POSTAL GUIDE ERRORS. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1630, 17 February 1883, Page 13

POSTAL GUIDE ERRORS. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,— l have offcea wondered that no person has drawn the attention of the public to the untruthful information conta ned in the Postal Guide publisned by ths Government, and transferred by almanac com; pilers to their valuable publications. I will only deal with the district with which I am acquainted, presuming that it is no better nor woise than any other places I am not acquainted with. I will start at A'aseby and go up country, and when I get to Blackstone Hill I find that the Guide says 112 miles— not far out St. Bathaus is now eight mile 3 ahead, but the Guide says 18 miles, or 130 from Dunedin. Tho next place, Cambriau, is four miles' from St. Bathans ; but, like bad washed flannel, the rjad has begun to shrink, and it is now only 1 125 miles. Next we como to Becks, eight mileq from Cambrian, but still the road is getting shortsr, it is now only 110 — that is two miles lees than Blacksfone Hill, although 20 miles has been traveled. So I mu-t soon make a start, or else Iwil be back in Dunedin. From Becks to Ophir is 11 miles ; the Guide says 24 miles, or 134 from town. Cljde may be right at 161 miles, but Cromwell cannot be at 145 — that is, six miles nearer Dunedin than Cljde. I know it U 12 or 13 nvles farther on the road. Bendigo gets credited with nine miles past Clj de. I know it is nearer three times nine miles. Some of the side places I have not noticed, but they are just as reliable as the above. There is no excuse for this state of muddle, as the Postal Department sends circulars out from the head-office to the suboffices every year asking the distance. They in most cases get tho information asked for, but never use it, but just print their old tables without alteration, and then they expect people to buy their Guide. — I am, &c . Traveller. Maniototo, February 12th.