Royal Hotel and Daniel Munn

THE ROYAL HOTEL

Daniel Marquis MUNN
Proprietor.

In July 1849, Daniel MUNN opened the Royal Hotel at the Junction of Lambton and Thorndon QUAYS IN WELLINGTON.  The following advertisement appeared in the Wellington Spectator over June, July and August, 1850.

ROYAL HOTEL

Daniel MUNN, begs to return his sincere thanks, for the very liberal support he has received since opening the above establishment, and trusts that by constantly keeping on hand a supply of the very best description of wines, Ect [Etc]. and by unremitted exertions for the comfort of his guests, to merrit [merit] a continuance of that patronage which has hitherto been bestowed on him.

Daniel MUNN begs also to inform travellers and the public generally, that he has fitted up with every regard to cleanliness and comfort, several rooms for their accommodation, suitable both for families and single gentlemen.

The stock in trade of this establishment, consisting of the choicest Wines and Liquers [Liqueurs], as well as of the very best brands of spirits, Ale Etc.

By March 1851, MUNN was showing some interest in obtaining land in the Ahuriri District, and wrote to the Colonial Secretary’s Office, asking permission to occupy certain land for the purpose of depasturing stock.  He was advised that he would be at liberty to occupy the land mentioned, provided that it did not interfere with any previous application, when it was purchased from the Natives.

New Munster Gazette 10/10/1851)

In May 1853, the following advertisement appeared in the Wellington Spectator.

ROYAL HOTEL
MOST ELIGIBLE INVESTMENT
TO BE SOLD

The Lease, Licence, Goodwill, and fixtures of the above.  Possession can be given within a month from this date.

For full particulars apply to;
Daniel MUNN
on the premises
Wellington May 18th. 1853.

A further advertisement followed, repeated from the beginning of August to December.  It informed the public that he was relinquishing the business of the

ROYAL HOTEL and thanked the public generally for their support.  The Licence was transfered [transferred] to J. M. TAYLOR.

On October 23rd. 1853, the Schooner Wave set sail for Ahuriri, with Daniel MUNN as Master.  (MUNN was a Master Mariner). Messrs Newton and Villers were passengers.  The Wave and MUNN arrived back in Wellington from Ahuriri on December 10th.  MUNN made another voyage to AHURIRI in January 1854, arriving back in Wellington on March 3rd.

These voyages were probably made to transport building materials, fittings and furniture Ect to Napier for MUNN and VILLERS to construct and furnish their individual Hotels Ect. MUNN must have completed and licenced the Royal Hotel ahead of Villers; probably about June 1854, but he could have had a temporary Bar open long before this operated by a bar manager.

MUNN CLAIMED THAT THE ROYAL HOTEL WAS THE FIRST ESTABLISHED HOTEL IN THE TOWN OF NAPIER.  It appears by his calculations that the Western Spit, (Westshore) was not “In the Town”.

In 1854 Alfred DOMETT was appointed Commissioner of Crown Lands and Resident Magistrate at AHURIRI, and it was on his proposal to the Govenor [Governor], that the new town be called NAPIER in commemoration of “one of our best Army Captains, lately deceased, Sir Charles NAPIER.” Napier was a Captain in the British Army stationed in India, at a time when British influence was becomming [becoming] very prominent; not to the liking of many Indian Rulers.  There was an attack on the British Consul at Hyderabad, and to put an end to this Captain Napier gathered a small force, and at the Battle of “Miani”, (Meanee [Meeanee]) defeated a much larger Indian force, so gaining control of the important Province of “Sind”. (Scinde)

Some of the principle town roads, streets, and other parts of Napier are called by names most prominent in the British-Indian history.

On the 4th March, 1854, after taking up his appointment as Resident Magistrate at Napier, Domett sent an urgent request to the Colonial Secretary, asking for two Police Constables to be sent to Napier without delay.  On the 8th. April, 1854, he wrote a letter to two local business men, Messrs Curling and Alexander, informing them that he intended holding a sitting of the Magistrates Court for the district, for the hearing of Civil and criminal cases, to be held at Port Napier at Messers [Messrs] VILLERS and MCKAINS Hotel, at 12 Noon on Monday 1st. May, 1854, at which their attendance if convenient was requested.

