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Book 1 from 4th May 1904 to 9th June 1951. (Extracts completed.)
Book 2 from 10th May 1909 to 22nd May 1969.
The two Order Books contain memo's, standing orders and alterations to procedures in all aspects of the then General Post Office (GPO) - not only the delivery of mail but also Counter, Telegraph, Telephones, Telegrams, Outward Vouching etc. etc.
As time permits more extracts will be added - now photographed January 7, 2007.)
Book 1
The Telephone traffic between Barnard Castle Darlington & Barnard Castle – Gainford to be show separately in future. 4th May 04.
Please note that all letters handed back by Rural Postmen for places not having daily delivery MUST be stamped with date stamp immediately by the Clerk who receives them from the Rural Postman. May 27, 04.
[Today, under Royal Mail's Universal Service Obligation (USO), the Regulator would not permit any place not to have a single daily delivery Monday to Saturday!]
Mr Armstrong.
It has been decided, in the case of Sub Offices which are served by rail on weekdays and by Mail Cart on Sundays, that parcels which reach the Head Office after the last despatch for delivery on Saturday, at the Sub Offices concerned, are to be sent by the Mail Cart on Sunday.
Parcels posted at the Sub Offices under similar circumstances should also be held back for the Sunday Mail Cart Despatch to the Head Office.
This instruction, of course, refers to parcels which are road borne throughout only.
A Mellersh 14th June 1904.
Mr Armstrong.
The Rural Post to Newsham will in future not get down from his cart to call for letters on the inward journey at Elm Cottage and Hawstead House, nor leave the main road to call at Wilson House.
He should however blow a whistle just before he reaches these places so that they may know when he is coming with regard to Eastwood Hall. He will cease calling there on Monday 5th September unless Mr. Lodge decides to rent a private bag. If the bag is rented the postman may call at the door as at present. But if not he will not leave the main road and should whistle just before he gets there so that they can bring down letters to the gate for him to receive when passing. Please report what Mr. Lodge decides to do.
RAS for Sur: 29/8/04
Boot allowance to Auxiliary Postmen when appointed to a post - (I. V Woodhams appt.)
Auxiliary Postmen acting as full time Postmen are entitled to Boot allowance at 21/- per Annum from the date on which they first commenced to continuously perform a full duty providing they are appointed to the full duty post on which they have been acting –
C Ray 12th Oct 04.
A Return of Correspondence for Dely on each Rural Post during the week of the Annual Count to be kept on Form P191 – The latter to be carefully preserved for future reference when required –
Surveyor 19 Jan 06
Circulation of Local Correspondance
421013/06 proposed that:-
Ordinary local letters posted at Newsham & Barningham can be retained at Barningham & stamps cancelled there with the metal stamp, but letters posted at Greta Bridge will be brought to the Head Office [Barnard Castle] & sent out next morning as hitherto – Registered letters can be sent into H.O. from all 3 S.O.’s as at present if approved.
WA 17 Apr 07
Approved FWR for Surv 18 Apr 07
Mr. Armstrong.
In papers 465772/06 the Treasury has authorised the transfer of the offices named, in the margin *, to your control, from that of the Postmaster of Darlington, and the transfer will be effective on the 1st prox. The Sub Offices referred to have been instructed by the Postmaster of Darlington, who has been asked to furnish you with all the relative official papers, and records –
There will be no change in the Postal Address of the Offices referred to.
The necessary dockets will be issued in due course.
CG Actg Surv: 21 Sept 07
Re Circulation Correspondance W. and S. Coasts of Norway
Mr Armstrong.
On page 144 of the P.O. Guide it is shown that correspondence for the West and South coasts of Norway is despatched via Newcastle-on-Tyne on Tuesday Thursday & Saturday only.
It should be understood, however, that the Circulation from your Office of correspondence for the West and South Coasts of Norway (unless specially addressed via Denmark) should be to Newcastle-on-Tyne at all times –
A Mellersh 7 Feby 1908.
Harwood & Ettersgill Mounted Posts conversion to Cycle Posts –
The Secretary decided that no change will be made on the Posts in question but the question of introducing Mail Cart service on the Middleton in Teesdale to Harwood Post should not be lost sight of –
28 April 09
Hire of Substitute Horse.
Mr. Dockrill,
Authority should be sought on each occasion when it is necessary to hire a horse.
Sgd AS. for Sur 30.11.11
Memo
Mounted Postmen are not now required to lend their horses to substitutes when on Sick or Special Leave.
(Surv. Circ.) Feby 1912.
