GREEN ISLAND POST OFFICE

Evening Star, Issue 14633, 1 August 1911, Page 4

GREEN ISLAND POST OFFICE

OFFICIAL OPENING,

Two events of importance severally, as illustrations of the progress of Green Island, and the forward policy of the borough, took place this morning. The first was the opening' of the new Green Island post office by the Hon. T. Mackenzie (Acting Postmaster-General), and the second was the turning on of the borough, water supply. Mr Mackenzie arrived at the post office at 11.30 by motor from Dunedin, and was accorded a heorty reception from the residents and schooTchildren assembled before the new building. He embarked upon a long, but interesting reoapituation of the history of the borough, and the marked progress which has entitled the residents to the consideration of the department, disclosed in the new offices. He recalled how the first postman carrying letters south of Dunedin was an Australian native named Black Andy, and he traced the progress of the business from the appointment of Mr John Campbell (the retiring postmaster) in T853. Thus, in 1900 the number of poet cards and letters 11,080, in 1910 20,620; in 1900 there were 220 savings bank deposits, amounting to £1,153, and in 1910 there were 335, amounting to £4,091. This, said the Minister, was a sure index to the prosperity of the community, and an answer to those critics who asserted that capital was leaving New Zealand. He concluded by reference to the regret which the people of Green Island must feel at the retirement of Mr Campbell, and by an expression of hop© and confidence that the borough would progress in proper proportion to its remarkable resources.

The Mayor (Mr J. Lindsay) presented a key to the Minister, with which the door was opened for business, and Mrs Lindsay posted the first letter. Subsequently the Mayoress turned on the water supply, which, after four months’ work by the contractors (Messrs J. and It. Scott), is now completed from the City's Silver-stream reservoir. There are eight miles o fmains, varying from Gin to 3in, with fire plugs every four chains. Speeches congratulating the contractors, the engineer (Mr F. J. Williams), and the borough were made, and the contractors presented to the Mayoress a miniature water key. Three cheers for the Minister closed the proceedings. Tne building is of two stories, fronting the Main South road. The site is one which was once occupied by a flour-mill, and the pit for the water-wheel, driven by water from the Kaikorai Stream close by, has only recently been filled up. The frontage of the building occupies about 34 ft, which is also about the measurement of the maximum depth. The residential prut is', an usual, situated in the upper story, and comprises a kitchen, sitting room, and three bedrooms. Most of the ground floor space is occupied by the mail room, the dimensions of which are 21ft 7iu by 18ft 4in. On the other side of the counter the space allotted to the public is 21ft by 9ft, part of which is occupied by a telephone box for public use. There is also separate telephone accommodation for the use of the staff. Fifteen private letter boxes have been installed. The outside appearance is neat The building is of brick, but the exterior is finished in rough-cast, French grey in color, and a rather pleasing if unpretentious front elevation is set off by a. clock. The local Borough Council have remedied the lack of any inscribed foundation stone by having a stone tablet placed in a prominent position, on which the usual formal particulars are set forth. The contractor for the building was Mr Charles Crimp, and the price £1,070.