Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/314



,—I am directed by the Postmaster-General to refer to your communication of the 29th ultimo on the subject of an unregistered letter addressed to you by Mrs G. Gregson, Warden Law, Houghton-le-Spring, posted on the 1st of June last, which was found, minus 5s. postage stamps enclosed by the sender, in the possession of a postman who was arrested on the 22nd of June last for stealing letters.

The Postmaster-General regrets to say that he has unfortunately little doubt that the missing postage stamps were stolen by the postman in question. But, as you are aware, he is by law exempt from liability in respect of the loss of any postal packet; and he only accepts liability in respect of postal packets (other than those sent by Parcel Post) when they have been registered.

The Postmaster-General is sorry for the loss sustained by your customer; but, as she neglected to avail herself of the system of registration, he is precluded from entertaining any claim for compensation.

An excellent letter, mild yet cogent. How is it these people will not take the caution to register?

Their flimsy pretence is that the charge for registration, twopence, is too high.

Ha, ha!

Ho, ho, ho! The Rev. C. F. Roberts, Abergele, North Wales, complains that a friend sent him from Madeira some embroidery, value £1, 10s., unregistered, and that the parcel was delivered soaking wet, having come in contact with port wine. The