POSTAL TIME STAMPS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20103, 5 December 1930, Page 16

POSTAL TIME STAMPS.

COMPLAINT SETTLED. The complaint, mado at the last meeting of the Council of tho Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, that contractors were in danger of having tenders classed as irregular because of the typo of time stamp used at tho Christchurch Post Office has been settled to tho satisfaction of the Postal Committee of the Chamber. At last evening's meeting of the Council, the chairman of that committee (Mr T. N. Gibbs) reported having interviewed the Chief Postmaster on the question. The present system was discussed and carefully examined, and it appeared to be adequate for all reasonable requirements at the present time. The two machines and several handstamps which were used were all changed at frequent intervals, for example at 10 a.m., 10.30 a.m., 11 a.m., 11.15 a.m., 11.45 a.m., 12.30 p.m., 1 p.m., 1.30 p.m., and so on, each to synchronise with the closing of outward mails or deliveries. Change of Stamps Scheduled. To meet the case of tenders closing at noon, the Chief Postmaster generously offered to schedule a change of the stamps at 12 noon daily. This would cover any letters posted at tho Central Post Office before noon. It was, of course, apparent that such an arrangement would not meet all contingencies, since letters posted at suburban offices and street boxes were not stamped until received at the Central Office, at least one hour later. It was also obvious that even if automatic time-changing machines could be used, their stamping would only indicate tho time the letter went through the machine and not the time of posting. The committee believed that the arrangement by the Chief Postmaster satisfactorily met the case raised and desired to express appreciation of his considerate and helpful attitude in tho matter.