When one mentions Prince's Square and
fountain, the immediate thought is of the magnificent French creation
that graces the centre of the park. I will get around to that
eventually, but this week thought I'd write a word or two about the
humbler, but still quite sweet little drinking fountain.
An entry on ehive.com which includes a
black and white photo indicates that the National Trust suggest the
fountain (which appears to be the one in my photo) was a gift from
Robert de Little. The date given is “unknown” c. 1960 – 1980.
I would assume this date refers to the photo as the fountain appears
to be much older. (Not that I would claim to know this!).
Robert de Little did indeed pay for a
number of drinking fountains for Launceston – he tried to begin a
subscription fund to share the cost in 1869, but when no one else
contributed he financed the entire project himself with a hundred
guineas. De Little, a builder and civic-minded businessman died in
February 1876.
A letter to The Examiner written in 1892,
suggests the need for a drinking fountain in Princes Square (so there
does not appear to have already have been one there). The same year,
the council decided against the erection of a drinking fountain in
the square as there was already one on the corner of St John and
Elizabeth Streets. Perhaps this was later re-located into the park.
An article in of February 24th 1924, makes
reference to a recently erected fountain in Princes Square, and
looking at the decoration, I wonder if this is that fountain, despite
the details mentioned above? I don't know.......love to hear from
you if you do!
