GREYMOUTH TOWN CLOCK

Grey River Argus, 18 August 1944, Page 4

GREYMOUTH TOWN CLOCK

SITE AGAIN DISCUSSED The future of the Greymouth Town Clock was again discussed by the Borough Council at its meeting last evening, when a motion by Cr. F. F. Boustridge, that a prize or £25 be offered for the best design for a 'clock tower in ferro-concrete to oe erected on the site above Chapel Street, was considered. Cr. Boustridge said that tenders had been called ror the demolition of the present Clock tower, and it seemed as though people were going to be deprived of the clock. There was no ocligation by the motion to build the clock on the site mentioned—it only asked for a design. Questions had been asked regarding the Condition of the clock, and he had received a report that day, from Mr. J. Tennent, who had been in charge of its maintenance for a number of years. This stated that the movement was in good order and with careful handling would give entire satisfaction for at least another century. Some damage to the bell hammers has been caused by exposure to weather. The clock was a very good timekeeper, and there had been times when it had gone for six weeks and not been more than ten seconds out.

Cr. W. H. Herring seconded the motion.

Cr. J. B. Kent opposed the motion. He did not agree, he said, with the site, and under the resolution there would be an obligation regarding the £25. Before anyone could design a tower they would have to know where the clock was to be placed, and he thought the majority of people thought that the present site was absurd. Cr. G. R. Harker said he did not think he could support the motion until a site was selected. A design would have to fit in with its surrounings. Cr. P. Blanchfield said that apart from the Town Hall he thought the site suggested was admirable, but he did not see any, need to rush the matter. He thought it would be a good idea to store the clock for, say, 12 months, especially till it was, seen what was going to be done about the reconstruction of the Town Hall building. It would be a big expense to put it up on its present site. The Lyttelton Borough Council had discussed the erection of a neon electric clock, and he thought this matter might be looked into. Cr. H. Hutchinson pointed out that a design would have to be tied to a particular site. He thought the clock should be in the centre of the town at the Town Hall. Perha'ps it would be possible, he suggested, to erect it on a temporary site so that oeople would have the use of it pending the reconstruction of the Town Hall.

Cr. A. L. McKay said that even on the present site it could not be seen from the bus stop, and that was one of its main values. He did not agree that any plans should be taken out at this juncture. The Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham) said that in his opinion if the clock was to be re-erected the site above Tainui Street where the hoarding had been put up was the place, but the public saw so little of it that he did not think it would be missed. When the chimes were stopped a few Y,ears ago there had been a hub-bub for a day or two. The clock could not in its present position be seen in the town and he thought it should be stored to see how the public got on. without it.

Replying to the discussion, Cr. Boustridge said that the civic amenities, among which he ' counted the clonk, should be preserved. : The motion was lost .on voices.