A FINE RECORD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 267, 9 October 1933, Page 2

A FINE RECORD.

DIAMOND JUBILEE IN LICENSED TRADE. Mr H. B. Tucker, mine host of the Club Hotel, Palmerston North, attained his 76th birthday yesterday, and of his lengthy career 33 years have been spent by him in his present premises. Mr Tucker is a native of Devonshire, and prior to coming to New Zealand he was engaged in hotelkeeping in the south-west of England. It was in 1880 that lie made the journey overseas in the auxiliary steamship Durham, it having been one of the first vessels to make the direct trip from England to New Zealand. Landing at Lyttelton, Mr Tucker spent a short period in Christchurch prior to removing to Otago, where he took over the Bridge Hotel at Waitahuna. Four and a-half years later he moved to Balclutha and occupied the Farmers’ Arms, but in 1890 he decided to pay a visit to his native shores where he had business interests, and it was while in England that he took out annual licenses for two hotels in Bristol, selling each in turn. Within two years he was en route for the Colonies once again and in 1892 he took over the Marquis of Normanby Hotel at Carterton, where he remained for seven and a-half years prior to coming to Palmerston North in 1900. Taking over the Club Hotel, which had previously been occupied by Mr C. 'Miles, Mr Tucker set about the task of developing the business and by strict attention to the requirements of the travelling public built up a reputation for his house which reflects great credit on his organising ability. In June last Mr Tucker took out his 50th annual license, while the current year marks the 60th year of activity by him, in New Zealand and England, in the same line of business. It has been an unblemished record of service and Mr Tucker has come in for high commendation from the Licensing Committees for the manner in which he has conducted his hotel. Like her husband, Mrs Tucker is also a native of Devonshire, although their marriage was celebrated in New Zealand.