CLOCK TOWER

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 162, 25 June 1935, Page 7

CLOCK TOWER

REPLY TO CRITICS DECISION TO STAND Mayor Gives Council’s Views REASONS FOR ATTITUDE A reply to critics of the Hastings Borough Council’s proposal for the erection of the clock tower on Bailway Reserve is nude by His Worship the Mayor, Mr. G. A. Maddison. It is pointed out by His Worship that the statements contained in his reply, which is given below, embody the considered opinions of members of his council who have met and given every thought to the views propounded by those who have interested themselves in the scheme. Mr. Maddison’s statement is divided into three sections. The first deals with general opinion* which have been expressed; the second with Mr. H. Hyland’s scheme to erect tho tower in the middle of Heretaunga street; and the third section refers to Mr. C. Gardner’s suggestion to have the clock supported from an arch over Heretaunga atreet.

VISIBILITY QUESTION

Not An Essential Argument

Mr. Maddison has the following comments to make in the first section of his reply:—

“Many opinions, mostly anonymous, have been recently expressed disapproving of the locality chosen by the council for the erection of the clock tower. It is not my practice or intention to reply to anyone who does not choose to sign his or her name, for I have not the time or the desire. 1 realise, however, why anonymous names have been chosen; it may be bebecuuse the writers deliberately or unconsciously display a lack or disregard of the correct circumstances, and, of course, there may be other motives. “Again, it is to me perhaps extraordinary, that although the council decided, alter months of consideration, to place the clock tower on the site chosen (on July 16, 1934) and prominence was given to this decision in the Press, yet no objections were made, and it is only since the work has been commenced that some people otter a contrary opinion. “Even so far as the plan for the Civic Square is concerned people have already misinterpreted the council’s action, for no decision has been made in regard to any one feature, but the various matters are being explored and investigated. “Much comment, however, is being offered concerning the necessity for moving back the clock tower 15 feet further south than it was first intended to construct it. This position was necessitated owing .to the discovery of two wells on the previously arranged site, and, in reply to a correspondent, it is not true that I knew the wells were there, nor did anyone at any time •ven mention this fact to me.

“When the position was ascertained, J immediately called, by telephone, a meeting of councillors, on the site, when the borough engineer and the architect were present and they were asked if the wells could not be effectively plugged so as to allow the construction to continue. They both stated that whatever was done to the wells—even if the pipes could be drawn —there was always the likelihood of a seepage which might cause sufficient disintegration under or adjoining the foundations to detrimentally affect the stability of such a heavy, high and narrow structure. Both of them stated that a house could be safely erected over the wells, but erecting a clock tower was an entirely different matter.

“In answer to the comment that has been made about the visibility in Heretaunga street of the clock, I cannot see that the position has been materially prejudiced, nor can I see any inaterisl argument in the statement that it is essential that the clock should be placed in such a posiion so that people traversing Heretaunga street eastward can obtain an earlier view of it, probably by a second or two. Undoubtedly, people in Heretaunga street will be able to obtain a more comfortable and easy inspection of the clock dials with the clock erected in its agreed locality than they could if the clock could have been erected nearer the street-line. The argument holds that if there is this need, then it similarly follows that the people in Karamu road, Queen street. Nelson street,, and other streets should be similarly privileged by the erection of more town clocks in their streets or areas.

“Why is it necessary to have a clock tower visible throughout the main thoroughfare? Is Big Ben in London; is the town clock in Wellington, in Christchurch, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Birmingham, Glasgow and other places, placet! in tho centre of their main streets? No. Were there any adverse comments about the previous clock when it was standing on the tower of the Post Office prior to the earthquake? “The clock chimes and striking will be heard all over our town and no one will be inordinately inconvenienced by the building of the clock tower in its present location. The design is an outstanding one, and with a suitable garden frontage, I have every reason to believe that the people of Hastings will be delighted with tftis new civic feature and the replacement of a clock and chimes which were the gift of the late E. H. Williams, Esq., but were destroyed, with the exception of the bells, in the earthquake disaster of February, 1931.” “DEFINITELY DISPOSED OF" Tower in Heretaunga Street Criticism of Mr. Hyland’s advocacy of Heretaunga street in the vicinity of the Railway road intersection as the site for the clock tower is contained in the second section of His Worship’s replv. Mr Maddison’s states:— “Mr. H. Hvland. in a recent “Tribune.” is «"»in advocating the erection nt a <-lo k tower in the middle of Heretaunga street, and I understand IS feet < n the westward side of the railway 1 • <\ “Now, J f"d to understand why Mr Hyland pereists with his scheme, when

