Norwich bulletin., 1912-12-20
COUNTY PoMoNA's ANNUAL.
Billings T. Avery of Ledyard Chosen Master-Fifth Degree Conferred on 17-Assistant Postmaster Peale ex- plains Parcels Post.

A feature of the annual meting, of the New London County Ponoma grange, No. 6, Patrons of Husbandry, held in Pythian hall Thursday was the conferring of the fifth degree by the officers of the grange on class of IT candidates. The meeting was called to order at 10 o'clock Thurs day morning and there was an at- tendance of about 75 members. Re- ports from the various granges were given by the following:
 Lebanon grange, Otto Pultz; Ko- nomoc grange, T. H. Hanney; Jewett City grange, w. A. Edmund; North Stonington grange, Frank White; Bozrah grange, E. A. Bishop; Ledyard grange, B. T. Avery; Norwich grange, Fillmore E. Berry and Edward Cook; Groton grange I. D. Crouch; Mont vile grange, W. A. Cook. It was voted to hold the next meet inc on the third Thursday of February in Norwich. The following officers were elected:
 Master-B. T. Avery, Ledyard. Overseer-I. E. Crouch, Groton. Lecturer-Mrs. Fred Bliss, Norwich. Steward-W. A. Edmund, Pewett city
 Assistant Steward-Erva Barnes.
  Treasurer-E. J. Hampstead. Secretary-A. A. Bishop. Gate Keeper-E. A. Bishop. Ceres-Mrs. Lizzie Colver Ponoma--Mrs. Frank Browning. Flora-Mrs. E. F. White. Lady Assistant Steward-Miss An | nie Brown
 Executive Committee-J. B. Bliven. | During the recess Assistant Post l master Arthur L. Peale of this city by request gave an interesting talk l on Parcels Post. MT. Peale first con- | graduated Pomona grange on the great 1 interest shown by it's members On this question, and stated that while the story of the post office was a long on' he would confine his remarks chiefly tt Rural Delivery and Parcels Post. Int l speaker stated that the first rural de livery route was started in Norwich in 1901, and through the untiring ef forts of the late Congressman Russel and Congressman Higgins we nov have county service in New London county with thirty-six rural routes Norwich has nine rural routes (be ing the largest rural center in tn state) and this reflects great credi on the excellent business foresight o Postmaster William Caruthers, a this large rural population will, n doubt use this parcels post systen quite generally, and the patrons an merchants will both derive great bene fits therefrom.
 The postofflce department was cite as the greatest single business enter prise in the world, and with it's 5000 post offices and approximately 40,00 rural routes together with the thous ands of miles of railway, star an steamboat routes there was no req son to predict anything but success for the new departure. Further, tn post office department had the ad vantage over the express companie of having this large rural populatio to deliver and receive mail from, a the express business was mainly con fined to the cities and small towns an villages.
 MT. Beale also spoke in the highes of terms of the excellent business ad ministration of Postmaster Genera Hitchcock.
 The new map showing Norwich an vicinity (unit No. 565) was exhibit ed and the rates to the various zone were explained, and which are as fol lows:
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