The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-08-22
IMPROVED METHODS
HOT CONTIGUOUS
Demand for Free Mail
Delivery Is Not
Unanimous.
MANY HOUSES LEFT BEHuKBERED
HABIT or LINING UP AT POST
OFFICE HARD TO
MANY HOUSES LEFT uEHuMsERED
Letter Carriers Have Completed Their
Canvass Suits of Gray Now
Ready-Map of Districts Carefully
Studied by the DeIiverers.

The canvass made by postof6ee OIL
Gals, within the boundaries establish
ed for free delivery OF mail in Homo
| lulu. has resulted in the postal de-
partment securing some interesting
statistics.
One thing particularly noted is that
there are many people within the dis
trict who evidently do not appreciate
the privilege of having their letters
and papers left at their doors. On the
other hand. they have expressed them
selves in favor Of the old method of
visiting the postoffice. there lining up
in a string of anywhere from fifty TO
several hundred, TO await their turn at
the general delivery window, thus en-
ploying several hours in tiresome eN-
peetancy.
There is no accounting for tastes,
laughed ]. w. Erwin, Superintendent
of Free Delivery for the Pacific Coast,
in referring to the outcome of the
canvass.
As a result of the canvass that the
letter carriers have been making in
their districts during the past week.
about 1900 persons have signl1ed a
desire to have their mail delivered a
their homes by the carriers. Approx
imately 1000 wish their mail delivered
through the postoffice boxes as before.
There are over two hundred who cling
TO the general delivery window, de-
string to have their mail. come through
this branch of the postal service.
Il am of the opinion that pretty
small percentage of the households OF
Honolulu are represented by these
figures. Our men found many persons
who would not sign the slips left in
their charge. They seemed to take
the questioning of the letterman
as a sort of imposition on their vested
rights. There has been no hard and
fast rule in regard to the disposition
of an individuals mail. The utmost
freedom is allowed in the matter OF
selection of a means of securing mail
matter by the resident.
Il have been told that there is a law
on the statutes of the Territory of
Hawaii which requires the proper
numbering of houses. In the recent
canvass made we find that less than
twenty-five per cent of the dwellings
within the free delivery district are
CORRECTLY AuIuDSItQ- III 1dIb III sumo
cases it is well nigh Impossible for
the carrier to designate the residence
of persons who have refused to com
ply with this important regulation"
Mr.. Erwin finds that the last edition
of the city directory is not of very
great assistance in securing adequate
addresses. The work was gotten ont
before the numbering of houses was
fairly started The only thing left
for the postal officials is TO use every
available means of finding persons
for whom mail has been received,
after which it will be turned over TO
the postmaster. duly advertised. and
left in the ONCE for the regulation
thirty days. Mail matter undeliyered
or uncalled for after that time is for
werded to Washington, D. c.. dead let
ter Office Lynx-eyed clerks at the
latter place open all such mail and en-
deayor To ascertain the addresses of
the writer's for returning the missiyes
to them.
Mr. Erwin states that some of the
carriers route books provide an inter
estiug study Where numbers are
lacking the deliyeFer has endeayored
to locate such places by familiar OBJ
jects. after the manner of giving out
directions when Honolulu was in its
swaidling clothes stage of develop
ment. The home of some well-known
citizen is taken as landmark and
the location Of the persons sought for
is taken from that point While the
method is very primitive. it wiz have
10 suffice until the people begin to
realize that they are now residing In
4 growing American town. and must
arouse themselves from their dormant
stupOr. and avail themselves OF mod
ern and up-to-date methods.
Quite . quantity of mail awaits the
of the deliverers- Messrs.
kenake and Erwin hope TO have their
men out either today or tomorrow.
covering their routes. II is proposed
to handle the mainland mail. by the
Picking due Saturday under the new
regulations.
Complete suits for ten men were re-
ceived from the tailors yesterday.
Trousers OF cadet gray with neat and |
modest-tinted shirtwaists. comprise
the costume. Honolulu carriers were !
allowed 10 select the style Of head |
gear and the choice fell to the cam
paign hat Each man is provided with
? belt.
A map Of the carrier district has |
been provided With the various routes
set forth in different coiors- By. this
means the boundaries for each route
are clearly defined The men are re
gafred 70 give this map careful study. /
thus avoiding the confusion arising
troEn misunderstanding in regard to /
boundaries.