Sept. 1894.J EXTBACTS FROM DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR 87 



REPORTS. 



cheap means of transporting themselves and the produce of their 

 labour. 



The Vicinal railways were to be connected with the Main 

 railways, and it was contended that they would not only 

 facilitate intercourse between the different communes, and 

 between them and the larger towns, but would introduce new 

 industries and increase the prosperity of those already existing 

 by the opening out of new markets. They would also enable 

 the farmer to obtain cheap manure, and by the lowness of the 

 rates permit him to send his produce rapidly to market as well 

 as abroad. 



This proposal received the unanimous approval of the 

 provinces. 



The Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer Vicinaux " was 

 accordingly started, which to-day owns 67 different Vicinal 

 railways, varying in length from 2 to 25 miles, and covering 

 in all 790 miles, being a proportion of 28 per cent, to the 2,820 

 miles of Belgian main railways. 



The Societe Nationale " possesses the monopoly of all 

 Vicinal railways, the capital being derived from four sources, 

 which contribute the following average proportions : — The State, 

 27 per cent. ; the provinces, 28 per cent. ; the communes, 41 per 

 cent. ; and private individuals, 4 per cent. 



The capital is represented by shares bearing a maximum 

 interest of 4J- per cent, after payment of working expenses. 



Any surplus is divided as follows : — J to an improvement fund, 

 I as a bonus to shareholders, | to the reserve fund. 



The President of the Society is appointed by the King, and 

 the members of the Administration half by the King and half 

 by the shareholders. 



All requests for Vicinal railways must be addressed to the 

 " Societe Nationale," accompanied by statements as to the 

 population of the district through which the railway is intended 

 to pass, the industries which would benefit thereby, a plan of 

 the route, and the opinion of the local authorities as to the 

 utility of the line. 



The decision as to whether the line shall be constructed or 

 not rests entirely with the " Societe Nationale." 



The tariff on the Vicinal railways has been established on the 

 following bases for consignments of not less than five tons : — 





Rate A. 



Rate B. 



Rate C. 

 (Heavy Goods.) 





Per Ton. 



Per Ton. 



Per Ton. 



Fixed tariff, for any distance 



i'Sd. 





4 -80?. 



Variable tariff, per mile 



2'02d, 



l'70d. 



l'08d. 



