THE VVANGANUI POST OFFICE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIII, Issue 15000, 23 February 1899, Page 2

THE VVANGANUI POST OFFICE.

In yesterday's Chronicle a correspondent! draws attention to what lie describes us " the old, out-of-date, cramped-for-spaio, dingy,' badly-ventilated, building that lias done duty for a- post-office, etc., for the, lust thirty years or more," in Wanganui. In contrast with the neglect of Witugwui, the writer points out that Masterton is have a new post-office, plans for which have been prepared; that the building is to be of brick, and two storeys high. Commenting on this fact, the writer says: — "Is it not time the member for the district and our leading citizens — business people and the public generally — bestirred themselves with a view to getting a, post and telegraph office for Wanganui worthy ol the place '! The answer is,' that neithei the member for the district nor the people have been slack in this matter. The Chamber of Commerce, acting on behiilf of J the people, brought the matter of the postoffice -most forcibly before the Premiei when he was in Wun-gauui shortly before lust session. If we remember rightly, Mr. iSpurdle was the spokesfcMM, and he made out a very strong case for n new post-office adequate to the needs oi the town and district. Mr. iSeddon was very bland iiud pleasant about the matter, and promised to liavo inquiries made from the officers oi the Department, and tliere for the . time the matter endtd. Nothing, of course, was expected Xo lie done until the estimates were being framed for the next year, s-o shortly aftor the House met, on 20th July last, Mr. Carson asked the l'reniier uiirt Postiniister-Ueiieral whether, .seei:.;. that on a- recent visit to Wanganui he admitted to v deputation that the .local post offico " was not what it ought to be, and not up to date," and that "a point which weighed" with him more than the revenue Was the h-j.iltJi of thoS'J engaged in the oftW," he will place y ' sum on the estimates sufficient to cover the erection of a post- office adapted tv the present and ra pidly-yrowing requirem-nts of the district, y ml to the comfort and convenience of the officers of the public service engaged there in? Mr, Carson went on to xuy that it' was unuecessai y for him to call to the: mind of the Premier the occasion to which his question referred. He hoped the very go. id impression made upon him at thsvt time had not fr.dul away, and that the honourable gentleman still recognised the necessity that e:;>kted for a new post-office. Mr. iSeddon, .in bis reply, said that papers had been phued bef-ive him, as indicated in the question. " There was not, in hi-J O)HHi«!i, tflJ urgent neue.siaty fur this work, but ;it the same tj^ue hs admitted, taking | the business done at H>,ug»-»W» !llul tU(< hnpertance of the town itself i^to consifle-j ljftion, when moneys were avaiWM* eltlin, «jth others ot a simiiur class, uhuuUl be conside-eiJ. The building was not a niudeni one, it was nw, and, like everything else, it must eventually gi*« way to ar, uv^>-f'ate structure. Ho far, no representation lw'l ten made to the Department as to the unhettivwsfss of the building ; but if it could bu shown *Lttt the health of any •?£ their officers was likely to

suffer, it would, be necessary to give some attention to the sanitary condition of the premises. Their first care as regards their officers shrlild be to see that they are working^!! a healthy atmosphere, and that every sanitary precaution was taken. The , matter was one tbsvt would be at once inquired into."' This answer was given in July last. It will be observed that, apart from the immediate inquiry that was to be made, and of vhich we have since heard nothing, a distinct promise was given tlul the claims ot Wanganui to in up-to-date post-office should be considered " when moneys were available." That time has surely come. With a, surplus of half a million, it money for the purpose is not 110' v ( available it never will be. We wouW' suggest U'.iit the Chamber of Commerce 1 and the member for the district take immediate steps to remind thu Premier of his promise.