"TIN CAN" MAIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 267, 10 November 1937, Page 9

"TIN CAN" MAIL.

LONELY TONGAN ISLE.

OPERATOR'S GENEROSITY. CITY CHILDREN BENEFIT. "Many littles make a muckle." The old Scots saying summarises in a few words the national trait of jcareful financial practice. A commendable example of this ancient adage, combined with an admirable spirit of charity, has just been revealed ,in Auckland.

Most New Zealanders have heard of the "tin can" mail at Niuafoou Island, Tongan Group. The mail is operated by Mr. W. Quensell, a resident of the island. Stamp collectors from all over the world send covers to him, with small sums enclosed for purchase of Tongan stamps* which he affixes and cancels as proof that the covers have been conveyed to and from Niuafoou in a sealed tin can by native canoe. A Labour of Love. This is practically a labour of love, as the small amount which goes to Mr. Quensell is hardly compensation for the trouble he takes. He has, however, carried this labour of love still further, and has donated the balances gained to a fund for the benefit of children in Auckland. In a letter to Mr. C. B. Wheeler, manager of the Union Steam Ship Company, Mr. Quensell writes: "I enclose

herewith a £3 note. Kindly pass this on to one of the welfare societies in Auckland. You will know best re this matter. I myself would prefer a kind of children's society." In lonely, isolated Niuafoou Island, whose communication with the outside world is by tin can mail, is found a kindly thought for the children of modern Auckland. Community Sunshine to Benefit. Mr. Wheeler has forwarded the. dona-1 tion to the Community Sunshine Association, whose aims and objects coincide so completely with the sentiments of the generous donor. When the Union Steam Ship Company's liner Maunganui called off Nir.afoou Island in August, in the course of a holiday cruise, nearly 8000 letters were landed. Communication with the outside world being intermittent, it has taken several months for the large number of covers to be dealt with. The Maunganui -lot included covers of 52 different countries, illustrating the wide interest in the "tin can" mail.