The Telegraph Office was opened on 6 April 1891.

A Post Office was opened at Arncliffe on 1 April 1884. After three reclassifications, a Telegraph Office was opened at Arncliffe on 25 November 1889. On 15 February 1890, a combined Post & Telegraph Office was opened.

No special date stamp was issued to Arncliffe for use with Telegraphs so the usual Postal date stamp was used.

At some stage an unusual design was commissioned for a Post Office date stamp which was used on at least one telegram.

The design (RC4) is very scarce with only one other Office using it (see Hobart and Date Stamp Classification).

Ashfield.

The Post Office was opened on 1 January 1856 and then, on 1 January 1875, the office was removed to the Railway Station. The Telegraph Office was opened on 6 May 1874 and the two offices merged to became the Post & Telegraph Office on 1 June 1880. On 22 January 1890, the combined office was removed from the Railway Station.

Personnel:

February 1877: Miss Frances Elizabeth Skarratt, an automatic perforator in Head Office was appointed as Junior Operator in Ashfield.

6 June 1879: The Gazette announced that Mr. G. H. McGarrity, messenger at Ashfield was to become an operator at Rookwood.

No special date stamp for use with telegraphs was used at Ashfield.

Two TELEGRAM slogan cancellations are recorded as having been used at Ashfield:

1. HAPPY THOUGHTS: CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR GREETINGS BY TELEGRAM;
2. TELEGRAMS: SPEEDY, RELIABLE, EFFECTIVE.

Balgowlah.

A Telephone Section was opened at Balgowlah on 24 May 1907 which also provided telegraphic services.

1. Used: 3 May 1979 (only recorded date).
   
   Size: 32 × 41 mm.
   
   Rated: RRR.
   
   Number in the Census: 1.

2. Used: 14 March 1981 to 27 April 1984.
   
   Size: 28 × 43 mm.
   
   Rated: RRR.
   
   Number in the Census: 1.

Balmain.

The Post & Telegraph Office opened on 11 August 1873.

Some idea of its location is provided from a report of 11 June 1881 in the Australian Town & Country Journal: "A third sheet of water (on the Parramatta River around Balmain), called Rosella Bay, likewise requires attention. The Premier (Sir Henry Parkes) promised a deputation from Balmain to consider the propriety of purchasing a plot of ground on the highest part and most central portion of the municipality for a recreation ground. The Pigeon Ground, as it is called, is certainly a most desirable location for that purpose, and at the same time a part of it could be available for a post and telegraph office, and a police court and station house. For although the electorate of Balmain has a population of nearly 17,000 inhabitants, the post office, telegraph office, money orders and savings banks are all carried on in a rented house in a room about 12ft square, which is used for all purposes and that in a back street with no thoroughfare! Only that they are next-door to the only pawnshop in Balmain, the Government "offices" would be scarcely known".

Personnel:

February 1877: Mr. Stanten Crouch, a Junior Operator at Balmain, was transferred to Head Office as a Junior Operator.

Miss Mary Jane Davies, an automatic perforator in Head Office was transferred to Balmain as a Junior Operator to replace Mr. Crouch.

Early usage:

The earliest recorded use of a telegram at Balmain is a transmission form for a message sent from Balmain to Cullen's Railway at Moss Vale on 9 January 1877 (NC-TO-3).

Bankstown.

A Telephone office, which enabled telegraph business to be conducted, was opened at the Post Office on 20 August 1892.

Used: 18 January 1982.

Diameter: 36 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Bexley.

A Telephone office, which enabled telegraph business to be conducted, was opened at the Post Office on 23 June 1911.

Used: 9 October 1953.

Diameter: 31 mm.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

The Telegraph Office opened on 2 April 1890. The Post Office had opened on 1 October 1893 and the two offices were amalgamated on 1 August 1896.

Usual date stamp also used for postal items.

A Telegraph Office was opened at Bondi Beach through a change of name from the Post & Telegraph Office at Bondi North on 12 October 1922.

