Nelson's First Town Clock

1851 saw the building of the first church on Church Hill. The site had been the headquarters of the New Zealand Company, and a fort after the Wairau Affray; but had been earmarked for the Anglican Church and Bishop Selwyn hoped for a Cathedral. He referred to the tent in which he held his first service in Nelson in 1842 as a "Cathedral tent". Later services were held in any building available on the Hill. Everyone looked forward to a handsome church on this central site. In June 1850 the foundation stone was laid. The citizens of Nelson wanted a town clock in the tower and a subscription list was started. When the Governor, Sir George Grey, visited Nelson in November 1851 he was asked if he would give a donation. He replied that he would give them the clock on condition that it belonged to the citizens of Nelson and not just to the Church. This was recognised as Archdeacon Ault, in his Nelson Narrative quotes that it is recorded in February 1860, that "churchwardens were to permit access to the church tower at all proper times for the care and repair of the town clock, and in case of its being desired by the owners, to allow of its removal, all expenses and repairs to the Tower in consequence being defrayed by the owners."

It appears to have remained in position until the Tower was declared unsafe and finally dismantled in October 1916. A photograph taken at that time shows the clock still there. Possibly it had come to the end of its useful life. In any case the clock on the Post Office would then be in place. — M.C.B.