A NEW RECORD

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1938, Page 6

A NEW RECORD

POSTINGS BY INLAND AIR, MAILS

(Per Press Association—Copyright).

WELLINGTON, December 1

The volume of air mail carried by 'commercial aeroplanes operating on New Zealand services continues to show a steady increase, and during November a new record was established for inland air mails in the Dominion. Between November 14 and November 20, pdsjtirigs exceeded 50,000 letters, the highest total recorded for one week siilce'the inception of regular air mail services in New Zealand. In (the. first month of the operation of Union Airways’ Palmerston Norfch-Bldnljeiin-Cliristchurch-Dunedin servi'cej iinaugurated in 1936, only 12,000 letters were carried by air. The average number of ail mail letters posted before November 14, 1938, was about 46,009 each week, though during the week ended November 6, 1938, postings were slightly in excess of 49,003. Outward English air mail posted unded the all-up scheme for transit bv o,ir between Sydney and London is also increasing in quantity. When the Awatea left Auckland on Wednesday, she carried the largest English air mail yet posted in New Zealand, the total weight of the consignment being 41391 b. The mail is due at London on December 19, in ample time for full distribution in the United Kingdom before Christmas. “The fact that the Awate a’s mail was so heavy indicates that people are posting early this Christmas,” said a postal officer to-day.

November was a, record month for outward English air mail, and a total of 14,8871 b. of first-class matter left New Zealand during that period. In were dispatched from the Dominion. For the previous month, postings totalled 844811). and, in August, the first month of the all-up scheme, 94121 b. of air mail left New Zealand.