Hobbit building sees trees preserved

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 250, 12 July 1988, Page 9

Hobbit building sees trees preserved

Trees surrounding a cobbled courtyard now greet guests at Ohakune's Hobbit Motel and Lodge.

Part owner and manager Phil Jackson has been working with friends, family and contractors for the last few months to finish the new development at the complex in time for the ski season. Waimarino contractor Melville Hunt was the labour Only contractor for the building work and supplied and laid the bricks, which are a recurring feature of the Hobbit complex. Many Ohakune people may have seen Ian "Grasshopper" Elwood retumed to town for a time. While he was here he did most of the painting on the project. Jack Benfield, a good friend of Phil's father, has done "an amazing amount of work" on the project. The 74 yearold worked along side Phil till ten at night on numerous occasions, said Phil. "He's number 2 I.C.", he said. Jack and Ivor and Una Jackson (Phil's parents) have done all the planting at the Hobbit and it's this work that has become one of the motel's best features. All the planting has been of native trees and shrubs. Adding to the setting are the trees on the corner of the block, where Wye and Miro Streets meet. These trees are protected by the council, which Phil says is fine by him. He says they make the place. Most remarkable of the trees is the massive gum which Jack reckons to be bigger than any in the gum tree's native Australia. Also helping out has been "Jack of all trades" and barman Colin Budge. Max Olliver Electrical from Wanganui, Humes Roofing from Palmerston North and John Mcllroy's from Ohakune where the other main contractors on the job. Chatels and

equipment came from Farmers Raetihi and Ohakune TV & Electrical and Benchmark Building Supplies, Ohakune supplied general building materials. The new development adds 28 beds in nine new units plus a new manager's residence and office. Eight of the new units are in two blocks and one unit is to be created where the old manager's flat used to be. The two new blocks have open plan 'studio units' with a double bed, single bed, bathroom and cooking facilities. The six existing units have two separate bedrooms and bathroom. Four have cooking facilities and two have just tea and coffee making facilities. The Hobbit Lodge has 36 bunks in two, four and six berth rocms, plus two ensuites which sleep three. With the new development the number of beds available at the Hobbit is 111. The complex includes a licensed restaurant, run by Franz Brandl.

Facilities for guests at the Hobbit include outside spa pool, drying room, in house laundry and guest laundry, TV room for Lodge guests as well as TVs in all motel units, plus in -house video.