WAIMATE NOT APPROVED

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22183, 29 January 1942, Page 3

WAIMATE NOT APPROVED

Silencing Of Town Clock Council’s Wisdom Questioned Bitter complaints have been heard in Waimate since the Borough Council, acting on a request from one resident who claimed that her sleep was disturbed, decided to stop the town clock from chiming and striking. Comments on the wisdom of the Council’s action were many and varied yesterday—some were fit for publication and some were not. The general opinion was that the Council was entirely without justification in stopping at the request of a newcomer to the town a service that had operated for 30 years. Inconvenience was caused to many persons On Tuesday because the chiming of the clock was stopped before the general public was even aware that the Council had decided on such action. It was surprising to find how many business people relied upon the striking of the town clock. Many persons arrived home late for lunch just because the clock had not struck 12. One businessman commented that he would not have credited that such a stupid decision could be unanimously adopted by a body of councillors. He added that it had been his opinion that a council was elected to maintain and Improve civic facilities. There was absolutely no understanding a council which would put an end to an important civic facility. It was the second time in recent months that a long standing civic facility had been abolished by the present council at the request of a newcomer. It had merely required a letter from a newcomer to do away with a long established and favourite parking area. Such a council could not be regarded with confidence, and certainly its future decisions must be a cause for a little trepidation. Even the war was forgotten on the main street of Waimate yesterday, and pieces of overheard conversation nearly all referred to the town clock. Other fields suggested for action by the council were church bells, the firebell, loud ticking watches, roosters crowing, babies crying and dogs yelping. After searching his mind for other subjects to add to the list, a businessman said that anyway the town, in spite of a so-called Progress League, was dead enough now without the council taking notice of the wants of any more outsiders. With its present council, Waimate seemed to be at the mercy of outsiders. Just at the moment, it seemed rather fortunate that there were travelling restrictions as the influence of a big influx of visitors on the council might cause anything to happen. The stopping of the clock had its humorous side. A resident of long standing who sleeps in premises very close to the clock lost his sleep because the chimes and striker were silent. Another man stated that he had been in business for 28 years near the clock and had slept above his business premises for 10 years. He did not realise until 10 pm. on Tuesday that the striker had been stopped. At night, because its face was now black-ed-out, the clock was valueless if it did not strike. How Clock Was Obtained Some of the money necessary for the installation of a four-face chiming clock on the Waimate Post Office was raised by subscription. Some facts in that connection are given in the following letter which was received by the Waimate Borough Council on March 17, 1911: “We have pleasure in notifying you that we have received subscriptions amounting to £lOO towards the £2OO required to enable you to accept the Government’s liberal offer to install a four-faced chiming clock in the new Post Office, costing from £740 to £BOO. The amount is made up as follows: Mr A. Adams’ list £34/18/-, Mr J. Black’s list £4l/12/-, and Mr R. Manchester’s list £3/10/-.” The letter was signed by Messrs Adams, Black and Manchester. The council decided to thank the collectors for their efforts and congratulate them on their success. Later, on the council’s estimates, the sum of £lOO appeared for chimes. At the meeting of the council on April 25, 1911, Cr. Saunders reported on the question of tone and melody for the chimes and the question of deciding the melody and the pitch of strike was left to him.

SOLDIER WELCOMED HOME

A welcome home to Sapper R. Forsyth was held in the Maori Centennial Hall at Morven. Appropriate speeches were given by Messrs J. Heath, P. Foley and V. Wellwood, each emphasising the good qualities of the guest. Mr Heath referred to the fine spirit displayed by Sapper Forsyth in enlisting and going overseas when he was so handicapped by lameness caused through a serious accident in his youth. Mr Foley urged the assemblage to stand together and petition the powers that be in order that the brave lads who were willing to sacrifice their lives for peace and freedom WO uld be able to find a place in hfe worthy of their bravery. The gift of a bouquet was made to Mrs Jacobs before the presentation of the residents’ gift to Sapper Forsyth. Miss Margaret Lennon presented Sapper Forsyth with a gift from Mr and Mrs T; B y ber - Be '? s were contributed by Mesdames J. Heath, senr., and T Benson, Misses M. Lennon, M. Benson' J. Thomas and N. Te Whao, and Messrs J. Heath, senr., and J. Heath, junr