WHANGANUI DISTRICT HERITAGE INVENTORY

Transcription

1 WHANGANUI DISTRICT HERITAGE INVENTORY Register Item No: 377 Type: Building Site & part building: Pre-1900 Archaeological Interest Name: RUTLAND HOTEL Location: Victoria Avenue (corner Ridgway Street), Whanganui Legal Description: Sections 171, 172, Town of Wanganui; DP 3899 Current Details: Owner: [Contact Whanganui District Council for details] Occupier: Rutland Arms Hotel & Bar; various shops with offices on first floor Original Owner: Alfred Parsons (1899) and Public Trustee (1903) Date: 1899 & 1903; reinstated 1949 after fire; redeveloped 1993 Architect/Designer: Alfred Atkins; reinstatement RG Talboys & Assoc; redevelopment Dickson Lonergan Builder: Russell & Bignell (1899 & 1903) Status: Old Town Area, Class B, 2013 Thematic Context: Early Settlement; Cultural & Trade Significance: Historic, Architectural, Cultural/Social, Context Integrity: Altered from 1903 corner three-storey building; remainder substantially intact Photo Reference: WDC File Ref: Heritage/Inventory/B17 11 Date: May 2008 See pp 6-8 for additional photographs The Rutland Hotel on the corner of Victoria Avenue and Ridgway Street. See photograph on page 7 for view of original building. Heritage Inventory 377 RUTLAND HOTEL Victoria Avenue corner Ridgway Street Page 1 zxy366

2 History: Of the site and the origins of the Rutland Hotel: The first Rutland Hotel was in operation by 1850, when Cornelius Campion was granted a licence to retail spirits there by the Resident Magistrate, Major Alfred Wyatt of the 65 th Regiment, who was the commanding office in Wanganui at the time. Cornelius Campion had been a Sergeant in the 65 th Regiment and had purchased his discharge on 31 May He subsequently purchased land in the Lower Rangitikei where he took up sheep farming. The hotel was named Rutland after the nearby stockade on what is now Queen s Park; this stockade was the main garrison for the 58 th Regiment (the Rutlandshire Regiment) while the York Stockade, on what is now Cook s Gardens, was the garrison for the 65 th Regiment (the 2 nd Yorkshire North Riding Regiment). Isaac Salek, in reminiscences about the history of the Oddfellows Lodge in 1928, noted that early in 1847, Sergeant William S Russell had opened a bar for the convenience of soldiers, then acquired ½ acre of land on the corner of Ridgway St and Victoria Ave, where he erected the Rutland Hotel. WS Russell was a soldier with the Royal Artillery who took his discharge c1857; it is highly unlikely that he would have been in a position to build a hotel while still serving with the RA. Salek also noted that Russell s Rutland Hotel was sold in 1850, which was when Cornelius Campion was granted his licence. A known early licensee was John Gotty, who was first granted a licence to sell spirits in Petre by Major Wyatt in May 1849 (but not necessarily at the Rutland Hotel). Gotty was a German Count who later married a Maori woman and at some time moved to the Rangitikei. He is mentioned in newspaper reports of activities at the Rutland in 1853 and shown as owner on an 1850s Lands & Survey plan of this part of Wanganui (as illustrated in Making Waves). According to Isaac Salek s reminiscences, in 1855, the Rutland was sold to James Speed. In 1857, the Manchester Unity IOOF first met at the Rutland Hotel on 21 January to discuss forming a lodge group in Wanganui. In 1859, WS Russell first advertises his Rutland Hotel in the Taranaki Herald and appears to have been the owner until at least By 1865, George Howe was owner and was advertising the hotel for sale. He must have sold it to Mr Whitlock by 1867, as Peter Chavannes took it over in late 1868 and was owner when the Rutland burnt down on Christmas Day Laura Taylor, Rev Richard Taylor s daughter, wrote a poem about the hotel fire which is reprinted in the book The Missionary s Daughter. Chavannes rebuilt the hotel, but went bankrupt in the process. He still owned it until the late 1870s and died in Wanganui in Frank Walpole Evans was then the owner and, like Chavannes, had the misfortune of having the hotel burn down in April 1880 and had it rebuilt. In December 1883 Alfred Parsons, a businessman from Timaru, bought the Rutland Hotel from Donald Ross. However, Parsons went bankrupt in 1886 and although he continued to own the hotel, he had managers running it. G Denny became licensee and manager for Parsons by 1890, followed by CJ McCarthy in McCarthy remained as licensee until 1896 when Mr Sullivan took it on. Repairs were made in early 1898 by Parsons as the hotel was in urgent need of upgrading by this time. Also, in 1894 a new stable block was built behind the hotel. Alfred Atkins designed this for Parsons, with Nicholas Meuli the contractor. The Rutland Stables were run by Robert Ross at the time. Of the building: The current building dates from 1899 when the two-storey brick portion along Victoria Avenue was built. Alfred Parsons commissioned Alfred Atkins to design this addition which was to be the first stage in rebuilding the Rutland. Parsons was issued a permit on 5 Jan 1899 for a new building in the Avenue, providing hotel and shops, and by September that year the new part was completed. At the time, this was the only brick building of its kind in Wanganui town. The Wanganui Herald report on the addition noted that Percy Herman was proprietor, but it appears that he was actually the licensee. Russell & Bignell were the contractors and they would continue to rebuild the hotel through its next phase of development. Alfred Parsons died in June 1900 and his wife in 1902, so the Public Trustee then became the owner of the hotel and continued to plan the rebuilding. The next set of plans drawn up by Alfred Atkins in 1902 proved to be too expensive when the tenders were received. The Public Trust then asked Atkins to draw up new plans on a somewhat less pretentious scale and fresh tenders were called. By May 1903, it was announced that Russell & Bignell s tender had been accepted for the building, which was estimated to cost 12,000 a contract that is probably the largest in building construction that has been let in the district at Heritage Inventory 377 RUTLAND HOTEL Victoria Avenue corner Ridgway Street Page 2 zxy366

