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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Town Hall

Town Hall.

The foundation stone of this building was laid in 1878; two years later it was ready for occupation, and since that time it has admirably served its purposes. From the balcony, which surrounds the top of the tower above the clock, one obtains complete panoramic views of the city, its suburbs, the harbour, and general surroundings. To the top of the flagpole from the basement of the building the height is 165 feet. There are five fine bells connected with the clock, the largest being used to toll the hour, and it and the others give the beautiful Westminster chimes, which mark the time as each quarter of an hour passes away. Every Tuesday at noon the mean New Zealand time is flashed from Wellington Observatory to the Town Hall, and the clock proves itself absolutely correct as a timekeeper. The clock, which was erected in 1880 by Mr. John Hislop, has four dials, each seven feet six inches in diameter, which are automatically illuminated by gas every night. Immediately below the tower, on the upper floor of the building, is the entrance to the Mayor's apartments, which consist of waiting, reception, and private rooms, with a door leading into the Council Chamber. This fine apartment, which is about 40 feet by 60 feet, contains the Mayor's chair, with its imposing canopy, four carved desks, with luxurious seats, each accommodating three councillors, a fine, central, oval table for the town clerk's use, and a reporter's table. The walls are decorated with a number of pictures. One is a painting of Sir William Chambers, of Edinburgh (one of the original proprietors of “Chambers's Journal”), presented to the city by Sir William himself as a memento of his having suggested the name of “Dunedin” as preferable to “New Edinburgh.” Another represents the late Mr. George Rennie, M. P. for Ipswich, who, in 1842, drew up the scheme for the settlement of Otago, and was presented by his son, Sir Richard Rennie, on the 23rd of March, 1897, at the instance of Dr. Hocken. There are, also, pictures of Captain Cargill and the Rev. Dr. Burns, and an interesting representation of the city in 1856, which was presented by the late Mr. J. T. Thomson, Surveyor-General. On this floor also there are two private rooms formely used for an art gallery (now unused), besides lavatories. Communication with the lower floor of the building is by two spacious stairways, terminating in the main entrance hall. This flat is entirely occupied by departmental offices, the southern wing being used by the town clerk and his staff of assistants—the public office is particularly large; while the northern wing contains offices for the city engineer and staff, city valuer, inspector of nuisances, gas inspector, and other officials. The large corridor is used as a showroom for gas ovens and stoves. At some future date, when funds are available, the yard behind the Town Hall will be occupied by a large building, of which the offices now erected are but a first instalment.