RURAL MAIL SERVICES.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1921, Page 3

RURAL MAIL SERVICES.

PROPOSED NEW CONDITIONS. M’’- : POSITION IN TARANAKI. In the course of an interview yesterday, Mr. H. Bree, chief postmaster at New Plymouth, gave some facts relating to the new conditions which the Postal Department propose to make in regard to the continuation of the rural mail services, or the establishment of new services. Mr. Bree stated that up to the present there had been no uniformity in the conditions under which these services had been provided, and as the triennial contracts under which the deliveries are made expire at the end of this year, the department proposes to bring them all on to the same footing. Hitherto contracts have been carried on at a loss to the department. In view of this it has been decided to ascertain, before re-letting contracts, what measure of assistance settlers are prepared to give to ensure a continuance of a service which hitherto they have not been asked to contribute towards.

In regard to present services, the number of deliveries will not be reduced provided a sufficient number of settlers agree to pay the charges to the department. Settiers will also be permitted to continue the use of the boxes or receptacles they have already provided for receiving their mail. Correspondence, however, will not bo delivered to those who do not contribute towards the cost of the service. The charges fixed by the department are £1 per annum for deliveries three times per week or less, and £2 per annum for more than three deliveries weekly. In the case of the establishment of new services the department will require that at least 50 per cent, of the settlers of a district shall come into a scheme before a rural delivery can be made. They also make it a condition of any new service that those who come into it shall provide themselves with the special boxes for receiving correspondence which are made to the order of the department, and obtainable through it. No delivery of mail will be made in connection with a rural service, in any township, or within half a mile of a post office. In addition to the delivery of correspondence the mail contractors also collect any correspondence which settlers may place in their boxes and bring it in to the post office from which they work. They also carry forms which settlers may fill in if they desire to obtain post office moneyorders, etc.