Robinson Memorial Town Clock Gisborne

The centre of Gisborne is marked by this Art Deco symbol, built here after much deliberation following earthquakes of 1931 and 1932 which saw the eventual demise of the city's original post office. The clock mechanism and chimes were recycled from the tower of the old Victorian Post Office which had stood further down Gladstone Road in a position now known as Heipipi Park.

Robinson remains the record holder for the longest time in office as the a Borough Clerk, having served Gisborne from 1891 to 1933. His whole name was Reginald Deason Blandford Robinson and he holds another record, for being the youngest man employed in the position. He walked into the job at age 19, after the serving Borough Clerk, John Bourke, went for a morning swim one day in 1891 and simply did not come back.

Image Credit: General Post Office, Gisborne, circa 1905, New Zealand, by Muir & Moodie studio, maker unknown. Te Papa