THE TOWN CLOCK.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 506, 20 August 1902, Page 3

THE TOWN CLOCK.

THE SWEET CHIMES.

At tho meeting of the Borough Council last night correspondence in regard to the

town clock was read. Messrs John Smith and Sons wrote : “ Roplying to your favor of May 29th, and in reference to our estimate dated June 12th sent to you, we beg to say that (1) A clock samo as our estimate and specification, but having in addition ding-dong quarter chimes upon two bells weighing .together scwt, the hours being struck upon tho larger quarter bell, would be illOI. (2) A clock same as estimate and specification, but having “Cambridge” quarter chimes instead of striking the hours only, upon four bolls weighing altogethcr 12cwt, would be D 290. Wc should send full drawings and directions for fixing along with the clock.” B. Joyce and Co., Whitchurch, wrote: —“ In reply to your favor of May 2!Jth - if the dock we have already estimated for is required to chime the ting-tang quarters on two bolls, the additional cost will be .tdo on our estimate, making it ,C 199. If you require it to chime the “ Cambridge " quarters on four bells and strike on u fifth bell, the extra cast will be Did, mak-

ing it .ClO9. The bells, of course, would die extra, charged at their actual nett weight at the rate of .£7 15s per cwt. In the case of the ting-tang quarters, to re-

duce the expense two bells are often used, chiming at tho quarter-past, half-past,

quarter to, and then at the hour striking the hour only. The ting tang quarter bells can be bad what size you require, tho clock being capable of striking on a bell up to 12cwt. We give on enclosed sheet a few sets of bells suitable for “ Cambridge” quarters, the clock being capable of striking on cither of these sets. Above prices are subject to same terms as quoted in ours of May 2i)th.” The Committee reported : “ The committco appointed by your Council to consider tho question of obtain-

ing a turret-clock for tho Post-office tower have to report thut inquiries have been made, and answers received from two of tho most eminent firms of clockmakors m the world —Messrs John Smith and Sons, Derby, England, and J. B. Joyco and Co., Whitchurch, Shropshire, England. Messrs Smith and Sons' price, ready for shipment, was P 142 10s, and Messrs Joyco and Co.'s price (including £2 extra for I.J--sec. pendulum), 1:106, and dewt hell £23 15s —jEI29 15s. Both firms supply really good specifications—that of Joyce and Co. being perhaps the best and slightly chcapor, whilo their terms aro also tho best. Tho specifications aro attached here for your information and consideration.” In regard to tho subject of duty, the Mayor said that a telegram had been sent to the Acting-Premier, but a reply had not yet been received. Cr Jones moved that tho Cambridge chimes he obtained.

Cr Mason said they should first ascertain what weight tho tower would stand. After discussion, the Mayor moved that a 5-boll, ldcwt, Cambridge chiino clock bo ordered from Messrs Joyco and Co., the cost in London being J 6271 15s ; clock and chimes to bo ordered at once. Cr Millor said ho would lilso to see tho money certain first, but Cr Lysnar said thero would be no doubt about that.

The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Kennedy suggested that as tho makers of the clock wero willing to have some one appointed to supervise tho work, they might appoint Mr Arthur Williams (brother of Rev. H. Williams), an electrical engineer at Warwick, to represent tho Council in inspecting the clock for the Council. He moved to that effect, tho Mayor seconding the motion. The question of the dial of the clock evoked a discussion, and though Crs Bright and Lysnar said they preferred tho old stylo dial, it was resolved that tho most up-to-date dial bo obtained. It was agreed that the Council as a whole should take up tho work of canvassing to make up the .6200.