CENTENNIAL STAMPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26703, 24 February 1948, Page 4

CENTENNIAL STAMPS

OFFICIAL OPENING SALE

The special issue of four postage stamps designed to commemorate the centenary of Otago was officially placed on sale at a ceremony held in the vestibule of the Chief Post Office yesterday morning. The function was attended by the Prime Minister. Mr Fraser, the Postmaster-general, Mr Hackett, the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, the Mayor Mr Cameron, local members of Parliament, Mayors of neighbouring boroughs, city councillors and representatives of the Otago Centennial Association. Mr Hackett, who was introduced by the chief postmaster, Mr J. P. Hanratty, said that the set was unique in at least two respects. It was the first time that stamps had been issued to honour a province, and it was the first occasion on which the open sale of an issue had been confined!to one area. The Otago province had played a prominent part in the development of the Post Office in New Zealand, Mr Hackett continued. It had established the first electric telegraph service in the colony and had also pioneered the telephone by opening exchanges at Port Chalmers and Portobello. Mr Hackett made the first sale of the stamps to the Mayor, Mr Cameron, who thanked the Government for so readily agreeing to the issue of the set.

The public demand for the stamp* yesterday was exceptionally heavj and post office officials would not venture an estimate of the amount sold Even before the stamps were placed on sale at 9 a.m., a long queue haa formed and business did not slacken during the day. A special counter was provided for the sale of the stamps, which were also obtainable at the usual places.