THE TOWN CLOCK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 151, 29 June 1932, Page 6

THE TOWN CLOCK

CITY COUNCIL'S DECISION OLD FACE TO BE SOLD, ELECTRIC SYSTEM AND CHIMES DESIRED. , If the citizens of Wanganui will raise the sum of approximately £156 it will be possible to establish a synchonised electric clovk system throughout I he city which will be connected with chimes erected in a specially-con-structed tower in Cook’s Gardens. This matter was discussed at a special meeting of the City Council last night when the principle of disposing of the present town clock, less tho bells and chiming gear, was approved. The Mayor (Mr N. G. Armstrong) said that it was estimated that tire clock itself would bring £250 and the council would still retain the bells and chiming gear, valued at £4OO. The cost of installing an electric system would bo roughly £4OO, which would include the erection of a suitable tower in Cook’s Gardens to install the chimes. It was thought that these could be placed in the firebell tower, but the Fire Board opposed that proposal. The Mayor believed that a good deal eould be raised by way public subscription towards the which would have to be found. The Development League was very keen and would probably assist. The speaker moved that the present clock be disposed of for not less than £250, and that when funds permit the electric system, as proposed, be installed, with a tower on Cook’s Gardens for the chimes of the old clock. Cr. J. Robertson: I have to leave, Your Worship, but before I'go I want to say I am against the sale of that clock. Cr. D. Dickie: It will bo sold all right. Cr. Robertson (waving his hand from the door): I know it will. The motion was carried unanimously. The problem of erecting a suitable town clock, or establishing an efficient municipal time service, has engaged the attention of tho council over a long period. What has been approved of In principle now. was recommended in March last by tho city engineer (Mr J. S. L. Deem) as follow: “Proposition No. I.—This provides for “audible” time by means of the council’s striking and chiming bells ex the old Post Office tower and “visible” time by means of modern electrical clocks erevted at suitable points m the 4 central business area. Both audible and visible time would be arranged to < operate in perfect synchronism. Audible Time: The council possesses in the old bells ex the Post Office tower, a valuable asset worth approximately £4OO on present-day values. The bells are of excellent quality being manufactured by Messrs John Taylor and Co., Loughborough, one of the oldest of English bell founders. In the Post Office tower they were operated by gravity movement requiring a tower about 70 feet in height. A lower tower could doubtlessly be utilised but this would necessitate more frequent attendance for winding purposes. The bells could easily be operated by electricallycontrolled chiming and striking movements housed alongside the bells. A high tower would not be necessary. The be Is could be erected on the roof of any high building or on a low open tower on some elevated site such as 'Cook’s Gardens. The old fire brigade tower in Cook’s Gardens, whilst not suitable for accommodating the gravity movement, could with a little alteration and strengthening (the legs have rotted at ground level) be utilised for this proposition, the electric motor, chiming and striking movements being housed at the bottom of the tower. The bells and mechanism could be shifted at very small tost to any permanent clock tower, for instance on Cook’s Gardens should at a later date, a a scheme be adopted for the erection of jE steps and clock tower at the Maria Place entrance, as counterpart to the Art Gal 1 ery steps, etc.”