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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

The Endymion Hotel

The Endymion Hotel (M. O'Reilly, proprietor), Awahuri, This hotel, which was established in 1875, occupies one of the two prominent corners in the township. It is a large building of two stories, constructed of wood and iron, on leasehold ground. It contains twenty-two rooms, of which sixteen are bedrooms. There are two sitting-rooms, one of which is remarkably large. There is a capital dining-room, and a good bath with hot and cold water laid on. Behind the hotel are stables containing five stalls and seven loose-boxes. Mr. O'Reilly, who has been in possession since 1896, was born in Tipperary, and came to New Zealand per ship “Waitangi,” arriving in Lyttelton. He joined the Armed Constabulary force in September. 1880, continuing in connection with the service until April, 1890, being stationed at Wellington, and at Opunaki during the Maori disturbance. Subsequently, Mr. O'Reilly returned to Wellington, and was afterwards for three years in the Taupo district, during which time the road round Lake Taupo was being constructed by the force. At the time of the Russian scare Mr. O'Reilly was one of fifty men sent to Wellington to mount guns, and subsequently was transferred to Lyttelton for the same purpose. At the time of the Te Kooti scare Mr. O'Reilly was in Poverty Bay. Subsequently in Lyttelton he was transferred to the gaol as a warder, and afterwards occupied a similar position at the Wellington gaol until April, 1894, when he retired from the service. Mr. O'Reilly has been prominent as an athlete, and while resident in Canterbury, was a member of the old Sydenham Football Club, and in 1887–8 was reputed to be one of the best forwards, and played as a representative of Canterbury against the English, Otago, and Maori teams. While in Wellington Mr. O'Reilly was a member of the famous Poneke Club.