It's been a `Dear John' clue for a car rally, a measure to gauge the growth of a Canadian family and a local landmark for years but now the John Deere tractor letterbox outside Bill Webb's Paengaroa property is gone.

The distinctive letterbox outside Bill Webb Feed Solutions business on Wilson Road was stolen overnight on Monday.

Vicki and Bill Webb would like their distinctive letter box back.

Vicki Webb, who had the distinctive mailbox made as a surprise for Bill's 40^th birthday, says thieves went to some effort to remove the tractor, attached by bolts to a post.

'It's quite heart wrenching to have it stolen for the second time. The original one when missing six or seven years ago and we replaced it,” says Vicki.

The letterbox was adapted from a John Deer tractor peddle car, with a cab attached and the letterbox mounted on the tractor forks.

'It's become quite a landmark and when the previous one was stolen, it coincided with a car rally organised by the Paengaroa District Club which included the clue to find the `Dear John Letter' which of course no one could because the letterbox was gone.

'We also found out that a Canadian family who visit the area each year always photograph their children next to the letterbox to gauge how much they've grown since their last visit.”

Vicki and Bill have reported the theft to the Te Puke Police and while they'd like the tractor letterbox back, they won't be reinstating it.

'We don't want to lose another one so will just have a normal rural delivery letter box in future.”

A cash reward is being offered to information that leads to identifying those involved and recovering the letterbox.

Anyone with information about the letterbox should contact the Te Puke Police phone 573 9147.