In 1870 Sydney was graced with 8 elaborate cast-iron canopied
drinking fountains imported all the way from Glasgow. The
design was chosen by Mayor Renny from an illustrated catalogue
of Walter Macfarlane & Co, a prominent Scottish iron foundry
that exported widely to the colonies in the late nineteenth
century. It was a popular design. Melbourne and Adelaide also
ordered this design for their cities. The canopied fountains
were prominent landmarks in the Sydney streetscape. Only a
small number survive today.
Images
Macfarlane’s
catalogue
This is an illustration of the No. 8 Drinking Fountain
from Walter Macfarlane & Co.'s catalogue. The accompanying
text describes the architectural detail of the fountain:
Fig. 147 represents our No.8 Drinking Fountain, 9
feet 6 inches high. The structure consists of four columns,
from the capitals of which consoles with griffin terminals
unite with arches formed of decorated mouldings, encircling
ornamental shields. On two of the sides provision is made
for receiving an inscription; whilst on the other two
sides is the useful monition, “Keep the pavement
dry”. Surmounting this is an open and highly enriched
dome, the apex being occupied by a crown. Under the canopy
stands the font, with basin 2 feet 6 inches in diameter.
Price, complete, ready for fitting up, with
four water supply taps, and four drinking cups, delivered
in Glasgow: - £27 10 0
(Courtesy of Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales)
Invoice
for fountains
The fountains were ordered through Macfarlane’s
agent in Sydney, Archibald Chisholm. The design was tailored
to the city’s needs and incorporated the City's
coat of arms. (City of Sydney Archives,
CRS 22/12/34)
Fountains
make the news
The arrival of the eight drinking fountains was reported
by the Town and Country Journal in July 1870. An illustration
of the fountain, taken from Macfarlane’s catalogue
along with much of the text, accompanied the article.
In the eyes of the Town and Country Journal, ‘the
erection of these handsome fountains will be of general
utility, and they will have a very pleasing effect.’
(Town and Country Journal, 9 July
1870)
Drinking Fountains for the City.
At the suggestion, or order of the mayor, eight highly ornamented
cast-iron drinking fountains have been imported by Mr. A.
Chisholm, from Glasgow, where they were manufactured by
Messrs. Walter, Macfarlane, and Co., of the Saracen Foundry.
The fountains stand about eight feet high. The structure,
which is pagoda-shaped, consists of four columns, from the
capitals of which consoles with griffin terminals unite
with arches formed of decorated mouldings, encircling ornamental
shields bearing the City Arms, a shield charged with a ship
and beehive and working bees, surmounted by a mural crown
impaled with a pick-axe surmounted by a star. The sinister
supporter is an aboriginal native with a spear; the dexter
supporter an English sailor. Motto, “I take, but I
surrender.” On two of the sides provision is made
for receiving an inscription; whilst on the other two sides
is the useful monition, “Keep the pavement dry.”
Surmounting this is an open and highly enriched dome, the
apex being occupied by a crown. Under the canopy stands
the font with basin about two feet in diameter.
It has been suggested that if practicable one of these
fountains, an engraving of which is appended, shall be placed
in each ward of the municipality, in that part which constitutes
the greatest thoroughfare. It is like that they will be
erected at or near the following places. Alfred Park, Flagstaff
Hill near the Observatory, junction of William and Macleay
streets, the entrance to Moore Park, the Haymarket, near
the intersection of Park and Elizabeth streets, near the
corner of Market and Sussex streets, and on the Circular
Quay near the Custom House. The erection of these handsome
fountains will be of general utility, and they will have
a very pleasing effect. Their entire cost is £269
3s. 8d.
Fountain
maintenance This is the contract specification for the maintenance
of urinals, water-troughs, fountains & c. in the city
in 1891. It identifies ten Macfarlane ornamental canopy
fountains, suggesting that at least two more were ordered
after 1870.
The fountains were located at:
Green Park, Darlinghurst-road
Wentworth Park, east end
Wentworth Park, west end
Prince’s street, near Public School
Hunter street and O’Connell street
Loftus street, at Custom House
Moore Park, at pillar entrance, Randwick road
Moore Park, at Cleveland street, near Dowling street
Prince Alfred Park, at Exhibition Building
Elizabeth Bay, in Reserve
(City of Sydney Archives, CRS 65/2022)
Fountain
at Railway Square
This shows a canopy drinking fountain at the tram waiting
sheds at Railway Square (Central) in the 1930s. A newspaper
seller lounges next to his stall in the background, while
a man (partly obscured by the left-hand columns of the
fountain) uses the public telephone. The fountain’s
drinking basin and cups were replaced by a more hygienic
Danks bubbler in c.1916. (City of Sydney
Archives, CRS 538/79)
Fountain
at Beare Park
This is one of the Macfarlane canopy fountains in Beare
Park, Elizabeth Bay. This photograph was taken in 1954
and clearly shows the coat of arms and inscription. The
open bible records the famous verse from John chapter
4 verse 14: ‘Whosoever drinketh of this water
shall thirst again; But whosoever drinketh of the water
that I shall give him shall never thirst.’ Around
and above this is a less charitable commandment: ‘Keep
the pavement dry’. In the shadows on the right-hand
face of the fountain the City of Sydney coat of arms can
be seen picked out in a lighter coloured painted. These
were specially cast for the Sydney fountains. Around the
circular seal is the inscription: ‘Mayor, Aldermen
and Citizens of City of Sydney, 1857’. The date
1857 indicates the date the coat of arms (or seal as it
was then known) was adopted by the city council, not the
date of the fountain’s erection as many assume.
(City of Sydney Archives, CRS 48/8)
360'
of fountain in Macquarie Reserve
Zoom in and have a look at one the last examples of Macfarlane’s
ornamental canopy fountains in the city. Try to ‘Keep
the Pavement Dry’! (Peter Murphy
/ City of Sydney)
