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Grand Opening To Million-Dollar-Plus P.O.
Just on three years in the building and contracted at a price of just on $1,270,000, Gisborne's new Chief Post Office was officially opened on June 20 at 3 p.m. After nine years of scattered services throughout the city (since the earthquake of 1966 when the old Post Office was damaged beyond use) the Post Office departments are now all together again in one building. The six level reinforced concrete structure, especially designed by the Ministry of Works, has a floor area of 61,900 square feet and, standing at 99 feet (inclusive of penthouse), is easily the highest building in Gisborne. W. M. Angus Ltd of Napier were the builders. The new Post Office has entrances from both Grey Street and Bright Street, with quick customer parking in the area off Bright Street. Before a very large crowd the new Chief Post Office was opened by the Postmaster-General, the Hon. Fraser Coleman, while other speakers were Mayor Harry Barker and M. P. Trevor Davey.
The new Post Office as seen from near the Grey Street-Gladstone Road intersection.
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Members of the combined Boys and Girls High Schools Maori Clubs performing the opening action song in front of the new Post Office.
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The male members of the Maori Clubs performing the new Post Office Haka.
Mr and Mrs Barker and Mr and Mrs Coleman lead the official party to the dais for the opening speeches.
In the offical party, with Mr Coleman at the microphone, are, from left, Gisborne Chief Postmaster Jack Swinburne and Mrs Swinburne, the Mayoress Mrs Barker, Deputy Director-General George Peters, Mrs Coleman, Mayor Harry Barker, M.P's Trevor Davey and Brown Rewiti (obscured), Mrs Davey, and District Engineer Mac Odell and Mrs Odell.
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Mayor Harry Barker (left) and Chief Postmaster Jack Swinburne with Postmaster-General Fraser Coleman at the unveiling of the commemorative plaque.
Opening the posting boxes for business are Messrs George McCoombe (left) and Bert Moles.
Mrs T. J. Stevens is the first customer to use the stamp vending machines situated in the new Post Office concourse.
The large crowd attending the opening were also very keen to transact business on opening day and Mrs J. Morley was one of the staff on the postal counter who was kept busy until closing time.
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A large number of guests were also invited to afternoon tea in the spacious conference room on the top floor after the opening ceremony. Among them were Betty and Ian Shaw and Audrey and Peter Scott...
Nola and Keith Tarry.
John and Agnes Heikell.
Chief Police Inspector Jim McGuire, Mrs Annette Ellis, Brian and Gwenda Crawshaw, and Mrs Janet Scott.
Mrs Ngoi Pewhairangi, M.P. Brown Rewiti, Mrs H. Martin, Henare Swann, and Mesdames Kohi Boyd and Ada Whitehead.
Cheryl Tautau
Toll Exchange manager Trevor Flexman, district engineer's office manager Rex Berridge, and personnel supervisor Harold Bayram and his wife Agnes.
ANZ Bank manager Hugh Callender chatting to Miss May Haisman.
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Mesdames Lynley Hyams and Keitha Parton with John Coulson, Peter Hyams and Olive Hale.
Percy and Marie Brewster.
Retired Post people Gil and Polly Tyer, and Mary Mahoney.
John and Olwen Sweeny with M.P. Trevor Davey.
With chief technician Eric Fox and Mrs Fox are Mrs Helen Grant, Mary Mahoney, and Mr and Mrs Jock Tulloch.
Taken while admiring the view from the top storey these Maori Club members are, from left, James Mahuika, Dibble Tuhaka, Michael Te Hau, Kahu Nikora, Truby Morgan, Robyn Johnson and William Tautuhi.