Greymouth Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1943. TO SAVE TIME.

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 December 1943, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1943. TO SAVE TIME.

spending money recently on “facial” for the Greymouth Post Office clock-tower, the Department has decided to demolish the structure, and has issued an ultimatum to the municipal authorities that they must make new arrangements for the housing of the public clock. The Department is Yvithiii its legal rights in deciding to do what it likes Yvith its own property, and no useful purpose would be serY’ed by the Borough Council opposing the tower’s removal. The danger from possible quakes is generally admitted, and although the risk of disaster, such as pictured by the Chief Postmaster, may be small, it exists. Tn this instance, it is fviser to be sure than sorry. Greymouth has not been singled out for an exhibition of Departmental prudence, which follows an attack of nerves brought about by recent quake-damage at AVellington, the centre of official administration. Nelson and other places that lost their clock-towers, protested, but all to no purpose. Effort Yvill be saved if Greymouth accepts the inevitable, and devotes its attention to where the clock should be re-erected. That Greymouth must have a public clock in a convenient centre will scarcely be questioned. The Post Office building is the obvious best choice, and perhaps it will be practicable to place a. smaller clock above the entrance. It would be on the roof-level, and offer little added danger should quakes arise, or fall, whichever they do. The Department should not be autocratic, but be eager to study public convenience. The community should not be told to take “their old clock away,” as if that was the last word. The proposal to erect a special clocktower would be welcome* if there were any suitable sites in the commercial area of the town. To put the clock elseYvhere would minimise its utility. Greymouth’s central block offers no convenient road-way-site for such a structure, and the Town Hall “tOYver” —otheiuvise an obvious choice —has been condemned as dangerous. The Dominion is paying for the mistake of ignoring quake-perils when erecting public and private buildings, and remedy Yvill be costly. The Mayor and Borough Councillors are to discuss the “clock crisis” at to-morrow’s meeting, and Yvill probably Yvelcome any practicable proposals to solve the difficulty. A clock-tower would have to be substantially built to lessen quake-risk, and maintenance Yvould add to the annual cost. The Borough Avar memorial might take the form of a clock tOYver, if the central site problem did not exist. Early decision is essential. 'With Departmental co-opera-tion, the difficulty could be overcome. A public clock Yvould be best-placed in the Post Office building, Yvhich is supposed to be there for community use. If the Department is adamant, one old clock-face might be placed on the Post Office building, symbolising the cash basis on which business is conducted —“No tick here”—

and also reminding all concerned of the failure of the Department to, assist the community from which it derives considerable annual profit.