Clock Tower, Murray Street 61
| Place type: | Building |
|---|---|
| Address: | 67 Murray Street |
| Town or Locality: | Gawler |
Twenty-eight years after the first settlers arrived in Gawler, the first dedicated post office was officially opened. Gawler had always had a mail service. The first building in Murray Street, The Golden Fleece Hotel (later the Old Spot Hotel) served many purposes including as a place for the acceptance and delivery of the town's mail. During the early 1840s the owner of the Old Spot Hotel, Henry Calton, served as Gawler's first postmaster. Henry Gozzard became postmaster during the 1840s and continued into the 1850s. He operated the post office from his bakery shop in Murray Street. After his death his assistant, Henry Dean, was appointed acting postmaster.
In the early 1860s the post office business was moved to the telegraph Station (now the National Trust Museum). At this time Mr W Rossi was appointed as the first official postmaster. this arrangment did not suit some of the residents of Gawler and moves were made to have a dedicated post office built.
In the 11 May edition of the South Australian Register, the Gawler "Correspondent" reported on a meeting of a committee that had been formed to collect signatures on a 'memorial' to the South Australian Government requesting the construction of a post office in Gawler. It was suggested that if the building had a cupola or tower of some sort, the people of Gawler would raise the funds to put a clock in it. The Gawler "Correspondent" thought that this would 'be of immense advantage in the town to regulate time, as at present everyone in Gawler seems to keep his own time and sometimes miss a post or a train in consequence". (South Australian Register, 11 May 1865, p.2).
By August 1863, the South Australian Government had agreed to build a post and the site next to the Telegraph Station was confirmed (South Australian Register, 22 August 1865, p.3).
With much ceremony the foundation stone was laid on 8 August 1866. Copies of newspapers of the day and coins were depositied in a bottle and laid under the foundation stone together with a document stating that the Mayor, Mr J Mitchell, and other dignitaries were present.
The Bunyip of 7 September 1867 reported that the new post office was completed and would be open for business on 9 September 1867. The building had cost 2395 pounds, the architect was Mr W hanson, the builders were Pett and Gray and the overseer of works was "Mr O'Mahony".
Within the building a winding staircase led to the clock tower. Wendt's of Adelaide had supplied the "fine piece of mechanism" at a "very moderate cost of about 150 pounds". the clock consisted of four dials (facing north, south, east and west) made from the "best milk white glass, 3 feet 6 inches in diameter". An interesting fact that is not mentioned in The Bunyip report is that during manufacture an error was made and on the eastern face the number four is in the place where the six should be.
The Bunyip report went on to describe how, at 4 pm on 6 September 1867, the pendulum was started and the clock struck the hour of the day for the first time. This occurred in the presence of the Mayor, Councillors, "a number of the principle (sic.) inhabitants of the town", Mr wendt and his two assistants, all of whom somehow squeezed into the small space.
After the new post office was opened in Tod Street in October 1973, the old building was occupied by various businesses and the clock mechanism was converted to electric winding. It was maintained by an adelaide clock company which visited biennially. This was not an ideal situation as problems often arose between visits and the clock time was erratic.
During 1998 suggestions that the clock be maintained locally were made. Mr Aub Kaesler, an almost-retired wathcmaker, rose to the challenge and the Corporation of the Town of Gawler accepted his offer of voluntary service to maintain the clock. During 2002, under the auspices of Council, the Clock Tower Committee was formed to restore and maintain the clock. This was not a moment too soon because in May 2002 the clock stopped due to a broken tooth on a main gear. As a result, the decision was made to completely overhaul the clock. The electric winding mechanism was dismantled during the overhaul work allowing the clock to be wound by hand. This continues to be done by members of the Clock Tower Committee on a roster system.
There are more photos of the Clock Tower available here.
References
Memories of Clock Tower, Murray Street 61
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