RESTORATION: Allan Tong Ltd painters Aaron Davey (left) and Scott Porter (top) with Mainstreet's Geoff Follett and Kelly Scarrow.
PICTURE / PAUL BROOKS
RESTORATION: Allan Tong Ltd painters Aaron Davey (left) and Scott Porter (top) with Mainstreet's Geoff Follett and Kelly Scarrow.
PICTURE / PAUL BROOKS
Whanganui's Watt Fountain is undergoing restoration in time for its 136th birthday celebration this Thursday.
Built by Whanganui tradesman John Jones and finished in time for the opening ceremony on September 7, 1881, the Gothic structure was designed by architects Ross and Wright in honour of William Hogg Watt, firstmayor of the borough. Watt donated Westmere Lake to Whanganui as a water supply at a time when the town was often ravaged by fire and water was hard to access. As mayor he officiated at the fountain's opening.
Originally placed in the centre of the intersection of Victoria Ave and Ridgway St - its present location - the fountain was moved in 1906 to make way for tram tracks. It was placed in Cooks Gardens, on the flat piece of ground below the Bell Tower and Boer War Memorial.
It was later moved to Queen's Park to the lawn in front of the Alexander Library, where it remained until 1993, when it was restored to near new condition and replaced in its original location, elevated on a newly constructed roundabout.
Aaron Davey and Scott Porter of Allan Tong Ltd have been working on the fountain's restoration. They agree it is in very good condition for a structure of its age. The fountain was stripped of its paint and replastered with fibreglass mesh in the mix. "It's a Rockcote system we've put on it," says Aaron. "The same stuff you put on your houses. "We brushed on a glue and bonding agent, put a base coat on, laid on the fibreglass mesh then go over with the final sponge plaster. It's probably bigger by about three or four millimeters." The fountain was then painted before the gaslights were replaced on the top.
The Allan Tong team have been busy with other heritage structures including the Alexander Heritage and Research Library and the ceiling of the Royal Whanganui Opera House.
The original Watt Fountain was unveiled in 1881 with much pomp and ceremony and a half-day holiday granted to the populace in recognition of its importance. Credit was given to the fact that it was entirely a local effort, with Whanganui architects, builders, painters, plasterers and tilers involved in its construction. All ironwork, including the column and its lamps, were manufactured at the Taupo Quay foundry of Scotsman David Murray.
The ceremony was attended by local volunteer bodies - The Wanganui Rifles and the City Rifles under the respective commands of Captains Watt and Hutchison. Thirty-five members of the Wanganui Fire Brigade also attended, as well as Borough Councillors and a host of dignitaries.
This Thursday there will be a ceremony and live music to celebrate the fountain's restoration and its 136th birthday. The fountain and nearby buildings will be illuminated with coloured lights and a piper - Randhir Dahya - will play at the ceremony.
"It will be a spectacle," says Mainstreet's Geoff Follett, one of the organisers.
After the formalities, Jazz Connexion will play in the street until about 8pm, a number of shops will remain open and there will be food caravans in attendance.
