MAIL RUSH PEAK

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 303, 23 December 1941, Page 6

MAIL RUSH PEAK

POST OFFICE CONGESTION HEAVY BURDEN FOR STAFFS \ All the traffic branches at the post office were working at top pressure to-day to cope with the flood of letters, greeting cards, parcels, telegrams and toll telephone calls which poured in from all directions. At the Chief Post Office it was reported that yesterday's heavy postings were being eclipsed to-day, and there appeared to be no doubt that the Department was experiencing its peak day of the year. The flow of inland parcels was particularly heavy.

Some sections of the post office which were , struggling manfully against the handicap of greatly depleted staffs were assisted by the services of girls and women, while in the delivery branches 50 boys gave valuable help. In the telegraph section long hours of overtime may be necessary to-morrow to cope with the Christmas Eve rush.

"During the past six months the staffs have laboured under trying conditions due to building alterations and the intensified effects of the war, but they are meeting the Christmas load well." it was stated.

In the Savings Bank there were queues" from the opening of the doors and it was obvious that people were drawing freely on their bank accounts, despite the restrictions on holiday travel and the prospect of spending Christmas at or near home.

With Christmas Day falling on Thursday, and therefore three days to deal with the rush in the last week, instead of two as last year, the position was stated to be somewhat better, but there was again evidence that the great majority of people had failed to heed the Department's appeal to post early and thus assist the staffs.