3 the time. The description of the plans in The Yeoman on 16 May 1903 indicates that only a two-storey structure was envisaged, although provision was made for an additional storey on the corner part of the building. However, this additional storey was built, together with an octagonal tower on the corner, although the Ridgway Street portion remained two-storied and was built in wood unlike the other brick parts of the building. (The Ridgway Street wooden portion did have a brick wall at one end, to comply with Borough Council by-laws in effect at the time.) The dining room was in the centre of the hotel, with a billiard room and conservatory being other features of note. The licensee at the time of rebuilding was FC Faber, who was granted a temporary licence for a bar in November At the same time, the Borough Council was commenting on the bay window of the Rutland (presumably on the corner) which overhung the pavement. There does not appear to have been any celebration when the new building was completed. However, the Government Life Insurance announced in January 1904 that it was moving into its new offices in Ridgway Street, adjoining the Rutland. Faber continued to run the hotel until at least 1906 when he was advertising it as the leading hotel in Wanganui, offering first-class accommodation for tourists, travellers and families and even having a dark room for tourists and photographers (see advert on page 7). Main dates in the history of the Rutland since its rebuilding are: 1910 a gas explosion on 24 January in a shop caused an extensive fire, for which Messrs Haines & Davis were charged with arson and sentenced to 7 years in prison. Repairs were made to the brick and wood hotel as a result the corner octagonal tower was removed (Architect: RG Talboys & Associates) an armed hold-up in March, when the licensee, Mr HE Edmonds, was forced to open the safe and hand over a substantial amount of cash. Two suspects were charged but later acquitted a major fire, again on Christmas Day, caused extensive damage and destroyed the top floor. RG Talboys & Associates planned the reinstatement of the Rutland after the fire, which included removing the top floor of the corner building. Some of this work was probably delayed until 1949, when a building permit was issued to the licensee, Mr T Hurley for reinstatement of the hotel the Ridgway Street wooden section of the hotel was renovated (RG Talboys & Assocs, 1949 plans) various alterations undertaken. By 1969, Mr Glennie was the licensee hotel now owned by NZ Breweries and celebrated 125 years of operation (although it had actually been operating since 1850). Further internal alterations were made at this time major refurbishment and alterations to the Rutland (Dickson Lonergan), thus saving the building from demolition. Credit for this major restoration goes to Bruce Dickson, the architect who, as then Chairman of Mainstreet s Design Heritage Committee, did not want to see the building lost to Wanganui. Description: Two-storey part-masonry building with corrugated iron roof. The Ridgway Street wooden section now houses the Rutland Arms Hotel; this was also refurbished in 1993 together with the main brick corner building. The verandah has its original Edwardian cast iron columns and filigree supports. The copper roof to the Avenue corner is new, being part of the 1993 redevelopment of the building. Much of the interior of the Hotel, eg the dining room, was removed in the 1993 redevelopment, creating a courtyard and dining area that now forms the pub section of the Rutland Arms Hotel. The shops on the Avenue have many of their original tiles still in place while the original Hotel doorway with its marble steps and tiled hall now leads to the first floor office suites. The Coat of Arms on one of the Ridgway Street gables is the Government Life Insurance insignia, placed there when this part of the building contained Fairburn & Silk s offices as well as the agency for Government Life, prior to the insurance company moving to its own building in the Avenue in Condition: Externally good, although some repainting is now needed on the Avenue façade. Heritage Inventory 377 RUTLAND HOTEL Victoria Avenue corner Ridgway Street Page 3 zxy366

