This, which is a memorial to a Governor who made himself in every way popular during a brief tenure of office terminated by his death at Ootacamund, was erected, by public subscription, some time in 1886, at a total cost of between Rs.13,000/- and Rs.14,000/-.
It was at first intended to place it in front of the market, but it was subsequently decided that the site in front of the Collector's Office was better, as being a more public place.
It having been found, however, that there was not a sufficient head of water at this point to allow of the fountain playing freely, it was, at the end of 1898, moved by the municipality, to its present position, which is that formerly occupied by the old mealnoxylon tree that used to mark the centre of “Charing Cross”.
