The Working of the Parcels Post.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4608, 11 October 1883, Page 2

The Working of the Parcels Post.

, The Parcels Post Service was in* ' augurated on the Ist August throughout the United Kingdom, and, so far as can be judged by the reports received from I various quarters, bids fair to be the success expected by its originators. Certainly no pains appear to have been spared to render such a gigantic scheme, necessarily complicated in detail, as simple as possible. At all Post-offices the instructions for senders are hung in prominent positions, acquainting those whom it may concern that they may send a parcel from any post-office, and have it delivered anywhere in the United Kingdom, provided it does not exceed one pound in weight, for a uniform, charge of threepence. Between one and three pounds the cost is sixpence, not exceeding five pounds it is ninepence, whilst above that weight and not exceeding seven pounds'the cost is one shilling. Beyond that weight no parcels are accepted, but have to go in the ordinary manner, In respect to size, the scale is liberal in the extreme, the maximum length being fixed at three feet six inches, while length and girth combined must not be more than six feet. So, too, with regard to contents of parcels, there is hardly anything that v is not admissable—the line, of course, bell ing drawn at live animals and combustibles, while senders of liquids, fruit, &c, are requested to pack them in such a manner that they may not injure other packages with which they are conveyed. Taking London as the principal centre, it may be stated that the Metropolitan area ha 1? been divided for the proposes of the Parcels Post, into twelve districts, with a special service of carts engaged collecting and delivering in each district. In all of these there will be three, regular collections and deliveries at stated times every day ; but in the most populous and busy places they are increased to five. At the chief office in St. Martin's-le-Grand, which is, of course, the central and principal depdt, the preparations made for the opening of the new system yesterday were admirably conceived, and well bore the strain that wai put upon them before the night was out. In the early morning there was comparatively little to do^ but as evening approached there was a steady development of work un til to the uninitiated' it appeared that a breakdown must ensue. But with such a well-trained staff, albeit new to this particular business, there was little difficulty, and there can be no doubt that a few days' practice will bring everything into as perfect a state of regularity as obtains in the other departments of this best-conducted of public services. For the purpose of obtaining premises for sorting the parcels, the authorities have gone below ground and excavated a spacious apartment under the yard running between the end of Newgate street and Foster lane. This is lined with white glazed tiles, and is well-lighted and ventilated. Around the walls and in the centre are arranged a series of wooden racks, and at intervals are stacked wellmade wicker baskets, of various sizes, with '-Gr.P.O. Parcels Post," in huge black letters at the end. These are used for packing fragile articles, arid also for the transport of ordinary parcels when the quantity is more than can go into an ordinary postal bag. On entering the sorting room by a well staircase from the yard above, the visitor finds on his right the sorting tables for the Eastern Central district, which, for the present, also include Hoxton and Bathnal - green. This has been divided into eight districts, which are, in turn, mapped out into three or more sub-divisions for the delivery 'carts. As each basket of parcels arrived it was eagerly pounced upon, and in a trice its contents Were sorted into a series of baskets, numbered from one to eight, for the different divisions. These baskets were then taken, each to the table bearing the same number, over which hung a complete list of the streets in that particular district, to be ready sorted for the next delivery. During the past week there have been a series of what may be termed dress re- " hearsals, the value of which was plainly shown yesterday. Fortunately, too, the heaviest part of the work did not set in until late in the day, by which time the men had fairly settled down to their places. Certainly nothing more complete could well be imagined. As a collecting van rattled into the yard it was instantly emptied of its bags or baskets, which were checked by a general way bill, and sent down the " shoot." On arrival here busy hands immediately seized them, counted the parcels so as to see they agreed with the bill, and then they were at once either dragged by straps in baskets constructed for the purpose, or car« ried on trollies to the " rough sortingroom." Expeditiously the sorters did their work, and all the time porters were engaged in taking each basket, as it filled, to its proper division,, to be thero re-sorted either for the rail or delivery. Then, at times plainly set out on placards in each division, the mail or delivery was made up and sent aloft by a lift to the yard, where the carts were in waiting. As a general rule the parcels were small and properly fastened, but some few were very loosely and carelessly tied, and their contents exposed. Id these^ cases they were sent to the "Hospital," where damages were at once made good and the parcel forwarded. A greater mixture of articles it would be hard to imagine. Baskets of fish and frnit were plentiful, some of tho former gi^rg off a moisture hardly complying with the rules as to not damaging other things, while there were also umbrellas, fishing rods, tennis bats, boxes of paper collars, cases of scent and soap, tinned meats and preserves, packages of meat, boxes of oigara, and scores of ordinary bonnet and hat boxes. But perhaps the strangest article of all was a small coffin presumably sent as a grisly joke by an undertaker in London to Norfolk, There were also several pictures, and a large quantity of show cardsy All round the room are notices cautioning the employes to use the' greatest oare in dealing with parcels, and it must be owned that they were fably acted up to; but if consignors do not adopt such ordinary precautions as they would in sending parcels by rail they can hardly grumble if their packages get somewhat damaged ere they reach their destinations. - .

