FROM THE INSIDE

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3207, 15 September 1934, Page 5

FROM THE INSIDE

HOW THE TOWN CLOCK WORKS f*. V COMPLETED V Tlie finishing touches aye being $4 C \* eci to tho Town Clock arid with general improvements being effected to the Surrounding area, it will bo but a short lime before a beautiful scene is. presented at the Jubilee Gardens. Thqre, can bo no doubt that every resident , more than satisfied with the tower, in. its stately beauty and solidity, Tvbich, is a fine architectural effort and well in. keeping with the ideals set ;by the founders of Cambridge. By da,y and might its attraction will stand, out and it is another of the features which sets "Cambridge on a plane above the average town. • 1 Description of block; v ; f The tower is divided into four [storeys each of which is approximately "ten feet in height. _ The mechanism of the clock is housed in the top storey land is supported by two heavy beams 'let into the concrete. Four rods ,PjFO*, peet to the hands and worked on a universal joint so that the same. time isi always recorded on each face. The of hands are supported by angle-iron bars and are operated by a series of cog-wheels. The power for driving the mechanism is worked on the weight principle. Large overhead beams carry the pulleys which extend to three sets of weights, one each for the time-piece, striker and chimes. These weights are suspended by wire ropes in a pit which descends to the bottom of the tower. When the weights'have descended; the complete distance, they are W9« nd a P to the top with crank-handle. This operation is carried out twice a week.. The gear wheels on the chimes and striker are fitted with a cam which has men adjusted to throw thCiri °ut of iction between the hours of 10 p.m. mil 6 a.m. The clock has been well kept and is row ticking over evenly. The machinery has been installed in a neat and vorkmanlike manner and it will be ;apable of many more years of service. Y glass-case surrounds the main works o keep them free from dust and dirt. The clock faces measure 4ft 6in in liametcr and each is fitted with £wo jights. In the BelfryIn the storey below, t.ho five bells re hung on a massive wooden trestle. Lction is by a series, of levers which, re lifted and released to make conlet with the bells. The levers are mnected to the clock by chains, which jav be adjusted in length to vary the flume of sound. The to'taf weight, of [e bells is about 3 tons 8 cwt, of Rich "the striker weighs 17 cwt. ■pHe'second floor cpntaijis only the Bliting switches and is used as a Hmd room. ■Entrance to the ground floor can be Bide through open portals on the Rrth and cast sides. To the west and ■Lth are buttresses which are providwith seats. B Lighting WL very pleasing lighting effect will Hult when the electricians complete ■> wiring. A strong light is fitted in top storey and this is reflected Bough the green glass behind, the Bp horizontal grilles. The main grilles are open to allow the Bnd to travel clearly, but each room Bitted with -a red light, which will Buse softly through the lattice work. light is set in the roof of the ■jund floor. |Bhe whole of the interior is neat and and has been painted white. H Improvements to Gardens aro at present employee! Bloving the general layout of the Ber end of Jubilee Gardens. On the Btoria Eoacl sido a large area of turf B been lifted and the slope. raised, ?-B“tfc*'Pff(:ct a symmetrical-appearance [B grass will extend down to the The footpath will remain in Street, but will be made uniform shrubs liavo been replaced in Brevn and the larger trees pruned. V H ldy pond has befffi cleaned out and B t K c lilies are replanted, they will IBrotected by a covering of cyclone'

ng. , „ 5s intended to shift the flag-pole gun into the corner of Victoria