This would have been the first sitting of a court presided over by a Magistrate to be held at Napier; it must have been at this meeting that Daniel MUNN’S PUBLICCANS LICENSE was granted. Also, it gives a fair indication that VILLERS and MCKAINS Hotel on the Western

Spit, must have been the only suitable building in Napier at that time to hold a sitting of a Court.

In December 1855 William Villers advertised his “NAPIER” Hotel for sale.  This Hotel was situated on Town Section 45 next to MUNNS Royal in Carlyle Street.  The advertisement read;

PORT AHURIRI NAPIER

To be sold by Public Auction, unless previously disposed of by Private Contract.

THAT valuable FREEHOLD PROPERTY, belonging to William VILLERS, (who is retiring from business in consequence of ill-health) known as the NAPIER HOTEL together with the Business, Goodwill, Stock-in-Trade, Fixtures, and Furniture, belonging thereto.  Also a Half-acre Section of elegible [eligible] land adjacent.  The House which is situated within twenty yards of the River, (Tutaekuri) and ajoining [adjoining] the line of the Road laid out by the Government, contains 17 rooms VIZ:

3 Parlours.
11 Bedrooms.
Kitchen.
Bar and
Taproom.

All Parlours have convenient fireplaces. The Kitchen (Separate Building) is very large and commodious, and is provided with a first rate Brick Oven, Pump, Sinks, Dressers, and every other convenience.

The furniture, comprising Tables and Chairs Bedsteads, Bedding, Ect. Ect., is in good condition.

This is an unusually favourable opportunity for anyone desirous of entering at once into a good business.

The Land Sales are expected to take place shortly, when the value of both the property and business will be very materially enhanced.

Every particular may be had on application to Mr. J. S. SMITH, Molesworth Street, Thorndon Flat Wellington, or to the Proprietor on the premises.

December 19th., 1855.

As Resident Magistrate Dommett [Domett] was also responsible for the management of Bush and Hotel

Licences.  In 1858 a proper Licensing Court was established in Napier, it normally consisted of a Magistrate, two Justices Of The Peace, Army Officers, or two or more highly respected business men.  The Bench as this group of gentlemen were refered [referred] to, were responsible for interveiwing [interviewing] applicants for licences, for the renewal of existing Licences, and to deliberate with council over the granting of licences to new establishments or new applicants.

DOMETT at this time had no help of this kind.  Every decision he made, was based on information he was able to obtain from the very few businessmen in the town.  He would, at their convenience, have them “sit in” while interviewing applicants as to their characture [character], experience and suitability to hold a licence.

On the 9th. January 1856, Domett sent the following information to the Superintendant for the Colony at Wellington.

Licences issued and fees collected.

Publicans Licences.

DOUGLAS, Waipureku
late Master of the Solopian   15 Pounds.

DYETT & HARRIS, Waipureku.
Owned by T. K. Newton & Co.   20 Pounds.

Daniel MUNN.   30 Pounds

William VILLERS.   30 Pounds.

N.B. On the 20th. February, 1856, the Licence of J. B. McKAIN, Ahuriri Hotel, (formerly Accommodation House), was transfered [transferred] to Joseph TORR, McKains Son In Law.

DOMETT included a letter from Daniel MUNN in this letter to the Superintendant complaining of the inefficiency of the Police, or the lack of them in Napier.

In the letter MUNN complains of the riotous conduct of a ruffian called Louis Carr.  He said his conduct was evidence of the inefficiency of the Police Force.  He mentioned that he had not complained very often, however he had written to this office requesting Police to be sent to Napier as the law is dead, so far as drunken rioters are concerned.  He mentions that the ONE Policeman who did arrive had only ONE SET OF HANDCUFFS?.

He goes on to say that the timber for the Lockup had still not arrived, and that if no more police were appointed to keep Law and Order, there would be more serious offences committed.

DOMETT enclosed a cover note in this letter to the Superintendent at Wellington, threatening to resign if something was not done about Law and Order in Napier.

He also wrote a letter to the Colonial Secretary requesting that all Licensing matters be dealt with by their office as he did not want to handle the management of licences, or the disagreable [disagreeable] duty of refusing them.

In March 1856, Domett resigned as Commissioner Of Crown Lands and Resident Magistrate.  The people of Nelson had nominated him to represent them in Parliament.  Just after his departure from Napier, the following article appeared in the NEW Zealand SPECTATOR. EI. [i.e.?]

(From Our Own Correspondent)

NAPIER APRIL 6TH. 1856.

