“Dead” Letters.

Manawatu Herald, 4 July 1903, Page 3

“Dead” Letters.

•’ The carelessness of a large section of the public is well illustrated by that portion of the Postal report dealing with “ dead " letters. The total of those handled by the Department last year was 195,784, of which 107,476 were opened and returned to the writers, 14,401 were returned unopened toother countries, 18,878 were re-issued, 6249 were destroyed, and 54,285 were returned unopened. Twenty-one letters were posted with previously used stamps, 2978 unclaimed registered letters were dealt with, and 2313 newspapers and 1875 books and other articles without addresses were received. Fourteen letters with libellous addresses were intercepted. Articles to the value of £9602 were found in letters opened in the Dead Letter Office, and where practicable were returned to senders. They included 945 Post Office orders, value £1091; 69 bank drafts, value £5320; 818 cheques, value £2207: bank notes, value £358 ; besides dividend warrants, promissory notes, postal notes, stamps, gold, silver, and copper. Post Office orders and so on addressed to “ Tattersall,” representing a value of £757, wore returned from Hobart in accordance with the lottery laws. In addition, there was a miscellaneous collection of articles, including watches, chains, rings, brooches, spoons, scarf-pins, sleevelinks, studs, medals, pawn-tickets, ladies’ blouses, -and steamer tickets.