The Postman’s Whistle

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28257, 20 April 1957, Page 3

The Postman’s Whistle

Sir, —Some of your correspondents seem to be still in difficulties about the postman’s whistle. There may be many ways out of this wood. Some years ago I made a box, big enough to take books and newspapers as w’ell as letters, and fitted a hinged lid, instead of providing the usual slot. The lid is made of hardwood, an inch thick. After putting mail in the box, the postman shuts the lid with a bang. This serves the same purpose as the whistle, which he sometimes uses, sometimes not, and this seems to suit us both. Anyone troubled with too much whistling in adjacent streets and not enough in his own. and who would like to try this simple arrangement, should note that the box needs to be fixed in place securely enough to meet its working conditions.—Yours, etc., ARTHUR LUSH. April 16, 1957.

Sir,—The postman still wears the traditional whistle, but I seldom hear its noise- in my locality, and I find it difficult to understand why this necessary and valuable part of public service has been allowed to lapse. I receive a fair amount of mail and wish to point out that the use of the whistle is essential for street-line delivery of first-class mail matter, and, furthermore, that its noise acts as a timely warning for the unwary pedes-trians.—-Yours, etc., RIP VAN WINKLE. April 17, 1957.