“A Dinner was given to Mr. Domett immediately before his departure to take his seat in the House of Representatives.  It was a very partial affair, got up in haste by the Settlers near the Port, as the time did not permit a more general gathering.

On Thursday the suggestion was made in the presence of Mine Host of the “ROYAL”, who having a keen eye to business, immediately took the matter under his special patronage, and on Friday a document was presented to Mr. Domett, signed by most of the Settlers in the Township, requesting him to Postpone his departure, and inviting him to a feed at the Royal Hotel.

Special Couriers were dispatched to the stations within reach, and on Saturday evening a large gathering assembled including three Native Chiefs.  I cannot enlarge upon the perfection of Mr. MUNNS larder and cellar, nor upon the skill evinced by his cooks in the performance of their arduous duties, and I have no doubt that a vast amount of eloquence was lost to the readers, in consequence of having asumed [assumed] that the diner in question would require two or three days at least to prepare.”

VILLERS “NAPIER” Hotel remained unsold for just on eleven months. In October 1856, the property was purchased by Daniel MUNN, and used in conjunction with his Royal Hotel.  On October 24th. the following advertisement appeared in the New Zealand Spectator.

NOTICE.

Daniel MUNN, in thanking the Ahuriri Settlers and visitors to Napier for their liberal patronage, begs to inform them, that having now extensive accommodation for any parties visiting Napier, they may rely upon finding all the comforts necessary in a Hotel, combined with the best Spirits, Wines, Ale and Beer, that can be purchased in the Colony, at moderate charges.

DANIEL MUNN will also give any visitor the benefit of his Colonial experience (That Valuable Commodity) gratis as regards any of the lands that are to be open for sale on and after 15th. November, 1856.

Royal Hotel, NAPIER,
October 24th. 1856.

At this time MUNN had also established a Wholesale and retail Store.

Daniel MUNN was regarded an [as] a very loyal Townsman and Businessman.  He became a prominent man in the affairs of the district.  The Royal, or MUNNS place as it was usually referred to, was the social rendezvous for all occasions.  At this time before any roads were constructed, the only way about Napier was by boat and Native tracks that wound round the lagoons and up and over Scinde Island.  NAPIER was nothing but a maze of Shingle Banks, Swamps and Lagoons.  His Royal Hotel was in the ideal position to attract the thirsty raftsmen, or travellers going up or down the Tutaekuri, or over to the Eastern or Western Spits. plus the thirsty seamen from ships anchored in the Harbour.  He also had ample accommodation for travellers Ect.

His only competitor now that he had taken over Villers Hotel and small wharf nearby, was the AHURIRI HOTEL, over on the Western Spit, (Westshore) formerly known as McKAINS Accommodation House, but now owned and Licenced to Joseph TORR, McKains Son In Law.  There were also two new hotels at Waipureku Licenced to Douglas, and Dyett & Harris.  Both these hotels at this time were owned by T. K. Newton.

On the 19th. November 1857, 19 year old Mary MUNN, eldest daughter of Daniel and Jessie, were married by Special Licence to Alexander BROWNE Esq., Merchant of Napier.

A meeting was held at MUNNS Royal Hotel on Saturday the 9th. January, 1858, chaired by Alexander Alexander who was one of the earliest Settlers in the district.  At this meeting it was proposed by Mr. MacLean that a Presbyterian church building, to be named St. Pauls, be erected.  A Committee, consisting of Messrs A. Alexander, D. Gollan, G. M. Gray, D. MacLean, J. McKinnon, D. Munn (Treasurer), and James Wood (Secretary), was set up to raise funds for building and maintaining a church.

At another meeting held by a group at the beginning of April, 1858, The Masonic Brethern [Brethren] gathered at the Royal “to found Scinde Lodge” (419) at Brother Munns Royal Hotel.

At the beginning of April Munn disposed of his general Store business.  The following advertisement appeared in the Hawkes Bay Herald.

NOTICE

D. MUNN in relinquishing the general store business, receiving and storing Settlers Ect., begs to inform the Settlers that he has disposed of the same to Messrs. Newton & Browne, whom he begs to introduce to former customers.

The varied stock on hand will be sold at the lowest remunerating prices for two months, when the remaining stock will be sold by auction.

Napier April 2nd. 1858.

The undersigned having relinquished the store business, respectfully requests his customers to pay their accounts due up to December 1857, within three months from this date.

