MAIL SERVICES TO THE BAYS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 352, 2 December 1879, Page 2

MAIL SERVICES TO THE BAYS.

A short time ago a petition was presented to the Hon. the Postmaster-General from the inhabitants of Okain's Bay, praying for increased postal facilities in the shape of a sea service once a week from Lyttelton. The petition was forwarded through the member for the district, and the following is the reply of the Department. Mr Montgomery assures the petitioners that he " did all in his power to obtain favorable consideration of what he considered a reasonable request" :—

" General Post Office, " Wellington, Nov. 5, 1879

" Sir, —I have been directed by the Hon the Postmaster-General to acknowledge the receipt of the petition presented by you on behalf of certain of the inhabitants of Okain's Bay, praying that the department might establish weekly communication by steamer between Lyttelton, Okain's Bay, and other neighboring Bays, with the view of affording the settlers increased postal facilities. "2. The Postmaster-General has given the matter of the petition his serious consideration, and he is of the opinion that the department would not be justified in incurring the expense involved in a compliance with the request of the petitioners.

"3. The settlers at Okain's Bay are at present served by a twice a week mail service from Akaroa, and the total expenditure for tbe maintenance of mail communication between Christchurch and Lyttelton and the settlements on Banks Peninsula is no less than £825 per annum. For the sea service which the settlers now desire, offers have been received from the owner of the Akaroa. For the weekly service between Lyttelton, M-lntosh Bay, Little Akaloa, and Okain's Bay, a subsidy of £210 a year is asked, and it Le Bon's Bay be included, the sum required would be increased to £310 per annum.

'* 4. From the enquiries which have been made by the Department, it has been ascertained that tho service desired by the petitioners is for other than strictly postal • that trade facilities rather than the desire for extended postal communication is really what the settlers want. Seeing that a comparatively large sum is already expended for the maintenance of postal communication on Banks Peninsula, the Postmaster-General exceedingly regrets that he is unablo to consent to increase tlie expenditure by establishing such a service as that desired by the petitioners. '* 5. In conclusion, I may state that, while the total expenditure for post offices ' and mail services on the Peninsula amounts \to over £U_Jo' per annum,- the revenue N —\. _*r ____H_l

derived therefrom barely exceeds £300, the expenditure and revenue thus being in the proportion of about three to one. ** I have the honor to be, Sir, "Your obedient servant,

" W. Gray, Secretary. "W. Montgomery, Esq., M.H.R., Wellington."