarded by Goods Train, unless a written order is given for them to be sent by Passenger Train, under conditions of Tariff No. 1, or by Goods Train, under Tariff No. 3.
Prepaid parcels not exceeding 5 kilos. (11 lbs.) are carried at an uniform rate of franc 0.50 (5d.) each parcel, irrespective of distance.
Above 5 kilos. in weight the carriage is charged on the weight of the consignment consisting of one or more packages, any fraction of 10 kilos. being charged as for 10 kilos.
Prepaid parcels of 5 kilos. and less, are delivered to “domicile” on the morning following the day of forwarding, provided they be handed to the Railway at least one hour before the departure of the train. Other packages and goods sent under this tariff are generally forwarded on the evening of the day they have been accepted. They are delivered to “domicile,” in towns where there are cartage arrangements, within six hours of the arrival (night hours excluded), and provided this be not prevented by glut of traffic.
The rates of this Tariff include the loading charges, booking, and delivery to “domicile,” but not collection.
Tariff No. 3 applies to goods traffic, and is divided into four classes according to the nature and value of the goods as well as to other considerations.
All goods not specified are charged at the first-class rate (the highest), with a minimum of 400 kilos. (8 cwt.), as also are all consignments of goods, irrespective of class, the weight of which is less than 5 tons, unless it is more advantageous to pay as for 5 tons at the rate fixed for consignments of that weight. The exceptions are:—Empty vehicles used at fairs the minimum charge for which is as for 4,000 kilos. (4 tons) each. Flax and Hemp (raw), 4,000 kilos. (4 tons) per truck.
The minimum charges for the 2nd and 3rd classes are as for 5,000 kilos. (5 tons), and for the 4th class 10,000 kilos. (10 tons). Consignments under 10 tons are charged 3rd class rate, unless they pay as for 10 tons 4th class. The exceptions are for mining timber, which is charged at 4th class rate, with a minimum of 5,000 kilos. (5 tons). Above the minimum weights, fractions of 10 kilos. (22 lbs.) are charged as 10 kilos. Goods sent in bulk are accepted only in lots of 5,000 kilos. (5 tons) for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Classes, and in lots of 10,000 kilos (10 tons) for the 4th Class.
If a consignment, carried under the conditions of Tariff No. 3, consists of goods of different classes, the highest of such classes is charged for the whole consignment.
Goods of the 4th class are carried in open trucks only; but if, at the request of the consignors, they are carried in box or covered trucks, they are charged at 3rd class rate unless the consignor himself supplies the tarpaulin, or pays for hire thereof at the rate of 2 frs. (1s. 7d.) each. Tarpaulins provided by Consignors are returned free of charge, except 5d. for booking fee.
In the case of a sender requiring three trucks, he must give two full days’ notice to the railway of such requirement.
Provided forwarding be not prevented by a glut of traffic, consignments forwarded under this tariff are due at the arriving station three full days after acceptance. Another full day is required if the goods have to be carted to “domicile.”
Bulky goods weighing less than 200 kilos. per cubic metre, are charged 50 per cent. in addition to the ordinary rate, with a minimum of 200 kilos. per cubic metre, or half the tonnage capacity of the truck used; the exceptions to the rule being in favour of
1. Flax and hemp, raw, the maximum charge for which is 4 tons for a truck of 10 tons capacity.
2. Eggs, wool (except combed or carded), sheep skins, cotton and wool waste, oakum, flax and waste thereof pressed in bales or bundles, and live plants, which are charged at actual weights.
Goods sent in full truck loads may be loaded and unloaded at option by Senders and Consignees respectively, but if loaded by Senders they must be unloaded and carted by Consignees. Consignments under 5 tons and goods insured against damage or loss must in all cases be loaded and unloaded by the Railway.
The charge made by the Railway for loading and unloading is 10d. per ton of 1,000 kilos. If cranes or other loading appliances belonging to the Railway are used by Consignor or Consignee, a charge of 3d. per ton is made for their use.
