Who would have thought that such a small structure as the Victoria Clock Tower would have such a long and controversial history!
The clock tower was originally designed for the Provincial Government Building, but it was fraught with difficulties from the beginning. When it arrived from England in December 1860, it was unpacked and half erected in the courtyard of the Provincial buildings,“as a child puts up a new toy – just to look at it”.
Almost a century would pass - and a long and controversial journey - before it would make it to its current position at the intersection of Montreal and Victoria streets.
The spire of the clock tower is clearly seen in the right foreground of this image of the Government Buildings attributed to Dr. Barker and inscribed with the time and date it was taken: 7.40am Oct. 2 1861. Source: National Library of Australia.
You will find this Lost Christchurch cache overlooking one of the former locations of the Clock Tower - at least as close to it as I could get when the cache was originally placed when there were barricades blocking access to the Oxford Tce side of Worcester St.
Here are a few clues to help you find it:
- This newspaper clipping from the 'Press', August 1899:
- and the 'hint' below (if you need it).
The cache is not far from the published co-ordinates, which is where the tower was first half erected at the Provincial Council Buildings. Bring a pen and a long arm. Cache container is small, no room for swaps.