A MUNIFICENT GIFT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 15 November 1907, Page 2

A MUNIFICENT GIFT.

Yesterday morning Mr. W. L. Newman and Mrs. Newman met the Mayor, borough councillors, and members of the municipal staff at the intersection of tile Esplanade and Dawson-street, and Mr. Newman formally handed over to the Council the handsome combined drinking-fountain and lamp recently erected for Mrs. A. B. Honeyfield at this point as a gift" to tbe town. Mr. Newman explained that he was acting 011 behalf of Mrs, Honeyfield, who was now absent from the colony. That lady during her travels had become imbued with the idea that New Plymouth had a splendid asset in its seafront, and decided to render this portion of it more attractive. With that end in view she had had this ornamental structure greeted. Mr. v Now 111 an expressed the wish tljat the Esplanade would ere long be extended to the Breakwater.

Mr. Dockrill, the Mayor, briefly replied, expressing the gratitude of the Council and of the burgesses for the generosity of Mrs. Honeyfield, and asking Mr. Newman to be good enough to convey the inhabitants' best thanks to her. He realised tlie value of the Esplanade to the town, and of the enhanced value of the promenade by reason of this fountain and lamp. Mr. Newman undertook to forward the Council's thanks to the proper quarter.

As already described in these columns, the fountain rises from a stepped base of concrete and blue stum*. Tlie pillars nf Aberdeen granite rise from a solid foundation of brown IVlaithind freestone, and the cupola is nicely arched to admit the fountain. On the north, aspect is the inscription, "The Gift of Alice Biwn Tloneyfiehl, l!) 07." The fountainbowl is of white marble set on red granite, and (here are two drinkingcups suspended from the nreh. Above all is the octagonal lamp, illuminated by electricity. The whole structure stands some thirty feet in height, and is certainly a handsome and"useful addition to a popular holiday resort.