I have chosen Alexandra's Clock on the Hill for my virtual because as a youngster I spent 8 years living in Alexandra and it was a sight I would see almost daily. I have also made the climb numerous times as well as further beyond where there are lookouts with amazing views.
For this virtual you will need to park at the parking waypoint and at these co ordinates you will find a wooden power pole. On this power pole there is a black and white "LIVE WIRES BEWARE" sign, a blue ""Aurora ENERGY" tag and a number identification tag.
1) Please email or message me the 5 digit number on this tag.
Next, walk up to the virtual waypoint which is the start of the walking track up to the Clock on the Hill. Here you will see an information board about "Alexandra's Clock on the Hill". On the upper right hand side of the sign there is a clock.
2) Please email or message me the time on this clock.
And lastly
3) Take a photo from this spot with the clock and you (or part of you) and/or your caching name clearly visible...or beyond if you choose to make the 5 - 10 minute walk to the clock and post this with your log. Please do not include answers in your log. You do not need to wait for a reply before logging however, if you do not complete the requirements your log will be deleted.
The track up to the clock is steep but short. The terrain can be a little slippery, so wear grippy shoes if you have them.
The idea of a clock on the hill (Knobbies Range) was first suggested by Alexandra Jaycee Inc in June 1966. Many different ideas were investigated. Various firms throughout New Zealand were approached and asked to submit designs and prices, Prices obtained for the construction ranged from $2,200 to $12,170. A Dunedin firm of engineers, which had no previous experience in clock making were finally given the task of designing and supplying the driving mechanism for the clock. In April 1967 the Jaycees disclosed their plans to the public of Alexandra. A full size mock-up was placed on the site, and six weeks allowed to gauge local reaction. Such a large scale project could not be undertaken without the full support of the people of the town. As there was much opposition to the original scheme, a poll was held, revealing that over 90% of the people were in favour of the clock.
The clock mechanism was ordered in February 1968. The face and supporting structure were designed by an engineer in the Jaycee Chapter. All construction work was carried out by members. A total of 1,264 man hours were involved in the construction of the clock, on 42 separate working occasions. One of the main difficulties was the inaccessibility of the site. This was overcome by erecting a 30.5m rail line down the face of the cliff. Most of the steel and concrete used on the site, as well as the clock mechanism which weighed 760kg, went down this rail before being winched into position. Most of the work on this project involved the construction of the clock structure. A wide range of tasks had to be done, including trench digging for electrical cables, laying concrete for foundations, welding and painting. This last aspect was very important, as the steel uprights had to be painted in such a way that they became completely camouflaged against the rock face. Work began in earnest in June 1968. Within five months - by the end of November 1968 - the clock was finished. After three weeks of testing, it was officially started by the Mayor of Alexandra, Mr Keith W Blackmore, at noon 14 December 1968.
Mechanism and accessories including foundations, steel markers, electrical connection, painting, sundry, totalled $2,996.
The clock is electrically operated.The hands, which are cantilevered to withstand gusts of wind up to 130kph, are attached to coaxial shafts. These are driven continuously through reduction gears by a 3/4HP synchronous motor. A second motor and clutch provided in the gear train enable the hands to be altered should any adjustment be necessary because of power failure.
Very early in the planning stages it was decided that the clock was to be illuminated. None of the firms approached in New Zealand could satisfactorily provide, and guarantee, effective lighting of the clock. Indirrect lighting in the form of ultra-violet lamps was considered, but was not practical. Direct lighting with spotlights shining on the face would not work because of the shadows that were cast. It was left to the initiative and inventiveness of a member to provide a strikingly effective, simple and inexpensive solution to the problem. Ordinary touch bulbs, 150 in all, were used, specially set into the hands and markers. These were later replaced by white LED lights in 2006 and then coloured ones in 2018. All the designing, wiring and installation was arranged and supervised by this member. The end result was so striking that the clock can be read clearly up to eight kilometres away.
The clock as it stands, compliments the natural beauty of the surrounding hillsides. It is austere in design and structure, and yet aesthetically pleasing. It is designed to withstand the extremes of climate experienced in Alexandra, yet to retain an high degree of efficiency. Interest in the clock is widespread, both locally and thorughout the world, and its physical size has been a constant source of amazement to its visitors.
If not the largest, or most complicated, Alexandra's clock must surely rank as one of the most unusual clocks in the world!
Every year, usually the third week/weekend in September, Alexandra hosts an Annual Spring Blossom Festival and one of the many activities sees competitors partake in a Round the Clock Race. Setting off from the opposite side of the shallow, but icy Manuherikia River, they are allowed to use any non-mechanical means to cross the river - feet, horse, bike, kayak - before racing up to touch the clock face and back down again. The fastest teams manage the course in less than 5 minutes, individual runners taking about seven.
At Easter an illuminated cross is placed on the hillside nearby.
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.