THE POST OFFICE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3740, 12 January 1907, Page 3

THE POST OFFICE.

Deputation waits on Mr Stevens. Old Building Denounced. The Member’s Sympathy and Promise. A deputation consisting of the loading business men of Foxton, including members of the Borough Council and Chamber of Commerce waited upon the Member for the district, Mr John Stevens, in the Borough Council Chambers at 11 o’clock to day to lay before him the urgent need of a new and up-to-date Post Office and to expose the scandalous appointments of the old and worm eaten structure in which the postal business is conducted. __ The deputation was headed by Mr Prankland and included the following: Messrs Watchorn, L. Reade, C. 'L. Barnard, Healey, Hamer, Wilson, K. Moore, Ball, Morgan, Perreau, Ficw, Hickson, Hornblow, Bradcock, Jas. Simpson, P. H. Rae-Howard, Alf. Fraser and Bullard. Mr Pranklaml referred to the present structure as an antiquated, worm-eaten and totally inadequate building, which had done duty for the past 30 years, llte time had now arrived when hoxton should be equipped with a modern hailing in brick. Others present would he able to bring forth salient and telling arguments in support of a new building. The local population had frehlcd, as had the business in the office during the past few years. The Government could not hut recognise that Foxton had been modest in its public demands. He referred to the fact that the general public were made privv to private business owing to the wretched appointments. He referred to other matters which our readers are well acquainted with, and which he said could not longer be tolerated, also that boroughs with far less population than Foxton had had substantial buildings erected in which to conduct their postal and telegraphic business. He believed Mr Stevens, with such a splendid record as a public man, would give the matter his cordial sympathy. Mr Alf. Fraser said it was hardly to be expected that a building which had been erected over 30 years ago could meet the requirements of the present day. Population had increased enormously and the the work ot the office had been trebled and the staff were considerably handicapped. Foxton had reasonrble grounds on which to approach the Government for a new office. The present structure was a crying evil and it would be a Godsend if it was burnt down. He referred to the recent industries that had sprung up and the advancement the town had made.

Mr Morgan, local manager for Messrs Levin and Co., said the stall laboured under great difficulties in the present obsolete office and referred to the delay such bad appointments caused to telegraphic business and as a representative of the shipping interest he said it was of the utmost importance that telegraphic communications should be treated with the utmost despatch, Mr Barnard sa’d it was high time something was done by the Government as the present premises were overcrowded, and it appeared that Foxton was being neglected. Mr Watchorn said it was not in the best interests of the town to have such a delapidated structure doing duty for a post office. Ho endorsed the previous speakers words. Mr Keade said it was timo the “ old Maori Church ” disappeared an d gave place to something more up-to-date. The living accommodation was disgraceful and in some rooms there was not enough room to swing the proverbial cat. He did not know what would happen it they had a postmaster with a family of six or seven children.

Mr Moore spoke from the point of view of the convenience of the public, the staff, and the postmaster and his family, and proved conclusively that the building was totally unfit for present requirements. Mr Bradcock, one of the oldest residents, referred to the fact that beyond a few repairs nothing had been done to the building for 28 years. He stigmatised the structure as a disgiacc.

Mr Frankiand said that the Foxton office lagged far behind places of less population throughout the colony and was not raised to the grade it should be in the service.

Mr Stevens expressed pleasure at listening to the various speakers. It was proof to him that the matter was of the utmost importance, otherwise they would not sacrifice their businesses on such a busy day. The deputation had approached tiic matter in a very business-like way and in the proper form. It was better than unnecessary denunciation of the powers that be. He agreed that the present building was quite inadequate—no one knew that better than himself. He referred to the erection of the post offices at Moutoa, Bulls and Rougotea. This was the first official representation that had been made to him and it would be his duty to look into the matter. The building was a disgrace to any public department. The postmaster and his family were even without the convenience of a bathroom. If a private person owned the house it would be condemned by the sanitary inspector and if occupied as a factory would also be condemned. No time would be lost in representing the matter in the strongest possible terms to the Postmaster-General before he left for England! There was urgent necessity for something to bo done. If necessary he would also refer to the matter from his place in the House when the estimates were being considered. In fact he would use every ellort in his power to have the matter attended to. He again referred to the practical way in which the deputation had brought the matter forward. The deputation heartily thanked the Member who was accorded three ringing cheers.