4 Resources Consulted: Wanganui District Council Building files papers from 1925, including 1934 tower removal plans (RG Talboys & Assoc); 1948/49 plans to reinstate hotel after fire, and remove third storey (RG Talboys & Assocs) and 1993 redevelopment plans (Dickson Lonergan). Wanganui Borough Council Building Permits Register permits issued to Mr AJ Parsons, 27 April 1898 for repairs to Avenue Hotel (Mr Meuli) and 5 Jan 1899 for a new building, hotel & shops, Avenue. Also, 21 Feb 1910 permit for repairs to Rutland Hotel, brick & wood, after fire. (Note that the Register has no entries for 1902-March 1905.) 1908 Wanganui Borough Insurance Assessment map shows brick portion of Rutland Hotel, as well as wooden portion and Govt Life Insurance office with brick walls in Ridgway Street Heritage Study Item #17/5. NB: Historical information here is not correct. Resident Magistrate s Letter Book, Alexander Turnbull Library microfilm research undertaken by Randal Springer into early licensees of the Rutland. Heritage Room Subject index all entries for Rutland Hotel. The Missionary s Daughter: early days at the Putiki Mission and Wanganui from diaries of Laura Taylor, ed Randal Springer, Includes Laura s poem about the Rutland Hotel fire, Felicity Campbell, Making Waves: Captain Jock McGregor Shipmaster, Wanganui Pioneer, Steele Roberts, Has Survey Office Plan on p159. Tender notices relating to the current building: Wanganui Herald, 18 Oct 1898 additions to Rutland Hotel; A Atkins, architect. Wanganui Herald 7 Oct 1902 rebuilding Rutland Hotel: A Atkins, architect. Wanganui Herald 9 April 1903 rebuilding Rutland Hotel; A Atkins, architect. [New plans] Wanganui Herald 30 May 1903 removal of 2-storey building, rear of Rutland. Russell & Bignell. Wanganui Herald 22 Feb 1904 Russell & Bignell call for tenders for purchase and removal of remaining old wooden portions of Rutland Hotel. Newspaper references: (Early ones accessed via Taranaki Herald 26 Jan 1853 report of a public meeting at Rutland Hotel, Whanganui [sic] re gold discovery reward. John Gotty was present. Otago Witness 14 Jan 1854 report of public meeting at Rutland Hotel re land tax. Nelson Examiner & NZ Chronicle 12 Dec 1855 report of public meeting at Rutland Hotel. Wm Fox banquet. Nelson Examiner & NZ Chronicle 26 Nov 1856 Wanganui reports note meeting at Rutland Hotel of subscribers to the Common School. Taranaki Herald 11 July 1857 Whanganui reports (from Whanganui Chronicle 2 July) soldiers of 65 th now in Whanganui are to erect a theatre near the Rutland Hotel, materials being supplied by liberal proprietor of that establishment. [Theatre Royal was destroyed in 1868 fire.] Taranaki Herald 19 Feb 1859 (and later dates through to Sept 1860) advertisements for W Spears Russell, Rutland Hotel, Whanganui good accommodation, etc. Taranaki Herald 25 May 1861 Wanganui report re dinner at Rutland Hotel. Mr & Mrs Russell mentioned as hosts. Daily Southern Cross 25 April 1865 (and to 23 May) Advertisement: For sale, The Rutland Hotel, apply to Mr G Howe, proprietor. Notes it has 17 bedrooms, etc. Evening Post 6 Jan 1866 Wanganui news: Tongariro Lodge banquet at Brother Howe s Rutland Hotel. [Alexander Library biographical card index notes Mrs Sarah Howe died at the Rutland in 1867.] Evening Post 8 Dec 1868 Advert: Rutland Hotel now managed by PA Chavannes, who has succeeded Mr Whitlock. News from Wanganui notes that HRH Prince of Wales stayed at the Rutland. Evening Post 30 Dec 1868 (from Evening Herald, Wanganui) Disastrous fire at Wanganui on Christmas Day Rutland Hotel burnt down, but fire did not start there. [No owner mentioned but Chavannes still advertising at this time and through Jan Biographical card for Peter Alexander Chavannes notes he was born 1827 in West Indies and died in 1879; was bankrupt after the hotel fire.] Evening Post 26 April 1869 report not available on Papers Past; re rebuilding of hotel? Taranaki Herald 5 Aug 1871 report of journey from New Plymouth to Wellington by Cobb s Coach, stayed at Rutland Hotel, host Chavannes. Taranaki Herald 9 March 1872 advert for Rutland Hotel, Chevannes [sic] still proprietor. Heritage Inventory 377 RUTLAND HOTEL Victoria Avenue corner Ridgway Street Page 4 zxy366

