Post Office Queues

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30762, 28 May 1965, Page 10

Post Office Queues

Sir,—l wish to protest strongly at the long waiting that occurs in some of our suburban post offices. At St. Albans and Papanui I have seen 20 persons—many of them aged—waiting in the queue to transact their business between 10 a.m. and 12 noon. Presumably the staff is having morning tea, leaving one unfortunate cashier to cope while the other windows are adorned with the notice, “Closed.” This state of affairs would not be tolerated in private offices; so why is it at the Post Office? Persons get tired of standing 20 minutes to half-an-hour just waiting.—Yours, etc., TENTH IN THE QUEUE.

May 19, 1965. [The Chief Postmaster (Mr J. W. Lincoln) said: “I am concerned to learn of this complaint because all postmasters are aware of the heed to keep queues at a minimum. I cannot understand why so many people would be waiting at a suburban office between the hours of 10 a.m. and noon unless benefits were payable on those days. The accommodation at Papanui Post Office is very cramped and it is not possible to open additional counters until alterations are completed at the end of this years. The St. Albans office is busy, but staff is considered adequate. It is unfortunate that the correspondent did not call on the postmaster when the delays occurred. Nevertheless, both postmasters have been reminded to watch the situation carefully.”]