THE BASIN RESERVE FOUNTAIN

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3001, 12 February 1917, Page 6

THE BASIN RESERVE FOUNTAIN

Sir, —In last Friday's issue you stated that Lady Molesworth presented the drinking fountain in tho Basin Reserve, which is a mistake, as the following letter written by the late Mr. T. W. M'Kenzie in tho "N.Z. Times" of September 28; 100-1, will prove. He writes (inter alia): "With regard to the drinking fountain erected ; n the Basin Reserve whilst I was a member of the City Council, I succeeded in obtaining it from Mr. George Hunter, who generously gave it to mo for the City Council. The monument was accredited to Colonel William Wakefield. It ,had been lying in Mr. Hunter's yard at, the Exchange for a considerable time, and I thought it could be put to a more useful purpose. I then gathered subscriptions and purchased an ornamental drinking fountain from Mr. Dawson, ironmonger, at the corner of Featherston and Grey Streets, and had it placed in the monument, and the fountain has been a source of great convenience ever since to thirsty persons who visit the Basin Reserve. 1 would suggest, in order to prevent confusion'| in the future, that a brass j>late be attached to the fountain stating tho particulars of the case, so as to perpetuate the memory of Colonel Wm. Wakefield, the first and principal agent of the New Zealand Company." Mr. M'Kenzie further states that tho beacon sent out to the colony by Lady Molesworth, after lying on the reclaimed land for a number </? yeare, was found incomplete (certain plates missing), and the balance was disposed of by the Government as old iron.—l aui, etc., W.F.C. Petonc, February 5, 1917.