POSTMASTER-GENERAL

Taranaki Daily News, 27 May 1931, Page 9

POSTMASTER-GENERAL

BRIEF VISIT TO URENUI

REQUEST FOR REST ROOM SITE.

MINISTER TO GO TO TANGARAKAU.

The Hon. J. B. Donald, PostmasterGeneral, and his private secretary (Mr. R. W. King) arrived at Urenui yesterday morning by motor from Waitomo, where they had spent the previous night, and were met on arrival by Mr. W. J. Polson, M,P. for the district, Mr. R. H. Pigott (chairman of the Urenui committee) and Mr. A. H. Halcombe, and after visiting some of the beauty spots close at hand they were the guests of Mr. Polson at luncheon at the Urenui Hotel. In the afternoon the Post-master-General opened the new Urenui Post Office, and afterwards was entertained by the ladies at afternoon tea. •Subsequently a deputation of over 20 ladies, headed by Mesdames C. D. Smith, president of the local branch of the Plunket Society, R. H. Pigott, president of the local branch of the Red Cross Society, and J. F. Phillips, president of the local .branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, waited on the Minister. Mr. Polson stated that the ladies representing the three bodies concerned were desirous of securing the site of the old post office for the purposes of erecting a dental clinic, rest room, etc. They were not prepared to build immediately, but suggested that the land might be transferred to trustees, who could hold it until they were ready to build. Mr. Polson stressed the necessity for such a building in all country towns, remarking that they were now regarded as essential. Mr. Halcombe also pressed the claim for favourable consideration, remarking that the old site had been given by Messrs C. M. Rowe and W. Tomsitt to the department for the purposes of a post office, and now that it was not required for that purpose he trusted the Minister might be able to see his way to return it to the people for the purpose suggested. He assured the Minister that it was not an idle request as the rest room was essential at Urenui, which was the centre of a large district. He congratulated the department on its choice of a site for the new post office. The Postmaster-General expressed himself as very sympathetic to the request. He did not know the legal position so that the matter might have to go before Cabinet, but he would be pleased to make favourable representations. He fully appreciated the valuable work 'being carried out 'by the Plunket Society and the other societies that were represented. Mr. Donald was then motored through to New Plymouth by Mr. Polson and after visiting the oil wells went on to Stratford, where he was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Polson last night. This morning Mr. 'Polson leaves for Tangarakau, where he will discuss with representatives of the workers’ unions the position with a view to seeing what can be done to settle the wages dispute. Mr. Donald will accompany him. Later in the day they will go to Wanganui, proceeding thence to Wellington.