POSTAL FACILITIES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1886, 21 October 1913, Page 8

POSTAL FACILITIES.

» IN BERHAMPORE. IMPROVEMENTS ASKED FOR. ■Postal arrangements at Berhampore aro not quite as satisfactory as some of tho residents would like them to bo, and a deputation representing tho Berhampore Ratepayers' Association waited on the Postmaster-General (the Hon. R, Hcaton Rhodes) last evening urging an improvement in several directions. -The deputation consisted of Messrs. P. C. Watt, J. P. Shand, J. C. M'lntosh, and A. Mellor, with Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh, M.P., to introduce them. Mr. Watt, who was the first speaker, explained that the deputation desired to obtain tho Minister's consideration of four needs of tho district, (1) improvement on the present' delivery of letters; (2) a site for a new post office; (3) tho establishment of a money-order service; and (4) tho installation of ,a slot telephone. Tho present position in regard to the delivery of letters was that residents of tho business area of the suburb had always to wait until about 10.30 a.m. for their mail, and on busy days until about 12 noon. An extra carrier was required on tho run, which was too much for ono man. He suggested that tho position should bo met by an extra man, who would eommenco his delivery about the vicinity of Waripori Street. Tho present post office he contended was not in keeping with the needs of' the district, which had a population of between 8000 and 10,000 people. For the assistance of tho ,Minister, ho brought a plan, and indicated whero thero were suitable vacant sites available. Mr. Sliaiul said that this large and growing district had had the same class of post office for tho past 10 or 12 years. He considered that they wore entitled to a money-order service. The present position was a very awkward one for people in tho district, as in order to cash money orders they had to spend tram fares and como in to the city or go across to tho Wellington South Post Office in Riddiford Street. The business transacted at tho post office was about £1000 a year, and would undoubtedly be greater if they had tho means of handling it. As values were rising in the district, it would b£ of advantage to the Government to secure a site at once. In answer to a question by tho Post-master-Gcneral, it was pointed out that the valuo of a suitable site would be about £18 or £20 per .foot. Mr. M'lntosh mentioned (as an idea of tho importance of tho district) that tho three largest sports grounds _ for tho Wellington people were in the vicinity, tho largest school was thero, and was not adequate to meet requirements, and they were about to establish at Berliamporo the largest golf club in New Zealand. Mr. Mellor pointed out that tho eost of a business telephone at Berhampore was £13 10s. per annum, and the price was rather too liigli for residents of the suburb. He emphasised the need of a slot telophone for that part or Wellington. 1 . Tho Postmaster-General promised to consider tho that had been brought under his notice. In regard to the matter of the letter delivery ho could not sfty whether he would be justified m putting on another man until ho had' made inquiries. Regarding the question of tho now Post Office, he remarked that the price of the site was an item to be reckoned with. \io did not know whether any citizen would show enough public spirit to give a site. He was afraid that such gifts were only to bo obtained in tho country districts. Mr. Hindmnrsli said that as the deputation would be reported tho result was more likely to bo a rise in the prico of sections. .. ~ , The Postmaster-General thought that tho report might, on the other hand, brill" a gift in the shape of a suitable site.° As tho district was a growing 0110 ho would probably be justified in granting it a money-order office. An<i ,F tho district was as important as had been represented bv members of the deputation, he would have a slot telephone installed. ITo wanted to establish this system, hut a difficulty had been that they were not able to make the telephones as fast as ho would have