INCREASED BUSINESS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 62, 24 December 1935, Page 6

INCREASED BUSINESS.

BUSY SEASON FOR POST OFFICE. LARGE AMOUNT OF PARCEL MAIL Exceptionally heavy business has been done at the Ashburton Post Office this Christinas. There has been a phenomenal increase of about 100 per cent in parcel mail, while all departments so far show increased business compared with last year. Postmen handled the bulk of the Christmas mail yesterday and to-day, although this year has been notable lor the amount of early posting. Despite the assistance of six boys for delivery, postmen were unable to commence the afternoon delivery until 5 p.m. yesterday. So heavy was the parcel mail that a lorry had to be used to deliver it in the town. Some of the mail could not be cleared yesterday but it is the intention of the postal authorities to clear all Christmas mail to-night, even if it involves delivering up till mid-niglit. The large increase in the packet mail is believed to be due to improved economic conditions during the year. The amount of parcels handled is greater than for the last five or six years. Whereas people formerly sent Christmas cards, the freer circulation of money has enabled them to send gifts this year. The increase of, business is also noticable in the telegraph department. Outgoing telegrams numbered 413 yesterday, compared! with 349 on the same day last year, the increase being about 15 per cent. Although exact figures are not available, the increase In incoming telegrams was about 20 per cent yesterday. An even larger increase was recorded yesterday in toll telephone calls. It amounted to about 45 per cent. The usual number of calls handled is about 300, but the number yesterday was over 400. Most Christmas mail has been posted and the queue that has been in attendance recently at the postal counters in the Post Office was no longer in evidence this morning.