Christmas cards

Press, 24 December 1986, Page 16

Christmas cards

Sir,—Before sending Christmas cards to my clients and associates, I checked with the Central Post Office as to the postage required. I was told that, as long as “card only” was written in the top left-hand corner of the envelope, a 25c stamp would suffice. As I had a supply of 30c stamps (the normal letter rate), I affixed them and dispatched all the cards. I was rather alarmed to hear from several of my associates that their "postal” offices had requested a further 45c as there was insufficient postage; 75c for Christmas cards is a bit tough even with the Post Office’s present financial troubles. I contacted the postmaster and, after my explanation, he assured me that he would check the matter out; at the same time assuring me that only 25c was required. All the “under-paid” reports involved boxholders at the Central Post Office, Addington and Fendalton. However, there could well have been many more. — Yours, etc., NOEL GILLESPIE. December 8, 1986.

[Mr P. J. Nicholas, Deputy Chief Postmaster, replies: “It appears that Mr Gillespie has inadvertently been the author of his clients’ misfortune by posting articles at 30c that were larger than the standard letter format. The items were subsequently surcharged, as the correct rate of postage is 45c. The surcharge comprises the 15c deficiency plus a 30c handling fee. To attract the 25c Christmas card rate it must be within the stand-

ard letter format of 235 mm x 120 mm x smm in thickness and the, envelope marked ‘Card Only’.”]