MEETING REQUESTS 337 



agriculturists thought further co-operation with 

 the railway company would be of value. The 

 results of this inquiry were carefully considered 

 by the directors, several of whom are specialists 

 in agricultural questions, and it was decided to 

 adopt measures of a practical character for the 

 purpose of meeting the three groups of requests 

 into which the suggestions of the agriculturists 

 fell. The chief points in regard to each of these 

 groups may be mentioned, as showing the 

 general attitude of the company in question 

 towards the farming interests. 



In the matter of the milk traffic the pastoral 

 districts desired low rates for the conveyance of 

 milk ; train arrangements of an absolutely de- 

 pendable character, so that places at a distance 

 or on branch lines could obtain a share in the 

 supply ; improved arrangements for the return 

 of empties, and Sunday trains on certain 

 branch lines. To meet these requests, and to 

 anticipate others, the directors codified a pre- 

 viously complicated system of charges, and 

 brought all the rates within a simple mileage 

 scale which they set out in a pamphlet they 

 circulated ; they opened seven branch lines for 

 Sunday traffic ; they constructed a large number 

 of special milk vans upon framework similar to 

 that of tl ; best rolling stock ; and they arranged 



