CANBERRA’S HOTELS

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18639, 18 May 1932, Page 5

CANBERRA’S HOTELS

GREAT LOSSES SHOWN. QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT. CANBERRA May 10. Mr W. Watson, a member who hails from far-distant Fremantle, showed a keen Interest In the affairs of Canberra’s hotels when the House resumed to-day. Four questions that must have set the wheels of the Department of the Interior whirring furiously were on the notice paper, and some of them dated back three years. Firstly, Mr Watson wanted to know the yearly loss on the Canberra, Kur- j rajong, Acton, Wellington and Alnslie ! for 1929-30 and 1931. He asked that the figures be given separately and exclusive of Interest on capital, rales or ground rents. Then 'Mr Watson wanted to know the capital value of each of the hotels, the loss on the Acton, Wellington and Ainslie for the year ending 1931, and if. the maintenance of the grounds around the hotels was a charge against the hotels. If II was nol, he wanted it stated to what vote the expenditure was charged. According to information supplied i by the Minister for Hie Interior (Mr J Parkhill) to-day, the Hole! Canberra' last year showed a loss of £3537, ex- j elusive of Interest, depreciation, main- I tenance, rates* .ox feat. The ]osa. hjj

last year, including rates, rent, intcr--1'129-30 was £5591. The Hotel Kurra.jong last year reduced-tho loss from £1782 to £737. The losses on the three hotels which are closed, the Acton, th-0 Wellington and tho Ainslie,

est, caretaking, etc., were: Acton, £7989; Wellington, £3333; Ainslie, £3555.