SITE AVAILABLE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19726, 17 September 1929, Page 4

SITE AVAILABLE.

J RICHMOND POST OFFICE. I MINISTER promises CONSIDERATION. After the Postmaster-General (the Son. Mr Donald) had heard the request of a deputation for a new post office in Richmond yesterday morning, he promisad that the matter would receive careful consideration. The deputation, which met the Minister at the site at the corner of Stanmore and North Avon roads, had been arranged by the Richmond Burgesses' Association. With Mr Donald were the secretary of the Department (Mr G. McNamara) and the Chief Postmaster (Mr H. P. Donald). In the absence of Mr D. G. Sullivan, the member for the district, who was unavoidably detained, Mr R. W. Hawke, M.P., part of whose district would be served by the new post office, introduced the deputation. Mr Hawke referred to the rapid development that had taken place in the district in the past few years, and stated that if a post office were established it should prove a good proposition to the Department. Mr J. Dougan, president of the Richmond Burgesses' Association, wel-1 coined the Minister to the district, and stated that the site for the post office was already available. Mr P. VV Sharpe said that a farseeing Government had provided the site twenty years ago, and in 1912 a sum of £7OO had been placed on the estimates for tbe erection of the building. The matter, however, had been allowed to drop at that time, but since then the district had doubled in population. There were now 1000 more houses in the district than there were when the sum was placed on the estimates, and a post office was now a necessity. The Shirley Post Office was three-quarters of a mile away, and the Linwood Post Office was practically a similar distance. Tbe need of a post office was urgent, and he urged Mi at it should be provided as soon as possible. Mr W. D. Ramsay said that the residents of the district had not pressed the matter before, as the Government had such a number of more important matters to deal with. However, there was now a need for a post office, owing to the growth of the district. Thero was a total of forty-five business places in Richmond, including several factories.

Mr Hawke mentioned that most of the 1000 new houses were north of the site, and the occupants had to pass it when going into the City. The site was in every way an ideal one for a [>ost office. He hoped that the Minister would see the riecessity for providing the post office, and that before long he would lay the foundation stone.

"The deputation may rest assured that I shall look into the matter carefullv." said Mr Donald, "and if possible I shall give you what you require. It is a matter of finance. Whereever a post office can be made to pay, it will be built, which is not to indicate that every one should pay, but an adequate return is looked for. I shall not be able to give my reply today. I ani out for business, aa all the Departments are, and we do not lose any opportunities for making money. We are out for service, the rendering of which must be taken into consideration. Mr Hawke: That is what the residents want He suggested that Mr Donald should have a run round the rtisiriet before leaving Christehurch. The Minister said he would do so before making his decision