TAKAPO HOUSE

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28169, 7 January 1957, Page 2

TAKAPO HOUSE

Sir, —You printed interesting photographs of that fine old landmark, Takapo House. The Government deemed it unnecessary to rebuild it when it was menaced by the rising lake level, though it was much appreciated by the guests who stayed there. Instead, a licensed hotel is to be built in what is almost unpopulated country and only 14 miles from an existing hotel, it follows the purpose of the hotel is a different one. The writer understands the late Mr Burnett, of Mount Cook station, acquired the building at Tekapo at one time so as to cancel the licence. This he did for the good of his fellow-men. Is the purpose of the new hotel to provide facilities for the drinking drivers? Would the appropriate authorities tell us?—Yours, etc..

A. M. LEIGH. December 24, 1956. [No evidence or submissions indicating any objections to the authorisation of a publican s licence at Lake Tekapo was received at a public sitting ot the Licensing Control Commission in Timaru during December, 1952 said the assistant secretary of the commission (Mr E. J. Carroll), commenting on the letter pnntea above. “The Mackenzie County Council recommended the provision of a publican’s licence at Lake Tekapo. Other evidence was also given to the effect that a licence was desirable at Lake Tekapo. Notice of the sitting, at which evidence and submissions on the distribution of licences in the Waimate licensing district were heard, was advertised in newspapers (including “The Press”) circulating in the district. Public notice of the authorisation of the licence was advertised on three separate occasions. It is not known whether the Waimate Licensing Committee has completed the hearing of an application made for this licence. Certain statutory rights of objection are provided in the Licensing Act, and its amendments.**]