Shamrock Hotel runs out of luck

Once the scene of frequent gay revelry, and of many public meetings and happenings of import to the early residents of Dunedin, the old Shamrock buildings at the corner of Rattray and Maclaggan streets have at last disappeared, and their demolition will have occasioned more than a passing thought in the minds of those who remember the old hotel in the heyday of its prosperity. The building was erected in 1861 as an hotel, and was used as such until the license was removed some nine years ago to the present Shamrock Hotel. It was the last of the old hotels built in the early days and had gradually been added to and improved until some years ago, when, becoming overshadowed by other and more up-to-date buildings, it fell into partial disuse and has now fallen a victim in its dusty old age to progress, the ruthless enemy of antiquity.

The section belongs to the Church Board of Property, and is leased to Messrs J. Speight and Co., who intend to erect on it a solid three-storey brick and concrete building, the plans for which have been drawn by Mr R. Forrest. The two top floors will be utilised for storage purposes by Messrs Speight and Co., while the ground floor will be fitted up as offices and shops. The major portion of this floor has already been secured by Messrs Scoullar and Chisholm. At one corner of the section is a well, apparently inexhaustible, of the finest water, and this at one time formed the chief water supply for a good many of the residents in the locality. At present it is used for brewing by Messrs Speight and Co., being highly valued for that purpose.

• The South Otago Freezing Works commenced operations on Wednesday morning quietly and without any official ceremony. The start has been delayed for months, owing to the non-completion of the building contract, but now there is every prospect of steady work till the expiration of the present season. The directors are supplying the lambs for the first week and 500 from Mr John Begg's flock were the first to be slaughtered. Since Wednesday morning everything has been running smoothly, and next week the management should have no hesitation in receiving general orders. For the first two days the kill was about 500 daily. There are in all 45 men engaged at present at the works, with Mr H. Simson as works manager and engineer. The formal opening will take place on June 1.

• There appears to be no difficulty now in the way of carrying out much-needed extensions of the Otago University buildings. For the students' building over 3966 has been collected by subscription, and the Chancellor (Mr J. Allen) says that 4000 is a certainty. On this amount the Government has granted a subsidy of 2 for 1, giving the council a total of 12,000 for the building. This addition, which will adjoin the Mining School, in Union street, will be in stone, and will contain, on the upper floor, two reading rooms, an assembly hall for entertainments, capable of seating 475 persons, and fitted with stage and dressing rooms; on the ground floor, two large common rooms, one for ladies and the other for gentlemen, a refreshment room and kitchen; and on the basement, two large locker rooms, bathrooms, and lavatories. A caretaker's living rooms are also provided for.

At the present drive off Union street there will be an arched opening, flanked by two octagonal towers. Then the Government having agreed to subsidise the Oliver bequest of 2000 to the extent of pound for pound, it has been decided to erect two class rooms, each with seating accommodation for 150 students, to be called the Oliver class rooms, in memory of the late Mr Richard Oliver.- ODT, 25.5.1912

• Copies of picture available from ODT front office, Lower Stuart St, or www.otagoimages.co.nz