POSTAL BUSINESS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4879, 18 September 1925, Page 3

POSTAL BUSINESS.

POSITION OF NGATEA OFFICE.

RAPID GROWTH SINCE 1912.

Commenting on the expansion ot the Post and Telegraph Department’s business continually demanding the provision of increased or improved accommodation for the conduct , of such business, the Hon. J; G. Coates states in the Public Works Statement that the maintenance of a progressive building policy is necessary. The requirements are many and varied, but each-case is dealt with strictly in its order of urgency. Referring to tne Ngatea postal business, he says “As an indication of the rapid growth of the department’s business I quote the case of Ngatea, situated on the Hauraki Plains, most of which was a swamp some years- ago. In 1912, when a* post office was. first established at Ngatea, the business was conducted' in a small building situated on the property of one of the settlers, who acted as postmaster. In 1919 a permanent postmaster was appointed, and in 1922 a small depaitmental building, costing £1325, was erected. The increase in the volume of business was so marked that within a comparatively sh'ort period the accommodation provided was found to be inadequate, and during the latter part bf. 1924 the erection was commenced of an up-to-date country post office building, with accommodation for a telephone exchange and residential quarters for the postmaster, together with storage and garage accommodation, at a cost of £2750.”