In 1857 Sydney acquired a small number of these ornate cast iron drinking fountains from Macfarlane & Co, a prominent Scottish iron foundry.
On the face of the fountain (which, as you see, lacks the water faucet) is the narration “Keep the Pavement Dry” – was this an admonition for sloppy drinkers? On the other side the drinker is reminded that “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again, but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst” (a quote from Jesus recorded in the Gospel of John – Chap 3, verses 13-14).
Another one of these fountains, again without it original water faucet, can be seen at Oxford Square, along Oxford Street. Do pardon the similarity between the two reviews.
The Sydney fountains are of the same design as those acquired around the same time, from the same foundry, by Melbourne and Adelaide. You can find out a little more about one in Port Adelaide by looking at my Port Adelaide review – Water for the Port – Formby Memorial Fountain.
For my next SYDNEY – CITY – CIRCULAR QUAY / MACQUARIE PLACE review click HERE.
For other Sydney reviews click HERE.
The Rambling Wombat 