HOTEL NELSON

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1938, Page 2

HOTEL NELSON

AN OFFICIAL OPENING. MODERN ACCOMMODATION. (Motueka Star). “I am delighted to he present at this dinner to mark the official opening of the Hotel Nelson, one of the chain of three controlled by Nelson and West Coast Hotels Ltd., which has responded to my advocacy for better accommodation for tourists in New Zealand,” said Mr L. J. Schmidt, General Manager of the Government Tourist and Publicity Department, in proposing the toast of the company at a dinner function held on Wednesday night in the Hotel Nelson to mark the opening of extensions and the up-to-date facilities which had been available to the travelling public by the en largement and remodelling of the already commodious building. Mr Schmidt said it was the first duty of his department and kindred services to make for better accommodation for tourists and the travelling public. He congratulated the company on the chain of accommodation for which it was responsible. Even after he had seen most of the finest scenery in the world, said Mr Schmidt, the average tourist must have comfort and service ,and this whs being given them here. ( Applause). A hotel such as the Hotel Nelson dofinitelv made Nelson and the 1 West Coast more popular. He considered some of the finest scenery in New Zealand was in Nelson and at the glaciers, and the Tourist Department endeavoured to co-onerate and help the. tourist agencies to give the tourists the resting facilities they

wanted. Tt was only hy that co-operation that they could give service. Mr Schmidt said that he thought they would be pleased with the film of Nelson which was being shown in the city this week. The northern part of the South Island had co-operated particularly well with the Government Tourist Department, and he Jmn -od them wholeheartedly. The publicity would be of great value, both in New Zealand and overseas. In giving some idea of the work of the department. Mr Schmidt said that last year 786,000 films had been produced and over 7.000.000 booklets and pamphlets distributed. The revenue in the last three years had been substantial. Tn 1936 it, had totalled £14,000, in 1937 £17,000, and in 1938 £20,000. He hoped that in 1939 this figure would reach £25,000. It was surprising to know, said the speaker, that New Zealand had more overseas visitors than Canada, and about 'the same number as Honolulu. “We are handicapped by distance,”

Mr Schmidt added. “Many people have the money* hut not the time, hut air services are developing and this offsets the disadvantage to some extent.”

Speaking of the Hotel Nelson. Mr Schmidt said that some idea of the work done hv the organisation could be gained when it was known that they were paying out £2OO in wages per week, and employed a staff of 76 in the three hotels. Mr Schmidt congratulated Mr H. R. Duncan (elmirman of directors) and his co-directors, and particularly Mr E. Gahagan, who was an excellent host. The speaker said that the department received reports from time to time about the services the hotels were giving to tourists and he would sav that these reports were excellent, of Mr 1 Gahagan and the Hotel Nelson. Mi 1 Duncan said it was a compliment, to them for Mr Schmidt to come from Wellington, hut the speaker thong’d he had come because he realised what had been done for tourists, and also to increase traffic in New Zealand. He 'ment(oned that in 1877- the hotel was a, wooden building with

| stables adjoining. The first alteration was made in 1884 when the corner was re-biiilt, and about 1006 the western portion was pulled down and the present structure erected in brick. Shortly afterwards the old Masonic Hall was bought and used as a bar, but later this was pulled down and the present structure was built. The first companv was formed in Westport, and was called the Hotel Buller Company. When the present company was formed, it took over control of the three hotels. Hotel Nelson. Hotel Buller, and Hotel Westland. The Company ;had had j its difficulties, the speaker added, but he hoped to see further expansion. They were indebted to Mr Oahasan, the manager of the thrqp hotels. Mr Gahagnn was an admirable host. Speaking of the financial side, Mr Duncan tint' the • company had a nominal capital of £48,000, and that subscribed by the public was .£‘28,900. “The company will do all it. can to help bring tourist, traffic to Nelson and the surrounding districts,” concluded Mr Dn’-can. The Mayor fMr (5. L Page), in welcoming Mr Schmidt, sooke of the progress the company had made, and compared the present building with the original one. He said that Nelson and West Coast Hotels Ltd. had made it what it was to-day. The three buildings were a credit to the architects, builders and those connected with them. Mr F. 0. Hamilton, in proposing the toast of the hosts, referred to tjhe ehnrmimr personality of Mrs Gnhafjtin. He said that, without. Mrs Gahagnn the directors would not have had the confidence to build the present structure. Mr Gahagnn expressed warm appreciation and thanks to all who had helped to make the function the sue-

cess he thought it was. He paid a tribute to the close co-operation with the hotels of Mr Schmidt. Mr Gahagan also thanked Mr Duncan and tile board of directors for their great help and paid a, tribute to the work of the staff.