The Commercial Hotel, situated on The Square, Palmerston North, wrote to suggest that the clock chimes be silenced during evenings and nights, in consideration of their guests. The letter was considered by the Palmerston North City Council Works Committee.

A new Chief Post Office for Palmerston North was opened in 1906, complete with clock tower. In the letter the General Post Office informs the PNCC that it is lawful for local authorities to pay for maintenance of public clocks. The tower and clock were removed after the 1942 Wairarapa earthquake and the clock and chimes reinstated in the new Clock Tower in The Square, opened 1957.