5 Wanganui Herald 19 March 1877 advert for John Knowles, Surveyor refers to Mr Chevannes Rutland Hotel. Wanganui Herald 13 April 1880 Advert for coach service from Wanganui to Turakina, leaves from Evan s Rutland Hotel. Wanganui Herald 31 Aug 1880 Rutland Hotel at Wanganui burnt and completely gutted. Fire started in kitchen. Proprietor: Mr FW [Frank Walpole] Evans. Notes that hotel had recently been renovated. Wanganui Herald 17 Sept 1880 contractors start work repairing Rutland Hotel; 3 week s work. Wanganui Herald 30 Oct 1880 [and earlier dates in October] adverts re fire at Rutland Hotel: hotel now restored. Frank Evans, proprietor. Wanganui Herald 1 June 1882 Licensing Committee 1 st annual meeting of Queen s Ward committee notes Frank W Evans, licensee of Rutland Hotel. (Also licensee in 1883 report.) Wanganui Herald 9 June 1884 Licensing Bench report Donald Ross transfer of licence to AJ Parsons. Wanganui Herald 8 June 1885 Licensing Board report: AJ Parsons, Rutland Hotel license granted. Notes hotel had 7 sitting rooms and 27 bedrooms. Wanganui Herald 13 Jan 1886 report of meeting of creditors in estate of AJ Parsons. Notes Parsons came from Timaru and bought Rutland Hotel in Dec Wanganui Herald 6 June 1890 Licensing Court annual meeting notes G Denny of Rutland Hotel, manager for Mr Parsons. (Denny also licensee in 1891.) Wanganui Herald 7 June 1892 Licensing Committee notes permanent transfer of publican s licence for Rutland Hotel to Mr CJ McCarthy. (McCarthy also mentioned in 1893 and 1893 Licensing Board reports.) Wanganui Herald 17 May 1894 The Rutland Stables report of new stables built by AJ Parsons for Robert Ross. Architect: A Atkins; builder N Meuli. Wanganui Herald 16 Sept 1895 report notes CJ McCarthy, licensee of Rutland Hotel, re licensing breach. Wanganui Herald 9 Nov 1897 adverts for cider made in Wanganui gives Mr Sullivan s Rutland Hotel as outlet. Yeoman, 5 & 19 March 1898 reports on the state of the Rutland Hotel (not good). Wanganui Herald 28 March 1899 business improvements in town: re Bristol s Butchers, notes this adjoins the brick additions now being made to the Rutland Hotel. Wanganui Herald 11 Sept 1899, p2 Town improvements: The Rutland Hotel new brick portion on Victoria Avenue (fully described). Proprietor: Mr Percy Herman. Architect: A Atkins; contractors: Russell & Bignell. Wanganui Herald, 5 Nov 1902 report on tenders for Rutland Hotel, 3-storied brick structure proposed. Notes that all tenders in excess of what Public Trust would pay so new plans will be drawn on a somewhat less pretentious scale and fresh tenders called. Yeoman, 16 May 1903 description of plans for new hotel. Wanganui Herald 6 Nov 1903 L&G news: licensing committee considers application from Mr F Faber of the Rutland Hotel, to open a temporary bar in the Avenue [implies hotel additions still under construction]. Wanganui Herald 18 Nov 1903: Borough Council report re building by-laws notes bay window of Rutland Hotel projecting over the street. Wanganui Chronicle 11 Jan 1904 advert: Government Insurance Dept notice of removal to new premises, Ridgway St, adjoining the Rutland Hotel. [This is when their Coat of Arms would have been placed on the gable above their office.] Wanganui Herald 6 June 1904 Wanganui Licensing Committee renewals of licences: Rutland Hotel, FC Faber, granted. Wanganui Herald 9 March 1904 letter referring to Hatrick s send-off at Rutland Hotel [prior to overseas trip] and also a Collegiate School Old Boys dinner at the Rutland Hotel in April Wanganui Herald 15 June 1904 Messrs CF Millward & Co intend occupying a central office under the new Rutland Hotel shortly and closing their office on Taupo Quay. Wise s Directory 1907 illustrated advertisement for The Rutland, showing three-storied corner section with octagonal tower. Wanganui Chronicle, 8 July 1963 article on Government Life Insurance and Coat of Arms on Rutland building. Wanganui Chronicle, 29 Mar 1977 feature on Rutland, celebrating 125 years of its establishment. Wanganui Chronicle, 26 Sep 1992 article and illustration of proposed refurbishing of Rutland Hotel. Wanganui Chronicle, 16 Feb 1993 Photograph of restoration work on Rutland. Heritage Inventory 377 RUTLAND HOTEL Victoria Avenue corner Ridgway Street Page 5 zxy366

