THE TOWN CLOCK.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 November 1916, Page 7

THE TOWN CLOCK.

QUESTION UNSETTLED. The members of the Borough Council are divided on the question whether the chimes of the town clock should be stopped between the hours of 11 p.m. and 0 a.m., and as the result of a resolution, passed at last evening's meeting of the Works Committee of the Council, the clock in the meantime will continue to chime throughout the twenty-four hours. Some time ago the Council received a petition from the proprietor of the White Hart Hotel, urgnig that the chimes be stopped. A counter petition was also received. Tha Wo-ks Committee of the Council, then decided that the chimes be stopped, and tenders were called for the work. The matter cropped up again last evening, when a tender of £l3 was received. Cr. J. W. Hayden moved—"That the tender be accepted." Cr. E. Griffiths seconded-. Cr. W, F. Short opposed the motion, and expressed the hope that the application of one party, who was not prepared to pay sixpence towards the cost of removing the complaint, would not be acceded to. The people who were in favor of leaving things as they were should bo given as much consideration a* the complainant. Cr. Short said he did not think the expenditure to stop th*.chimes was justified. Or. A. E. Watkins moved; and Cr. Short seconded, as an amendment—"That the tender be not accepted." Cr. L. M. Monteath regarded the complaint as a real grievance. Or. W; A. Oollis supported the acceptance of the tender, and. questioned whether many people waited up between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. to listen to the chimes. If the chimes were a nuisance to visitors, they should be stopped. Other Councillors spoke on the subject, and expressed various/views. The Mayor (Mr. £. H. Burgess) regarded the chimes as a nuisance to visitors staying at the White Hart Hotel for one or two nights. The Council, he said, wasi not entitled to call upon people to contribute towards the cost of removing a nuisance. .

The amendment was put. Six Councillors voted for the amendment, and six"against. The Mayor gave his casting vote in favor of leaving things as they were. ' $

"That does not settle the matter," remarked the Mayor. "The resolution to stop the chimes is still on the books, and will bo discussed again at next week's meeting."