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THE NEW SUMNER POST OFFICE.
The new Sumner post office was opened yesterday afternoon, in the presence of a j large crowd of residents and visitors. | The Mayor, Mr Rollitt, opened the pro- I ceedings with a brief sketch of the history of the Sumner post office. In 1876 Mrs Terry, now Mrs Wrenn, was appointed post-mistress by Sir Julius Vogel, then Postmaster-General, and carried on the work in the store now occupied by her. She filled the position until 1880. Avhen a man named Tolan took the store. He held it until 1885, meanwhile removing the office to the store next to the present tramway 'sheds- In 1885 Mr Watson took ;the office, .arid $ was brought back to the Shop at present occupied by Mrs Wrenn.-' Then, 'later, Mr Watson removed to the shop, which hall been used as a post office during recent years. Mr Rollitt also gave an account of the negotiations which led to' the; erection of a separate post office. The section "used had been marked as the site for the post- office on Mr Wakefields map of the township. Mr Hall- Jones had also given to Sumnev a flag-pole and a, New Zealand flag. He would like to express his appreciation of the courtesy and kindness oftbe post office authorities, who had always been willing to answer any question or listen ito any advice. He hoped that the use made of the post office would snow that Mr Ward ; had been justified in consenting to build it. ~ . Mr Schofield said that he had been instructed by the Minister of Public Works to present to Sunaner a New Zealand! ensign, which, would be used on all public occasions. > • , ; Mrs Rollitt then hoisted; the flag, amidst cheers, and "God Save, the Kiue" was sung. The builder; Mr W. H. WeHb, presented Mrs Rollitt with a scarf with a; silver shield, suitably inscribed, after which she Unlocked the door and , declared the • office open', After eiving three very hearthcheer?, the crowd dispersed, a mroibsr mak■ing a rush to attempt to • post the first letter, send the first- telegram arid buy the first stamp. . ■'The Borough Council then entertained a number of guests in the Town Hall, nine toasts being honoured. Mr Rollitt, in proposing "The King," said that the Council had thought the occasion a fitting one on which to drink one or tAVO- toasts. He was sorry that the rain had prevented the Mayors of the city and several of the boroughs being present, because fee thought that such occasions brought the boroughs together. Mr Rollitt next proposed " The 'Post and Telegraph Department,"' coupled with the names of Messrs Khrton and Galloway. He considered this department one of the most important in the public service, and it was to-day under the charge of one of ihe wisest and most far-seeing politicians New Zealand ever had, who was well and ably sup; ported by all his subordinates. _ Mr Kir ton, in-Teplying^ said that the Department always did its best to please the public, and he paid a/high tribute to the new post-mistress, f , .Mr Galloway : also replied; briefly. Mr Wrenn proposed " The Public, Works Department," which was replied to by- Mr Schofield on behalf of Mr Schwartz and himself. He congratulated Sumner upon the possession of such a neat and creditable post office. i '_
Mr Wood- Jones proposed the health of the contractor, Mr W. H. Webb, who. suitably replied. ' . • Councillor Pratt proposed the toast of " Sumner." He thought that, much, as Stunner tiad improved in recent years, a great deal remained to be done. A road should be made round to Whitewash Head, and a •boat-harbour by the baths. Drainage was also considered necessary, though, he was not of that opinion. He would take the opportunity to present a petition, signed by a large number of residents, asking that Mr Rollitt would allow himself to be nominated for another term of office as Mayor.
Mr Hartle replied to the toast, and said thaithe thought the reason why Sumner.had nob g<ine forward as quickly as might have been expected was because owners asked such exorbitant prices for the land, fie thought drainage an absolute necessity.
Mr Wheeler proposed "The Sumner Borough Council," coupled with the names of the Mayor and Councillors Hughes. The present Council had done very good work indeed, and he hoped it would remain: in office to carry out still greater reforms. The toast was drunk amidst cheers, and with musical honours.
Mr Rollitt said that, with regard to the petition, he was prepared to go fo the po?l again if the present Council would also do so as a body. Some people thought Borough Councillors had nothing : to do, but this was a great mistake. The work was very, hard indeed. Yet Sumner had gob through the year very satisfactorily, starting with a deficit^ and expecting to finish, with a small surplus'. A. great deal remained in Sumner to be done. The Government had erected a very pretty post office, but opposite it was a fence that was an outrage on society, and whioh he hoped the owner would ' soon see fit to remove. TJie Council hoped soon to place before the ratepayers a scheme for an esplanade, which would probably include a road round to Whitewash Head.
Mr Hughes also replied
Mr Webb said that, with regard to the fence opposite the post office, he thought it would soon be removed.
Ex-Councillor Mills proposed " Our Visitors," coupled with the names of Mr Field, Mayor of Lytteltoh, and Mr Laurenson, ST.H.R.
Mr Field congratulated Sumner upon
its post office, and -hoped that it -would, before long, become too small for the requirements of the borough. Mr Laurenson, in replying, described ah. eld post office he had recently seen -in the Chatham Islands, consisting of a barrel on a post. New Zealand posted more letters per head than any other country on earth, and he thought this spoke volumes for the intelligence of the people.
Mr Laurenson proposed the health of the Mayor of Sumncr. He paid a high tribute to. Mr Rollitt's services to his borough, and) drew attention to the probability of the Duke of Cornwall, armed with' the power of conferring knighthood, visiting Summer. The assembly sang " For He's a Jelly Good Fellow," arid gave three cheers for the Mayor and another for Mrs Rcllitt.
Mr Rollitt, mentioning the work done during the year, spoke of Sumner's representatives in South Africa, one of whom had already died for his country. t
„ The toast of "The Press" was also drunk and acknowledged.
Mr Schcfield proposed "The Ladies," and the toast was drunk amidst cheers.
Mr Bollitt proposed the health of Miss Stewart, the new post-mistress. Mr Mason replied on her behalf, stating that Miss Stewart was an accomplished telegraphist, and that he hoped Sumner would soon need, a duplex, if not a quadruples, instrument. . .
The gathering then dispersed, a veiy
>ai_r -
pleasant, hour and a half having been ■ppent.
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Star (Christchurch), Issue 7052, 19 March 1901, Page 4
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1,167THE NEW SUMNER POST OFFICE. Star (Christchurch), Issue 7052, 19 March 1901, Page 4
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THE NEW SUMNER POST OFFICE. Star (Christchurch), Issue 7052, 19 March 1901, Page 4
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
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