Opening Ceremony.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 213, 2 December 1909, Page 5

Opening Ceremony.

Performed by Mr Jtnniojs. M.P. Otorohanga presented an unusually animated scene on Saturday last the town being gay with bunting and the main street thronged with people. The occasion was t! e opening of the new post office by Mr W. T. Jennings, member for the district, and settlers from the surrounding districts foregathered to do honour to the occasion. The ceremony took place at 5 o'clock Mr .Jennings being introduced by Mr John Ormsby. Mr Ormsby referred to the importance of the occasion and heartily welcomed Mr Jennings, who had made a special point of being present. , Mr Jennings who was received with applause said he had been entrusted with a pleasurable duty. He referred to the Ormsby family as being known far and wide, and having been intimately associated with the district for many years past. In refcrring to the progress of Otorohanga the speaker said Mr Kidaon the postmaster had a busy time in the office. The postal facilities in New Zeatand were ahead of those of any other country and crectit was due to the officers who carried out the work. Mr Jennings referred in eulogistic terms to the manner tn which Mr Hotdsworth, the chief Postmaster at Auckland assisted in providing facilities for the country. He also had a good word to say for Mr Vrcary in respect to that gentleman's efforts on behalf of the township. As showing the progress of Otorohanga Mr .Jennings gave the history of the post office and quoted the returns by the office for 1898 and 1908 »s follows: A post office ww opened at Otorohanga on the 10th September 1880. and a telephone office on the 10th February 1890. Money order and savings bank facilities were provided from the Ut November 1800, and a delivery by telegraph messenger was established on the 29th June, 1908. The first postmaster was Mr J. W. Ellis. . il ' 9 successors were as under:—Miss C. r>. Steel, IstSep te m ber, 18:>3: M tss S. M. Davidson. ?th April, 1899; MiSsE. Prentice, t7th November, 1899; Miss M. A. Wilkinson, Ist Aprit. 1902. In 1908 the business was sufficient to warrant the office being made a permanent office, and on the 26th November of that year it was removed to temporary premises in Maniapoto Street and placed intharge of Mr C. Kidson. the present Postmaster. The following comparative return ■ihows the increase of postal and telegraph business at Otorohanga during the last ten years:—

—IB9B Valae. Letters and postcards posted 10.920 Other articles posted 1,17© Letters and postcards delivered Other articles delivd 11,778 Postal Revenue Money-orders issued 437 lljjj* Money orders paid , 124 609 Savings-bank deposits 133 2270 S a v.-bank withdrawals 73 JH)I —Telegrams 1599--Telegrams forwarded 2.817 219 Telegrams received 2.639 Transmitted telegrams, i.e.. received at Otorohanga for onward transmission: Nil —l9oß Value Letters and post-carcfs <£ posted 34»5u>4 Other articles posted 6,877 Letters and postcards delivered 44.902 Other articles delivd 16,835 . Postal revenue Money orders issued 700 Money-orders paid 185 Savings-bank despesits 252 2904 Suv.-bank withdrawals 229 3^20 —Telegrams 1908 — Telegrams forwarded 5488 181 Telegrams received 4348 Transmitted telegrams,i.e.. received at Otorohanga for onward transmission: 152

Continuing, Mr Jennings said some people thought it was ridiculous to make a fuss about opening a post office or a bridge. Personally fee considered auch functions of the greatest importance, especially in new districts, as they helped to advertise the place and assisted progress. The new baitciing consisted of a post office and residence and was a credit to th«» town. Withm the past few years the district had made giant strides and it was destined at no distant date to rank as one of the most important parts of the Dominion. Mr Jennings then declared the office open for business. At the conclusion of his speech air Jennings presented medals to Messrs Worhtington and Symes, the premier shots in the Otcrohanga Rifle Club. Miss Symes received the medal on behalf of her brother and Mr Wortbington suitably acknowledged the presentation. Cheers were gi*en f« Mr Holdsworths In reply Mr Hotdsworth said he personally recommended evrry application sent in for portal facilities and he had never yet known Sir Joseph Ward to nfow a deserving application. At the eowiosicn of the cremocy Mr and Mrs Kidson txtcndtd a general invitation to those present to aftermoo tea.