LOADING AND UNLOADING OF GOODS.--The loading and unloading of _grande vitesse_ and piece goods are effected by the railway company, those services being included in the tariff rates. Packages which weigh more than 750 kilos (15 cwt.) or the dimensions of which exceed the space of a truck, may, at the discretion of the railway company, be required to be loaded by the sender and unloaded by the consignee. The loading and unloading of all other goods has to be performed by senders and consignees respectively, unless the service is undertaken by the railway company, for which a charge of 10d. per ton is made; in which case however the staff who perform the service are considered as employed by the sender or consignee respectively, with whom all responsibility rests. * * * * * COVERING OF GOODS IN OPEN TRUCKS.--It is understood that the railway company, in the absence of instructions to the contrary, convey the goods included in the Special Tariffs--except certain articles specially provided for--in open wagons, the railway being exempted from all responsibility in case of damage arising from such mode of transit. If instructions are given on the consignment note to forward in covered wagons, such goods as the railway company is entitled to convey in open wagons, the tariff rates are increased by 10 per cent. Senders may supply their own tarpaulins for the covering of the goods, and they are returned free of charge, at owners’ risk, or at the company’s risk on payment of the ordinary carriage. * * * * * ARTICLES OF UNUSUAL SIZE.--Articles which, owing to their extraordinary size, cannot pass the side doors of the wagons, are charged at the ordinary rates for _grande vitesse_, if forwarded by Passenger Train, and at the piece goods rates if sent by Goods Train, with a minimum as for one ton for every wagon used, unless the charge calculated at the rates of the tariffs for wagon loads is more advantageous. * * * * * BULKY GOODS are charged 50 per cent. above the ordinary rates both by _grande vitesse_, and by Goods Train. In the case of timber, girders, and such articles which necessitate the use of guard wagons, a charge 15 pf. (1¾d.) per wagon per kilometre is made in addition to the mileage rates; but no part of the articles must actually rest on the guard wagons. The general regulations of the Goods Tariff in Germany prescribe the maximum time for delivery of goods as follows:-- (A.) For EILGUT (Goods carried by Passenger Train), one day for forwarding, and one day for every 300 kilom. (186 miles) or part thereof. (B.) For Goods Train traffic (STÜCKGUT), two days for forwarding, and for the first 100 kilom. (62 miles), one day; for every part of each subsequent 200 kilometres (124 miles), one day.