NEW POSTAGE STAMPS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1931, Page 8

NEW POSTAGE STAMPS

FINISHING TOUCHES. WELLINGTC-, (December 11. It has been decided by the Post and Telegraph Department with the approval of the Postmaster-General,, the Hon. A. Hamilton, that no special stamps will be printed for the air mail service throughout New Zealand on Christmas Eve. However, the stamps to be used will be threepenny ones, with the word “fivepenee” printed over the front, this being the charge required. There was insufficient time for printing a. new five-penny stamp. Air mail stamps recently issued fjy the Post Office were of three denominations, threepenny in chocolate, fourpenny in mauve, and sevenpenny in cadmium brown, the design being the same in all.

Good progress is being made with the finishing touches to the designs of the new issue of New Zealand stamps, and they should be ready for engraving within a. short time. It is not expected, however, that they will be issued for about nine months, as engraving and other necessary work connected with the issue is extensive, and will, take much time. The designs have been subjected to the most careful scrutiny, especially where Maori features are involved. Every effort is being made to secure the greatest possible accuracy, and the advice of experts has been secured to ensure that no oversights occur. ENSURING ACCURACY.

As an instance of the degree of care being taken, it is pointed out that the fantail in one design has been subjected to very close inspection, and even the number of feathers in the tail has been counted. Maori Resign work has demanded much attention. One or two of the accepted stamps have been slightly revised, for it was found that the Maori designs were not in conformity with the forms used in Native carving. s ' Even the design on a band around the head of a Maori girl has been overhauled, for it was not strictly in accord with Native patterns.