Dear Editor,

I have read and listened with interest to the GPOC ‘camera issue’. I am yet to form an opinion on whether Mr. Edghill should apologise to the customs officers or not. However, I strongly advocate that cameras be installed, and speedily, at the parcels section of the post office. I also urge that dishonest postal workers be dealt with severely, lest they continue to tarnish the good image of the GPOC.

I posted a box on August 28 2007 to my sister in Tortola BVI. On my arrival at the post office, I spoke to the clerk, informed her of my purpose, and requested advice since this was my first time posting a box.

I followed her advice to the letter. After the customs check, the clerk weighed the box, and I paid the required fee, $2,300 plus. I asked if that was all, and this was confirmed.

When I queried the lack of a receipt, I was told that none would be issued, since stamps would be placed on the box. I left feeling very satisfied at the quality of service received.

Lo and behold, months after, even to the time of writing, the box has not been delivered. My sister at her end, and I, both tried to ascertain the whereabouts of the box, to no avail.

On querying same I was told that there is no way the box can be traced, as I have no receipt, and the box had not been registered. So all my hard earned money has gone down the drain.

It is my belief that after seeing the contents of my box and recognizing I was ‘green’ about the procedure the ‘very helpful’ postal clerk deliberately duped me and stole my box. There is no reason/evidence for me to think otherwise. Why wasn’t I told about registering the box, etc?

So should cameras be installed? Yes. At the same time the clerks should be given identification badges to wear, so customers can take note of their names, etc for future reference.

Yours faithfully,

Althea Daniels-Thornton