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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Hotels

Hotels.

Carriers' Arms Hotel (Alexander McVinish, proprietor), Dee Street, Invercargill. This hotel is said to be one of the oldest in Invercargill, and has been conducted by the present proprietor since 1902. It is a two-storey brick building, containing about twenty rooms, of which eight are bedrooms, and four sittingrooms, and there is a fine dining hall, capable of seating about forty guests. The stables behind the hotel contain twelve stalls, and two loose boxes.

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Mr. Alexander Mcvinish , the proprietor, was born in Inverness-shire, Scotland, and arrived at Wellington by the S.S. “Ruapehu” in 1891. He had several years' experience of station life in the Wairarapa, before removing to the Lower Hutt, where he was proprietor of the Central Hotel for five years. In 1902 Mr. Mcvinish sold out and came to Invercargill. He served for about five years as a volunteer in Inverness.

Deschler's Hotel (Horace Bastings, proprietor), Esk Street, Invercargill. Established in 1867. This hotel has been conducted by Mr. Bastings since 1902. The building is of two stories in brick, and contains sixty-eight rooms, of which forty-four are bedrooms. There are three sitting-rooms, two commercial rooms, and two parlours, besides a large dining room, which will seat forty-eight guests. There are also three sample rooms. The building, which has an entrance to Don Street, was destroyed by fire on the 28th of January, 1903, and has since been remodelled and rebuilt. Mr. Bastings is referred to in another article as a former member of the House of Representatives.

The Imperial Hotel (David Bissett, proprietor), Dee Street, Invercargill. This hotel, which was established in 1877, is a fine three-storey brick building fronting Dee Street. It contains about twenty-five rooms, of which nineteen are bed rooms, and there are three large sitting rooms, and a handsome dining room which will seat forty people.

The Imperial Hotel.

The Imperial Hotel.

Mr. David Bissett , the Proprietor, was born in 1857, in Perthshire, Scotland, where he was educated. He learned the trade of a grocer in Perth, Glasgow and Edinburgh, and came to the Bluff, via Melbourne, in 1883. Mr. Bissett was employed by Mr. T. McChesney, merchant, at Invercargill, for seventeen years, and at the end of that time went into the hotel business, and conducted the Victoria Hotel for seven and a half years, before taking over the Imperial in 1899. He served as a volunteer in the Perthshire rifles, is a member of the St. John Lodge of Freemasons, and has passed through the chairs in the
Gerstenkorn, photo.Mr. D. Bissett.

Gerstenkorn, photo.
Mr. D. Bissett.

Shamrock, Rose and Thistle Lodge of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity. Mr. Bissett was president of the Caledonian Society in 1898; he has been an enthusiastic athlete and was at one time a champion putter of the stone. He was married, in 1887, to a daughter of the late Mr. William Craig, of Wairio, and has had three sons, one of whom lost his life by drowning.
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The Victoria Hotel (Henry Edward Whitlaw, proprietor), Clyde Street, Invercargill. This hotel was established in the seventies, and the present two-storey brick building was erected in 1888. It contains sixteen rooms, including nine bedrooms and a sitting room, and the dining room will seat fifteen guests.

Mr. Henry Edward Whitlaw , the Proprietor, was born in 1869, at Auckland, where he was educated. In 1887 he went to Melbourne, and was engaged by the Farmers' Produce Company of Australia, Limited, as a junior, and left its service in 1893, as accountant. He was a member of the B Company of Militia for a short time, and was an active member of the Richmond Football Club, as well
Gerstenkorn, photo.Mr. H. E. Whitlaw.

Gerstenkorn, photo.
Mr. H. E. Whitlaw.

as of its committee. On his return to New Zealand Mr. Whitlaw was engaged by Messrs Abbott. Oram and Company as accountant. This position he held for eight years, and resigned to become the proprietor of the Lake Hotel, Takapana. Mr. Whitlaw was treasurer and committeeman of the Auckland Masonie Institute and Club, and a member of the Parnell and North Shore Cricket Clubs. On leaving Auckland, in January, 1904, Mr. Whitlaw became the licensee of the Victoria Hotel, Invercargill. He is vice-president of the Britannia Football Club, Appleby Cricket Club, Invercargill Sailing Club, and a committeeman of the Southland Cricket Association. Mr. Whitlaw was married, in 1897, to Miss Waddell, of Auckland, and has one daughter.