FLAGPOLE TROUBLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21937, 22 October 1934, Page 11

FLAGPOLE TROUBLE

RULES FOR ALL THINGS GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS It is often said—and not in boast—that New Zealanders are the most "governed" people in the world. Regulations exist for this, that and the other thing, until it seems there is little in our daily life which is not governed by regulation. Nevertheless, New Plymouth post office officials received a surprise last week when they consulted "the book of rules" to see what should be done in the event of trouble occurring with the flagpole which surmounts the post office tower. And, sure enough, says' the Taranaki Herald, a governing regulation was there! Provision was made for the payment of 30s to anyone who would climb the pole to right the trouble. Thursday was the occasion of the funeral of King Alexander of Yugoslavia and out of respect for his memory, the flag on the post office tower was required to be flown half-mast. However, a new halliard recently purchased for the pole had been seriously warped by recent rains. When the time came to raise the flag is was found that the halliard could not be shifted. Officials were in a quandary. The flag had to be raised—but how was it to be done. It was suggested that a linesman should climb the pole ] but no volunteer could be found and in any case little could have been done by fhis means. Suggestion followed suggestion but all were found to be impracticable. After a delay of two hours the wind dried the halliard and loosened it so that the flag could bo easily raised.