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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 12 (April 1, 1928.)

Mail Exchanging Device on the N.Z.R

Mail Exchanging Device on the N.Z.R.

The first automatic changing of mails in New Zealand was successfully operated at Levin on 8th March, that station having been selected as a convenient place to make the trial. The mail exchanger which had been installed on the platform did its work satisfactorily, exchanging bags with the south-bound Main Trunk Express, which was travelling at 30 miles an hour at the time—10.15 a.m. Apparatus similar to that on the platform was fitted on a special postal van, and the bags were exchanged simultaneously, a red bag being received and a black bag despatched.

The inward mail comprised letters which had accumulated in Palmerston North during the morning from Taranaki, Hawke's Bay and Auckland, and which, in the ordinary course, would not have reached Levin until 2 p.m. The operation was carried out in the presence of the postmaster (Mr. B. Magee), stationmaster (Mr. J. A. McQueen), and several members of the local railway staff, while in the van were Mr. Munden, of the head office of the Postal Department, an engineer of the Railway Department, and several mail agents.

The system is on trial for a few weeks, and in the meantime it will probably be used to exchange mails twice a week at Levin. Should it come through the extended test successfully its use will be extended. The system will greatly facilitate the delivery of mails at any small stations at which it may be installed and where the expresses do not stop. The device was manufactured at the railway workshops.

The New 50ft Postal Car built at Hillside Workshops.

The New 50ft Postal Car built at Hillside Workshops.