Anger at P.O. closing

Press, 3 November 1988, Page 6

Anger at P.O. closing

Some Waimairi District councillors are angry at the planned closing of the Belfast Post Office on November 25.

Cr Bruce McFadden, one of the Belfast riding members, said the council should lobby to try and keep the post office open.

He said that although a nearby business would take over some of the post office services, residents would have to travel to Papanui or Kaiapoi to post parcels or obtain car registration. This would be especially inconvenient for

elderly people. Being near a post office had been one of the reasons the Salvation Army built a home for the elderly nearby, said Cr McFadden.

Cr Ted Arundel said he could not see what was lost when the postal services were contracted to a dairy or book shop.

“It was withdrawn at Avonhead and we did not really lose anything. It was more just emotional reaction.”

It was agreed to write to New Zealand Post recommending that the Bel-

fast Post Office should be kept open. Guy Fawkes A recommendation that the Waimairi District Council support suggestions for a national ban on fireworks proved a fizzer. Cr John Hanafin made the recommendation, saying there were a lot of serious injuries caused by Guy Fawkes celebrations. “I cannot see the value in it,” he said. However, Cr Des King said a ban would only cause more accidents because children would be

“running around behind the bike sheds” trying to make fireworks.

“Banning will only force kids to snoop around in the Fendalton Library trying to learn the recipe for making them.”

Cr Hanafin’s recommendation was lost on a show of hands.

However, councillors did decide to ask Christchurch radio stations to broadcast a warning asking people to be aware of their responsibilities when letting off fireworks in the dry conditions.