No special date stamp was made available for Telegraph usage to this office.

See the story about the Pacific Cable leaving from Bondi.

Botany.

The Telegraph Office at Botany opened on 6 April 1881.

Personnel:

April 1883: Miss A. O'Halloran, Operator at Paddington, was promoted to Station Mistress at Botany. She replaced Mr. Frank Healy who was transferred to be Junior Operator at Paddington.

Brookvale.

A Post & Telegraph Office opened at Brookvale on 1 August 1899 with Annie Bloomfield in charge.

Used: 9 July 1951.

Diameter: 31 mm.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

The Telegraph Office opened on 6 May 1874 sometime after the Post Office on 1 October 1861.

The two offices were merged on 1 July1875.

Personnel:

March 1890: Mr Claude McCullough Ireland was promoted from Telegraph Operator at Burwood to Postal Assistant and Telegraph Operator at Coonamble.

Mr. Preston Argall, a Junior Operator at Homebush was promoted to be Telegraph Operator and Postal Assistant at Burwood to replace Mr. Ireland.

Used: 1944 and 1967 (Hopson & Tobin).

Size:

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 2.

Camperdown.

A Post and Telegraph Office was opened at Camperdown on 1 November 1882. A Post Office had been opened on 1 April 1853.

Early usage:

The earliest indication of the operation of the Camperdown Telegraph Office is a telegram delivery form (NC-EO-7Bd) used for a message transmitted from Camperdown to Windsor on 4 August 1884.

The Telegraph Office opened on 27 May 1897. A telephone service enabling telegraphic communication also had previously opened at the Railway Station on 17 July 1893.

The Post Office had had a checkered history before that time.

Used in violet: 30 May 1986.

Size: 31 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number on the Census: 1.

Diameter: 25 mm.

Number of dies recorded: 1;

Earliest date recorded:
20 January 1941.

Latest date recorded:
7 May 1941.

Number in the Census: 3.

Chester Hill.

The Post & Telegraph Office opened on 2 July 1934.

Used in red: 17 October 1984.

Size: 38 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Cremorne.

Opened on 1 October 1923 when Watersleigh changed name. Closed on 9 August 1971 when replaced by Neutral Bay Junction.

The Office was not issued with a special date stamp for use with telegraph work.

Instead the usual postal date stamp was used. Only a rubber date stamp is known on telegrams and this type is unrecorded in Hopson & Tobin.

RC1-PO (DD/MM/YYYY).

Used (on a telegram) in violet: 25 March 1964.

Size: 31 mm.

Rated (used on a telegram): RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Cronulla.

An Official Post Office named Cronulla opened when a previous office Cronulla Beach was renamed in the first quarter on 1930. It had opened on 1 January 1891 with a Telephone Office offering telegraphic services being included on 21 February 1907.

Used in violet: 6 August 1969.

Size: 31 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Crows Nest.

A Post & Telegraph Office with a Money Order Office opened on 21 February 1898.

A rubber circular TELEGRAPHS date stamp (RC1 - T) was issued to the office:

Used in violet: 9 January 1957 to 9 October 1957.

Size: 31 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 2.

9 January 1957.

Used on an OTC International delivery form IAO-DO-2.

9 October 1957.

Used on AA-DO-13A with an International Telegram label
(AA-LI-6C).

A Post and Telegraph Office was opened at Dee Why on 26 April 1915.

Offices were also opened as follows:

• Telegraph Office at Dee Why Beach on 2 August 1926. It was upgraded to a Post Office on 4 December 1945 but closed on 13 July 1979.
• Dee Why Depot as a Postman's Depot on 14 June 1943 and it closed on 11 December 1943.
• Post & Telegraph Office and Money Order Office at Dee Why North on 1 October 1959. It closed on 29 March 1993.

Double Bay.

Double Bay was late being connected into the telegraph/telephone circuits. An automatic telephone exchange was opened there on 29 April 1933 but it was later transferred to Edgecliff on 17 April 1983. A Post and Telegraph Office was opened two days later on 1 May 1933.

