Great Works Re-visited 53.

© DON DONOVAN
donovan@ihug.co.nz
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New Zealand Odyssey: Post Office, Mornington, Dunedin

'New Zealand Odyssey', published in 1989 by Heinemann, was authored by me, Don Donovan (who did the text and illustrations) and Euan Sarginson, who did the photography and design. In this series of blog posts, I will publish some of my drawings.

The building that I drew in 1988 is still there but it's no longer a post office. They hide post offices (which they now call 'shops') in grotty little buildings in shopping malls these days and the wonderful old tradition of fine, dignified buildings designed to reassure the public has now been killed. It's a sign of the times: email murdered snail mail!

I must have been feeling jolly when I did this illustration because it's all loose and wriggly. Happy days!

 DON DONOVAN
donovn@ihug.co.nz
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New Zealand Odyssey: Wakefield Post Office

'New Zealand Odyssey', published in 1989 by Heinemann, was authored by me, Don Donovan (who did the text and illustrations) and Euan Sarginson, who did the photography and design. In this series of blog posts, I will publish some of my drawings.

Wakefield is a small village south of Nelson; small, yes, but proud enough to have built this heroic post office in 1909, and what a fine building it is. I did this drawing in 1988, seventy-nine years later, when the officers at New Zealand Post were still in the habit of raising the flag each morning to signify that they were in business.

Alas, as with most New Zealand Post Offices it not only shut down but even those left don't fly the flag these days; more's the pity. The building is still there but I have no idea what it is used for.

© DON DONOVAN
donovan@ihug.co.nz
.

New Zealand Odyssey: Havelock Post Office (1988)

'New Zealand Odyssey', published in 1989 by Heinemann, was authored by me, Don Donovan (who did the text and illustrations) and Euan Sarginson, who did the photography and design. In this series of blog posts, I will publish some of my drawings.

In 1988 this was the post office in Havelock, a charming little village at the southern end of Pelorus Sound. It was a rather grand post office and it was said that the plans for it had been mixed up with those for a church. Apocryphal? Must be, but it makes a good story.

In those days, when New Zealand Post still had some pride, they came out every day at opening time to hoist the flag which then flew until closing time. I haven't been to Havelock lately but I'm sure the building still exists - perhaps it's a restaurant? Or museum? Or library? I doubt if they still sell stamps.

Oh, and that telephone box is historic, too.

© DON DONOVAN

donovan@ihug.co.nz

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