Himalayan Times (1951)

Four

tMitinlauna ^imr*

November M. I!»'>l

IHmalajran (Tim*5

Kulimponq, November II, l'Jil.

TRUNK CALLS

BJEFOl'E giving effect to the riven t
rod action in trunk call charges a
Government of India Cominuniipie In-lii out
hopes of a drastic all rotioil reduction
in trunk eall charge, wilh alluring
prospects of a total abolition of these
charges lor short distances, lint we have
noted with regret and disappointment tint
the important hill-stations of Ilarjecling
and Kalunpong have heen left out of
these considerations and do not enjoy
the lienelits of reduced charges introduced
recently.

Moth Darjecling and Kalunpong
cater each year for a number of visitors
to the hills while Kalimpong is an im-
portant trade centre being the entrepot
for Tibet wool and other commodities.
The inevitable delay of mails, which has
certainly improved after the monsoons
the lack of en ordination in motor trans-
port linking these towns with rail-head
and air-port tends to bring about a
feeling of isolation among the lull people
Cheap trunk calls would, therefore, help
both the business community and othl N
to keep in touch with the outside world
when other means of communication fail.
We realise that even telephone wires
are subject to the vagaries of wind and
weather and that ijinetimee the line
may be down but it will not be anjthing
comparable to Hie Likubir »hp wWon
dislocated Kalimpong s communication
with the world lor over a year.

Now that our popular Governor
I>r. K. N. Kaljii who had a keen and
svmpalhetie interest in the welfare ol

this District (and also Sikkim) is now in
t' e Central Cabinet, we would ap|x al
to the District Welfare Association to
take up the matter of reduced trunk
call charges with the Central Government
and this we are sure will produce satislac-
tory lesuhs.

u-rrTi:u>i to thi: dihthi;

MUNICIPAL BUILDING

Dear Sir, Dame rumour has made
it known it may be a fact, that our
Municipality not being able to secure
a piece of land from the Govt, m 'lie
court compound, for erection of an ollice
of its own, is negotiating for purchase
of a house known a ''Greenwood l.eigh '.
It is aUo reported that the authorities
are rather willing to pay a fantastidv
high price for it, which is far above
the cost of original construction and not
commensurate with the cheap type of
home it is.

As far as is known I lie internal
nertitioni are mos;|v bamboo lath and
plaster and the H >or wood etc am not
ol the best that will last a iong tune.
The outer wall and foundation are pro-
bablv rubble in mud pointed will; cement
mortar oir.side. A thorough examination
should be made before a pucca oiler is
made lor the property.

It has a reputation of being a haun-
ted house but as it is nil\ for ollice
use, it may be le'ft out.

Tin' oile r major point is removing
the ollice to such a distance from the
town, will suit only the Official Chairman
and mav be one or two other commi-
ssioners, whether piesent or future. The
inconvenience to the public who have
to go to the office in numbers daily,
ought also to be taken into consideration,
(Cimlinuril mi pmjr '.'