No special date stamp was issued for use with Telegrams at Double Bay.

Instead the usual postal date stamp was used.

Although not directly related to telegraphs, the following story is interesting:

"A series of experiments has lately been made", we learn from the Sydney Echo, "by Mr. E. C. Cracknell, the Superintendent of Telegraphs, with the electric light at Edgecliff Road. Two very powerful lights have been used and the brilliancy of the illumination was astonishing. One effect of the electric light is that its illumining power is greater at a distance of 500 yards than in the close vicinity of the camp. On the evenings the experiments have taken place, the portions of Woolahra and Double Bay on which the light was turned were almost as well lighted up as if the sun were shining."

The Telegraph Office opened on 2 January 1890.

Drummoyne Post and Telegraph Office about 1900.
The words Post and Telegraph Office can be seen on the window to the left of the two girls.
Original photo by Broadhurst Photo.

Edgecliff.

The Telegraph Office was opened on 6 August 1877.

Used: 21 September 1959.

Diameter: 30 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

The usual Post Office date stamp was also used on telegrams and delivery envelopes.

Used: 9 January 1937.

Diameter: 29 mm.

Rated (used on a telegram): RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

9 January 1937.
Used on AB-DO-8F.

The date stamp on the accompanying delivery envelope has only one arc centered on the middle of the E and has a time slug. This format was used on telegrams two days later.

4 December 1944.

Also used on telegrams.

Ermington.

A Post Office was opened on 1 January 1881 but changed name to Melrose Park on 23 July 1956.

A new Official Post Office was then opened as Ermington at a different location on 3 September 1956. That office apparently also handled telegrams.

Used: 30 June 1988.

Size: 26 × 38 mm (e = 0.73).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Five Dock.

The Telegraph Office was opened on 6 August 1877.

Used: 22 October 1913.

Diameter: 23 mm

Rated (Used on a telegram): RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Garden Island.

An office providing telegraph & telephone services was opened on 13 May 1940.

Used in violet: 3 May 1919.

Size:

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

The Telegraph Office opened at the Gladesville Asylum on
17 May 1876. This was closed and reopened at the Post Office on
19 March 1888 but as an office separate from the Post Office (which had opened on 1 January 1861). The Post and Telegraph offices merged on 1 August 1896.

No special date stamp was issued for telegraph use.

The Telegraph Office opened on 18 August 1877.

"Mr. C. T. Burfitt having brought under the notice of the Postal Department the want of better accommodation for the public at the Glebe Post and Telegraph Office is now in receipt of a letter stating that the Postmaster-General has approved of additional space being provided" (Sydney Morning Herald 12 June 1900).

Granville.

A Post & Telegraph Office was opened at Granville on 16 August 1880 when the name of the previous Parramatta Junction was changed.

The Telegraph Office was opened on 13 December 1877. It was converted to a Post & Telegraph Office on 1 January 1878.

Homebush was :

1. the location of one of the important horse racing tracks in Sydney in the 1870s. The Parramatta Races were held there.
   
   
2. close to the major cattle auction yards.

Personnel:

Mr. Preston Argall, a Junior Operator at Homebush was promoted to be Telegraph Operator and Postal Assistant at Burwood.

Used in red: 12 February 1940.

Diameter: 31 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Diameter: 28 mm.

"We have at last the absolute confession of the Telegraph Department that electricity in their hands is unable to compete with the railway and omnibus. We send, as the public are aware, a special reporter on Mondays and Thursdays to the Homebush sheep and cattle sales in order that our readers may know the prices of the day.

Now, it invariably happens that the gentleman who is entrusted with this duty deposits his last copy in the Homebush Telegraph Office, goes to his luncheon, returns here by train and tram, and then has to wait about ten minutes before the telegram arrives. As his last telegram is only a few words, this is very provoking, and of course exceedingly detrimental to our business.

