The Star. MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1881. POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 187, 19 December 1881, Page 2

The Star. MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1881. POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS.

We are glad to notice that our recent protest against the absurd postal arrangements now in force in this district has attracted attention, because when such a grievance comes to be discussed, the remedy cannot be far off. In another column will be found a reprint of some remarks contained in the Tavanaki Hevaid of 'FA&ay, which entirely endorse all taat we have 6aid on previous occasions, and on the whole, put the matter very fairly. We have reason to believe that the complaints made have reached the Chief Postmaster, because it is a rule in some departments^ bhe J^osbal I>eoavtmeixb is one of them, tbat copies of papers containing complaints shall be sent to the Chief Officer of the district, but we are not aware whether they have gone further, and been brought under notice at Wellington. To make quite sure on the point, we would suggest that a memorial should be sent to the J^osbmasbeuGeneral, a copy also being forwarded to Major Atkinson, member for tue district, asking that some change be made in the direction indicated. What we want is a morning and evening mail service, and greater facilities in the transaction of moaey order, buamesa. Tbevß is no desire to rob Wanganui of the eclat which naturally attaches to it as being i the seat of government in postal matters relating to this large district : certainly there is no sentimental preference for sTew Plymouth ; but the people want their convenience studied, ; and if they can. be better served by toia district being included in the New Plymouth Postal District, unquestionably the change should at once be made. So far as the English mail is concerned, no doubt it is an anomaly, looking at the distance, that mails from here should travel to Wellington to the mail steamer, but; khere Is something to be said on the other side. A supplementary mail is invariably sent by way of New Plymouth the evening before the mail steamer is advertised to leave, and seeing that there is always a certain amount of risk that the mail steamer may pass New Plymouth owing to bad weabher, it is a question "Whether it is not safer and better to send tbe main body of tbe mail via Wanganui and Wellington. We do not expect the Herald to agree with this, and as our contemporai'y is kindly helping us in a matter affecting the welfare of the district, we hope we shall not be accused of uavmg a " slap " at tbe harbor. Nevertheless the truth must be told. A large proportion of people would, we are sure, prefer the less risky if more round-about route via Wellington, so long as there is a supplementary mail made np to take late letters. Tha whole matter is worthy of attention, and a little agitation, would no doubt serve a very good purpose.