CLOCK TOWER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 86, 22 January 1946, Page 2

CLOCK TOWER

EARLY DEMOLITION BIG LOSS TO TOWN Providing labour is forthcoming, the clock tower on the Ashburton Post Office , will be demolished at an early date, apd the town will then be without the services of its big clock, which has performed yeoman service for many years. > In most towns of the Dominion clocks of a similar nature are a feature of the landscape, and have come to lie regarded as part of the community. Citizens of Ashburton recognised the need for a reliable timepiece in the very early days and the civic authorities' installed a clock on the eastern frontage of the Municipal Chambers. It was a “striking” clock, not from the point of view of appearance, but in that it heralded the hours in sombre tones, but its location was such that it could be seen only from a. short distance. However, the time came when the growth of the town necessitated bigger and better postal facilities. For a long time the needs of the town were " catered for in an old wooden building adjourning the present office, and directly opposite the old Railway Station, tlie Postmaster and liis family having living quarters at the back of the public office. In 1900 a fire broke out in the washhouse, and part of the Post Office building was destroyed. However, temporary repairs were effected, but no doubt the fire helped to hasten the erection 1 of a new structure. Early in 1900 the erection of a new Post Office was commenced, and was completed and ready for business in November, 1901. The building is of brick, faced with Oaniaru stone, and cost about £5300. After the Napier earthquake in February, 1931, the gable ends of the East and Cameron Street frontages were removed in the interest of public safety. Erected in 1901

The clock tower was erected with the building and, in 1903, chiming clock was installed costing £750, half of which was paid by - the residents of Ashburton, When the new clock commenced service, the “striking” mechanism of the old Borough clock was removed, but the clock continued to' function, and has remained in use ever since. Once the demolition of the Post Office tower is completed, the old clock will come back into its own, for apart .from a clock on business premises in East Street, it will be the only public time-piece in the town. The decision to demolish the present Post Office tower was made by the Director-General of the Post and Telegraph Department in January, 1944, following' a survey of damage to a number of similar towers as the result of earthquakes. Every effort was made by the civic authorities to .save the structure, and so retain the clock, hut the efforts were unsuccessful.