6 My ancestor was in the British Army, MJ & CT Watts, Society of Genealogists 1995 names all British army regiments, including the 58 th and 65 th. Loyal Wanganui Lodge No 4738, unpublished Historical information at Alexander Heritage & Research Library, compiled c1988. Comments on Significance: Historic This is one of the oldest hotels in Wanganui, established by the early 1850s on this site. It has wellestablished links with the early settlement of Wanganui, especially the period when it was a garrison town with the Rutland Stockade nearby. Its name recalls this era in Wanganui s history. Architectural The Edwardian hotel still retains its architectural character after the 1993 renovation work. It is the only example of a hotel designed by Alfred Atkins that still exists (his other magnum opus, the Pipiriki Hotel, burnt down twice). Cultural/Social Since the 1850s, the Rutland Hotel has been a popular place for its bars and accommodation. In the 1950s and 1960s, it was (together with Foster s) the favoured hotel for visiting Collegiate School parents, especially at Easter weekend when the school sports were held. The Rut as it was affectionately known, was a popular bar and the hotel dining room was one of the best places to eat out in the days before restaurants were established in Wanganui in the 1960s. Context Situated on a prominent corner site, the restored Rutland is now an icon for Wanganui s heritage promotion. It complements its neighbours at the Victoria Avenue/Ridgway Street intersection the Post & Telegraph Office, the Hallenstein s building and Wakefield Chambers as well as the Watt Memorial Fountain. Recommendations: List in District Plan Heritage Inventory; only part of the Rutland is in the Old Town Conservation Overlay Zone. Date: 6 October 2004; revised March 2009 Research by: Wendy Pettigrew From left: The corner of the Rutland Hotel and the Ridgway Street elevation after the 1993 restoration work. The Victoria Avenue entrance with Rutland set in brass. The Government Life coat of arms. Heritage Inventory 377 RUTLAND HOTEL Victoria Avenue corner Ridgway Street Page 6 zxy366

7 The Rutland c1910 as it looked with the three-storey corner section and the wooden section along Ridgway Street which were built in The two-storey brick wing along Victoria Avenue was built in FJ Denton, Tesla Studios Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library G /1. The 1906 advertisement for the Rutland, showing the full extent of the hotel at the time. Note the Watt Fountain was still in place; it was removed later in 1906 to make way for the tram system. Heritage Inventory 377 RUTLAND HOTEL Victoria Avenue corner Ridgway Street Page 7 zxy366

8 The 1880s Rutland Hotel building, all of which was replaced in Denton photograph taken in late 1890s. (ATL 1/ ) The Rutland Hotel c the building which burnt down on Christmas Day (ATL 1/ ) Other historical photograph: 1. Memories of Old Wanganui post-1908 photo of Ridgway Street showing three-storied section of Rutland at the corner of the Avenue, with two-storied wooden-fronted section, and Government Life Insurance Coat of Arms, on Ridgway Street (which now forms Rutland Arms Hotel). Heritage Inventory 377 RUTLAND HOTEL Victoria Avenue corner Ridgway Street Page 8 zxy366