CORRESPONDENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 207, 6 October 1909, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE HISTORY OK A CASK. To the Editor. Sir,—Last week 1 got word that there was a case of goods for me Unit ought to have been delivered free of all costs. 1 went to the parels oiliee at the railway station, but a elerk there denied all knowledge of the ease. I wrote to an express company telling them to get the box for me. On Saturday 1 got jii formation that the case was lying .it the station, but so ■smashed up 't' ul t th-" expressman declined to have anything to do with it. Again 1 went to .th,> office, but'got no satisfaction there, i.o went to the goods-shed, and at once got the truth. Still, even the remains could not be found. At last 1 heard an ;v pressman had taken it to deliever it to me. When I got to my gate 1 picked up the bottom of a large glass jam jar and odd pieces of broken glass, so 1 knew the reina'ins were waiting burial. Sir, you will hardly credit it, but the caso looked as if ii. had been stood on end and chopped clean in half, as I just lifted one half oil the other. . Hark it, inch boards at that, f have the case on vie«v as an example. How unwise it is to put ''carriage paid'' on anything—fin fact, to prepay. I am sure no expressman in New Plymouth would have asked payment for bringing along a mixture of tomato sauce, jellies, jams, pickles, •;le. As the case was shipped from Weilington only, and by one of the leading (alrving companies, I think it is a. disgraceful state of allnirs. The contents of Hie case were printed in large letters on the outside, with the words "With tare." I blame the railway, as no sane person will tell me that tiie ease, damaged as it was could have come out of the edings. As a body of men our railway workers arc not' to be beaten for politeness, and often real kindness, and 1 have tried them sorely at times—but save my luggage from their tender mercies! I have stood on many a platform and wondered if the whole gang were sleeping partners with the truukmakcrs and locksmiths. Anyway, what was intended for a real pleasure to me h.is just been turned into waste and annoyance.—l am, etc.. G.P.