90 The Dumfries Post Office, 1642-1910. 



In Mr Weir's time numerous other improvements were 

 introduced. Thus in 1889 Telegraph Money Orders were autho- 

 rised, and the system was further extended on the 1st March, 

 1890. On the 25th March, 1891, Express services were in- 

 stituted, and on the 1st January, 1895, free re-direction of letters, 

 books, newspapers, etc., was conceded. More important still 

 was the introduction of " Imperial Penny Postage " in 1898, as the 

 outcome of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. 



Mr Weir retired on pension in 1900, and was succeeded in 

 office bv Mr C. S. Chapman, from the Kendal Office. 



During the years in which Mr Chapman had charge of the 

 Dumfries Office further concessions were granted to the public. 

 Perhaps the most important was the extension of penny post- 

 age to New Zealand and to the Chinese ports in 1902, to Aus- 

 tralia I'n 1905, and to the United States in October, 1908. A 

 noteworthy development was inaugurated on the 2nd of January, 

 1909. On that date payment was made for the first time of the 

 weekly pension granted by the State to the aged poor of the 

 British Isles. 



On his retiral in March, 1910, Mr Chapman was succeeded 

 on 31st May, 1910, by Mr William Carmichael, the present able 

 and energetic postmaster. 



V. — Receiving Offices and Town Sub-Offices. 



A branch office, known as the Maxwelltown Receiving Office, 

 was established in 1843 for the greater convenience of the inhabi- 

 tants of that burgh, and it is of interest to obtain some idea of the 

 work transacted at the office shortly after it was first opened to the 

 public. 



From the "Dumfries Courier" of date January 29th, 1844, 

 we learn that : — " There passed through this office, in 94 days 

 from its institution on 22nd July, 1843, 2512 letters and 527 

 newspapers ; and during the second 94 days ending January 5th, 

 4033 of the former and 752 of the latter, showing an increase 

 on the last quarter of 1521 letters and 225 newspapers. The 

 Maxwelltown community are under great obligations to Her 

 Majesty's Post Office Commissioners for granting so seasonable 

 a boon as the establishment of this branch, tending as it does so 

 much to facihtate business. ' ' 



