Retirement gift shows us a moment in time

How the Oamaru post and telegraph offices looked at the turn of the century. Photo: photograph P0027.51.12

A parting gift captured a moment in time at Oamaru’s post office, writes Elly Dunckley.

There are all sorts of traditions attached to retirement. At one time, someone might have received a gold watch, particularly after a long career in the public service. But there are any number of ways a workplace might show its esteem.

Mr William Whitwell Beswick began his career in the Post and Telegraph Department as a clerk in Timaru in 1867. He worked in several offices throughout New Zealand before coming to Oamaru in 1897. Mr Beswick was well regarded in the department and the Waitaki Archive holds the letter from the postmaster-general appointing him as the chief postmaster at Oamaru, in the Colony of New Zealand, from the first day of April, 1897.

Mr William Whitwell Beswick was chief postmaster at Oamaru 1897-1910. Photo: photograph P0027.51.3

It was reported in the North Otago Times on May 22, 1897, that "Mr Beswick has just short of 30 years in the postal and telegraphic service of the colony and was first on the list for promotion". He was chief postmaster for Oamaru for 13 years and retired on December 31, 1910.

At his retirement function earlier in that month, after 40-plus years’ service, Mr Beswick was presented with retirement gifts, one of which was a "book containing photographs of staff and offices".

The suite of magneto switchboards was on the ground floor in the south west corner of the post office. Photo: Waitaki Museum & Archive Te Whare Taoka o Waitaki photograph P 0027.51.17

The book opens to a beautifully handcrafted illuminated address, with the wording "Presented to W.W. Beswick Esq. Chief Postmaster, by combined staff of Oamaru Post, Telegraph & Telephone Exchange. On the eve of his retirement from the Service Dec. 31st 1910".

The "book" (or photograph album) presents an excellent pictorial snapshot of how the post and telegraph offices looked at the turn of the century; the interior of the building with its curved wooden counter and postal boxes, the magneto switchboard with many wires, the hub of activity that was the mail room and the operating room.

Sometime prior to 1910, the suite of magneto switchboards was installed, this new suite was located on the ground floor in the south west corner of the post office building. The operators were given "sanitary" headsets to use.