BOWKER FOUNTAIN.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19612, 7 May 1929, Page 12

BOWKER FOUNTAIN.

PROPOSED MEMORIAL. IDEAS FROM OVERSEAS. Christehnrch may shortly see a fountain electrically lighted at night on the site at present occupied by the band stand in Victoria square, which it is intended to remove to Beckenham Park. This fountain will be the Bowker Memorial Fountain, in respect of which a sum of £IOOO was left by the late Mr Bowker for the purpose, the amount having, with interest since, grown to £bout £I3OO. Particulars have been received from overseas giving the very latest information of the working of electrical methods by which such fountains are operated and illuminated. The largest of sueh fountains shows 30 waterproof flood coloured lights placed beneath water level automatically operated from an underground station. The idea of sinking a deep artesian well would be a costly one, and might possibly interfere with the City artesian water supply, but this could be obviated by the installation of a small seven horse-power motor, capable of throwing upwards and outwards jets of water of a height and breadth equal to the proportions of the present band rotunda, using the s,ame water over and over again, thus conserving the supply necessary to keep the fountain playing. The changing of the colours of the water would make a very fine spectacle, the better because there are no such fountains in Australia or New Zealand today. A pleasing feature of the fountain would be that there would be very little masonry seen about it, the modern idea being to dispense with this as much as possible, and depend on the effect of the jets of water. If the suggested fountain is erected the City will liAve reason to remember with gratitude the name of the late Mr Bowker.