ONLY A MEMORY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 88, 11 October 1937, Page 10

ONLY A MEMORY

CENTRAL'S LICENCE

TRANSFER TO WATERLOO

Early this afternoon the Central Hotel, a landmark in Lambton Quay for many years, ceased to exist .as a licensed house, and simultaneously with the closing of its doors the doors of the new house, the Hotel Waterloo, in Bunny Street, were opened, the Central's licence having been transferred * i the new premises. At 12.20 p.m. the licence of the Central Hotel was formally transferred to the Hotel Waterloo. This was done at the adjourned quarterly meeting of the Wellington Licensing Committee, which was held in conjunction with the adjourned annual meeting this afternoon. "The committee has much pleasure in authorising this transfer," said Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M., chairman of the committee. "The committee has taken the opportunity of visiting the new hotel and making a complete inspection of the premises. We are thoroughly satisfied with the accommodation afforded for guests and employees. "The kitchen and cooking arrangements generally are the most complete possible. I have inspected many hotels throughout the Dominion, but never have I seen such a complete kitchen. . . . The waiting-rooms and lounges are excellent, and I am satisfied that the best possible has been done for the satisfaction of intending guests." The licensee of the Hotel Waterloo is Mr. G. H. Bassant, late of the Hotel St. George. No time was lost after the granting of the transfer in throwing open the doors of the new hostelry. BARS CROWDED. The' closing of the Central Hotel was not allowed to go unnoticed and unmarked. It was an occasion, and regular patrons as well as a number of others, nfoved by sentiment, curiosity, or even perhaps a thirst, gathered at the hotel before midday, crowding the bars, and there between drinks they waited for a telephone call announcing the licensing committee's decision. When the message came the licensee (Miss E. Quinn) announced that it would be necessary for everyone to leave the premises. The gathering remained to sing "Auld Lang Syne" and then filed out quietly and stood on the footpath while the doors of the old wooden building, a storehouse of happy memories for many people, were shut for the last time. There were some in the gathering on the look-out for souvenirs and the occasion was not altogether disappointing in this respect. The Central Hotel building is to be demolished to make way for a modern nine-storey office block for the Mutual Life and Citizens' Assurance Co., Ltd. The site is a valuable and prominent one, being practically in the centre of the city. Drawings for the new Mutual Life building are now being prepared by Messrs. Mitchell and Mitchell, of Wellington, who were also the architects for the Hotel Waterloo. It is anticipated that it will be possible to call for tenders for the erection of the new building in January next or the beginning of February, and it is expected that the Central Hotel Building will be demolished before Christmas.