CRITICISM OF WAIRAKEI HOTEL

Taupo Times, Volume IV, Issue 176, 10 June 1955, Page 4

CRITICISM OF WAIRAKEI HOTEL

Comment By Committee And Police Sergeant At the annual meeting of the Bay of Plenty Licensing Committee, helcl in Rotorua on Wednesday, June 1, the chairman, Mr W. H. Freeman, S^M., criticised the classification • of the Government-owned Hotel Wairakei as "five star plus." He was eommenting on an appiication for the renewal of the publican's licence. The police opposed the appiication on the ground that requisitions for repairs had not been carried out. Mr Freeman read through part of the list of requisitions and commented on the number of cracked handbasins tha_t were mentioned. "They should be replaced," he said. "The place should not be allowed to get into such a state of dHapidation." Senior-Sergeant P. E. Alsop said that the premises were "a disgrace." The police made the inspections to protect the public and were not concerned whether th'e owners of a hotel were the Government or not, he said. Appearing for the Tourist Department, Mr E. Roe said that a list of repairs had been drawn up by the Ministry of Works, and tenders were being called. It was estimated that the work would cost about *£8500. "I agree that the public is entitled perhaps to better facilities," he satd. "But the work is in hand." The licensee, Mr C- M. Mullen, wished to protest before the committee against the aggressive and officious manner of the senior-sergeant in making the inspectlon, Mr Roe added. "We're not going to start a Donnybrook in here," said the chairman. No one, he added, Iiked having faults in his hotel pointed out to him. He would take it as a personal reflection. "No, but he is entitled to the ordtnary business courtesies," Mr Roe replied. Cracked basins should not be, said the chairman. The Licensing Committee could not make fish of one ^iotel proprietor and fowl of the Dther. He asked Mr Roe to report to the Department that it was the committee's requirement that the vork should be put in hand as early is possible. Meantime, the licence ivonld be granted.