POSTAL MATTERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4835, 27 May 1925, Page 3

POSTAL MATTERS.

IMPROVEMENTS SOUGHT.

D’SCUSSION Bi CHAMBER.

■V last night’s met ting of the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce several matters in connection with the exis> ’.•i« arrangements at the local pos* office were discussed TELEPHONE SERVICE.

The president introduced 'he mat ter of a continuous te.ephone service for raeroa and repoited having luil an interview with the postmaster (Mi y. E. Ward) on the matter. Mr H. J. Hare said that he utuKrthere were sufficient subscribers nox.' to wart ant a continuous service.

The president mentioned that at present the local doctors were not com ected with the Hikutaia exchange, and if the services of a inedica' man were wanted in Hikutaia after hours they had to be obtained from Thames, which meant that over an hour was taken lo get a doctoi, whereas if tne local doctors vere connected they could reach Hikutaia in under half an hour. Mr Ward, on being asked to express ]-ic ...jews, said that he was ioathe to ■see any class of business go , ast Paeroa. and it would be his constant endeavour to induce busines to come to the town. With reference to the continuous service, h ewould look into the m.-’tter and advise the chamber. He t- ought there were difficulties in the way, but .they might be overcomm Regarding Hikutaia, Mr Ward said event of a doctor being required he change if other arrangements could not be made. Regarding Hikutaia, Mr Waid su'd he roaliised that in the interests cf human lives it was necessary for the setilenient to be kept within touch i f ’.he local doctors after lours, and he was prepared to have Hikutaia ningged to his own house, and in the eve’-i of a doctor being required he would ring him from the Paeroa exchange. PRIVATE BOX LOBBY.

Mr W. Marshall asked if it womd be - ;ssiblc to have a light placed in the ; u ivatc box lobby .Mr Ward said that nc had been accustomed to electric light for the .ast ten years and he, too, was experiencin." considerable inconvenience witn the present -system of lighting. The gasworks had closed down, and his deparcmcnt considered that ‘.he insta. laticn of electricity throughout ; the post itiicc and residence wa-s not justified in view of the erection of tl.o new office. That was the position, and be was doubtful if the cnambet could biing sufficient pressure to beat to h&vc electric light installed at the present juncture. However, he would do what he could to see that a light v, a<- provided in the box lobby. Mr Hare contended that the present lightiog of the office vas a disgrace, ■('id. he advocated the chamber malting strong representations to the department for better facilities. In new of the explanation made hy Mr Ward it was decided .o take no action. TELEGRAPH HOURS. M j’oi ritt drew attention to the fact ‘..hat tome years ago the. department had maintained a desire to suppress all publicity, but during the lust three years ‘t had changed its policy somewhat and was now rather disposed to cneou. age :ts officens to interest themselves in the affairs of a town. He thought it was a matter for congratulation that the chamber was able to enrol Mr Ward as a member, and sail h-.. felt sure that he would prove n-mi-eir a valuable member uid would he a considerable help in iJvanci'.g the progress of the town. The president went on to state that he thought the time, had arrived whe-i the department should be requested to r -store the service taken iway d'.u i.it? the war, and have the local ofli e. opened between 7 and 8 o’clock in .h? c nni’g for ‘.he reception and delivery of telegrams. Mr E. Edwards pointed out the advantage it would be to correspondent? ftir.v-.’ ding i ress results of local flx-t-.i’cs to the Auckland papers. Mr Ward remarked that it was la gely a matter of revenue. If -h° . venivg opening justified itself '<•? thought, the chamber might very well

•ppi of ch his department with a iequest. Mr Cassrels thought, that the total revenue ishmtld be taken into consideration. and not the revenue accruing fro-m the evening service only. On the motion of Mr Porritt, seconded by' Mr Edwards, it was decided to -.sk the department to restore the evening service. Later on in the meeting, on the motion of Mr G. H. Taylor, seconded by Mr P. E. Breran, it was resolved tnat it be a recoininendatie-.i to the executive commit.ee to consider the advisability of offering to stLsidise the de pay ment if it would im.tal electrici'v in the post office and residence.