Readers Write

Northern Advocate, 15 May 1939, Page 4

Readers Write

[Readers are invited to send letters for publication in this Column. A letter should he written in ink on one side of the paper, and must hear the name of the writer, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.]

In replying to Mr Tremaine’s letter of Saturday last, I fail to see where he has cleared up any points at all as

regards this matter. Firstly, he states that the

PIPIWAI RURAL DELIVERY.

thi'ough service in lieu of post office facilities started 15 years ago. This is incorrect, as to my knowledge this -rural mail was operating at least 17 years ago as far as the Moengawahino Post Office, which office was closed at the same time as the Ruatangaia office, about 10 years ago. This docs not bear out a previous claim made by Mr Tremaine that they forfeited their post office to nelp the outer district to obtain the rural delivery. Mr Tremaine says that he was promised a service to his gate, and as he has now enjoyed this privilege for 10 years, or, to quote his own figures, 15 years, the question arises, did he expect this promise to be like the babbling brook and go on for ever?

It is quite evident that Mr Tremaine is not conversant with the service be-, yond his own corner, as he claims that the case of Brown’s road has no parallel. May I suggest that ft has, as when the Moengawahine settlers forfeited their post office, Messrs Carrington and Stuart’s deviation was eliminated. Now, along with Mr Tremaine’s deviation, Brown’s deviation has also been eliminated, under the terms of the now mail contract, as from January 1, 1939, Re Mr Tremaine’s comment about £IOO extra for servicing his road, this is also incorrect. After the granting of the new mail contract I was approached by the postmaster and informed that, the boxholders on these two side roads had protested. He asked me what it would be worth to continue to serve these two side roads. 1 told him that it was worth at least £IOO more, and also that if this was done we would have a number of similar requests from settlers on other side roads. I suggest that this was a most reasonable figure, as it little more than covered the extra cost on mileage basis, to say nothing about the loss of revenue caused by the general dislike of passengers to traversing side roads. Mr Tremaine is correct re the matter of tieing up the mail. In answer to Mr Tremaine, I definitely state that it is not my opinion that the quantity of mail carried lends itself to a consideration of reduced mail service; this is the first I have heard of this suggestion, and I very much resent Mr Tremaine having this published as being my opinion. The only reason Messrs Tremaine and Yates are not still enjoying the benefits of a daily mail, etc., is that they are the only boxholders on these two side roads who have failed to comply with the request of the Post and Telegraph Department to erect their mail boxes at the main road. Now for Mr Tremaine’s final point. He appears to resent that passengers and goods are carried on this rural service. As the running expenses for the year ending March 31 last were just £796 14/6, although I was running a new chassis, and the mail subsidy being £152 per annum, I would suggest he go very carefully into the matter of his proposed new service between Kamo and the Wairua bridge if he is only going to> carry mail. Why these two boxholders should take this stand I fail to comprehend. They appear to be the only ones who treat this matter as a grievance. Only last Friday I met Mrs J. T. Brown and asked her if she found it inconvenient having to go out to the main road for mail, etc. She assured me that it was no hardship. In fact, this lady, who I think has passed the allotted span of three score and ten, and still keeps fit and well, told me that she often walks the mile out to the main road and enjoys it, being quite happy that she has helped the district in general to gain a better service. May I suggest that the two gentlemen with the imaginary grievance take their cue from this grand old lady and hike that quarter of a mile out to the main road and make this their contribution to the popular “health and beauty” campaign. May I take this opportunity of thanking those boxholders who have, by making a small sacrifice, helped the district considerably, and also extend my thanks to all who have supported my service during the ten years which I have operated it. — D. C. COPELAND.