CE O’TOOLE AND THE CHIMING CLOCK.

Waikato Independent, Volume V, Issue 322, 10 January 1907, Page 5

CE O’TOOLE AND THE CHIMING CLOCK.

(TO THE EDITOR.) Sir,— ln discussing matters of local importance, I think it would be much better if we all signed our names to our opinions. I would like to say to “ A Guinea,” and all others who do not wish to sign their name, that it would be better if they left personalities oat of their letters and kept to the point at issue. With those who give to the clock fund, I have not, nor can I have, anything to say, except that 1 think they could find many a better cause and not have to search far. “ A Guinea ” says, “When Cr O’Toole lived in Duke-street, etc.,” and says that I have changed my opinion. I have not done so. I still hold strongly to the corner site. What I say is, that if we are to have a Post-office to be used for business purposes, then the corner is the site most certainly, but it the Post-office is to be a show place, and is to have a tower and clock to chime, then the upper site is the best. I would like to say to “ A Guinea.”—

1. That the site of the Post-office is not definitely settled yet. 2. That by working for the tower, etc., “ A Guinea ” is working into the hands of those who want the upper site.

3. That, the tower and clock will give the authorities just the excuse the.\ want to grant the request of those who are still asking for the top site.

4. That the chimes will be heard much better in Cambridge West from the higher ground. 5. That, as a Councillor, I am a trustee of the ratepayers, and as such, must use ray best endeavours to see that the money is properly spent, and I contend that to spend £loo—one-fifth of the amount raised from rates—on a luxury, when it is wanted badly for so many other things, is utterly wrong, and I should be false to the oath I took if I did not say so. The progressive party were put into power because of the extravagance of the previous Council, and now some of the progressives are supporting a greater extravagance than that of the late Council.

6. I am a member of the 5000 Club. I have lived in Cambridge over twenty years, and hope to live here another thirty years. I love the place, and 1 am prepared to do anything in ray power to push the place ahead, but I contend that having a clock will not induce people to come here, nor will it add materially to the pleasure of those who live here if our streets and paths are not pub in order. I think £IOO spent in street improvements would do a great deal more for the place than the clock.

7. If the Government has £BOO to spend, it would go a long way towards building a new Courthouse or a technical school, both of which are wanted more than a tower, etc.

8. Will “ A Guinea ” state the specific benefits to be derived from the tower, etc. ?

In conclusion, the granting of the £IOO by the Council exemplifies the truth of the old saw “ When the cat is away, the mice will play.” For weeks before the Mayor (Mr W. F. Buckland) went away he was continually asking us to keep a tight hold of the money and not allow ourselves to be led into any extravagance, as we would need every penny for necessary works, and he did not wish to raise the rates. I think I am not misjudging the Mayor when I say that if he had been here this £IOO would not have been granted.—l am, etc., Frank O’Toole.