From humble beginnings to $3M assets

Press, 28 October 1981, Page 19

From humble beginnings to $3M assets

The idea of a “trust” hotel in the' Hornby district was first proposed by the Hornby Residents’ Association, which approached the Paparua County Council in 1953. As a result, a poll of the area was taken by the association, with the assistance of the county, which overwhelmingly supported a licence for the area run by trust control.

There the matter stood until 1958, when a licence was approved and the Paparua Council applied to the Licensing Control Commission on behalf of the trust.

The Hornby Licensing Trust was gazetted in September, 1958. The elections held in February, 1959, resulted in the following members being elected: Messrs J. N. Mcßride (chairman). H. W. Bennett, R. J. Roberts, S. E. Slatter, R. Symes and E. R. Roberts. The county clerk, Mr A. Kelly, acted as secretary in the interim period. The trust had a long struggle in getting established, mainly because of financial problems, and it was not until the July of 1964 that the hotel was opened in the Hornby area. The tender to build the Hornby Trust Hotel was let to Paynter and Hamilton, Ltd, on July 18, 1963, for £49,807-10-0. Many names were suggested, including: Pioneer,

Hornby Junction, Uncle Johns.’ Hornby Courts, Hornby Arms, The Wheatsheaf, The ‘ Kowhai, Cross Roads Hotel, Selwyn Arms, Branston Arms, Silver Fern, Cherry Tree Inn, Hornby Inn. County Hotel, The Tower Hotel and Hornby Trust Hotel.

It is now history that the name settled on was the Hornby Trust Hotel. The hotel was opened on July 27, 1964, and free beer was given from 4.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. On that day, the board consisted of Messrs H. W. Bennett' (chairman), A. S. Burgess. E. C. Chambers, D. S. Goulding, R. J. Roberts and A. T. Stevenson. The secretary was Mr J. M. Tocker and the manager, Mr A. Sanford. Since then, the hotel has been expanded and now provides first-class facilities for the area.

The takings for the first fortnight were £2558, whereas now. they are around the $BO,OOO mark per fortnight. Thus, from those humble beginnings, the Hornby Trust has developed into today’s complex, with assets reaching S3M. The Trust hotel has built up a reputation of hospitality and friendliness, and has been the home of many visiting rugby union and league sides both from this country

and overseas. Kenny Rogers, the American country music singer, actually' booked out of his city hotel to stay at the Trust during his last visit to New Zealand. The trust also has actively promoted New Zealand and overseas talent and has had

such artists as Howard Morrison and his quartet, Tina Cross. Eddie Low. the Irish Rovers, George Hamilton IV, the Coasters, Diamond Lil and three Miss Worlds appear in shows at the hotel. With the provision of the Liquorlands facility, which is

the largest supermarket of its kind in Christchurch and possibly New Zealand, the trust has forged to the lead as an innovator in the responsible marketing of take-home liquor and'hospitality supplies. Promotional programmes have been made which will

illustrate the many varied and often gourmet uses of wines, spirits and ales. This expertise, together with the Liquorland network, will undoubtedly bring further benefits to the people of Hornby and the south-west-ern corner of the Christchurch area.