PORIRUA'S PROGRESS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1423, 25 April 1912, Page 2

PORIRUA'S PROGRESS.

NEW POST OFFICE. OPENED BY THE HON. 11. G. ELL. The new Post; and Telegraph Office at Porirua was opened yesterday, afternoon by the Postmaster-General (the lion. H. G. Ell) in cold and stormy weather. Thefunction was timed for three o'clock, but tho Minister, who was being motored out by Mr. W. H. D. Bell, the member for the district, was delayed by a break-down, mid was about half-nn-hour late. Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald happened to bo motoring along (lie Ilutt Koiul nt the time, and he pickeil up tho Minister and ran him out to Porirua, but Mr. 801 l and (he rest of the party did not get there at all. On reaching Porirua, the Minister was met by members of the special committee, comprising: Messrs. R. ft. Dowdnll, A. H. Mildonhall, A. D. Cole, M'Leod, and G. Stovpiis. Sir. D. Miller (Chief Postmaster, Wellington), Dr. Gray Hnssell, Dr. Gray, nnd several leading residents of the district were also present. There was an attendance of about SO outside the post office, ivhere the Postmaster-General was introduced by Mr. Dowdall, and briefly declared the office open for tho transaction of business. Owing to the uncomfortable state of tho weather, the outdoor proceedings were curtailed, and those present repaired to the hall, where a cold collation had been spread. Mr. Fitzgerald, who presided, apologised for tho absence of Mr. AY. H. Field, Mr. Haggerty (county chairman), and others. The Minister, in responding to the tonst of his health, thanked the committee and residents for their hospitality. Ho sail he wanted to see rural postal deliveries extended as much as possible, He hoped that every part of New Zealand would in years to come have a house-to-house delivery. Ho was but endeavouring to follow in the. steps of his great predecessor, Sir Joseph Ward—(applause) —who held one of the foremost positions in the world as Postmaster-General. Sir Joseph Ward had left flip. Department in excellent order, and had taken care to staff it with some of the best men in the public service of this country. Tho Minister then gave details of the history of postal facilities nt Poririm, beginning with tho opening of the first new post otllee in the township in the year 1861. T.nst year 18,030 letters and postcards were posted at the oflice. besides 2210 other articles, while ili.SiO letters and cards wero delivered, and 11,345 other articles. The postal revenue Inst year was .CI 23.

Further remarks made by tho Minister are reported elsewhere. The chairman spike nf the need for a bettor railway service between I'orirun and the. city. The facilities had not been improved since the Government took over the Munawatu line three years iiso. He felt sure Mr. Ell would do whatever lay in his power to rectify what was undoubtedly a great wrong. (Applause.) Mr. St. Leger supported these remai'ks, and also urged the desirableness of 'some arrangement whereby the license of the Porirua Hotel, whieii was extinguished by the. change of boundaries, should be restored. Mr. Kll said ho would make representations to the Minister for Railways and to the Minister for Justice in regard to tho matters that had been mentioned. Mr. Mildenhnll referred to the need for a mail delivery at Porirua. The Minister saiil that the question of extending the house-to-house delivery of mails waa under consideration, if it could bn extended to I'orirun lie would bo glad to see it done. "Tho Ladies" nnd "The Press" were also toasted. Musical items were contributed by Mrs. Curtain, .Messrs. Footc, jjt. Lcgcr, anil others. The new post office building is of wood, and is a combined office nnd postmistress's residence. The office portion consists of a porch 9ft. Gin. by 4ft. Gin., a public office 9ft. Cin. wide by lift. Gin. long, a telephone, bureau room 4ft. by 3ft. 'Gin., a mail room i4ft. by 21ft., and a store -Ift. Cin. by 3ft. Gin; Included in the mail room is a telephone exchange room 7ft. bt sft. Private letter-boxes are provided. 1 lie"residence, which has a private side entrance, comprise; a sitting-room lift, by 13ft., a kitchea 13ft. by lift., a bathroom 7ft. by sft., one bedroom 14ft. by lift., and one lift. Gin. by lift. The ! dimensions of the building over all are 25ft. Gin. wide by 53ft. Gin. deep. The contractor for tho building was Mr. A. H, Mildcnhall. The cost was ,£750.