PULLING DOWN WELL-KNOWN OLD BUILDING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8285, 4 October 1888, Page 2

PULLING DOWN WELL-KNOWN OLD BUILDING.

Another old land mark of New Plymouth, which, thirty years ago, was a building of some note, will in tho course of a few weeks disappear. The building at the corner of Brougham and Vivian-Street now unoccupied, but known as the old Marsland Hill hotel, will shortly be pulled down, us Mr. Curtis, of Omata, the owner, has decided to erect on the site an eightroomed residence, the plans of which are now being prepared by Mr. Sunderson, architect. The old wooden structure was built about the year 1855, by Mr. R. Hughes, then a boot and shoe dealer in Devon-street, who obtained a 21 years' lease of the land from Mr. Curtis. He called it the Commercial hotel, and occupied it for some time. While he was in it theatrical and other attractions used to be held there, and acrobatic performances took place in tents at the back. He, after a few years, sold out his license to the late Mr. Coad, who transferred it to the White Hart hotel, and the Commercial was then shut up. During all the first war days Mr. Hughes let the building as a hospital for the troops, who were stationed on

Marsland Hill. After this, Mr. Dare, of Nelson, took possession, and the building was kept open for some years, the billiard room being that now used by the Rifles Band as a band room, was erected by him. It was presumably during his lease of the building that the house was called the Marsland hotel. After Mr. Dare vacated it the building was never opened as a licensed house again, but remained closed, and seldom occupied to the present day. Mr. Sanderson says the new building will not interfere with the band room.