Carter Fountain

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Coordinates: 41°17′23″S 174°47′40″E / 41.28980°S 174.79436°E / -41.28980; 174.79436
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The Carter Fountain in 2005

The Carter Fountain is a distinctive feature 150 metres (490 ft) out in Wellington Harbour from Oriental Bay. Installed in 1973, it was named in memory of the parents of its donor Hugh Carter, who drowned only days after the fountain's inauguration.

Background[edit]

Image of plaque dedicating fountain to George and Ella Carter.
Carter Fountain dedication plaque at band rotunda

The Carter Fountain was a gift to the city of Wellington from local resident and businessman Hugh Carter, as a tribute to his parents George and Ella Carter and the people of Wellington.[1][2] A plaque was installed on the band rotunda saying: "Carter Fountain. In Memory. This fountain was donated to the people of Wellington by the family of the late George and Ella Carter, who had a great love of their city. 16th March 1973".[3] Carter was inspired by the Jet d'Eau fountain he saw in Geneva in the early 1960s. Construction began in 1972 and cost NZ$75,000.[4] There was some controversy when the project was announced as some residents objected to the fountain on aesthetic reasons or because it might interfere with rowing, or thought the money it cost could have been better spent elsewhere.[5]

The fountain was officially opened on 16 March 1973.[6] Tragedy struck just days after the fountain was officially opened. Carter had moored his launch Kualani in the harbour for the opening of the fountain. He disappeared from the boat on the night of 20/21 March and his body was found in the harbour on 21 March.[7] He was 55.

The fountain was originally maintained by the Wellington Harbour Board, and with the 1989 local government reforms, this responsibility transferred to the Wellington City Council.[8]

Operation[edit]

The Band Rotunda houses the land based electrical equipment and a wind sensor

The fountain spouts water 16 metres (52 ft) into the air.[8] Following complaints from local residents about salt spray, a wind sensor was installed on the nearby band rotunda that prevents the fountain from operating above a given wind speed; sources vary whether this is 8 or 10 knots (15 or 19 km/h; 9.2 or 11.5 mph).[8][9] The band rotunda also holds the land-based electrical components for the fountain.[8]

Monthly maintenance is carried out by an electrician, who reaches the fountain in a row boat. Twice a year, divers check on the submerged pump. The annual maintenance costs NZ$45,000, of which NZ$20,000 is for electricity. The cost for replacing the pump in 2009 was NZ$29,000,[8] during which time the fountain was out of operation for half a year.[10] Eight floodlights are used to light and colour the fountain.[8] The halogen lights were replaced in 2013 by LED light at a cost of NZ$21,000, with the new lights lasting up to 50,000 hours compared to 2,000 hours previously, and being able to be remote controlled.[11]

The fountain is operated up to four times a day:[9]

  • Monday to Thursday: 07:30–09:00, noon–14:00, 16:30–18:00, 19:30–22:30
  • Friday: 07:30–09:00, noon–14:00, 16:30–18:00, 19:30–23:00
  • Saturday and Sunday: 08:30–16:30, 19:00–23:00

References[edit]

 This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 3.0 license.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Carter Fountain.
  1. ^ "Coloured fountain for Oriental Bay". Evening Post. 18 February 1972. p. 245 in online file – via Archives Online.
  2. ^ "Carter memorial fountain, Oriental Bay, Wellington Harbour Board". Archives Online. 31 May 2023. p. 251. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Carter memorial fountain: Oriental Bay, Wellington Harbour Board [Memorandum]". Archives Online. 2 March 1973. p. 181 in online file.
  4. ^ "Shimmering fountain in bay will leap 150ft to the night sky". Evening Post. 28 February 1973 – via Archives Online.
  5. ^ "Carter Memorial Fountain: Oriental Bay, Wellington Harbour Board".
  6. ^ "Fountain shows its light". The Dominion. 16 March 1973. p. 2. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  7. ^ "City benefactor found dead in harbour by police divers". Evening Post. 21 March 1973.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Greenland, James (5 July 2012). "A fountain of history". The Dominion Post. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  9. ^ a b "Carter Fountain". sculptures.org.nz. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  10. ^ "Spout time! Carter Fountain back up and running" (Press release). Wellington: Wellington City Council. Scoop. 25 May 2009. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  11. ^ "Carter fountain going green". The Dominion Post. 10 November 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2014.

41°17′23″S 174°47′40″E / 41.28980°S 174.79436°E / -41.28980; 174.79436

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