he knows perfectly well it is impossible. Several mouths ago he placed his plans before the councillors prior to a council meeting, and as an outcome of that conieienco the New Zealand Railway Department was written to, and the lolluwing reply was duly received: — ■ln reply to your letter of tho 29th ultimo to the District Traffic Manager in connection with the proposal to erect a clock tower in Heretaunga street, and lor this department to give up portions of Railway Reserve lor street purposes, 1 have to inform you that the department would strongly object to the election ol any structuie in the position proposed as it would be a serious obstruction to tho view of trains. Also the department could not agree to the dedication for street purposes of the land necessary lor the scheme.’

“Further, as I questioned the legality for such work in the position slated, and the potential responsibility ot the council, the whole facts were placed before Mt. O'Shea, municipal solicitor tor New Zealand lor his opinion. 41 r. O’Shea, in a telegram dated February 12, 1935, stated as follows :— 'Erection clock tower in centre of street may involve corporation in damages through collisions. Clock may be held to be nuisance by jury. In my opinion such erections should not be made.’

“Now, the letter from the Railway Department definitely disposes of any possibility of any alterations in the street alignments to meet Mr. Hyland's scheme. The legal opinion indicates the obvious and heavy responsibility of the council in the event of any accidents.

“While 1 appreciate Mr. Hyland's enthusiasm and interest in this very important civic work, and he is entitled to our thanks, personally I could not recommend his scheme for adoption, even it it had the concurrence of the Railway Department. It appears to me that we would be creating a definite menace to the safety of the public by placing the clock tower in the centre of Heretaunga street, or of any highway for that matter. The fact that his scheme provides for a diversion of pedestrian traffic at Clausen’s corner would, at busy times, tend unconsciously to take pedestrians out to the roadway, and I would not take the responsibility as Mayor, or as a councillor of Hastings, in agreeing to the erection of any structure that would undoubtedly, in my opinion, socuer or later cause injury to someone. I remember only a few years ago the council had placed a silent policeman, which was lighted at night, at the intersection of Heretaunga street with Karamu road, and it bad to be removed owing to its obstruction to traffic, although it was in its dimensions quite a miniature compared with the dimensions of the proposed clock tower. “It is true, as Mr. Hyland states, there are clock towers in the principal streets of Continental cities, but the practice to-day, so far as I am able to learn, is to remove them where traffic is heavy. In this instance I can name the removal of Queen Victoria’s statue from the P.O. Square in Wellington. “Mr. Hyland mentions the contiguous position of the conveniences to the proposed clock tower, but surely it is only a matter of time when these must be demolished and replaced by more sanitary and up-to-date lavatories. “Mr. Hyland states that the tower should be set off in the most impressive surroundings, and I agree absolutely m that statement. In that regard surely the proposed location will lend itself more readily to an appropriate garden setting for the clock tower, than a bitumen road would.

“I realise, and I have repeatedly made the statement, that the Railway road site is not an ideal one for the town clock, but unfortunately that ideal site does not exist in my opinion, and the one chosen is the best available. That opinion is also confirmed by the town planner, who is also an architect.”

STEEL ARCH OPPOSED

Experts Advance Objections

Arguments in rebuttal of Mr. Gardner's suggestion to have the clock erected from an archway over Heretaunga street are presented by Mr. Maddison mainly in the form ot a report by the borough engineer, Mr. Evans, and the architect of. the present clock, Mr. S. G. Chaplin, who point out the disadvantages of the proposal. Mr. Maddison says the following : — “I regret I have not bad an earlier opportunity of replying to a letter written by Mr. C. Gardner regarding the site chosen for the erection of the clock tower.

