The postmaster of Manchester stated that “letters have, in numerous instances, been sent in coach parcels, not so much with a view to save postage as to facilitate transmission, and to insure early delivery. This happens,” he stated, “very much in those neighbourhoods in which there is not direct communication through the medium of the Post Office, especially in a populous and manufacturing district between twenty and thirty miles from Manchester.”[239] In confirmation of the latter remark, Mr. Cobden stated that in the village of Sabden, twenty-eight miles from Manchester, where his print-works were, although there was a population of twelve thousand souls, there was no Post Office, nor anything that served for one.
Such are a few of the multitudinous statements made to the committee, in reply to questions, nearly twelve thousand in number, addressed to the various witnesses. The recital throws at least some light upon the difficulties by which the way to postal reform was beset, showing how necessary it was then to strengthen points which now seem quite unassailable, to prove what now seems self-evident, to induce acceptance of what no one now would hear of abandoning.
If further illustration of such necessity be needed, it may be found in the following extracts from the evidence of Post Office officials:—
The Assistant Secretary:—
“Question 986. I think there are quite as many letters written now as there would be even if the postage were reduced [to one penny].”[240]
It having been stated that the time for posting letters at the London receiving offices had been extended from 5 to 6 p.m., Mr. Holgate, President of the Inland Office, is examined as follows:—
“Question 1,586. Chairman. Has any notice of that been conveyed to the public?—I should be very sorry if any had.
“1,587. How long has that been [the practice]?—The last three months.
“1,588. Why should you regret that being made public?—They would reach us so much later, and throw so much upon the last half-hour in the evening.