Early Taverns.

Inn keepers were doing a thriving trade at this period, for there were no less than five situated at Britannia (Thorndon) and the same number at Pito-one, to assuage the intense thirst of some of the inhabitants.

This list of licensed hotels appeared in the “N.Z. Gazette” and “Britannia Spectator” 10th October, 1840:—

Those at Britannia (Thorndon) were:

• “Barrett's Hotel” (Hotel Cecil site), Britannia.

• “Durham Arms.”

• “George Inn.”

• “Thistle Inn.”

• “Queen's Head.”

• “New Zealander” (R. Jenkins).

• “Lambton Tavern.”

• Those situated at Pito-one were:—

• “Britannia Hotel.”

• “Caledonian Tavern.”

• “Plough Inn.”

• “Australian Inn.”

• “Port Nicholson Hotel and Tavern.”