Hundreds Of Applicants For Unusual Driving Job

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31091, 21 June 1966, Page 11

Hundreds Of Applicants For Unusual Driving Job

"The Press" Special Service WELLINGTON, June 20. A Wellington courier firm has received more than 350 applications for an unusual transport job. It advertised for a man:

To drive a “luxury” car daily between Waipawa and Wellington. To spend nights away from home (“excellent accommodation and full meals”). Prepared to undergo a security investigation. The firm offered a large salary. Among the replies are applications from a Chinese whose “fruit shop is not making as much money as it used to,” a former London assistant superintendent of police, a detective sergeant and several constables. The managing director of Mercury Services, Mr M. Williams, said the job was not as easy as it sounded. It meant that “come rain, hail, sleet and snow, the appointed couriers on their rounds must go.” Mr Williams denied rumours that the job involved “shifting gold bullion.” He said no valuables were involved. “We have been awarded a contract to supply 13 vehicles on a North Island-wide basis to undertake a courier service for a national banking service,” he said. “They are installing com-

puters in Wellington and Auckland, and material to be processed has to come to Wellington from other centres by early evening. “The material has to be hand-delivered. “It will be processed overnight and the cars will leave early in the morning from Wellington. “The computers are programmed to receive the material in strict sequence and difficulties could be caused if it was not received on time. "It’s the first time this has been done in New Zealand.” Mr Williams said the 13 cars to be used to provide the service between Auckland and Wellington would cost £16,000. Six cars would be used to collect material from the firm’s city branches. The first car would begin running in October. The others would be introduced over a three-month period. “We haven’t selected anybody yet,” Mr Williams said. “We are looking for a completely trustworthy and reliable man, a person who is aware of the importance of what we are carrying, who has an excellent driving record.”

Mercury Courier Service would be working with an Auckland firm to provide the service, Mr Williams said.