Govt Life clock fixed

Press, 9 June 1982, Page 3

Govt Life clock fixed

A technician, Mr William Bos, of Auckland, adjusts the programmer for the Government Life clock in Cathedra] Square during test runs yesterday. The clock was switched back on yesterday afternoon for the first time in nearly six months, and after the test runs the time and temperature were accurately shown. Old age took its toll of the

clock mechanism late last year. The temperature often came up as an “S” and the time was shown as 9.99. The possibility of changing the mechanism to an electronic action was investigated, but cost and complexity of the work ruled this out, and Plessey Business Systems, of Auckland, was called in to help refurbish the old equipment. The programmer, the

clock's brain, was sent to Auckland for repairs and yesterday was placed back in position, ready to trip the correct relays. The time will now be displayed for 45 seconds each minute, and then the temperature. But the possibility of having the temperature shown for a longer period is to be investigated. The technical supervisor for Plessey, Mr John Crox-

ford, said that he had every confidence the clock would be in service for many years. The custodian of the Government Life Building, Mr Steve Munro, is one person who will appreciate the reliability of the clock. When the timepiece is not performing as it might, his telephone constantly rings with callers pointing out the clock’s malaise. On one occasion he had 350 callers up to 3 a.m.