Bega Pioneers' Museum has countless files on people and places. One of these is the history of the Bega Post Office.
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IT IS more than 150 years since a post office was first established for the benefit of the few citizens who were at Bega in 1856.
Although records held by the post office do not reveal the name of the first postmaster, local sources claim John Jaggers was in charge when the office was opened on June 1, 1856.
According to postal records John Jaggers was appointed postmaster on February 1, 1858, with an annual allowance of £15.
Unfortunately the records did not include any personal information about Jaggers, who is said to have been a prominent citizen and a local newspaper correspondent.
On January 1, 1863, John Jaggers was succeeded by Robert W Sharpe, who continued in charge until January 1, 1870, when he was followed by Frederick Berne.
John Jaggers’ Sureties had been Henry Wren and John Dawson. Sharpe’s Sureties had been John D’Arcy, JP, and Frederick Berne, land agent, both of Bega.
Frederick Berne named as Sureties John Spence, a farmer and carrier of the Bega Tannery, and Charles Galli, contractor, Bega. Berne’s salary was £30 per annum.
During June, 1870, the post office was amalgamated with the telegraph office, as was the case in most country towns at the time.
John Jaggers was appointed postmaster on February 1, 1858, with an annual allowance of £15
The telegraph system reached Bega, and an office was opened on October 20, 1868. This was only 14 years after the telegraph system had been introduced into Australia. Bega’s Telegraph call sign was GB.
Money Order facilities were introduced when the telegraph office was opened.
In charge of telegraphs was Mr I Naylor, telegraph master. However he had no wish to carry on as postmaster and telegraph master when the offices were amalgamated and resigned.
He was replaced by Samuel Baker of West Maitland, who was appointed to the dual positions on June 1, 1870.
The early telegraph instrument used was an alphabetical type for which no special operating qualifications were necessary.
It was not until 1874, that the Morse system of telegraph was installed.
The rented premises were charged for at the rate of £24 per year, and were opposite the Court House.
The owners were John Gleeson of Bega, and previously Mr W Thompson.
The building was constructed entirely of wood and lined with calico covered by paper.
Owing to ill-health, Samuel Baker was forced to resign and on January 1, 1872, he was succeeded by Charles Harrison.