MASONIC HOTEL, NORTH SHORE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2866, 2 October 1866, Page 5

MASONIC HOTEL, NORTH SHORE.

Ok .Saturday evening,, the 29th ult,, the Masonio Hotel, Flagstaff North Shore, was formally opened. The company, which comprised the principal residents »ttheNorth Shore, visitors from Auckland, ■at down to a sumptuous repast, whioh did credit to fhehoatand hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Cook. After dinner, the chair was taken by Mr. George Webster, when the usnal loyal toasts were given, and warmly responded to. The Chairman, in proposing the health of the host (Mr. Cook), said they had on that day launched a new vessel from the stocks, and tbat night they had met to launch a new hotel, so to speak, on the tide of public favour. It was a noticeable fact, that •uoh a hotel as that in which they were assembled was built at all on the North Shore; and considering how very recently publio interest was directed to this place, they could but feel gratified at the progress of the plaoe. They had, m the enterprise of the residents at the North Shore, and the near contiguity of Auckland, a guarantee that the district would progress steadily. He thought the dinner they sat down to would satisfy any one that their host and hostess would cater for the creature oomforts of visitors. (Hear.) It was rare to sit down to such a repast ; and he would therefore oonclude by giving the htalth of Mr. and Mrs. Cook, and success to the Masonio Hotel. The toast having heea duly honoured, Mr. Cook replied. He thanked tke company for their kind appreciation of bis services, and assured them that nothing would be wanting on his part to make the hotel a desirable residence for visitors from Auckland. He would not cultivate a bar trade — (hear) — but would rather make visitors and their friends comfortable. He also proposed adding » bathing apparatus to the establishment. "The Army and Nayy I ' and other toasts having been proposed, the company separated.