CONDEMNED PREMISES

Waikato Times, Volume 87, Issue 13292, 22 September 1916, Page 3

CONDEMNED PREMISES

STAR HOTfcL, KIHIKSMi. ADVERSE POLICE REPORT. RENOVATIONS PROMISED. The dilapidated state of the Star Hotel, Kihikihi, which was the subject of a very adverse report from the police, who stated that it was wormeaten and rat-ridden, occupied the attention of the Waikato Licensing Bench at an adjourned sitting at Hamilton yesterday. Mr E. Rawson, S.M., presided, and with him sat Messrs G. Edgecumbe, W. Dey, M. Wells, and YV. F. Mason.

Mr P. Hunt appeared on behalf of the licensee, Mr E. H. Kerr, and Mr 11. T. Gillies for the owners, Messrs Hancock and Co.

Mr Gillies said he was prepared to admit the. statement contained in the constable's report and that the hotel was not in the slate it should be. At Kihikihi, he said, there were two hotels, which had been there for very many years. Hancock and Co. owned the Star Hotel, which was undoubtedly very dilapidated, while the Alpha; ben longed to a Mrs Alexander, who was at present in Australia. The owners of the Star proposed to negotiate for the amalgamation of the interests of the two, with a view to erecting one large modern hotel. It was, of course, impossible to say, in the absence of the other owner, whether or not these negotiations would be successful.* The architect for Hancock and Co. (Mr T. G. Price) had, in the meantime, drawn up estimates for the renovation of the Star Hotel, to cost £540, which would remove the dry-rot throughout the whole house. He (Mr Gillies) therefore asked the Bench to hold over the matter until the next sitting, pending ,the result of the negotiations. Should these be unsuccessful, Hancock and Co. would immediately undertake the thorough renovation of the Star Hotel according to the plans and specifications submitted to the Bench.

Mr P. Hunt, on behalf of the licensee, said that although Mr Kerr had only been in the hotel for he had spent about £4OO in repairs to try and make the place as convenient and comfortable as possible for the travelling public. After a short retirement to consider the plans, Mr E. Rawson said the Bench believed the proposition to be a very good one, and thought it far better to have one good modern hotel than to continue tinkering with the present building. The matter was adjourned until the next sitting of the Bench in December, Mr Rawson remarking that the owners need not trouble to spend any money on repairs unless the proposed negotiations fell through.