THE L.V. PORTRAIT GALLERY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 369, 19 August 1897, Page 12

THE L.V. PORTRAIT GALLERY.

The subject of our Trade portrait this week is Mr William Lynch, the popular proprietor of the Clarendon Hotel, junction of Q.ueen and Wakefield Streets, Auckland. Mr Lynch was born in the county of Limerick, South of Ireland, but at the age of six years he left his native place for England. His next move was for Auckland, where he arrived some twenty-five years ago, and he has made this colony his home ever since. During hiscolonial life Mr Lynch has always been actively

employed, and he states with justifiable pride that he has only had a brief holiday, which was spent in a trip to the Australian colonies. When he first landed in Auckland, Mr Ljnch found employment in railway construction, and subsequently in the railway workshop, but twenty years ago he threw up this employment and became proprietor of the Northern Wairoa Hotel, Dargaville. He conducted this hostelry successfully for nearly three years, when he disposed of it and returned to Auckland, where he took over the Aurora Hotel, Victoria Street, and for nine years he conducted th ; s house without, a single complaint from the authorities or from his cust nners. During Mr Lynch’s occupany this hotel was rebuilt at a cost to the licensee, personally of £2200. In 1889 Mr Lynch purchased the interest in his present house (The Clarendon), and has been equally successful in his venture. The Clarendon is a magnificent brick structure, containing forty-five large, lofty, and well-ventilated apartments, and the proprietor prides himself on dispensing the best liquors obtainable in the colony, his daily luncheon table (open from 12 to 1 o’clock) being proverbial for the excellence of the viands provided and also for the great cleanliness which is associated with all the appointments of the dining-room. Mr Lynch is an ardent politician, although he has never attempted to occupy any public position, but in general and ocal public matters he is always an imp rta> t factor, and bis s de generally proves victorious. We cannot do belter than advi-e our friends t<» pay Mr Lynch a visit at his hospitable house, and we feel assured all we have said will obtain confirmation. Mr Lynch is ably assisted by his wife and Miss Lynch in the management of the Clarendon.