THE TOWN CLOCK.

Waipa Post, Volume VIII, Issue 354, 2 October 1914, Page 4

THE TOWN CLOCK.

MORE than nine months have elapsed since the Te Awamutu Awamutu Town Board entered into an agreement with the Postal Department to undertake to light the tower at the local post office. So far, however, there is no indication that the Board has made any effort to satisfactorily carry out its obligations. Speaking at Te Awamutu on February 7th the Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes, Post-master-General, stated that “ the Board, following the usual custom, has undertaken to light the clock and maintain it in proper working order.” The continued delay has apparently not been made known to the postal authorities, who must be totally unaware of the fact that the Board ‘has broken faith with them, or otherwise pressure might very possibly have been brought to bear on the Board. Would it not be right, then, in view of the continued delay, to draw the attention of the authorities to the matter ? When last we made reference to this matter we expressed the hope

that the Department would nevor learn that the expressed conditions had remained disregarded for so many months; but now, since the Board shows no effo.t to make good its promise, it certainly seems that departmental pressure is justified. It may be held by some that at present the Board has more necessary demands upon its funds. Possibly so. But an agreement with a Slate Department has no right to be ignored ; and the Board owes a duty to itself —even if to nobody else —to act in good faith. The fact that the Board, as an honorable institution, undertook to carry out certain-work should be of itself a sufficient claim upon it, and the fact of delay—a breach of faith —should at least shame the members into , early action. A breach of faith on the part of the local authority reflects upon the whole town, and if Te Awamutu looks for the fulfilment of promises made by responsible State officials it should set an example, and aim always to carry out its obligations to them. In view of the very probable undertaking of a town-lighting scheme we would not urge the installation of an elaborate lighting system. We think, rather, that a temporary and self-contained lamp would meet with the Department’s approval, and this should be obtained at a cost of a few pounds* But that is a matter for the Board to decide, and it is right and proper that a decision should be arrived at without further delay. To allow this matter to further x-emain unattended to is a reflection upon the town’s honesty of purpose, and, besides being a breach of good faith, is a distinct slight upon the donor of the clock —a slight which, though possibly unintentional,indicates poor gratitude for the magnificent gift.