THE "TWELVE APOSTLES" CLOCK.

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 12 June 1912, Page 7

THE "TWELVE APOSTLES" CLOCK.

The works of a clock have a mysterious fascination for the average person. In the case of those having a gift for mechanics, interesti in clocks result in attempts to accomplish something extraordinary in this field. The effort in such cases is usually expended in the employment of the clockwork, with such auxilary mechanism as may be required for the purpose, for the operation of all sorts of figures, and this has occasionally given birth to entirely original, unique works of art.

Such a contrivance is the so-called "Twelve Apostles Clock," the work of a frontier official, Herr Stolz, of Fehdenirk, Germany, who spent more than three years in its construction.

Under the tower there is a spring regulator movement, from which a hammer rod is carried to the angel figure under the tower, which strikes the hours on the large suspended bell. There are in addition a number of other figures, which are set in motion by a special train and spring.

The clock operates as follows: After the hour has been recorded by the time movement, the main door below opens and the figure of Christ is seen, turned slightly tlo the left. At this point the procession of the twelve ApOstdes appears, emerging from the door at the spectators' right. Trie figures move in a semi-circle before the Christ, looking straight before them, with the exception of Judas, who is made to avert his gaze from tfhe Lord. After the apostles have disappeared into the door at the left, the Christ figure withdraws into the interior of the structure and the doors close.

Over the main entrance, in perforated ornamental letters, is the inscription "I am the Light of the World." At night, by means of a small electric lamp, it is effectively illuminated. Above the main entrance is a balcony, on which ats each half hour stroke the angel of death appears, displaying on a scroll the grave admonition, "All men must die." When the hour strikes the angel of light comes "out on the balcony, a band he carries bearing the words, "Blessed be they who die in the Lord." During the appearance of the Apostles and the angels a chorale "is heard.

The movement of the different figures is effected by seventeen different watches. The entire apparatus works admirably, and is visited as a curiosity by many people in the vicinity.