Service Gap Of 89 Years

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31863, 16 December 1968, Page 21

Service Gap Of 89 Years

Eighty-nine years elapsed before post office facilities were restored to the large business area immediately north of the Square. The facilities which the enterprise of Charles Bishop had provided in 1851 were lost in 1879 when the Market Hall post office became

the Chief Post Office in the Square. It was not until 1957 that the Post Office came back by opening an office in the extensive premises of T. Armstrong and Company. The Post Office obtained space on the ground floor of the building and the presence of postal facilities was someing of a magnet to many passers-by. Even after the store’s recent closure a steady stream of people passed through the silent building to the bustling post office corner where every facility other than motor registration was available. The first person in charge of the Armstrongs office was Miss E. E. Miller who helped establish its subsequent ;popularity. Miss Miller is i now Mrs Wykes and is postmistress at the Christchurch railway office. On November 1, 1960, the Armstrongs office was made a permanent office and Mr F. E. Adams (now at Beckenham) was appointed in charge. During the last 10 years the business handled at Armstrongs has been so great that some facilities could not be provided because there was not enough space. The need for a larger office in the area has only recently been able to be met by the sale of the building formerly occupied by South Island Motors, Ltd.

Christmas Appeal.—All money received at the Christmas tree in Christchurch Cathedral will be devoted to the National Council of Churches Christmas appeal and to the Save The Children Fund.