Boy & Girl Messengers – Attendances
The Sub Pmr
Authority has been received for the attendances of Boy & Girl Messengers to be reduced from 50 to 48 hrs a week without reduction of Wages.
Postmaster Darlington 31 Jan 20.
Abolition of Sunday Postal Labour
On & from Sunday next the 12th instant, as there will be neither Inward or Outward Mails at your office, there will only be the need for forwarding for the period when the office is open for the sale of stamps and telegraph business. Letters tendered for registration should be refused. There will be no delivery from house to house, or any handing out of letters to applicants at the Post Office, whether to Private Box holder or to stranger and travellers, to be call for, or any delivery of letters to addresses even if prepaid for Express Delivery.
I shall be glad to know, early, what arrangements you propose to meet these altered conditions.
FW Ridley for Postmaster
6 June 21
12/9/22
Telegrams sent by Telephone
Telegrams for the following places will be sent & received by telephone [ for the ‘Old’ Teesdale District and beyond ]
[List:-]
Barningham, Butterknowle, Cockfield, Cotherstone, Eppleby, Haughtonleskerne, Hutton Magna, Mickleton, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Newbiggin, Staindrop, Whorlton, Winston, Woodland.
Thorpe Grange Auxy
Permission received from Major HE Morritt for the Auxy to cross Rokeby Park on his morning delivery.
GR 22.9.23
Postmen – Assistance with Excess loads
Casual force employed to relieve Postmen of excess loads should normally be paid at the consolidated rates laid down for temporary part-time Postmen & Postwomen.
It is sometimes found necessary to employ Auxiliary Postmen instead of casual force for this work. In such cases the additional duty should be regarded as overtime and be paid for in accordance with the overtime regulations applicable to auxiliary postmen.
See Rules 175. 184 & 191 (c) of Postmasters Manual Vollume II.
Claims to be sent to H-O
[Note in margin states:- Not available!!]
Details of Office Area. Memo
Public Office 272 sq. feet
Pmr’s room 289
Sorting Office 645
Insp Room 28
Telephone -
Mgrs 90
Retiring 1 187
do 2 190
Passages & Staircses 1328
Cycle House 132
Total 3161 sq ft
Yard Space 940 sq ft
See page 95 for sq ft of apartment. Accommodation annual rent £85 until 29.9.’33.
Boy Mgrs – Uniform 222087/25
With reference to Rule 4 of Instructions for Outdoor Messengers (T.1032) it has been decided that Boy Messengers may, with the permission of their superior officers, leave off their leggings as well as their overcoats during the winter months when the weather conditions are favourable. They will, of course, still be required to wear these articles when coming on duty during the months Octr to April.
Will you be good enough to draw the attention of Supervising Officers to their discretionary powers in the matter.
The relative rule in the Outdoor Messengers’ Instruction book will be amended in due course.
T.P. Hobbins
12/3/26.
Barningham Park Spl Collection on Sundays. No fee due. DL 167/15/29 ref
Mr Britain.
For many years a Mounted Post worked Wekdays an Sundays from Barnard Castle to Barningham Park which was the destination and starting point for the return journey. No fees were paid for the convenience.
The collection was continued from your office on ‘the transfer of the Yorkshire Offices to Richmond’ some time ago.
Sam for H Pmr. Dton
1 March 1929.
Harwood Post Emp’et of Reserve Driver.
In Papers dated 8 May 1931 (DL 277/16) The Surveyor agreed to Mr W Robinson (reserve driver) working post 87 on the first Monday on each month.
11/5/31
P.O. Premises The Bank Offer to sell 518/3/30 Memo.
Solicitors offer remises and ground at the back thereof to P.M.G. for £1,200
Xxx it has been recognised for a long time that the present S.O. premises are unsuitable for requirements. xxx The PMG will not require the property.
for the Secty
Novr 1931.
Harwood Post N.Y.D. Memo.
Restricted (Bank Holiday) services are authorised on the Harwood Post for New Years’ Day by the Surveyor in papers dated 7 Novr 1931 (local ref DL 168/4).
To be regarded as standard authority. DL 23/11/31.
Stone Close House Post 19 DL 532/1 Route thro Rokeby Park
Ltr from Mrs Morritt dated 26 Feb 32 giving permission for Pm to use the gates near Bowes Rd corner, subject to them always all gates used.
3/3/32
Pmns Substitution Revised Sept 1934 – papers DL 120/7 refer.
Messrs T.A. Ainsley & H Brown to share Town and Post 87 full time duties (J.A.A v. Woodhams & W Robinson: H B v. Bowels & Ireland) : Mr Hardisty v. Elliott, and Appleby v. Hardisty.
