THE PASSING OF THE HORSE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1501, 25 July 1912, Page 4

THE PASSING OF THE HORSE.

POST OFFICE STABLE DISPOSED ' OFA sign of the times wo move in was apparent yesterday afternoon wlion . the postal authorities submitted for snlo by auction five horses, two vans, a lorry, a cart, and a lot of harness, etc. l r or some timo past tho Post Office has bpen using motor-vehicles for tlio. collection'of mails i'd the city, and for their transference to and from trains and steamers. This method has proved to bo so expeditious and economical (in the long run), that tho Department has practically decided to dispense with the horse-drawn vehicle altogether. Formerly tlio collection and transference of mails in Wellington employed sixteen, horses, ten drivers, and a number of stable hands. Now tho work is done by four motor lorries, two tri-oars, and four motor'cycles, and only four drivers aro employed. Only three horses, a van, and a light oart aro left to represent the old method of locomotion for mails in the city, and it is not expected that they will be kept in uso much longer. Tho horse has served his term faithfully ■and well, but it is considered likely that he will sooner or later disappear from tho cities. Berlin authorities have banned tho horse from several streets, and, according to a recent dispatch, the proscribed am is likely to be increased annually until the motor shall reign supreme.