THE DELIVERY OF THE ENGLISH MAIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XX, Issue 1164, 1 December 1863, Page 5

THE DELIVERY OF THE ENGLISH MAIL.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LYTTELTON TIMES. Sir, —You have at different times called the attention of the public to the delay experienced in the delivery of letters and newspapers received by the mails from England. Matters appear to be getting worse instead of better, and although last month the gentleman holding the appointment (with saloon accommodation) to sort the letters in transit on board the steamer from Melbourne, felt the pleasure of sea sickness and other concomitants belonging to his duties on the voyage, this time he must have suffered intensely. He is employed by the Postmaster-General to perform a certain service, and he does not do so. As far as regards Canterbury, the letters fcr this province have never yet, with one or two exceptions, come to hand properly sorted. And why it is difficult to say; but the Post-office authorities here find the complaint catching; and will it be credited that although the mail arrived here at seven o'clock on Monday morning, some of the newspapers reached their destination in Lyttelton on Tuesday, at halfpast eleven a.m. I would ask are we a progressive people, and yet put up with a system of circumlocution with respect to our postal service; for on enquiry at the office on Monday, at noon, five hours after the mail arrived, it was stated that all the boxes containing the newspapers had been sent to Christchurch. I therefore claim my right with every other man to get my letters and newspapers in all reasonable time, although living in Lyttelton. With many the receipt of a newspaper from a friend or relative at home is equal to a letter, and he or she may not have a sixpence to spare for a letter, but a newspaper and a penny stamp, conveys the gladsome tidings that all is well when it left. I also contend that it is not a Lyttelton question only; you Christchurch people I see complain of your letters coming to you in driblets, so that you must row in the same boat to get a remedy, and if it be necessary to effect an improvement by reaching the Post-master-General, let us growl till we are heard in Auckland, I am, sir, yours, &c., PATERFAMILIAS.