TAPANUI MAIL SERVICE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 290, 21 August 1873, Page 6

TAPANUI MAIL SERVICE.

(To tlie Editor.) Sir, — I wish to make an explanation for the benefit of the good folks of Tapanui respecting their weekly mail service. I know they have been much inconvenienced by the irregularity in the delivery of the mails for the last six weeks, and I wish them to know through your columns that the delayhas not on any occasion been caused by me. The mail is due at the Dunrobin Hotel at 12 o'clock noon every Thursday. For the last five weeks I have not received it until 5 or 6 o'clock in the evening. This being the case, it has been impossible for me to deliver the mail at Tapanui till a very late hour. The result has been that people who have come from a distance for their letters and other communications have been obliged to return to their homes without them, and as a matter of course greatly inconvenienced and disappointed. The fact is, as things are, people do not known when to send for their letters. Last Thursday, the 14th inst., it was after dark when the mail arrived, and, owing to the bad state of the roads, caused by the frost, and the creeks being unapproachable by ice, I could not venture to proceed with the mail, as it would have been dangerous to have done so. I therefore delayed taking it till early next morning, when I had it delivered in Tapanui by 8 o'clock. I have no wish to blame any one for this delay, but simply desire to clear myself in the matter. It is but right that the residents of our district should be made acquainted with the cause of these irregularities. Had we a bi-weekly mail service, we should not feel the delay so much as we now do. By inserting the above in your next issue you will oblige. — I am, &c, Wm. M'Kay, Mail Contractor. Dunrobin Hotel, August 16.