Michael Anthony - save Mayaro post office

The destruction of McLeod House, Chase Village, Chaguanas, sparked a lot of furore recently. Historian Michael Anthony is now appealing to the relevant authorities to act swiftly to save the landmark Mayaro Post Office which he claims is at the point of collapse in his hometown.

He made this comment at the launch of LiTTscapes (Landscapes of Trinidad and Tobago), at Knowsley House, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, yesterday. Anthony, who hails from Mayaro, was also a special guest of event host Dr Kris Rampersad, who referred to him as her “muse.” Anthony said: “I felt hurt. They were afraid if they called the Government, there would be opposition.”

Sharing his knowledge of McLeod House, he said: “It was called Friendship House. There were competitions and they had banners proclaiming the amount of sugar that was produced.” “But there is another house at Mayaro that has contributed to the development of Mayaro. It is the Mayaro Post Office. And it is part of the historical culture.

“For 30 years, we have been trying to get the authorities to help. The building is crumbling. We called the Ministry of Health to come and get rid of the corbeaux. But they never came.” Anthony said although it belongs to the Mayaro Historical Society, he is hoping they would get help from the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism and the National Trust to restore and beautify the architectural icon.

 Anthony noted legislation was being worked upon to save these heritage treasures. “When it is enforced the people who live in these houses will have to look after them. I am hoping something would be done too because the house would collapse.” In the aftermath of the McLeod House demolition, Vel Lewis, National Trust and Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism, says Minister of National Diversity and Social Integration Clifton De Coteau plans to meet with with Attorney General Anand Ramlogan to “follow up on the listing.” Lewis said while “properties of interest” had been identified, there was an urgent need to concretise the formal listing. https://sites.google.com/site/krisrampersadglobal/home/about-
me/bookshttp://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2012-09-16/michael-anthony-save-mayaro-post-office