THE MAIL CLOSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 139, 15 June 1938, Page 22

THE MAIL CLOSES.

WHAT OCCURS AFTERWARDS. Why does the Post Office fix a time for closing mails which represents an appreciable gap between that time and the actual departure of the train or steamer? This question is often asked, but the right answer can only be given bv those who have had an inside view of the mailroom activities. Steamers ami trains do not wait for the Post Office, but it is a rule of the mailroom that every postal packet in the place at the time of closing a mail must lie sorted. Every letter in the big pile must lie examined, so that it will not fail to get into the bay for the next dispatch. But the mailroom staff has not finished its race against time. Letters must be tied up in bundles, and a letter bill prepared to go with the mail, specifying the office of origin and the destination, together with particulars of the mail enclosed in the bag. Kach bag must, of course, be properly labelled, and a way bill prepared for the whole route. Mail bags also are secured against interference on the journey by a special sealing process. Thus there are many 'things to be done after the mail closes and before it can be dispatched, but all these things represent the minimum requirements of correct routing of all letters entrusted to the Post Office, and essential precautions that the mails will reach their j proper destinations with safety and [promptitude.