A BUSH MAIL SERVICE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1099, 20 May 1913, Page 4

A BUSH MAIL SERVICE.

A rather amusing incident occurred at an out-district of Rangitikei a few weeks ago. It appears that away back in the bush a number ot settlers have not, so far, a modern mail service. The old candle-box which houses their correspondence or weekly and daily papers is situated some eight or ten miles from the last section back. It has been the rule or arrangement that whichever settler in this remote part of the district makes the journey over a rough track to civilisation, his duty is to bring back with him all correspondence and papers to each of the other settlers. Of course, Sunday has for a long time been “mail day” for them, and they take it in turn to ride or walk for the news from Home. It happened that one of their number went down country, and returned after three days' absence, bringing back with him only his own letters. This was on Monday, and thinking this settler would carry back the news of the week, naturally the others did not make the usual Sunday trip. Trouble was brewing the following week, and on Sunday morning all the settlers concerned met in the roadman’s whare, and held a “courtmartial.” The proceedings, which occupied four hours, and in which much evidence was taken, resujted in the following verdict : “That pur neighbour, Mr —--, be sentenced to three months carrying his own mail.” That is to say that not one of the other settlers will bring in this particular offender's mail for the period pf three months.