EAST OR WEST?

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 249, 20 October 1928, Page 12

EAST OR WEST?

BUCKLAND POST OFFICE.

REASONS TOR REMOVAL

CHIEF POSTMASTER HECKLED.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) PUKEKOHE, this day.

The recent removal of the Buckland post office from a store situated on the western side of the railway line to onq on the eastern side, has created, a controversy between a portion of the district and the Post and Telegraph Department. Two factions exist, one in favour of the alteration and one opposed to it. At an indignation meeting convened by the Buckland Welfare League yesterday afternoon there was an : attendance of 130 residents. Mr. W. Bullock, league president, was in the chair. On several occasions there were some brisk interludes, and the Chief Postmaster, Mr. W. J. Gow, who was present, was subjected to a. running fire of criticism.

The president asked whether the post office was considered to r be in a suitable position, the building a suitable one and worthy of the district. Shouts of "No!" answered him. Mr. Gow said that the integrity of the late postmaster, Mr. J, Milligan, who recently disposed of his store, had not been challenged. Had the Department desired the office , could have been , closed. He considered the present building was adequate for the business. done—series of "No")—and the new- postmaster, Mr. J. Nicholson, was quite satisfactory. The late postmaster had been ariven two days' notice of the removal. There was not a'sufficient amount of business to warrant the erection of a" office on the departmental site.; Danger to School Children.

The removal of the office, contended Mr. H. EL D. Wily, headmaster of the Buck land school, had increased the danger of the level crossing,, the scene of one fatal accident and many narrow escapes. So far as the school children were concerned the fifty residing on the .western side of the line, had to pass over the crossing twice to collect , mail, in addition to those resident on the eastern side. Many of the. children were aged .about five, and it was customary for them to call for letters between 3 and 4 o'clock, during which hours there was a considerable amount of through train traffic, which included two expttyßfiß. • ( ... , Mr. Gow: The crossing dotes not appear to be dangerous. (Uproar.) Voices: It is the worst in New Zealand. i

Mrf! Gow: I have considered: instructing the postmaster not to deliver, letters to voung children. - .(■ Mr. E. Pigerott: Is it eustomarytb move a. post office from a main thoroughfare?" sfr" " ..V"' ■

arid*m down/* ' U. It to iiaye a post Opice 'main road, said Mr. Gow. Jin adjacent site was often very suitable. Dealing withthe traljajacted at the local oifice, he revenue for the year totalled £23& If theofllce was removed to the former building we would •jbe breaking faith with the new postmaster. -

Mr. Wi|y s. I am going; "ti .insist on an inquiry -into jfche matter. 1 contradict the statement of Mr. Gow that two days' notice of removal was given. :-K\ •

Mr. (Jow; I .only gave-two notice because I was afraid if I had given longer Mr. Miliigan? would have thrown up the responsibility.. (Cries of- "No.") The action taken waft with the best of intentions. ••••"'

Undelivered. Letters.

Mr. Wily:. The: Prime Minister has stated that the 50 letters were held back by Mr. Milligan because the people were not dealing with him.

Mr. GoW: I know nothing about that. They were found when the office was being removed. Some of them were "dead" letters, and of others many of the addressees could, not be found.

Mr. Wily: Every communication tq the league stressed the fact that the post office was removed on account of the 60 letters, and yet you admit nothing was known about them until they' were found. (Uproar.) . . .1?; Mr. Gow: That was not the reason.. Mr. Piggott: While on the subject tell us why the office wlm. removed;

-Mr. Gow; It was shifted .ra..the inter-; eets of the people of Bucklond. (Great Uproar.).. •

In answer to a suggestion that the; office had been changed because the post-" master had not been courteous to the, postal officials, Mr. Gow. said It was not a personal matter and he declined. - to. discuss it at a public meeting. (Further uproar.) He also denied it 'had ■ beenchanged on account of the business being' sold. ' ; ~ :

Reference was made to the fact that the .Department had held a site opposite the former office for a number of years, and inquiries were made it the Depart- ' ment .was disposed to erect a building. iGow reiterated his statement regarding the smaU amount of business done at Buckjand, and said the Department wbuld give it consideration if the residents contributed,

i , A'motion that thaoffice be reinstated !n its former position was moved bv Mr. Logan and seconded by Mr. A. M. Whitehead. As 'an amendment Mr. N, Jamieoon moved tUt^the post office 'be.removed to the Department's site, and Mr. F. H. Rae seconded it.

t Mr.. Wily gave, notice of a further amendment that was not satisfied with the aetion of the Department. in removing the dffioc to its prev sent site.

.. .... .. v , . . ->?• An ■' overwhelming majority voted In favour;' of, tlie vJhrst amendment,. bat -it ; order order. wKere' >»oriffjfty. vcWt; -of tW left tlie liall in an. uproar, and the motion was declared carried. . v... ji?.- %•'}:' "•• •■»""" v ' • > '"C* - -