North Canterbury Hotels Range From ‘Attractive’ To ‘Hopeless’

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30856, 15 September 1965, Page 12

North Canterbury Hotels Range From ‘Attractive’ To ‘Hopeless’

Comments ranging from “perhaps the most attractive country hotel we have seen” (Cheviot) to “well-nigh hopeless” (the Red Lion, Rangiora) are made by the Licensing Control Commission in its decision after a review of 20 hotel licences in the Hurunui licensing district. It suggests that Waikari can be served by one hotel, with a tavern at Hawarden, and two of the Rangiora hotels are criticised.

The commission summarises its findings as requiring some alteration or improvement to 14 hotels, and substantial improvement or alteration to the other six. Tavern status is proposed for the Sefton Hotel.

“As a broad judgment, Rangiora is poorly served by its hotels,” the decision says. “The Masonic at Southbrook and the Plough at Rangiora have taken the initiative to improve their state and services, but the other two have just gone to seed. “On present usage, Rangiora only needs one good accommodation business. How far that is owing to the unattractive nature of the accommodation or to a disinclination on the part of owners or hotel-keepers to cultivate that aspect of their business is hard to say.

“As to services for the drinking public, two are quite satisfactory, but by no exercise in optimism can it be said that four outlets are necessary.” The Junction Hotel. Rangiora, has been allowed to run down rather badly, and its low accommodation rate is an index of its lack of comfort and attractiveness, says the decision. The liquor business is quite fair, justifying better conditions and improvement. Money has been spent and wasted on alterations.

Thirteen requirements are stipulated, including the raising of the standard o' bedrooms, the provision of a lounge, and discontinuance of the use of the diningroom. The decision commends the Plough Hotel, Rangiora. for improvements, and says' the commission was impressed by the owner’s initiative. A bad defect ils the so-called guest entrance, which is nothing more than a side door which one could expect as the alternative when the main door is closed. Something will have to be done, the decision says.

The whole appearance of the hotel is ruined by men’s conveniences on the street line. These will have to be demolished. Stipulating seven requirements, the commission says it will have to see the plans before deciding if there is justification for a premises licence. A motel unit may be the answer.

Rangi ora’s Red Lion Hotel is described in the decision as in a well-nigh hopeless state. The sensible course would be to bulldoze it down and start again. The commission was told that it was part of Rangiora’s history, but could find nothing else to commend it.

“It is merely a licensed boardinghouse and a drinking house of indifferent status,” the decision says. “Some permanent boarders live in sub-standard conditions, some of the rooms having less soace than a standard prison cell. “The commission can see no way to bring the upper floor to an acceptable state and it is in the interests of the owner and public to close the bedroom block from public use, replacing it with motels, which would form the nucleus of a new hotel, if, indeed, one is ever built.” Ten requirements are ordered, including application to redefine the licensed premises so as to exclude the public use of the upper floor, and construction of three motel units.

Enterprise Shown The commission says that since it inspected the Masonic Hotel at Southbrook, considerable enterprise has been shown in improving premises and services at considerable capital outlay. Most of the requirements that would have been imposed have been anticipated.

When all is done witliin the present compass of the building, there will be insufficient bedrooms to justify a hotel premises licence. In five requirements, the hotel is ordered to provide two motel units.

Speaking of Kaiapoi’s Kaikanui Hotel, the decision notes that in the year to March 31, 1963, the hotel had taken only 15 guests. Monthly police reports showed 122 guests in 1963-64 and 204 in 1963-64.

The commission says it is by no means impressed that this is normal demand. When accommodation is discouraged and refused, it becomes known. That this practice was well known was established at the commission’s 1964 hearing.

It would be detrimental to allow the Kaikanui Hotel to operate as a tavern. Plans have been approved by the commission for nine guests in six rooms at the Pier Hotel, and for eight guests in five rooms at the Mandeville Hotel. The Kaikanui Hotel now has seven bedrooms. It should have accommodation for 10 guests. In nine requirements, the Kaikanui Hotel has to provide not less than three double bedrooms and four single bedrooms, a guests’ lounge and better bar amenities. “The Cust Hotel is another unprepossessing country hotel long overdue for a visit from the commission,” the decision says. “It needs a thorough overhaul, though the police speak highly of the management.

