The Telegraph Office opened on 17 March 1873 and merged with the Post Office on 1 January 1886.

The Post Office had opened as Richmond River Heads on 1 January 1856 but changed its name to Ballina on 1 May 1868.

During a storm in December 1884, the telegraph wires at Ballina were cut in two by lightning.

The Telegraph Office was opened in February 1871 and was merged with the Post Office on 1 July 1872.

The Post Office had opened as Richmond River on 1 January 1849 and changed its name to Casino about 1853.

The Telegraph Office was opened as a P&T Office on 24 August 1891.

The Post Office had opened on1 August 1890.

Dungog.

A Telegraph Office was opened on 7 July 1874.

The Telegraph Office opened on 17 December 1862 with Messrs. Nunn and Smithers in charge. The Post Office had opened as Clarence River on 1 October 1849 and changed name about 1849. The Telegraph Office merged with the Post Office on 1 January 1870.

In the 1890s, Mr. R. C. Williams was in charge.

The memoirs of Mr. W. Orr from his appointment as a Telegraph Messenger at Grafton to his retirement were published in the Northern Star of 25 June 1934.

The Sydney Morning Herald of 19 November 1868 reported on a meeting in the School of Arts. In part "it was not deemed necessary that provision should be made for the erection of a (Post Office) building, as it is considered that sufficient accommodation could be provided by making such additions to the Electric Telegraph Office as would render that office suitable for the double purpose of Post and Telegraph office. With reference to the appointment of an Official Postmaster, it has of late been found expedient, on the grounds of economy, and also on the ground that the plan is one which offers all the advantages of an official Post Office, to amalgamate the duties of Postmaster and Telegraph Station master".

In "The Blue Book" for 1870, the Grafton Post & Telegraph Office is recorded as:

• transmitting 2,843 telegraphic messages for fees amounting to nearly £540;
• issuing 801 money orders amounting to £3,156'

"And yet the whole of this business, most of which is of the greatest importance to the general public, is obliged to be carried on in a room scarcely twelve feet square. In this miserable room, the employees of the establishment have to perform all the operations of the telegraph, and attend to all and several of the other duties of the establishment.

The access to this wonderful place is by a small lobby of about four feet square, surrounded by a partition covered with green baize, by means of a small hole in the partition of about six inches square; within this little lobby visitors, are supposed to write their telegrams, purchasers secure their stamps, depositors pay their money and all enquiries about Post-Office matters are supposed to be made. Under such circumstances, secrecy is impossible. If an attempt be made to write a telegraphic slip, you are hindered by a host of enquirers and waiters upon other matters; the only alternative for a quiet citizen is to wait out in the street, till fortune smiles upon him and gives him an opportunity of access into the public hall of this magnificent establishment. If even a verandah was erected in the front, waiters would be in the dry and out of the heat and dust, but alas that is a luxury - which is too far in the distance for Grafton. We have become so accustomed to the thing that perhaps, any alteration would be regarded an innovation, and would be looked upon as a reckless expenditure in these days of retrenchment.

But why should such a state of things remain - public convenience should not be ignored altogether. Other places in the colony have respectable Post and Telegraph Offices. Why should Grafton and the Clarence be the exception? This matter has again and again been brought under the notice of the Government - promises have been made and reiterated, but still the same neglect". (The Clarence and Richmond Examiner 16 April 1872, p. 2).

Tenders for the "Erection of a Telegraph Station at Grafton" closed on 23 September 1873. The laying of the Foundation Stone for the new building in Victoria Street took place on 8 October 1874.

A steel circular Type 2C TELEGRAPHS GRAFTON date stamp was used at Grafton:

Used: 12 May 1935 to 22 January 1945 -
but between 1963 to 1965 according to Hopson & Tobin.

Diameter: 29 mm.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 2.

On 30 June 1875, the Miners Advocate reported that "Our Anvil Creek and Greta friends will be pleased to learn that tenders are being called for the erection of a Post and Telegraph Office at Anvil Creek. This will indeed prove a boon for such offices are badly wanted".

A Post & Telegraph Office was opened in Greta on 1 October 1886. On 30 May 1906, the Telegraph Office was reclassified as a Telephone Service but it continued to handle all telegraphic matters.

