LATE-FEE LETTERS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 November 1929, Page 8

LATE-FEE LETTERS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —May I, through your columns, suggest to* the postal' authorities that some extension could be made at Greymouth of the present facilities for posting late-fee letters? Such letters may now be posted on the guard’ van of the express leaving for Christchurch on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, but the van does not arrive from Hokitika until just before the express is due to leave, with the result that there is a last-minute rush at the guard’s ( van. Moreover, it is inconvenient to have to wait at the station until the arrival of the train from Hokitika. Would it not be possible to instal a special box on the station platform for the reception of late-fee letters. Such an innovation, lam sure, would be greatly appreciated. Yours, etc., BUSINESS.

When the above letter was referred to the Chief Postmaster (Mr. H. G. Davis), he said that it was not a bad suggestion, but it would mean some difficulties, as the box would have to be opened and the contents transferred to the express. There was already a letter-box outside the station entrance, but it was cleared only at certain times of the day; If late-fee letters were posted there, a special clearance would be necessary for the express. However, there was the late-fee box available at the Post Office, and letters could be posted there until half-an-hour before the express left. The Hokitika train usually arrived at Greymouth about fifteen minutes before the express departed, and this should give business people ample time to post late correspondence. In any case, the express mails were not nearly so much used now as they were before theinstallation of the daily 5.30 p.m. mail to Christchurch. Most of the business people now posted their letters before the 5.30 p.m. mail closed. The correspondence went to Christchurch by the night goods train, and was delivered the first thing on the following morning. This service was just as good as that provided by the expresses. A letter posted by the 5.30 p.m. mail on a Tuesday, for instance, was delivered just as soon as one posted by the express on a Tuesday morning. The Department 18 , added Mr Davis, was always ready to adopt any good suggestions, but in the present case, unless more evidence were adduced, he did not think there was any real need for a late-fee box as suggested at the railway station.