GISBORNE MAIL LOST

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19028, 30 May 1936, Page 4

GISBORNE MAIL LOST

TRANSPORT TRUCK BURNT MISHAP NEAR OPOTIKI ALL GOODS DESTROYED The Auckland-Gisborno Transport Service's night truck between Tancatua and Gisborne was destroyed by fire near Opotiki last night. All the goods wore burned, and a portion of the mail intended for Gisborne was lost. " . The accident occurred at Waiotahi, 10 miles from Opotiki, at about 10 o’clock. The lorry, a. four-wheeler, was driven by Air. H. Flavell, who noticed flames issuing from the back of the truck.

Stopping the truck immediately, the driver found the rear portion, to be blazing fiercely. The fire had such a good hold that ho could do nothing to extinguish it, but fie did all ho could to remove mails and freight. He was successful in removing only a portion of the mails, and also a crate of pigs. The lorry had a heavy load, and the flames spread rapidly, making it impossible for the driver to go near the vehicle after a short time. The mails lost comprised one bag of papers from Auckland to Gisborne, two parcel receptacles from Auckland to Opotiki and one parcel receptacle from Wellington to Opotiki, making a total loss of three parcel bags and one paper bag. The Gisborne bag lost comprised papers posted in Auckland between the departure of Thursday night's Main Trunk express, and the closing of the more direct mail closing in Auckland yesterday morning. All mails from the Waikato and Bay of Plenty to Gisborne were saved.

The Post Office in Gisborne, reporting as above on the loss of the mails, stated that it was impossible at present to give any indication as to the nature of the lost mails, for when an inspection was made this moruirig by the postmaster at Opotiki, the truck was still smouldering. The freight conveyed on the truck was completely destroyed. Insurance to ihe amount of £SOO will cover a part of the loss in this respect; while the

truck was insured for £SOO likewise. The service will not be affected by the loss of the machine, ample plant being available to carry on ,without, interruption. • f ■ .V . ;