RURAL MAILS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 267, 24 August 1949, Page 2

RURAL MAILS

Reorganisation Plan COMMITTEE APPOINTED Rural mail services in Ashburton County were considered at a meeting yesterday afternoon, convened as the result of a suggestion made by Mr ,T. Davidson at the last County Council meeting. A committee was set up to formulate a revised service and suggestions to this body are invited from all interested. There Avas an attendance of about 40 at the meeting, and Mr Davidson, who was elected to the chair, stated that it was desired to have a roundtable discussion on the subject. There was room for in some parts of the county and they Avere anxious to know Avhether the Department Avas ready to assist. The Postmaster at Ashburton, Mr A. F. Wells, said that it was definitely the Department’s aim to effect improvements Avherever possible, hut certain limits had been laid doAvn in considering neAv services. There must be at least tAVo boxholders per mile of the route and also no necessity for the contractor to retrace his steps. Efforts had been made to start neAv services in the county, but it Avas usually found that these conditions barred them. He Avas anxious to receive any suggestions for improvements and Avas sure that the Department Avould give every proposal the fullest possible consideration.

Speaking for the Rangitata Riding of the county, Mr H. C. B. Withell said that he was wondering Avhether it Avould be possible to secure extensions if the OA r er-all average on the extended route came up to the Department’s requirements. In the sparselysettled portions of the county it Avas difficult to secure the minimum of tAVo boxes per mile, yet a continuation for a relatively short distance Avould seiwe quite a number farther out. Could the full run be regarded as a whole? he asked. “Provided there is not too much retracing of steps,” said Mr Wells. Mr Withell stated further, that another possible solution lay in the combining of various areas. There was an area above Ealing which badly required a ser\dce, but there might not he the tAvo boxes per mile. Mr Wells said that this Avas already being provided for and that Mr J. Wright’s sendee Avas being extended. Mr Davidson mentioned that an area above Maronan required attention, but it was stated that there Avere only about 12 residents in a distance of 17 miles.

Mr H. A. Mackenzie contended that it might be possible to run a service up one side of the Hinds River and doAvn the other. This would serve about 100 and invohm only about 55 miles of travelling.

“Very Silly” Position

Mr M. S. Turton considered that the whole of the services throughout the country apparently required reorganising. There Avere some men living on the main higlvway and still not being served by the rural mail, which appeared “very silly.” He understood that an extension Avas made near Methven recently, involving eight extra miles for the benefit of only eight box-holders, yet another extension of tAvo miles, for the same number of boxes, Avas turned down. The addition of tAvo mailmen would enable most of the county to be served. These views Avere endorsed by Mr B. McKay.

Mr Wells suggested that a committee be appointed to draw up a reorganisation scheme for submission to the Department. Such a step would assist him in representations for improvements. Mr J. McGrath, mail contractor, stated that the men who did the actual work should be consulted by the committee and they would provide ‘‘far better ammunition” than any other source. Many of the contractors were doing 60 hours per vveek at present, and extensions were hardly feasible. . _ tt Another contractor, Mr A. G. Harris, agreed that the existing services were now being worked to the fullest capacity. Mr Wells said that they were trying to effect as many improvements as possible, and were ready to put on extra mailmen. One handicap was lack of bridges over the Ashburton River. They definitely did not want the men to work 60 hours a week.

“Same as 50 Years Ago”

Mr R. J. Mulligan stated that it was not the idea of settlers to increase tne work of tbe contractors, but many were not getting the service to whicn they were entitled. His personal service was no better than it was 50 years ago. It was necessary to impress on the. Department that residents were not satisfied with the present position. Replying to a suggestion that rural mail services be run from Rakaia, Met liven, etc., instead of all from Ashburton, Mr Wells pointed out that this would mean the mails being received later in the day, as they would have, in the first instance, to go out from Ashburton and lie sorted at the sub-centre. Centralisation was found to be the best method. Mr R. L. Lindsay, County Engineer, said that avoidance of grass roads was always a bone of contention. If a programme of additonal mail services could be worked out by the Department, it would provide a guide to the council in future metalling works. •■lt is a big difficulty, but further discussion does not appear likely to get us anvwhere,” said Mr Davidson. On the' motion of Mr Turton, seconded by Mr McKay, it was decided that a committee be appointed to draw up a plan of mail routes for the county, this to be submitted through Mr R. G. Gerard, M.P., to the Post-master-General. Messrs Davidson, Turton, Withell, Lindsay and Wells were appointed to the committee which was also empowered to co-opt mail contractors in its deliberations.

It Avas further agreed that anyone desiring a service should submit suggestions to the committee. The meeting concluded with votes of thanks to the Postmaster and to Mr Davidson.