The natural remedy would be to forswear the use of the telegraph and send the copy off at once from Homebush by a smart boy on a bicycle, and this we shall do in future. But we naturally submitted the matter to the Department and, after many complaints and much correspondence, we are now gravely informed that "there is no avoidable delay." The department accepts its defeat and is content to be outstripped by the tardy tramcar and slow-moving train. Electricity as managed by our officials is simply nowhere".

A Post Office was opened at the Homebush Bay Abattoirs on 19 April 1915 and it seems that it changed status to a Telegraph Office on 21 June 1915.

This Office was closed on 31 December 1932.

The postal date stamp was used throughout.

Used: 22 May 1931 (in the TO period).

Diameter: 27 mm.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Hornsby.

The Post & Telegraph Office opened at Hornsby on 1 May 1900 when the office was renamed from Hornsby Junction.

A circular TELEGRAPH SECTION date stamp (RC1-TS) was issued to the Office.

Used in red: 22 May 1978.

Diameter: 31 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

22 May 1978.
Only recorded example.

Hunters Hill.

26 February 1875: a deputation met with the Postmaster-General to request an extension of the telegraph line to Hunters Hill. The Postmaster-General agreed to the request subject to certain conditions. He did not however accept that he should employ persons from the Gladesville Asylum who were willing to act as operators free of charge. He considered that it would be inappropriate to trust the honorary services of the amateur operators of the Lunatic Asylum and that an officer responsible to the department for the performance of his duties would have to be appointed.

March 1875: The telegraph line was to be extended to Hunter's Hill on a guarantee being given for the stationmaster's salary and five per cent interest on the cost of the extension.

9 July 1875: The Evening News reported that "Hunter's Hill, on the Parramatta River, is to be placed in telegraphic communication with Sydney shortly". On the same date, the Sydney Morning Herald reported "We understand that the Government intend shortly commencing the erection of telegraph line to Hunter's Hill, and this place will therefore shortly be placed in telegraphic comminication with the metropolis".

17 July 1875: the Legislative Assembly referred a number of estimates for the extension of electric telegraphs to the Committee of Supply including a line from St. Leonards to Hunter's Hill aand Gladesville (£340). This action was clearly to fulfil a decision whch had been taken previously (perhaps in March).

May 1876: The Sydney Morning Herald of 17 May 1876 updated its readers with the news that the Gladesville telegraph office was opened at Hunter's Hill yesterday, and the Gladesville Asylum was also placed in circuit on the same line. The connection was probably made to a temporary location (possibly the Court House of a store) as the Telegraph Office does not appear to have been opened until July.

Personnel:

July 1976: Miss Lilla Twentyman was appointed as a Junior Operator.

Early usage.

The earliest evidence of the operation of the Humter's Hill Telegraph Office is an OHMS administrative envelope sent to Sydney from the P.M. (Postmaster) of the Post & Telegraph Station at Hunter's Hill on 1 April 1887.

The heading is ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT.

Seal above the pointed flap on the reverse side.

The Post & Telegraph Office opened on 1 December 1889 with a change of name from Hurstville Railway Station. The office at the railway station had only opened on 17 September 1889.

Hurstville Post & Telegraph Office about 1910.

1. A steel circular TELEGRAPHS date stamp.
   Has N.S.W - AUST at the base.

Used 7 January 1956.

Diameter: 30 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
Not recorded elsewhere.

Used on AB-GSF-54A.

Kogarah.

Mr. John Wheeler, M.L. A., has been informed by the Postal Department that tenders will be called for within the next few days for the erection of the new Post and Telegraph office at Kogarah.

A Telegraph Office was opened at the Post Office in 1875. These offices changed name to Gordon on 1 June 1879.

A second Post & Telegraph office was opened at Lane Cove on 21 June 1920. A special Telegraph Office was opened on 13 November 1940.

Used in violet: 11 August 1971.

Diameter: 32 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Leichardt.

A Telegraph Office was opened on 1 January 1883.

Tenders were called for the lease of suitable premises for a Post & Telegraph Office in October 1885.

