![004-Is_this_a_hold-up[1].jpg](http://www.roadtransport.com/blogs/big-lorry-blog/004-Is_this_a_hold-up%5B1%5D.jpg)
Peter Murray in Oz has sent me this wonderful glimpse into the past and he says: "Hello Brian, your recent posting of the 'Royal Mail' video clip about the new 'safety features' fitted to their modern Homeland rigs - prompted me to dig out this small selection of a C.1948 Aussie Royal Mail Rig featuring the 'safety/security' system of that era."![001-Leaving_with_the_weekly_Royal_Mail[1].jpg](http://www.roadtransport.com/blogs/big-lorry-blog/001-Leaving_with_the_weekly_Royal_Mail%5B1%5D.jpg)
Peter continues: "As Australia was/is (in 1948) a Colony of the (then) King, our postage system was operated under the 'Royal Mail' name - by a specially appointed Post Master General. In the cities and towns the 'mail' was delivered by a Postman (Civil Servant) riding a bicycle (as you would expect). However - getting letters and parcels to the remote Australian outback cattle stations was done by private contractors who 'won' the privilege to carry the Kings Mail by a rigid contract/tendering process."...now click through here for more and an unusual fact about Aussie outback mail 'security'....
![002-Leaving_with_the_Royal_Mail[1].jpg](http://www.roadtransport.com/blogs/big-lorry-blog/002-Leaving_with_the_Royal_Mail%5B1%5D.jpg)
Peter adds: "The attached photos are of one such contractor (my Father-in-law) - Ray Hiette. At the age of 18, his 'contract' was to 'run' a weekly service to cattle stations along a 300 mile (600 mile return) route to the east/south east of his home town - using a 1942 'Jail Bar' Model Ford truck. Part of the rigid 'contract' system - the mail contractor had to be 21 years (or over) in age. So at a young 18YO - he had to be granted special permission (by the King if you ask him) to hold this contract.The mandatory 'Royal Mail' sign attached to the front edge of the bonnet - can (just) be seen in the photo below..." ![003-Back_loading_with_the_armed_guards[1].jpg](http://www.roadtransport.com/blogs/big-lorry-blog/003-Back_loading_with_the_armed_guards%5B1%5D.jpg)
"For one to seek/have a 'Royal Mail' contract was essentially nothing more than a 'right and reason' to offer a regular general freight carrying business over a particular route. As you can see from these photos - a few letters for about 12 cattle properties along his route, was only a very small part of the weekly loading. A typical 'back load' was wool - as can be seen in photos above... and with 'wool' selling at a 'pound a pound' ($2.00 per Lb) the load was very valuable. So an armed guard rode along in case of a hold-up. All just jesting - the 'gun slingers' were just along for the ride - some entertainment - hoping to find a kangaroo or two, regards Peter R Murray." Well let's hope the roos weren't armed too Peter!
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