Why is this place significant?

Why is this place Category 1 / Category 2?

Completed in 1935, the Clock Tower in central Hastings is a symbol of renewal and restoration of order in the city that was devastated by earthquake on 3 February 1931. The earthquake, known as the 'Hawkes Bay earthquake', measured 7.8 on the Richter scale, and caused massive damage throughout the region. It was largest natural disaster to occur in New Zealand in the twentieth century. A total of 93 people died in Hastings, and much of the city's central business district was destroyed. One of the numerous buildings destroyed by the earthquake was the Hastings post office (1910), which featured a clock tower and dome over the entrance that rose 70 feet (21 metres) above street level. The clock's chimes were paid for by the citizens of Hastings and the government, which matched public donations £ for £. During the Hawkes Bay earthquake, the clock and chimes, which had been damaged by a previous earthquake, were shaken from the tower, and fell, killing the people in the street below. After the earthquake, a decision was made to remove all post office clock towers throughout New Zealand. The earthquake prompted what has been described as 'an accelerated town renewal' for Hastings. In 1932 rebuilding of the city began in earnest, with a total of 260 permits being issued in that year. A newspaper from the time commented that 'sign after sign of last year's ruination is disappearing, and today the town stands as an almost completed monument to the invincible courage and hopefulness of mankind'. The design of much of the re-building demonstrated the then popular styles, including Art Deco, Spanish Mission, and streamline Moderne. From 1934, the Hastings District Council took steps to improve and beautify the reconstructed town and make it more attractive to tourists. The construction of a new clock tower was one of the key projects in the Council's beautification programme. It was intended to both enhance the town's 'aesthetic beauty' and to give residents back a sound that had been much missed following the earthquake. A national design competition was held, judged by local architects Davies and Phillips. The commission, and the 25 guinea prize, was won by Sydney Chaplin, a young Hastings architect. A clock was procured from W. Littlejohns and Co. in Wellington, and the bells of the old post office clock tower were rescued from the earthquake debris for reuse. The Council acquired legal road (Railway Road) alongside the railway near the crossing at Heretaunga Street. The original site chosen was found to be unsuitable, after underground wells were struck during excavations. Moving to a new site nearby added considerably to the cost, which was 'not meant to exceed £880', but eventually reached £1,126. The Clock Tower was completed in 1935. Although the Clock Tower was not built as a memorial, the names of the 93 people who died in Hastings as a result of the earthquake were listed on two plaques on the east and west sides of the building. To augment the Clock Tower's construction, the Council made considerable improvements to the surrounding area, in particular to a strip of railway reserve it acquired for the purpose. Flowerbeds were planted, seats and lamps installed, and unsightly hoardings removed. Later, in 1937, the council purchased more land, from the estate of A.A. George, to form the present civic square, to augment the civic improvements around the clock tower. The tower is virtually unchanged from the time of its construction, and continues to stand as a monument to the civic pride of the people of Hastings.

Description: The Clock Tower is a distinctive period design, surprisingly modern in its simplicity, but with decorative features that mark it stylistically as Art Deco. These include the geometric patterns of the infill panels between the columns, the emphasis given to the height of the tower by the corner 'stripes', and the circular roof 'cap' on top reflecting the four bold round faces of the clock. The tower is square in plan, with a recessed door, two commemorative plaques and a niche occupying the four faces of the ground floor. The door is made of Queensland maple, now painted, and above the door is the neatly incised date of 1935 in the plaster. The plaques are dedicated 'to the memory of those people who lost their lives in the earthquake at Hastings on 3rd February 1931', and the names of 93 people are listed. The niche on the fourth face was originally tiled and contained a drinking fountain, but there is no evidence of this today. There are three intermediate stages to the main part of the tower with three tiers of patterned infill panels, and above them are louvres and the faces of the clock. The flat round disk that forms the roof, and a central flagpole, complete the composition. The tower is set beside the railway line, surrounded by grass and trees, seats, and the central city feature of a pool and fountains. Statement of Integrity: The building is almost entirely unchanged from the time of its construction. The niche on the ground floor (south side) is now empty, and there is no sign of the fountain described in the specification. The original coloured plaster finish is now painted. Statement of Physical Condition: The condition of the tower is very good; it is well painted, and there are no obvious signs of deterioration.

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A fully referenced version of this report is available from the NZHPT Central Region Office This report was completed in association with the Hastings District Council, the Hastings Landmark Commission, and Hastings City Marketing. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.