OR ELSE!!

Daniel MUNN
Napier April 9th. 1858.

This Notice was the first indication that Daniel MUNN was experiencing financial problems.

A Licensing Court Meeting was held at Napier on April 23rd. 1858, The Bench consisted of Walter OGILVY Esq., Acting Magistrate, Lieut. Colonel WYATT, H. R. RUSSELL Esq., and Captain NEWMAN.

THERE WERE FIVE APPLICATIONS FOR NEW HOTELS.

GOLDEN FLEECE HOTEL, Hastings Street, BERNARD FERRERS.

SETTLERS HOTEL, Shakespeare Road, JOHN D. FITZGERALD.

BIRD IN HAND, Waghorn [Waghorne] Street, Eastern Spit, (Ahuriri) HENRY SHERLEY.

VICTORIA HOTEL, Onepoto, Corunna Bay, THOMAS K. NEWTON.

CHAUCER TAVERN, Carlyle Street, JOHN HENRY SEBLEY

ALL THE NEW APPLICATIONS WERE GRANTED.

On the 8th March 1858, shorly [shortly] after the Military had arrived in Napier and set up a camp in Onepoto Gully, James Stewart had obtained a Interim Licence from the Military authorities in Auckland to establish a “Wet Canteen” in this camp.  It was at this meeting that the Canteen Licence was formally granted.

Daniel Munn contested the legality of this “Canteen” selling liquor to civilians.  The Bench advised MUNN that there was nothing in the Imperial Act under which this Licence was issued to prevent a canteen holder from selling liquor to civilians.

Thomas K. NEWTON, VICTORIA HOTEL, Onepoto, was informed that his licence was granted conditionally, that the Hotel would be subject to military regulations, so long as the soldiers remained at Onepoto.

MUNN was ordered to erect a six stalled weather board stable to be completed by the 30th June.  He must have been a very disappointed man after this meeting.  Where he had anticipated extra business from military personal, he now found that they had liquor available inside and just outside their camp without having to make their way down to the Royal, then having to contend with the hard slog uphill, back to their barracks afterwards.  He also now had to go the extra expence [expense] of building stables.

It appears that MUNN must have borrowed substancial [substantial] sums of money, to finance all the land he had aquired [acquired] at the Land Sales, plus establishing his Royal Hotel and purchasing Villers Hotel next door.  He was now deeply in Debt.  On the 8th day of October, 1858, he assigned most of his property to STUART KINROSS, Merchants at Wellington as security for outstanding debts.

On November 27th, 1858 the Hawkes Bay Herald published the following advertisement;

SALE OF LAND AT NAPIER

Messrs STUART, KINROSS & Co., have received instructions from Mr. Daniel MUNN to sell by Auction, at Napier, without reserve on Wednesday 1st December 1858, the following valuable freehold properties.

TOWN LAND

Section No 45 – 1/4 Acre with two substantial buildings thereon suited for Stores or Dwellinghouses.  One measuring 56 x 26 feet, and the other 30 x 16 feet.  This has an excellent Bakers Oven attached.

These two described buildings were previously William VILLERS Hotel and Cookhouse.

The advertisement continued with a description of a list of properties in Town and out in the country.  The advertisement concluded with a statement that the whole of the described property was originally purchased by Mr. Munn at the Government Sales, and selected very carefully with the view of obtaining the most valuable sites.  That from his long residence in and thorough

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acquaintance with the district, no one was so well qualified to do so with advantage, nor could a better guarantee be given for its high value.

The Add. [Ad.] goes on to mention that all the Government Land has now been sold, and that an opportunity to purchase freehold quality land would now seldom be offered.

A few days later the ROYAL HOTEL was included in the advertisement.

HOTEL AND PUBLIC HOUSE PROPERTY
For Sale Napier.
ROYAL HOTEL.

This House for many years has been the favourite resort with the Settlers in Hawkes Bay, and has done a most extensive first class business.

The accommodation is most complete and airy, and there is also a six stalled stable just errected with Harness Room, Ect.

Few eligible opportunities have ever been presented for the investment of capital in this branch of business in New Zealand, and is solely caused by Mr. Munn’s retiring to reside at his sheep station.

(Probably Mt. Erin Station, a Government Run, TeMata Block, which Munn had acquired several years earlier.  he must have been stocking up this run with cattle and sheep with profits from the Royal but had overcommited [overcommitted] himself).