On 15 January 1900, the Sydney Morning Herald announced that "The new (Leichardt) Post and Telegraph offices, situated on the Parramatta Road, have been completed and are to be open to-day. Inquiries were made by the member for the district (Mr. J. S. Hawthorne) relative to the delay in the opening of the offices, and he has been informed that it was the result of some error.

Mrs. Young, a lady of considerable experience, has been appointed to take charge over the office".

Manly used to be promoted by the slogan:

10 miles from Sydney, 1000 miles from care!

The popularity of Manly was strong even when telegraphic communication began in N.S.W. - see the Sydney Morning Herald of 27 January 1858.

In July 1875, £600 had been included in the Estimates to construct a telegraph line from St. Leonards to Manly Beach (route unknown).

The Post & Telegraph Office opened on 1 March 1876 at a location not now known. The Sydney Mail of 4 March 1876 reported that "A banquet had been held Braun's Pier Hotel, Manly to celebrate the extension of telegraphic communication to Manly Beach".

The Gazette of 25 November 1891 indicated that Mr. A. Mercer and Son had been awarded the tender to erect the Post and Telegraph Office at Manly (Beach).

See also the 1918 Mirror report on urgent telegrams.

In an aside, the SMH noted on 10 February 1883 that the telegraph line from North Head via Manly to Watson's Bay had been repaired as had a cable between North Head and Watson's Bay and both were in working order.

1. Personnel:

June 1881: Mr. C. Monkhouse, messenger at the Head Office, was transferred to Manly as a Junior Operator to replace Mr. Farquharson.

2. Early usage:

Forms sent from or to Manly are very scarce for reasons unknown. The earliest form recorded to provide evidence of the transmissions to and from that office is a delivery form (NI-DO-1) used at Windsor on 25 February 1905 for a message transmitted from Manly.

3. Date stamps:

A circular rubber TELEGRAPHS date stamp (RRH1 - T) was issued to Manly in two formats for use with Telegrams:

1. Diameter: 32 mm.
   
   Used: 12 March 1951.
   
   Rated: RRR.
   
   Number in the Census: 1.

12 March (1951).

Manly Telegraphs violet date stamp (without year).

Three backstamps - Manly, Melbourne and Hobart - with two showing 1951.
Provenance: Freeman, Johnstone.

2. Diameter: 31 mm.
   
   Used: 27 April 1984.
   
   Rated: RRR.
   
   Number in the Census: 1.

No stars near the circumference and has the postcode.

Only one slogan postmark advertising Telegrams is recorded as being used at Manly -
SEND A TELEGRAM.

24 December 1937.
SEND A TELEGRAM Advertising Postmark.

The Post & Telegraph Office was opened on 1 August 1882.

Mortdale.

A Post Office was opened on 15 November 1889. This office was moved to the Railway Station and opened as a combined Post and Telegraph Office on 14 September 1903. It was removed from the Railway Station on 17 August 1906.

Diameter: 32 mm.

Used: 23 May 1973 and 18 July 1975.

Rated: RR.

Number in the Census: 2.

The Telegraph Office opened at Mossmans Bay on 25 November 1889 soon after the opening of the Post Office on 1 July 1886. On 15 April 1890, the two offices merged.

On 1 August 1893, the combined Post & Telegraph Office changed name to Mosman.

No special date stamp for use with telegrams was issued to Mosman. The usual Post Office date stamps were used.

Two examples of the basic format used on telegrams are shown at the right. Both have the order day-month-year.

RC1 - Double side arcs.
Diameter: 29 mm.

Used on AB-DU-7.

RC1 - PO.
Diameter: 30 mm.

Used on AA-DO-13B.

The Telegraph Office opened on 1 September 1873.

In the Supplementary Estimates for 1879, £3,000 was allocated for the erection or purchase of a Post & Telegraph Office at Newtown.

Size: 41 × 23 mm.

Used from 31 October 1945 to .

Rated: RRR.

A Post & Telegraph Office was opened after a change of name from St Leonards on 1 November 1890.

