DARGAVILLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5413, 24 March 1879, Page 2

DARGAVILLE.

The increasing importance of this township requires that the Post-office authorities should take some steps to promote the convenience o£ the public, so that io an outlying district, without the blessing of telegraphic communication, people may at all times have an opportunity of answering their Auckland letters by return steamer. Last night the Minnie Casey arrived here at half-p >st 9 (though she was seen at the mills six miles off four hours previously ), and the mail was immediately delivered. On asking what time the return mail would close, we were informed that it was then "after post office hours," "the mail was partly made up," and "that the steamer left at half-past 7 iti the morning," or " before post-office opened," and letters not then posted would be too late. But what dj we find next morning ? The steamer does not leave this port till half-past 8, proceeding to Mangawhare (half-a-mile off), where she remained till after 11. A remedy is easily found ; the expense would be trifling, but the convenience very great. First, when the steamer is coming up, and likely to be detained at the mills, the mail should be sent to the upper settlements by boat; and, secondly, when there is a quantity of cargo to be taken in at Maugawhare, and consequently the steamer has to leave this before post-office hours, she should either return, or send a boat for mails and passengers. Our postmaster is very willing to oblige, but he must take his time from the captain. There should be no necessity for having the mails closed over night, and. passengers on board at half-past 7, when the steamer is loading within half a-mile till 11 o'clock. This is not a singular instance of this great inconvenience.—[Own Correspondent, March 20.]