80 



RAILWAYS. 



It may be noted that of the 3,183 miles of the Irish railway system.-^ 

 2.557 are single lines, and only 626 double (or more) lines, while in the case 

 of the Great Western of England the proportions are as follows : — single 

 Imes, 1,270; double (or more) Hnes, i,357-. 



In regard to the very important question of rates, the following State- 

 ments prepared from the Board of Trade returns deserve study. In the 

 year 1900 the average rate per ton, irrespective of the distance hauled, on 

 Merchandise carried on the Irish railways was as much as 37.14 per cent, in 

 excess of the rate charged on the same class of Traffic in England, and 

 33.97 in excess of the Scotch rate. The average Irish railway rate per ton 

 for Merchandise in 1900 was higher by nearly 2 per cent, than it was in 

 1890, while in England the decrease in the former as compared with the 

 latter year was 8.79 per cent., and in Scotland 1.70 : — 



Statement showing the Average Rate per Ton on Merchandise carried in 

 England, Scotland, and Ireland in the Years 1880, 1890, and 1900 respec- 

 tively ; and showing Excess of Irish Average over English and Scotch for 

 the same years. 



Statement showing the Gross Tonnage, Gross Receipts, and Average Receipts 

 per Ton of Merchandise carried in England, Scotland, and Ireland in 

 Years 1880, 1890, and 1900. 



ENGLAND.* 



* The figures given for England for the year 1880 are exclusive of Merchandise Traffic 

 carried over the West Lancashire Railway, the Swansea and Mumbles Railway, and the Hoy- 

 lake and Birkenhead Railway and Tramway, and those for the year 1890 are exclusive of 

 Merchandise Traffic dealt with by the Dover and Deal Committee's Line. In all these cases 

 Minerals have been included with Merchandise Traffic in the Board of Trade Returns from 

 which the statement has been compiled. 



