“The following tariff is based on the above principle, and is accordingly recommended for adoption, as regards railways not belonging to the State.
“Tariff of rates to be paid for the conveyance of mails by trains under fixed notice:
“First. Trains exclusively employed by the Post Office.
| On the Narrow Gauge. Per Mile. | On the Broad Gauge. Per Mile. | |||
| “For a train (consisting of an engine and theusual break van) and one separate carriagefor the mails | 2s. | 4d. | 2s. | 6d. |
| “For every additional separate carriage (thenumber and distance to be run by each beingvaried from time to time according to theexigencies of the service), an additional rateof | 0s. | 3d. | 0s. | 4½d. |
“In cases where the distance between the stations—between which the mail train is required by the Post Office to run—is less than fifty miles, the distance to be paid for shall be increased by one-fourth part of the difference between the actual distance and fifty miles.
“In all cases where a mail train is required to run in only one direction, the mileage to be paid for shall be assumed to be greater by 50 per cent. than the distance actually ordered to be run; and, again, where the distance so augmented shall still be less than fifty miles, the payment shall be further increased in accordance with the rule laid down in the preceding paragraph.
“When mail trains are run during the night (i.e., between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.), an addition shall be made to the mileage charge payable by the Post Office for the distance actually required to be run, such addition being determined by dividing the sum of 6d. among all the trains run in the night, whether Post Office trains or not.
“Second. Trains not exclusively employed by the Post Office.
“From the rate which would be chargeable against the Post Office if the train consisted only of the carriage or carriages required by the Post Office as above, a deduction to be made for every carriage of whatever description ran in the train for other than Post Office purposes (the company having a right, as above, of varying the number of such carriages), at the rate of 4d. per mile on the narrow gauge, and 6d. per mile on the broad gauge; provided, however, that the rate remaining to be paid by the Post Office shall in no case be less than the rate which would be payable for the use of an ordinary train under the tariff hereinafter prescribed.
“That in the event of any company satisfying the Board of Trade, or other Government Board yet to be appointed (as suggested in this report), that owing to circumstances not herein provided for, it has a claim to additional payment, the same shall be made.