A local man who's grandfather was once the mayor of Wellington has sent a detailed letter objecting to removing parts of the Cameron Park wall.
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John Preston says the fence should be cleaned, maintained and brought back to "its former glory".
In his letter Mr Preston stated:
"While I appreciate council is trying to improve the appearance of our CBD, I am opposed to removal of any part of Cameron Park fence, especially the panel with the plaque dated 1924 when the fence was completed.
"In fact I believe council should re-instate those parts of the fence that have been removed not remove more.
"I would like to ask council why it is to retain only seven (7) panels of the fence on the southern side of the Memorial Gates?
"It would leave that area looking odd and you would have to move the plaque.
"The fence was built from Gilbert Doble's design as part of the War Memorial for which Doble won a 100 pound prize.
"The fence is 91 years old this year. It has served the Wellington community well and has a significant heritage value.
"It is in the Wellington LEP conservation area and listed in the heritage inventory.
"Your proposed streetscape plan shows widening the footpath and planting trees in the footpath, on the western side of the street between Bills Cafeé Lane to Maughan Streets.
"Why not leave the fence alone and plant trees in the park where they would grow better (rather than in concrete) and leave the footpath as it is, don't widen it.
"This would give a similar effect. Just look at the beautiful trees at the current taxi rank and in front of the Visitor Information Centre.
"It will also save council ratepayer money which could then be spent repairing and upgrading roads within the council area or maintaining buildings.
"As mayor of Wellington municipality in 1924, my grandfather James A Preston had a lot of input into the park.
"He had the fence built with government funds to employ people after the First World War.
"In 1933 he, as president of Apsley Bowling Club, had the club house built in the same style as the then council chambers at the other end of the main street.
"That building is now our town library. Also as his term of mayor he started construction of the swimming pool, now the sunken gardens, relocated the fire station from the park to its present location in Warne Street and the electrification of the main street.''
You can read Mr Preston's letter to the editor in full on page 4 of this edition and on the Wellington Times website.
