The suburban citizen., 1901-11-16
POSTMEN OF THE WORLD
HOW VARIOUS NATIONS DRESS
THEIR LETTER-cARRlERS.


ernment Building at the Pan-Ameri-
can Exposition, and one which may
possibly be transferred to the Nation
al Museum, is a series Of very lifelike
figures representing the uniforms and
equipments Of the various pOstmen
of the world. The uniform of the let
ter carrier OF this country must be
said to compare rather unfavorably
in point Of elegance and neatness with
those used in other countries. In sim
plicity of attire the postman Of Japan
must be given first place his uniform
consisting of a loin cloth of very
scanty dimensions and nothing more.
1t is true that this postman is only
employed in remote districts Of the
country. The mail pouches are hung
on either end Of a bamboo pole that is
carried over the shoulder.
The native runner Of Natal is an
other striking example Of the univer-
salty Of the great postal system of
the world, that marvel Of human in
genuity which unites the most distant
individuals, so that the traveller need
rarely feel entirely separated from
his home and kindred. The Natal
runners are interesting from their at
tire, their head dress Of leaves, for in
stance and their methods Of work.
When they perform short journeys
they run at a rate Of about four miles
an hour. The salary paid is So per
month, and an allowance is made for
ratlons. The clothing Of the letter
carrier Of Natal, in its entirety, con-
sists Of a military great-coat and
cape, which are supplied by the Gov
ernment Of the colony. Beneath the
overcoat is worn a garment called the
mucetu and rawhide sandal is
sometimes laced to the foot.
The postmen of Barbados, although
they are not privileged to sport the
picturesque shirt waist Of our cwn
letter carriers, are allowed to wear
two uniforms-one for the hot wealth
er in July, August and September,
and the other for cooler months. The
former is made Of unbleached cotton
drill, with red facings, and the latter
Of blue serge.
On the southern slopes of the eau
casus, the dweller who awaits a let
ter from friend on the plains sends
his dog down in charge Of tax cOllec-
tor or pedler, with instructions that
the message shall be placed. in a lit
tie pouch in the ring Of the dogs col
lar. The intelligent quadruped 10 then
turned loose and trots back home with
the mail.
One Of the strangest methods Of car
rying the mails is in vogue among the
natives Of Coromandel. 1t is said
that waterproof bags are there de-
posted in a species Of catamaran-
boat which is so small that the post
man has to sit astride it like float
ing log Sometimes these postmen
are washed off into the water, where
numerous sharks form an element of
consideration, but in most cases the
passage is made in safety, and the
letters are received punctually.
Most Of the employees of the Post
office Department of British Guiana
are negroes or Of negro descent. al
though the staff are Europeans or Of
European descent.
The Salvador postman is also a
swarthy gentleman, with a strong
dash Of African blood in his veins.
In the capital Of Salvador there are
seventeen letter carriers of this type,
two Of whom are exclusively employ
ed in the delivery Of registered let
ters, for which they receive $40 a
month. There are three monthly
mails to Europe and three to this coun-
try, all of which are carried by the
Pacific Steamship Company
A very primitive method Of carry
ing the mails is in vogue in Korea, a
small but exceedingly conservative
nation. The OK cart is here employed
in the postal service, and it is any
thing but a rapid means Of transit. In
China, which is also fairly unprogres-
sive, there is more of an attempt at
speed There are two methods Of
carrying the mails there. The letters
of the mandarins are delivered by
special couriers, frequently accom-
panied by military escort. Public let
ters are carried by two private com
panies. The first company, called
the 'local," has the cities for its seat
of operations, and the other, called
the general" delivers letters to all
parts of the empire maintaining com
municatlon with the far-off frontier
towns.
In Holland the extent Of the mail
service routes is over 10000 miles,
The uniform Of the postman is semi
military in character; the men them
selves are said to be a remarkably
handsome body.
In Austria the Government gives to
the postmen every year one tunic, one
pair of cloth trousers, one pair of
linen trousers, one waistcoat and a
cap, while every second year a coat
AID a blouse are given. Previous mil
itary service is considered as postal
service and Of war each year counts
double.
The Roman postman has to work |
eight hours day fer about S15 a |
.,,o,tL UVbo rpIeorv, 10 NOT ne noot |