A Telegraph Office was opened at the Railway Station on 14 September 1894 but it had closed by 1902.

Greta had a coal mine which produced low grade coal. When prices fell in the early 1890s, the mine became unprofitable and it closed in 1894.

In May 1902, the Government Architect received instructions from the Postmaster-General to carry out alterations to the Post & Telegraph Office.

On 8 April 1904, the Newcastle Herald reported that new telegraph poles had arrived to enable the local Post & Telegraph office to be connected to the main line.

On 30 May 1906, the Newcastle Herald reported: "The telephone at the post-office, having been connected with Branxton, the telegraph instruments, etc., have been dispensed with and were taken away on Tuesday afternoon. Consequently all telegrams to and from Greta will have to be repeated at Branxton. Mr. Edmondson, from Maitland post office, who has been relieving here for several weeks owing to the illness of Mr. Jackson, Postmaster, will now return to Maitland leaving the post-office in charge of Mrs. and Miss Jackson until Mr. Jackson, son of the former, recovers and is able to take charge. Arrangements have been made so that messages sent and received will be private".

In 1913, the Post & Telegraph Mistress - Miss F Quinn - was replaced by Mr. H. J. Nowland. Miss Quinn and her two sisters - who had acted as assistants for the previous three years, were returning to Sydney. Mr Nowland announced he was expecting an additional telephone bureau and new telegraph equipment to be arriving shortly.

I suppose you recognise this office in which you reigned as P.M. for a time. The photographer was ashamed to put his name on it. I suppose you will recognise Mum. Jenton is the messenger. My sister & I on the balcony. She is the worst looking one. Harold was nowhere to be found. We have let the attics to the Starling family. By the sound up there I think there are several generations. The trouble is the rent question. We've been here 3 months now and not a penny have we got.
The dynamo at the mine has broken down the second time within the last few months so no electrical light.
Hope you are quite well & happy.
Yours Alice.

The Telegraph Office opened (in Central Kempsey) in 1878 and merged with the Post Office on 1 July 1880.

The Post Office had opened on 1 September 1843.

Kempsey Post & Telegraph Office in the July 1921 flood.
Note - only the top rail of the fence on the right of the building in the top picture is showing.
Armidale was entirely out of touch with both Grafton and Kempsey.

1. a type 2C TELEGRAPHS KEMPSEY date stamp (SC1-T);

Used: 1926 to 1964.

Diameter: 29 mm.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census:

2. a rubber oval TELEGRAPHS date stamp (RO2 - T).

Used in violet: 19 December 1977 (only known date).

Size:

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Used on AT-TO-15A.

3. a rubber circular TELEGRAPHS date stamp (RC1 - T).

Used in violet: 13 April 1982 (only known date).

Diameter: 31 mm.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

13 April 1882.

Used on AT-DO-14B.

Kurri Kurri.

A Telegraph Office was opened on 22 August 1905.

Lambton.

A Post Office was opened at Lambton on 1 March 1865. The Telegraph Office opened on 31 May 1875.

The two offices merged in to Post & Telegraph Office on 19 November 1878.

The Telegraph Office opened on 1 December 1875 and merged with the Post Office on 1 March 1875.

The Post Office had opened on 1 October 1859.

In 1897, a tender of £ 3,340 was accepted to erect a new building designed by the Government Architect W. Vernon in the Federation style. It was opened on 1 December 1898.

Lismore Post & Telegraph Office about 1900.
Sign carved in stone is above the door.

The photographs below show little change to the P&T building (except to the front steps) but lots of changes to nearby structures.

The only recorded example of its use is on 25 September 1937.

Maitland and West Maitland.

A Post Office was opened at Maitland on 1 September 1829 and it changed name to West Maitland about 1852. On 2 October 1900, the office was upgraded to a Post & Telegraph office.

The name of the combined office reverted back to Maitland on 1 April 1949.

West Maitland Post & Telegraph Office about 1890.

A steel circular TELEGRAPHS date stamp (SC1-T) was used at the two offices in three formats:

1. a TELEGRAPHS WEST MAITLAND date stamp.
   Has a full stop after N.S.W. at the base

Used: 9 April 1931 and possibly between 1928 and 1936;

Diameter: 29 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

9 April 1931.

Magnification shows the letter following WEST is an M and the letter at lower right appears to be a D.

