CLOCK TOWER.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 954, 26 December 1933, Page 7

CLOCK TOWER.

Official Opaning Ceremony at Timaru. (Special to the ** Star.”) TIMARU, December 25. After nearly twelve months without a town clock, the citizens of Timaru on Saturday afternoon had the pleasure of again hearing the chimes from the handsome clock tower which was erected on the Borough Council Chambers following the demolition of the tower on the Post Office. The official opening ceremony was performed by Mr James Craigie and also on the dais in front of the building were the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr and Mrs T. W. Satterthwaite. Borough Councillors, cxmayors and ex-councillors, Mrs James Craigie, Mr Clyde Carr, M.P., Commander Maxwell-llvslop and officers of H.M.S. Laburnum.' Tribute to Council. The Mayor paid tribute to the previous council, which had been associated with him in having the scheme carried out, and thanked the ratepayers who had had the foresight to vote for the project so that the work, from which present and future generations would benefit, could be undertaken. Although the council had fought hard against the Government’s decree that the Post Office tower must be demolished, it recognised now that it was a blessing in disguise, as the town had a better clock tower than formerly. He explained that the contract price for the erection of the tower was £1557, and added that a further sum of £350 would cover architect’s fees and the installation of electrical winding. To pay for the structure the council had levied a special rate of id in the £ for one year, which would be sufficient to defray the cost of the completed edifice. The tower had been designed by Mr V. Pan ton and erected by Mr W. J. Harding, and he was sure that all would agree that the magnificent structure reflected the greatest credit on the designer and builder. Congratulations to the Mayor and council on securing such hearty support for the erection of the tower were offered by Mr Clyde Carr, M.P., who added that was a fine addition to the town’s architecture. He expressed gratification that in connection with the erection of the handsome tower and the re installation of the clock and chimes, the council had decided to pay for the work as it went—out of rates. The design of the tower, he continued, was in harmony with the building it surmounted and the contractor and his staff had done their work well and truly. Result of Poll. After thanking the Mayor for the invitation to Mrs Craigie and himseif to participate in the ceremony, Mr Craigie said he was proud of the action of the Mayor and councillors in erecting the tower. Referring to the demand for the erection of the clock tower, Mr Craigie said that the poll taken on the question was one of the most pronounced votes he had ever seen in Timaru. There might have been a little sentiment attached to it; he thought there had been. It was a great loss to the town when the clock was stopped and the chimes were taken away, but out of evil came good; the Government had demolished the tower, but had never sent in an account for £SOO for the clock. Mr Craigie proceeded to refer to Caroline Bay and the many natural assets of the Dominion and went on to say that if, in South Canterbury, the productivity of the land could be increased from 25 to 50 per cent, Timaru could be made into a great centre, but to accomplish this theie would have to be more people on the land. He concluded with a note of gratification that the town now possessed a beautiful clock tower on its own freehold. Mr V. H. Pan ton, architect, and Mr W. H. Harding, contractor, returned thanks. Tfie Mayoress, Mrs Satterth waite, set the chimes in motion by pulling the cord running from the stage through the louvres, the clock tolling the hour of twelve to the accompaniment of cheering and applause. The clock was then adjusted to the correct time and the ceremony concluded with cheering and the playing of th National Anthem by the Timaru Municipal Band.