No special date stamp was issued to the Office for use with Telegraphs.

Two slogan postmarks advertising Telegrams are recorded as being used at North Sydney -

1. SEND A TELEGRAM;
2. HAPPY THOUGHTS: ...

Paddington.

A Post and Telegraph Office was opened at Paddington on 1 September 1873. A Post Office had been opened on 1 July 1851.

Personnel:

September 1873: Mr. W. H. Hunt was the first Post and Telegraph Master.

September 1877: Miss Beatrice Mary Rice was Gazetted to be Telegraph Operator at Paddington. She had previously been a probationer there.

April 1883: Miss A. O'Halloran, Operator at Paddington, was promoted to Station Mistress at Botany.

Early usage:

The earliest indication of the operation of the Paddington Telegraph Office is a delivery form (NC-DO-10Bb) used for a message from Ultimo to Paddington (Barracks) on 16 July 1901.

The Post Office at Petersham was established when the previous name of Norwood was changed on 1 July 1872.

A Telegraph Office was established on 6 May 1874. The merger of the two branches to form a Post & Telegraph Office was effected on 9 October 1893.

Personnel:

February 1885: Mr. Robert Moore was promoted fro m Messenger at Petersham to Telegraph Operator to replace Mr. Hewitt.

Pyrmont.

A Telegraph Office was opened at Pyrmont on 22 September 1882. On 27 November 1882, it was merged with the Post Office together with a Money Order Office and a Commonwealth Bank Savings Branch.

A previous Post Office had opened as Pyrmont on 1 April 1853. It changed name to Harris Street on 27 November 1882.

The telegraphic connection with the Quarantine Station at North Head was established in January 1877. It was used for isolating passengers on migrant ships who were suspected on having contagious disease from the 1830s.

Cover sent from the Sydney Quarantine Station in January 1930 (no day indicated).
Phoenix Auction January 2023.

The three corners have been cut off to enable the inside of the cover to be fumigated.

Randwick.

The Telegraph Office opened on 29 January 1877.

"As the result of the visit of the Postmaster-General to Randwick last week, the department are about to call for tenders for the site for a Post and Telegraph Office in that suburb, to be sufficiently central for the whole district. This site is to be within the locality bounded by Avoca Street, Allison Street and Belmore Road. The building in which the business is at present carried on is leased".

Personnel:

January 1877: Miss Elizabeth Ann Douglass, who had been an automatic perforator in the head office, was promoted to be the Telegraph Station Mistress at Randwick.

A Telegraph Office was opened on the course in 1870. It was closed on 18 January 1938 and reopened on 15 October 1938. There is no record of when it closed.

It is unlikely that a special date stamps was issued to the Office.

See elsewhere for more racing information.

Redfern.

The Telegraph Office opened to the public on 19 July 1875.

Tenders had been called for the construction of a new Post & Telegraph Office in September 1871.

The Foundation Stone for yet another new Post & Telegraph building - on the corner of George and Redfern Streets - was laid at a special ceremony on 17 December 1881. In September 1881, tenders were called for the erection of a Post and Telegraph Office at that site - closing 20 September. The tender from Messrs. Goddard and Pittman for the construction was accepted in November. The joint Offices opened for business on 1 February 1883. A turret clock costing £250 was installed in 1890.

There was not much to report about the events related to the Redfern Telegraph Office until the Kalgoorlie Miner of 13 January 1950 reported the following news-worthy incident:

"DID NOT WAIT FOR A REPLY.
TELEGRAM GIRL'S STORY OF NAKED MAN
Sydney, Jan. 10.

A former P.M.G. telegram girl told the Redfern Court today that, although she was delivering a reply-paid telegram, she did not wait for the answer when a naked man answered the door of an East Sydney house to her.

Another girl messenger also told the court that when she went to the address to deliver a telegram, a naked man opened the door about six inches.

