STATE ENTERPRISE

Evening Star, Issue 20720, 17 February 1931, Page 2

STATE ENTERPRISE

PALMERSTON’S HEW POST OFFICE

A handsome two-story building to serve as a post office at Palmerston is now receiving its final touches, the structure having been erected to Government plans by Mr R. Williams, of Oamarn, Bricks have been used in the main part of its construction, the exterior walls being roughcast np to the first story and finished in plain white plaster. A Marseilles pattern tiled roof pleasingly harmonises with the external finishes, and gives the building the desired grace and dignity. The total dimensions of the building arc 56ft x 40ft, the ground floor providing spacious accommodation for the mail room, public space, telephone exchange, store rooms, strong room, and postmaster’s room, while the whole of the upper floor has been devoted to the postmaster’s residence. The actual working department has been provided with ample lighting, while the plain while plaster finishes on the walls and ceilings assist considerably in this direction. Practically the whole of the timber used throughout the building is of New Zealand origin, beautifully figured rimn or red pine being used for the doors, skirtings, etc. The main entrance vestibule, letter box lobby, and bathroom and lavatory upstairs have been finished with terrazzo, which presents a pleasing and sanitary appearance. A concrete stairway leads to the upper floor, and this has been plastered in cream-coloured cement. The postmaster’s quarters have been planned on the most modern lines, with every attention to comfort and the production of an atmosphere of restfnlness and refinement. AH the ceilings have been constructed with fibrous plaster with plain cornices. All internal walls have been built with hollow tile bricks, the decoration of the rooms being produced with attractively designed wallpapers. A very useful adjunct to the residence is a spacious solarium which opens olf the living room. This section of the house has beero well provided with windows, and it faces the sun for the greater part of the day. The kitchen offers every convenience, a modernly designed coal range being installed for cooking and water-heating purposes, while the heating of the other rooms will he effected by open tiled fireplaces augmented by electric radiators. Special attention has also been paid to the heating of the ground floor. This will be brought about by hot water radiation, which will be produced by a boiler in the telephone exchange. Several outbuildings have also been erected in conjunction with the Post Office, and these include a garage providing storage for two cars, linesman’s office, store rooms, washhouse, and ample lavatory accommodation. The total cost of the building which should be sufficient to serve the district for many vears, to come is estimated at about £6,000. Another Government contract which was completed in this township quite recently was the erection of a sixroomed wooden house, garage, and lockup for the local policeman.