THE GRAND HOTEL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22067, 25 September 1933, Page 5

THE GRAND HOTEL

A JUBILEE LUNCHEON AN UNUSUAL REUNION EXCHANGE OF REMINISCENCES One of the pleasanter habits of the modern world which never seems to. lose its vogue is the practice of celebrating old associations, happenings, and func- : tions by means of reunions. These gatherings take a variety of forms and embrace all sorts of people, but it is doubtful whether many in the past have assumed the novel and interesting character of a reunion jubilee luncheon which was held at the Grand Hotel on Saturday. How often has the host of " mine inn " gathered together after 50 years a luncheon party of the kind that was entertained on this occasion by Mr A. A. Paape? The. first " buttons " of the hotel sat opposite one of the first guests to rest his head beneath the house's roof. The assistant porter who found work at the new Grand Hotel of 1888 after he had run away from his ship exchanged stories with another of the first batch of guests; beneath the weight of whose heavy trunks he struggled uo the staircase in the days before electric lifts. Further down the table a septuagenarian veteran of the building trade found himself recognising in a man of full three score years the small boy who wrestled with packages of glass when the hotel wa s being built. Close at hand the son of the man who was derided by his friends for paying £250 .for the site of the Grand' Hotel explained the history of the property, and at the end of the table the story of the overdose of hair restorer was told with great gusto for the benefit of one or two older identities whose hearing i s not what it was when they worked on the erection of the building. It was in every respect an unusual occasion and an event which was obviously enjoyed and appreciated by all present. Theparty numbered 11, and comprised Messrs H. Le Cren and W. J. Watson, the first guests in the new hotel; Mr A. M hidey, representing the trustees, whose father purchased the site; Mr D. Francis. proud possessor in 1888 of the first "buttons'-outfit the Grand Hotel ever vA*% I 1 ™ C. King, A Fen-y, ll™ Fai £ ey ' and R « Fraser ' each of whom,, as boy or man, was engaged in some capacity on the building; Captain Treurn, assistant to the. head porter" lVM e r Se F!.M C .Ta:W Mr aDdV * i»"Sftfi t 0 Iu i nch Mr Paa P e addressed a particular welcome to each of his quests, a S C KTr*f d & le fr on the connection M&/i t j h ? tel Y, He re ferred to the laithful.and, durable character of the bui ding carried out 50. years before, and told , his hearers that when alterations were necessary a few years ago the contractors had been greatly assisted by plans and .specifications of the original structure which were still in the hands of Mr parley. Mr Paape paid a tribute to the trustees, represented by Mr Sidey, l and ; stated that their interest in the future and the welfare of the property was as keen to-day as it had ever been. They were the most reasonable and generous of landloVds, and were very much concerned that the property should not lose the reputation that had been won for it by successive licensees. Reference was also made to the absence of the first proprie-ty,^^-Joh? Watson, whose continued ill-health made it impossible for him >to attend. * ?-.•■

During the course of the luncheon many interesting reminiscences were exchanged and many experiences were recalled. A memory of his porter days was- revived by one of the guests, who described how he and his mate struggled manfully upstairs with a large and very heavy trunk brought in by a guest. The guest stayed for some time and then departed stealthily with an unpaid account awaiting him at the office. He had left his trunk, however, and the proprietor found some consolation in that, lime passed, and he failed to return, so possession was taken of the trunk." But on, being opened it was found'to contain nothing but bricks! Then there was the tale of the runnolder from the back country of sheep and kerosene lamps. When he retired for the night he blew out his gaslight and had to be roused from a comatose condition by Dr Brown next morning. This

experience, moreover, occurred within a short time of another urgent early morning call answered by Dr Brown. A guest had turned off the gas for the night, but as there was no catch on the bracket he turned the tap right round so that the Sis came on again. On that occasion Dr rown arrived only just in time. The two first guests had a long laugh over the fate of a Melbourne visitor who with themselves made up the entire guest list on one occasion. Conversation at lunch turned to hair, and the visitors " thatch," like the narrator's, was wearing thin. The hairdresser at the front entrance to the hotel had a special preparation which was considered most ettective, one of its chief ingredients being chloroform.. Supplies were procured and tests were agreed upon. The next morning the Melbourne man missed breakfast. He also missed lunch, and had no dinner at night. His friends became concerned and sent the head porter to his room. The man returned to say that the door was locked and that no answer could be got. • A constable was called in and the door was broken down. On the bed lay the man from Melbourne in " the deadest of dead sleeps," and the air was filled with the sickly Odour of chloroform. It was a case of Dr Brown again and a cold bath and other remedies for the sleeper. Afterwards everything was explained. The man from Melbourne had dosed his hair liberally as advised, and then placed the bottle under his pillow. During the night the cork came out and the contents saturated the bedding beneath his nose, sending him off into the 36-hoiir slumber from which he was so rudely awakened.

And so the stories and the experiences went oh long after coffee and cigars had disappeared until a chiming clock reminded the party that there was very little left of the afternoon. The thanks of the party were conveyed to Mr Paape by Mr Le Cren and others, all of whom expressed the keenest delight at the opportunity that had been afforded them of turning the pages of private history back 50 years.

JUBILEE BALL. The Grand Hotel Jubilee.Ball.will tako place in the Concert. Chamber of-the Town Hall to-morrow evening. The proceedings will, commence at 8.15.p.m. with,the jubilee waltz. The Savoy Orchestra, which is regarded as one of the best dance bands in the city, has been engaged through the courtesy of Mr P. Barling. The catering is in the hands of Mr G. Ellison, who will be assisted by the Grand Hotel's chef and staff. Mr J. Kilmart.in will be master of ceremonies. To avoid.any disappointment among the many patrons of the popular hostelry ; . complimentary tickets are being'issued only to members of the Grand Hotel staff. The' total proceeds will be handed intact to the Mayor's Unemployment Fund. Intending patrons should procure . ,their tickets..' without further-delay at the Grand Hotel booking office.;;.' ;':.„■■■■ •'.- ,'..-' ~,.. .