“Your correspondent suggests that the work should be stopped pending further consideration, and 1 can assure Mr. Gardner that the council’s doors have always been open to him or to anyone else to enter and confer with councillors or myself regarding any matter relating to council affairs. Personally, 1 would welcome Mr. Gardner’s personal co-operation and interest in civic activities. But why did not Mr. (j a; drier offer his suggestion months ago instead of waiting until the work had actually commenced ? “However, he suggests in his letter that it would be preferable to erect a steel arch over Heretaunga street with a clock at the top, and for the purpose of reply I have obtained an opinion from the architect of the present clock, Mr. S. G. Chaplin, and the borough engineer, Mr. Evans, viz., ‘You have asked me to submit a report of the feasibility and approximate cost of erecting a steel arch across Heretaunga street to carry the town clock and bells. You will understand, of course, that owing to the limited time available, this report is of a very general nature only.

“ Tn my opinion it is possible to erect this arch, the advantage being that the clock would then be visible from a greater length of Heretaunga street. The most simple form of open lattice steel arch spanning the full width of street and pavements to Heretaunga street would, as a very rough estimate, be about £2OOO.

“ ‘The disadvantages of the proposal seem to me to be as follow:'—

“ ‘(a) Visibility for Traffic: The proposed arch must of necessity have abuttments for support. These abuttmsats will be of considerable size and even if they are of open steel-work will cause a blind spot lor triZic at. this spot. Thqi crossing is at the present time not free from danger and any further obstruction to visibility would materially increase this danger. “ ‘(b) Foundations: Without necessary drawings and calculatie-w it is not possible to give any exact data on these, but it will be obvious that the arch spans the lull width of Heretaunga street and pavements, the abuttments and foundations must come on railway property.

“ ‘(c) Structure: The suggestion that an open-work steel arch be used as a means of supporting a town clock seems to me to be an erroneous treatment. I have seen, particularly in London, examples of clocks supported by stone arches, one in Savoy Court, and one to Messrs. Lißerty’s premises, both of which are very pleasing com. positions. In these areas, however,

the arches abut into buildings and the span ot the arch is comparatively small. It would be possible to have a welldesigned arch in reinforced concrete, but it appears to me that this would mean a fairly massive and costly construction if it were to be worthy of the town and sufficiently strong to resist earthquake. A very approximate estimate ot the cost would be a minimum of £3OOO. It has been said that the present clock tower is a pleasing design. 1 cannot think that an openwork steel arch across the principal thoroughfare of a town is going to add to the amenities ot that town.

“ ‘(d) Height of Arch: In order that the suggested arch would serve the same purpose as the tower it would be necessary for tho centre of tho clock dials to be at least 53 feet above the street level. This would mean an arch which would successfully dwarf the adjoining buildings and would probably give rise to adverse comment. “ ‘The above remarks are of a general nature only as far as present information is available, and are in no way' an accurate or detailed survey of the problem.’ “I can only add this further comment that the decision of the Railway Department in regard to Mr. Hyland’s proposals would also throw out of court Mr. Gardner’s suggested scheme, and again the arch would need to be a stupendous construction to carry the clock mechanism, etc., and which will weigh at least five tons.”

COUNCIL AFFIRMS DECISION

No Change To Be Made

A special meeting of the Hastings Borough Council was held yesterday to consider the advisability or otherwise of making an alteration of the site chosen for tho clock tower, and it was decided not to make a change. Mr Maddison said this morning that the choice of a site had been under consideration for twelve months, and a survey of possible sites had convinced himself and the council that there was none better than that which had been chosen. That opinion was also the opinion of Mr R. B. Hammond, Dominion Town Planner. Yesterday, Sir Maddison added, the council had considered the alternative of erecting the tower on the railway property across the street from the present site. He had wired to the Railway Department in Wellington asking whether the department would make the site available, and an hour later had received a reply to the effect that it was the department’s policy not to alienate its land.