Extracts from the Bowral Free Press coverage of the 1897 unveiling continue here.

“Mr John Cullen looked on the fountain as a good piece of work – a credit and an honour to the town, and which the surrounding towns could not do. He acknowledged the presence of Bowral people. Moss Vale had prospered during the past 20 years, and they were now able to hold their own with any other town in this district. The public should thank Mrs Bennett for having responded to the invitation to unveil the fountain.”

“Mr CL Nicholson regarded the fountain as an ornament to the town. From present appearances he did not think it would be difficult to predict that Moss Vale would yet be the Federal City. Dr Stevenson regarded that fountain as a stepping-stone to better things. He thanked all those who had worked on behalf of its accomplishment. It was the record reign of the best Queen who ever ruled that had induced them to erect the fountain. Not a single soul in the town but had responded to the call to subscribe to the fund, both rich and poor. Therefore every resident had a stake in that fountain. It would remain for the use of our children's children.”

“Three cheers were then lustily given for Mrs Bennett, and another three for the Mayor and Mayoress. Mr Bennett responded on behalf of his wife. He said it had given Mrs Bennett pleasure to unveil the fountain, and it was a pleasure to her to do what she could for the district in any way. The Mayor then paid tribute to the workmanship of Messrs Loveridge and Hudson in designing and erecting the fountain. In the evening a concert was given in Moss Vale Hall.”

“The fountain may be described as a very fitting and appropriate ornament to the locality in which it is placed in the centre of the triangular piece of roadway adjacent to the Post-Office, Court-house and Royal Hotel.”

“The foundations are of concrete and the pavement also, bordered by a circular kerb of rock-faced trachyte. Upon the pavement stands the fountain proper, the base under the bowl being formed or cut in the shape of a cross. In the middle of the large stone bowl is a very handsome feature of the fountain, consisting of a polished octagonal base of Gabo Island Red Granite, then a polished trachyte column 18 inches in diameter (and slightly over three feet in height). On the top of the column is fixed a circular moulded and axed cap of the same granite. The stone work is surmounted by an electric light fitted with three incandescent lamps. The water is carried up through the stone-work and is discharged by means of four spring taps. With the exception of the Gabo Granite, the whole of the stone used is Bowral trachyte.”

The paper’s report concluded that opinion generally was that the work has been carried out very satisfactorily. A small silver plate on the base bore the inscription ‘Record Reign Fountain. 1897. Erected by the residents’.

Why Violet Bennett, who unveiled the fountain, and her husband were held in such high esteem locally will be told in the next articles. It is worth noting that she had attended a reception at Buckingham Palace in June 1888. The extract below describing the occasion is from the Australian Town and Country Journal (owned by her husband):

“The Queen’s Spring drawing-room reception is said to have been one of the most brilliant ever held. The Queen wore a long train and bodice of black silk. The Princess Christian wore a dress of fine satin, and the Duchess of Albany a black velvet dress embroidered with silver. The London papers are filled with descriptions of the magnificent costumes. The dress worn by Mrs Bennett, of Sydney, was composed of a long train of white satin with fancy striped brocade, and bordered with a ruche of tulle, edged with pearls. Her head dress was formed of white feathers and talle veil; the ornaments consisting of diamond necklet, bracelets and brooch.” 

Violet, then aged 30, was soon back at Sutton Forest and organising fetes.