A  meeting,  convened  by  the  Mayor,  at  the  request  of  numerous  ratepayers,  was  held  in  the
Assembly-room,  on Wednesday morning, and appointed a committee to consider a  suitable and
convenient position for a new post-office, the old one being found deficient in accommodation. The

Mayor presided. There were also present—the Rev. K. Tracy, Messrs. W. B. Crowfoot, B. B. Fiske,
T. A. Laws, J. Carke, G.  Fenn, S. Parkhouse, C. F. Parker,  S.  L Kent, B. Woolnough, Mullett,

The Mayor explained that, in compliance with a requisition he had received, this public meeting was
called, to take into consideration the desirability of providing a suitable and convenient situation for

the new post-office, and also to request the Postmaster-General to contribute towards the expenses
incurred in providing a new building. With reference to the last part, he thought they should not ask

the Government to provide part of the expenses, but all. The postal arrangements of the country were
very  profitable  to  the  Government,  and  Beccles  contributed  its  share  to  that  profit  ;  it  would
therefore,  in  his  opinion,  be  out  of  place for  them  to ask  Government  to contribute  part  of the

The matter had arisen out of a memorial sent to the Postmaster-General in April last, the reply to
which was, in effect, that the present office was admitted not to be all that could be wished, and that

it was understood the postmistress contemplated providing an approved office when the tenancy of
her house expired at Michaelmas next. Since that reply had been received an inspector from the

Postmaster-General had been sent down to Beccles, and the site for a new office had been pointed
out to him on the Gentleman’s Walk, in the houses now occupied by Mrs. Oakes and Mrs. Chandler.
Plans of the premises had been provided, and were now in the possession of the Postmaster-General.

This had not come to him officially, for the inspector, without consulting him or the Town Clerk,
had adopted this course, and it was only by wind-blow that he heard of it at all. That house was in a

very objectionable situation, as it was very difficult to get at. (Hear, hear.) Even the present position
of the post-office would be preferable, provided more accommodation could be found.

Under these circumstances this meeting was called, and he would be glad to hear their opinion with
reference to the matter—The Rev. F. F. Tracy said he was extremely pleased the Mayor had taken

this action. He was one of those who shared in the belief that-they were insufficiently provided with
a post-office under the existing circumstances, The progress of the town, and the prospect (not very
remote) of a very considerable increase in the demands of a post-office already over-taxed, justified

them in believing that it was highly expedient some steps should be taken to let the position they
were in be known to the authorities. The Mayor had already alluded to the want of accommodation

within the post. office, so that he need not refer to it. He would like a committee to be formed to take
the matter into immediate consideration, and to make such suggestions to the Government as might

be  necessary  under the circumstances. The Rev,  gentleman concluded with a  proposition  to that
effect. — Mr. Fenn seconded, and the motion was carried.

The Mayor remarked that one or two houses had been pointed out to him as suitable for the new
post-office. There were Mr. Thrower’s, Mr. Claxton’s, Mr. Soanes’, Mr. Thompson’s, Mr. Welch’s,
and Mr. Ife’s. Mr. Thompson, Mr. Thrower, and Mr. Ife were willing to sell.—Mr. Laws said he had

understood that a house belonging to Mr. Block was in the market.—The following gentlemen were
then elected a committee in accordance with Mr. Tracy’s proposition :—The Mayor, the Rector, Mr.

Mr.  B.  Woolnough  said  there  was  one  alteration  he  should  like  to  have  made  in  the  postal
arrangements.  There were 150 adults  in this town who had to  pay a penny for every  letter they

received, because they did not live within the postal route laid down some years back. He thought
that was not in accordance with the Postmaster-General’s regulations. It was quite time this route

should be extended, as the poor man’s letters were as much consequence as the rich man’s. The
houses in the neighbourhood of Swine’s-green, and right from London-road down to Mr. Wright’s,

could not be supplied with a letter unless the receiver paid one penny, and even then they could not
get it before one o’clock, which resulted in great inconvenience, and sometimes loss of money. He
moved that the Postmaster-General be asked to put on an extra man to deliver letters in the outskirts

of  the  town.—The  Rector  inquired  if  it  could  not  be  included  in  the  recommendation  to  the
Postmaster-General respecting the site  of  the  post-office ?—The Mayor suggested  the matter  be

referred to the committee for consideration.— The meeting agreed with Mr. Woolnough’s views,
Mr. Dixon seconded the amended proposition, which was carried.
—The Mayor made a few remarks respecting  the awkward  position  in which some of the  letter

boxes were placed, notably those near the cemetery and in Mr. Sharpin’s wall, and suggested the
committee  be empowered  to take measures  to  place  them  in more convenient spots.—This was
agreed to, and the meeting separated after the customary vote of thanks to the Chairman.