THE BAND ROTUNDA.

Hastings Standard, Volume XII, Issue 4128, 13 April 1909, Page 5

THE BAND ROTUNDA.

(TO THE EDITOR.) SIR.—I see that Mr Thos. Tanner Is to be asked to open the band rotunda "because he gave the section to the people of Hastings." I do not know who has arranged the matter of asking Mr Tanner to perform the ceremony, but I do know that Mr banner did not give the section to the people of Hastings. The position at present is that Mr Collins gave £SO. some other people made up another Council is providing £IBO without extras and further requirement. Therefore it would seem that the Boro' Council by its Mayor should have some sav in the matter. I shall be delighted to see Mr Tanner taking part in the ceremony, if such a thing is to be. knowing well both the man and his manner and what __ an immensely g n>cl settler he was to Hastings years ago. But he did not give the Queen's Square or whatever name it is known by nor did he even help to plant the Jubilee oak more than ten years ago. Previous to that time several years, wher. the Riveislea land was cut up by the Syndicate, the Square in question was laid off as a cjin"nonage io." the use of the peopie who bought the surrounding sections. As ti.m.wore 011 many of these people went out of the cow spanking business, and others had never been in it. They could not agree as to \\ ho should run cows, and who not, and to what terms, and so,'on so they got up a petition to the Borough Council begging them to take the bugbear off their hands. The Council v jibbed at it for some time, as none of the members had any interests in that locality at the time ; but eventually they did take it over and after some years fenced it and planted the Jubilee Oak, and had a thousand copies of the National Anthem printed as no one had apparently heard that popular ditty up to that time. As years rolled on they got a few sticks planted round it where trees were supposed to gro-v. For many years it was a refuge for the Borough staff. Then some financier got out the brilliant idea of paying a man to run his own sheep in it and later it was decided to put the-land to its legitimate use and have a band rotunda there. These facts ma}' be of use to those people who intend to ask Mr Tanner to open the rotunda because he gave the section. Apologising for trespass, thanking you in anticipation, and so on.—l am etc.., A. A. George.