A DEPARTMENTAL SHIFT.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 513, 21 May 1909, Page 6

A DEPARTMENTAL SHIFT.

NEW USE FOR OLD DRILLSHED. FOR PARCELS POST AND LETTERCARRIERS. Tho old Drillshed in Maginnity Street has been mado something of a shuttlecock since it was abandoned by the volunteers in favour of tho more up-to-date Garrison Hall in Bucklo Street. Not bo long ago it was tho favourite place in which to hold all kinds of gay functions—bazaars, socials, grand balls, etc., have lent many hours of brightness to tho arched structures. , It was there that thanksgiving services were held during tho Boer war; there, loading politicians hayo been entertained on momentous occasions, aridon one occasion tho corrugated iron hall formed part of a pretentious' exhibition. As soon as the Defence Department was accommodated wfth a new drill-hall, it was given out that the Government had decided to utilise tho building for the purposes of an Agricultural Museum, but .this museum still remains unesiablished in a cellar somewhere. The Government has now handed tho building over to the Post and Telegraph Department, which has been sorely pressed for room in certain of its departments. Arrangements are now being made to establish tt>o parcels post and letteavcarriers' branches in tho DrHlslicd. Indeed,- tho carriers, hitherto cramped for room in the G.P.0., aro established in their new quarters, and early next month Hho public Parcels Post Office will be transferred there from the present quarters in Brandon Street (Irvino and Stevenson's building). The shift from that building had become necessary owing to tho complaints of other tenants at tho stamping, but in any case the business of tne . Department was rapidly outgrowing tho available .accommodation, and having to sort and attend to tho parcels on the top floor made it awkward both for the staff and tho ; public. • "'■..-.. Tho two branches named will have ample Tri? 11 , 01^ 110 Kround floor) at the Drillshed. TEo hall has been divided longitudinally ?Z' a 10 . f \P a rtlUon, which encloses a third of the mam hall as an apartment for the letterearners, whose benches have already been arranged. There is plenty of floor spaco, plenty 1 *i \ m ' and conven iences that are calculated to make their work much more pleasant than ever it has been before. ,The officers room has been converted into an office for tho officer in charge (Mr. Johnston), and the old orderly-rooms are boing nsed as cloak and retiring-rooms. Tho centre room is being converted into a social hall and reading-room.. . • Tho largo room recently used as a lecturehall by the Agricultural Department, is being converted into a public Parcels Post Office of serviceable dimensions, ! and;, arrangements have boon made so that in case of a rush the public may enter by tho main door and pass out by another. Next door is the publio office of tho Customs officer, who attends at tho Parcels Offico during certain hours to release parcels held up for duty or inquiry. It is stated that this. business is becoming bo heavy that it will soon be necessary to place a Customs officer in the. building during the full rango of office hours. At the. rear of these officios a substantial strong-room is being built in brick, and tho rest of the floor space is being used for the-stacking; and sorting out of mail hampers. It was pointed out to our reporter that with the sorvice that will be maintained between the G.P.O. and the Drillshed, tho sorting by the letter-carriers should be carried out rather more expeditiously than is th«, case at present, on account of the facilities and room provided, t The mails from'tho express trains (which are partially sorted on tho way \down) will go direct to the Drillslied to be more particularly sorted. The main entranco to tfho new. Parcels Offico will bo fTom-.Maginirity Street. In ordor.to guide the public a big direction snirn will bo erected at tho corner of Maginnity and Waring Taylor Streets, so that the offico may be easily located by those glancing down the" latter street from Lambtoiv' Quay .or Featherston Street. .