AIR MAIL STAMPS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1935, Page 6

AIR MAIL STAMPS

PHILATELISTS’ INTEREST.

(Per Press Association, Copyright). WELL INGTO N, April 2d. Though most people are interested in stamps only because of the remarkable service which can be renedered by Die small piece of paper, costing a penny or a half-penny, philatelists all over the world have shown a keen desire for other reasons to possess specimens of the New Zealand pictorial isiie, hearing the date stamp of tlie first day of issue, May Ist. The remarkable extent of this specialised interest is shewn by the big demand for first day covers, more than a week before they can be used. Already the stock is nearly exhausted. The first cover envelopes issued free of charge with descriptive folder are forwarded to the General Post Office for a special hand-date stamping, care being taken to shew the important date, May Ist, without damaging the desitni

Supplies of fir.it cover envelopes carrying a selection of six New Zealand views were forwarded to the Chief Postmasters ol the Dominion on April. 23. I lie collection of first flight covers ol air mails is a new branch of philately increasing in extent, and New Zealand lias given several opportunities in this sphere. The first regular air mail flight on the West Coast between Hokitika and Okuru in December 31, 1931. carried a large letter mail, showing that a number of enthusiasts had used it.

New Zealand’s contribution in letteis to the first regular air mail service between Sydney and London on ..December JO, was -1193 indicating a. distinct rush to take advantage of this exceptional occasion because the next air mail from Sydney carried only 1121 letters from New Zealand. T'lie inauguration of the GishorneNapier daily passenger service by a ir was marked bv a special carriage of mads, and tlie keen interest of phiiatelists in first-flight letters was proved by tlie fact that over 9000 postal packets were carried on the double trip between those towns.