THE POSTAL SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2503, 2 July 1915, Page 2

THE POSTAL SERVICE

USE OF MOTOR-CARS RURAL DELIVERIES i Some time ago the Postmaster-Gen-eral indicated how serviceable motoi traction was proving to effect dispatch and economy in the outside working of the Post Office. A few months ago the General Post Office placed an order for several chassis with the Ford Motor Company, delivery of which has been given within the past, few weeks. One of the chassis has been fitted with a covered-in body, and is to be used for tho purpose of instituting a rural dolivery service iu the good motoring country round about Feilding, where it is now undergoing a thorough test. The idea of this service is the mora speedy delivery and collection of mail matter in the smaller country _ settlements and wayside stores which attend to tho business of the Post Office. Not this only, but the van will practically serve the purpose of an itinerant post office, from which stamps will be sold, letters registered, parcels accepted and delivered, etc. There are at present two other chassis in Wellington being fitted with suitable bodies for the purpose of clearing the letter boxes in town. This has either been done by a noisy motorlorry or a motor-cycle and side-car in the past, but it is calculated that a properly-equipped car will do the work with greater efficiency, and without disturbing sleepers during the night hours. The cars are of 20 horse-power, and are said to be economical as to petrol consumption and light oil repairs. The use of the motor-car is not, however, being restricted to the Post Office. The Telegraph branch of tho Department is also finding tho motor-car to be an almost indispensable adjunct to the work of the Department, and it is tho intention of the Minister to see that all district telegraph engineers, who have to be constantly traversing tho lilies and visiting country officers, are provided with cars.' The District Engineer for Wellington (Mr. Shrimptoil) states that since March 3 he has travelled 3500 miles on his car, and there is not the slightest doubt' that it is effecting a great saving to the Department. . On a recent/ visit to tho Wairarapa he went from Wellington over the Rimutakas, to Featherston, on to Martmborough, and back to Featherston, in. the one day, _ visiting offices and consulting all linesmen en route. The next Jay he went from Featherston to Masterton, on to Trnui'(East Coast), back to Masterton, and on to Eketahuna, doing- nil the necessary work en route. On the third day he traversed the telegraphic lines from Eketaliuna to Napier. By using trains and coaches such an inspectorial trip' would probably have run into a week or more, and then it would scarcely have been possible to yisit all the smaller country offices along the road, in addition to which ho would have to make each movement fit. in with tho railway time-table. The As-sistant-Telegraph Engineer for Wellington has also been provided with a car. 'Die Canterbury Engineer at prosent has a run-about car, which is to bo substituted by a five-seater later on. Other District Engineers are also to he similarly equipped.