HOTEL RECONSTRUCTION

Wanganui Chronicle, 9 June 1948, Page 2

HOTEL RECONSTRUCTION

LICENSING COMMITTEE IS CRITICAL OF DELAYS

“The committee regards the present position as highly un atisfaetory,” declared the chairman of the Wanganui Licensing Committee, Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., referring at the annual meeting yesterday to progress made with the reconstruction of the Rutland Hotel since it was badly damaged by fire at the end of 1946. “This is the first intimation we have had that any difficulty is experienced in obtaining a permit.” An application by Henry Alfred Edmonds for a renewal of his publican’s license was adjourned by the committee for two months. “Within that time the licensee must show that some progress has been made in the matter of providing accommodation for the public," tne chairman added. When Mr. H. M. Keesing, on behalf of the licensee, made formal application for renewal of the licence, the chairman commented that the hotel had not been completely reconstructed since the fire, but the lounge and bars had been opened to the public. The committee naturally asked that if it were possible to restore the bars and lounge, why was it not possible to provide more than three double bedrooms for casual guests? Mr. Keesing said that the lounge and bars were in a portion of the building which were not seriouslydamaged by the fire, and it was only a matter of renovation to restore them. The three double bedrooms referred to were in the Ridgway Street portion, where 10 rooms were available. The dining room, however, required a new wall and difficulty had been experienced in obtaining a permit for its reconstruction, but one had been granted. This work was now in progress and when the dining room was completed all the bedrooms in the wooden portion of the hotel, except those required for the licensee and his family, could be made available to the public. Restoring the living accommodation in the main upstairs portion of the hotel would be a big job and every effort was being made to obtain a permit. The chairman: Do you mean to say that a permit has not yet been granted? Mr. Keesing: We have not got a permit to do the structural strengthening and dividing up of the upstairs portion. The chairman: When did you apply for the permit? Mr. Keesing: We first applied for the permit almost soon after the lire. A permit was issued which enabled the licensee to carry out work in that portion of the building which was still standing, and after a great deal of persuasion o permit was also granted for the dining room, Mr. Keesing added. It was emphasised to the building control authorities that unless a dining room were available the rooms which were intact could not be used. At present guests who used the three double bedrooms in the Ridgway Street portion had to take thenmeals in the kitchen. The chairman said that with only three bedrooms available to the public, the present position was very unsatisfactory. Eighteen months had elapsed since the fire and the committee could not undermstand the extensive delay in providing accommodation for guests. Mr Keesing: If the committee could see its way fit to give a direction which would enable us to get a permit for the main structure it would be appreciated. The chairman: The only thing the committee can do is to hold up the licence till the hotel is in a satisfactory condition. Mr. Keesing said that the kitchen was intact and guests accommodated so far had been provided with full meals. The whole question of rebuilding hotels seriously damaged by fire was under consideration by tile department, as several in New Zealand were affected. One hotel in Dunedin had had no living accommodation for live years. The chairman: I am sure that this committee would not approve ol that. This was the first intimation that the commitee had of any difficuly being experienced in obtaining a permit for work at the Rutland Hotel. The application for renewal of the licence would be adjourned for two months, and in that time the licensee must show that he was making sorpi progress in the matter of providing accommodation for the public, the chairman added. The committee’s annual meeting was accordingly adjourned till August 3.