May I venture to recommend that you should reconstitute London one postal district for the redirection of parcels? A parcel redirected from the House of Commons to Eaton Square is sent free but a similar parcel sent from the House to the Grand Hotel, Charing Cross (one quarter the distance) is subjected to a line of 10½d. for redirection.
Your telegraphic deficit of one million sterling per annum is not very creditable to your department. It is not paralleled in any other civilized country in the world. Some time ago, I found that every inland telegram cost you a shilling, while the average value or receipt was 7½d. for each telegram.
59. A new post and telegraph office to be erected at Charing Cross.
60. A clear and Intelligible "Post Office Guide" in legible print to be prepared. It is suggested that the "Guide" should be revised in the interests of the public, and that the regulations should be at least grammatical, always clear, and occasionally generous.
As we are dealing with ideals, let me breathe a sigh for the speedy advent of a penny in the slot letter-stamping machine, which will one day be incorporated with every pillar-box.
This will do away with the nauseous formality of licking adhesive stamps, and many journeys to purchase them, and it will be a step towards the riper ideal of the penny telegram.
