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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IN 1878 the Bega postmaster had been summoned by the police for allowing dirty water from his place to stagnate in Carp Street. Prior to the water incident, a largely signed petition was submitted by residents, asking that the salary of the postmaster (still £190 per annum) be increased. It would seem that he was a popular official and citizen.
Business was increasing rapidly, and four years after the new building was occupied, steps were taken to have additions made to it. The main office was only 17’ x 14’ with a 14’ x 7’ lobby.
Whilst the office was being remodelled at a cost of £1200, business was transacted in premises opposite the post office, rented from Magnus Peden. For the postmaster’s use, a cottage was also rented from P Quain but was sold during the tenancy to Henry Schubeck. John Malcolm, a Bega builder, was entrusted with the remodelling.
The temporary premises were occupied from April 27, 1883, until September 256, 1884.
By 1884, postal business had increased to such an extent that a staff consisting of postmaster Harrison, assistants Lees and Harris and postman Prescott, was required.
During 1884, a gas company had established its work at Bega and in the following year, the Municipal Council assumed control of the gas supply for the town. However, the post office was not connected to the supply until 1886, total cost of connection and fittings being £25.
By 1893, the staff had increased to seven: one postmaster; two assistants; one operator; one messenger; one line repairer; and one postman. The latter two each used horses and received a forage allowance. Each provided his own horse, saddle and bridle, and received two shillings per day to feed the horse and to provide for its replacement in due course.
Postmaster Harrison retired in 1893, after 21 years service as postmaster at Bega, during which time he had seen the town grow from a small village to a town of some size.
On May 12, 1893, J W McCutcheon succeeded Harrison who in turn was succeeded by M S Dargin on February 9, 1907.
No doubt telephones were in use in the district before the opening of the telephone exchange in 1906.
On June 8, 1893, the Bega line repairer reported that the telephone line between Pambula and Pipeclay Creek had been completed.
On September 20, 1906, residents of Bega and district sent a petition to the Postmaster-General, asking for the establishment of telephonic communication at the town.