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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]

The Castle Hill Hotel

The Castle Hill Hotel, Castle Hill. The older portion of this hotel, a one-storey stone building, was built in 1871, as an accommodation house, by Mr. Fred Harris. It was afterwards sold to Mr. Tom Douglas, and in 1881 was bought by Mr. Cloudesley, who added the present two-storied building to the older portion. Fourteen years later Mr. Cloudesley let the hotel to Mr. Charles Morton, the predecessor of the present proprietor. The hotel is built of Castle Hill white stone, and possesses about twenty rooms, comprising about a dozen bedrooms, the kitchen and the bar. The domestic arrangements are supervised by Mrs McLachlan, and the table would do credit to any city hotel. As it is situated on the West Coast road, twenty miles from Springfield, the hotel receives a large amount of patronage. It possesses a post and telegraph office, and is a stopping place for the coaches on their way to the Bealey. The Castle Hill Hotel is, however, noted chiefly as a holiday and health resort. The scenery surrounding it is picturesquely mountainous, and the climate is invigorating to a salutary degree. There are fossil beds and caves, near at hand, and these, with their varied relies and quaint specimens, are a source of endless interest, and the rivers and neighbouring country offer inducements to anglers and sportsmen. A pond, two chains by three chains in area, is in course of construction, and will be used for skating in the winter. Visitors have the use of a carriage and pair of horses, and every convenience is afforded for their enjoyment.