CLOCK TOWER

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 64, 27 February 1935, Page 7

CLOCK TOWER

THE WINNING DESIGN Mr. S. G. Chaplin’s Success FIRST PRIZE TO HASTINGS The first prize in the competition for designs lor the Hastings clock tower has been awarded to Mr. Sidney G. Chaplin, A.8.1.8.A., A.N.Z.1.A., of Hastings, and the second prize to Mr. Clifford Sanderson, B.Arch., A.N.Z.1.A., of Auckland. The first prize is 25 guineas and the second 10 guineas. The Borough Council has already set aside the money for the erection of the tower, and the successful architect will now set about preparing the specifications and detailed plans as a necessary preliminary to the calling of tenders. The work of building the tower will be put in hand as soon as possible. Mr. Chaplin’s success is a notable achievement, and his design was judged to be quite easily the best of the twenty-two entries received from many parts of New Zealand. The Borough Council had a special meeting last night to consider the report of the jury of award, consisting of the Mayor, Mr. G. A. Maddison, and the borough architects. Messrs. Davies and Phillips. OUTSTANDING DKBIGN. As has already been explained, the identity of every entrant was kept absolutely secret even after the winning design had been chosen, and Mr. Eric Phillips, when asked to-day to comment on Mr. Chaplin’s design, had first to be told the name of the winner. To the layman’s eye, Mr. Chaplin’s design was decidedly the most beautiful and effetive of all the 22, and that it is equally so to the expert eye may be gathered from Mr, Eric Phillips's comment that “it is most decidedly the outstanding design, both from the point of view of utility and aesthetically. It will be an ornament to the town." The designs which won the first and •econd prizes will shortly be exhibited for public inspection. DESIGN DESCRIBED. The drawings show a design in reinforced concrete which, while expressing she materials oi its construction, provides an harmonious composition m conformity with modern ideas in architectural design. The total height oi the tower above the pavement line to Heretaunga street is 60ft and the clock dials are at a height of approximately 53 feet. The tower is placed on the central axie of the site to Heretaunga street and as near as possible to the frontage line to provide maximum visibility from all parts without forming an obstruction to traffic. The rite has been treated in an architectural manner with a design laid out on a central axis, the actual tower being parallel to Heretaunga street. The tower stands on a circular platform approached by broad shallow steps situated in a formal setting of reflection pool, gardens, lawns •nd seats. The tower U square in plan ami rises from a base 15 feet square und having an entrance door from Heretaunga street. There is a bubble drinking fountain and basin discharging into pool in the garden layout at the rear of the tower. The exterior elevations express construction of reinforced concrete piers •nd beams and have an infilling design of pre-cast concrete jali work, •nd leading up to grilles enclosing the bells. Above the bells the four dial clock mechanism is housed. The dials •re of clear and etched opal glacs with bronze hands and numerals. The clocks will be illuminated electrically •nd controlled with automatic switchgear. A circular hood and flag-polo surmount the structure. It was thought that the tower would lie considerably enhanced by flood-lighting, and it is intended that provision be made for this work. The clock and chiming gear will be •lectricaHy operated and provision will be made for continuous, service in the •vent of power break-downs.