Edmonds Clock Tower.
Location
The clock tower is located at the corner of Madras Street and Oxford Terrace.
Description
The clock tower has historical and social significance and was erected in 1929, with a strong connection to prominent businessman and philanthropist Thomas Edmond who donated £5,000 toward the River Bank Improvement Scheme to commemorate his 50 years of business in Christchurch. The scheme comprised the clock tower and telephone cabinet/drinking fountain on Madras Street along with the band rotunda and shelter on the Cambridge Terrace riverbank upstream of Manchester Street.
Update – May 2012
As a result of the Canterbury earthquakes, the Edmonds Clock Tower has sustained cracking at two levels and the top section has moved. There is also moderate damage around the windows.
In mid-May the tower will be carefully removed and placed on a bed of sand. A timber frame will stabilise the tower and then tarpaulins will keep the structure weatherproofed.
The work is being carried out by qualified tradespeople who will work closely with the Council’s heritage planners. All work carried out at the site will be in line with the principles of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) 2012 New Zealand charter.
