Deputations to Ministers successful ...hopefully

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 17, 27 September 1983, Page 1

Deputations to Ministers successful ...hopefully

Last week's deputation from Raetihi to the Minister of Folice and the Fostmaster General in Wellington appear to have been partially successful at least according to the group's spokesman. Garrick Workman. "However we don't know until both Ministers have made their final decision." he said. "but early indications are-that they understand and are sympathetic to the arguments we presented." Both M inisters received the delegation very cordially, said Garrick Workman. The group comprised the Rev. Bob Peck, Mayor of Raetihi; Garrick Workman, deputy Mayor; Cr. Ken Summerhays,' Cr. Conrad Heinold from the Waimarino Countv Couneil, Hope Vaughapi. borough and town clerk and Ron Russell, Mayor of Wanganui and chairman of the Wanganui United Couneil. They were joined in their representations at Parliament by King Country MF Jim Bolger. They met with the

Minister of Folice and a member of the police Department first and put their case for the retention of the second police house in Raetihi. It was agreed that the Minister would look into the feasibility of having one of the constables staffing the up-graded 3-man Ohakune police station next year, . reside in Raetihi and cOmmute from there. This; wduld give, Raetihi's sole constabie an immediate back-up in the event of trouble at night. The next meeting was with the Fostmaster General and an officer from his department to discuss the retention "of the prefix 'Raetihi' when the new Ohakune telephone exchange comes into operation next year. , The Minister was surprised to learn that Raetihi hadn't been informed earlier of the proposed change. of prefix to Ohakune so that objections could have been lodged. Asked if it would have made any difference had it

been known earlier. the Fost Office spokesman assured the delegates that it would, but unfortunately the microfilm from which the telephone directories are printed had now been processed. He agreed however to look into the possibility of having the micro-filrn altered to allow all Raetihi numbers prefixed with RET instead of OKN in the new directory as it is with the current directory. The new directory will be changed in format - the Wanganui city numbers will be listed in the front of the directory and the districts in a separate section. at the back. Garrick Workman explained that in 2-3 years time when the exchange became fully automated, these alphabetical prefixes would be replaced by numerical prefixes. The present threat of loss of Raetihi's identity under an Ohakune prefix, would then no longer be a problem.