Feilding’s Historic Town Clock Ticks Closer to Completion
With the major mechanical work now complete, the town clock has entered a planned period of testing and fine-tuning. This is a normal and necessary stage when bringing a historic mechanical system back to life.
Feilding’s much-loved town clock is well on its way through a careful and highly specialised restoration, as it enters the final adjustment phase of a project designed to protect one of district’s heritage landmarks.
Housed in the clocktower in Manchester Square, the clock’s original mechanical movement is a rare example of traditional 1900’s craftsmanship, the kind of mechanism that is now understood and maintained by only a handful of specialists worldwide.
Manawatū District Council has been fortunate to work with Pilbrows Watchmakers of Taupō, whose expertise in historic clock mechanisms is unmatched in New Zealand. Their skills are in high demand, with a long line of heritage awaiting their care. Having Pilbrows involved in Feilding’s restoration is a testament to the clock’s historical significance and the value placed on getting the work done properly.
So far, the project has included:
- Restoration of the original mechanical movement
- Replacement of damaged clockface glass
- Refurbishment and re-powdercoating of the steel clockface frames
With the major mechanical work now complete, the clock has entered a planned period of testing and fine-tuning. This is a normal and necessary stage when bringing a historic mechanical system back to life.
Because the clock frame could not be removed from the tower during dismantling, Pilbrows were unable to carry out extended workshop testing. Instead, adjustments are now being made on site. This means the community may notice the clock stopping and starting at times not because something has gone wrong, but because the mechanism is being carefully calibrated to ensure long-term accuracy and reliability.
This adjustment phase is expected to take four to six weeks, allowing time for precision testing, travel from Taupō, and Pilbrows’ existing specialist workload. Pilbrows are scheduled to return early next week to continue this work and will advise Council once the clock is running efficiently and as intended.
Council appreciates the community’s patience during this final stage. Restoring a historic clock is not a quick fix. It is a process that respects the craftsmanship of the past while ensuring the clock can keep time well into the future.