Post Office Names

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31307, 1 March 1967, Page 16

Post Office Names

The Post Office should not find it difficult to avoid confusion in the naming of suburban or district offices. In new residential areas a branch post office should automatically take the name given to the area itself. Post offices have usually carried the names of the suburbs or districts they serve; and this practice should be continued. Where older areas have changed in character or identity, or where a newer post office seems, because of its location; to be more representative of a district than an older one, some “reshuff- “ ling ” of names may be called for. The Post Office apparently finds this to be so in Christchurch. In the examples given by the Chief Postmaster, Mr M. E. Wilson, St. Albans would become Merivale, Shirley would change to St Albans, Shirley East to Shirley, Elmwood to Bryndwr, and Bryndwr to Seven Oaks. If these changes enable mail to be more accurately addressed, or assist a more specific location of other postal services, there seems no reason why they should not be made. Mr Wilson says it is Post Office policy to avoid naming branch offices after the streets in which they are sited. This is surely difficult to justify. A street name, even if north, south, east, or west has to be added, makes the most positive identification of locality and should be used when there are reasons for preferring it to the name of the suburb or district concerned. Post office names should above all be practical. A post office provides essential services, and if its location can be declared by its name, so much the better.