Time Cannon - Mt Victoria, Wellington, New Zealand
Posted by: 
denben
S 41° 17.790 E 174° 47.639
60G E 315298 N 5425980
The bronze cannon, below the steps that lead to the Mt Victoria lookout in Wellington, was used to fire the noon signal in the years between 1877 and 1900.
Waymark Code: WMMZKZ
Location: North Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 11/28/2014
Views: 12
From the information plaque
"TIMELY WEAPON
It's the late 1800s and your grandfather clock needs winding daily, you don't own a watch and there's no radio or television. How do you keep time?
At first, time signals came from the Customhouse Building on the Waterfront. Then, as tall buildings obscured transit observations, a noon timeball was set up at an observatory in Bolton Street Cemetery, above the town. It wasn't long before tree growth meant a more visible location was needed.
BRING IN THE HEAVY ARTILLERY
In 1877, when the City Council couldn't find contractors willing to take on the job of hauling the 24-pounder, solid bronze, muzzle-loader to the top of Mt Victoria, D Battery WAVC came to the rescue. Then, for the next 23 years a member of the Corps went up the hill to fire the gun at noon each day.
WELLINGTON-ARTILLERY VOLUNTEER CORPS"
Type: Time Cannon
In service: no
Time of signal: 12:00
Year established (if known): 1877
Year decommissioned (if applicable): 1900
Address:
Mount Victoria
Wellington 6011
New Zealand
Weblink (if any): [Web Link]
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