HUMAN PARCELS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9400, 22 March 1909, Page 7

HUMAN PARCELS.

The London correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald says that if a total stranger to London wants to go to a distant locality and has no , idea where it is, the host way is to walk into, the General Post Office and demand to be despatched. It will seem at first a carious demand, bnt it will have no morbid effect upon theyoung lady behind the wire screen at the counter. All she says is: “Threepence a mile, please,” and “ What address?” Yon pay in advance. She knows the distances. When you have paid a button gis pressed, and a messenger boy appears. He takes the voucher, and off you go in his care. If you wish to ride yon may do so, paying your own fare only. If you walk, the messehger boy conducts you most carefully, makes a way for you through the thronging sidewalks, and at each crossing waits for the traffic to be held up—takes no risk whatever. It may occur to the “parcel,” especially if it be one of the feminine variety—that some of the shop windows are worth inspection. She may loiter and look at them as she pleases, but it is a variation from the contract, and must be paid for. The parcel arrives finally at the appointed place*, the messenger takes a receipt for him, or her, and the transaction is complete. The utility of this human parcel service is endless. Messenger boys convey country visitors from railway stations to the suburbs. They take parties of children to pantomime matinees, and call for them when the performance is over. Deaf, blind, and lame people are conducted all over London in perfect safety.