MAROONED ON ROADSIDE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19622, 4 May 1938, Page 7

MAROONED ON ROADSIDE

MAIL FROM GISBORNE NINE DAYS IN TRUCK Notwithstanding the remarkable performance of the Post Office officials last week there was one thing which proved entirely beyond their seemingly limitless resources. Mail which left Gisborne on the night of Sunday, April 24, is still in the truck and the truck is still in the mud on the Devil's Elbow—and likely to remain there indefinitely.

This is the one really serious hitch that has occurred in the post and telegraph services as a result of a period of almost unprecedented dislocation. By the frequent use of air dispatches and steamers all inward and outward mails have been handled from day to day, and first-class mail matter has actually been transported more rapidly than under normal circumstances. Telegraphic traffic until to-day was subject to some delays, but by using radio equipment it was possible through last week to receive and dispatch all traffic offering. The marooned truck on Devil's Elbow remains the one blot on the escutcheon of the department. This truck left Gisborne as usual on the •Sunday night, but was caught between slips and left standing on the one stable piece of road in the locality. In the meantime it has been inspected by a telegraph linesman who has reported that the mail is intact and in good order—but he added the comment that it was impossible to say how, or when, it would be possible to remove it. At present, it is not even practicable to get pack-horses to the scene, but the Napier office is making inquiries to* see what can be done. In rthef meantime, this explanation is offered to the public of the delay in the delivery of two days' mail, and as consolation, for what it. is worth, is added the assurance that the mail is in good condition arid will reach its destination when circumstances permit.