MACKENZIE COUNTY NEEDS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10535, 9 August 1912, Page 1

MACKENZIE COUNTY NEEDS.

DEPUTATION TO HON It. H. RHODES. [From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, August 8. The Hon R. H. Rhodes, PostmasterGeneral, was interviewed by Messrs GilLuigham and Banks, of the Mackenzie County Council, on the subject pf rural mail deliveries. They were introduced by Mr Buxton, who stated in regard to the rural mail services to Sherwood and the Braemar that there had been considerable settlement since they were inaugurated two years ago, but the department had advised that the ■ervioes were to be discontiiiuel. The deputation suggested that, as the business was growing, it would bo wise to .continue the deliveries, and extend one to the Sherwood Downs settlement, a distance of three miles. The Minister replied that he had to run the department on business lines, and, although the settlers' interests would be studied, he could not approve a service which cost £125 and brought ; In £B. The Black service was subsidised by the settlers at £4O per annum. He was prepared to reduce this to £3O, i and to continue the Braemar service for • a similar amount. Mr Gillingham asked the Minister to 1 place a block of 2000 acres at the disposal of the lessee' of the aceommoda- : tion house at Tekapo. The County ■ Council would be glad to sell tho ferry i house to the Government at a fair price, thus enabling a good week-end ; resort to be run. The block referred |to was taken out of the run for the i purpose. ! The Minister replied that it was not ratable business of the Government run any hotel, i , Mr Gillingham: Nor for the County ' Council. 1 The Minister added that the Tourist Department was anxious to improve facilities for week-end trips, and, while he could not say the department was likely to take over the hotel, he would consult with the Lands Department as to granting a lease of a 2000-acre blcck 'to the County Council, which could jjub-let to the lessee of the hotel.

j Post-cards, chiefly illustrated ones, |to the number of 109,500,000, were sent [through the Swiss post offices last year.