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Lyttelton Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1636, 14 March 1866, Page 3

Lyttelton Hotel.—The olde3t portion of this building ia being demolished in order to admit of the intended improvements being made in it. The house was originally built by Mr. W. G. Brittan for his own residence. He 'eased it to the Provincial Government, by whom it was used for some time as a place of meeting for the Council. Many of the most important measures, which have tended so much to improve the position of Canterbury were discussed here; amongst others the vVaste Lands Regulations. Mr. Brittan sold it to Mr. Davis for the sum of £1600. Mr. Davis made several additions to it, until it assumed its present appearance. It was again sold, and finally, a short time ago, it passed into the hands of Mr. G Oram, of the Carlton Hotel, who intends re-opening it as an hotel, with, we understand, the establishment :of a mercantile club. Mr. Oram paid £2800 for it. The garden is remarkable as being the parent nursery from which have sprung almost all the forest trees and evergreen shrubs now; in the province. . Mr. Brittan brought out from England with him a quantity of forest trees, oak, ash, plane trees, &c. Many of these he removed to Englefield. In the garden of the hotel were also planted the first arbutus, laurustinus, and Portugal laurel grown in Canterbury.