Wartime Order To Destroy Breweries And Hotels Recalled

Grey River Argus, 12 April 1948, Page 2

Wartime Order To Destroy Breweries And Hotels Recalled

WELLINGTON, April 9 If the Japanese had landed in New Zealand in the course of the war, their choice of beer and hotel rccommodation would have beeji srrictly limited. Early in the war New Zealand Breweries Ltd., made jUans for the demolition of hotels and breweries in thei event of an invasion. This was stated in evidence by Mr L. G. Piper, manager of the Wellington branch of the firm, before the Land Sales Committee yesterday. Mr Pipei was explaining why his firm had not taken advantage of the chance several years ago to buy property they now wanted. The plans then, said Mr Pipei’. were not fo r expansion, but for possible demolition. Application was made yesterday for approval of the price, £20,000 for the adjoining property north of the Royal Hotel, Lambton Quay. Mr Piper said it was planned eventually to build a modern residential hotel on the site of the present Royal Hotel to replace the Occidental Hotel also in Lambton Quay, on the site of which the Government proposed to erect a new Public Trust building. Decision was reserved.