MARAMA’S LATE MAILS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11436, 5 February 1923, Page 4

MARAMA’S LATE MAILS

JUST MISSED THE EXPRESS. EXPLANATION BY DEPARTMENT. (Special to “New Zealand Times.’’’) AUCKLAND, February 3. An explanation of the causes for the delay in the arrival of the Auckland portion of the English and Australian mail from the Marama is contained in a reply to criticism published by the acting-Secretary of the Past Office, Mr A. Markman. The occasion of the alleged delay was the last visit of the Marama to Wellington on January 23rd, regarding which Mr Markman states:— The Marama dropped anchor in the stream at Wellington'’on Tuesday. January 23rd, at 11 a.m. The vessel was finally tied up at the wharf at 1.20 p.m. The first sling of mails was landed 10 minutes later, 45 minute® after the departure of the Main Trunk express for Auckland. The whole mail consisted of 2513 bags. All secondclase mail matter for Auckland was dispatched by the 9.25 freight train the next day, and letter mails, comprising 65 bags, went forward by the Main Trunk express that day. The department was making every effort to land and 6ort mails at the earliest possible moment, but obviously inward overseas mails sometimes arrived just too late to connect with the North train or the South feny steamer. Mr Markman added that the matter of dispatch of mails from the United Kingdom and Australia for New Zealand would be dealt with in a statement which would be made shortly for public information.