"Yes" to councilrun post office

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 285, 2 May 1989, Page 1

"Yes" to councilrun post office

Raetihi' s post office agency will be run by the Waimarino District Council from next month, if NZ Post accepts the council's decision to take on the agency.

The council discussed the proposal for the council to run the agency at last week's full council meeting and decided to agree to take on the agency, though how the agency will be run has yet to be decided. A number of council - lors were unhappy at having to make a decision at the meeting due to the lack of information available, even some who were in

favour in principal of the proposal. A decision was forced because of the timing of the present office closure, the date set for this month's council meetings and the need for other businesses interested in the agency to know council's decision. Councillor Errol Sue said the figures available on the operating , of the post office were

too vague and that he believed a service could be provided for Raetihi without cost to council. Councillor Brannigan

expressed concern at staffing of the office and the cost to council in wages. He asked would staff be paid un-

der the council officer's award or the post office worker's award. Councillor Punch said Turnpage 3__

Raetihi Post Office

if there was any cost to council in providing the service it would be incurred solely by Raetihi ward ratepayers, but Sue disagreed saying that would be so only in the interim. Cr John Compton asked if other ward members were happy to have profits from the business relurned to just Raetihi ward ratepayers. At this point in the discussion the council went into committee to discuss the matter "because it would be prejudicial to the council's interests" to discuss it in public. Once out of committee the council considered a motion to accept the proposal and it was carried by a majority vote.