Robert Fernance reads with interest any comments on various aspects of Customs House - especially the clock, time ball and, more recently, the weather vane.
"In the majority of comments, references are made about 'they'. I'm not sure who 'they' are. Perhaps it should be 'him', as I am the 'him'," Robert quipped.
"You see, what might not be well known is that I am the owner of the Customs House clock, time ball and weather vane."
This ownership can be challenging.
"You see, those three items have been up on that tower for the past 149 years and are in their original condition.
"The clock has its original workings and at times makes us aware of this by losing its striking sequence, losing time or just stopping for no reason.
"We could fix all this by digitising the sequence, but if you were to witness the workings you would understand that could never be an option."
Robert suggests "cutting the old girl a bit of slack".
"Perhaps buy a watch or use a mobile phone to be sure of the most accurate time," he quipped. "If you are going to rely on the clock, then you will have a choice of four faces as each face will give you a slightly different time."
Topics reported a couple of weeks back that the weather vane had been replaced after many months of ... errr ... people waiting in vain.
Newcastle East's John Fear welcomed the news, saying locals sometimes look at the direction of the weather vane to decide which way or direction to walk.
Robert said it cost close to $50,000 to get the vane repaired and back up the mast.
"Rather an expensive direction finder, don't you think?" he quipped, adding that he was happy to supply a compass or flag to those in need.
John had suggested that the weather vane could help "yachtsmen and the like".
Robert said if the mariners and yachtsmen were "still using the weather vane to tell the direction of the wind, or the canon and the time ball to set their chronometers, then boy do I have some surprises for them".
Robert said his comments were "all in good fun" and added: "In the meantime, rest assured I will do my best with all of this."
Historic Symbol
Customs House is quite a site, isn't it?
It was built in 1874 in the Italianate renaissance revival style of architecture with "dark cream brickwork and sandstone construction", heritage records state.
It was used for "the administration of customs and excise". The building's connection to the harbour and city is described in the records as significant. It's considered a symbol of the "maritime and commercial history of Newcastle".
"The time ball and clock are historically significant because they exhibit technical achievements of the late 19th century."
Different world, hey, to the one now of smartphones, McMansions and plastic.
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