POSTAL DEPARTMENT.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14843, 8 December 1913, Page 9

POSTAL DEPARTMENT.

LATEST CONCESSIONS. (press association telscbak.) WELLINGTON, December 7. The Hon. B. ' Heaton Rhodes (Post-master-General), epeaking at the letter carriers' dinner last night, said that since April there were twenty-five rural mail deliveries established. Since July Ist the concession of posting without payment of a late fee at &&g stations and railway sidings was extended to ncu-inaii days. J?'or tie present rißiiir.gr season, a single trout weighing up to 20ib might be sent by post. The limit was formerly 111b. As a - temporary measure during the present unusual conditions of trade, as extenson was made of the weight of izJand parcels from lilb to 2lß> between post offices served by rail or eteamer. A reciprocal arrangement was recently entered into with the Australian Savings Banks for the transfer of accounts for the convenience of travelling depositors. The work .of laying underground telephone Enes.was in progress at several of the larger and smaller centres. Preliminary work for the installation of automatic telephones was proceeding at Auckland, Blenheim, Hamilton, Masterion Oamaru and Wellington, and shortly it vrill be necessary to give attention to Cbristchurch and Dunedm. A considerable number of slot telephones had arrived, and these would enable the Department to make all installation /which had been authorised up to the present.