■86 The Dumfries Post Office, 1642-1910. 



This cannot have been the opmion of the general public. 

 " On 2nd January, 1857, Provost Leighton brought before the 

 meeting the subject of the great necessity that at present exists 

 for a more convenient and comfortable Post Office, and on his 

 suggestion the following Committee was appointed: — [Provost 

 Leighton, Bailies Payne, Pagan, Watt, Dean Lawson, Messrs 

 Dunbar, M'Gowan, Herries, Sloan, and Corson — Three a 

 quorum — Provost Leighton convener] to take the whole subject 

 into consideration and to prepare and transmit to Government a 

 memorial praying for a Grant for the erection or purchase of suit- 

 able premises."**^ 



Plans of premises which the Council proposed to let to the 

 postal authorities for the new office were afterwards submitted, 

 but after correspondence in regard to the matter, the Provost 

 intimated at the Council meeting on 24th April, 1857 — " That as 

 ■directed at last Meeting he had communicated the resolution then 

 come to as to the New Post Office to the Post Office authorities, 

 and he produced an answer stating that they declined the premises 

 under the Council Chamber as ineligible, being deficient in space, 

 in height, and in general accommodation." 



Thus for a second time the efforts of the Town Council were 

 unavailing, and although the agitation for better accommodation 

 was continued at intervals, it was not until the year 1889 that the 

 inhabitants of the Burgh enjoyed the advantage of a newly 

 erected and specially equipped Post Office. 



Some idea of the work transacted at the Dumfries Office at 

 -the time of its transfer to the Queen Street premises may be 

 gathered from the following mail sheet''^ : — 



40. Dumfries Town Council Minutes. 



41. From Slater's Directory for 1852. 