The Railways on demand will verify the weight of the consignment as far as the appliances of the station will admit, a charge of franc 0.05 per 100 kilos. being made if the difference in the declared weight does not exceed 2 per cent. and the original charges are maintained.
Tariff No. 4 applies to the conveyance of Bullion, Bonds, Bank-notes, Title Deeds, &c., a false declaration of which, either in regard to weight, value, or nature of contents, is considered a fraud.
Carriage is charged upon 1,000 francs (£40) in value, any fraction of which sum is charged as for 1,000 francs, but if the charge so calculated is lower than it would be under the conditions of Tariff No. 2 the latter will be charged.
Additional services, viz., loading, unloading, booking and delivery to “domicile,” are included in the Tariff Rates.
Tariff No. 5 applies to carriages forwarded by Passenger Train; but at the option of the Sender, Carriages, as also Vans, Carts, Omnibuses, Tramway Cars, Engines and Threshing Machines, can be sent by Goods Train at the 2nd Class rate of Tariff No. 3, the minimum weight being:—
For 1 Vehicle—in pieces or on wheels—on one Truck 2,500 kilos.
” 2 Vehicles ” ” ” 4,000 ”
” 3 ” ” ” ” 5,500 ”
” 4 ” ” ” ” 7,000 ”
Vans, Carts, Omnibuses, &c., can also be charged at the 1st Class rate of Tariff No. 3, with 50 per cent. added as for bulky goods, if the latter is more advantageous to the Sender.
Loading and unloading are included in the Passenger Train rate, but are performed at Sender’s risk. In the case of Goods Train, those services are performed at the risk and expense of the Owner.
Carriages conveyed in covered Trucks specially provided for such traffic are charged 25 per cent. over and above the Ordinary rates, both by Passenger and Goods Train.
Tariff No. 6 applies to Horses, Cattle and Dogs. Cattle is carried exclusively by Goods Train; Horses, Colts, Mules and Ponies are admitted for conveyance by Passenger Trains (Express Trains excepted), only in the two following cases, viz.:—
a. When the distance of the journey is 75 kilometres (46 miles) or more.
b. When the departure and arrival stations form the extreme points between which the Train runs.
The minimum charge for Horses, Colts, Mules or Ponies by Passenger Train is as for three heads.
The Goods Train rates are divided into three categories, viz.:—
1st Category.—One Horse or one Mule, one or two Colts, Ponies, Oxen, Cows or Donkeys, one to five Pigs or Calves, one to ten Sheep, one to thirty Sucking Pigs.
2nd Category.—Two Horses or two Mules, three or four Colts, Ponies, Oxen, Cows or Donkeys, six to ten Pigs or Calves, eleven to twenty Sheep, thirty-one to sixty Sucking Pigs.
3rd Category.—Three Horses or three Mules, five or six Colts or Ponies, a Truck load[A] of small or large Cattle, sixty-one to one hundred Sucking Pigs.
Colts or Ponies exceeding 1 metre 30 (15 hands) in height are considered and charged as Horses.
Senders may load as many head of Cattle into the Trucks as they please, but the Railways are exonerated from all responsibility for injuries, accidents on the road and loss of Cattle.
The rates of Tariff No. 6, 3rd Category, are increased by 25 per cent. if a larger number of Cattle is loaded into a Truck[131] than the quantity shown hereunder.
| Oxen. | Cows. | Donkeys. | Heifers. | Pigs or Calves. | Sheep or Goats. | Sucking Pigs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number. | Number. | Number. | Number. | Number. | Number. | Number. |
| 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 100 |
The loading and unloading of animals, whether carried by Goods or Passenger Trains, is effected at the expense and entire responsibility of Senders and Consignees respectively.
Horses and Cattle must be accompanied by a man in charge. One man per consignment or per truck is conveyed free in the horse box or cattle trucks, but if he travels in another carriage, he pays the ordinary Passenger fare.
Dogs, irrespective of size, accompanying Passengers are charged 3rd Class Passenger fare.
Small animals in cases, baskets or crates, are conveyed by ordinary Passenger Trains on the conditions of Tariff No. 2.
