SUPPORT SERVICES TO BURREN JUNCTION
BURREN JUNCTION POST OFFICE HISTORY
By the final months of 1903, Burren Junction had grown to the stature of a village and with the completion of the railway extension from Narrabri, “steps were taken by the Postal Department to gauge the necessity of a post office there”. (1). A report dated 3rd October, 1903 and compiled by E.W. Bramble, Postal Inspector, stated:
“In connection with a report submitted proposing a number of mail route alterations due to the extension of the railway to Burren Junction, I would point out that for some time at least Burren Junction will be a busy business centre, as until the branches to Walgett and Collarenebri have been completed, the forwarding of goods to both these towns will be dealt with there —
- It would therefore be advisable to expedite the work of connecting the place by telegraph or telephone if this extension has been approved, as it is likely that traffic will be established before the end of this year.
- It will also be necessary to establish a Post Office there to deal with mails which will branch from there to Collarenebri, Bulyeroi, perhaps Walgett and other small places.”
The Railway Commissioners, who I understand have an officer in charge of the station, might be asked if they would be willing to conduct a post office in consideration for which payment at the rate of £22 per annum would, subject to the approval of the PMG, be made, and assistance in dealing with the mails would be provided by this Department.
A skilled assistant will be necessary and could be temporarily provided by sending Assistant O’Connor from Pilliga there and returning PM Pilliga to his office.
DISPUTE OVER LAND OWNERSHIP
Mr A.A. Coppleson objected to the post office being constructed near the Railway station because the site was on a portion of land acquired by him from Mr Houlahan, and the ownership of the land was disputed by J.M. MacDonald, his solicitor from Narrabri.
The Post Office was officially established at Burren Junction on 16th May, 1904, with E. Walsh, railway officer, appointed postmaster. (6). Cadden and Seccombe continued with their requests for a separate post and telegraph office; the revenue of £176 did not warrant the establishment of another office, and according to the Post Master General’s office, this would be considered when a “telegraphic communication has been established.” (9).
The Secretary also commented:
“The matter was referred to an Inspector, who reports on 6.4.05 that when telegraphic communication has been established the total estimated revenue will be about £276 per annum, and that in view of the curtailed Railway proposals and the intention at present to only extend the Railway branch to Cryan, it is probable that the business at Burren Junction will not progress sufficiently to warrant the establishment of a Staff Office until the whole of the Railway proposals have been completed. He considers that owing to there being a scarcity of suitable premises available at Burren Junction there would be probably a difficulty in establishing a Contract Office at that place and suggests, in view of this, and the present circumstances not warranting the creation of a Staff Office there, that the Railway Commissioners might, perhaps, be asked if they could arrange for the continuous attendance to Postal and Telegraphic duties in consideration of an allowance at the rate of £72 per annum, which is an increase of £50 on the amount at present paid. The Inspector adds that if, notwithstanding the foregoing, it be deemed desirable to establish a Contract Office, tenders might be invited from persons willing to conduct a Post & Telegraph, or a Post & Telephone Office and Money Order Office at Burren Junction at an annual remuneration at the rate of £140 per annum including provision of suitable premises, porterage of mails to and from the Railway Station and delivery of telegrams within a one mile radius of the Office…” (10).
On 26th June, 1905, the Railway Commissioners requested that an extra allowance of £80 per annum be allowed to employ an extra hand. They agreed to accept the telegraph business for half the total receipts, and the telegraph office was opened at the Railway station on 11th August, 1905, with an extra £7.16.0 per month being requested to offset the cost of hiring a junior porter to handle the increased duties. (11).
In view of the fact that plans were now in hand to conduct the Post Office business in premises removed from the Railway, the request was denied, but the following agreement was made.
“…the Railway Department be offered, in full quittance of any claim it may have against this Department for combined Postal and Telegraph work at Burren Junction between the 11th August, 1905 (when the Telegraph Office was opened) to the date (9th April, 1906) when the business was transferred to the contract Office, an allowance at the rate of £80 per annum, plus £20 per annum for Office accommodation. The payment is to be subject to a deduction of half the Telegraph…”
1906 DETAILS
“…that a special allowance at the rate of £26 per annum be granted the Contract PM at Burren Junction in consideration of the largely increased duties she has been called upon to perform since the commencement of the contract on 9th April, 1906, which duties it has been ascertained have been faithfully and satisfactorily carried out, the amount mentioned viz £26 per annum being the minimum rate at which the PM may, under the contract terms, employ additional assistance, and to have a currency of 6 months, provided funds are available, from the 1st May next, at the expiration of which period the matter to be reconsidered as to whether the special allowance should be continued for a further term.” (16).
The Postal Inspector agreed that the increased workload warranted an increase in allowance, and he recommended on 6th April, 1907.
POSTAL RETURNS – BURREN JUNCTION
Quarter ending 31st March, 1906
Money Orders issued – £330.11.8
Postal Notes issued – £127.12.3
Stamps issued – £141.0.0
Telegrams transmitted – 1165
Telegrams issued – 925
Quarter ending 31st December, 1906
Money Orders issued – £607.16.9
Postal Notes issued – £346.12.2
Stamps issued – £244.7.11
Telegrams transmitted – 1497
Telegrams issued – 1310
YEARLY ESTIMATE (1906)
Postal
Number of letters posted weekly – 528
Number of mails received and dispatched weekly – 16
Telegraph
Number of telegrams transmitted (12 months) – 5,028
Number of telegrams issued (12 months) – 4,378
Money Order
Number of money orders issued (12 months) – 597
Number of money orders paid (12 months) – 72
Number of postal notes paid – 265
Revenue (12 months):
Post Office – £337
Telegraph – £244
Money Order & Postal Note – £34
Total – £615
POSTMASTERS AND POSTMISTRESSES 1904–1988
Miss Emily Boake (non official)
F. Carey – 19.4.1906
T. O’Leary – 15.2.1910
P. A. Toy – 1.7.1911
W. V. O’Connor – 18.3.1920
J. M. Ferguson – 1.7.1924
J. M. Laughlin – 11.1.1937
J. T. Williamson – 12.12.1940
C. B. Watson – 28.3.1945
D. J. Isbester – 14.4.1949
W. McFadden – 21.2.1952
J. McFadden – 21.3.1954
J. S. Pardence – 12.5.1960
K. F. Piggott – 8.10.1964
T. A. McDonald – 4.7.1971
J. W. Sumpter – 15.7.1971
Mrs Jenny Chapman – 1.7.1983
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