Norman Arthur Morris (42), carpenter and ex-policeman, of William Street, East Sydney, was before the court to-day on a charge of indecent exposure. The police said that, when they interviewed Morris, he admitted that he was naked when he took delivery of a telegram. Morris was committed for trial".

Date stamps.

No special date stamp for use with telegraphic work at Redfern is recorded.

One slogan postmark advertising Telegrams is recorded as being used at Redfern -
HAPPY THOUGHTS! CHRISTMAS ....

Slogan is part of a PAID datestamp used on 15 September 1969.

The earliest indication of the operation of the Redfern Telegraph Office is delivery form NC-DO-7Aa used on 15 February 1879.

Telegraph delivery form NC-DO-7Aa recording a message sent from Redfern to Windsor oon 15 September 1879.

Richmond.

The Telegraph Office opened at Richmond on 1 January 1870.

The earliest indication of the operation of the Richmond Telegraph Office is delivery form NC-DO-7Aa used on 17 May 1879.

Riverwood.

An Official Post Office was opened at Riverwood on 1 February 1958 when there was a change of name from Herne Bay.

Used: 19 February (19)85.

Size:

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Rockdale.

The Telegraph Office opened on 25 November 1889. This Office was amalgamated with the Post Office on 11 February 1890.

Personnel:

October 1889: Mr. P. J. J. Sewell was transferred to Rockdale to be Post and Telegraph Master from his position of junior operator and postal assistant at Pyrmont.

1. TELEGRAPH OFFICE.
   
   RC3 - TO
   
   Used in violet: 5 August 1944 - 10 October 1948.

Diameter: 30 mm.

Rated: R.

Number in the Census: 15+.

 

RC3 - TO

Used in red: 6 May 1944.

Diameter: 30 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

6 May 1944.
Used on AW-DU-10Ba.

2. TELEGRAPH OFFICE at the top in 2.5 mm high letters.
   
   
   RC1 - TO.

Used: 3 July 1948 and 13 December 1958.

Diameter: 30 mm.

Rated: RR.

Number in the Census: 7.

13 July 1948.
Used on AW-DO-10A (46).

13 December 1958.
Used on AA-DO-13B.

3. TELEGRAPH OFFICE in 3 mm high letters.
   
   RC1 - TO.

Used in violet: 17 October 1952 and 20 March 1957.

Diameter: 30 mm.

Rated: R.

Number in the Census: 10.

17 October 1952.
Used on AW-DO-10BB (50).

20 March 1957.
Used on AW-DO-13B.

The Telegraph Office opened on 1 February 1878. The Post Office had opened about 1846 when the Kissing Point Post Office (opened 1 October 1841) changed its name to Ryde.

The Post and Telegraph Offices merged on 1 July 1895.

Ryde Post & Telegraph Office about 1915.

A rubber circular TELEGRAPHS date stamp (RC1 - T) was issued to the Office:

Used in violet: 11 February 1982.

Diameter: 31 mm.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

11 February 1982.

St. Leonards.

Newspapers carried the following announcement:

A BRANCH Post and Telegraph Office for the transaction of Postal, Money Order, Government Savings Bank and Telegraph business, was established on the 25th January instant, at ST. LEONARDS.

This office will be opened to the public daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and also on Saturday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the receipt of Government Savings Bank deposits.

St. Marys (South Creek).

A Telegraph Office was opened about 1 January 1876 as South Ceek. It was upgraded to a Post and Telegraph Station on 13 January 1876.

Personnel:

January 1876: Ms Ellen Pegus was appointed the first Post and Telegraph Office Station Mistress.

January 1883: Mrs. Mary Russell was appointed Station Master to replace Mrs. E. A. H. Cross.

The Sydney Morning Herald of 13 December 1889 reported that "A meeting of the residents of Ultimo was held at the Wentworth Park Hotel last night for the purpose of urging upon the Postmaster General the necessity of establishing a Post and Telegraph Office at Ultimo. The CHAIRMAN, in opening the meeting said that the old Post Office at Ultimo had been closed and he had been told that it was going to be removed to Pyrmont ... Ten years ago the Post Office at Ultimo had been established but, in spite of the increased population, it had the other day been removed. During 1888 over 23,000 letters had been sent through the Post Office together with 40,000 newspapers. Pyrmont had two Post Offices and one Telegraph Office and he (the speaker) saw no reason why they should not have a Post and Telegraph Office at Ultimo".

