Needed return type in static method? bug or feature?

[Antonio Corbi via Digitalmars-d-learn]

Hi all!

The following code compiles and works, but the static methods do 
not
have a return type. It also compiles and works if the appropiate 
(or auto)
return type is added to them.

-----------------8><----------------------------
import std.stdio;

class B {
     int foo () { return 1; }

     static sbar () { return "hi!"; }
     static ibar () { return 0; }
}

void main () {
     auto b = new B;
     writeln (B.sbar);
     writeln (B.ibar);
}
-----------------8><----------------------------
Is it a feature or a bug?

I've seen it being used in
https://github.com/gecko0307/dlib/blob/master/dlib/math/matrix.d

Thank's for your help!