TE AWAMUTU CLOCK.

Waikato Times, Volume 120, Issue 19991, 15 September 1936, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU CLOCK.

QUESTION OF A SITE. BOROUGH COUNCIL DISCUSSION. (Times Representative). TE AWAMUTU, Tuesday. Considerable discussion on the attitude adopted by the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce with regard to | the Te Awamutu Borough Council’s j proposal to have the town clock erected on the south-eastern corner of the police station property took place ! at the fortnightly meeting of the council last evening. The subject was introduced by thereceipt of a letter from the chamber asking the council to delay the proposal to have the tower, which had to be dismantled on account of the extensions to the post office, erected in Redoubt Street until other sites bad been thoroughly investigated. As the chamber was in the first place instrumental in getting the clock it had more than a sentimental interest in its future position and the communication suggested that representatives from the chamber should be invited to assist in the council’s deliberation, on the question of the site. “ They can put it where they like as far as I care," said Mr 11. C. Rainey. Stating that the council was of an open mind on the subject, the Mayor. Mr G. Spinley, said in their condemnation of the proposal Ihe chamber had spoiled any chance llie council may have had or securing tiie site. 11 was a pity the council's proposals had been made public. When the dock was first acquired, he said, the chamber had not provided any of the money; the actual cost had been met by the late Mr W. Taylor, who had forwarded a cheque to the chamber to l>e handed over to the postal authorities. “ I suggest that the clock be handed over io the Chamber of Commerce and then we can let them find the money for its re•rectlon," said Mr Spinlcv. Growth of Traffic. \ suggestion that a site at the junction or Arawata, Slounn and Alexandra Streets might be suitable was put forward by Mr ,1. C. Mon tell ore. but in reply the Mayor said that with the threeway traffic at this spot a tower erected there would be an absolute death-trap. “Consider what the Irafllc will be in !0 years’ time." he said, " and you will see how dangerous it will be. We have begged and prayed to have the street widened by 1 i feet at this spot, and now it is suggested that we put a tower there. The chamber is doing Its best to spoil our work In having the street widened.’’ Favouring the location on the police station property. Mr W. .1. North said It. was a question of whether they were to eater for a few of the people or for tli<* general public. The Chamber of Commerce evidently wanted the clock erected where the business people could see If. but he was of the opinion that more people would see it If it were placed on the high ground suggest.d by the council. Stating that the council should get outside advice on the matter, Mr Monteftore moved that the council receive the representatives from the Chamber of Commerce after they had received a reply from the Department of Justice —• file motion was carried.