LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 3228, 15 June 1928, Page 5

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

THE POST OFFICE CLOCK

.Sir,—ln respect to the attitude of the Postal Department concerning the Leeston'Town Clock, while the Department would neither give nor sell the clock while the Leeston Town' Board was prepared to negotiate, they as good as give the Otautau Town Board £60 for the same purpose. Their attitude seems to be a "dog in the manger" one. I herewith enclose a copy of the Southland Daily News of June 12th for the benefit of your readers. I trust you will print the business of above Board in connexion with the clock.— Yours faithfully, F. B. CLAUSEN. [ENCLOSURE] '' Mr Adam Hamilton, M.P., forwarded a reply from the Prime Minister in connexion with representations made to him with regard to the ereption of a clock on the Otautau Post Office. The Prime Minister's letter Tead as follows :— '■ "I desire to inform you that I am now advised by the Postmaster-Gener-al that his Department will arrange for the erection of a suitable two-dial clock, as desired, on condition that the Otautau Town Board is prepared to meet half the cost. A clock of the type referred to costs the Department £100 landed in Wellington. Its transfer to Otautau and erection on Post Office building at that place would involve an expenditure of £20—total £120. If, therefore, the Town Board will agree to meet half the cost, viz., £60, and to maintain the clock, also to provide the necessary lighting, the Postal Department will arrange for a clock to be erected on the Post Office building.'' [It appears to us that the Post and Telegraph Department is showing* more generosity towards Leeston than towards Otautau. It has provided and erected at Leeston, without any payment from the Town Board or citizens, a clock of exactly the same type as is offered to Otautau, yet the Town Board at the latter place is asked to find half the cost of purchase and installation. There is no suggestion- of giving £60 to the Otautau Town Board. The clock is to go on the Post Office building and will not be the property of either the Town Board or the citizens. In both cases the Town Boards are expected to provide for maintenance. No doubt the Post and Telegraph Department has good reasons o#its own for not wishing to either sell or give away the clock at Leeston, even though its reasons do not appear to have been disclosed.—Ed. "E.G."]