CARILLON BELLS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 19093, 28 January 1932, Page 8

CARILLON BELLS.

WELLINGTON'S WAR MEMORIAL. The contract for the erection of the Carillon Campanile in Wellington, is now so far advanced that workmen may be expected to be off the job within a couple of months. The 49 bells which make up the carillon are now being transferred from the old powerhouse in Mercer Street to the base of the campanile. The transfer is being made because it will be awkward to approach the campanile with the heavier bell 3 after the concrete steps forming the approach are completed. The removal of the bells is no light task, as the largest of them approximate five tons in weight. They hav'o it be handled carefully, as any mishap so as to cause chipping or cracks would immediately affect the tone of the bells. For that reason advantage is being taken of existing ground conditions to get the bells to the tower, after which they will be handled oy the expert bell-hangers being sent out by the founders, Messrs Gillet and Johnson, of Croydon (England'. The bells are expected to be in position in time for the opening on Anzac day (April 25th). The departure from England of Mr Clifford Ball, of Cadbury Bros., and carilloneur to the Bournville Carillon, and of Mrs Ball, is timed to allow them to reach Wellington when the bells are ready and hung. Broadcasting Difficulties. At the last meeting of the Carillon Society mention was made of broadcasting the bell music from the tower. This will not be such an easy matter as it appears. Carillon music is “airborne.” and cannot very well be concentrated into a given space as with a pianoforte or orchestra. It would not be satisfactory to place one or more microphones within the tower, as the vibration from tons of metal under percussion would be such as to render the microphone uuseless, and a mere jangle of confused sound would result. Carillon music is best heard below the tower and within 100 yards of its base in calm weather. Those who still believe that the bells wall be heard all over the city will be disappointed. The radius of the sound vibrations given off by the bells is restricted. For example, in strong gusty northerly weather, it will be difficult to hear the music even from Buckle Street, whilst it will be audible in marked modulation from the flat ground in front v f the Wellington Technical College. In a light southerly the music should register clearly over Te Aro Flat, perhaps as far away as Vivian Street, though even at that distance the smallest bells of the register may only be heard faintly if at all.