PRINCES SQUARE DRINKING FOUNTAIN

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 24^th 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!