AUCKLAND MAILS

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 April 1932, Page 5

AUCKLAND MAILS

BUSINESSMEN’S GRIEVANCE.

[special to “stab.”]

AUCKLAND, April 7. A resolution expressing dissatisfaction with overseas mail facilities between Auckland and southern ports, was expressed at a meeting of tile council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce to-day. Mr Malcolm Stewart, who moved the resolution, said that under the present arrangements if the mail from overseas arrived after 3 p-m. it was held until the afternoon of next day, and he contended that it should be sent south by the Limited express on the evening of the vessel’s arrival. In referring to ihails which were posted at Auckland to catch steamers from southern ports, Mr Stewart said these mails were subjected to late fee after 1.30 p-m- He contended that if the Limited express could carry all the Auckland mail available at late fee rates, it could carry it at ordinary rates. The Postal and Railway Departments should make some arrangement to meet the requirements of the commercial community. Mr F. M. Harrison, Chief Postmaster at Auckland, who was present at the meeting, said that the Post Office made the greatest efforts to meet the requirements of the commercial community. The Limited express was not originally regarded as a mail train, and he said use should be made to the fullest extent of the mail service which closed at 1.30 p.m. On Monday of this week, a count over a short period showed that 4000 letters were posted for the 4 o’clock train and 16,000 over the same period for the Limited express. The difficulty appeared to be that Auckland had fallen into the habit of regarding the daily mail as an evening one.