by Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 12/97) - The cheque was in the mail -- for 13 years. Worth about $3,000 and dated 1984, it showed up at Hovat Construction (1985) Ltd. last week.

It had been at the Yellowknife post office all those years, surfacing after new post boxes were installed 10 days ago.

"It was a little unusual," Hovat manager Eric Sputek said. "Knowing the construction of the boxes, it was possible something could have squeezed between boxes."

Hovat said he does not know who dropped the cheque off at the Coronation Drive business.

Nor does he know the implications of the cheque -- if it can be cashed or if it even needs to be. The cheque could have been re-issued. Or it could be a bad debt on Hovat's books.

Sputek was understandably reluctant to say whom the cheque was from, only that it was written by a local individual.

"We'd like to contact him first."

As part of its investigation, the company may also have to look back in its books.

Canada Post's NWT regional manager could not be reached for comment and did not return telephone messages.