The Arno Bay Post & Telegraph Office is not recorded in official or unofficial lists of Post & Telegraph Offices. There are references to the Office in various articles but for some reason, these are ignored. A photo of the Post & Telegraph Office is included elsewhere.
An interesting story and the details below show the complexity of being recognised:
On 30 June 1885, the Yorke's Peninsular Advertiser reported a correspondent commenting on life at that time:
"So far we are having a splendid season. There has been six good rainfalls already, with such mild weather that the grass in many places is in flower ... It goes without, saying that all the stock are fat. The plague of cockatoos was not so bad this year as last or else they found some of my neighbours places more to their liking. I have not been troubled with mice either. They were bad enough last year, in all conscience ... We have now telegraphic communication with the world and threat of a summons from town for trifle and, not wishing to pay £4 mileage from Pt. Lincoln, I rode to the station at Franklin Harbour (Ed: that would have been FH # 2) to telegraph notification, of course I had to start early and had no breakfast till I got my dinner at the comfortable Hotel at the Harbour".
Editor: Presumably the reference to having communication with the world is based on the availability of telegraphic communications from nearby - perhaps Franklin Harbour (2) - now (say) Cowell.
In 1906, the residents were expressing their opinion that they badly needed communication through telegraph or telephone with either Port Lincoln or Cowell.
The Chronicle of 4 December 1909 (p.13) reported on a story with dateline 26 November:
"A petition from residents of the township ( the second) was sent to the Deputy Postmaster General last week requesting the removal of the Post and Telegraph Office from its present position to the town and in reply a letter has been received from Mr. Waddy stating that his officer reported that the office had been removed to more convenient premises at considerable expense to the department and the acting Postmaster (Mr. Leonard). As no removal has taken place up to the present, the petitioners cannot understand the above statement and a public meeting is to be held to deal further with the matter".
A following meeting at Bligh, Arno Bay on 12 December 1909, according to the West Coast Recorder, met
"to consider the advisability of having a post and telegraph office at the township. Mr. T. A. McEwen was elected chairman and there was a good attendance. The chairman explained the steps that had been taken to secure the above object, and stated that the views of the residents had been placed before the State authorities and that an unfavorable reply had been received. In reply to Mr. R. Leonard, the chairman stated it was intended to remove the post office to Mr. Smallacombe's premises. It was resolved on the motion of Mr. Burford, seconded by Mr. Anderson, that a petition be sent to the Federal Postmaster-General requesting that the post and telegraph office be removed to the town of Bligh".
On 1 January 1910, according to the Chronicle of 8 January 1910 (p. 13) under the heading PROGRESS AT ARNO BAY:
"As an instance of the increased postal business at Arno it may be stated that the inland mails to Cowell and Cleve have been so heavy as to monopolise all the space in the coaches to the exclusion of passengers who have been forced to find other means of transit. The need for a proper post and telegraph office is daily becoming more acute. One o'clock is the only time during business hours that the local post office and telephone office is officially opened for the transaction of business and were it not for the unremitting courtesy and consideration of Mr. M. Leonard, who often neglects his own business in order to oblige patrons of the post office, the position would be unendurable".
On 14 July 1911, the Eyre's Peninsula Tribune reported on possible developments following a meeting with the Deputy Postmaster-General:
"When the Deputy Postmaster-General (Mr Waddy) was here (at Arno Bay) about eight months ago, he promised that, if the postal returns warranted it at the end of the financial year, (30th June), he would recommend, that Arno Bay be made a semi-official office. During the twelve months ending 30th June, the postal returns have doubled that of the previous year and an application will be made asking the Department to carry out its promise. If granted it will give Arno Bay a continuous telegraphic service together with other privileges".
On 31 January 1912, the West Coast Recorder noted: "The postal authorities have decided to erect a new Post and Telegraph office (at Arno Bay), besides connecting Cleve and Arno by telephone".
So that was good - but WAIT - there is (as usual) more:
On 26 July 1912, the Daily Herald (p. 3) reported on a major development:
"Post Office Removal.
The Inspector of Post and Telegraph offices visited Arno a few days since in reference to establishing a semi-official post office and in consequence of the proposed removal of the post office from the Government township. A numerously signed petition has been forwarded to the authorities through Representative Poynton protesting against the suggested alterations. For about 10 shillings the telephone connecting Cowell and Arno could be made available at any time. Serious instances of disappointment and loss have occurred through residents having to wait for the regular speaking hours".
BUT A FEW DAYS LATER, the Eyre's Peninsula Tribune of 9 August 1912 reported developments on 7 August:
"NEW POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICE.
The installation of a telegraph instrument at the Arno Bay station marks a new era in the progress of this district. Hitherto we have had a telephone service and could only use it at 8.30 a.m. and 1 and 6 p.m. which often caused delay and annoyance when important messages had to be sent. Now we will have a continuous service between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. also at 9 p.m. by paying double rates. This places Arno on equal terms with the rest of the State so far as telegraph communication is concerned. The new office has been placed under the management of Mr F. Riddle.
By-the-way, your correspondent "Post Boy" endeavors to make the public believe that there has been opposition to the site selected for the new post office. I have not been able to find any trace of it. In trying to fathom the matter, I find that the Postal Department called for offers of suitable premises for a post office and three were sent in. One by Mr J. H. Scarce at 20s per week, another by Mr R. Leonard at 15s and another by Mr T. McEwan at 10s. The three offers were considered by the Inspector who recommended that Mr Scarce's premises be accepted conditionally upon the rent being reduced to 15s. That was done and there the matter ended. I have been unable to find one dissentient."
On 6 September 1912, the Daily Herald (p. 3) reported on Local Progress at Arno Bay:
"The S.S. Ferret arrived today with a full cargo and general goods for Arno and surrounding districts. The new telegraph and post office is proving a great convenience, and the residents greatly appreciate the officer in charge (Mr. Riddell). The long-looked for telephone from Argo Bay to Cleve is at present being erected. The public school, conducted by Miss Excell, has an attendance of 40 children".
On 11 December 1912, the West Coast Recorder reported "The telegraph line to Cleve is nearing completion. Mr. McGuiness contemplates having the line ready for Christmas".
Proposed work for the 1912-1913 period included (inter-alia) a trunk telephone line between Arno Bay and Cleve. On 7 March 1913, "after considerable delay, telephone communication between Cleve and Arno Bay was opened today. This will be a great boon to residents, who can now communicate direct from Cleve to Adelaide instead of going 17 miles to a telegraph station".
The West Coast Recorder of 13 May 1914 (p.5) reported on the Vigilance Committee for Arno Bay formed to address matters of concern to Arno Bay. One matter raised at the meeting was
"that the present Post Office building was unfit and unsuitable for the transaction of the large amount of postal, telegraphic and telephonic business being done at present. The growing population and the revenue received warrant better arrangements". So by 1914, there must have been some sort of telegraphic service - even by telephone.
On 25 November 1952, "The front verandah of the Arno Bay Post Office was demolished on Sunday when a truck hit a telegraph pole, slewed round and travelled another five yards to knock down all the verandah posts but one. The driver, a half-caste boy employed by Mr. I. A. Punke of Cleve escaped injury. The tray of the truck was damaged beyond repair. The estimated cost of replacing the verandah is £60".