MAIL SERVICES IN OTAGO.

Dunstan Times, Issue 375, 25 June 1869, Page 2

MAIL SERVICES IN OTAGO.

As an evidence of the interest that £ is being taken in the Goldfields, we publish in extenso the following question by Mr. O'Neill, as Goldfields’ member, and reply by Mr. Stafford:— “Mr. O’Neill, in asking the Hon. the Postmaster-General, if the Government has made any arrangements for the establishment of a tri-weekly mail between Dunedin, Cromwell, and Queenstown, Provivce of Ot-igo,— desired to explain that during the last session ho had several interviews with the Hon. the Postmaster-General regarding the postal arrangements of the Goldfields in the interior of Otaco, especially Cromwell and Queenstown, Ho found, however, at that time, that the contracts for the mail services had been accepted, and it would be difficult to make the alteratian from a bi-weekly to a tri-weekly mail, but if the arrangements could bo altered this year, the charge would bo

of great benefit both to Cromwell and Queenstown. He might mention that those places were most important inland towns. The Cromwell district embraced the workings of the Cardrona, and those on the River Clutha, np to Lake Wanaka, as also those on th'e Kawarau River; while with the Queenstown districtwere the workings on Laxe Wakatipu, and, the Rivers Arrow and Shotover. He asked the question, with the hope that if the postal arrangements were not-finally settled, the Hon. the Postmaster-Gene-ral might see his way to have a triweekly mail established, which would

be conferring a great boon upon the important districts referred to. He «had yesterday received a letter from the Town Council of Cromwell, requesting him to call the attention of the Hon. the Postmaster-General to the subject that existed for a change in the present arradgements. Mr. Stafford said that the Government of course recognized the great advantages which must always result from promoting and increasing postal

communication, but there was on the other hand the necessity of not exceeding that portion of the revenue which was available for that purpose. The Government had made enquiries

as to what would be the amount chargeable for a tri-weekly mail. A present, as the honorable member was aware, it was conveyed twice a week, and it was found that the contractor refused to carry a third mail for anything like a sura proportionate to the benefits accruing therefrom. As to the amount of correspondence which it wovld facilitate, he might say that the average number of letters posted daily ut Cromwell was only nineteen, and the average number received, sixteen f kat being the case, it did not appear to bo so very except ional as to require that the proposed change should bc|made unless it could be done at a very small cost. Up to the present time the Government had made no arrangements for a tri-weekly service.