Responsibility For Re-erection Of Town Clock

Grey River Argus, 3 May 1949, Page 4

Responsibility For Re-erection Of Town Clock

“I have been in lots of trouble over these darned town clocks”, the Minister of Works, the Hon. R. Semple, told the Mayor, Mr F. F. Boustridge, when a request was made to him foi' assistance in re-erecting the town clock in Greymouth. The town clock had been ’’emoved early. said the ■ Mayor, and town clocks in other towns had not been touched. •Ju it is reported to me that it is dangerous for a town clock to stay where it is, and an earthquake comes along, the people will call me a murderer, and I’ve never been called that yet,” said Mr Semple. He was not disputing the wisdom of the removal of the town clock, but was concerned about its re-erection, said the Mayor. If the Government, by its action, had caused such a loss to an individual or firm, some comnensation ror loss would be sustained. The loss to the Council was £2OOO, and the Council asked for a £ for £ subsidv. "Mother Nature shook her fists, and we alt had c<> surrender,” said 'he Minister. There was a principle :nw>iVcU and t-.< Government had admitted no liability but he would discuss the matter, with bis colleagues. They were being pressed from other quarters. He could not commit the Government. Ho had his own opinions, but they would be expressed at the Cabinet table. “I have a sort soot in mv heart sometimes,” added the Minister.