STATE FIRE OFFICE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 October 1938, Page 4

STATE FIRE OFFICE

BRANCH TO BE OPENED IN MASTERTON.

Owing to the great increase in business in the Wairarapa during recent years, the State Fire and Accident Insurance Office is to establish a branch in Masterton to deal with district business. It is hoped to open the branch on November 1 in the building lately occupied by the “Wairarapa Age.” Mr C. P. E. Moore, branch manager at Invercargill, has been appointed to take charge in Masterton. Mr A. E. Prentice, who has been an agent of the office for some years, will be retained in that capacity. During the past five years or so only one permanent officer has been stationed in the Wairarapa, under the Wellington branch of the office. Mr G. B. Young has filled the position of district inspector for the past 21 years. The district to be covered by the Masterton branch office extends from the Hawke’s Bay district boundary to Palliser Bay. The new branch office will be in a position to issue policies and pay outclaims direct from the office, a procedure that will eliminate any delay that might have previously been caused by referring these matters to Wellington. It is understood that new offices are also being opened at Tauranga and Whangarei.