NEW POST OFFICE AT THAMES

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 106, 29 January 1938, Page 13

NEW POST OFFICE AT THAMES

Opening By Hon. F. Jones PROVISION FOR YEARS TO COME By Telegraph—Press Association. s Thames, January 28. 'There was great celebration at Thames to-day when the PostmasterGeneral, Hon. F. Jones, officially opened the new chief post office, one of the most up to date in the Dominion, situated in the centre of the business area. The old building was erected at Grahamstown iu 1868, when that was the centre of business activity. The Minister, accompanied by the Director-General of the Post and Telegraph Department, Mr. G. McNamara, was welcomed at the staging in front of the building by the mayor, Mr. S. Ensor, and members of local bodies before a large gathering of the public. In reply to the welcome, the Minister said the occasion marked a definite milestone in the progress of the town. He hoped it was a happy augury for the future expansion of the borough. He referred to the history of the town, the discovery of gold, the development of the rich Hauraki Plains and Thames Valley, and the wealth extracted from the fishing of the Hauraki Gulf. “The erection of this new post office is the latest Stage,” said Mr. Jones, “and, although the wait for the building has been a long one, I am sure it has proved worth while.” The increased accommodation would be welcomed by the resident staff, and would be adequate for years to come, concluded the Minister. After being presented with a gold key by the mayor, Mr. Jones turned the key in the front door of the building and declared it open for business. . , . , Speakers at the ceremony included the mayor, Mr. Ensor, Mr. J. Thorn, M.P. for Thames, Mr. H. Lowe, chairman of the county council, and Mr. K. S. Hetherington, president of the chamber of commerce. Later the Minister was entertained to dinner by the local authorities.