Historical information

Waistcoated man using both hands to wind the Melbourne Town Hall clock mechanism via metal handle. The large glass clock face is visible in the background. The man wears a fob watch.

Photographer notations on slide: "Winding T. Hall, Melb. clock by hand for last time B8"
Published: The Age The Age 5 September 1933 p11
Published title: "THE TOWN HALL CLOCK."

Featured in "Newsworthy: Melbourne in photographs 1933-1936" exhibition at East Melbourne Library, October to December 2023.

Exhibition caption: In December 1933, The Age reported that the manually wound mechanisms at both Melbourne and North Melbourne Town Halls would be replaced with electric motors:
"Town Hall Timekeeping. Maintaining that the system of keeping time in the civic centre was antiquated, the chairman of the Town Hall and baths committee (Mr. E. L. Morton) stated yesterday that it had been proposed to install electric motors for the winding of the tower clocks at the Melbourne and North Melbourne town halls. At present it takes 600 turns four times a week to wind up the North Melbourne town hall clock, and the winding is no light task, it being a "two-handed job." However, the installation of electric motors for the winding of these tower clocks is but one aspect of the general developmental programme contemplated in regard to the timekeeping at the Town Hall. It is proposed to institute a complete system of electric clocks all functioning from the one master clock in the tower. At present the town hall clocks show varying times. The only one which is systematically checked daily is the town clock."

Source: "NEWS OF THE DAY." The Age 12 December 1933 p8 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article203350688

Additional information:
"THE TOWN HALL CLOCK. RECONDITIONING WORK IN HAND.
Desirous of keeping abreast of the time in a literal sense at least, the inconsistency of the massive clock in the tower of the Melbourne Town Hall has caused the City Council authorities considerable inconvenience of late. After twenty-five years of efficient service, the Town Hall clock recently gave manifestations of the most flagrant flippancy. Reports were brought to the notice of the town clerk (Mr. W. V. McCall) that one day it was fast, whilst the next day it was slow. These "blow hot, blow cold" tactics caused much annoyance, and at least one member of the City Council nearly missed a game of billiards as a result. So the order was given to have the clock's four faces lifted and the inner workings reconditioned. Facing north, south, east and west at the one time, the Town Hall clock has been regarded as symbolic of the City Council. Ticking out eternity as it faces the east, that fourth face of the clock has suffered most. It looks in the direction, of Parliament House, but now the glass has cracked. The weather has got to the works, and after languishing to the extent of twenty minutes late, it has now stopped. The experts are on the job, and like the secondhand automobile which the council has purchased for the Lord Mayor, they are going to make a job of it. Within a few days, with its face lifted and the works revitalised, the Town Hall clock will once again look even better than its old self. Even time takes toll of a clock."

References:
"THE TOWN HALL CLOCK." The Age 5 September 1933 p11 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205111165

Physical description

Glass plate negative

Inscriptions & markings

Photographer notations on slide: "Winding T. Hall, Melb. clock by hand for last time B8".