Nor'West News: November 04, 2021

Thursday November 4 2021 9
50-year gathering for former post office workers
• By John Cosgrove
I REMEMBER: For (from left) Mike Harris, of Middleton, Robert Evans, of Marshland, and Graeme Fraser, of Halswell,
rediscovering the memories of the fun they had while working in the record section at the iconic Cathedral Square chief
post office building, made them all smile and laugh. On the reunions commemorative plate, former shorthand typists
from the typing pool Colleen Eathorne, of Redwood (left), and Ann Matheson, of Waimairi Beach, spot the windows of the
rooms they used to work in.
PHOTOS: JOHN COSGROVE
STORIES OF adventures and
shenanigans had in the typing
pool or in the mail rooms
were recounted as 50 former
employees of the Post Office met
for the first time in 50 years.
The former administration
staff members had all worked at
some stage of their careers in the
old Christchurch chief post office
in the Cathedral Square.
Chief postmasters office reunion
committee chairman Rod
Cameron of Beckenham, said it
was a good time to reminisce.
Cameron, a former post
investigations officer, said that
over the past year a group of
ex-employees had been working
online organising the staff reunion
held at the Cashmere Club
on Saturday.
“It has been quite difficult
trying to track down all these
people with who we previously
worked with, but not seen for
some 50 years.
“We were fortunate however
in tracing and contacting a total
116 personal and managed to
get 50 people to come along to
the reunion.
“Many of those interested
in attending now live overseas
and were really keen to come
but unfortunately were unable,”
Cameron said.
Cameron started in 1961 as a
telegram boy before eventually
becoming an investigating officer
chasing up stolen mail or
fraud scams.
“Much of what we got up to on
the job we can’t tell anyone about
as people today would think
we’re mean or they wouldn’t get
the joke but we got away with it
in those days,” Cameron said.
His funniest memory was
discovering marijuana growing
implements and seeds sent from
overseas.
“We called the police who
followed the parcel to its destination
in a rural community, there
they discovered a massive growing
operation.
Fellow postal investigator
Wayne Butterworth of Spreydon
recalls starting in 1965 as a toll
operator having to juggle calls
because they only had 40 lines to
Wellington to work with.
“Then one day I was looking
out of a window overlooking
the square when I saw a woman
learner driver crash into the only
phone box we had in the square.”
Butterworth said: “ I was on 111
calls that day and had everyone
calling was to report it, all at the
same time.”
Ann Matheson of Waimari
Beach, was a typist during the
late 60s early 70s and recalled
the day a younger woman came
to work in a very, very short
mini skirt, “She was sent home
to change into something more
appropriate so she returned in
a maxi dress just to annoy the
supervisor,” she said.
Matheson recalls in 1970 being
paid $1195 per annum for their
work which came out to $39 per
week.
Fellow typist pool member
Colleen Eathorne of Redwood,
said she remembers they had
a great social life there and
many life-long relationships or
friendships were made there.
Soon I can
shop wi h
my pj’s on
Online shopping
coming soon to
Bishopdale