COUNTRY POST OFFICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19456, 12 October 1926, Page 13

COUNTRY POST OFFICE.

NEW KAUKAPAKAPA BUILDING MINISTER PERFORMS OPENING. PROGRESS OF THE DISTRICT. A milestone in tho progress of Kaukapakapa was reached yesterday when tho now post office was oponod by tho Hon. G. ,T. Anderson. Almost since tho arrival of the first settlers at Kaukapakapa the post office has been attached to the general store, but with the growth of the district and increaso in population it was felt that a separate building was needed. Tho Government eventually sanctioned a grant but considerable dissension then aroso concerning the choice of a suitable locality. An ideal site opposite the school was finally purchased by about 50 farmers, who presented it to the Government. Tho contract price for the building was £479 18s. Mr. F. L. Stewart expressed his appreciation of the largo gathering of settlers who had driven in from their farms. After extending a welcome to the Minister ho voiced the thanks of the settlers to Mr. H. Dye who had carried out the duties of postmaster at Kaukapakapa for a number of years. Mr. W. J. Gow, chief postmaster at. Auckland, congratulated the district on its progress. The department was deeply indebted to Mr. Dye, and his father before him, for their long service, and it was a matter of regret that tho post office luid to pass out of Mr. Dye's hands. He hoped the settlers would bury their differences over the site and all make use of tho new office. Speeches were also made by the Hon. C. J. Carrington, M.L.C., Mr. J. Mackie, chairman or tho Helensville Town Board, Mr. G. A. Avey and Mr. H. Dyfe. The Minister, in declaring tho post office open, said ho had been asked by the acting-Prime Minister to act on bohalf of the Postmaster-General, who was then engaged on business in the south. Tho first post office in tho district was opened in 1861, Mr. Andrew Bonner being in charge. That was a long time ago, and he had no doubt that magnificent kauri forests then grew where smiling homesteads now indicated progress and prosperity. Mr. Bonner was succeeded in 1875 by Mr. F. Dye, and tho duties of postmaster were taken over in 1922 by his son, Mr. 11. Dye. The size of the new post office was not to be taken into account. There were hundreds of a similar nature throughout New Zealand; and each was as necessary to the welfare and progress of the country as tho magnificent structure at the foot of Queen Street, in Auckland. The settler had as much right to postal facilities as the city business man. (Applause.) The post office door was then opened by Mr. Anderson who despatched a telegram to mark tho occasion. Afternoon tea was provided in the school. Miss Anderson declared the tennis club's courts open for tho season. THE PUTARURU BUILDING. PLANS FOR ADDITIONS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] ROTORUA, Monday. A request that the Public "Works Department officers should prepare plans and specifications for additions to the Putaruru Post Office has been made by the Postmaster-General, Hon. W. Noswcithy, to the Minister of Public Works, Hon. Iv. S. Williams. The request follows the representations made to Mr. Williams at Putaruru last Thursday. Tho sum of £SOO was placed on the Estimates for the work last session.