The reason why i want to share with you about the Tan Kim Seng fountain is because the fountain is to commemerate a very special person.
Tan Kim Seng came from Malacca to Singapore in 1840. He had a humble beginning but through perseverance rose to be a very wealthy man. He founded Kim Seng and Company, a trading house on Boat Quay. Tan Kim Seng was a leader among the Chinese; he was often asked to settle disputes among them.
On 18 November 1857 Tan Kim Seng offered a sum of $13,000 for a supply of water to the Town from Bukit Timah. This water was to be carried through pipes on the main roads in Singapore. The Secretary of State for India praised the public spiritedness of Tan Kim Seng.
In recognition of Tan Kim Seng’s farsightedness and generosity the Municipal Council erected in 1882 a large fountain in Fullerton Square in front of the Exchange Building (Fullerton Building) to commemorate him.
No comments:
Post a Comment