TRIBUTE TO OWNERS OF SPA HOTEL PAID BY LICENSING COMMISSION

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 36, 11 May 1965, Page 3

TRIBUTE TO OWNERS OF SPA HOTEL PAID BY LICENSING COMMISSION

A tribute to the present owners of the Spa Hotel is paid by the Llcencing Commissiou in its decision on the annual review of licences. The commission, headed

by Mr S. T. Barnett, does _ riot name Mr and Mrs J. W. Birnie. but says "anyone less dedicated and determined than the present owners of these premises would not have undertaken to restore them for present: day use. They are entitled to a high measure of praise for what they have done, are doing, and propose yet to do. 44Being realists, as well well as sentimentalists, they remain fully aware that mueh remains to he done, and must he done, to make this wistful and even rather charming relic of early New Zealand history acceptahle as a Tnojdern hostelry — and to keep it so. "Starting 14 years ago with a thoroughly decayed establishment looking like, and indeed not much better than, a workers' camp, they have converted the place into quite a popular and well used accommodation house. The man and wife responsible, as we have said, have shown a spirit and ingenuitv that is entirely commendable. They have developed a place with character. , "However, by their initiative and enterprise they have earned the reward of much enhanced revenue, which they seem content to plough back into the business. If the commission has an anxiety about eventually granting a licence to this hotel, it is that so much depends on the character and disposijtion of the owners. "Not only must further capital works be done, but there is a never-ending need for a regular proI gramme of maintenance. | The place, if neglected, | could so easily fall into a j state of desuetude." Apart from some relatively minor improvements, there were three major works to be finished before a hotel premises licence was issued: Enlargement and improvement of the barroom facilities; additional guest lounge space and amenities; improvements to guest accommodation. "There is a fourth — the present wholesale departj ment. This forms no part | of our present review, it relates to applications for a wholesale licence in Taupo. As the wholesale service provided by the owners of the "Spa" Hotel was one significant reason for refusing the authorisation of a wholesale licence in the district, it must now be said plainly that the premises used by this hotel for this purpose are not wholly acceptahle. | "It is said that the own- | ers have encountered some j difficulties with the local | body. That is no affair. of | ours. The hotel gives a | good wholesale delivery serIvice, but premises are an

important factor. The defect must be repaired soon." All requirements are to be completed by September 30, 1966, or such further tlme as the commission may allow.