The Daily News. MONDAY. JUNE 5, 1905. MOVING FORWARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7840, 5 June 1905, Page 2

The Daily News. MONDAY. JUNE 5, 1905. MOVING FORWARD.

Uho announcement that the plans (or the new local post office are so well forward that tenders are to be called in about a fortnight's time will be welcome news to tho public, and particularly so to.the long suffering' officials whose misfortune it has boert to carpy out their duties under such unfavourable conditions as those which have existed here for a verylong time past. It has beeri a weary process of waiting, but, as the oldadage says, "all things conic to those who know how to wait." The Government are not altogether to blauie as much valuable time, and probably good opportunities, were lost over the question of site, which

some time back was somewhat acuto. However, that, like many other dif-" fcrcnces of opinion, belongs to the past. Now that the new building ris withini a measurable distance of being an accomplished fact, we can- well afford to forget the delay, and rejoice over the fact that New J'lymoutJj, will shortly; possess a post office which will in every way be worthy

of the to\w. There is every indication that the structure w/.1l have some pretensions to architectural nierit, and as it will octupy the most commanding site in the town it is' only right that it shall be pleasing to the;, eye; as well as replete with the much needed additional accommotlation. Theclock tower the, pathway will be a conspicuous, feature; and when the flag is flying from the pole which is .to surtional importance to the building. However, it wilt be a decided advantage to the towhspeoptt to be able to rely on knowing the exact , time day by day. At present there is a peculiar divergence on this matter. The railway and post office clocks

rarely agree, and judging from the' steam Sirens at the various fac- ; tork'B there ifl much need of an of-" ficial clock bell to sound the time of day. Of course, this infers that tho new town clock will be all that it should be, «jh(t that it will bo corrected daily—tins railway time being made to correspond. If we are to have a clock that' is no better than the timepiece which occupies the tower at the railway station we are better without it, but no doubiti there Will be little to complain of, so we neod not anticipate trouble on this Jjeoji... Now that our hopes as to the new post office are about to be realised, it if (only natural ' that there should be a fervent desire for the avoidance of all deluy. Another announcement that Should' be receiv-j ed with much satisfaction is tho promise by the Minister of Railways to take the necessary steps next session for obtaining authority for the deviation of tho railway so as to

avoid the present dangerous crossing in I>ovon Street. For a long time past this matter has been pressor! 0 n the Department, but without success. In towne where there is a main stroot at least a chain and a half wide a railway crossing does not present the danger that is over lurking in such' a narrow thoroughfare as Devon Street, increased enormously by the steep gradient on tlie southern side. That more victims havo not been sacrificed at this death trap is more by luck than judgment, and the evil grows worse every day by rensoti of the increased population and greater frequency of trains. Tho mere fact that the townspeople havo grown accustomed to the danger only enhances the risk they run, and no effort should be spared to put an and to the present route. With the near approach of the (general election the question is one'that mas* materially affect the voters, as it is felt on all sides that the lives 1 of our citizens should no longer be placed in daily jeopardy from a cause that can be easily remedied if only the Government will do their duty in the matter. Although the question o| pounds, shillings, and pence is one that ought not to be weighed in the balance with human life, there is every reason to believe that the devia-: tion will not prove a costly affair, the sale of the land occupied by the present linq a long way towards the expense of the new route. Wo may take Sir Joseph W : ard ul his word, and rely on his at last obtaining for tho town a railway reform that should have been carried out years ago. l\ complying with the request of the Borough Council for a small strip of land to facilitate the extension of Gill Street into Brougham Street, Sir Joseph Ward has ■ shown that he is alivo to the progress of the town and its increased requirements. As we have already stated, Iho proposed extension Ka9 become a matter of necessity, and the ratepayers may safely bo relied on to sanction the necessary loan for the work. New Plymouth is going steadily ahead, and the -citizens should be pleased as well as interested st the development wMck has

taken plac* in IKfeil' town. There are, However, several important details to be provided before the chief town in Taranalci is brought lip to date, and is equipped in a fitting manner. The provision oi -thise; n«eds rousit; necessarily take time, alsome of the most urgent will naturally require attention at an early -date. It will probably bo our duty beforo long to make further rei ference to these matters, but for the , present they, sink into insignificance I beside tho, weighty affairs to which ; i we have specially (lllufled above.