LOST PARCELS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4475, 4 October 1922, Page 2

LOST PARCELS.

WHOSE IS LIABILITY? The extent of the Postal Department’s liability for Jost parcels was discussed by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce on Monday, pn a complaint by Mr C. H. Young that his firm had lost two parcels in transit, and that the Department had repudiated liability. Mr H. D. Grocott, Chief Postmaster, who attends meetings at the invitation of the chamber, explained the Department's practice and liability. In the event pf a,ny, damage occurring during transit His Majesty may, Mr Grocott said, with his own consent, b.e liable to pay compensation, to t'he owner, but not exceeding in any case a greater sum than £2, in I’espect of any uninsured parcel, provided the special “ fragile ” fee of 6d pn 9d where necessary had been paid thereon. No compensation, however, would be paid in respect of [he loss of any unregistered or uninsured parpel. The Postmaster-General was not legally liable, said Mr Grocott, tp make good any claim arising out of the conveyance of a parcel sent by post, but, subject to the regulations, he would pay eompensatipn up to tile limit of set out for the loss or damage of a parcel posted in New; Zealand for delivery therein. The following were the insurance fees payable to secure such compensation : Up to £72, Is 2d ; thence proceeding in stages of 2d for hach £l2 up to £396, fpr which the fee is 5s Bd, and thence up to £4OO, the fee is 5s lOd. These fees were payable "in addition to the ordinary postage in order to secure such compensation. In addition to these fees the special “ fragile ” fee must also be paid pn all inland insured parcels which the senders desired forwarded in a hamper, and unless this special fee was paid no claims arising oult of the damage to aiiy inland parcel would be entertained.