Fendalton P.O. Opened

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30823, 7 August 1965, Page 23

Fendalton P.O. Opened

The new Fendalton North Post Office, near the corner of Clyde and Ilam roads, was officially opened yesterday afternoon by the Minister of Finance (Mr Lake), member of Parliament for the district. The new post office, with floor space of 1250 sq. ft., should meet local needs “for many years to come,” Mr Lake said. This indicated progress in one of the “most progressive” districts of New Zealand. Mr Lake unveiled a commemorative plaque and unlocked the door to declare the office open for business. Mr O. C. Mitchell, chairman of the Waiinairi County Council, welcoming people to the gathering, spoke of the “phenomenal growth” of the county—its population had increased 200 per cent in the

last 12 years. It was only 15 years since he had built the first shop at the Clyde-Ilam intersection. Now it was a thriving shopping area, for which the new post office was a much-needed amenity. Speaking of Post Office expansion in Waimairi county, Mr Lake said a new post office at Kendall would soon be finished, and a two-storey extension would be added to the Papanui Post Office at the end of the year. A site was being acquired to build a new Fendalton Post Office near the FendaltonClyde roads corner, and there were plans for a new post office at Bishopdale. The new Harewood telephone exchange would be brought into operation and there were plans for another new exchange in Memorial avenue. Altogether, said Mr Lake, the Post Office was a thriving department, running a low-cost service “at a substantial profit.” Mr J. B. Darnell. Director-

General of the Post Office, spoke about its expansion. It would soon install its millionth telephone, making New Zealand third in the world, next to the United States and Sweden, in the number of telephones per capita.