PARCEL POST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26199, 9 July 1946, Page 6

PARCEL POST

HEAVY FLOW OF TRAFFIC FLIMSY WRAPPINGS BURST It is a true saying that the Post Office is concerned with all walks of life, and in return is affected by all happenings of an unusual nature. The present coastal shipping service is irregular, and many parcels normally carried by sea are being placed in the mails by business men and others who are anxious to ensure the least possible delay in delivery. The Parcels Branch of the Chief Post Office yesterday morning presented a scene of activity resembling that of Christmas week, and it was stated that similarly busy days had been experienced every Monday morning for a considerable time. Parcels of every shape, size, and weight taxed the capacity of the branch. They had arrived in large steel crates, cartons, and bags, according to the rate paid, fragile parcels being forwarded under suitable protective covering. The suburban parcels are delivered by a contractor’s fleet, and city parcels by the department’s fleet. In spite of the variety in sizes, the parcels are handled under a system which ensures their despatch to their destinations in a steady stream. One of the principal causes of difficulty is the failure of senders in many cases to pack and wrap parcels properly. When flimsy paper is used it is not uncommon for packages to burst open. Yesterday morning, for instance, tree tomatoes, powder puffs, tins of various preparations, braces, brushes, penholders, and leather goods were spilled from the sides of parcels, clearly indicating that senders had failed to provide adequate wrappings.