The Postman’s Whistle

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28263, 29 April 1957, Page 3

The Postman’s Whistle

Sir,—Arthur Lush suggests the use of a, heavy lid in place of a postman’s whistle, but apparently he has overlooked that there are many types and uses of lids Apart from confusion in noise and* expense for the householders, the use of a noisy lid would involve energy and the time factor so necessary for street-line postal delivery. The whistle is a cheap instrument, easy to operate, and its use was for many years part of an efficient service.—Yours, etc., RIP VAN WINKLE. April 24, 1957.

Sir,—l, too, have a box with a hinged lid. The end facing the street has the usual letter slot, so that the lid has not to be lifted except for large papers and parcels. The end and side which can be seen from the front window of the house, are made of perspex, and any mail put in the box is quite easily seen, and thus the intimation of the postman’s visit is not necessary. Under the letter-box and in one unit the milk box is constructed. The only thing wrong with this arrangement is that the milkman has not time dr energy enough to close the door. —Yours, etc., NO WHISTLE. April 26, 1957.

Sir,—Whatever has gone wrong wit hsdme of our folk? Some complain about too much noise made by our milkman; others say not enough noise, want to hear the blast of the postman’s whistle, letter box doors banging, etc. Well, they can’t have it both ways. I for one congratulate our milkmen, papermen. coalmen and postmen for the good job they are doing. Would these folk who write letters like to get cracking and have a go at any one of the above jobs, especially during the wet and cold winter months? Live and let live, I say.—Yours, etc. DIGGER, WORLD WAR I. April 27, 1957. [“E.A.I.” may briefly reply; otherwise this correspondence is closed.—Ed., “The Press.”]