Bubbles cause trouble at newly restored fountain
A historic fountain in Christchurch’s Victoria Square needs to be check for damage after it was vandalised just hours after the park reopened.
The Bowker Fountain was a foamy mess at the weekend. The culprit left behind at least one clue – an empty box of washing powder.
The fountain, near the corner of Colombo and Armagh streets, was restarted on Friday when the park reopened following a 13-month, $7.6 million restoration. It was turned on with help from one of Henry Bowker’s descendants, Jane Stace.
Bowker was a prominent Christchurch businessman who left 1000 pounds to have the fountain built after he died in 1921. The square and the fountain were restored by Crown rebuild company O¯ ta¯ karo.
By Saturday morning the colourful fountain – Australasia’s first illuminated electric fountain – was overflowing with bubbles. A box of washing powder was found nearby. Adding detergent to fountains could badly damage them, and flushing the detergent out could cost hundreds of dollars and cause major drainage issues.
O¯ ta¯karo spokesman Michael Parkin said it was ‘‘not surprising’’ this had happened, but ‘‘the fountain will be checked [this] week to confirm it has caused no damage’’.
People enjoying the newly restored square on Saturday morning were amused and appalled by the vandalism. Monty the dog was unfussed by the bubbles, diving in for a mid-morning swim.
Last year, someone added something to the water in an Ashburton fountain late one night, causing bubbles that spread several hundred metres in all directions. People flocked to take photos and videos, but the district council was not amused.
‘‘Each time this happens, the fountain pump is damaged. Repairing the pump costs thousands of dollars, while replacing the pump could eventually cost even more’’, Ashburton District Council open space manger David Askin said.