Hour bells on hold at Civic house

0
2343

The hour bell mechanism in the Civic House clock tower is in the process of being replaced.

The mechanism inside the bell tower. PHOTO: Nelson City Council
The mechanism inside the bell tower. PHOTO: Nelson City Council

For the next two weeks the bells will only chime on the 1/4 hour until a replacement motor is installed. The process is expected to take two weeks.

 

The motor is responsible for lifting the weight, that runs the clock mechanism and controling the striker that rings the hourly bell.

John Rodgers, son of Henry Rodgers & Son Ltd (watchmaker) is responsible for maintaining the the clock for the Council.
It is understood to have been built in 1906 by English firm John Taylor and Co. It was housed in

The tower in the old post office building where the clock mechanism was originally housed. PHOTO: Nelson Photo News
The tower in the old post office building where the clock mechanism was originally housed.
PHOTO: Nelson Photo News

the old Post Office building before it was demolished in 1970 to make way for the current Civic House. It uses a similar mechanism to Big Ben in London.

Repairs are expected to cost $1200.