58 
great centres, the consignor had to sign an undertaking 
that the charges would be paid for the gross weight as 
ascertained at the sending station without reduction for 
subsequent diminution in weight or by leakage. Now it 
was well-known that fishermen could not send fish without 
it being packed in ice, and every mile travelled the weight 
decreased by the melting of the ice, so that when the con- 
signment reached its destination it was considerably re- 
duced in weight, though the full weight at starting had 
to be paid for. The letter went on to state that the rate 
from Rotterdam to London was Ios. per ton extra; but if 
the journey was broken at Harwich, the local rate had to 
be paid the same as upon English goods. The Dutch could 
send goods cheaper from Rotterdam to London, than it 
was possible for Englishmen to send goods from Harwich 
to London. Fish from. Antwerp and Rotterdam were 
charged 20s. per ton to Harwich—through to London 30s. 
per ton. The next letter which he had received was from 
Mr. Browning of Torquay, who stated that having inquired 
into the rates charged by companies, he found that the 
rates for best fish when sent by “perishable” train, were 
43 per ton, by mail train, £4 15s. per ton ; common fish 
by “perishable” train, £2 Ios. per ton, by mail train, 
£4 8s. perton. The rate for all kinds of fish to Paris was 
£4 14s. 5d.; the rate for vegetables was £1 125. 6d, and 
for colonial produce 30s. per ton. He had received a list 
of the charges made by the North-Eastern Railway Com- 
pany for carrying different articles from Whitby, which 
was as follows :— 
