NEW POST OFFICE SITE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 148, 17 April 1940, Page 4

NEW POST OFFICE SITE

WITH the grant already approved for the establishment of a new Post Office in Whakatane to replace the present .building, the time 'is opportune for a survey of the poject from a civic and utility stand point. The position at present is, that the department has approved a grant of £14,000 for the purpose, the P.W.D. is too rushed to produce the plans and specificatons, and further that it is the intention of the postal authorities to erect the new bulding on the present site following the demolition of the old structure. The above are the facts as we know them. Has it ever occurred ,to the people of Whakatane to consider the Site of the building and the possibility of retaining the present office as a Government departmental suite. From what the Department has already released we understand that it is the intention to cramp a substantial modern building along the present narrow site, meeting the situation a little by having the public counter running lengthwise along the southern wall. The suggestion has little to commend itself either from an architectural or from a public point of view. Any attraction the building may have will be lost in the endeavour to limit it to the site on which it is built. The alternative would be to have an eye to the future and to transplant the office to a site towards the end of the Strand where it would become a central building as the town expands. No one will doubt for a moment the possibilities of Whakatane's growing to a centre which will in time become recognised as the main business town in the Bay. There is only one direction in which the business extension can be made and that 'is along Commerce Street and possibly towards the Paper Mills over the reclamation. If the new Post Office was constructed in a less congested area it could be made to serve as an architectural asset to the town which would meet the postal needs of Whakatane for a. dentury to come. The new Office could be set off with attractive lawns and gardens and could become a thing of pride to Itown and district. Regarding the present office there is nothing to prevent the retention of this as a much needed departmental centre for the use of various officers whose work is carried out in this district but who as yet have no provision made for them. The Social Security Department which bids to become a growing one as time goes on is one in question. There are others too such as the P.W.D. and Land Drainage Department. The building while not suitable as a Post Office would make an admirable suite for Government officials. If there is to be any alteration in the plans now ill mind by the P. & T. Department,, representations should be made now. Here 'is a matter which could be handled with the greatest facility by a live and progressive Chamber of Commerce.