THE Hauraki Plain Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Services MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. & FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1924. POSTAL DISTRICT CENTRE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4658, 6 February 1924, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plain Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Services MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. & FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1924. POSTAL DISTRICT CENTRE.

Some little time ago a number of estimable gentlemen at the Thames Chamber of Commerce became very much alarmed on account of what they considered a large amount of money being spent on a new post office at Paeroa. The reason for the perturbation of the chamber was not, as might at first be supposed, actuated by any desire to conserve the national funds, but because it was thought that were an up-to-date post office erected here the chief office of the, district might be removed from Thames. However, after some discussion the fear was allayed to a certain extent, and after one or two members hi.l been deputed to watch proceedings in the future the meeting resumed its accustomed tranquility and Thames once more returned to a state of coma. However, the matter is more interesting than amusing, because it shows that Thames is at last prepared to admit that Paeroa is rapidly becoming a serious rival for a place in the as far as the district is concerned, and it is evident tliat had not some doubt of the desirability of Thames as a chief postal centre existed in the minds of the members the discussion would not have taken place. It must be generally recognised that a postal of the size of this one cannot be best administered from the far end, which is not now, by any means, the most important end. When it is pointed out

that the Thames district extends as far afield as the Bay of Plenty this fact must be apparent to all. Thames has not now even the distinction of being the most important town in the area. Its glory has departed long since, and it is doubtful if even a comprehensive harbour scheme and a new road tc Kopu will ever bring it back the importance it enjoyed years ago. Ou the other hand Paeroa is forging ahead by leaps and bounds. It is the centre of one of the largest and most prosperous dairying districts in New Zealand, and will soon be a most important railway junction : therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that as a chief postal centre it would be 100 per cent, more satisfactory than Thames. To quote only one phase of postal business savings bank withdrawals. Were Paeroa the chief centre, it is safe to.say that in most case,s fully a day would be saved depositors when they desired to" withdraw money by post. In addition, administration would be rendered less difficult, for it would be much easier for the chief office to keep in touch with the various sub-offices. The post office at Thames is considered by Thames people to be woefully out of date, and a suggestion that it should be rebuilt has already been made. Surely if a new chief post office has to be erected it would be far better to consider the whole question before the Paeroa office is completed, because it is an absolute certainty that before many years go by it will be absolutely necessary to make the change. This is a matter which the Borough Council and Chamber of Commerce should keep steadily in view, and one must thank the Thames Chamber for drawing attention to it.