MR J.W. LINCOLN IS NEW POSTMASTER

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30452, 28 May 1964, Page 16

MR J.W. LINCOLN IS NEW POSTMASTER

Christchurch’s deputyChief Postmaster, Mr J. W. Lincoln, who joined the Post Office at Hastings as a cadet on a salary of £BO a year, will be the city’s new Chief Postmaster after the retirement of Mr C. J. C. Simp-

son next month. Mr Lincoln’s most vivid memory during his six years at Hastings was the earthquake of 1931. “1 was working behind the counter when the ’-’hole building collapsed,” he said yesterday. “I can remember very plainly crawling from under the rubble and bricks; it was a very frightening experience. “Many members of the staff and public were injured and one man was killed when the Post Office’s clock tower collapsed and fell across the street,” said Mr Lincoln. In 1932, Mr Lincoln was transferred to Wellington as a clerk in the savings branch —a position he held until he returned to Hastings for three years in 1935. Before joining the Air Force as a flight sergeant in 1942. Mr Lincoln was a clerk in the Lower Hutt Post Office. He returned there after the war and was appointed the first accountant at Petone

when a savings branch was opened there in 1952. After periods at Wanganui • and Napier, Mr Lincoln was ’ appointed accountant at ! Christchurch in 1958.

In 1961 he was promoted to his present position. “The experience I have gained here during the last three years will be of great value during my term as postmaster,” he said.