LOSS OF THE BEALEY HOTEL

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30094, 30 March 1963, Page 8

LOSS OF THE BEALEY HOTEL

Public House With A History

[Specially written for "The Press” by

BADEN NORRIS]

441 N the early hours of this morning a fire broke out which destroyed the Bealey Hotel”—this announcement over the radio left me shocked at the realisation that this historic and popular house was no more. The wonderful evenings I had had as a guest of the house when the Mount White boys would arrive in their old truck and over a glass of ale in front of the roaring open fire argue over the finer points of horses or dogs or maybe previous publicans would, it seemed now, be gone for ever.

But I drew consolation in the knowledge that tragedy had struck this site before and I remembered the saying of the district: “There will always be a Bealey,” How I hope this is true.

The first hotel was built in 1864 on the north bank of the Waimakariri in the

long-lost town of Klondyke and was nothing more than a calico shanty where guests were charged the sum of a florin for a bed of straw, and bread was 5/- a loaf. Even at that price the house was always full as the full impact of the gold rush to the West Coast was felt in 1865. Among the guests were the bushrangers Burgess and Kelly, on their way to Hokitika to indulge in further nefarious activities. Cobb and Company were by now bringing from Christchurch a full load of passengers once a week to Klondyke, where they rested before walking over Dobson's Pass as it was then known. New Hotel Built In 1866 a new hotel was built on the north bank and this one was of superior! design, being of wood and offering comfort rather better than a heap of straw. The publican had the responsibility of managing the ford over the river, a condition which remained with the licence until the opening of the road bridge. However, two years later the road over the pass was through to the coast and the town of Klondyke fell into ruin and the hotel was moved to the south bank and that is the site it has occupied ever since. The publicans of this era were all hard men, as well they would have to be to exercise some control over the ever-present unruly element of the westwardmoving miners. Many a tale is told of the fights that went on behind the pub, and of the guests who regretted an attempted moonlight flit By the early 80 s the Bealey was a staging point, with great rows of stables and 25 cabins, perhaps a forerunner of the modern motels. Greatly changed by the addition of a second storey it was in fact a new building. Some week-ends saw as many as 250 people stranded here when the river made a crossing unwise; but, floodbound as they were. I doubt if many really minded, as

the hospitality of the place was now legend. In 1917 this building was also destroyed by fire Rebuilt. it was a hive of activity once more with the publican making as much from helping early motorists across the ford as he had done at times from the house. In 1935. the bridge over the river was opened and for the firs: time travellers were not at the mercy of the vagaries of the Waimakariri. In 1937 the hotel was once again destroyed by fire, and the publican lost his life in the blaze.

The next building boasted the name of Dew Drop Inn and was in the nature of a temporary bar. Apart from the piano, a fireplace and a bar no bigger than a small table top it was just a shed. The inn soon passed from the scene with the building of the modern Glacier Hotel which, in time, grew in popularity. It became the venue of skiers coming home from a hard day’s sport in the snow fields, and deerstalking parties working off a thirst developed during the chase. But moot of all it was a touch of home to the Mount White boys, where they could yam and challenge each other to a game of darts (loser pays). This is all past, but I for one. trust that it will not be long before the sound of hammers and saws heralds the erection of yet another Bea ley Hotel.