On September 5, I posted a parcel by registered airmail at the Constant Spring Post Office to Cambria Heights, New York. The parcel contained 10 books of Jamaican and other West Indian stories, three T-shirts and four of those excellent supplements produced by The Gleaner and The Observer newspapers celebrating the performance of our athletes in Beijing. These items were intended for my grandchildren.

Three-month delay

It has now been more than three months since the parcel was posted but it has not been received at the post office in New York. Weeks ago, I reported the matter to the Constant Spring Post Office and completed, and delivered to a clerk, a form in an effort to trace the parcel. I have also written to the postmaster general.

Although the items in the parcel were not Christmas presents, in a telephone conversation with one of my grandchildren a few days ago, I was asked: "Grandpa, will the parcel reach for Christmas?" My reply was that I hoped it would.

I, too, also wonder whether the parcel will arrive for Christmas. I also wonder whether other persons who have posted parcels have been having similar problems.

As I do not know who is responsible for the inordinate delay in delivering this parcel, I will not comment, except to say that this situation is most unsatisfactory. I hope that I will hear from the postal authorities soon.

I am, etc.,

BERESFORD HAY

PO Box 1191

Kingston 8