Pmn informed that they have no claim to any duty other than their own.
Business Reply Services
Shell Mex & BP Ltd., Station Approach, Bd Castle. Licence No. 11910. (The payment in advance of 3/- small deposit is in order as a special arrangement exists in the case of Shell Mex Business Reply Packet Account – papers 32936/34 refer.) Transferred to Richmond.
Anglo American Oil Co Ltd., LNER Goods Yard, Barnard Castle. Licence No. 5816. Transferred to DL Sept 1939.
R. Silcock & Souffe, Hanley Hall, Union St, Lpool 3. (Representative) R. Lamb, Percydale, Vane Rd, Barnard Castle. Licence No. 4122.
Lever Bros, Port Sunlight. (Representative) Mr GA Brown, Sledwich, Bd Castle. Licence 98.
Transferred to DL Aug 1940.
Driving Licence Renewals
Postman Drivers Licences expire on the following dates
W Robinson 22 August
T.S. Ireland 22 August [Tom]
T.A. Ainsley 12 April
JH Porter 11 March
Test 19.5.36 J Wright 11 March
G N Whitfield Test past 24 Aug
Test 30.9.36 T.S. Sampson 19 November [Thomas]
Test 30.9.36 G E Carr 27 December
Test 31.3.37 E. Elliott 22 June
Test 6.11.37 A Robinson 22 June
J. Walton 20 Aug [John (Jack)]
Test 6.11.37 A. Hardisty 22 Jan
Scargill Post use of Abbey Bridge
Copy [Letter]
Rokeby Bd Castle
9 April 1937
Dear Sir,
I have had a reply from Major Morritt to my wire asking if he will give permission for the mail to use the Abbey Bridge free of charge, and his reply is that “they may use it free”.
I am, yours faithfully,
G. L. Morritt.
New Postmaster appointed
Mr W.D. Croft. Postmaster Bedale, took up duty as Postmaster Barnard Castle, 2/1/39.
Deerbolt Camp occupied 30/10/40
Two members of R.E.P.S. took up duty for assistance with Military Mails. 30/10/40.
Occupation of all Camps.
All Camps occupied by Troops 24th Octr 1942 viz:- Barford, Streatlam, Stainton, Humbleton, Westwick & Deerbolt.
W.D.C. 30/10/42.
Postmasters Retirement
Mr W.D. Croft, Postmaster since 2/1/1939 retired 61 years of age. 30th September 1944.
[Carbon Copy of the first type written Memo (before spell checkers/word processors were even thought of) to be 'pasted' into the Order Book:-]
Darlington.
Mr R.Brown. Date of Birth 21st Sept 1927.
Appointed Postman at Bd Castle 9th Jan 1946.
Regd number 65023/45.
22nd Feb 1946
The R.D.
S & B.B.
Submitted for decision please. The question of Mr Brown’s appointment as Postman at Barnard Castle prior to Mr G.R.Wright, Supernumerary Postman (Date of Birth 27th April 1925) has arisen. Mr Wright was employed at Barnard Castle as a Boy Messenger from 2nd Sept 1939 to 20th August 1943 and was assigned a supernumerary appointment as Postman on the 21st August 1943 whilst absent on Military Service. Redg No 65625/42.
Mr Brown commenced service as a Boy Messenger at Darlington on 16th Feb 1942, and passed to the Engineering Dept as Youth_in_training on the 9th July 1944. He was re_transferred to the Postal Branch on the 20th October 1946 and employed as a Temporary Postman at Barnard Castle. He was appointed Postman on the 9th January 1946.
F.R.Nicholson
Head Postmaster.
The Head Postmaster
Darlington,
Read. Mr Wright should be regarded as the senior and on his return to Civil employment if no vacancy exists to which he can be substansively appointed, it will be necessary to transfer Mr Brown on a compulsory basis in order that Mr Wright can be accommodated.
Prosumably Mr Brown will shortly be called up for Military Service and the question of his compulsory transfer (in absence) to H.O. in order to accommodate at BdCastle S.O senior men returning from the forces will arise.
In the meantime no action need be taken but a further report will perhaps be submitted when the date of Mr Wright’s resumption of Post Office duties is known.
W Baker 25/2/46
Copy. The Postmaster Bd Castle.
Agreed. Mr Wright is senior to Mr Raw & Mr Brown. The position of these Officers on the Seniority List is as follows.
9. Mr Wright G.R.
10. Mr Raw H.
11. Mr Brown R.
GWF
for Head Postmaster
4 Mar 1946
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