DAILY RURAL DELIVERY

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 2753, 20 September 1923, Page 2

DAILY RURAL DELIVERY

FOR HfILCOMBE-STANWAY. ALLEGED DISSATISFACTION. AN ORGANISED OBJECTION. Ever since the "Manawatu Daily Times" came to Feilding - and the sur. rounding- district, its influence lias been felt and appreciated, to which its steadily mounting circulation eloquently testifies. Some months ago the residents of Halcombe and district vwero approached on the question of obtaining a daily mail delivery, it being suggested thaf such a delivery could easily be combined with the "Times" daily service, then and still the only service which covers the locality. The matter was taken up by somo af the prominent settlers, who presented a petition to the postmaster, which was forwarded on for official cinsideration. The authorities duly considered this petition and ascertained that the residents concerned were prepared to pay the additional feo entitling them to this daily delivery. The Postal Department then called for tenders, and, as was slated yesterday, the "Manawatu Daily Times" was the successful tenderer. Arrangements havo now been made for the delivery to commence on the morning of October Ist, This change to a daily delivery was due entirely to the enterprise of the "Manawatu Daily Times," which for months past has endeavoured to further the interests of Feilding and its supporting towns. The advantages of the service to the farming community and other settlers in tho district were pointed out in yesterday's issue, and those enterprising settlers of the local. ity who urged the Department to permit of this daily service are to be congratulated for their efforts in achieving what is undoubtedly one of tho most convenient mail services in New Zealand. Unfortunately, the Feilding "Star," which has beon operating in Feilding far about 40 years, during- -which time it has enthusiastically ignored the needs of the Halcombe-Stanway people, has suddenly evinced a keen interest in their welfare, and is endeavouring to persuade them that their interests are being jeopardsed by the new service. In its Halcombe note 3 last evening our contemporary published a paragraph concerning the new mail service, which alleges that a goo.d many people arc complaining about the new delivery, and that a petition has been circulated against it.

May we point out that only two tenders were received for the service—the "Times" and the Feilding "Star." The "Star's" tme.tablc could not possibly be fixed sufficiently early to allow letters to catch the afternoon mails, and, therefore, all correspondence would bo 24 hours later than by the morning- delivery. Our contemporary's agent, who has been perambulating the district in a forlorn endeavour to upset cho sorvice, wa3 eloquently silent on this point.

May we point out that it is />nly possible for settlers to have a daily delivery by combination with a newspaper delivery, hence the "Times" is doing the settlers an important service by its eutorpise. The "Star" allegies that there s a clanger of letters lying in tho boxes for hours. We have only to mention that other large deliveries are conducted on exactly similar lines in adjacent districts by the "Times," and in all the years they have been in operation not a single complaint has been made on this seoro.

The "Times" management'anticipated this attempt to upset the service, and has made provision to meet the wishes of the settlers wherever possible. Thev can be sure, as in the past, that their interests will be safeguarded and an up-to-date and efficient delivery will be inaugurated and maintained

The present service has been maintained by a popular and efficient office* of the Department—Mr Pratt—whose departure will be much regretted bj the settlers, but they will be pleased to know that his sorvices are appreciated by the DeuartraenC,