By ANNE-MARIE EMERSON
ONE hundred and twenty-six is a ripe old age. Official celebrations were held yesterday to commemorate the Watt Fountain's 126th birthday.
The fountain was dedicated on September 7, 1881. It cost 250 pounds money donated by the citizens of Wanganui for the generosity of mayor William Watt in donating Westmere Lake to provide water for the city.
The commemoration coincides with the release of a book about the fountain, and the Watt family reunion, which will be held next weekend.
The book's author, Marion Rainforth, became interested in the Watt Fountain while she was researching her own family history.
When she discovered the Watt family was having a reunion she realised she had to write the book to coincide with that event.
Mrs Rainforth said she hopes the book will "stimulate curiosity".
"I want kids to look at what's around them, and wonder why it's there."
The fountain has had its share of ups and downs. It was originally built in its current position in Victoria Ave and was intended to be a drinking fountain and meeting place.
But it was considered to be an obstacle for traffic and horses, so in 1906 it was dismantled and moved to Cooks Gardens.
For a while it lay disused in a council shed, before being restored to Queens Park and finally, in 1993, moved back to its original home at the crossroads of Victoria Ave and Ridgway St.
Yesterday's celebrations, organised by Mainstreet Wanganui, included decorating the fountain with a top hat and a scarlet ribbon atop.
Under sunshine and clear skies a group of about 15 people shared the large chocolate birthday cake and toasted the "old fountain'' with a glass of vino.
Fountain of knowledge
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.