THE CARILLON

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1932, Page 3

THE CARILLON

> BIG BELLS MOVE) IN,

SHAPELY CAMPANILE,

WELLINGTON, January o

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 contnw.lt now being carried out by Messrs Graham apd 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 be 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-nniW hells forming the carillon. The largest of the bells weigh five -tons, and tuere are several others ranging down in weight, but all requiring the u-se of hoists for unloading purposes. These hells will he stored in the base and first floor, there to await the arrival of the bell-hanger from London. He is expected some time in Febru&iy. 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 Dali, is timed to allow them to reach Wellington, when the bells are ready and hung. , A LANDMARK. Tll .spite of the masking "clue 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, hut which are in fact merely ,soun<l vents. The range of smaller bells will be housed immediately* 1 below these vents, while the big five-tonner and eight of its first cousins will deliver their messages from a chamber two stories lower down. In between fli-ese chambers is the carillonis-t’s quarters,,, with tfie clavier and .'other instruments, all on one floor. This -setting of the carillon bells i-s the accepted, form, and is designed for acoustic purposes, and not because ,of, structural; convenience , or expediency. *,