SYDENHAM CLOCK TOWER

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24581, 1 June 1945, Page 4

SYDENHAM CLOCK TOWER

DEMOLITION SUSPENDED BY MINISTER

Instructions that work oxi the demolition of clock towers on post office buildings be stopped in the meantime have been given by the Minister of Works (the Hon. R. Semple), according to Miss M. B. Howard, M.P., who has returned to Christchurch after an interview with the Minister on the subject of the Sydenham clock. Miss Howard went to Wellington as the result of a public meeting at Sydenham last Sunday. Mr Semple promised her that, if the Sydenham clock tower could be put in a safe condition, it would hot be removed. He gave instructions that work on the demolition of clock towers should be suspended until the civic authorities concerned had been consulted. He told her that he did not want to pull clocks down, and that where the towers could be made Safe that would not be done. The proposal to remove the towers, because of the possible danger to life, had come from the Post and Telegraph Department, but his department came into It, as it had to do the work.