THE OLD POST OFFICE,

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15155, 20 November 1912, Page 4

THE OLD POST OFFICE,

o POSTAL BRANCH WANTED. BUSINESS MEN DISSATISFIED. , The sudden decision of the Post and Telegraph Department to completely remove the postal business from the old post office in Shortland-streefc to the new office has caused some concern in business circles. The matter was the subject of a large deputation of business men to the Hon. R. H. Rhodes (Postmaster-General) yesterday. The following were among the firms represented :—John Court, Ltd., Milne and Choyce, Upton and Co., Porter and Co., Champtaloup and Edmiston, Cleave and Co., L. D. Nathan and Co., ' Wildman and Arey, and W. and G. Elliott. Mr. N. A. Nathan said that he thought the Minister would agree with him that the more post office branches there were the greater help it would be for the revenue of the Department and the convenience of the public. The central position of the old post office made it greatly appreciated by the people. The site of the now office had aroused some opposition ■ owing to its position, but it had always ' been given out that the old building ' would be used as a branch. The deputation hoped that the Minister could make arrangements for a branch office for postal and telegraph business in the old building. Mr. Rhodes: Do you suggest that the : old building is the best site for a branch office? Mr. Nathan 6aid that there was already ; a branch office further up the town, but it was a long way away. Mr. Arthur Cleave said that when a : deputation opposing the new site had : waited upon Sir Joseph Ward, it was pro- ' mised that a branch office should be ! opened in the old building. It was too ' late to go over the old ground again re- ' garding the opposition to the new site, but if the new building had been erected ' upon the site of the old one it would have ; been of very much greater convenience. ' Mr. Rhodes said that the representa- j tions came as rather a bombshell to him. I He thought that the extensive building , provided would have been sufficient for ' Auckland for some years to come. If ' Sir Joseph Ward had made a promise, ] however, he (Mr. Rhodes) would hive to . keep to it. He did not know whether , anything could be done now,, as a portion ' of the old premises had already been , taken. He would look into the matter, - and communicate with the leaders of the J deputation. " , It may be explained that there will still i be receiving boxes for letters and papers , at the old office. '