Attraction lit up the Octagon

A colour image of the Star Fountain lighting up the Octagon during the 1970s. PHOTOS: ALLIED PRESS FILES

In 1963, Dunedin City Council was given £5000 by the Evening Star to build a fountain in the Octagon to mark the newspaper’s centenary.

The Star Fountain was installed in 1966 and became a popular attraction, with synchronised lighting, music and water displays. It played at regular intervals during the morning and evening.

Despite its popularity, some found the fountain’s visible copper pipes unsightly when it was not playing.

The Governor-General, Sir Bernard Fergusson, presses the button to start the "Star" fountain in 1966, with the Evening Star company chairman of directors Mr S.D. Smith in attendance.

When The Octagon was refurbished in the 1990s, the Star Fountain was not included in the new design.

Its removal led to a public outcry.

The fountain was broken up and its components and pipes were scattered.