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Otago Daily Times, Issue 27266, 17 December 1949, Page 4

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CHRISTMAS POSTINGS FURTHER INCREASE EXPECTED The Christinas postal rush has started in earnest, and since last Monday the postal staff has been unusually busy in dealing with the increase in business. Yesterday a Daily Times reporter paid a visit to the mailroom at the Oamaru Chief Post Office, which presented a scene of great activity. It is estimated that approximately double the normal quantity of postal matter is passing through the office, and it is expected that a further increase in business will be experienced early in the coining week. The public generally has responded well to the " frost early ” campaign, and this will naturally lighten the burden during what is normally a period of intense activity.

Up to the present the normal postal staff has been able to cope with the increase in business, but next week the staff will be supplemented by additional assistants to ensure that all mail matter is disposed of by Christmas Eve. Next week each postman will have an assistant, and in addition, trucks will undertake the delivery of postal matter with which the postman cannot cope. At this time of the year postal deliveries, both to the householder and the business community, are delayed slightly because of the increase in business, but every effort is made to ensure as fast a service as possible in the circumstances.

” The usual crop of insecurely wrapped parcels and incorrectly addressed mail is being received,” said an official. "As in previous years, we are still receiving through the boxes letters addressed to Father Christmas. Cases of parcels and letters with no addresses have also been brought to my notice.” The rural deliveries, in common with the postmen, are having an exceptionally busy Christmas, and are giving a flrstdais service to the country districts. Counter clerks in the Chief Post Office are handling all callers as expeditiously as possible, although at times there is Sl Tt ht is estimated that the business this year is much heavier than last, which was a record. A greater increase has been noticed in the posting of Christmas cards, and it is expected that this year will constitute a new record.