CLOCK TOWER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27541, 8 November 1950, Page 3

CLOCK TOWER

Demolition Supported P. & T. EMPLOYEES The Oamaru section of the Post and Telegraph Employees’ Association has decided to press for the demolition of the clock -tower on the Chief Post Office. Oamaru. This decision was reached at the monthly meeting of the branch on Monday night. A decision to reaffirm the previous motion, passed in December, 1944, that the clock tower be removed at an early date, was carried. In a second motion, which was also carried, the section pointed out the danger the tower would present in the event of an earthquake, both to Post Office personnel and the general public. The resolution passed was:— *’ The Oamaru section of the Post and Telegraph Employees’ Association views with alarm the efforts being made by citizens of Oamaru to retain the Chief Post Office clock tower. We desire association headquarters to make urgent representations to Government to have the Public Works Department engineers’ recommendation put into immediate effect, and the clock tower demolished forthwith. We emphasise that the safeguarding of human life must be the deciding factor in this matter. The collapse of the tower could cause also the total loss of telephone and telegraph communication equipment.” Chamber’s Views " Before the recent meeting was convened by the Mayor,- a business man approached me to ascertain the views of the chamber on the proposal to demolish the clock tower,” Mr A. H. H. Pearce, secretary, said at the monthly meeting of the Oamaru Chamber of Commerce on Monday night. “ I do not think we can take any other view than that given by the engineers. They say it is a safe structure and we should accept this opinion,” Mr R. H. Watson said. Mr F. L. Edwards: Our inclinations are in favour of retaining the tower if it is ssfCi Mr de Joux: I would take it further and say if it is not safe, then we should make It safe through public subscription. It was decided to write to the Mayor supporting him in his action for the retention of the tower.