PATEA POST OFFICE.

Patea Mail, Volume XLV, 21 April 1922, Page 2

PATEA POST OFFICE.

VISIT OF POSTMASTER GENERAL,

The Postmaster General, the Hon. J. G. Coates, M.P., paid a visit to Patea on Wednesday shortly after 6 p.m., when ho was met by a deputation consisting of His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Grainger, Hore, Williams and Naismith, Messrs P. Ramsbottom, T. Keane, and J. H. Johnson (Patea Citizen's League) J. H. Cronin (Domain Board), A. T, Christensen (Harbour Board), and N. C. Harding (Town Clerk). The Minister was accompanied by Mr E. Dixon, M.P., and Messrs F, M. Farkert, Engineer in charge Public Works Department, A. T. Markman, Assistant Secretary, G.P.0., T. Ball. D.E., Public Works Department, and T. R. Aitkin, Private Secretary. Mr E. Dixon briefly introduced Mr Coates to the Deputation and asked His Worship to explain the position with regard to the Post Office. His Worship, in tendering a hearty welcome to the Minister expressed the pleasure it gave him to see him there that day, as Cabinet Ministers in Patea were as rare as golden sovereigns. His Worship next pointed out the urgent need for a new Post Office which he stated had been promised by the Prime Minister some II years ago prior to the war. The citizens, knowing the burden the Government was carrying, showed groat consideration, but now they felt that the time had come when they should again ask for the Post Office to be built as the need for it was great. He took the opportunity of congratulating Major Coates on his elevation to cabinet rank and he hoped he would crown his good work by granting them the Post Office. Mr A. T. Christensen in a brief speech stated that some 5 years ago he had been assured of the Post Office be. ing started as soon as the war was over. The old Postmaster's residence ! had been pulled down as it was dilapidated and the Post Otfiicc was in a like condition. The now Post Office would find work for the unemployed and the bricks could be obtained locally. Mr F. Ramsbottom also spoke briefly and stated that the present building was hopelessly inadequate, the Post, master’s room being far too small. The inconvenience to the public by reason of the messages being overheard was very great. He hoped the Minister would see his way clear to call tenders for the new building straight away. Mr Grainger next spoke and pointed out to the Minister the inconvenience and annoyance caused to the telephone subscribers through the messages which had to be repeated over the wire being hoard by those of the general public who happened to be in the Post Office at the time. This would be avoided if a metallic circuit were installed.

Mr J. EL. Johnson also spoke and instanced cases where private messages had been overheard.

Mr E. Dixon, M.P., said the time was most opportune to invite tenders as there were a number of unemployed about. He was certain that a building could be erected cheaper now than later on as he knew of contractors who would tender at a low .figure in order to keep their men in work. He hoped the Minister would see his way clear to call for tenders without delay.

Major Coates in reply said he never made promises. They knew the telephone system was bad and he thought they should alter it to tho metallic system. There were other towns in exactly the same position as Patea with regard to their Post Offices. Every progressive town wanted a good Post Office and was entitled to it. Last year they were £IOOO behind in their Post Office accounts but this year they hoped to have a surplus of perhaps £IOO,. 000. In his opinion the Post and Telegraph services ought to be made to pay without asking the taxpayers to meet the deficiency, Tho whole of the P. and T. expenditure should be curtailed with a view to greater expenditure being made on public works of a productive nature. His view was that public buildings must stand down unless it was absolutely essential that they be undertaken. When they found that the buildings could not be done without they had to see if they could not erect them. He would inspect the Post Office and if he found a new one necessary he would see that tenders were called without delay. With regard to unemployment he did not think that men should look entirely to the Government for a job. Employees had a big responsibility when they sacked a man. If they found they could not pay tho same wages they should be candid and tell tho men so and put the position to them.

Mr Dixon said his point was that it would be better to employ skilled artisans on the work of building the Post Office than on the Public Works.

Major Coates in conclusion said ho wished to thank them for the warm welcome accorded him and the flattering remarks passed, none of which he deserved.

The Ministerial party then paid a visit to the Post Office where a close in. spection of the building was madOj the Minister taking notes of the size of the various rooms in the buildings and ob. | t.lining the fullest information from theJ Postmaster, Mr Geo. Ormsby, with rc-J gard to the amount of business trans. acted.

Mr Ormsby pointed out that no less than £IB,OOO had passed through the Post Office as subscriptions to the war loan when it was placed on the market.

In reply to a request from Mr Dixon to call tenders, Major Coates said the matter would bo referred to Mr Fur. kert and Mr Markham, and he would act on their report and lot His Worship know the decision arrived at at the earliest possible moment. The Ministerial party who were journeying by car, then left for Waverley, hearty cheers being given for the Minister by the assemblage.