e, to be carried to a
greater height than had originally been contemplated. This alteration
cost L3,000. There is still evidence in the building of the occupation
of the Inland Revenue staff, iron gates and spiked barriers in the first
floor passage to cut off their rooms from the Post Office section still
remaining.

The authorities of the Post Office accepted tenders in September, 1887,
for the demolition of certain premises known as "New Buildings" and for
the erection thereon of additional premises for the accommodation of
the growing Postal staff. The work began on the 26th September. The cost
of the new wing was estimated at L16,000. Beneath the superstructure
there were two tiers of ancient cellars, one below the other, forming
part of the original mediaeval mansion once owned by the Creswick family;
and the removal of these was attended with much difficulty. The new
building was opened for business on the 4th November, 1889.

In Parliament. Session 1903. Post Office (Acquisition of Sites) Power to
the Postmaster-General to acquire Lands, Houses, and Buildings in
Bristol for the service of the Post Office. Notice is hereby given that
application is intended to be made to Parliament in the next session for
an Act for the following purposes or some of them (that is to say):--To
empower His Majesty's Postmaster-General (hereinafter called 'the
Postmaster-General') to acquire for the service of the Post Office, by
compulsory purchase or otherwise, the lands, houses, and buildings
hereinafter described, that is to say:--

"Bristol: (Extension of Head Post Office). Certain lands, houses,
offices, buildings and premises situate in the parish of St. Werburgh,
in the city and county of Bristol, in the county of Gloucester, and
lying on the south-west side of Small Street, and the east side of St.
Leonards Lane."

[Illustration: [_By permission of "The Bristol Observer."_

THE BRISTOL POST OFFICE AS ENLARGED IN 1889.]

Thus commenced a portentous notice which appeared in a Bristol
newspaper, and had reference to the Bristol Water Works premises being
acquired for the further enlargement of the Post Office buildings.

The superficial area of the ground on which the Bristol Post Office
stands is a little over 17,000 square feet. The new site joins the
present Post Office structure, and has a frontage of 88 feet to Small
Street. Its area is 11,715 superficial feet, so that the enlargement
will be considerable but by n