UNIQUE MAIL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21972, 1 December 1934, Page 10

UNIQUE MAIL

ANTARCTIC LETTERS POST OFFICE IN ICE OFFICIAL ON MONTEREY THE BYRD EXPEDITION SPECIAL STAMP ISSUE Entrusted with the unique mission of establishing the world's most isolated post office, Mr. C. F. Anderson, of Washington, arrived at Auckland yesterday hv the Monterey en route to the Antarctic. He has been appointed personal representative in the Antarctic of the Postinnster-General of the United States, nnd is on his way to join Rear-Admiral R. E. Byrd's expedition in Little America. There is a valuable consignment of 32 bags of mail in his charge, consisting of 40,000 letters, the estimated value of which is £BOOO. The distance from Washington to Little America is 16,000 miles, and. Mr. Anderson considers this to be the longest journey undertaken by a Post Office official while engaged on a special errand. <■,

This enterprising scheme was originated by the American Post Office Department, and is the result of the successful sales of a commemorative stamp issued in February in honour of the Bvrd Expedition. Collectors throughout America and the general public were anxious to obtain stamped letters which had actually been cancelled in Little America. It was accordingly decided to establish a post office in the Antarctic and provide an opportunity for people to send letters bearing an unusual mark.

Special Precautions Taken Although there are 40,000 letters to be carried to the base in Little America, it. is expected that more than twice that number will be sent to various parts of the world. This is explained by the fact that each letter is in reality only a covering envelope, addressed to the post office of the Byrd Expedition. When the post office is established the envelopes'will be opened and the enclosed letters, addressed either to the senders or their friends, will be stamped by the cancelling mark. The charge for the special stamp is three cents (lid) and a carrying charge of 50 cents (2s) is made for each letter. The American Government has requested the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department to furnish Mr. Anderson with any assistance he may require while travelling from Auckland to Dunedin. Mr. Anderson is taking special precautions for the safety of his valuable consignment, which will be sent to one of the expedition's supply ships at Dunedin. " A Change of Routine "

The long journey holds more than the usual attraction for Mr. Anderson, as it is the first time he has been out of the United States. "This is the first long sea trip I have had," he said. " I am very enthusiastic about the rest of the voyage to Little America and the work I have been commissioned to do when I arrive. With me 1 have a complete set of post office equipment, even a sign board and a mail box. It is certainly a change of routine for me, because I have worked in the Postal Department for 42 years, starting as a messenger boy and have not missed one day's work since then."