GARDEN PLACE

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19897, 28 May 1936, Page 10

GARDEN PLACE

QUESTION OF REMOVAL.

DEFUTATIONS 'I'O MINISTER.

PROPOSED NEW' POST OFFICE.

The much-debated subject or the removal of Garden Plane hill and the provision or n nEW chief post omce for Hamilton were discussed by deputatinns which met the Postmaster-Gen-era]. the Hon. F. Jones, in Hamilton, to-day.

The first deputation comprised 12 members of the Garden Place Hlll Preservation Society a body opposed to the removal of the hill. They were Introduced to the Minister by Mr C. A. Barrel], .\I.P. for Hamilton.

The views or his society were outlined by Mr B. H. Andrews. who stressed the need for a new post ofilce. and pointed out the old courthouse site as the most suitable for the build‘ lng.

Mr D. Seymour supported .\lr Andrews, and said figures indicated that the business transacted at; the Hamilton post ofilce was greater than that of Dunedin. A new post ofilce was urgently needed, but in recent months the question of the site had aroused some difference or opinion in the town. A eertain section desired that. it: should be erected on a site other than that which was originally set aside for in The deputation contended it should be on the main street, preferably on the site already selected. and not on the suggested site “0 yards from the mzrin street. "l‘hey wanted a new post nfilce. and desired that the Minister should facilitate the proposal.

Similar sentiments were expressed by .\h' \\'. \\'. Dilllcar who said the scheme to have the new post office erected on the Garden Place site was only a lever to influence the ratepayers to sanction the removal of the hill. It had been said the foundation on the old Courthouse site were not suitable for the poet aim-c. but he did not. believe it, and in this he was supported by the fact that the new municipal buildings were built on similar foundations. and much nearer the river. He criticised the move to take the post nfiice oi? the main street as most undesirable.

Opinions on the iines of those of the previous speakers were expressed by Mr in. Lat‘ferty. who asked the Minister to further the post uflice proposal as snnn as possible. He blamed the iiamiitnn Borough COURI'” for much of the deiay. and disagreed that the number of vars in Hamilton had in—creaspr] granny as was stated by the r‘oum‘fl. in his opinion the traffic :rnnnestinn was due to faulty control rather than voiume.

.\ir Lafleriy added that. the Garden Place site for the post ofiiga. was not suitable from a traffic point or View las greater congestion would result li’ the building were erected were there. The ratepayers were sorry that their post ofllce was being held up by ‘an act or the council. which he consid—ered was trying to place the responsi‘bility upon the Postmaster-General.

Mr Andrews contended that the advantages of the old Courthouse site greatly outweighed those of the other site from the points or view or accessibility. safety. and engineering economy. The question at tourmations, which would be put forward as an argument against thn _Courthouse site; vould not be substantiated.

Mlnlster’s Reply.

The Postmaster-General, in repiy to the deputation. salcl he had been informed or the difficulties at the post Mike and thought. the town needed a new post office Hmuaver. the work had not been held up by the dispute.

Ho had lns-pectod the two proposed altos, and his omoers were qulto nan-fled that the Court.houu alto was the but. tor the new post office.

A suggestion “as made that if the hill were. removed the frontage would he. laid out in gardrns, and a section at the buck set aside for a post oilioe. Personally, he did not wish to so off the main street. His department did not mind going across the road if the Council would give them a main street frontage. but they did not wish to put the pest office in a street further back. He was quite clear on this point. ' "i hope during my term of omce. to be able to go on with a his post omoe building programme. including rrnewais. repairs. and extensions." he said. He roulri see that Hamilton needed a new post office badly. and he had a programme which he hoped to commence shortly. and would be very pleased if he could do 50. One of the difficulties with which he was faced at prrsvnl was getting out plans and specifications. This had to be speeded up. and he was looking forward to a Very busy programme of works. In conclusion. ho uld Hamilton would not be forgotten. If the town could speedily decide what was to take place in connection with the alto, he thought. he could arrange for tho proper-tion of plans and the erection of the new .90“ omoo. lie stressed that his department was quit»- prepm'rii in go nrrnss the road rrnnl lin- uld Hourlhunar site. but they wanted a main street frontage. _...—__._.—