RESTORATION OF DAILY MAILS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23541, 20 January 1942, Page 8

RESTORATION OF DAILY MAILS

POSTMASTER-GENERAL TO BE APPROACHED (0.R.) GERALDINE. January 19. The restoration of a daily rural mail service by the use of “coal burners” or some alternative petrol-saving means on vehicles, was urged by the Geraldine County Council to-day. when it was decided to make representations to the Postmaster-Genera! (the Hon. F. Jones) to investigate the position. A daily service with “coal-burners,” it was stated, would give the isolated country people a daily mail and newspaper service, would make provision for the delivery of urgent parcels, and would save more petrol than the existing three-day-a-week service by a petrol-driven car. The serious disadvantage suffered by country people, who were already facing many difficulties, as a result of the reduction in mail services to three days a week, was mentioned by Cr. F. R. Flatman. The farming community needed the daily service now more than at any time, he said. He understood that in the Ashburton area a fiveday service bad been restored. The council should urge the PostmasterGeneral to arrange for "coal-burners” to be used to provide a daily service. “The country people depend on the rural mail and delivery services more than ever to-day,” said Cr. W. Buchan. The use of “coal burners” should be thoroughly investigated. “The Post Office should not sit down on the job because they cannot get petrol,” said Cr. J. Acland. They should investigate the use of “coal burners” or horses to provide a daily service. "They have picked the* three worst days, in any case.” said Cr. F. M. Talbot. "If the service had to be reduced it should have been to Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are atrocious days.” “No attempt has been made to meet the situation at all,” said Cr. A. J. Davey. Alternative forms' of service should have been investigated, he said. With “coal burners,” said Mr Flatman, the Post Office would save more petrol tharc at present, and would be able to give the country people a daily service.