TOWN CLOCK.

Waipa Post, Volume I, Issue 42, 8 September 1911, Page 2

TOWN CLOCK.

1 .•' . , ■

[MAGNIFICENT GSFT BY WILLIAM TAYLOR, ES(SIRE, OF GREENHILL

Te Awamutu has very considerable cause to-day to congratulate herself on the possession of a town clock second to none in the Dominion, thanks to the magnificent public - spiritedness and lavish generosity of our most respected townsman, William Taylor, Esquire, of Greenhill, who has handed to the president of the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce (Mr W. N. von Sturmer) a cheque for the whole of the purchase money for the clock placed under offer to our town by the Government, for which a tower will now be built on the new post office in course of erection. It is only a very short time since the subject of a town clock was first mooted by Ihe Rev. Father Lynch at a meeting of the local Chamber / of Commerce. That body, by its prompt and-, masterly action, paved the way to this most gratifying and successful issue, and has thus justified its existence beyond all question. The determination and promptitude with which the Rev. Father Lynch's valuable suggestion was handled by the Chamber of Commerce) in spite of the Government's refusal to comply with the initial request to erect a tower to carry a clock which was to be subscribed for locally, led to the secretary to the Chamber (Mr A. G. Warburton) journeying to Wellington and interviewing the Secretary of the General Post Office. The result of the interview was that the clock at present on the Timaru post office (a four-dialed one valued at £4OO, with a dial diameter of six feet and which is to be replaced by a chiming clock) was placed under offer to Te Awamutu for £2OO, the necessary tower to be provided by the Government. Evidently the determined action of the Chamber was carefully noted and approved by Mr William Taylor, of Greenhill,,, who, with commendable perspicuity, saw to the full the value of the Government's offer, and, with a magnanimity and public-spiritedness which cannot be too highly eulogised, that gentleman voluntarily came forward ancl offered to bear the whole of the burden. Needless to say, the offer was immediately accepted by the Chamber

of Commerce. By Mr Taylor's magnificent gift Te Awamutu finds herself possessed of a town clock equal to the best in the Dominion. It comes with the best of reputations, and is guaranteed by the makers for one hundred years. Had it been possible to have fixed the chimes which have been presented to Timaru to this clock then it would have been retained there, but as that was found impossible it was decided to have it removed and sold for erection on some other public building. It is a most fortunate circumstance for Te Awamutu that the building of our new -post office should have synchronised with the presentation of chimes to Timaru, but for which we would not have found ourselves in the fortunate position which led to Mr William Taylor's highly - appreciated liberality and benefaction. That gentleman may rest assured that he has and will have for all time the sincere and heartfelt thanks of every resident in the town and district who, one and all, will wish that he and his may have many, many years, spared to them to enjoy with the grateful residents in and about Te Awamutu the pleasurable advantages which, through his generosity,' are now assured to us. To the Rev. Father Lynch as the originator, and to the Chamber of Commerce —but more particularly its worthy president, Mr W. N. von Sturmer —the best thanks of the community are due. Further, had it not been for the favourable recommendation made rby the Secretary of the Postal Department (Mr D. Robertson) we could scarcely have been in our present fortunate position. Te Awamutu is indeed tobe congratulated on her good fortune, and we are hopeful that the grand lead given by the Laird of Greenhill may —• in some of the many other needy directions—be emulated by those who are able,, to endow our town, and so assist in lifting Te Awamutu to that prominence to Which, thanks to her glorious natural advantages, she is entitled, and must yet reach. It is only a question of when. This is in our own hands to settle.