MANCHESTER SQUARE.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 264, 11 May 1895, Page 2

MANCHESTER SQUARE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR. Sir, — I trust we have heard the last respecting the erection of buildings on this Square, I stated in a letter of mine you published some time ago, that in my opinion there were legal difficulties in the way of erecting the Municipal Buildings in the centre of the Square, but even if it were possible to do so I cannot conceive how any one can be so quixotic and exhibit such bad taste as to wish to shut out or block up by buildings of any kind in the centre of the cross road through the Square, the prospect now existing in walking or driving down Manchester street and Kimbolton road. I quite agree with the Mayor that notwithstanding the Public Works Act the Borough Council has no power to erect any buildings on the Square, and that the sections in that Act authorising the deviation of public roads would not be recognised by any court of law as applying to the cross roads in the Square. As to the dedication or non-dedication of the Square to the public, Mr Giesen, is in my opinion, quite mistaken in the view he takes in the matter. With reference to buildings on the four blocks in the Square which has been. proposed, I should have almost as much objection to them as to any on the centre of the cross roads. I could put up with the rotunda opposite the Bank of Australasia and Hastie's Hotel, but as for that monstrous monstrosity of a bell tower I should strongly advocate its removal. I have so often advocated improvements in the Square unsuccessfully that I fear it will be useless to re-open the matter, but if any energetic person will have the courage to attempt the raising of a fund requisite for the improvements (about £70 would be sufficient), and the removal of the obnoxious bell tower, I should be glad to subscribe £5 towards the fund. Before concluding this letter I am desirous of urging the ratepayers to record their votes next Wednesday in favor of the proposed loan. The facts stated in the circular which the Mayor has forwarded to the ratepayers, can, in my opinion, be thoroughly relied upon. I am, etc., Saml. Goodbehere. Feilding, Bth May, 1895.