Bid for letter-box

Press, 27 September 1988, Page 12

Bid for letter-box

Sir, — Yesterday I rang N.Z. Post to inquire as to the possibility of Phillipstown residents having a letter-box situated by the pensioners’ cottages opposite the Phillipstown Postßank. The flow of traffic is so great that, frequently, one has to wait 10 to 15 minutes to cross and the same to return. However, I was informed that all letter-boxes were sited on the left-hand side of Ferry Road and were being removed because of vandalism (I have never seen, heard or read any evidence to suggest this) and, in fact, were being removed from throughout Canterbury. I was told “they would not consider it (my proposal).” May I suggest that N.Z. Post is merely dictating its conditions Without thought or consideration for those whose only contact with others is through correspondence, and yet by whose support they prosper. — Yours, etc., HILARY HUGHES. September 16, 1988.

[Mr N. Wilson replies for N.Z. Post: “Every request for an additional street posting box is considered by New Zealand Post. However, for operational and practical reasons, not all requests can be implemented. In considering such requests the location of existing posting facilities is examined. In this case it is considered that posting facilities provided by New Zealand Post at Phillipstown Post Office more than adequately cater for the residents at the Phillipstown Courts pensioner cottages situated opposite. It is unfortunate that residents at the cottages do at times experience lengthy delays in crossing the road. The correspondent’s suggestion or information regarding the removal of all letter-boxes from the lefthand side of Ferry Road, or throughout Canterbury, is certainly not a policy New Zealand Post intends to pursue. New Zealand Post has recently experienced a spate of vandalism to posting boxes. Posting boxes that are frequently vandalised are either relocated or removed to protect customers’ mail from further acts of vandalism.”]