EARLY POSTMASTERS

Waikato Independent, Volume XL, Issue 3667, 13 February 1940, Page 5

EARLY POSTMASTERS

APPOINTMENTS SINCE 1864. SEVENTEEN IN 76 YEARS In view of the transfer on promotion of the Postmaster, Mr C. B. McNatty, to the position of deputypostmaster at Hamilton, it is interesting to recall the men who have been in charge of the. Cambridge Post Office since it was first established in 1864. During the 76 years, there have been 17 postmasters, the longest term served in Cambridge being that of Mr E. B. Reynolds, who held the position for over ten years, from 1869 to 1880. Mr J. C. Allan was postmaster from 1924 until 1933, when he retired and made his home in. Cambridge. The postmasters who held office at Cambridge, together with the dates of their appointment, are as follows: Mr J. iff. Wilkinson, Bth September, 1864; Mr J. Marshall, Ist July, 1868; Mr E. B. Reynolds, Ist May, 1869; Mr A. Brenner, Ist January, 1880; Mr E. B. Reynolds, Ist October, 1880; Mr J. E. Hawley, Ist October, 1882; Mr J. Bull, Ist December, 1884; Mr T. Hester, Ist May, 1889; Mr G. A. Empson, Ist April, 1895; Mr H. Jeffries, Ist February, 1900; Mr W. C. McDermott, 9th August, 1909; Mr A. D. Clemett, 24th November, .1913; Mr W. N. Poole, 12th June, 1917; Mr W. xMcAllister, 23rd July, 1921; Mr J. C. Allan, Ist April, 1924; Mr W. Drake, 23rd November, 1933; Mr C. B. McNatty, 6th February, 1937. Postal History The early postal history of Cambridge was closely associated with the military activities of those days. The district was served three times a week by a branch mail service performed on horseback by the military authorities from the Queen’s Redoubt about 55 miles away. It is recorded, however, that in 1866 the district was served by Government steamers trading on the Waikato River to Alexandra (now Pirongia) and Cambridge. For many years the business of the post office was conducted in a small building opposite the Government Redoubt Reserve in Victoria Street. In 1877, a one-storey building, erected by Mr Edward Message was opened. That office served the district until 1908, in. which year a new office was erected. In 1936, substantial additions were made to the existing building. A money-order and savings-bank branch was established at Cambridge in. 1867. In 1868, there was a military telegraph line between Newcastle (now called Ngaruawahia) and Cambridge with communication at Auckland. The line having become decayed, it was replaced two years later by a direct line from Hamilton, Cambridge was made a telegraph station, about 18.72; jn which yeai; the .tpJal. number, a of telegrams dealt with;was 803. v , : , ‘r A postman’s ’was established on the 19th December, 1898, and. a telephone exchange was opened on the 15th April, 1905.