CHIEF POST OFFICE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 177, 30 June 1925, Page 5

CHIEF POST OFFICE

PALMERSTON NORTH’ NEW STATUS'.

TAKES EFFECT FROAI TOMORROW.

The long continued efforts of the member for the district (Mr J. -A. Nash), Mr J. AL Johnston, and the many others interested, particularly the Chamber of Commerce, to secure un increase in postal status for this district will be consummated to-morrow, when the Palmerston North Post Office will be constituted a chief office. The necessary authority was given by the Postmaster-General about six weeks ago. and the first, public announcement, of this decision was made by Air A. T. Alarkman, secreturv of tho department, when speaking at the Lunch Club on May 19. The new postal district will cover a very large territory, extending from Foxlon on the West Coast, 'o Akitio on the East, and approximately 100 offices will come under the jurisdiction of Palmerston North. In the south the district will include Alanakau, while the northern limits will be Bulls and Greatford, while Dannevirke and Palnatiia are also included. The new arrangement will entail an increase of about ton in the staff of the local office, but, apart from the increased prestige, Palmerston North will not be benefited, to any appreciable extent. However, the effect of the constitution of the new chief postal district will he felt in the outlying offices, where matters will be greatly facilitated for savings bank depositors. Dannevirke,, which has hecn in the Napier district, will become a ledger office, and persons desiring to make withdrawals will he able to obtain the amount the same day. Feilding at present enjoys this privilege. Considerable speeding up in this class of business will result in the smaller offices. Taking Woodville as an instance, it may be mentioned that previously withdrawal slips have had to go to Wellington, while with the new- order of things the slips will come t!o Palmerston North and the warrants will consequently be returned more expeditiously. To mark (lie constitution of the new postal district, the Chamber of Commerce will to-morrow evening entertain local postal officials at a social. The principal toast will be "The Post and Telegraph Department and the Chief Post Office of Palmerston North,” which will fie proposed by Air H. L. Young, whose remarks will he supported by Air J. AL Johnston. The response .will be made by Air A. T. Alarkman and Air A. Dawson, postmaster at Palmerston North. Mr J. A. Nash, ALP., has signified his intention of being present, while the Borough Council will lie represented by Cr. Graham, DeputyMayor, owing to the unavoidable absence from the town of Air F. J. Nathan.