THE CARILLON

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 112, 14 May 1927, Page 10

THE CARILLON

LETTING THE CONTRACT

DETAILS OF SPECIFICATIONS

It is expected that tenders for the supply of a carillon of bells to the Wellington War Memorial Carillon Society will be available in Wellington within the next week or so. Comprehensive specifications have been drawn up by a committee of experts in England, at the request of the High Commissioner (Sir James Parr), acting on behalf of the society. Details of the specifications, made available to a "Post" reporter to-day by the chairman of the society (Mr. H. D. Bennett), are of general interest. The contract, it is stated, includes, the supply of the following apparatus:— 1. Forty-nine bells ranging by semitones through four complete octaves upwards from Bass G'sharp, for which note the bell is to .weigh from 82 to £3 cwt. ' 2. Suitably constructed steel framework in which the bells are to be hung, provision to be made in the framework for the hanging at some future date, should it bo so desired, of four additional and larger bells descending by semi-tones down to E natural. 3. A 53:be1l playing clavicrj complete with all necessary operating mechanism between the bells and the clavier.

4. One 53-bcll practice clavier. 5. Electrically driven automatic player, suitable for use in conjunction with the carillon. Note: The lcctric power available is 230 volt, 50 cycle, three-phase A.C., aud the mechanism is to be arranged so that the bell may be played either from the clavier or by an automatic player. Provision is made in the specifications for the inspection of the apparatus before it is shipped to New Zealand, the purchasers to have the right to suggest any amendments that they may consider necessary. The whole of the material used in the construction of the various parts is to be British, and the workmanship is .to be carried put in Great Britain, unless otherwise sanctioned by the High Commissioner. The High Commissioner is to arrange for and defray on behalf of the purchasers all freight charges from the port of shipment in Great Britain to New Zealand, the purchasers to pay also Customs duties and other charges in New Zealand. The manufacturers are to send out to New Zealand an expert to supervise the erection of the equipment within the tower, which is to bo provided by the purchasers. The specifications provide that the carillon, complete in every respect, is to be erected at the contractors' works' and ready for inspection within eighteen months from the date of notification of the acceptance of the tender. After passing the necessary tests, it is to be shipped to New Zealand within six, weeks of completion. The usual penalty clause is included.

The successful contractors are to be pnid as follows:—50 per cent, monthly of the value of all work completed; 25 per cent, of the total contract price in exchange for marine insurance policy within fifteen flays after receipt of bill of lading from the shipping company; 10 per cent, within one week after the safe arrival and warehousing of the equipment in New Zealand; 10 per cent, after the whole has been completely erected within the tower in Wellington and after satisfactory trial by the purchasers; and 5 per cent, at the termination of the maintenance period and upon the carillon being finally taken over by the purchasers. There are also several provisions as to insurance.