POST OFFICE VAGARIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21775, 14 October 1932, Page 10

POST OFFICE VAGARIES

“BLOCKHEAD AND FATHEAD”

CURIOUS RED TAPE. One may send a telegram in Britain telling his friend he is a “ chump ” or a “ blockhead.” But he may not say he is a “ fathead.” It has been decided by the Telegraphs Department of the Post Office that “ fathead ” is a term of abuse, and, therefore, ineligible, but those whose job it is to arbitrate on such matters have as' yet reached no conclusion about the use of “ chump ” and “ blockhead,” and so these words are not yet barred. There are other queer things about the British Post Office, for instance, while one must pay for two words vheu ho wishes to telegraph “ downstairs," “ upstairs-” is charged as only one. Similarly, Stratford-on-Avon is officially one word, but Stratford-by-Bow is three. In Whitehall, copies of all correspond cnce arc filed. An official must write to his colleague across the corridor instead of looking in and asking him what he wants to know. So, in due course, the letter is acknowledged, and information which- in the ordinary business world would be supplied in a few moments is not delivered for some days.

One extraordinary result is seen in the case of an official who is engaged in two departments. Ho has to write letters to himself, all beginning “Dear Sir,” and ending with the official '* Yours obediently.”