MR S J. ATKINS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 692, 11 June 1903, Page 20

MR S J. ATKINS.

The new proprietor of the Commercial Hotel, so long conducted by Mr and Mrs Alfred Kidd, is Mr Samuel J. Atkins, whose portrait is given on this page. Mr Atkins is well and favourably known in Auckland, having been for three years manager of the Working Men’s Club, an institution that owes a great deal to his careful and experienced direction. Since then* he has been, for about three and a-half years’ licensee of the Royal Mail Hotel (Crosbie’s) at Paeroa. Mr Atkins is a native of London, and was brought up to the licensed victualling trade. He wasi engaged in some of the best houses in the great metropolis, and had considerable experience in the shipping trade. He came to the Colonies in 1886, and was for some time in the Otago Province and on the coast. Mr Atkins seems to have been cut out for the business to which he has now succeeded, and in his hands the Commercial is certain to maintain its high standard. No changes have been made in the staff, Mr Atkins proceeding on the principle of “ letting well alone.”