NEW BUILDINGS PROPOSED

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24902, 15 June 1946, Page 6

NEW BUILDINGS PROPOSED

POST OFFICES IN CANTERBURY GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME OUTLINED Provision for the erection in Canterbury of about 30 new buildings is made in the post-war programme of the Post and Telegraph Department. The programme, which was outlined by the Acting-Postmaster General (the Hon. F. Jonesl* after an inquiry by “The Press,” includes the building of several new post offices and the establishment of new stations to house automatic exchange equipment. Besides a new chief post office In Christchurch to replace the old building in Cathedral square, new offices will be provided at Cheviot, Ashburton, Dunsandel, Fairlie, Hanmer Springs, Kaikoura, Lincoln, Opawa, Riecarton and Sheffield. Alterations will be made to several other post office buildings. Residences for postmasters will be built at Addington, Ashburton, Cheviot, Fairlie, Dunsandel, St. Albans and Sydenham. In addition, new buildings to house automatic exchange equipment will be erected at Cashmere, Christchurch South, Papanui, Riecarton and Shirley. Store, garage and workshops buildings will be provided at Christchurch, and store-garages at Cheviot, Darfleld, Fairlie and. Walau. A contract has been let for the erection at Culverden of a building to house carrier-telephone equipment for use in the South Island toll system. “The department’s building programme for the whole country, comprising some 300 structures, may take up to 10 years to complete,’’ Mr Jones stated. “The progress of the work will be governed by the supply of labour and materials, which must be apportioned equitably among housing and all other building interests—Government, local body and private. “It will be apparent, therefore, that only the most urgent works can be put in hand in the near future.” Mr Jones added.