POST OFFICE SAFE DEPOSIT SYSTEM

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 188, 29 April 1918, Page 4

POST OFFICE SAFE DEPOSIT SYSTEM

ABOUT TO BE INAUGURATED. A first supply of the special safes ordered from Jifcgland having arrived, it is proposed} by Sir Joseph Ward (Post-master-General) to inaugurate tho eystein at 25 offices. These offices will Iks the Chief Post Offices at Auckland, Bleuhoini, Chnstchurch, Duuodin, Uisboim , , Oroyinoutli, Hokitika, Invcrcargill, JenPiflr, Nelson, New Plymouth, Oamaru, lhames, Timaru, Wauganui,. Wellington, and Westport, and tho oliices at Palnioreton North, Hamilton, Masterton, Whangarei, Tauranga, Ashburton, Gore and Bangiora. The system will provide lor sealed packages beiiiij taken into custody by the Post Office. The packages will be kept in the' special Biifes provided under special lock and key. Tim custody will be limited ,to documents. Coin, bank notes, jewellery, precious stones, or other articles of valuo will not Iμ received, but deeds, debentures, bonds,, iville, insurance policies, mortgage deeds, and all such documents will bo included in the scheme The t ackages' must be sealed by (lie depositor and must not exceed 11 inches in length, the Department reserving to itself the option to refuse to receive any package considered excessive in dimension , ;, or for nny other reason. The charges for custody meet the requirements of the humblest:— (a) For packages not exceeding 11 inches in length, 4} inches inj width, and half-inch in thickness, or 4 winces in weight, the ehargo will be ss. per annum. (b) For packages not exceeding 11 inches in length, 4i inches in width, 1 incb. in thickness, or 8 ounces in weight, tho charge will be 7s. 6d. per annum. (c) For packages not exceeding 11 inches in length, i\ inches in width, 2 inches in thickness, or 16 ounces in woight, the charge will be 10s. per annum. (d) For packages aot exceeding 11 inches in length, 1} inches in width, 4 inches in thickness, or 32 ounces in woight, the charge will'be ,£1 per annum. Theso charges will include free access to the box four time* a year. If any further access is required-, n, fee of sixpence must be paid oacri time. ' Depositors will be given a Key word, their sienatures will be taken, and every care taken to prevent impersonation. At Chief Offices packages will be received, or may be inspected or removed only between "tho hours of 11 a.m. and noon, excepting Saturdays. At other oliices during the same hours, but witn. a stipulation that if the ordinary busi' ness will not be interfered wits tliey may bo received, inspected, or removed at any time during Sa\ ings Bank hours. In : caso of death the Department will "cnerally require production of probate or letters of administration before dehvoring up the package, but in these cases where it is required to eearch for depositors' wills the package may be opened in the presence of the postmaster and. tho inquirer, on presentation of the sate deposit certificate. ~ , ~ It is confidently anticipated that the system will meet a' real want, and be hugely availed of by all classes of: the community who have valuable documents for which they desire eafe custody at a reasonable rate, with convenient means of access.