Napier's Floral Clock, Marine Parade Gardens, Napier, Hawke's Bay , New Zealand.
Posted by: 
greysman
S 39° 29.240 E 176° 55.187
60H E 493101 N 5629138
One of three floral clocks in New Zealand following an American fashion.
Waymark Code: WMH60X
Location: North Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 05/28/2013
Views: 8
During the 1950s there was a fashion for building public floral clocks copying American examples and Auckland, Christchurch and Napier each created clocks. Napier's clock was donated to the city in February 1954 by Mr. and Mrs.A.B.Hurst and they required it to be in a Marine Parade location. The clock was duly installed on a purpose-built site between the original baths and the Tom Parker Fountain, in front of the War Memorial Hall. It was formally dedicated in December 1955.
Mr Hurst was chair of the council's town planning committee after the 1931 Hawke's Bay Earthquake when Napier resumed control from the commissioners. he was also a member and vice-president of the Thirty Thousand Club, which supported Napier over many years by promoting the city as a visitor destination.
In 1995, it was repositioned to accommodate changes to the forecourt of the renovated and extended conference centre. Now facing the Soundshell, it provides a strong focal point for the northern end of the Marine Parade gardens. A raised viewing platform has been provided so that the public can obtain a higher viewpoint of the clock and flowers thereon.
The clock's long hand, measuring 3.4m, has a sweep of 2.75m, whilst the small hand is 2.72m long. Unfortunately, in an attempt to prevent vandalism, the clock has had to be set to automatically turn off at 6.30pm and restart at 6.30am.
Status: Working
Display: Mounted
Year built: 12/01/1955
Web link to additional info: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Photo of clock.