Rich heritage

Selling to highest bidder

THE National Trust must surely have been close to betraying its charter in supporting the Government’s plan to sell the Treasury Building.

Judging from past performance, the Government will either sell to the highest bidder or to a rich mate at a bargain basement price. The patently obvious role for the building is to give the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery more space, as well as creating other public amenities in the building. Including the Town Hall, this would create a wonderful architectural whole from Murray St to Campbell St, which would do far more for our community and indeed for tourism than having a six-star hotel complex from which the general public would be effectively excluded. I AGREE with the Editorial that “perhaps the Treasury Buildings should have stayed in public hands and instead be handed over to TMAG,” ( Mercury, June 16). Tourists come to see our heritage buildings and enjoy our rich history. My great, great grandparents, Francis and Annie Miles, were caretakers in the 1880s and lived somewhere beneath the Treasury buildings. One of their duties was maintenance of the courts. Francis was also a fisherman and net maker. His photo is displayed on one of the historical stands in Hunter St. He caught the largest shark in the Derwent and put it on display and charged 6d A new way to have your say themercury.com.au readers have a new way to have their say. It’s free to use, just register and have your say. For more details and to register, visit the website.