NORTHCOTE POST OFFICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 222, 19 September 1928, Page 5

NORTHCOTE POST OFFICE.

NEW BUILDING AUTHORISED. THE QUESTION OF SITE. The Postal Department holds the fee simple of two sites at Northcote for the erection of a post office building. These were purchased at different periods many years ago. The one longest in possession of the authorities adjoins the premises where the post office has been located for upwards of a quarter of a century. The other, acquired about twelve years ago, is at the corner of Queen Street and Grenville Street, and opposite the new Onewa Theatre. When the Borough Council was apprised last evening by the Parliamentary member for Waitemata that the Department was at length to provide a new building, it was decided to ascertain on which site it was proposed to erect the post office. It was also resolved to inquire if the serviced of the present postmistress, Mrs. E. A. ) Lepper, who had* so efficiently carried on the post office since its location in the existing building, were to be retained when the change-over took place. Mr. A. Harris, M.P., forwarded the following memorandum which he had received from the Hon. K. S. Williams, Acting-Postmaster-General:—''ln reference to the representations which have been made by you from time to time regarding the question of improving the accommodation provided for the conduct of the Post Office at Nortbcote, I have pleasure in informing you that Cabinet recently approved of the erectidn at that place of a post office building. The Public Works Department has accordingly been requested to put in hand the preparation of plans and specifications, and to invite tenders for the erection of the proposed building." It was stated in discussion that the Department had recently surveyed the ground opposite the picture theatre. This elicited diversity of opinion as to the wisdom of building thereon at the present juncture. I The Mayor (Mr. A. E. Greenslade.) said' that, in view of anticipated develop-' ments at the northern cud of borough, the necessity would arise for a poet office in a central position. The large endowment area had been converted lately from leasehold to freehold, and was now being sold in the market. When built upon, there would be a large population at this end of the borough, to the northern boundary of which it -was proposed, to concrete the main road. In his view, the proper position for the future central past office would be in the vicinity of the War Memorial, where the principal roads converge. This location would practically ensure the free delivery of telegrams io all parts of the borough. A branch of the office, however, would always be required somewhere about the location of tho existing post office. Mr. E. J. Eraser presumed the Department was in the best position to judge requirements, and the council should not interfere in its business. Mr. A. T. Munn said it appeared to him as if this was a political stunt. Mr. C. H. Johnston considered the business area the right position for the post office, though this did not overcome the charge for delivering telegrams over a mile.