NGATEA POST OFFICE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4781, 26 November 1924, Page 2

NGATEA POST OFFICE.

CONGESTION BECOMING ACUTE. INCONVENIENCE T,O SETTLERS. Although it is now altacet two months since tenders closed for the erection of a new post and telegraph office at Ngatea, and the specifications provided that, the building was to be completed within five months of the acceptance of a tender, a start has not yet been made with the Work. The congestion at the present office is daily becoming more acute, but it is the inconvenience the settlers from the outer parts of che district have to suffer that is causing very adverse comment. For many months settlers have been waiting for telephone connections, but there is not space on the present switchboards and there is no room in the office to instal another board. Connection can only be obtained by coming in on existing numbers, but many settlers do not favour the party-wire system. However, it is this or nothing, and several such connections have recently been made. When one more subscriber can be connected the exchange will have sufficient to entitle it to be open 18 hours daily and for two hours on Sundays. A similar position exists in regard to private letter-boxes. AU.-the boxes are in use, and there is not space at the office to fit another nest Several applications have been made, and other residents would quickly apply if they knew that their wants could be granted. The disabilities under Which the staff work in the present office are so obvious that only the unreasonably complain, and it is equally obvious that the appointment of another clerk would not alleviate the position