PUBLIC CLOCK FOR LINWOOD

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22459, 21 July 1938, Page 9

PUBLIC CLOCK FOR LINWOOD

TO THE EDITOR OT THE PEE9S. Sir, —Your correspondent "A Near Resident" writes: "There is not a decent clock in Christchurch." It is perfectly true and surprising that Christchurch does not possess a public clock that is an accurate timekeeper. There are many reasons for this, and the city is better without public clocks if they fail to give requirements reasonably exepected. Why? In the tirst place. I doubt if necessary consideration is given as to the suitable type of movement which should be utilised. Second, 'he care and attention needed to assure good time-keeping are very much neglected, as turret and tower clocks require more than winding to assure good results. They should be placed in the care of a thoroughly practical craftsman, and one who takes more than ordinary interest in his work, to ensure creditable results. Third, climatic conditions and temperature extremes that obtain here are also against such clocks in question, and it is more difficult to get good results in consequence. But a man who knows his business can overcome those difficulties and get time out of his clock within reasonable limits, by adjustments, etc., that he well knows by experience and research. Electric clocks are much in evidence to-day. With my life-time's experience (over 50 years), I may be somewhat conservative, but the movements of big clocks that I handled In Vam Old

Country and the results achieved satisfy me that the type of clock similar in many respects to the Great Westminster one stitt hold their ovm as reliable timekeepers, and -will do so for the next century or so, or till electrical ones are perfected to the same degree of accuracy and reliability. The science of horology has baffled the minds of the greatest craftsmen the world has produced for the last four centuries, and its secrets are still being sought after, to produce a perfect timekeeper (as horologists know regarding the measurement of time) from the "wheels that go round" and the secrets that are still unsolved which go to make a perfect timekeeper, whether it be watch or clock. Two of England's greatest watchmakers are buried in Westminster Abbey, which gives food for thought, and a knowledge of the important part' horology has played in the progress of man.—Yours, etc., W.H. July 20, 1938.