THE TOWN CLOCK.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 3906, 15 May 1877, Page 2

THE TOWN CLOCK.

Sik, — There can be little doubt that the suggestion of "An Inhabitant " is a well meant one, but I still opine that it is ill advised, and I think it must be clear that any public subscription raised for the purpose of altering the clock, would reduce Sir Donald from the position of a donor, to that of a subscriber, and would give a loophole for ill-natured people to say — for there are some ill-natured people in Napier — that Sir Donald did not give the clock, he merely left a sum of money towards one. Many of the residents in Napier gave it just as much as he did. f< An Inhabitant" may remark that this would be a gross misrepresentation, and here I quite agree with him, but it would be on that account, not less difficult of refutation. But on this point satis scrihendi. Now to the main point of the argument. Would a pillar be suitable ? It is well known, in professional circles, that all pillars do sway about during high winds, and this, when they are made of brick and stone; would wood insure a greater immunity ? I think not, so well is the fact known that clocks intended for erection on pillars are made stronger than others, to enable them to resist the deleterious influence that the movement of the pillar would otherwise have. Doubtless, Mr Garry will make the lamp-posts as secure as excellent workmanship can do it ; but if "An Inhabitant" thinks that they will not sway about slightly, when exposed to heavy gusts of wind, he had better take the first opportunity of watching one. I may also tell him that a clock pillar would have a greater tendency to sway as all the weight is at the top. In case of an earthquake, the pillar and clock wotild not stand the same chance as other clocks in the town, for from the formation of the pillar, its centre of gravity would more readily overhang its base. In exemplification of this, we know that chimneys and towers are always the first to fall. — I am, &c. , Db Insula. May 14, 1877.