POST OFFICE AT RAVENSBOURNE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3085, 30 April 1913, Page 34

POST OFFICE AT RAVENSBOURNE.

OPENED BY POSTMASTERGENERAL. Ravensbourne has taken another step in advance—it is now in possession of an up-to-date post office, telephone office, telephone bureau, money-order office and post office savings bank, 'jffiis is only one of a number of improvements effected in the boncugh in the last few 7 years, principally during the term of office of Sir H. E. Roller, who lias proved a most energetic mayor ,and one who has spared no pains in forwarding the interests of the district. The new building was opened on Friday by 7 the Hon. E. Heaton Rhodes, Post-master-general, and among others present on the occasion were Messrs G. M. Thomson, C. E. Statham. E. H. Clark, and T. K. Sidey, M.P.’s, T. C. de Lacey (first Mayor of the borough), G. B. Bullock, D. A. de Mans, T. Scollay, W. Belcher, _W. M'Hutchcson (chief postmaster, Dunedin), Cra Connor, Gooch, Mitchell, Crawley, Statham, and Bell. The school children, under Mr J. B. Grant, headmaster, were ranged in front of the platform which was erected in front of the post office. Chairs on the platform were also occupied by 7 the Mayoress (Mrs Moller), Mrs C. E. Statham, Mrs Belcher, Mrs F. H. Statham (St. Leonards), aaid Mrs Winton (a very old resident of Ravensbourne).^ The Mayor said the people of West Harbour were delighted to find that for the first time in the history of the borough they had a Minister of the Crown taking part in their proceedings that day. —(Applause). They extended a hearty welcome to him, and they 7 wished to let him know that, now they had a post office at Ravensbourne, they 7 would also want post offices before long at St. Leonards and Sawyers’ Bay. He also extended a hearty welcome to the other visitors, and he wished to let them know that they were in the best and most up-to-date suburb round Dunedin. —(Applause). The Hon. Mr Rhodes prefaced his remarks by congratulating the Mayor on his return, unopposed, to the Harbour Board. It was an indication that lie had carried out his duties to the borough faithfully and well. He also congratulated the Mayor-elect (Mr Crawley) on having been elected unopposed to fill Mr Molier’s place. The new post office in their midst marked a step in the progress of the district. It was the policy of his department to extend postal and telegraph facilities, but while it did so it would not build extravagantly, and the building they were opening that day was, he thought, not only a very serviceable building, but a building that would serve the district for a good many years. It was a building that the late Mr E. G. Allen, M.P., had fought for very earnestly, while Mr Clark had been very assiduous in pressing on Ministers the necessity for tire new office. The first post office in Ravensbourne was opened in 1876, and the business had steadily increased. In the last ten years the increase had been very marked. The number of letters and post-cards posted in 1912 was 11,990, and in the same year the savings bank deposits amounted to £BOO. To (idling on the rate of interest paid to depositors, Mr Rhodes said that at present it was difficult to obtain money except at high rates of interest. People with money could place it to great advantage at present, and the larger depositors could withdraw their money and enjoy the higher rates of interest. It was not so, however, with the smaller depositors, who wished to be able to withdraw their money at a moment’s notice. Therefore, the department thought it right that the small depositors should share in the higher rates, and for that reason the interest on sums up to £3OO had been increased to 3J per cent. In giving this higher rate the Government was aiming at the encouragement of thrift. After referring to a number of other matters connected with the department, Mr Rhodes declared the post office open for the transaction of business —an announcement that was greeted with loud cheers. Addresses were also given by Messrs E. H. Clark, C. E. Statham, G. M. Thomson, and T. K. Sidey, M.P.’s, after which the Mayor presented the PostmasterGeneral with a handsome gold and greenstone key as a memento of the day. The Hon. Mr Rhodes, in reply, thanked the Mayor for the gift. He referred to the fact that they had with them that day Mr de Lacey, the first Mayor of the borough.—(Applause). The school children sang ‘‘ Bring me a letter from home.’ 5 The Mayor was accorded a vote of thanks, for presiding, and cheers were given for the Minister, the other visitors, and the press. The foundation stone of the building bears this inscription ; “ Opened for public business by Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes, Postmaster-general. April 25, 1913. Minister of Public Works, Hon. W. Fraser. J. Campbell, F.R.1.8.A., architect. H. E. Moller, Mayor; Alexander Dempster, contractor.” Mrs M'Leod, the post-mistress, is a granddaughter of the late C. G. H. Logie, first Collector of Customs at Dunedin. After the ceremony an adjournment was made to the adjoining hall, where afternoon tea was served. The new building, which is of brick and two storeys, is a combined office and postmaster’s residence. The office portion, which is confined to the ground floor, comprises Vestibule, Bft by sft; public office, 22ft Gin by 9ft; telephone bureau. 4ft by 4ft; mail room, 340 square feet floor space; telephone room, Bft by sft; and private box lobby, having separate outside entrance, to take 49 boxes. The residence, which occupies the upper floor, has a private entrance porch in Castle street, and comprises Sitting room, lift 9in by 15ft 9in; bedroom No. I, 13ft Gin by lift 9in; bedroom No. 2, lift Gin by 9ft 3in ; bathroom, 7ft 9in by Oft 3in ; kitchen, lift by lift, with 6ft Gin by 4ft 6iu scullery recess off same. A

wash-house and the usual official and domestic conveniences are provided in an outbuilding. The contractor for the building was Mr Alexander Dempster, of Dunedin. The contract price was £1328 Is.