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Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2107, 5 February 1908, Page 2

A TARDY CONCESSION. For some time past wo have missed no opportunity of pointing out the iniquity of the late-foe charge imposed upon Gisborne residents who wished to- post letters on Sundays for the South. We never could see the iustico of this charge, and under tlio circumstances it is gratifying to note that the Postmaster-General has given orders that it is not to be imposed in the future. There *s something to be said for a penny fine to meet- the case of those who always leave posting letters to the last- possible moment. It has the effect of inducing the majority of people t-o mail their letters early enough to give the postal officials a

reasonable opportunity to get -the mail aivay from the ollieo, but it was ridiculous to expect the public to post their correspondence a full day before the mail closed, and to Jiao them as an alternative. There is another matter which badly needs attention in the same department, namely, tho sorting of the mail from tlio North. When this arrives on a Sunday, Gisborne folks have to wait until Monday morning before they can get their letters, even though they pay for tlio luxury of a private box. This might not ho considered a hardship if there were a daily service, but under existing circumstances it causes a good deal of serious inconvenience. A man may be anxiously awaiting an important business communication from the North, but if it misses the mid-weekly steamer he has to wait until tho following Monday, even though the comuimiieation may be tying in the Post Office from the early hours of Sunday afternoon. A town of the size of Gisborne, which has to depend upon a bi-weekly service, can surely claim that the utmost expedition shall be used in the distribution of the mail when it- does arrive. Tho advice of -tlio Minister of Lands to the people of this district was in effect that it we want anything done we must agitate -and make a noise about it. The advice was sound enough, too, and local residents have a grievance worth all -the noiso they care to make in regard to the present distribution of the Northern mail.