MATANGI POST OFFICE

OPENED BY MR BOLLARD, M.P

There was a large gathering, indicating the great growth of the district, at the opening of the post office at Matangi, which was performed by Mr R. F. Bollard, M.P. for Raglan, yesterday afternoon. The building, which is in a central position, close to the railway station aiid opposite the N.Z. Dairy Association's creamery, was erected by the Post and Telegraph Department's carpentering stall'. The accommodation consists of a public space sft by lift, a mail and telegraph room lift by 15ft, with 30 private boxes in the front, a public bureau room 4ft by 4ft lOin, and a telephone room Gft Sin by 4ft lOin.

Mr W. H. Clark in opening the proceedings, expressed his great pleasure at seeing so many present on an occasion so important to Matangi, as they would now have their mails dealt with in convenient quarters, which up to the present had been lacking, and those in charge of the post ollice had worked undet great disadvantages, The step marked the advance of the district, which by the residents was always considered as one of the most important in Waikato. He hoped others would agree with this. Ha trusted this was the first of many forward moves which would mark the progress of the district. Ere long he hoped to see a proper school build-

ing for their 70 or SO children, probably a library, and other public institutions. They had worked for the post office for a long time before they had been successful, and most of the credit for securing the office was due to Mr W. J. Trubahaw, who had been indefatigable. He had gone to Wellington over the question, and had received the greatest assistance from their member, Mr Bollard. Mr Trubshaw said he had only done his share as a resident to secure a suitable post office, which was badly wanted, as they often had depended for their mail service on the good nature of the residents, and he specially mentioned the good offices of Miss Taylor. As a resident of 20 years' standing, he said he could hardly realise the progress of the district, and as an instance quoted tliu riri.-o nniil fnr fho PHcUiniT Com-

pany's site, which had recently been purchased for as many pounds as it had brought shillings 20 years ago. In securing the post office they had only got their rights, and they should now demand a proper school, as the present building was quite inadequate. Much ol his success in connection with the post office was due to the assistance given him by Mr Bollard, who had left nothing undone to overcome the usual departmental red-tape. Mr G, L. Ewen, as one of the oldest residents, said that now the worth of the district was being recognised the advance would be more marked. In connection with progress good roads were necessary, and he advocated the use of metal in preference to sand. He said his late father, when chairman of the road board, with the late Mr Furze, had been instrumental in having the central road metalled, and since then the whole road from the station to Tauwhare had been metalled. Mr R, J. Dodd said he was proud to see so many at the opening of the post office, which had been so long needed and which would prove a great convenience. He had seen the district grow from swamp and flax and ti-tree to its present prosperous

state. He could never see why it should not be as good as the best in Waikato, and he claimed today that it was one of the btst. He prophesied that they would soon see it

more closely settled. Mr T. V. Bryant said he had watched the settlement grow from a

railway station to one of the finest in Waikato. He agreed with Mr Dodd that in the near future it would be more closely settled, and that in a few years the man with GO or 70 acres would be thought to have a big holding. Mr Bulliml, who wa& receded with applause, said it was very gratifying to see such a large assemblage to do honour to the occasion. He cxpressd regret that owing to its being so close to the session that a Minister could not bo present to officially open the building, lie had heard so much about the prosperity of Matangi that he almost regretted he had not settled there. No doubt they had a line district, and he agreed that the day of smaller holdings was coming. He heartily endorsed the references made to the steps taken by Mr Trubshnw to Becure the post oflice, and said all the credit was due to him. He deprecated the stand taken by the Department in asking that the settlers should provide sites for post offices, which were public institutions and should be paid for from the public funds. Referring to the criticism of the plans of the Remurea past office as being "too countrified," hfl said the towns had been pampered too much, and the country districts should combine and combat the feeling that anything was good enough for the country, but they must have the best for the towns, l'he

country districts were just a3 deserving of the best as the cities. He urged that they should do all the business possible through the local office, so as to build up a good case when they asked for improvements, and these they should insist should be in indestructible material, even if they had to wait a little longer. Prior to the opening of a post office at Matangi, the settlers were served by the Tamaheru post ollice, three mile 3 distant, and a post office was tirst opened at Matangi on the Ist September, 1902. The name of the railway station at that time was "Tamahere," but in 1906 it was altered to correspond with the name oi the post ollice, "Matangi" being the original Maori place name. The first postmaster was Mr P. H. Worthingon, and his successors had been: VVm. Peck, appointed 9th October, 1903; A. H. Goodwin, Ist October, 1904; Miss M. A. Taylor Ist August, 1906; ,1. Farrar, Ist October, 1906; Mrs C. Mackey, 15th July, 1007; Mrs D. F. Doell, Ist January, 1010; C. L Lewis, 12th January, 1911; Mrs S. E. Smith, loth July, 1911; Miss C. B. Taylor, 7th August, 1911; A. W. Ellis, 2nd October, 1911; Mrs VV. E. Lewis, Ist August, 1913. The new ollice is temporarily in charge of Miss Keasberry, a permanent ollicer of the Department. A telephone oliice was opened on 11th October, 1906, and a telephone bureau on loth March, 1910. During the last ten years all branches of the Department's business at Matangi had hugely increased, in 1903 the number of 'letters and post-cards posted was 5580, and in 1913 17,450, other articles posted 290 aid 1780. In 1903 the number of letters and postcards delivered was 7750, and in 1913 27,090, other articles delivered 1780 and 10,310, In 1903 the postage revenue was £52, and in 1913 £l2-1. In 1907, the first year after the opening of the telephone ollice, 649 telegrams were forwarded of the value of £lB, and in 1913 1777 of £52. In 1907 telegrams received for delivery to residents numbered 511, and in 1913 1530. Referring to the pioneer settlers of the district, Mr Pollard mentioned the names of Messrs S. Omcrod, Allright Pros., A. Furze, L. P. Ewen, G.

Runciman, W. Whewell, W. E. Clark, W. J. IVubshaw, D. Taylor, T. Bryant, D. Davis and W. Ran stead. Mr Bollard suggested that they should move to get a verandah to protect the letter boxes, and if he could assist in this he would be pleased to do so, as he would also be to enable them to get a school. He was afraid that they were too modest, but they should advertise themselves more, and demand what they wanted. He then declared the oliice open, amid cheers. The visitors then adjourned to the hall, where sumptuous afternoon tea was dispensed by the ladies of the district, and the proceedings closed with hearty cheers for the popular member for Raglan.