“A hotel premises licence is sought in spite of the obvious fact that its chief function is that of a country tavern. But for an act of God whereby a neighbouring State forest was flattened by a freak storm, the hotel would be classed as a tavern. “Ravages Of Nature”

“As long as the consequences of the ravages of nature endure there seems to be sufficient guest business to keep the hotel in the hotel category,” the decision continues. “Perhaps when it is improved there will be some inducement for the ordinary traveller to stay there.”

Thirteen requirements are imposed. Of Oxford’s two hotels, the decision says that both may have been needed in bygone days, but there is now only enough business to sustain one. Both hotels are run down. The Commercial Hotel is described as a “rather dejected old hotel," whose owner of a few weeks had made a start with a large amount of work. Thirteen requirements are ordered.

“One of the few pleasing aspects of the down-at-heels Harewood Arras Hotel at Oxford is its rather Channing name. The only other notable feature is that it is over 100 years old,” the decision continues. “All told, it is a shabby old place.” Twelve requisitions are imposed, including redecorations of bedrooms and the public bar, and use of the lounge bar as a guest lounge is to cease. The commission did not agree with the view of the owner of the New Ashley Hotel that more accommodation was needed. Guest bedrooms were smaller than desirable, but they were accepted. Eight requirements deal chiefly with better accommodation amenities.

The commission says it is satisfied that accommodation is not wanted at the Anglers’ Arms Hotel, Sefton, and it will authorise issue of a tavern licence, with not less than 500 square feet of bar space, and seatong for not fewer than 20 persons. The general condition of the Royal Hotel, Leithfield, is satisfactory. An 18-bed motel was opposite the hotel, but the owner was opposed to the commission’s suggestion that a tavern licence might suit. Seven requirements are ordered, including accommo-

dation for at least seven guests and more bar space. Dance Floor Dealing with the Amberley Hotel, the decision notes its large and attractive diningroom with an oval dance floor, the owner having a dining and dancing permit. It was of interest that most of the casual diners came from Christchurch. Improved standards in bedrooms and reduction of the bar counter area are included in seven requirements. Bedrooms at the Railway Hotel, ■ Amberley, are well below standard, the decision says. Twelve requirements are imposed, including seating in the public bar. The Waipara Hotel, said to be 82 years old, appears to be in sound condition, the decision says. Seven requirements are listed. “In the course of this review, the commission has found very few attractive country hotels.” the decision continues. “The Cheviot Licensing Trust Hotel is perhaps the most attractive we have seen.” Accommodation is 12 guests in eight rooms, with an occupancy rate of 8.3 last year, or nearly 70 per cent. In three requirements, the commission asks for improvements, and also asks the trust to submit plans for the addition of six more guest beds. “It seems to us that the requirements of the Waikari area could be met by one hotel at Waikari and a tavern at Hawarden,” the decision says.

The Star and Garter at Waikari is in reasonable condi-

tion, and in four requirements six bedrooms for eight more guests are ordered. The other Waikari hotel, the Great Northern, has been neglected. and the premises generally are in a poor state, though the licencee appears to the commission to be doing his best in difficult circumstances. The plain fact is, the commission finds, that the rental leaves the lessee no margin on turnover, which seems unlikely to increase. Decision Reserved Of three courses—to bring the hotel up to standard, to convert it to a tavern, or explore the possibility of moving the licence to Hawarden —the commission reserves its decision for six months to hear the owner’s intentions. Hurunui’s 100 - year • old hotel, built of limestone blocks, is in a surprisingly good state, the commission says. As the owner died recently, decision was reserved for six morit'hs. Five requirements are ordered for Culverden Hotel, which, the commission says, is well maintained, and in good condition. Findings are similar for the Rotherham Hotel, where provision of more accommodation is included in four requirements. More bedroom accommodation is the chief requirement of six imposed on the Waiau Hotel. The commission comprises Mr S. T. Barnett (chairman), Major-General Sir William Gentry, and Mr N. Butcher. Evidence for the review was given at Christchurch on June 14 and 15.