NAPIER is rapidly advancing as a commercial Port, and has now a large body of Military located there.  Not should it be lost sight of that a few months hence the Ahuriri will become a separate and distinct Province, which will no doubt much increase the trade and enhance the value of property in the district.

Neither the Royal Hotel of Villers former Hotel were sold at the Auction.  Two weeks later the Royal was advertised

“TO LET”

Over the next year Munn was unable to make any financial recovery.  The proceeds from his land sales were not sufficient to cover his debts.  No one was interested in leasing or purchasing his Hotel and other buildings.  To make matters worse Shakespeare Road and the causway [causeway] giving access to the Port had been completed and the “White Road” (Hastings Street and TeAwa [Te Awa] Avenue) to Awatoto although not completed was negotiable.  He also now had to compete for business with a number of other Town Hotels; The flow of river traffic must have also dropped off as various stores and other buildings including a Hotel, The Bird in Hand, had been established on the Eastern Spit. (Ahuriri)

On the 15th day of November, 1859, STUART KINROSS & CO. gave Notice that they would take possession of all property assigned as security for all monies owing.

A Copy of the Forclosure [Foreclosure] Notice was published in the Hawkes Bay Herald.  Munn reacted swiftly to this Notice being published by placing the following reply in the Herald two days later.: Probably many many drams later.

NOTICE

TO THE PUBLIC OF NEW ZEALAND, AND THE PUBLIC OF WELLINGTON, AND HAWKES BAY IN PARTICULAR.

KNOW YEE that Daniel MUNN has paid off most of the liabilities that he assigned his property IN TRUST for, and that he, previous to the 1st. day of October, arranged through Messers Bethune and Hunter and W. M. Ballantyne Esq., merchants of the City of Wellington, who also gave his bills for several amounts owing to his creditors, which does not become due until the 15th. day of January 1860, and that on or previous to that date he will BE PREPARED TO “SQUARE THE YARDS WITH THE WORLD.” and in conclusion, hereby inform Messrs STUART, KINROSS & CO. they had better “GANG HAME AGAIN” and learn their Grandmithers to SOCK EGGS,” before attempting to Jew the founder of the Province of Hawkes Bay, and of twenty years Colonial experience in New Zealand.

DANIEL MARQUIS MUNN,

Formerly of Greenock, N. B.: afterwards Master Mariner of New South Wales; afterwards Licenced Victualler of Wellington, New Zealand; new Licenced Victualler of Napier, Sheep-farmer and Grazier, Government Run, Te Mata Block.

MUNN’S wife Jessie McLaren, died on the 18th. May 1860.  Daniel remained Proprietor of the Royal Hotel until his death on the 12th. October, 1864.  The Executors of his Estate Leased the Royal out until 1867, that is when the last of the detachment of soldiers in Barracks on Hospital Hill left Napier.

The Licence was not renewed.

From 1867 to 1874, Munns old hotel was used by the Immigration Authorities as a Hostel Ect.

In 1874, the property was purchased by Neal & Close who were Napier merchants.  Munns old hotel was demolished, and a new up to date establishment built on the same site.  The new Royal Hotel opened in late September, 1874.  Joseph LEAR was the Proprietor.

Borough Council records show, that from the early 1880s, residents in Lower Carlyle Street in the vicinity of the Royal Hotel, started complaining to the Council about the stench coming from the water opposite the Royal Hotel, where the sewer and the Nightsoil Carts discharged human waste into the tide.  The problem was

passed onto the Harbour Board; they in turn accepted part of the blame due to the reclaimation [reclamation] that was being carried out by one of their contractors in this area at the time, however they considered the problem was mainly caused by the discharge of sewerage, therefore the Councils to rectify.  This nuisance, as the Borough Council called it, remained for a number of years.

In 1885, the owners of the Royal Hotel decided to move it closer to town.  A site had become available on the Corner of Carlyle St. and Chaucer Road, the former site of the Chaucer Tavern.

At the quarterly Licensing Meeting held at Napier on the 6th. March, 1885, Neal & Close applied for permission to move the Royal Hotel, from the end of Carlyle Street to Chaucer Road; permission was granted, and the hotel was moved to its present position in early June 1885.

Though “Badly Strained” and moderately damaged in the Napier Earthquake, the Hotel was patched up, and is still licensed and open for business.