Events in the early history of the post and telegraph service at New Plymouth are recalled by the death at New Plymouth of Mr. Alfred Kivell at the age of 75 years.

Born at New Plymouth, where his parents were early settlers, Mr. Kivell left the Central school when he was 13 years of age to join the Post and Telegraph Department. He held the unusual record of serving his whole time with the department at the New Plymouth post office. He retired 23 years ago after rising to the position of mail room supervisor.

Beginning his career as a messenger boy, Mr. Kivell was later one of the town's two letter carriers. The other was the late Mr. Pitt. One had to cover an area from the post office to the Breakwater, Westown and Frankly Road, and the other from the post office to the Waiwakaiho bridge and Vogeltown. The work was all done on foot. For over 20 years
Mr. Kivell traveled from New Plymouth to Marton on the New Plymouth-Wellington train sorting mail three times a week.

Mr. Kivell's main interest outside his work was football. He was one of the Star club's first players and represented Taranaki several times. He coached the first Tukapa team. His brother Mr. Henry Kivell also played for Taranaki. The Kivells are a footballing family, for once two nephews of Mr. Kivell, one the captain of a Napier team and the other of a Taranaki team, played against one another at New Plymouth.

An early member of the volunteer fire brigade, Mr. Kivell was made a life member when he resigned. He was also one of the first members of the Forester's lodge at New Plymouth.

He was married 54 years ago to Miss Ella Wood, who died 22 years ago. Mr. Kivell is survived by three daughters, Mrs. I Hodges (New Plymouth), Mrs. G Nippert (Auckland) and Mrs. M Drake (Bell Block). There are three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Please note: This article has been copied from a newspaper clipping deposited with other data at the New Plymouth by a person whose name I do not know. I wish to acknowledge the origin of this article.
Flora Chisnall

Forty years in the one town is something unique as far as the Post and Telegraph is concerned, yet this is the record of Mr. A T Kivell, of the New Plymouth mailroom staff, who has retired on superannuation as from November 30.

An indication of his popularity among his colleagues was shown by the large and representative gathering at the Chief Post Office on Friday evening when Mr. Kivell was presented by the Chief Postmaster (Mr. H Bree) with an oak Morris chair as a mark of the esteem in which he is held by employees of the department throughout the district.

In making the presentation Mr. Bree referred to the arduous duties performed by
Mr. Kivell under the uncongenial conditions of the early days. At all times he proved himself a most capable and conscientious officer. He had won his popularity through his kindly attitude and advice to the junior members of his staff. He had never created ill-feeling towards anyone and Mr. Bree said he felt sure he was voicing the sentiments of everyone in wishing Mr. Kivell many years of health and happiness to enjoy his well merited leisure.

Mr. Kivell said it was impossible for him to express his gratitude and appreciation for the kind things said about him and for the presentation. After having spent so a long period in the local office he felt as though he were breaking a home ties in saying farewell to them.

Three cheers were then given for Mr. Kivell.

On Saturday evening Mr. Kivell was the guest at a smoke concert in the old Taranaki Club buildings. Mr. J Courtney, supervisor of the mail-room, who presided in the absence of the Chief Postmaster, read apologies from several executive officers who had been co workers with Mr. Kivell.

In presenting the guest of the evening with a Loewe pipe, the chairman endorsed the remarks of Mr. Bree the previous day and hoped Mr. Kivell would live many years to enjoy "the pipe of peace."

Similar sentiments were expressed by Messrs Honeyfield and Brabant, old associates of the guest Messrs W H Roberts (letter carriers), l Smith (public service) and ..Rogers (railway).

A comprehensive task list was honoured and musical items were given by Messrs W Ainsworth, L Smith, J Gillick, R Murphy, S O'Neill, a Howlett, and K McIsaac. Mr. O'Neill played the accompaniments.

Note: this also was a newspaper article. Unfortunately no date is available as to when it was written.