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Rotorua Tourist Centre (10)
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![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 150 W: 5 N: 210]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (1632) | Rotoruas Old Post Office
The Old Post Office was opened in 1914 to replace the original 1880's building. It is sited on the southwest corner of Arawa and Fenton Streets and incorporates a memorial town clock erected in honour of Premier Richard Seddon who died in 1906. It was decided to ask the Government to incorporate the clock tower in the plans for the Post Office and this was agreed to. The clock arrived in Rotorua in 1907 from Shropshire but was not installed until 1914 when a Mr J Shiels,, installed it. Mr Shiels maintained the clock for 14 years; some records of its regular maintenance still exist. The clock still functions but its bells have been turned off. The Old Post Office was built by Snell Brothers of Hamilton and consisted of two floors and a tower with a rough cast cement plaster exterior with decorative timbering. In 1971 the Post Office was forced, because of the growth of its services and functions, to move into a larger purpose designed building in Hinemoa Street. Council purchased the building in 1990. After a public consultation programme, which attracted many submissions and comments, construction started in 1992 on a project to link the Old Post Office and the former Government Tourist Bureau (another Council acquisition from 1991) with a building complementary to both earlier structures. The Tourism Information Centre opened mid-1993 and has become an attraction in its own right. |
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