Clock Tower in Auckland University

“The Clock Tower building (Old Arts Building) on the City campus is protected as a ‘Category I’ historic place, and was finished in 1926. It is considered an Auckland landmark and icon of the University. The University of Auckland began as a constituent of the University of New Zealand, founded on 23 May 1883 as Auckland University College.

Stewardship of the University during its establishment period was the responsibility of John Chapman Andrew (Vice Chancellor of the University of New Zealand 1885–1903). Housed in a disused courthouse and jail, it started out with 95 students and 4 teaching staff; by 1901, student numbers had risen to 156. Most of the students were training to be law clerks or teachers and were enrolled part-time. From 1905 onwards, an increasing number of students enrolled in commerce studies.

The University conducted little research until the 1930s, when there was a spike in interest in academic research during the Depression. At this point, the College’s Executive Council issued several resolutions in favour of academic freedom after the controversial dismissal of J. C. Beaglehole (allegedly for a letter to a newspaper where he publicly defended the right of communists to distribute their literature), which helped encourage the college’s growth.

In 1934, four new Professors joined the college; Arthur Sewell (English), H.G Forder (Mathematics), C. G. Cooper (Classics) and James Rutherford (History). The combination of new talent, and academic freedom, saw Auckland University College flourish through to the 1950s.”

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