EARLY NEW PLYMOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 March 1916, Page 8

EARLY NEW PLYMOUTH.

SOME OF ITS HOTELS. (By "Fifty-one" in Hawera Star). la the early days of New Plymouth there was no lack of hotel accommodation, but, of course, not such pretentious buildings as are to be found today. I recollect a one-storey beach stone building at the corner of Devon and Brougham streets, where the bank of New Zealand now stands, known as the Masonie Hotel, and kept by William George, father of the William George who wandered away at Urenui, *nd whose remains were not found till some years after. In the course .of time the Masonic grew into what wag considered fifty or sixty years ago an immense wooden structure, where Sam Xewell plied a prosperous trade. There was a large hall in connection with the hotel, where all important functions were held. It was here that Supreme Court business was transacted (once in about six months), and one trial is worthy of note, that of a Maori named Hori, charged witli having taken part in shooting down Dr. Hope, Lieut. Tragett and others of the 57th Regiment at the Waij ran stream on May 4, 1863. Hori was foußd guilty of murder and sentenced by the then Chief Justice' (Sir George Arney) To death, and this was tlie first time, I believe, that the black cap was assumed in Taranaki. Hari, however, afterwards had his sentence commuted, afterwards receiving, a pardon. He is still alive, and doing well. No doubt Hori's participation in what was termed the Wairau massacre was against the law, a truce between the races being in existence at the time; but the commutation of the death sentence and final I pardon was generally accepted as the I correct thing—the Maori was simply a Maori in those days; his emancipation wa s to follow in due course. It was ij the Masonic Hall, also, that the ''Old Buyers'"' annual dinner was held; and what an event it was—flags flying, a march to church and back, and then such 3. banquet; those were red-letter days. It was here that Sir George Grey, then Premier, was • banquetted after the confiscation of the Waimate Plains lands; and it may be noted in passing that Wilson Hursthouse and Sir George came into conflict. It was here that some of the best Shakospercan plays ever produced in the colonics were staged by Tom Fawcctt. Miss Jim, Miss Creed Royal and others of a talented company, and-it will not be forgotten by old-timers how the company was stranded, and a somewhat costly wardrobe seized for hire of hall, etc. Madame Carandini first appeared in the Masonic Hall; a daughter was born in the hotel on one visit, who afterwards i achieved fame as a singer. As a' matter jof fa*t. the Masonic stood for everything I in earlv Taranaki. ' The Ship Hotel (Foote's), where the Criterion now stands, was also a popular resort; as was the Taranaki (Mtird)'s, and afterwards Ballot's) And what a host of associations are attached to the old Windsor Castle, near Marsland Hill; there men' of the 53i.1». BSth and other regiments passed i the f|ua T t pewter around .and told j thrilling tal,«s of engagements in far lands before coming to New Zealand. The M.irsiand (opposite St. Mary's parsonage) was another hostelry handy to i the men on the hill, and enjoyed a full measure of popularity in Kenwood's tim*. After it ceased to exist as an hotel it was converted into a hospital, and eventually disappeared in a glorious blaze. Of tlie White Hart. I can only say that it was always a popular resort, notwithstanding many changes of proprietorship. During the war several more hotel* s-prana: up. There was Dare's, where Dr. Black-ley's residence novi- stands, in Brougham street: Gryll's South Road Hotel, where John (iivlls live*; the Hole-in-the-Wall (Cudlipp's). at the corner of Devon and Liardet streets, which had a short existence and a tragic end. being destroyed by fire with {foe lo««; of-one life; the Red House (Langman'si; the Imperial (John Uncle's); and the Boach House (Tiseh's). The Railway Hotel is a more recent addition, having been brought into existence In a round-about manner. It having !)een decided that no fresh licenses sli»l|M be issued in the Taranaki district, application was made and

j granted bv +Tie committee for the I fer of a-Bell-ftiivk- license to the borS ougli of • New Pivmoii'th. It might be i mentioned tliHt Bell Block at one time ! bad tiro-liotels and a fcrcwerr: now tlie ■ district■ is dry—vsry-dry, Omata once |, boasted- a village inn, but lias been dry I for many -years.- -4-