GRAND CARILLON

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 129, 2 June 1928, Page 10

GRAND CARILLON

62 TONS OF BELLS TOTAL WEIGHT 87 TONS APPEAL FOR £1000 It is officially stated that in ordering a heavier set of bells ' than was originally intended for the Wellington War Memorial Carillon, the General Committee of ■ the Society was guided by the marked success which has already attended ' tlio Ottawa Carillon (the weightiest in existence for its range of 53 bells), and by expert advice that the heavier bells would have a greater carrying 1 power which would be more suitable for Wellington. Although this means an additional cost of approximately £1000 the General Committee felt that its action would receive the hear.ty endorsement of both individual donors and the general public, and'in making its present appeal for the extra amount it is confident that it will be warmly supported. Indeed, its appeal is already meeting with the most encouraging response, and when the street day collection is held on Friday next, Bth June, the tenth anniversary of the Battle of Messines, .in which the New Zealand Division so distinguished itself, the indications are that the amount will be fully subscribed. INSTRUCTIVE DETAILS. The Grand Carillon ordered for Wellington, which is now being east at the foundry of Messrs. Gillett and Johnston, Croydon, London, will have a range of 49 bells with provision for an ultimate extension to 53 bells. The weight of this first instalment of 49 bells will bo 31 tons 2cwt 221b, as compared with 27 tons scwt lqr in the carillon at Sydney, and first contemplated for Wellington—an increase in actual bell metal of 3 tons 16ewt 3qrs 221b. The weight of tho clappers alone for these 49 bells, each bell having two clappers, will be 3 tons 7ewt 24.251b, while the upper and Jowcr bell frames will weigh 20 tons *2cwt 3qr 271b, and the connections 1 ton more. The combined weight of this first instalment of 49 bells, with clappers, framework, connections, hand clavier, practice clavier, and automatic player will thus bo fully 56 tons. The heaviest bell of this set will be 5 tons. Tho four additional bells, which will be added at a later date, bringing the total up to a range- of 53, will all" bo heavier bells, the largest weighing 10 tons. In the aggregate these four bells will scale,3o tons lScwt making tho total weight of bells alone in the completed set 62 tons 221b. The clappers for these extra four bells will weigh 1 ton Bcwt 121b. Thus the Wellington Carillon when fully installed will weigh slightly in excess of 87 tons. ONE OF THE WORLD'S BEST. ■ The Wellington Carillon, in actual fact, will be a full sister of the Ottawa Carillon, which was cast by the same firm, and, bell for bell, will bo of the same., weight and dimensions. It will thus be heavier than the earlier set of 53 bells ordered by Mr. John D. Rockefeller, junior, ■ from the same founders for the Park avenue Church, New York, though this carillon is now being increased to 58 bells, the heaviest of which weighs 18J tons. It will bo seen from, these particulars that the Wellington Carillon when installed will be one of tho world's very best, and should prove an inspiration to all who will hear it. It is expected that it will bo playing here by July of next year. In the meantime, tho Carillon Society is asking for £.1000 more to help to make tho bolls ring. By tho street collection, which will be 'taken up next Friday, the- public will be provided with their first opportunity of sharing in this fine proposal.