2. the above 2C date stamp with WEST removed.

Used: 1951 to 1953.

Rated: RRRR.

A Post Office opened at East Maitland on 1 May 1840.

A Telegraph Office was opened at East Maitland in 1862.

These two Offices merged on 2 December 1880.

In May 1873, advertisements appeared in various newspapers:

TO CAPITALISTS AND OTHERS. VALUABLE BLOCK OF BUILDINGS occupying an UNEQUALLED POSITION AS BUSINESS PREMISES at the junction of Newcastle and Melbourne Streets in the TOWN OF EAST MAITLAND known as the PROPERTY OF THE LATE JOHN SMITH, Esq. and now occupied as POST and TELEGRAPH OFFICES;

OFFICES of Messrs. BRUNKER and SPARKE, Auctioneers, Stock and Station Agents, etc.

There is no record of sale price or what happened to the original Telegraph Office.

Mullumbimby.

The Post and Telegraph Office was opened on 1 May 1898.

Mullumbimby Post & Telegraph Office about 1900.
The middle window at the left indicates Post & Telegraph Office.
The other windows are Money Order Office (LHS) and Savings Bank (RHS).

Murrurundi.

See First line to Queensland.

Murwillumbah.

The Telegraph Office opened at Kynnumboon on 1 November 1875 and merged with the Post Office (as a Post & Telegraph Office) on 7 May 1878.

The original Post Office - Wollumben - opened on 1 November 1866 and it changed name to Kynnumboon on 15 August 1868.

On 15 April 1882, there was another name change - to Murwillumbah.

A Telegraph Office was opened at Port Macquarie on 6 August 1869 - many years after a Post Office had opened on 1 August 1832. The two offices were merged into a Post & Telegraph Office on 1 January 1870.

No special date stamp for telegram use is recorded for Port Macquarie.

Hopson & Tobin do not list a Telegraph Office for Taree. Nevertheless, tenders called for the "Erection of a Post & Telegraph Station at Taree" closed on 7 July 1874.

Uralla.

A Telegraph Office was opened at Uralla on 1 December 1867. The Post Office had opened on 1 February 1858. The two offices combined on 1 August 1870.

It does not appear that Uralla had a special date stamp issued to it for use with telegraphic work.

Uralla Post & Telegraph Office about 1910.

The Sydney Morning Herald of 7 June 1860 carried the following:

"Notice is hereby given, that the Electric Telegraph Office at Windsor is now open for the receipt and transmission of Messages in accordance with the authorised rates and regulations".

Sydney, 6th June, 1860.
B. H. MARTINDALE.

The Empire of 18 February 1861 reported:

"The heavy looking new Telegraph Office but still neat structure, is now receiving the finishing stroke of the artist. The outer walls have been covered with a thick layer of cement, which, while increasing their durability, has improved the appearance. The whole work reflects credit on the contractor, Mr. Atkinson, and when completed will be an ornament to George Street in which it is situated. It is rumoured that the Postal Department will be combined with the Telegraph Branch in the one office. I question if this arrangement, if intended and carried out, will give satisfaction to the inhabitants. The situation is not central enough for a Post-Office".

Colonial and Interim periods.

Windsor oval (RO2) in violet.
9 December 1899.

Size: 22 × 38 mm (e = 0.82).

Used on NC-DO-10Bc.

Used: 9 December 1899 to 13 January 1902.

Windsor framed for usual postal use.
23 April 1917.

Diameter: 27 mm.
Large date with 2 digit year.
One side arcs on either side.
No dot after W.

H&T Type 2A.

Used on NI-DO-6B.

Wyong.

A Post & Telegraph Office was established on 22 December 1891.

A Post Office had been created when Wyong Railway Station was renamed on 1 April 1889. The Railway office never had telegraph facilities.

A rubber circular TELEGRAMS date stamp (RO1 - T) was issued to the Office for use with telegraphic business. It is the only NSW date stamp inscribed TELEGRAMS.

Used: 11 June 1981.

Size:

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.