THE CARILLON

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 2, 4 January 1932, Page 8

THE CARILLON

BIG BELLS MOVE IN

SHAPELY CAMPANILE

The contract for the erection of the Carillon Campanile is now so far advanced that workmen may be expected to be off the job within a couple of months.

The contract now being carried out by Messrs. Graham and Sons includes the building of the massive and expansive stepway approaches. These belong not. only to the campanile but also to the main group of buildings shortly to be erected on the Mount Cook site behind the tower. When these steps are completed it will not bo possible to get very close to the campanile with heavy transport. BIG BELLS FIRST. For this reason arrangements are being made to deliver forthwith to the tower the heaviest of the forty-nine bells forming the carillon. The largest of the bells weighs five tons, and there are several others ranging down in weight but all requiring the use of hoists for unloading purposes. These bells will be stored in the base and first floor, there to await the arrival of the bell-hanger from London. lie is expected some time in February. The lighter bells will remain stored in the power house in Mercer street until the expert arrives. Some of the more delicate instruments forming part of the carillon equipment will be brought out by the mechanic. These include the automatic player and the clock controlling mechanism. The departure from England of Mr. Clifford Ball, formerly of the famous English firm of Cadbury Bros., Ltd., and carillonist to the Bournville Carillon, and of Mrs. Ball, is timed to allow them to reach Wellington when the bells are ready and hung. A LANDMARK. Despite the masking due to the scaffolding on the big tower, the city's new landmark is already showing its artistic lines. High up near the top the sharp corners have been cut away to make room for a series of openings, which are technically named with an appropriate designation, but which are in fact merely souud vents. Tho range or; smaller bells will be housed immediately below these vents, while but the big five-tonner audcight of its first cousins will deliver their messages from a chamber two stories lower down. In between these chambers is tho earillonist's quarters, with the clavier and other instruments, all on one floor. This setting of the carillon bells is the accepted form, and is designed for acoustic purposes and not because of structural convenience or expediency. Although it will probably be the popular thing for the' public to gather around close to the carillon when it is being played, it cannot be too often repeated that the music can be best heard at some distance, the exact distance depending upooi the weather conditions. In practice it will be found that in the caso of tho Wellington Carillon listeners should be no nearer than the Basin Keservc for best reception. If all goes well the carillon will be ready for the public next Anzac Day 25th April.