Bay Harbour: July 05, 2023
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Wednesday <strong>July</strong> 5 <strong>2023</strong> <strong>Bay</strong> <strong>Harbour</strong> News<br />
13<br />
thirst through the ages<br />
SALE<br />
STARTS NOW<br />
View up London St, probably late 1920s. The War Memorial is prominent in foreground. Te Ūaka The Lyttelton<br />
Museum ref.14625.164 https://www.teuaka.org.nz/online-collection/1135432 Right – two unidentified men with<br />
tractor pulling a load of wood on a trailer in front of the Empire Hotel. Te Ūaka The Lyttelton Museum ref.13640.1<br />
https://www.teuaka.org.nz/online-collection/1134365<br />
Our 1920s image looking<br />
westward along the street<br />
shows the dominance of the<br />
Empire in a town well served<br />
by drinking establishments;<br />
it is second in stature only to<br />
the Art Deco towers of the<br />
<strong>Harbour</strong> Light Theatre.<br />
Collett’s Chemist and<br />
Pitcaithly Butchers are its<br />
immediate neighbours; the<br />
bulk of the Empire is mirrored<br />
by that of the War Memorial<br />
in its unlikely (and short-lived)<br />
location in the centre of the<br />
intersection of London and<br />
Oxford Sts.<br />
The mid-century photograph<br />
is of a tractor towing a<br />
load of timber on London St,<br />
with the Empire’s windows<br />
dressed in rows of neatly<br />
laundered net curtains. The<br />
signage suggests on a hot day,<br />
Crown Sparkling Ale was still<br />
the thirst quencher of choice.<br />
Ensuing years saw a continuing<br />
succession of owners and<br />
licensees.<br />
In 2006, a comprehensive<br />
refurbishment was<br />
undertaken. In addition to<br />
providing accommodation<br />
and a popular public bar,<br />
a “general store” fronting<br />
the street sold, amongst<br />
other necessities, famously<br />
enormous ice creams. It<br />
appeared these were especially<br />
popular with Russian seamen,<br />
often seen strolling the main<br />
drag of a winter afternoon<br />
consuming the huge frozen<br />
treats.<br />
The September 4, 2010<br />
earthquake badly damaged the<br />
Empire’s stone facade; it was<br />
solidly braced with a view to<br />
repair, but the more damaging<br />
February 22, 2011 earthquake<br />
necessitated a controlled<br />
demolition of the building.<br />
To date, the site of the<br />
long-serving waterhole is<br />
on the market alongside<br />
neighbouring Collett’s<br />
Corner site. While it awaits<br />
redevelopment it plays host<br />
every Saturday to the Craft<br />
and Treasure market.<br />
03 322 4548 | Easy Parking<br />
17 Lillian Street, Halswell<br />
www.maxwellfashion.co.nz<br />
Open Mon-Fri 9.30am - 5.00pm<br />
Saturday 10.00am - 1.00pm<br />
Check out our facebook page<br />
LAYBY WELCOME<br />
Unwell?<br />
Go to your pharmacy for advice, medicine or<br />
referral for minor health conditions<br />
This winter, Te Whatu Ora is funding free help for minor health conditions at<br />
participating community pharmacies in Waitaha Canterbury.<br />
For eligibility criteria and more information visit<br />
www.cdhb.health.nz/minorhealthconditions or talk to your pharmacist.