O’Malley’s veranda

I MUST say “A veranda once fit for a King” is a great story by Simon Bevilacqua ( Mercury October 12). He gives historical information of the Hunters Hotel in Queenstown and that of its people.

Sadly, too many old buildings and especially hotels in Tasmania have been modernised and their facades altered. Dining rooms have become uncomfortable with their historic ambience lost.

Some time ago tourists had fun stepping into old hotels’ pubs and dining rooms. They looked at 1950 posters and old photos on walls, walked on linoleum floors, sat on tables with waxed patterned tablecloths and studied the menu. Tasmanian produce was fresh and home cooked with bacon and eggs, sausages, mixed grill, steak or chops with chips, mixed grill, flounder, liver and bacon, steak and kidney, roasts of chicken, beef or lamb on Sundays. Desserts were a choice of ice cream, pavlova, trifle or lemon delicious pie in summer and steamed puddings in winter. While waiting for food with a cold beer or a glass of riesling, one could listen to the talk of locals in the bar next door.

It is important councils look after public safety, but instead of orders to tear it down, why not help with repairs? Other countries rebuild, repair and maintain historic places. West Coast council and others should think more about the consequences of their decisions before giving orders to wreck buildings and history. leadership to facilitate an orderly transition to a sustainable electric vehicle future.