The Waipa Post. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1913. THE TOWN CLOCK.

Waipa Post, Volume VI, Issue 256, 17 October 1913, Page 2

The Waipa Post. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1913. THE TOWN CLOCK.

IT is not every town —even though it be more populous than Te Awamutu —that can boast the possession of an asset valued at over £I,OOO in the form of a town clock, but Te Awamutu has the proud distinction thanks to energy on the one hand and generosity on the other —of being amongst those that do possess this highly useful and valuable publi c convenience. If Te Awamutu has reason to be proud today it is indeed not so much in its possession, but in the fact that amongst its citizens there is one — and we believe there are others willing to follow suit —who, with true public spirited generosity, has so valuably endowed our town. Although the town clock is only just installed it is over two years —September Bth, 1911, to be strictlv correct —since Mr Taylor handed to the president of the Chamber of Commerce a cheque for £2OO in order that the Chamber could complete negotiations for the purchase of the clock then under offer. It will be remembered by some that the plans of the post office buildings being erected at that time made no provision for the installation of a clock, and as a result of an agitation which originated at the first meeting of the Chamber of Commerce the Postal Department agreed, provided a sufficient sum for the purchase of a clock was subscribed locally, to erect a tower and instal the clock. Negotiations between the Chamber and the Postal department were published in the early issues of this paper, and evidently the determined action of the Chamber was carefully noted and approved by Mr Taylor, who, with commendable perspicuity, saw to the full the value of the Government's offer, and with a magnanimity and public spiritedness which cannot be too highly eulogised, that gentleman voluntarily came forward and subscribed the necessary amount. And thus negotiations for the purchase were completed, but unfortunately circumstances over which neither the Chamber, nor the department, nor the contractors had any control, have delayed the work of installation so that two years have elapsed between the time of purchase and the arrival of the clock at Te Awamutu. But as we viewed the finished article on Wednesday morning last with but a flimsy cord attached —a means of launching the clock out upon its long run through the decades to come —one was impressed with the valuable object lesson it afforded of what could be accomplished by fixity of purpose. Trulyinthistheadventofour town clock may serve as an example worthy of emulation —in both public and private life and aims. It is pleasing to note that the Town Board, backed up by the Chamber of Commerce is determined that a fitting opening ceremony of the post office buildings and clock by a Minister of the Crown should take place at the earliest convenient time. The unqualified success of Wednesday's function marking the occasion of setting the clock in motion proved the wisdom and the appropriateness of it—though it was but a preliminary towards the official ceremony. The presence and the humour of the 400 residents were clear evidence that the handsome gift is thoroughly appreciated. Local residents had already shown some acknowledgment by insisting upon the erection of a tablet in the tower for the enlightenment of those who shall come after us. To the Chamber of Commerce or we should say rather to its worthy president, Mr W. N. von Stunner, the town is deeply indebted for his valuable services in this connection, and scarcely would we

be in our present fortunate position but for his services. Te Awamutu is to be congratulated on her good fortune, and we arc hopeful that the lead given by the laird of "Green Hill " may — in some of the many needy directions —be emulated by those who are able, to further endow our town, and so assist in lifting Tc Awamutu to that prominence to which, thanks to her natural advantages, she is entitled —and ultimately must attain. We heartily concur with the words expressed by the member for Waikato in his telegram, "The installation of the clock marks an important event in the forward march of your progressive town." Our progress depends on ourselves, and the dominating factor in deciding the rate of our progress will be the measure of our public-spiritedness. We cannot all give town clocks as Mr Taylor has done, nor technical schools, nor drinking fountains, nor even seats in our domains, but everybody can do something even if it only be to say less in disparagement of others' efforts.