A Telegraph Office opened on (Monday) 6 January 1890. The Sydney Morning Herald of (Friday) 3 January reported this event as "NEW postal, telegraphic and money order offices were opened to the public for the first time yesterday at (Harris Street) Ultimo, at Sussex Street and at Drummoyne. These branch offices will convenience a large population, as they assist the efficiency of the postal service of the city and its environs". Probably the connections were made on 1st or 2nd while a temporary Office was opened to the public from 6th. Whatever - such a quick connection after the public meeting. It is however certain that the building below was not built over the weekend. So ...

Ultimo Post and Telegraph Office about 1910.

Then began the long drawn-out process:

In September 1892, the Gazette advertised for "TENDERS will be received at this Office up to 11 a.m. on Monday, the 17th October next, from persons willing to sell to this Department a piece of land at Ultimo, with a frontage of about 40 feet, in the vicinity of the present Office, and suitable as a site for a Post and Telegraph Office".

In April, 1893 the Gazette advertised that:

"TENDERS will be received at this Office up to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, the 7th June next, from persons willing to let, from the 1st October next, premises in Harris Street, Ultimo, at or near its junction with Macarthur Street, for use as a Post and Telegraph Office.

The accommodation required is an office of not less than 350 square feet, together with four rooms, kitchen, usual out-offices and water supply.

Tenders must state the annual rental required, including rates and taxes. The successful Tenderer will be required to execute a lease in accordance with the form, which can be seen at the General Post Office, Sydney. The Postmaster General does not bind himself to accept the lowest or any Tender. Tenders must be addressed to the Deputy Postmaster General, Sydney, and endorsed " Tender for Post and Telegraph Office, Ultimo".

The Evening News of 4 January 1900 reported "Sir Matthew Harris, M.LA. has received a communication from Mr. S. H. Lambton, Deputy P.M.G., informing him that the Postmaster General has approved a recommendation that a Post and Telegraph Office be erected on the corner of Harris and William Henry Streets, Ultimo and the Department of Public Works has been requested to resume the land necessary".

Notifications to resume the land for the Post and Telegraph Office appeared in the Government Gazette in May 1900.

Tenders to erect a Post and Telegraph Office at Ultimo were opened on 19 February 1901, Of the eight tenders submitted, that from Mr. G. W. Brewer was the lowest at £753.

Coincidently, the major Ultimo Power House was being constructed at about the same time.

Early usage:

The earliest indication of the operation of the Ultimo Telegraph Office is a delivery form (NC-DO-10Bb) used for a message from Ultimo to Paddington (Barracks) on 16 July 1901.

Waverley.

A Post Office was opened on 1 January 1858.
The Telegraph Office opened on 8 July 1876 before combining with the Post Office on 3 July 1878.

There was a change of name to Bondi Junction on 11 September 1939.

On 12 August 1940, the Charing Cross Office was renamed Waverley.

Personnel:

July 1876: Miss Lizzie Isaac was appointed as Junior Operator at Waverley.

The Office was issued with a rubber circular TELEGRAPHS date stamp (RC1-T):

Use: 15 September 1949.

Diameter: 30 mm.

Rated: RR.

Number in the Census: 4.

15 September 1949.
Used on AW-DO-10BBb (48).

Woollhara.

A Post and Telegraph Office was opened at Woollhara on 19 July 1884. A Post Office had been opened on 1 February 1872.

No special date stamps for use with telegraphic work were issued to Woollhara. Instead the postal date stamp was used with telegraphic work.

Used: 21 September 1931.

Size: 29 mm.

Rated (used on a telegram): RR.

Number in the Census: 1