Story: Timekeeping

Speaker’s clock

Speaker’s clock

In New Zealand Parliament members had to obey the clock to avoid speeches going on endlessly. So in the late 19th century this clock, made of walnut, was displayed in the House of Representatives. Controlled by the Speaker from a small switching box, it allowed the member up to an hour of speaking time, with each quarter clearly marked.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Photograph by Jock Phillips

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How to cite this page:

Jock Phillips, 'Timekeeping - Time and society, 1870s–1930s', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/9920/speakers-clock (accessed 18 April 2024)

Story by Jock Phillips, published 12 Jun 2006