NEW POST OFFICE

OPENING AT THAMES IMPROVED ACCOMMODATION MINISTER PERFORMS CEREMONY [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] THAMES. Friday Tho new post office at Thames was officially opened to-day by the Post-master-General, the Hon. F. Jones, who posted the first letter and sent tho first telegram. Good business was done in the sending of letters bearing the opening date post mark, and also telegrams. Tho town was gaily decorated with flags and with coloured lights in tho evening. The builders, W. H. Whittaker and Company, Limited, of Auckland, presented tho Minister with a gold key and also with a canteen of cutlery.

Tho speakers were the Mayor, INTr. S. Ensor, the president-of the Thames Chamber of Commerce, Mr. K. Hetherington, the chairman of the Thames County Council, Mr. H. Lowe; Mr. J. Thorn, M.P., and Mr. R. Stewart, representing the contractors. Better Facilities Tho Mayor said the new building gave facilities for which tho people had been 'waiting for 1 years. Mr. Hetherington described the steps made toward the provision of a new post office, which had taken many years, and particularly mentioned Mr. Thorn's efforts. Mr. Thorn said that the completion of the post office was only a step in the Government's part of a general building plan, which would provide accommodation for years ahead. He thought that town planning centred round tho post office, which was in a most central position.

The Minister said that this was a proud day in the history of Thames for no ceremony could give greater satisfaction to the citizens than the one he was about to perform. It was only seven months since he had laid the foundation stone and lie hoped his action would be a happy augury for the future expansion of the borough. Future ol Thames Referring to the opening up of the rich valley and plains near the town of late years, the Minister said that upon this prosperity the future of Thames was safe. The butter and cheese factories on the borders of Thames had produced 7000 tons of butter and 3600 tons of cheese last year, approximating £1,000,000. It was safe to assume that much of this income flower through, the financial channels of the town. The fishing industry brought in £IB,OOO yearly. ''The erection of this new post office is the latest stage in the civic development of the town," continued the Minister. "Although the wait for the building has been a long one, I am sure it has proved to be worthwhile. The accommodation provided will be welcomed bv residents and by members of the staff alike and should be adequate for many years to come. The contract price of the new building was £25,25.3.

. SECOND BUILDING NEW REQUEST REFUSED REBUKE FROM FJON. F. JONES [BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT] THAMES, Friday "I cannot accede to that request," said the Postmaster-General, the Hon. F. Jones, in reply to representations made to-day by the Thames Chamber of Commerce for a branch post office at the northern end of Thames. It was stated that this portion of the town served a large number of' miners, and old-age pensioners, some of whom would find it difficult to walk as far as the new post office to collect their pensions Mr. Jones said the northern end ot the town had gone back and the position was no worse than it was in many other towns. ."There is no hope of a branch post office at 'lhames North, he stated. "The new post office will be costlv to run and this other proposition would only add to the expense, ion must accept what I have given you before asking for more. • Mr. K. Hetherington, president of the chamber, asked for the Minister s co-operation in expediting the building of a new courthouse Mr K S Miller said that although legal practitioners had a law library, there was no room to house it- and there was no place where solicitors could confer with their ''Mr'"/that £SOO had been placed on the Estimates this year. presumably to pay for a site Which had been secured in Pollen Street bv the Hon. H. G, R. Mason AttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice Mr. Jones said he would be pleased make representations to Mr. Mason entertained by the Borough Council and Chamber of Commerce at a dinner this evening, when the Minister read a telegram from the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, congratulating the town on the completion of the new post office.