BRITISH AIR MAIL

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21363, 4 January 1935, Page 7

BRITISH AIR MAIL

♦ EXPENSIVE GREETINGS RECEIVED HEAVY SURCHARGES IMPOSED An awkward position arose at the Christchurch post office yesterday when British mail carried by the newly-inaugurated Empire mail service was delivered. The senders in all likelihood were ignorant of the real amount of postage required, and the surcharge imposed by the English authorities amounted in some cases to more than £l, A large part of the mail consisted of Christmas greetings, and on a small card, posted on December 13, it was necessary to pay 4s 3d. A package on which the postage should have been 15s carried only 3s 7d in stamps, lis 5d too little, and in consequence the surcharge was £1 2s lOd. In this case the recipient would not accept delivery, and the package will be returned to the sender, who will have to make up the deficit before the mail will be dispatched for the second time to New Zealand. The standard rate by the England-Singapore-Australia air mail service is Is 3d a half ounce, and when the sender puts an air-mail stamp on his letter or packet but does not add the extra postage the postal authorities follow one of two courses. If the postage is -below a certain proportion of the correct fee the mail is sent through the ordinary channels; but if the postage is above the fixed proportion, the mail will be forwarded as desired and a surcharge added. This decision was reached at a recent Postal Union convention held at Cairo. Yesterday's delivery was only the second made in New Zealand by this service, and it is possible that the postal rates have not been sufficiently advertised in England. ment of flogging in New Zealand.— Yours, etc., B. E. BAUGHAN. Akaroa, January 3, 1935. WHOOPING COUGH TO THE EDITOa Or THE PRESS, Sir, —In answer to an enquiry for whooping cough cure, I am sending this tried and efficient remedy. Put one fresh egg, shell and all into one cup (breakfast) of vinegar, and leave 36 hours till it dissolves; then add three tablespoons of honey. Give for whooping cough every three hours or when attack is threatening, in dessert spoons.—Yours, etc., (Mrs) G. BOON. January 3, 1934. HOSPITAL PATIENTS' THANKS TO THE *DITOS OT fHE PEBSS. Sir, —We wish to thank, through your columns, the officials at Lancaster Park for the courtesy and consideration shown to four hospital patients and their 'escort on the occasion of the farewell appearance of the Grenadier Guards Band on New Year's Eve. —Yours, etc., GRACEFUL. January 1, 1935.