Said to be the largest collection
of clocks, time pieces and music boxes in the Southern Hemisphere,
Clapham’s Clocks, now comprising over 1000 items, is on show every day in the
Town Basin; Winter: 9am - 5pm, Summer: 9am - 8pm.
Mr Archibald (Archie)
CIapham, born in England in 1882, was a mechanical engineer with an obvious
passion for clocks, especially those embodying a humorous element. His original
collection comprised some 400 pieces and was exhibited in various places around
Whangarei before it was transferred to the then City Council and is now
administered by the District Council.
The collection is well
displayed, well labelled and supported by a useful pamphlet offering details of
48 items. By following the number sequence given in the folder, a good coverage
of the exhibition can be obtained. It is very easy to lose track of time
in the building so one grandfather clock is kept at correct time for those in a
hurry.
