THE CLOCK TOWER

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19726, 17 September 1929, Page 13

THE CLOCK TOWER

TO BE REMOVED. CAUSTIC COMMENTS BY COUNCILLORS. Caustic references to the Clock Tower as a monstrosity and hideous in design were hotly defended by Cr- J. W. Beanl.'ind, Cr. A. W. Beaven, and Cr. E. H. , .' ndrews, at last night's meeting of the City Council. On this occasion the dispute wus not a Party one. Councillors arguing manily from their own aesthetic points of view and their conception of what was due to the generation responsible for the erection of the Tower. A report from the Works Committee stated that after giving further consideration to the matter, the committee was of opinion that there was no immediate necessity for the removal of the Clock Tower. At present it did not occasion any serious obstruction to traffic although, in the opinion of the City Engineer, it might do so in the future. The estimated cost of demolishing the tower and removing it to, say, Latimer square, was and as there was no money available on the current year's estimates for the purpose, the committee recommended that the tower be allowed to remain in its present position until such time as the traffic in its vicinity warranted its removal. Hands Wanted. Reference was made to the absence of hands on the clock, and this inspired Cr. F. R. Cooke to remark: "We have settled the unemployment question. Hands are wanted at the Clock Tower." (Laughter.) Cr. E- H. Andrews said the tower was rather a joke in the City. Three different people from Wellington had asked him what he was going to do about the clock, and unfortunately one of them had missed his boat through it. Since then the hands had been taken off. "We in Christchurch never depend on the City clocks," Cr. Andrews added, "but that does not mean that we don't need to depend on them." The Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer): The question is whether you are prepared to spend about £l6O. Cr. M. E. Lyons said the demolition of the Clock Tower would not be so very expensive, and he believed from the traffic point of view it would be wise to demolish it. "It is highly advisable that that place should be cleared," he continued. "If you remove it you will get a better traffic stream up Manchester street, and will relieve the congestion on other streets. No one would miss it. It is hideous in design and is not a credit to the City.'' "That is only your opinion," ol> jeeted Cr- Beanland. "It's a memorial. " Or. Lyons's Education. Cr. Lyons: Yes, it is only my opinion, but if Cr. Beanland thinks it is an elegant memorial I am sadly disappointed in him. Thank goodness _my education has not gone along the lines of thinking that that monstrosity is an attraction to the City!" He argued that it was more than ever necessary to remove it, now that a theatre was being erected there. He hoped that the committee Would arrange, some comfortable storage, and suggested that it should be kept in the ;Moorhouse avenue yard for a year or two. Or. H. T. J. Thacker said that he would move an' amendment that the Clock Tower be taken down and stored. This was seeonded by Cr. J. A. Flesher, who said it would cost one third the sum mentioned in the original motion to transfer the Cloefc Tower- ; ;r„ Cr. Andrews opposed the amendment in that form, saying that if the tower j were stored that would be the end of it. It was a memorial they should preserve, and he would be very sorry" to see it demolished and stored away. Another Suggestion. "Wt»y not offer it to Mr Ell to put on the Cashmere Hills?" suggested Cr. Th%eker. . . Cr. Andrews: He might accept it. Cr. Andrews added that hewcHild support th<? axn€MEidnK>Ht if Cr# Th&cker would stipulate a certain tiro© for the re-erection of the Tower. Cr. P. W. Sharpe expressed a hope that this "monstrosity" would be taken down and put out of the way. He thought the memorial in Victoria square was quite sufficient. They did not want two memorials to one personCr. Beanland referred to the new Clock Tower being erected near the Madras street bridge, and asked what was going to happen to that in 15 or 20 years. . Cr Lyons: It is not in the r?ad. "It may be-in 15.0r 20 years," retorted Ci. Be#nland, He added that th<i.v had several places in the City where the tower could be put to advantage. "That Clock Tower is as nice a piece of stonework as there is. in the City " ho said, "far nicer than some of tie stonework being done to-day. Cr Shftrpe said the proposal to put the tower in the Moorhouse avenue yards was finding the site for it for the time being. (Laughter.) "Don't talk-' nonsense,'' said or,. BJeanlanjli ipdignaatly. . . ..._ *Crv Beaven said it was not .right for ono generation to undo the work of another, and lie would oppose the amendThe amendment was then put to the meeting and carried, those against it being Crs- Cooke, Beaven, Beanland, and Andrews.