Spout Time! Carter Fountain Back Up and Running

One of Oriental Bay's most popular adornments, the Carter Fountain, is now ready to cascade water again after being out of action for nearly six months.

The Council's Coastal Operations Manager, Peter Hemsley, says the fountain stopped working last November - when routine tests revealed an electrical fault in the motor had allowed seawater to get in and cause damage.
"We've now replaced the pump motor and even though poor weather has prevented the fountain from operating regularly since the new motor was installed, tests show it is working as it should."

He says the replacement pump motor cost just over $29,000.

The fountain, which was installed in 1973, was a gift to the city from local resident Hugh Carter who was inspired by a fountain he saw in Geneva in the early 1960s.

It was initially to be called the Oriental Bay Fountain however tragedy struck just days after the fountain was officially opened - Carter was about to travel to Nelson on his launch when he slipped and drowned - so it was instead named the Carter Fountain as a mark of respect.