POSTAL LETTER COUNTING.

Temuka Leader, Issue 801, 15 December 1881, Page 3

POSTAL LETTER COUNTING.

Then the enormous number of letters •jassug through the Post Office daily the haste of despatch are considered '* w ' be conceded that it is no easy » iatu> to ascertain with accuracy the exact » r transmitted during a rear

I • r any other given period ; and yd ior • statistical purposes tins is not unfrequcnty «n important matter. The enumeration is at present mentally performed by the stamper as ibe letters pass under i.is lmnds, and this rm tliod is, of course, open to objecti< a on the score of human fal ibility. loader to nnder the process of counting infallible. Mr H. Fergu.-on, and Mr H. R. Kanpe, of the General Post Office, have invented and patented a method whereby perfect accuracy is attainable either by mechanicanical or by electrical means. In the first case a small cr unfer, similar to an engine counter, is placed in the head or handle of the hand stamp, and each time the stamper presses it upon the letter it is registered en the counter, at the close of the day the stamp is open?d the number of letters stamped read off an I registered, and the counter set ready for the next diy's work. In the second case, two methods have been devised electrically eff eting the object. In one the striking of the inking pad causes elect'ical contact 'o be made, which transmits a current to a count' r s'milar to that of a gas meter, and &o r. gisters every letter stamped. 'i'he other method is similar in principle, but a lever stamp is emplo\ed. This invention is ingenious, and has the merit of being both simple and effective, thus commending itself to notice as a means of correctly registering the number of letters passing through the post. —London Paper.