LORD RUTHERFORD’S BIRTHPLACE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 17 November 1937, Page 5

LORD RUTHERFORD’S BIRTHPLACE

I To Tlie Editor! Sir, —In case the suggestion lias not already been made may I venture now to put it forward that the birthplace of Lord Rutherford should be permanently marked in some way for it has become an historical spot. Many of your readers who have visited London will recall houses to which is attached a small plaque setting forth the fact that some great man was born or lived there. At the moment I remember houses bearing the names of Captain Cook, Dickens, Thackeray,

Thomas A’Beckct and the poet Gray. It has occurred to me that Lord Rutherford's birthplace might be similarly indicated. The site is well known to-day but there is danger that future generations will* forget it. The actual house in which he was born was demolished a few years ago and in any case it would probably not be desirable to erect such a mark on private property but as the house stood near the street line I would suggest putting it immediately outside the fence line. Any such device need not be in any sense a memorial of the great man but a simple indication of his birthplace. It need not be of an expensive character —a plain white con- | crctc pillar a few feet in height with I a brass plate inscribed with the bare fact of his birth, would be sufficient I am, etc., GEO. W. BARLTROP. Wellington, 13th November.