MOTEL-TYPE HOTELS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28222, 9 March 1957, Page 12

MOTEL-TYPE HOTELS

Other Centres Interested

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON. March 8. If the proposal to build a modern licensed hotel-motel in Marshland road is passed by the Christchurch Licensing Committee and finally approved by the Licensing Control Commission, it will open the way for large-scale development of this type of accommodation throughout New Zealand. The commission is understood to be strongly in favour of following the trend now developing in the United States and Australia, but objections must be fully considered before the go ahead signal is given. There is no doubt that if approved, the Christchurch hotelmotel will be the first of its kind in New Zealand. Several other hotels have motel features, notably one at Paraparaumu. However, these have all had to comply with rigid licensing laws designed for the operation of hotels of the traditional pattern. The schedule laid down by the commission in its interim judgment is intended to set a standard for this new type of accommodation.

If successful, the Christchurch application is likely to be followed by others from the southern lakes district, Tauranga, Rotorua and North Auckland, as well as from other main cities. The commission is understood to be well aware of the importance of keeping motel standards high. Operation of this type of accommodation overseas has been closely studied and certain dangers noted. Some opposition from the unions involved is also expected. But the commission’s view is understood to be that the motel system, as indicating a change in public requirements linked with the development of motoring, is worth an active test.