Increased Postal Business in Palmerston North

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 22, 27 January 1937, Page 7

Increased Postal Business in Palmerston North

MARKED INCREASE IN ALE BRANCHES A marked increase in the volume of business at the Palmerston North chief post office is shown in statistics allowing a comparison to bo mado between the results achieved in 1935 and in 1936. Postal figures show an increase in all sections of the department. In 1935 the average daily posting of letters for the counting period during November, for example, was 9742, and in the corresponding period in 1936 was 10,094. The numbers of registered letters posted in the same period was 111 and 137 and the postings of accounts, circulars, packets, and newspapers rose from 6f'43 to 7262. The numbers of postcards were 1237 and 1357 respectively, while the postings of parcels increased from 113 to 248. Telegraphic and telephonic services were also used to a far greater extent. The number of telegrams handled in 1935 was 81,337, and in 1936 99,808, an increase of 15,471. The outward tolL calls also showed a large increase of 31,838— from 263,777 in 1935 to 295,615 in 1936. The number of telephone subscribers connected to the chief post office at Palmerston North in 1935 was 2607, and in 1936 was 2704, an increase of just on 100. The greater use of radio in the homo is shown by the fact that in 1935 there were 3794 licenses issued in Palmerston North, and in 1936 the figure had increased to 4700, a difference of 906. The motor-vehicle licenses of all classes held at Palmerston North in 1935 numbered 4767 and the subsequent year 5317, an increase of 550. Augmented staffs in various departments would be expected with increased business to handle. In December, 1935, there were 135 employees of the Post and Telegraph Department at Palmerston North and at the same time in 1936, 145. Railway Traffic Aiso Improves Statistics taken out at the Palmerston North railway station of the number of tickets purchased there from December 15 to January 15 show that there was a remarkable increase in the numbers travelling over those in the corresponding period a year before. The almost complete absence of travelling to tho annual camps is regarded as having had a serious effect on the returns, but, even so, great satisfaction is felt at the actual result. The increase is 419 in the number of tickets issued and £932 12s 4d in revenue. The following tabulation shows the return for the respective periods, the number of tickets stated counting each return trip as two tickets:— Class and Year Tickets Revenue Ordinary—

1936-37 6514 £2078 8 10 1935-36 5436 £1498 19 3 Hoi. Excursion— 1936-37 .. .. 4409 £3322 6 1 1935-36 .. .. 4293 £3026 0 7 Spec. Excursion— 1936-37 .. .. 43S9 £961 9 9 1935-36 .. .. 5164 £905 2 6 Totals — 1936-37 .... 15,312 £6362 14 8 1935-36 .... 14,893 £5430 2 4