OLD AUCKLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 215, 11 September 1929, Page 6

OLD AUCKLAND.

As a native of Auckland I was pleased to see Mr. S. Philpott's letter correcting the error regarding the appearance of the first Queen Street wharf. It would be interesting to.know, just when this wharf was built. I am of opinion that a structure was there capable .of. berthing overseas sailing vessels before your valuable paper saw the light of day. in iB7O. I am a keen collector of all information concerning the early days of Auckland, but I have been reluctantly obliged to pass by otherwise interesting information published from time to time from respected residents. It is a pity that memory so often fails these estimable people. In recent reminiscences one states that the landing place from the harbour in 1574 was about where the Victoria Arcade now stands, another that in 1872 there was only one shop in Karangahape Road, kept by a man named Macpherson. Probably some of the younger generation are pasting these records in scrap books, thinking that they are part of the real history of old Auckland. Mr. Philpott is quite correct in stating that the Waitemata and Thames hotels stood on their respective corners in 1573. I think, however, that Copeland kept the Waitemata and not the Thames Hotel. Copeland may, of course, have occupied the latter house,. I have an old photograph before me showing that the Waitemata Hotel was kept by one John Copeland. Mentioning hotels, I would say that among the many photographs of old Auckland iu ruy possession there is one which has puzzled many old residents. This picture shows two hotels, one cm each, corner of Queen Street and West Queen Street (now Swanson Street). That on the right looking west is named the Victoria Hotel, whilst on the left corner is a threetstoreycd weatherboard building named the Royal Oak. Information on this matter would be welcome.-' NATIVE.