PUBLIC MEETING AT TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1777, 24 November 1883, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING AT TE AWAMUTU.

A public meeting was hold in the hall Te Awamutu on Thursday 22nd hist., to patition the Postmaster General to appoint a competent assistant to the postmaster in this office. There was a large attendance, which would have been much larger but for the bad weather which prevented many of the settlers attending. On the motion of Mr Winstone, seconded by Mr Gresham, Mr Hloanc took the chair. The chairman said all present were aware that a deputation had waited on the honourable the Defence Minister to represent the necessity of having an ab.sista.ut appointed, and also to request his assistance in the matter, siud that Mr Biyco had recommended that a public meeting should be called. Accordingly, at the request of a number of ratepayers, he (the cluirman) inserted an advertisement in Tho Waikato Times, calliuor the meeting for tin's evening. He then read the notice. Ho was glad to see so many present, as it showed the public felt the urgent necessity that existed for an assistant. Mr Winstone said it seemed to him there was something radically wrong in that it should be necessary to call a public meeting for such a purpose, seeing that so many accountants and officials came round, who should see the necessity that exists for an assistant in this office. He thought the Government, like corporations, had no soul. The postmaster frequently complained of being ill, and wondered what was the cause of it. He (Mr Winstone) was perfectly satisfied it was the result of overwork. He frequently went to the office to send a telegram, but owing to the absence of the postmaster — who has to deliver telegraphic messages — he was unable to do so, and had to await his return. Many others weie put to the same inconvenience. This was a very common occurrence, and he thought the business of the district warranted them in asking the Government to give them an assistant in this office. He would move the following resolution :—: — "That in view of the inconvenience experienced by the public in transacting thoir business, this meeting is of opinion that there is urgent need for the appointment of a competent assistant at the post and telegraph office atTe Awamutu." Mr Short, in seconding the resolution, said that since tho removal of Mr Empson to Kihikihi tho public had been put to a great deal of inconvenience. He frequently had to return to his home without being able to tiansact his business at the office, owing to the abseuce of the postmaster, or his being engaged at the installment. The resolution was carried unanimously. Mr Wright fully endorsed the remarks made by the previous speakers. He often suffoied the same inconvenience himself, which, to a business man, was a very .seiious matter indeed. He moved the following le-olution which was seconded by Mr Gresham :— " That the chaiiirnn of this meeting ba requested to forwaid a copy of the foiegoing resolution to the lion, the Postmaster-Generar, and al^o to S. B. Biss Eiq., Chief Postmaster, Auckland, setting fOlf 01 th the causes which render necessary the appointment of a competent assistant to the postmaster." This w as carried unanimously. Mr Lewis said that on many occasions he would ha\o answoiod by telegram conospondence of a very impoitant nature, but owing to Mr Ckmgh being busy the mail was not deliveied in time to admit of his doing so, thereby often entailing great loss upon him. No doubt many otheis had a similar experience. Mi Teasdale thought that as so many weio picstiiit, this was a favourable opportunity to e\piess the general dissatisfaction at tho want of accommodation in the post office. The building is small, ana! totally inadequate to the requirements of tho distiict. Ho thought the postmastei should also have bettoi accommodation. The looms woic wretchedly small and unhealthy. Other speakeis followed in the same stiam. There are good giounds for complaint in this lespect. The lobby is baiely five feet wide, and on wot days many people ha\e to wait outside on the verandah until they can got a chance to squeeze in to ask foi thoii mail. In accoi dance with the romaiks made by tho spealveis, Mi Stiohbuiy moved tho following 1 o -tolution :-" That it bo lepiesi'iiti'd to tho Minister foi Public Woiks that tho building whine the postal and telegiaphic woik is cairied on is not of sufficient dimensions for the public convenience and dwelling of postmaster and family." .Seconded by Mr Teasdalo, and earned unanimously. Pioposed by Mr Biidginan, and seconded by Mi Kickitt, "That the chaiiman fmwaid tho foregoing lesolution to tho piopci authorities, with a description of the building, and a statement showing the wane of accommodation that exists. — Canied unanimously. This being all the business, the usual vote of thanks to the chair brought the proceedings to a close.