During tho morning the Postmaster* General and Mrs Fawoett, accompanied by Mr Algernon Tamer, Mr Stefenaon Elacfcwood, and'other officials, were shown round the building by Mr Baines, the chief organiser of the system, and Mr Jeffery, the controller of the London Postal District, who were accompanied by Mr Mellersh, the postmaster of the Central office. .Before Jesirlag they expressed their entire satisfaction both with what was goiogoa there andmth the re*

ports received by telegram from the other offices. Up to six o'clock the number of parcels posted at the General Office was 1500^ The deliveries in the Metropolis are done by some eighty vans that yesterday formed'a novel feature in the streets. They are specially constructed for the purpose, being welllighted from theroof, and painted a bright red, with the words "Parcels Post" on the sides, and are about the size of a single-horse omnibus. In the interior are a series of shelves for the delivering postman to place his parcels on in the proper order. Collection is also done by 1 tbe same vans; but the transfer of the heavy loads between the depots is conducted in special waggons. Yesterday, too, a good many cabs were in use, as it is impossible for the contractors to know the full requirements until the experiment is -■ further developed. The depot at Leicester-square, which will ultimately be the chief centre for the West end, is in the old premises of the Supply Stores on the northern side, and is a splendidly commodious building. At this office the parcels posted were comparatively few, as but a small number of people are yet aware of its existence, the Postal authorities having only entered into possession a week ago. But at the Strand offices, and, indeed, throughout the whole district, a good use was made of the new system, no fewer thau ninety collections and deliveries taking place from Leicester square during the day. Tbe system of sorting went on as before detailed, exchanges taking place with all the other depots, while for such large towns as Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, &c, the mails were made up and despatched , direct to the railways. Perhaps, however, the busiest of the London depots was that at Euston-square. Here there was one constant stream of vans with parcels until -late in the night. But despite the extreme pressure there was never a hitch, every train taking away its load of mails. "When the business further developes, it is expected that most of the trains will carry sorting carriages, as is at present done . with letters, but this has not yet been attempted. At the Ludgate-bill Station 340 parcels were posted before seven o'clock, while at London Bridge dep6t there were between ,6000 and 7000 parcels received and despatched. From nearly all parts of the Provinces the reports show that the Post was well patronised and that the arrangements worked well. At Plymouth it was used to an extent beyond the most sanguine expectations. Plymouth is the centre of a districtin which small carrying vans have always been used to an exceptional degree, there being thoughout Cornwall and South Devon a great number of villages and hamlets many miles from any station. It is „ believed, therefore, that the innovation will soon accomplish a revolutionary change. 1 The Bristol Post Office employed a staff of forty extra men, and did a large business, one flour merchant sending off a thousand samples. In Birmingham there was both a large receipt and dispatch of parcels. During the day at Glasgaw 1500 parcels .were, posted,'--only two of which were returned to the senders for non-compliance with regulations. Two vans were required for the North of Scotland, two for England, and one for Ireland: At Sheffield about four hundred parcels were posted, and at Leicesterr the traffic was very heavy Many manufacturers have'given notice of large despatches. Both Newcastle and Bolton had a great deal of work, as had also Derby, which is one of the provinical centres, and Salisbury.