THE CHIMING CLOCK

Waikato Independent, Volume V, Issue 321, 8 January 1907, Page 5

THE CHIMING CLOCK

(TO THE EDITOR.) Sir, —Mr O’Toole’s letter in your last issue was well worthy of one of the Progressive partA, and, as a ratepayer, I should like to add my protest against the Council’s unwarrantable vote of £IOO towards the proposed clock. Even were the borough in the most flourishing financial condition, it is open to question whether such a vote would be justifiable, but at a critical time like the present, with our finances strained to the utmost, it is, to put it mildly, playing the fool with the ratepayers’ interests. There is no doubt a chiming clock would be a great acquisition to the town, and if the business people in and about Duke and Victoria streets can spare the money, well and good, but as for the ratepayers generally, I think they will find the ' additions to the rates after April next quite a sufficient tax, without giving special contributions just now. Regarding rates, is is only to be expected that until the various loan schemes are quite completed, a higher rate must be struck, but once things are in going order, we shall return to a reasonable rate. When the present schemes are put through, there are several matters' for which loans will have to be raised, and the most important of these is an up-to-date Town Hall. In my opinion, this is the building that should carry the clock. The site of the Lake-street saleyards is an ideal one for such a purpose, and a chiming clock placed there would be a benefit to the whole community. It will be said that we will get no Government assistance if we delay, but such a view should not weigh with an independent and prosperous people. In any case, there are many things the Government could better subsidise at present—a public swimming bath, for instancewhich would be a permanent benefit, not only to Duke and Victoria streets business people, but to the whole Cambridge district.—l am, &c., W. W. Earl. Cambridge, January 7th, 1907. THE CHIMING CLOCK AND THE COUNCIL’S FINANCES. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —At the last meeting of the Council, the Acting-Mayor told us that the rates would have to be raised next year, and on the face of that he proposes to spend £IOO on the clock. Perhaps it does not strike him that he is giving away equal to 3d in the £ on our rateable matter. I hope ratepayers will note this fact; giving this £IOO means Bd extra on our rates next year, and also means extra annual expense, for caretaking, lighting, etc.—l am, etc., Prank O’Toole.