RURAL MAIL

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 14210, 8 November 1946, Page 3

RURAL MAIL

QUESTION OF CONTRACTS Applications Considered By Authority Objection By Postal Department “I would be prepared to give the people a daily service, if I had my say,” declared the No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr E. J. Phelan) in Tauranga on Wednesday when considering applications for licences involving mail deliveries to certain rural areas in the district. An application was made for the transfer of a continuous good service licence from 0. Humphries to H. Ashton, of Tauranga, while, in addition, Ashton applied for a continu ous goods service licence from Kaimai to Tauranga and Oropi to Tauranga; mail deliveries and parcels—one vehicle authority. This, application also involved a request for a rehearing of an application by B. Chaffe.

Decision was reserved pending a conference of trie parties concerned. Mr J. K. B.' Lusk appeared for Humphries and Ashton and Mr H. O. Cooney for "Chaffe. Referring to the transfer and Ashton’s second application, Mr Lusk said that there had been a little confusion they were really the same thing. Ashton filed the second application on his own. In this second application he asked for more, but Mr Lusk thought it would have been more appropriate if ho had asked for arf amendment.

The Post Office, continued Mr Lusk, at the present time was engaged in extending the Oropi mail run. Instead of the contractor running back over his tracks, provision was being made for him to go down Ohauiti Road. The application was on the transfer of the existing licence plus the right to run down Ohauiti Road. A Mix-up Speaking of developments since the authority last sat in Tauranga, Mr Lusk stated that Ashton had agreed to allow Chaffe to take the Oropi run. Ashton would stick to the Kaimai route. It was agreed to meet Mr Cooney’s client in disposing of the run to Chaffe. However, the Post Office did not want to separate the Oropi and Kaimai service.

Mr Cooney said that the only thing he would like the Authority to know was that there appeared to be some mix-up among Chaffe,. Ashton and the Postmaster in this question. It was a subject in which a great number of settlers were concerned. The Authority: What do they want? . ’ . Mr Coon'ey: They want Chaaffe to have the licence..

Oontinuing. Mr Cooney stated that the Postmaster intervened and said that the department did not want Chaffe to "have the licence; for some reason which the Postmaster would probably explain. ' "The best thing is to hear the Postmaster and let us know exactly where we are,” declared Mr Phelan. The Postmaster (Mr E. E. Earnshaw) said that there were three rural routes involved. —Kaim-ai, Pye’s Pa and Oropi. Now it was proposed, as a result of an Ohauiti petition, to extend this by returning by the Ohauiti Road. He had just learned that the settlers were not prepared to ' accept the service the department offered, so the service did not exist yet. The department, declared Mr Earnshaw, felt that the Kaimai and Oropi services formed one economic unit. It could not be divided to economic advantage. If the service, were separated and the Oropi service granted to another to operate, it was likely that the department would have to pay an increase subsidy at Kaimai which was now costing £IOO.

The Authority observed that Chaffe had no contract with the Post Office at the present time. The first 'witness, Alfred Voss, said in evidence, that he repiesented Oropi Road and stated that. he desired to clear up quite a lot of misunderstanding. He outlined developments to the Authority, Speak-

ing in support of Chaffe’s application, witness said that would not only be providing a service, but would be giving a returned man a job. “Cart Before Horse” The Authority explained that he could only grant a licence and referring to the question of contracts, added that he could not dictate to the Post Office. In this connection, it was “putting the cart before the horse.” “Get the contract and then come to me ” he added, “In the case of daily deliveries, it requires three households to the mile,” stated Mr Earnshaw, when this aspect was raised. The department had offered Oropi the best service it could.

“I would be prepared to give tho people a daily service, if I had my say,” said the Authority addressing Mr Earnshaw. Referring to the question of mail deliveries to 'backblock areas, the Authority expressed the opinion that “the good should take over the bad.” James Caruth Aitkeu, a farmer, of Ohauiti, declared in evidence, that they, as settlers, said they would support Chaffe in a daily delivery. Mr Aitken, a member of the executive of the R.S.A., spoke of the vital interest in rehabilitation. The general public were asked to assist with rehabilitation. In tbe 70-mile run there were approximately 200 residents and at Ohauiti 45 residents. On the whole 70 miles there were about 200 residents and this would mean just below three to the mile, which was the Post Office requirement.

Addressing the Postmaster, the Authority stated it appeared that there was a fairly large population in the area concerned. “If you are not prepared, we will have a go,” he stated when referring to the question of making representations to the department. “We will go past our usual functions and make application ourselves. We will help put the recommendation . to Wellington.” The area was deserving of a daily service. It would save a lot of bother if the job were adjusted. • Regarding-rehabilitation, the department would not stand in -Chaffe’s way, Mr Earnshaw stated. He added that if Chaffe would acquire the Kaimai run, which was considered an uneconomic unit, the department would not stand in his way. Mr Aitken thought that was putting another stone to jump over. Would it overcome the position if he said he was prepared to amend Chaffe’s application to meet the requirements of the people there? asked the Authority. “We are anxious to rehabilitate returned men if we . can.” Mr E. V/. A. Drake, rehabilitation Transport Officer, Auckland, said his department was aware of the circumstances. The department was prepared to back Chaffe one hundred per cent. The Authority added that he was prepared to amend to meet the requirements of the .Post Office ajul the public if they could agree on the question. “W T e think this young returned man should be,rehabilitated.” He intimatecUthat he would reserve decision pending the .result of this conference. The Postmaster stated that it was clear and he v’ould make representations to Wellington. He pointed out that the Post Office lost on all three runs and added that he thought there should be reasonable losses. The department was objecting because it would jeopardise the position. Mr Phelan thought ’ that if the parties got together they could meet , the position. He expected to be ' able to give word in the near future.