The Company do not deliver to “domicile,” and undertake no responsibility whatever in respect of these consignments.
SPECIAL TARIFFS.
The following statement shows the bases of the special tariffs:—
Special Tariff No. 1—For coal, coke, stones and earth sent direct from pits for export.
1 to 84 kilometres, francs 2.20 per 1000 kilos. (minimum charge).
85 to 187 kilometres, franc 0.026 extra per kilometre.
188 to 300 kilometres, rate of 4th Class, Standard Scale, 1867.[132]
301 kilometres and over, franc 0.02 extra per kilometre.
Special Tariff No. 2.—For coal, coke, stones, earth, iron, ore, paving stones, gravel sand in bulk and 10 ton lots, for export provided the sending stations are situated at least 100 Kilometres (62 miles) from the Sea ports.
1 to 100 kilometres, francs 2.00 per 1000 kilos. (minimum charge).
101 kilometres and over, franc 0.02 extra per kilometre.
Special Tariff No. 3.—For paving stones, gravel, common bricks and lime in 10 ton lots or more for export.
1 to 30 kilometres, rate of 4th Class, General Standard Scale.
31 to 84 kilometres, francs 2.20 (uniform rate).
85 kilometres and over, rate of Special Tariff No. 1.
Special Tariff No. 4.—For general export goods:—1st Category in 5 ton lots., 2nd Category in 10 ton lots.
1st Category, average between rates of 1st and 2nd Class of General Standard Scale.
2nd Category, rate of 2nd Class, General Standard Scale.
Special Tariff No. 5.—For certain export traffic, such as beer in casks, metal refuse, &c.
Average between 2nd and 3rd Class rates, General Standard Scale.
Special Tariff No. 6.—For castings, girders, zinc, &c., for export.
Rate of 3rd Class, General Standard Scale.
Special Tariff No. 7.—For rough steel, grindstones, sheet iron, chalk, &c., for export.
Rate of 4th Class, General Standard Scale.
Special Tariff No. 8 (Import).—Marble in blocks, Sulphate of Soda.
Lots of 10,000 kilos. 4th Class Rate General Standard Scale.
Iron Ore—10 tons, 4th Class Rate, Standard Scale, 1867.[133] 100 tons, 4th Class Rate (reduced by 75 cents.) 200 tons, 4th Class Rate (reduced by 1 franc).
Zinc, lead ores, pyrites—10 tons, 4th Class Rate, Standard Scale, 1867.[134] 100 tons, 4th Class Rate, Standard Scale, 1867 (reduced by 50 cents.) 200 tons, 4th Class Rate, Standard Scale, 1867 (reduced by 75 cents.)
Special Tariff No. 9 is for import goods as per classification.
1st Category—Average between 1st and 2nd Class Rates.
2nd Category—Average between 2nd and 3rd Class Rates—General Standard Scale.
Special Tariff No. 10.—All goods sent for Exhibition.—First Journey—full rate. Return Journey—free.
Special Tariff No. 11.—For iron between certain specified stations—
1st Category, 4th Class Rate, General Standard Scale.
2nd Category, Terminal charge 1 franc. Mileage rate franc 0.03 per ton per kilometre.
Special Tariff, No. 12.—For iron ore between certain specified stations, in consignments of 10 tons, terminal charge, 1 franc. Mileage rate franc O.02 per kilom. per ton, or at 4th Class rate, General Tariff, whichever is more advantageous.
For consignments of 100 tons, 4th Class rate, General Standard Scale, reduced by 1 franc 25 centimes.
For consignments of 200 tons, 4th Class rate, General Standard Scale, reduced by 1 franc 50 centimes: Minimum charge being fr. 1.35 and 1.10 respectively.
Special Tariff, No. 13.—For iron ore and pyrites between certain specified stations in consignments of 10 tons, 4th Class rate, Standard Scale, 1867.[135] In consignments of 100 tons, 4th Class rate, reduced by franc 0.50. In consignments of 200 tons, 4th Class rate, reduced by franc 0.75.
