BRUCE HOTEL PASSED IN

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32885, 7 April 1972, Page 1

BRUCE HOTEL PASSED IN

The Bruce Hotel at Akaroa, the first licensed hotel In the South Island, and Beverley House, a twostorey colonial residence, were both passed in at auction yesterday. The hotel, on a 67-perch freehold site with road frontages on three sides, was passed in at $25,000 after three $lOOO and two $5OO bids. Beverley House, a 12bedroom dwelling on 80 perches, was passed in at $26,000 after two $lOOO bids. A nineteenth century colonial homestead, it was built by Etienne (EX) Le Uevre, who was one of the four sons, of Francois Le Uevre, who arrived at Akaroa on 1840 as one of the 63 French settlers In the ship Comte de Paris.

Both properties were offered on account of Mr and Mrs D. L. Clarke by the NMA Company of New Zealand, Ltd. The Government valuation of each property five years ago was $lO,OOO. Negotiations are under way between the highest bidder and the vendor in respect of the Bruce Hotel Before the hotel was closed on January 12 last year, there were three petitions and a protest march to “save the Bruce.” Mr Clarke was unable to get a tavern licence or a renewal of the hotel’s licence, which was cancelled by the Licensing Control Commission.

About 25 people attended the auction, which was conducted by Mr W. L Flanagan.