Nelson to Lose Four of its Old Pubs

It's a fact that has to be faced. The Mighty Dollar reigns supreme. So because of economics, four of Nelson's oldest drinking estab­lishments are to close. Dominion Breweries intend to close the Central, Royal and Panama Hotels and the Provincial Tavern and transfer their licences to other areas. The loss of middle class accommodation provided by these establishments is not so great – motels continue to be built and The Rutherford will cater for overseas visitors seeking fare of an international class. But the pinch might be felt later when New Zealand tourists, trailing their overseas counterparts and seeking cheaper hotel accommodation, arrive. Once licences are transferred from the city area how hard are they to retrieve? Hotels built on the fringe of the city will not be as convenient as those in a central position. Opposition to closing the four pubs, based on sentiment, will probably weaken once the deed is done. There are regulars to the doomed pubs, who claim they won't support the bar trade at The Rutherford. But once they see the modern, comfortable facilities of that new establishment they will probably weaken.

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The Provincial Tavern will be converted to male quarters for staff at The Rutherford. Records of when the tavern was built are hard to trace but it was probably built in the 1860s to cater for the drinking habits of staff at the Provincial Building which was opposite.

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The proprietor at the Provincial is Reg Blake who is now in his 25th year with the tavern. With Mr Blake are Mrs Fay Howie and Mrs Evelyn Blake.