PALMERSTON NORTH PARCEL OFFICE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 302, 15 September 1908, Page 4

PALMERSTON NORTH PARCEL OFFICE.

Sir, —Tlio management of the Palmerston North l'nrcel Office is woefully behind the times. It is the proud boast of the Ministci for Railways that our railway system is fax in advance of that controlled by tho Commonwealth. On Saturday evening last I called at tho Palmerston North Parcel Office shortlj aftor 7 o'clock to storo a Gladstono bag, which I intended taking with mo by tho earl} morning train on Monday. I was informed bj some young man in tho offico that as the parcel clerk would not bo in attendance tinti' 8 o'clock the bag could not bo recoived beforf that hour. About 3.15 p.m. I returned tc tho parcel office, and, finding ono of the doors open, I entered, when some official ir gruff and insolent tones demanded to knou what I wanted. I again mado a request tc storo my bag. To my surprise I was informec that it could not be received before 8.45 p.m After pointing out to the clork the inconven'v enco and loss of time that I had alreadj boon subjected to, ho reluctantly consented t< receive tho bag, and issued tho orthodoj ticket. A lady, who was somewhat perturbec about some luggage, for which sho held chocl tickets, was also anxious for attention, but to hor dismay, was requested to return al 8.45 p.m. A guard, off duty, was appealec to to assist hor in hor dilemma. With thai spirit of gallantry becoming a man, hi straightway yielded to hor request, an< handed tho required packago to the lady Directly the lady emerged from the office, tin clork, who evidently desired to guard agains tile entry of another person, mado a frantii rush to tho door, which ho violently slammed As Palmerston is regarded as the most im portant inland railway station in tho Do minion, and is likely to assume greater im portanco when tho Main Trunk lino. i: opened, it behoves tho Department to so that tho parcel office is kept open, witliou interruption, for business between 7 and 9.1 i every ovoning. Persons leaving Palnierstoi by the (iarly morning trains would find it i matter of great convenience to store thei luggage, and thus bo in a position to savi tho expense of cab hire on tho morning o their departure.—l am, etc., A REFORMER. September 14.