CURIOSITIES OF THE DEAD LETTER OFFICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7415, 25 August 1885, Page 5

CURIOSITIES OF THE DEAD LETTER OFFICE.

[BY TKLKORAPH.—OWK CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Monday. The annual report of the Dead Letter Office contains the usual assortment of curiosities this year -.—99,762 unclaimed letters (an increase of 3 per cent.) were dealt with duriug the year, 68,942 being returned to the writers, 107 re-issued, 3936 destroyed, and the balance returned unopened ; also, 5254 book packets and circulars were returned to foreign countries, 5199 were returned to the senders through the Dead Letter Office, and 6679 were returned by the chief postmasters—a total of 17,132 book packets and circulars against 13,078 in 1883. The following articles of value were received at the Dead Letter Office, and returned to the senders where practicable 206 money orders, amounting to £594 9s Bd, 36 bauk drafts for £2165 8s 4d, 94 cheques for £819 lis lid, 3 promissory notes for £463 10s 3d, stamps amounting to £9 158 lOd, bank notes for £202, gold for £31, silver and copper for £3 16s 3d, representing a total of £4289 12s 3d. In addition : 1 gold locket with a black stone and pearl; 1 greenstone cross and pendant, gold mounted; 1 wedding ring, 1 gold bunting watch and case, 1 silver brooch and 1 pair of silver earrings, 2 pairs of earrings set with stones, 1 pair of greenstone earrings (gold mounted), 1 silver looket and chain, 1 gold ring set with jewels, 1 silver lever bunting watch and Canadian gold chain, 1 silver ring, 3 diamond studs (1 New Zealand gold-plated), railway pass, 1 piece of polished greenstone, 1 gold nugget in quartz, 1 piece of velvet, 1 silk handkerchief, 1 leather purse with steel clasps and chain, 1 flute, and 2 Crimean shirts were received. At the Dead-letter Office 5154 unclaimed registered letters were dealt with, including 4309 returned notices originally issued from Registrars of Elections. 22 letters detained for postage wer6 received, 2 of which were subsequently forwarded, 649 newspapers, and 431 books, and other articles without addresses. 8 letters with libellous addresses were intercepted, 128 letters were imperfeotly and wrongly addressed, 2612 letters were refused, 9 letters were posted with previously used stamps.