Story: Rural services

Delivering mail along the Whanganui River

Delivering mail along the Whanganui River

A man leaves a mail bag on a pole at a delivery point along the Whanganui River, probably in the early 1900s. Rivers provided access to some places not served by other transport links. Mail deliveries were one of the few ways that people in the backblocks could keep in touch with family and friends in other areas until well into the 20th century.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, George Bull Collection
Reference: 1/4-009950; F
Photograph by George Robert Bull

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Nancy Swarbrick, 'Rural services - Overview', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/18538/delivering-mail-along-the-whanganui-river (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Nancy Swarbrick, published 24 Nov 2008