P. AND T. DEPT. BUYS COUNTY COUNCIL OFFICE

Northern Advocate, 30 November 1936, Page 4

P. AND T. DEPT. BUYS COUNTY COUNCIL OFFICE

. EXTENDED FACILITIES FOR WHANGAREI I Special to "Northern Advocate.’ 7 ] WELLINGTON, This Day. The Postal Department has purchased' the County Council office adjoining the Whangarei Post Office for the purpose of extending the facilities for business. It might be possible to adapt the existing building for the purpose when the county office becomes available.

A suggestion that Whangarei may be raised to the status of a chief post office was referred to the Director General, who stated that this point was not one for immediate consideration. The county chairman, Mr J. A. S. Mac Kay, who • finalised the negotiations for the sale of the building with the P. and T. Department, is visiting Auckland, but it is understood that the price paid for the property was in the vicinity of £7OOO. The land has a frontage of 42 feht to Bank Street, with an irregular depth ranging between 56 and 81 feet. It is of Interest to recall that the purchase of the county property in Bank Street was effected in 1878 by the then county chairman, Mr J. I. Wilson for £55, the vendor being the late Edward Dent.

The property included the whole of the street side from the Post Office to Vine Street, only portion of which is affected by the present deal. At the same time Mr Wilson purchased for and on behalf of the Government the adjoining allotment now occupied by the Post Office, for £SO. When the purchase was reported to the county council in May 1878, considerable criticism was levelled at Mr Wilson regarding the price paid. However, that gentleman’s action in acquiring the land was eventually approved. Tenders were immediately invited, arid a two-roomed wooden building was erected for the accommodation of the council for the sum of £l3B.

The present reinforced concrete, two-storied building was erected later, but has long been recognised as out of date and inadequate for requirements.

For a considerable time, the county council has had under consideration a rebuilding programme, and, with that object in view, a block of land in Rose Street, facing the Triangle, was acquired about 1928.