22 August 2008

Man charged over missing mail

Police have charged an Otaki man over missing mail which includes more than 900 missing rates invoices sent out last week by Kapiti Coast District Council.

“Earlier this week we became suspicious because many people in the Otaki Central area had not received their rates invoices and we were receiving calls about it,” Council’s Group Manager Finance, Warwick Read, said today.

“The man, who is a sub-contractor of a locally owned and operated postal company, allegedly did not deliver the invoices and, when he became aware that suspicions had been raised it appears he may have burned more than 900 invoices and envelopes.

“The postal company has informed us of the police action taken this afternoon. Now we know about this, we are reprinting copies of these Otaki invoices and they will be delivered early next week.

“It is also possible that other letters and information may not have been delivered in the past two weeks and we will be working with the postal company to attempt to identify situations where people were thought to have received letters or notices but did not actually receive them,” Mr Read said. The postal company sincerely regrets that this sub-contractor has not honoured his contract and are doing everything to rectify the situation.

“The situation is entirely outside our control and the copies of the invoices will, of course, be delivered at no cost to the Council.

“Anyone who still has not received a rates invoice by the end of next week, should contact us ,” Mr Read said.

If affected ratepayers have difficulty meeting their payments by the 10 September due date then they should contact the Rates Office to make alternative payment arrangements.

ENDS

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