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Life in Early Poverty Bay

Firing the Noon Gun

Firing the Noon Gun.

Official time was recorded in Gisborne in those days. Near the old flagstaff just close to the mouth of the Waikanae stream stood a 24-pr muzzle loader, an old ship's gun. Various bands of residents were in the habit of practising with the gun, firing shot and shell at targets in the sea. It was also used on the Queen's Birthday to fire the Royal Salute. One of Mr. Fyson's duties was to go down to the gun every Saturday and fire it at noon exactly to give the residents the correct time. He always took with him two pounds of powder and the first procedure was to grease the gun well. Mr. Fyson cannot recall how the practice of firing the gun at noon started, but the residents used to look forward to it. Afterwards the gun was removed, and the practice of course ceased.