Post Office service argued

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32801, 29 December 1971, Page 15

Post Office service argued

Postmen were required to blow their whistles at least once in every street, the Chief Postmaster- (Mr M. T. Reedy) says - in reply to a correspondent signed “Old ’Un” who asked about Post Office service.

In his letter, “Old ’Un” says: “As a senior citizen, with a memory which goes back a long way I say that service is out of fashion, at least as far-as the Post Office is concerned. Where has the oncefamiliar postman’s whistle gone? In the old days the mail used to come through the slot in the front door; now one has to go to the gate to fetch it. In years gone by one could purchase stamps from shops in one’s own district; now a trip to town is necessary.”

Mr Reedy says in his reply: “Although my memory probably does not extend back as far as ‘Old ’Un’s’ I can recall over the years many changes in the delivery methods of household commodities changes which have been brought about mainly by increases in the size and the population of our cities and towns, “The Post Office has had to face up to changes too, not the least of which has been the substantial increase in the range of and the demand for all types of Post Office service. Despite this growth in demand I can assure ‘Old ’Un’ that we still endeavour to give a good standard of service consistent with reasonable economy.

“It just would not be economically practicable, even if we could recruit the 50 or more additional postmen needed, to provide a doorway postal service for the almost 80,000 householders and businesses in the Christchurch metropolitan area.

“A few years ago a shop keeper had to hold a licence from the Post Office before he could sell postage stamps. This is no longer necessary and any shopkeeper may, should he wish to provide uno service, purchase stamps from the Post Office and resell them "at cost” to his customers. “To provide Post Office facilities within a reasonable distance of residents’ homes there are now 67 Post Offices in Christchurch, of which 13 have been opened, mainly in the suburbs, during the last four years. Addition-' Offices will be provided as the city’s grov “The postrn’” iw- t to blow his whistle at least

once in every street traversed, and in long streets as frequently as may be necessary to ensure that residents are aware deliveries are being made.”