198
(5)
Postman No.3, on taking out mails for the New York Export and Import Company, for delivery ex "Empress of China", very carelessly left them on the door steps at the back of the building trusting to good luck that the caretaker will see them, but some Chinese boys on passing espied the letters and tore open all the covers which fortunately contained nothing of value and scattered the contents. Fortunately they were picked up and replaced in the covers but the manager of the firm was in a terrible state at the occurrence.
I had to obtain the assistance of the Police Detective to probe into the affair as the postman was suspected of having opened the letters, but it was proved otherwise.
The manager did not wish to prosecute the postman as all the contents were found correct and, on the advice of the Police, the matter was not made public but settled by the instantaneous dismissal of the postman with forfeiture of pay.
Complaints as to misdeliveries, leaving letters on the stairs instead of taking them upstairs, throwing them into the kitchen, and slipping them through under the doors, and insolence, are of daily occurrence. When I arrived here in April last, but by weeding out the black sheep I am glad to say that the state of things has greatly improved, but the staff is practically new and it will require time and patience to bring them to perfection which state, I have no doubt, will be more easily arrived at if the men are better paid and encouraged to learn English by the prospect of receiving an allowance in addition to their wages.
I have etc.,
(Sd.) H. Dixon.
Acting Postmaster, Shanghai.
198
(5)
Postman No.3, on taking out mails for the New York Export
and Import Company, for delivery ex "Empress of China", very
carelessly left them on the door steps at the back of the
building trusting to good luck that the caretaker will see
them, but some Chinese boys on passing espied the letters
and tore open all the covers which fortunately contained
nothing of value and scattered the contents. Fortunately
they were picked up and replaced in the covers but the mama –
ger of the firm was in a terrible state at the occurrence.
I had to obtain the assistance of the Police Detective to
probe into the affair as the postman was suspected of having
opended the letters, but it was proved otherwise.
The manager did not wish to prosecute the postman
as all the contents were found correct and, on the advice of
the Police, the matter was not made public but settled by the
instantaneous dismissal of the postman with forfeiture of pay
Complaints as to misdeliveries, leaving letters
on the stairs instead of taking them upstairs, throwing them
into the kitchen, and slipping them through under the doors,
and insolence, are of daily occurrence. when I arrived here
in April last, but by weeding out the blacksheep I am glad
to say that the state of things has greatly improved, but
the staff is practically new and it will require time and
patience to bring them to perfection which state, I have no
doubt, will be more easily arrived at if the men are better
paid and encouraged to learn English by the prospect of
receiving an allowance in addition to their wages.
I have etc.,
(Sd.) H.Dixon.
Acting Postmaster, Shanghai.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.