Special Tariff, No. 14.—For coal between certain specified stations, same basis as for Special Tariff No. 13.
Special Tariff, No. 15.—For coal from certain stations, for shipment, uniform Rates without fixed basis.
Special Tariff, No. 16.—For coal from certain mines in 10 ton lots, 4th Class rate, Standard Scale, 1867.[136]
Special Tariff, No. 17.—For goods from certain stations in 5 ton lots, Terminal Charge, franc 0.50. Mileage Charge franc 0.06 per kilometre per ton.
Special Tariff, No. 18.—For articles of all descriptions sent from or to the pits of Bascoup, the same rate of the four Classes of the General Tariff, calculated according to distances fixed for Mariemont, with franc 0.20, added apply.
Special Tariff, No. 19.—For traffic passing to and from a certain branch line, 4th Class rate, General Standard Scale, reduced by franc 0.20.
Special Tariff, No. 20.—For the conveyance of Goods to works connected with the railway by a siding, A. Carriage in Trucks provided by the Railway. Rate for the four Classes, franc 0.56 per ton. B. Carriage in Owners’ Trucks. Rate for the four Classes, franc 0.20 per ton.
Special Contract Tariffs, Nos. 22, 23 and 24, consist of rates for import traffic from Belgian Ports to certain inland stations.
The Special Tariffs for export and import traffic interchanged between different Belgian Railways are the same as those charged for local export and import traffic Nos. 1 to 16, 20 and 22, with the following two exceptions:—
(a) The rates of the Special Tariffs in which the Western of Flanders Railway Company is concerned are uniformly increased by the addition of franc 0·10, which is specially credited to them, except in the case of Special Tariff, No. 7, the rates of which are not increased.
(b) Whenever the Special Tariffs involve the application of the 4th Class rates, the rates fixed for the 5th kilometre have been adopted (the same way as in the case of the General Standard Scales) for distances of from 1 to 4 kilometres.
LIABILITY.
The Belgian Railway Administration undertake no responsibility for a delay of six hours or less to horses and cattle, beyond which their responsibility is limited to the amount of the carriage; provided that the delay does not arise from any accidents, accumulation of traffic, or circumstances beyond the Companies’ control. For Goods Traffic they are not responsible for
Tariff No. 1. (Passenger Train), a delay of six hours or less.
” 2. (Goods Train), a delay of one day or less.
” 3. (Goods Train), a delay of two days or less.
Their responsibility is limited to one-tenth of the carriage for every day’s delay beyond the fixed time of transit. After the expiration of 15 days the goods are considered lost. If they are subsequently found Consignee is entitled to take delivery on returning to the Railway three-fourths of the indemnity paid to him. Senders may insure their goods against delay by payment of a premium of 50 centimes per 1,000 frs. (5d. per £40), on the value upon which they wish to be indemnified in case of delay.
In case of loss of, or damage to goods carried by passenger train on the conditions of Tariffs Nos. 1 and 2, the Railways are responsible to the extent of 4 frs. per kilogramme (1s. 6d. per 1 lb.), and in respect of goods carried by goods train at the conditions of Tariff No. 3, 75 centimes per kilogramme (3½d. per 1 lb.) The goods can, however, be insured for their actual value, the premium for insurance against damage or loss being 50 centimes per 1,000 frs., the same as for insurance against delay.
On payment of the two premiums the goods may be insured at the same time against delay, damage or loss, but the indemnity is in no case to exceed the actual loss sustained by the owner through the delay, damage or loss.
The Railway Administration decline all liability for damage:—
(a) Unless it be stated at the time of delivery, or within 24 hours of advice of arrival of goods to order, or if the goods are refused by consignee.
(b) If the case or packing shows no outward trace of breakage or wet.
They decline all liability for chafage, waste or leakage, or for rust to iron, steel or zinc goods.
Live animals, perishables and provisions of all kinds, chemical products, works of art (more especially pictures), goods not packed or imperfectly packed, are only carried at owner’s risk without any guarantee whatsoever on the part of the Railway.