| | | Disinfecting | 1s. per truck. | 1s. per truck. | 1s. per truck ---------------+---------------------+------------------+-------------- Such are some examples of the errors vitiating the comparison. We have by no means exhausted them; they might be greatly multiplied. It is not intended to suggest that Sir B. Samuelson has been more inaccurate than other critics. On the contrary, his report, notwithstanding its inaccuracies, shows that a considerable amount of labour has been expended in endeavouring to obtain the information. It is a favourable specimen of such criticisms, and for this reason it is deserving of notice. It is, of course, difficult for any person, even when practically acquainted with railway business, to appreciate the practical effect of the different conditions under which traffic is carried on Foreign and English railways. It is not surprising that Sir B. Samuelson has evidently not become fully acquainted with all the conditions of carriage, or that he has omitted to give them their proper value in the tables which he has prepared. Unfortunately, owing to the omissions, the conclusions which he draws are, in some cases, erroneous, and in others misleading. APPENDIX II. COMPARISON OF RAILWAY RECEIPTS FROM MERCHANDISE AND MINERAL TRAFFIC. It may be useful to enquire how far it is true that the heavy trades of coal and iron, or the general trade of the country, are being “slowly, but surely killed by high rates and tolls,” or otherwise. That trade in all countries is subject to fluctuation is undoubted, and the causes are many and various. The conveyance of minerals and goods upon the railways of the United Kingdom is one test. Let us take periods of three years:-- RAILWAY RECEIPTS IN UNITED KINGDOM. Average per Year. Years. For minerals. General merchandise. 1875 to 1877 £13,560,096 £18,922,238 1878 ” 1880 13,891,326 19,181,927 1881 ” 1883 15,742,615 20,801,075 { 2 years } 1884 & 1885{ of } 15,387,443 20,631,066 {depression}